Gabriella
Have confidence in your choices and know that your quest for higher learning will lead you to a beautiful faith-based community that will support your growth. The higher price tag is worth the education you'll get at a small private college. Know that you're fully prepared for college and take the time to cherish the experience and embrace the new challenges!
Anjelique
School work is number one it will always be! Your career is going to be one of the most important things in the future if you want to live a happy, healthy, stress free life. School first, social life second! Get involved on campus and get to know everyone, also always ask for help when necessary. Never walk around confused!
Mallory
If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that I need to be calm. Nerves are a part of going to college, but remember that you are upset about things that haven't even happened yet! Every freshman has never been to college before and you are all on the same playing field. You are a smart girl and, with hard work, you will keep up academically. I would also tell myself to choose your college wisely, you will be there for the next four years of your life! And lastly, stick to your guns. Your morals are very important to you and it's good to stand by what you believe even when others don't. I would tell myself that people will tease you for not drinking, however, it will pay off in the long run and you will meet friends that like you for who you are!
Heather
If I could talk to myself as a senior, I would have told myself that I needed to follow my dreams and look at Lourdes. As a senior, I knew I wanted to be either a forensics expert or a detective, but I allowed my school counselor to talk me out of it, and decided to go to Albion College majoring in English. I would tell myself about all the struggles I would go through at Albion, surviving two weeks on $8 or constantly being told you owe this much with isthousands more than they originally told you. I would admit to myself that Albion was a good learning experience, but I would tell me that Lourdes could offer me those same opportunites and save myself a lot of trouble.
Patrick
The main point that I would make is to apply for any and all scholarships that I qualify for. I didn't see the virtue in scholarships back then, and missed several deadlines, therby turning down free money that I wouldn't have had to pay back. I also made some poor decisions regarding the school I chose. I would tell myself that the hour- long drive from Piqua to Lima every day is nearly impossible, and will be my downfall at UNOH, which it ended up being. I would tell myself to do what I eventually did, and should have done in the first place. Go to a local community college, where tuition is low and employment is easier to maintain while attending. I would then tell myself that once I have completed at that community college, to pick a 4 year program within a 50 mile radius of my parents house, not relocated for a Bachelor's program, since that very well end up becoming my downfall here at Lourdes.
I was pretty hard headed back then, though, so I probably wouldn't listen to myself, and would just let history repeat itself anyways.
Cynthia
Get (at least) your undergraduate degree while you're young! Okay, so even if you didn't know what you wanted to do, get that undergraduate degree in liberal arts; at least you'll have that basic education and you'll be well rounded. When you figure out what you want to do, go to graduate school, get a certificate, get job training, start you own business, whatever, but that bachelor's degree is a must. No, you won't "need" it when you graduate from high school because jobs will still be plentiful in 1974, but trust me, seemingly overnight, the bachelor's degree will become what a high school diploma used to be: the basic credential for entry into the workforce. Think of your undergraduate degree as an insurance policy. Having insurance coverage on your house will not guarantee that your house won't burn down, but if it does, you'll be able to rebuild. Likewise, your degree will not guarantee employment, but it will give you a "stick to fight with;" and trust me when I tell you that you will be so glad you didn't wait until middle age to get it!
ariel
I would tell myself to go to a community college and then finish at a university becuase i have used up all of my finacial aid and now i do not know how i am going to pay for school and my school is very expensive. They suggested to take out loans from different banks but becuase of my credit score those banks have devied me, i do not understand why school is so expensive and why it is so hard to pay. It seems like is this world the bad or negative is easy to get to but when it has to involve positive uplifting events it is hard to suceed in those, but do not get discouraged God has a plane
Anna
I would tell myself to learn study skills and time management as soon as possible. I would tell myself I would be responsible for my education, not my teachers. I would have to work hard, and it will be difficult. But I would tell myself to keep pushing forward, and to tell others when I was struggling because they wanted to help. I would tell myself college will be very different but as long as I tried to learn everything, such as how to manage time and how to study, I will be perfectly fine.
Kyle
Follow my gut instinct and keep myself busy so I can succeed and make a life for myself.
Zachary
I would sit myself down, look myself square in my eyes and say "Stop slacking. Start caring about your grades now because that G.P.A. translates into money for us. All high school boils down to in the long run is making your college experience easier. I would not be struggling to have all the bills paid, and you may have the ability to save me (us) from having to work 40 hours a week to do so if you only put forth some effort in class, and lock down some scholarships I could never attain. On a personal level please stop trying to be an extrovert. We are introverts to the core. The sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you will come into your own. One final note. Please be nicer to mom. She will come to respect you, and she will become more important to you as you get to know her more. She means so well, and all although you will not want to admit it for a couple more years, but she WAS RIGHT about Rebecca. Sleep Less. Write More. Less praying. More Doing.
Timothy
Twenty years has passed since I graduated from high school, but it seems like yesterday that I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I began my college endeavor having no clue what I wanted to do with my life. If I could go back to my senior year, I would have been less anxious about the road ahead of me. Although rocky at times, things always seemed to work out. Even though I was in the upper academic echelons of my graduating class, I would have pushed a little bit harder so that I could have received academic scholarships. During my senior year, I didn’t realize how much that money would help enhance my future and make life less financially cumbersome. Also, I would have focused on career paths immediately out of school that required licensure. Jobs requiring a license to practice seem to always have opportunity and pay well. I would have forced myself to focus on a regulated career and chosen from those careers. The things that I would have told myself during my senior year are things I will definitely share with my children, much earlier than it had taken me to realize.
