Marquette University Top Questions

In high school I was always afraid to take chances considering I was in a four year relationship. My junior year I was heartbroken and going into senior year I was in a shell not wanting to talk to anyone or do anything. My advice to myself would have been never to get in a serious relationship in high school, there is so much time for all of that in life. School was never a problem for me, I was always pushed by my parents so I never struggled with any of that, thank God! Also I would say to pay very good attention in hisory because once you get to college, it's fast pace and there's no time for your professor to explain to you what happened and why. You have to already know what is going on the whole time. And just try not to be so uptight in college, no one gets out alive that way!

Do not doubt yourself. You are your own person and you are responsible for everything you do. It's time to see yourself as the awesome, grown up chick that you are and own it. You are not a freak, nor a supermodel - not everyone is staring you up and down, judging your every breath and eye movement. Calm your anxiety and know you will make it through everything. You will cry, you'll even consider dropping out and living in the woods, but YOU CAN DO IT. Your father did, so did your mother, and so can you. Carry your camera with you and pursue your dreams. You have a talent and you are of the very few who have been lucky enough to discover their passion so early in their lives. You will succeed. http://www.dearzoephotography.com

If I could go back and talk to my senior self, I would have a lot of things to say. The most important thing I would say to myself is to not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. College offers many opportunities for growth and self-discovery, but only if you step out of the box you've always lived in. I would also say to try something you've never done because not only would it be a new experience but also an opportunity for getting to know yourself better. The second most important thing I would say is to control your finances. College is very important, but if it means bankrupting your family and giving yourself a life time of debt, it might be worth it to reconsider your college choice. Lastly, I would tell myself to really take my studies seriously. Don't go into college thinking its all about you and your new freedom. As a pre-med student, the knowledge I will be learning is not just to benefit me, but also the people I will hopefully help in the future.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would say to not worry so much about what others think about you and have fun. Worrying about what others thought about me often distracted me from other things that I should have been focusing on in class, and in my life. Also, I would tell myself to be more optimistic and have a more open mind because college is such a drastic transition from high school and you meet all different sorts of people from all over the country, or even the world. By being more optimistic I could see the good in all challenging situations, and relieve some stress. Being a positive individual brings out the good in life, as I have learned by developing these traits while in attendance at college, and can lead to more positive outcomes and achievements in life. College brings about many changes that are external to us, but along the way causes internal changes that affect our ways of life and outlook on teh world around us.

So you're a big bad high school senior, ay? How did it feel to pass (almost) all of those AP tests? Just a little 'FYI', Anatomy and Physiology is going to be a lot harder than Physics was. In fact, college courses will require more attention than you're ready to give at first. Transition is hard. Make sure you call mom and dad as often as you remember. They will appreciate the calls home and spontaneous visits. Your brother and sister will miss you a whole bunch more than they initially let on as well. Call your friends when you think about them, but smile at everyone new you meet and ask them questions about themselves. College in a new place with new people will be what you make it. Stay confidant in all that you've known and grown the last four years. Academic, extra-curricular, and personal battles will all require your best effort. Be ready to commit to each day with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Talk to your professors! Don't chill too much. You'll have a lot of free time. Always remember to get up, dress up and show up.

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS! That is the key in college. I'd tell myself not to worry, with there being nearly two thousand other new freshman who are just as nervous as you. I'd say, "I know you're still going to do it, and you'll regret it, but make sure you STAY ON TOP OF THINGS. You want friends? BEFRIEND your PROFESSORS-- they aren't sharks. They truly yearn to help you when you need it. But how would they know, if you just slip out of class first, crinkle your eyebrows, and stay silent in class? REACH for their intellect!!! It'll help, I'm one THOUSAND percent sure of it. Stop playing 'League of Legends' all night, and stop visiting your boyfriend every day. At least, finish your paper before anything else. Shut your noisy cell off and actually DO WORK!" I KNOW I'm the "lazy type" of student, and homework would get me by in class with an A. But NOPE. In college it changes, dear. Know this before it's too late (it's what your favorite future professor will say a million times over again): Eat well. Study well. Sleep well.

Hey! This is your future self and I'm about to give you some words of wisdom. I know transitioning from high school to college is becoming more real as each day ends. And I know that you are both excited and nervous as too what to expect from the entire college life. But pay attention to the AP classes, forget hanging with friends, PAY ATTENTION. Become more well rounded, look at yourself now and realize you will never be as young as you are, also never just go into something looking for a job. You want a career, and wasting countless hours in something you don't care for isn't worth it, find a solid dream now and reach for it. The scholarship your going to recieve, don't initially take it, broaden your horizons. I know you have applied to 52 colleges and universities, so look into programs and scholarships that will help you get into the field of study I know now that we both enjoy. Also always learn never let information no matter how irritating and time consuming it may be go in one ear and out the other. Lastly have fun, life isnt scary.

I would have told my senior self to listen to apply to more scholarships. Although I applied, I did not take them as seriously because I thought that my tuition would not have as big of an impact on my family. I would have told myself to apply to local, national, private, and random scholarships that varied in amounts. Some assistance in funding my education is better than none. Having a job, being a full time student and still being under financial stress was not something that I expected as a senior in high school. I feel that going back in time, I would be able to communicate this to myself well and would have tried harder to accumulate funds. Through working, scholarships, grants etc. One last thing that I would have told myself is to begin organizing your weeks ahead of time. Write everything down so that there is less stress in your life. The more organized you are, the easier it is to balance studying, volunteering, work, and socializing in your life.

Dear high school me, Procrastination is a complete waste of time. If I could speak to myself as a senior in high school, I would advise myself to prioritize my time. Procrastination is never beneficial, because majority of the time it is used to waste important time. To be successful in college, one must be able to master of the art of time. I believe that this is an essential key to learn before entering college because transitioning to college can be difficult if time is not a priority. I know I wasted numerous hours thinking I had enough time to study for an exam or finish homework. If I could go back in time to speak to myself, I would remind myself that your college years shape you to become the person you desire to be. It is my desire to become a Pharmacist. This career choice requires that tasks are completed in a timely matter. I would remind myself that your future foundation is supported by the decisions you make now. Perfecting time would enable me to be prepared for the difficult obstacles that occur in life, especially in college. I would meet deadlines and be less stressed.

I would tell my self the simple phrase: quality over quantity. In high school, I was after quantity with trying to do as many extracurricular activities I could in order to have a stout resume. After suffering through the sleepless nights and countless cups of coffee, I realized that it does not matter how many after-school activities one is invovled in; but rather, the quality of one's position or the stature of the extracurricular activity is what counts. Instead of cramming in as many clubs as I could, I should have taken up leadership roles in a few clubs that I enjoyed most. This way, I would not have been as stressed and could have done what I loved with building my resume at the same time.