Lauren
Knowing what i know now about college i would make sure i tell myself to make sure that i have fun and meet new people, but also at the same time to take the time and get all my work done and study and take in what is being taught in class. I would tell myself to make sure i prepare better for classes and get things done ahead of time and not wait till the last minute to do things. Most Important i would tell myself to not be nervous the first day of class to relac and have fun and enjoy it and take in as much as you can.
Sabrina
Do not be nervous about moving in! You don't have to carry any of your heavy belongings up to your dorm room. There are volunteers that carry them for you, and get it done faster than you can figure out what's going on! There will be little welcome notes waiting in your dorm room. The next day you will wake up to find little chocolates sitting outside of your door! Of course, this is only if you attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Make sure to bring vitamins, and get some sleep before exam days. It's better to sleep and study in the morning rather than stay up all night studying.
Don't wait till the night before a project is due to start working on it. It is A LOT less stressful to break it down over a period of days or weeks. Procrastination may be the easy way out for a lot of things, but it really just adds a lot of stress to your daily life.
Finally, have fun! Take some time to go mattress surfing, or play in the snow. A little break from studying every now and then can be good for you.
Jessica
I would tell myself about the importance of sleep. When I first started college I went from school to work everyday so when I got off work I would stay up late with my friends. Yes it was a lot of fun, but I paid for it acedemically and mentally. Not getting enough sleep and having an 8am class the next morning made it had to focus and stay on task. I would take naps during my breaks, which later put stress on me about finishing my work. This seemed like a repeating and never-ending cycle. I was always mentally worn down and tired. It was not until this last summer when I saw the true importance of getting enough sleep at night. So far, this school year has been much better. I feel rested, and less stressed about my piling up class work. I now see that there really is enough hours in a day to get everything done; even on top of working 30 hours a week!
Woodline
If I was able to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would encourage myself to consider attending an out- of-state school because I might regret that I didn't that opportunity when it was given. I would let myself know to apply for as many scholarships as possible (for example campusdiscovery .com). Furthermore, do research about the school/program by looking at the prequisites for my major and take college courses offered at highschool if availabe. Another thing I would let myself know is do not delay on applying for financial aid. Try the best I can to meet all deadlines because if sent early there is a possibility that I can recieve more funding. When accepted and decide to live on campus, if unsure on items to bring look through the college website for a list of what's needed and already provided in a dorm. Become familiarized with where your classes will be and seek tutoring. Be prepared for studying and pulling all-nighters, study with a group or at the campus library. Purchase used college textbooks, use a planner and eat healthy. Most importantly enjoy the college life!
Christina
Think with the end in mind. When you're 18, you're thinking about a major; when you're 22, you're thinking about a living.
Katelyn
If I could go back in time, I would tell my self to calm down and not worry too much. Don't stress out about not having all the answers. It's nice to know what you want to major in and where you are going to be in five years, but you have time to figure it out. Take time to enjoy your senior year. Have fun with your friends, but don't worry about not being able to find new ones. College is a whole new world. You can be whoever you want to be. College is a place to prove to yourself that you can be successful away from home. Always be thankful for the way that your parents raised you, but you will make it on your own. So enjoy the rest of the time that you have in high school and relax about the future. You are going to be just fine!
Richard
Take in the information that is being taught to you, study. Do not get bothered or anxious about what other people are doing. Just be yourself and focus only on you.
Jennifer
Knowing what I know now, I would have told myself to take more challenging courses throughout high school instead of taking it easy. As a junior in college I find that there are some classes I struggle with that I really should not be struggling with because I should have learned it in high school. As far as making the transition from high school to college I would say that I would tell myself to expect the best of things rather than the worst of things. When you worry about how things can go wrong you don't focus on how they can go right, or how to make them go right. My experience with a roommate my freshman year turned out bad, but I feel it was really because I let myself go into the situation thinking the worst of things. If I had just told myself that everything would turn out for the best, I would have had a better first semester. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to break out of a shell, to make friends and to talk to people more than I actually did.
Luke
When it comes time to make the decision of what college one is going to attend, this person needs to take some serious time and consideration. I?m not trying to scare students or their parents but this decision affects the rest of their life. I personally believe that one should pray about this matter, that God will guide them though the decision.
When choosing a university see if there are opportunities to get involved with the community. You want to make sure that the school has spirit, for if not it could be quite a dull experience. The student to professor ratio is another detail to look for. With fewer students in a lecture the opportunity to learn and ask questions increases.
Once you are on the campus of your choosing make sure to get involved in activities, try to leave a mark. Yes, learning is what you are there to accomplish but if you just shut out the world and study all day long you are not going to get far in life. If you are active in your society, your character will develop and in return people will have respect for you.
