Oakland University Top Questions

For the love of god, don't just fill out the FAFSA and assume you're all set! Actually set up an appointment with a financial aid advisor and everything will be so much simpler and easier to understand. Not having to worry so much about tuition bills makes the transition to college a lot easier. And don't forget that your student adviser is your friend! The more you see them, the quicker you can figure out what trajectory you want your path through college to take. Lastly, don't panic about buying the books before the first day of class. Sometimes you can save money by seeing what the professor has to say about the assigned texts. Good luck and believe in yourself!

Apply to more than three colleges. Look into everything. Do better in school and get scholarships so you're not in debt. Wherever you end up, you'll figure yourself out and accept who you are. You'll make awesome friends who also accept you for you. Keep your head up, kid. Things will get better.

Don't be scared and nervous. Be strong and confident! Laugh when you want! Don't be a chicken!

Dear high school senior self, forget about that boyfriend. In a few years from now he will be nothing and you will no longer even think about him. Apply your self to school. What are you doing? Why are you not applying for colleges? You don't need to follow the crowd, just be yourself, because none of that stuff even matters. Stop tying to be like everyone else! What are you afraid of? Quit worrying about that boy and dry your eyes. All of your friends will be going off to universitys, and you'll be going off to a community college thinking "how did I get here?" You're so much better then this. You are beautiful and don't you let anyone else tell you any different. Remember you use to love reading? Start doing that again, it'll help to take your mind off of things. Prom date? Don't even try to find one, because the date that you are going, take is a major duche bag. Just go by yourself, you'll have more fun, trust me. Heart break isn't the end of the world, school is more important.

If I could take to high school senior me, I would give the advice to not put so much pressure on myself. High school is a time to really discover your interests and talents, and you will never discover them if you are constantly studying. College is different than high school in many ways, so even if you spend hours on end studying, you will still be in for a suprise when you start your college classes. I would also point out that a positive attitude can go a long way. College is going to give you a lot of different experiences, and not all of them are positive. Remembering that freshman year is a transition is important. No freshman is going to have a stress-free, problem-free first semester, or even year, so just enjoy the ride.

Dear Lesa, Congratulations on wrapping up your High School Career!!! Before you place the Bow on your wonderful 12-year package, please allow me the pleasure of giving you some tips for your new adventure... * Knowing that there are no rich Uncles hiding out somewhere to help Fund your Education, Please Apply for Every type of Scholarship you can without having to take out large loans. * Don't Mess up your Credit!!! There is a good chance you need a loan at some point in your college education and have to take one out. * If you get any kind of credit cards, Pay it off Immeditely and begin and build good Credit!! (Charge small amounts only) * Boys/Men are not going anywhere... Please do not let the guys distract, or slow you down from building the Educated Woman you are striving to become... * VERY IMPORTANT!!! I Understand you are a remarkable Daughter to your Mother and have taken care of her since you were 14 years old, but all of your choices regarding her care need to be thought out and well balanced... Make sure you have the time to complete your classes and continue to towards a degree.

The advice I would have gave myself back when I was in high school was go with my first choice for school which was a community college in Michigan to start off with and then go to Virginia State University to get my bachelor degree there. Also I would have told myself to do a lot of scholarships and network with people in the community so that i can get a head start with internships. I would have pushed myself into doing more community service so that I can make a great resume. I would have told myself to look into more schools that has great connections that helps me get a great internship an potential career for my future.

I'd tell myself that college is a lot more stressful than what high school is now. I'd say to stay on top of all your homework because it is easy to get behind. Using any free time that is available for homework is something you should definitely take advantage of. It will pay off in the long run. Also take advantage of the tutoring centers that the college can provide because they are very helpful in helping you out with homework. Learn to balance your time between social life and academic life. Theirs is always time for fun but homework should get done on time. Don’t miss classes because then you have no idea what to do on the homework and you’re lost for the next class. Just be smart on how you spend your time and do not procrastinate because that only adds more unneeded stress to your life. When you do get stressed take a breather, step away from what you’re doing and come back to it when you fell less stressed.

Since there has been ten years since I graduated there would be quite a lot I would try to tell myself. However I'll assume that I'd only have a limited time. The most important thing I'd have to say is to not let what the grade school system did to me ruin my education experience. I'd continue by warning myself; all colleges don't know how to properly teach, at the core they are just a business. Once you know what something truly is you know how to properly approach it. I would stress that last part; 'always properly identify something so you can properly approach it'. My younger self would understand that I would be talking about more then just school. Hopefully that advice might save me from a lot of heartache that I could have avoided. However those trials did make me a stronger person. Then again this is assuming that my younger self would even listen to me. I would be talking to a teenager after all. I'm not even sure my younger self would believe that my future self is talking to him, let alone shut up long enough to listen.

To prepare yourself, although you're going to a community college it wont be easy. Start applying yourself in high school a little bit more. Your priorities and friends will change. All that isn't everything. You're going to fall in love with your studies, don't let your choices now come in the way of becoming someone in the future.