Montana State University Top Questions

Dear Heidi, you won't regret going to college straight out of high school, but please reconsider. Are you ready for everything that's about to happen to you? You're going to meet some great people and learn so much about yourself, but remember to keep your head on straight. You have to choose between some of the greatest highs, and you will also experience the most traumatic and depressing moment of your life. Are you prepared for it? It will affect you, but since I'm here, I'm here to let you know that you will be okay. You will rise if you allow yourself. Don't wallow and waste away your dream for 3 years. Maybe you needed it so you will have arrived where you are now, but don't believe you can't do it. So many wonderful things are ahead of you. I hope that future me will also come visit me soon and let me know the next 4-7 years will be worth it, but I don't think I will. I'm sure that will only be because I know it now, and don't need to worry.

I would tell my high school self to FINISH HIGH SCHOOL! I would tell that young girl not to be in such a hurry to grow up, that life gets more complicated on its own without her assistance. I would encourage her to enjoy the rights of passage that come but once in a lifetime, such as prom, and to live every moment to the fullest. Then I would insist that she pay more attention to her studies and continue on to college next fall because the longer she waits, the more difficult it will be to return, and she has a bright future ahead of her! Yet I recognize that I wouldn't be the person I am today without events transpiring exactly as they have in my life. Besides, knowing that stubborn young woman as I do, she wouldn't listen to me anyway!

My best advice to my high school self ten years ago would be to formally withdraw from university when I decided to stop school and work during the contruction boom. Without withdrawing I had to repay full tuitition for a semester I did not attend, and received a full semester of failed classes. This made returning to school somewhat heralding, as my university maintains a pass/fail standard that has taken me three semesters to repair. However I can't see any other advice as worthwhile. Problems between then and now were lessons in life that have led me to where I am today. Where I am today is happily married, struggling to purchase a modest home and attend school. I have gained interests, and more so, passions. Passions which make school easy, enjoyable, and valuable in a way they never were a decade ago. I have taken that failed attempt at college and amended my record to that of an A student. Now I feel I know how, why and where I can make a relevant difference in the world; something unlikely during my first attempt. This is why my best advice to myself is not to change anything.

High school, though it is important, is a very transient stage in life. Therefore, don't be afraid to try new things and talk to new people. Break out of your shell. If the worst thing that can happen to you is someone telling you "no", then it's something that's worth trying. Continue your vow to never use drugs and alcohol as I have. Most importantly, however, learn to focus your efforts on whatever task is at hand. You and I have a tendancy to be easily distracted. That's not good for college and for life in general. Learn to concentrate your efforts. In summary, don't be shy and embarassed to try new things, continue to be free of drugs and alcohol, and learn to focus.

You are on the right track. Just keep going with what you plan to do because even though you will go to college for a while, you will take a lot of years off to raise your children, and then go back again. Your first college experience will help you more than you know when it comes to the future college experience you will have. Your first major will give you a huge advantage for the second major you pursue. All that time off in between your early college years and your late college years will give you the chance to try many jobs which helps you get to what you are truely interested in. Remember to have fun, make friends, and keep balance in your life, like taking care of yourself and your family. Exercise, get enough sleep, and eat right. You can do this. You will want to do this!

Enjoy everyday that you experience something new. You will find yourself and determine what you want to do with your life, so don't worry or stress on what your going to do. Meet as many new people as you can, along with great friendships, you can find invaluable ties that may help you down your path, either professionaly or personally. Get involved with clubs so you can make new friends and experience new things. Talk to the cute girl in your writing class. Love every minute that you get to get up and live. College is such a big event in your life but it only lasts for a short time. Eat and sleep well, it helps you learn. Do not ignore mom's calls, you never know when someone close may leave this world.

i would advice myself to stay in school and inform myself about finacial aid and the help there is to attend college. i would tell them to study and focus on school not to think is a game. that is nothing like high school and this is real life.

Oh the infinity of things that one could tell themselves if they had the chance to warn them of the things that mattered or what may not have mattered. Many might say work harder or life fuller. I'd like to tell, if I had the chance, to never give up. To tell myself that the road i follow shall not be by any means easy and to talk to people more; but really would that do anything for me? Rather than telling myself that such and such will happen so work harder and such, i'd like to give myself the hope and encouragement that I might need when these times come so that i can retain who i am for the times that i now know are going to come my way to knock me down so i might have the strength to get back up and keep going better than I might ever have been able to.

College is definitely challenging but worth the reward in the end. Not only can you get a great education but you can find new passions through extra-cirricular activites and optional coursework. Besides a great degree, college can offer special clubs and associations that allow you to meet people and mature into an independant adult. It is very important to have fun but also take responsiblility for your studies. College gives you many opportunities to obtain the future you want. I was able to do what I love, which was play soccer in college, and obtain a degree. My passion is sports and education but there are so many options today that allow any individual to be involved in something they love, while getting an education. You do need to remember though that college can be stressful and it is important to have support and have a balance between learning and living. Focus on school, while still enjoying what you love to do in your free time and get some SLEEP too!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself two things. First I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible because college is very expensive and it's tough to pay for when you make minimum wage at a twenty hour a week job. Secondly I would tell myself not to be so nervous or scared because you're going to have an amazing time in an awesome class with your new found friends.