Rebecca
Parents love being part of their child's college-choosing process. The thrill of helping your child choose where he or she will study, make friends, and live during these important years is unexplainable! However, sometimes parents get caught up in the frenzy. They tend to forget that they themselves will not be the ones attending the school, but their child will. Some parents even refuse to pay for college unless their child goes to the school they they (the parents) have chosen! Parents, you should remember that .. your child needs to be the one making the final decision. Although a school may have everything you're looking for, if the student isn't comfortable there, they will probably not succeed. Your child will know which college is the best fit for them. Making it all the way through high school is no small accomplishment; to be blunt, your child is not stupid. They'll know. Trust me... they'll know. Let go and allow them to make their own choices.
Amy
There are many factors that contribute to any college decision and, as a student you must be sure of what you're looking for in your higher education. I asked some very important questions that helped me find the best university for me and ultimately made the entire process easier. The questions that I asked were as followed: How close do I want to be to my high school friends and family? What degree do I want to strive for and in what field? Do I want a small or large campus? Class seizes? Should I attend a 2 year or 4 year college? By asking myself these questions I found the perfect college for me. After answering them and narrowing your college decisions down, I strongly suggest you to follow this: Never let money decide for you. Higher education is not just the amount of tuition; it is worth so much more. You make life-long friends and gain tools that can be utilized throughout the rest of your life. Lastly, I strongly encourage you to be greatly involved in your campus community. It is a great resource and by doing so you have fun and learn even more.
Samuel
Start early, especially when it comes to applying for financial aid. Spend time at prospective colleges and get to know some of the students. Find out what employment opportunities are available for graduates. Plan to work hard, but take time for fun too. It helps relieve the stress and keep you going when it gets tough.
Brittany-Lee
Make sure the people are as friendly as they appear, make sure you find a good enviorment because that is just as important as academics, and try to find a place with a great community and high graduation rate.
morgan
Don't be afraid to be out going. College can be lonely at first, but if you are willing to be open and friendly with others, you have the potential to make friends very quickly.
Emalee
1. Don't worry about the cost, God will handle that for you: somehow.
2. Don't just go where your friends are going.
3. Have fun but don't loose sight of the work you need to do.
Leslie
I don't think that there is any advice to give someone when finding the right college. It is basically letting the parents encourage their child's abilities and talents and whether or not their child wants to continue their education. All I can really tell you is that the college you chose must be a reflection of yourself or how you want people to view you. Whether you attend the largest party school in America or a small school in the middle of a cornfield, the overall college experience is something you make for yourself.
Danae
In finding the right college, I would suggest that both parents and students consider visiting colleges within the students? junior year of high school. Senior year goes by quickly and deadlines for applications and scholarships approach without realization. Secondly, I would suggest that parent and student sit down together and form a list of what they look for in a college. With this list, it will be easier to narrow down which college is best suited for the student and is within the restraints of the parents? wishes. Lastly, while visiting colleges, do not be afraid to ask questions and participate. Make sure the student takes part in what the visitation has to offer, such as a meal in the cafeteria, a chance to sit in on a class, or a chance to spend a night in the dorms. All of these will better display the characteristics of the school.
My advice in making the most of the college experience is that the student attending should get involved in activities as soon as they can. Friendships form quickly. Also, the student must learn very quickly to balance social life and schoolwork. Stay organized and conscious of when schoolwork is due.
Emily
Hey high school grad, believe it or not but how far away from home your school is will matter to you so distance is something to keep in mind. Also, how much financial aid is available is a huge deal. Even though a school may have a reputation for being the most fun, if that school isn't helping you out to your level of necessity, then you may reconsider you enrollment. You don't want to be paying on school loans when you're old enough to have a knee replacement do you? Making the most of one's college experience should be based not on how high one's GPA is nor how many friends one has. Instead, surrounding oneself with genuine people that care for you enough that they would come running at three o'clock in the morning if needed is important as well as actually learning the material that is presented. All those assignments will do no good after graduation if one has forgotten the purpose of those assignments. Purpose is the foundation of an ultimate college experience and purpose can only be created by the help of genuine friends and the use of wisdom.
Sarah
I would tell the parents and students that it is important to visit the college campus before choosing a college, taking a visit day really does help especially if you can visit more than once and talk to the students about their experience. It is important to talk to more than one group of students though because their answer may be biased depending on their situation.
Allison
I would suggest that you go with your gut feeling! I know this sounds too simple, but when you know, you just know! I loved my school and it was the first school that I visited! I would also suggest that you think seriously about the tuition cost. I have a lot of student loans, but my educational experience was completely worth it. Make sure you know for sure that your experience is something that you are worth paying for!