Lehigh University Top Questions

First off, my senior was loaded with AP classes and school clubs. I do not regret it at all. If anything, I would tell myself to have taken AP Spanish on top of Calculus, Literature, and Biology. I cannot stress enough how lucky I am now to have been able to come into college with a small supply of credits already. I think i should have been more involved in other extracurriculars outside of my high school, though. Also, I would have told myself that it is ok to relax sometimes and just enjoy the time I had with the oldest friends I have at this point in time. Sure, at college you make lifelong friends. But, there is nothing like the people you grew up with and had seen in school five days a week for twelve years of your life. All in all, work hard and don't slack (no matter how tempting it is!) College applications are stressful, but you end up where you belong. Relax and don't get too worked up over everything. It will all work out in the end.

I would go back to tell myself to not rush into any situation especially when it comes to big decisions. Making rash decisions can only retard your growing process. To make the best decision for your life entails deep thought, reflection, and self-development. Also, I would tell myself to pursue a major or career that best fits my strengths and interest. I listened to far too many other people when it came to making my own decisions such as college institutions and what I should and should not study. I would make sure to tell myself to be more aggressive when it comes to pursuing relationships whether they be friends, girlfriends, or even frenemies. The relationships developed in college will go a long way when applying for a job, internship, or even a class. If a time machine is ever built I would tell myself to pursue my own desires, be aggressive in developing relationships, and take my time when making life changing decisions.

I would tell myself that it is your responsibility to make the most of your college carreer. You will become a responsible student in a few months. Before you go away to college make sure you know how to do your laundry, wake up on your own and most importantly manage your time efficiently. Have a good balance between school and your social life. You want to make sure you get the most out of your academics and your social life. And most importantly you don't want your studies to take a back seat to your social life. Do not go over board with having a good time. Get the most out of school!

I would tell myself to never lose sight of myself, what I enjoy, and what I believe in. I would tell myself to avoid peer pressure and always stay true to myself. I would definitely tell myself to really focus on learning not to procrastinate, because if you do it in college, it's that much worse. I would tell myself to take advantage of all the knowledge the professors possess...it's really very invaluable. I would tell myself to enjoy life, and not to take myself too seriously all the time, but only when it is important to do so, AKA in terms of things like GPA, career prospects, etc. I would tell myself to not delay getting involved, not to tell myself "oh, I'll do it next year," because next year comes and passes, as does the next, and the next. I'd also tell myself to avoid cliques, avoid fake people, and hang around people I truly admire for who they are and how they make me feel. I'd tell myself to have fun, but do it safely!

Hey buddy, a word of advice. Take it from me, you will get into a college. Don't have so much anxiety over that uncertainty. I know you are really sweating it because all of a sudden you are afraid that none of the schools to which you have just applied will "accept" you. Instead, you need to know you will get into one of them and likely more than one of them, so start thinking about which one of them you will "accept." It is so crucial for you to feel happy and comfortable about where you will be making your new home for the next four years. Based on the experiences of my high school friends as well as my fellow freshman at college that it is so important to feel like you are in the right place when you get to college. What I am saying is pick carefully from among the colleges that accept you. The college you select might not be the one that is ranked the highest. That should not be your first consideration. To do well once you get to college, you need feel like you are in the right place.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about transitioning to college, I would tell myself to have more fun and to relax. During my first semester of college, I was so worried about doing well in my classes, that I didn't really join any clubs or organizations on campus because I was afraid I wouldn't have enough time to do everything. Instead, I spent all my time doing homework and studying because I was afraid of a bad first semester GPA haunting me later in my college career. Unfortunately, when I returned back to my hometown for winter break and met up with my high school friends, I didn't really have any "crazy college stories" with which to regale them, while they had plenty. I felt like I missed out on a lot of fun in my first semester compared to my friends. I've realized now that I was very intimidated by the transition to college because it was just so different from high school -- new setting, experiences, responsibilities, people. If I could do it all over, I would seize more opportunities for fun!

Dear myself from the past(which is now currently the present), Take adanced placement calculus. Do not quit pre-calc in the summer. Do not change anything else. Relax, and enjoy life. Senior year will have its ups and downs but it will be memorable to say the least. Do not slack off in English at th end. Regards, From future self in 2010. Yes, you have become quite old. P.S. You can dissregard all this if you'd like. I'm quite happy with how things are now. It would just make life a little bit more sweeter than it already is.

Hands down, the most important advice I would give my past self is to be positive, be open, and don't make assumptions about people and situations until you have adequately experienced them. Though I feel like somewhat of a flounderer as a double major in the liberal arts at Lehigh, where most students are math, science, and research oriented, if I could do it again, I would make the same decision of matriculation. While I've had to fight for respect among my peers, that effort has made me a different person. I still find some classes unsatisfying in the areas of thought provoking discussion; however, I've taken them as challenges. Initially I was disappointed, but since I have recently decided to take my own advice, (be positive and open) I am not only learning the material but i'm also learning how to take in subject matter differently, as well as how I adapt and perservere in new and different situations. The only thing I would advice my younger self to do differently is to be open to the change initially, and allow the evolution of the self to take place.

I would advise going to a larger school to have access to a community with more resources and opportunities for work, being involved with the community during school, and living a more normal life.

Just go where you want and don't let region or other people influence you. While in college remember to study, but still have fun, too many burn themselves out.