North Carolina A & T State University Top Questions

Dear high school Dasha, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” (Malcolm X). Be strong and have an idea of what you want to do with your life. In college your best friends and family will be miles away and you must survive every day. People who do not want you to succeed, drugs, alcohol, parties, sex, and boys will be thrown your way. Beat the odds and go for the dream. Fight for what you want and enjoy a meal on someone else’s buck because noodles will be your brunch and dinner. Your image only carries value in the walls of your high school and once you all go your separate ways, your back to being a little fish in a big sea. You should have paid more attention to that biology, chemistry, and algebra because it will pop up again in college. While you are at it, fill out and apply for every possible scholarship while you are a senior because that is where the money is. Last but not least, love yourself more and more every day. Love yourself before you try to love anyone else. Sincerely, 4.0 college Dasha

Senior year I was the girl voted “Most Grateful to Graduate”. Senioritis was real, and the word “study” didn’t exist. After receiving my acceptance letter, my only concern was partying with friends. The lackadaisical habits I formed during my senior year were habits I carried with me into college. I never learned discipline during high school, so college was one big playground. I was satisfied with just showing up and turning in mediocre work. I loved the nightlife and had a fake it until I make it attitude towards academics. During sophomore year I questioned if I really wanted to be there. It wasn’t until junior year that I noticed the people I had hung with were gradually heading back to their respective cities with no degree to show for their time and money spent. I realized I was there for a reason and couldn’t waste that opportunity. I switched majors and my so called “friends”. The library became a second home. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to focus on things that matter, surround myself with positive people, and understand the difference between work and play time. My education was worth the sacrifice.

WHEN YOU GET TO COLLEGE THE WORK IS MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING, BUT THE HARD WORK PAYS OFF.

The advice I would given myself is to focus on school more. Don't be afraid of change have nothing but postive people in your circle. And even when is gets to become to much at times you have to keep your eyes on the prize and the end of the day. You are trying to make a better life for yourself. Apply for as many scholarships an many different Colleges. Understand that its ok to have a job but don't make work your main priority. Life is alot harder then you think so stay focus on you studys and don't let people distract you from what you need to be doing.

If I were to go back and give myself advice as a senior I would say dont get lazy. Grades and attendance do still matter. I wish I could tell myself to stay focus and take advantage of the free education that is given. My grades could have been way better if I would have realized that grades determine scholarships. I wish I would have applied for way more scholarships in order to actually get some. I would also say do my financial aid a little earlier to get more money. I also would say to myself to take IB exams to save money in college. Not only should my grades have been better but I should have been more involved. I would tell myself to obtain leadership roles in the organizations I was a part of. Senior year is not a year to kick back it is a year to get ready for college and a lot of students don't realize it making them struggle their first year of college. Research early and make sure you know where and why you want to go to a school and if you can afford it.

I would tell myself to take college 101 first thing. That college is a different world from what highschool and definately different than the military, and good luck.

If I could go back, I would tell my high school self to get prepared earlier. Stop waiting until the last minute to do everything. Fill out every scholarship that you are eligable for that you come across. Do your FAFSA as soon as it opens up. I would also tell myself to get even more involved in activities and strive for high positions. Learn not to settle for vice president but go for president. I would advise myself to enlist in a mentor or two who have been where I am before and can guide me to where I'm trying to go. My main advice would be to find a balance between academics and a social life. Focus on getting my work turned in on time instead of going to parties every weekend. Academics should be 65 percent of my school life and the other 35 percent can be filled with social activites.

Now that I've graduated and enrolled myself in college, I wish I had done a few things differently as a senior. Beginning senior year, start applying for different scholarships at an early date. Scholarships aren't very easy to receive, but It's always best to apply as early as possible. Grades, they're very important, but It's even more important to actually LEARN what you were taught in school. Retain information so that you could carry that with you to college and throughout life. It's essential that you have discipline as well. Discipline can take you a long way in life, as well as taking responsibility. The last piece of advice I'd have to give is to simply "get involved". Get involved in sports, school activities, join clubs or even community service. Getting involved looks great on records as you go through life.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to be more active. I would use more of the resources that are readily available within high school such as scholarships to better my chances of not having to pay for college. I would have even worked to raise my grades and ask counselors about their college experiences. In doing so, I would have been more prepared for the real world and the responsibilty of managing my own time.

I've learned the value of time. The average person would love to speed up time or slow it down, time is precious. It reminds me of the words of the late Benjamin Frankin who quoted "You may delay, but time will not." If I had the opportunity to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to use time wisely. I remember like it was yesterday, telling myself how I couldn't wait to go to college to get out my mom's house and only then would I officially be grown and on my own; only to see that I was still a child wanting grown-up responsibilities. As a senior in high school there are so many time consuming distractions. Who's your boyfriend? What color dress are you wearing to the prom? What will people say if I get a piercing or a tatoo? Inspite of all the irrelevant questions I wanted answered and the reputation I was trying to build, I would have shared with myself then that true success didn't rely on how people view you but in how you view yourself.