Maria
If I could go back in time to when I was a senior in high school and tell myself about college, I would tell myself to not think about anything other than myself. College is not how it is shown on TV. College is about learning and getting an education. That is the only thing that I should be focused on. Having a lot of friends, going our and being "cool" is not as important as exceeding in life. I would tell myself not to worry about what others think of me. Going to school all dressed up, in nice clothes and such will not matter in ten years, when it is time to apply for a job. What will matter is how you did in school, not how you looked. Id tell myself to love myself for who I am, and just focus on whats important. Stick to my goal. Graduate. Be successful.
Heather
I would advise myself to be more organized, time efficiency is essential in college. It is important to be able to stay focused and study. This seems like a simple concept, but when a professor says you need to study three hours for every hour in class, they truly mean that. I would have also told my senior self to enjoy high school and not worry so much. College can be stressful, but worrying too much does not get As for grades. A student excels when relaxed and confident that they have prepared for the material on the quiz or exam. The last piece of advise I would have told myself as a senior is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. College is expensive and loans will one day mean paying interest, if I would have applied sooner for scholarships and more frequently I may have been in less debt. Although this is true it is worth the debt for the knowledge I have learned since beginning school and I am excited that I will one day be able to have the career of my dreams.
jennifer
There's a saying that I heard growing up: hindsight is 20/20. I never realized how true that statement was until I got older. Looking back on one's life sheds so much light on situations and experiences that now seem so much clearer. As a high school senior, I remember feeling like most kids, just wanting to fit it and not rock the boat. Now, however, I am much more empowered to make the best decisions for me and not just the best decision for the situation. I would advise my younger self to be brave, and not be afraid to experience new and exciting situations, such as going away for college. As a high school senior, I was working part-time while still in school with the intention of increasing my hours after graduation. I would tell myself that although I felt the need to work full-time, I should stay focused on school, and stay on track in order to ensure that my future was my priority. I would tell my younger self not to loose sight of my goal, because it can be too easily swept aside, and too hard to return to the path.
Holly Lynn
The best advice I could give my self going back in time, is to complete High School and take it more serious. I came from a home that was unsupportive, one that my parents were uneducated so school was not important.
As an adult and parent myself, I would encourage myself to study hard, graduate with a high GPA and take advantage of any and every opportunity to further my education when I was younger.
Today's society requires you to have a college education and if you want to take care of your family, you need to continue your education, not stop thinking a GED is good enough, because it is not. You need to be able to rely on yourself and be able to support you.
Be a role model for your future children, showing them you finished High School, and continued your education. You received the degree you needed in order to accomplish all your dreams.
Look to your future did you really want to be a high school drop out? No you want to be a successful Forensic Accountant and stop the fraud and corruption of corporate America.
Chelsea
The first thing I would tell myself is to not worry about relationships! I feel this is something not many people think about when it comes to transitioning into college but I feel it is a very good and important point to look at. For me, at least, having a relationship was important and sometimes would distract me from doing well in school and taking all the steps to pick a good future for myself. If I were to go back and do it all over I would actually stay single until I was done with college and had a career. With doing that, I may not end up getting married or having children as soon as my peers but I would have the time to travel, experience life, and most importantly become well eduacated and sucessful. With out a relationship there would be nothing to hold me back and distract me from whats most important at the age of 18 untill about 24. Although, many girls find it impotant to find a mate and settle down as quick as possible it really is not that important and you have your whole life to do that.
Katie
First and foremost, applying for scholarships is key. People are giving you a great gift by making an investment in your future and education. Take advantage of it! Second, money runs out so spend it wisely. I now pay for everything in cash because it is so easy to just swipe your debit card and not see the money disappear. It is also so important to balance your check book and know how much is in your account. The next time you think you want to go out to eat or really need three new shirts and a pair of shoes, you probably don't, learn to say no or at least limit yourself because it all adds up pretty fast. On another note, you have no reason to be afraid. Yes, you are leaving your friends, family, and only way of life you've ever known for the first time but it is worth it. The friends you meet, education you recieve, and responsibilty you learn can't be traded for the world. Going to college is the best decision you'll ever make!
Rosalyn
If I knew what I new back when I was teenager in high school and trying to figure out my career path. I would have have choose a different route for myself beside the route I took. I would have went to college and pursued my career as a Register nurse and would not be trying to complete this degree at such an older age. I thought college was a wait of my time back then and would interfere with my hanging out with friends. I was wrong because if I could turn back the clock I would have went to school first and enjoyed that life of being a college student and further my career path. But now that I am older and wisers I can help other young kids make the right decision to continue their education and follow a path of success. Given them advice that I should have taken back when I was kid. I will not look backwards but I will continue my journey forward and hopefully in the next year I will have completed my life long journey to my career path that I put off so many years ago. Thank you
Ashley
If I could go back and give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself not to be scared, that college will be one of the best experiences of your life. I would also tell myself to be ready for a lot of options to join clubs, make friends and have experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life. I would also say that even though I said not to be scared, to be prepared because college years will be very important for the rest of your life. I'll remind myself that family and friends will remain important through all of college and that they will be your biggest support system when you're having rough patches. Finally, I'd tell myself to relax and be ready for fun.
Ashley
If I were able to go back in time to give myself advice, I'm not sure where exactly I would start. In anyone's senior year of highschool, they are so devoured by the idea of graduating and moving on, that often times the little things are passed by without really thinking about. I think one of the biggest things I would tell myself is to just enjoy each day. They're so many fun and exciting things that happen senior year, I would love to be able to go back and live those one more time. I would also tell myself to love the people who have always been there for me, and to take advantage of the last times with them. The people around me outside of school too. I was an active member of my church's youth group, and I miss that group of people and Sunday nights more than anything. The transition to college classes is nothing like post secondary, and I would let myself be aware of that ahead of time. Being able to go back to my highschool senior self and say a few words of advice would be a great experience.