Mississippi University for Women Top Questions

If I could go back I would want to tell myself how beautiful I was, inside and out. After struggling with my self-image throughout high school, I made a lot of bad decisions in college so that guys would look at me. I never thought I was pretty, I was always overweight, but worst of all I believed that I didn't deserve to be loved. With this mindset, I put myself in a horrific situation by trusting someone I shouldn't have. I was raped my freshman year of college and because of this I went into a deep depression. If it weren't for the love and adoration of my mother who constantly reminded me how much I mattered to this world, I don't know where I'd be today. She also sent me into the kitchen, which helped me discover my passion for cooking. Cooking taught me how I could make something that was dirty and ugly into a beautiful piece of art. So whenever I feel worthless, I go into the kitchen and remind myself that I am beautiful just like the dishes I create.

I would tell myself to be more confident in myself. I knew I was very well capable of being successful but I think having so many nerves about the transition caused me to have less confidence in myself than what I should have when I first began. I would also tell myself to take every opportunity available to get involved with my college and fellow students. Friends made in college are genuine and friends that will be lifelong friends. There are always so many different events and activities that colleges offer and sometimes it is good to take a break from studying so hard and working so hard on school work and just relax and have fun with other college students.

In high school, I was among the top two percent who graduated with honors and with a high GPA compared to the rest of my class. (My class consisted of only fifty four students and only about fifty students graduated). During high school, I was enrolled in AP (Advanced Placement) classes and I thought the work was hard and even sometimes amusing. Even though I was considered "smart" in high school and I earned a 3.5 GPA, I know, compared to the school work that I'm doing now, I could have worked harder at studying, completing, and passing the school work and exams that I had in high school. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS and to NEVER SELL MYSELF SHORT. I would tell myself to go above and beyond and do exceedingly more than I would normally do because, in the end, it will pay off. As far as having a "social" life in high school, I would remind myself to never make having "fun" a top priority.

I would tell myself to have confidence in who I am. I have alopecia, and I used to wear hats to cover it up. I would tell myself that everyone knows I don’t have hair, so why does it matter? Love yourself and what you look like. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Be proud of it! I would also probably rip that stupid hat off of my head and throw it away. I could have gone without them the whole four years instead of just the last one. I would also tell myself to get involved in everything; talk to everyone and make friends right away. Don’t be shy. I would remind myself that I am the one who got me to where I am; keep on believing in yourself and motivating yourself to do great things. Do you what you love to do and stand for what you believe in, even if you’re alone. I would say that the first few weeks are the hardest, because you’re away from family and friends you had in high school; give it time and you’ll have plenty of new friends.

I have realized certain personal things about myself as a soul and as an academic throughout my time spent at MUW. It is valuable to attend college because you must be immersed in a simulated "real world" if you are going to make it in the actual real world. College is a simulation of the real world; there are dead lines to meet, people to please, and there is time to balance. You must learn to do all of these things efficiently, and if you complete a degree at your respective college, then you will most likely be able to make it in the real world, providing you find a job in the current economic situation the U.S. finds itself in. I feel like I have grown as a person throughout my time at this school, and if I could spend all my life as an academic, I surely would commit myself to it.

I would tell myself to live on campus for a year, and I would also advise myself to go to a 4-year university first instead of community college. Get involved in all the activities I am really interested in and take on more leadership roles for the experience.

I would tell myself to not worry about the price of the school as much. As far as public schools, you do get what you pay for. Look better into the department, and don't just worry about the traditions of the school. Things change, and some departments get better treatment during times when the funding is cut. Interview the schools while they are interviewing you. Look at the classroom, labs and anything else to make sure that the department has funding. Also, I would tell myself to be more assertive and self-confident. Don't assume you can't afford something, there are programs out there for me. Community college is a good idea, I would tell myself to stick with it the first time around so I don't fail out and have to become one of the underemployeed workforce for several years. The time helped me grow up, but it would of course have been nice if I had grown up before then. Don't be afraid of work, and don't stress little things. I have the power to solve any problem that comes my way, and I need to remember that.

I would most definitely tell myself to learn better study skills! I was a straight A student in high school without having to do much studying. I was almost always exempt from taking my exams, and when I got to college, I had a hard time learning how to study. After being out of college for 10 years and going back at an older age, I have matured and learned better study habits.

The advice that I would give myself would be to complete more schoalrship applications. Now that I know what to do, It's too late. I wish I was able to talk to myself. Things would have been totally different.

First, where is this time machine? Can I play with it? Second, I might pre-warn myself that the future me is coming back to talk to past me because the past me is quite jumpy. However, when I calmed down enough, I would tell the past me that people in college are not what they appear to be. The people that were riddiculed in high school will still be riddiculed in college. Don't let people bull crap you into believing otherwise. But at the same time, people can surprise you. Genuine people (who truly know who they are) make the best friends because they will be upfront with you. Always. Allow your heart to be broken. Don't be so shy. Experience the time you have with as much ferocity as possible because, even though these may not be the best years of your life like others would have you to believe, they are defining to your character. Make a difference. Smile often. Let the small things go. And above all, remember to never do anything that you would be ashamed of your mother finding out about because, make no mistake, she WILL find out.