Metropolitan State University of Denver Top Questions

I remember that as a high school senior I felt a little lost and unsure but at the same time I felt like I should have had more information than I actually did. I think part of this was due to the fact that a large amount of my peers seemed to have their futures, at least for the next four years, well thought out. College was never discussed in my family but because of the environment and the people I surrounded myself with it was the next progressive step to take after high school. Depending on the student’s support system, this period of time can be a difficult transition in life. I know that even with a strong supportive system, my family means the world to me, this can be difficult. So my advice to the high school me and any high school student would be; don’t be afraid to ask questions and pick peoples brains for advice and lessons. It is important to use all of your resources to be as informed as possible. There is no reason to put the pressure of being a know-it-all on yourself, especially when it is not expected.

Take the most rigorous classes possible in high school and take the ACT more seriously because it affects a lot of what you end up doing in college. Also, even though you think high school sports are your world, most people do not go on to play sports in college so choose a college that has what you want to study. Take classes in high school that will be meaningful for what you want to study in college if you know what you want to do as a career. Build great relationships with high school teachers and coaches not only because it's the right thing to do, but because you will need them for a few years in college as references.

Confusion surrounds the true importance of life in high school. I wish it was possible to explain the change in perspective I've found in college. Drugs and parties mean nothing in real life, neither do the friends you feel you've found in that world. The sad truth is that they're connections. They mean nothing, and parties mean nothing in college. You can't find true friends and like minded peers in a superficial manner. It's worth the time to deal with the slow process of making friends; no friends is better than a group of superficial ties. Feeling lonely in a room full of people is never a confortable feeling, so what you need to do is realize your interests, and as a result, your peers. It may sound generic, but you can't find people to connect with if you're not connected with yourself. So take the time, and eventually you will see how things gradually fall into place. I know it's hard to accept, and I'm not saying don't put in any effort, but stop doing what you're doing. Education is the true mind expansion, not psychedelic drugs.

If i could go back in time to tell myself as a senior in high school anything, i would make sure to remind myself that I need to stay focused and keep my social life down to a limit during the school week as well as the weekends in order to have plenty of time for school work, like homework and studying. I would also tell myself to join some study groups for each class that I will be taking. The more you study, the better off you'll be. In order to maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, you must try your very best at each class and make sure you do the homework and projects correctly in order to get a good grade. Tests are a very huge chunk of your grade so be sure to study, study, study! Make sure you go to tutoring if there is anything you need help with. Most of all, try your hardest and keep your head held high and stay focused!

I would tell myself to not get distracted. Yes you are on your own for the first time, but your studies are the most important thing. Later on you will get into graduate school and you need to do your very best in the beginning of college so you are not incredible stressed when you are nearing the end of your undergraduate degree. Do not room with your best friend. You and her will go down two completely different paths and it will create a terrible living situation durring your freshman year. Though you haven't gotten along with your sisters in the past, you are an adult now, about to live on your own. Your sisters want to be close to you, let them. Do not push them away. Be willing to accept change, take chances and do not make the same mistake twice. Do not be afraid to say yes to good opportunities and no to others who may be pressuring you. Always be yourself and always be confident. You will reach your goals, just stay focused and true to yourself.

Shelby, calm down. I know you're excited to start this journey. Lot's to do, things to learn, and new people to meet! However, you must remember that even though Denver is a great city with much to see and do, academia is essential to your future! Over the course of the next four years, you're going to encounter those that will become distracted by the world around them. Always remember your ambition and determination, this will help more than you know. It's important to never close off any experience that may enrich or enhance your life. If you feel an interest, go for it! Life is short and in order to truly follow your heart you must really live it. Be sure to remain centered and remember the important things in life: love, family, friends, and of course keeping your eyes on the prize... a happy and successful future! Life is all about balance. Yes this will come with hard work and you will have to make sacrifices. At times you'll think that you're missing out on life but trust me, if you remember your values and concentrate on your strengths, success will follow.

Looking back to my senior year, I do realize that there were flaws I made. I believed in “senioritis,” and I didn’t take the year too seriously. I did achieve good grades, but I didn’t try my best. I procrastinated and just looked forward to graduating. Even though I didn’t skip school, tried joining clubs, and tried making a good impression for colleges (harder than any previous year), I still think I could have done better. If I were to go back, I would tell myself to not slack off, and to take the year seriously. I would also try to work harder on my SAT scores. I would also tell myself to apply to my dream college. My biggest mistake senior year was not applying for many scholarships, and that is why I couldn’t afford to go to the college of my dreams. Now, I can only hope I can transfer now with the help of scholarships. The last thing I would tell myself is to belive in myself, and to belive that anything could happen.

I would tell myself to save money, and to be more careful of the choices i made when i was in high school. I would make sure to be more appreciative of the teacher's i had who extended an extra helping hand, and who cared just a little more than they actually needed to. I would engrave in my head that situations in life will get harder as the years go by, no matter how it seemed like things were passing along perfectly. No doubt, i would let it be known it really is best to continue your education as soon as you've graduated high school, and to not take any time off school in between semesters. Time off only leads to more time off with excuse after excuse, and before you know it two years has already passed by and all you're doing is working to live and living to work. Overall, the most important thing i would have told myself 3 years ago would be to stay in school and work hard at it.

Alexis, I have three major pieces of advice for your great adventure next year. 1) When you find yourself watching movies, babbling away to your friends, crocheting hats, and ultimately avoiding those horrible papers which nobody should ever have to write, turn yourself around and march straight to your desk. There, write a list of everything you need to get done and then tackle one task at a time until absolutely everything is finished. Getting behind in college will mean the end of sleeping as you know it. 2) Loosen up! None of your friends from high school are going to follow your genius advice and attend MSU Denver for a music degree. That means you are going to have to start from the beginning in the friend front. But trust me, these people are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. And 3) Start practicing clarinet more immediately because even though you hate band now, you are going to fall in love with that crazy instrument in the first week of your private lessons (I was surprised too). Be open and ready to discover what you love doing!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself about college. The first thing would be to get to know the RA on the floor very well. She is a great resource for you. Second, start applying for scholarships at the beginning of senior year and apply for as many as you can, contact Pitt and see if they have any you can apply for. Third, work hard, get help when you need it and make good study habits that you can keep. There is a learning center on campus for a reason; use that resource to your fullest benefit. If you have any problems with managing your time, take your class schedule to the university psychologist Molly and she’ll help you make a schedule for homework and studying. Ask lots of questions either during class or after class and e-mail professors when you feel overwhelmed and ask them for extra help; don’t be afraid of them. Lastly, don’t worry about being homesick and missing people there, you’ll make tons of great friends in college that will be there for you when you need them most.