Ryan
As a high school senior I focused completely on my studies all year. This sounds great because I was doing well in my classes and finishing high school off strongly. However, as a high school senior I didn't realize the great debts college can put on a person. I didn't focus on scholarships and finacial aid as much as I should have. I had a 4.8 GPA in high school and was so concerned with keeping my GPA that I didn't bother to look into financial aid. As I am now about to go into my Spring quarter at OSU I've realized that my GPA isn't going to keep me in school. Money comes before academics in college. It's sad to say it but I currently hold a 4.0 GPA at OSU and I may have to take a year off to work because I didn't do the financial work that I should have as a senior in high school.
chelsea
If I knew what I was getting myself into now, I would have honestly tried to get a higher grade on my SAT's. Paying for school on my own, is the hardest thing; I can't get much from the government because my mother still claims me. To get to my dreams of being in the field of journalism, i need school. I actually love school now, I would tell my self to take school seriously and try my hardest because in the end I am my own worst enemy - and best friend - I can do whatever I would like to do, and I plan on to keep paying for my school no matter what it takes. I just wish, i paid more attention to college in high school.
Adam
I would tell myself to actually take college and school in general seriously. Due to the current state of the world, there is very little place for someone without a degree and an active interest in at least one field. I would tell myself that the consessions made for entertainment and enjoyment over education compound themselves as you get older, and that it takes an increasing amount of effort to rush to recover the time and opportunity lost the more one chooses immediate enjoyment over long-term success.
Eleanor
High school truly is easy in comparison to college...there is so little structure in college, so get ready to learn to manage your time well, and without help. Carefully plan your schedule and be sure to apply for an honorary your freshman year. Be ready to work really hard, but feel really accomplished when you do well. And make time to have fun and get outside! Don't forget to workout at least three days a week, too! :)
Tracey
Dear Tracey,
Go to college. Do it. Don't be afraid of failing, of not being smart enough, of not having enough money to pay for it, or of time pasing you by. If you don't go to college now, it will be so hard to go later when you have commitments and obligations to your family. You will get married and always put your husband and children before you, and it will be years and years before you feel like it's ok to focus on yourself and take the time to do this for you. In the meantime you will feel like you have something to prove to people because you don't have a college degree; you will continue to doubt your intelligence and your abilities and you will always wonder what you might have been. Going to college, achieving that goal will make you know that you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Do it. Go. You'll love the learning, I promise!
Iyonna
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the very first thing I would tell myself is to apply for every scholarship possible. As a high school senior, I knew one-hundred percent that I wanted to attend an out-of-state university. Although I was aware of the tuition difference, it never hit me until I realized I could not afford to attend OSU even with the help of financial aid. Knowing what I know now about college, the second thing I would tell myself is to drop my high school habits before entering college. In high school, I never felt that I needed to do my work to the best of my ability because high school teachers graded so leniently. From my experiences in college I have learned that everything assigned deserves all of my time and effort. In college I have learned so much about self responsibility and the rewarding feeling of accomplishing something on my own. Going back in time, I would attempt to convince myself to adopt effective study habits because they are extremely necessary in the life of a college student.
Benjamin
There are several things I'd tell myself if I could go back in time. Firstly, the freedom of college can sometimes be overwhelming and cause unproductiveness. Keep yourself busy by getting involved on campus and staying active. Idleness causes procrastination and can lead to early struggles you may not be able to overcome. Getting involved develops skills that you can't learn in a classroom and will help make a big campus smaller. Staying busy goes hand in hand with managing your time. Make sure you keep yourself accountable by managing the time you have wisely. Be sure to prioritize by always putting academics first; you're paying a lot of money to get an education, make sure it's not wasted. One other word of advice would be to not be afraid to put yourself out there. Be social and don't be scared to introdce yourself to a peer or adult. There are thousands of people in college and you will be able to find friends if you allow yourself to be open to people. Even if someone doesn't end up being your best friend, you never know when that acquantance could be beneficial later on.
Ericka
If I could go back in time and talk to myself about transitioning to college, I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible and to learn how to use time management skills to the best of my ability. As a junior in college, I now know that it is very important to balance your time out with class, work, studying and social activities. Each activiy listed is very important to having the best college experience. I would tell myself to schedule classes based on if I am a morning or evening person. I also would tell myself that college is not just about attending classes, but that the most important learning experience is done outside of the classroom. You MUST STUDY EVERYDAY. It is very easy to fall behind in readings, and work in general. I also would tell myself to do as much networking as possible. You never know what opportunities await by simply being introduced to someone. It is very beneficial to utilize every resource opportunity that the school offers, because it will help you become successful. Last but not leats I would say to have fun, and make the college experience Memorable.
Rachel
The advice I would give myself is do what you want to do. Don't listen to your friends or parents, but look at what you really want go for it. Also don't be afarid to do it alone because there is probably someone out there trying to do the same thing as you. Be outgoing, and don't be easily embarssed. Most likely you won't see the people who are embarssed by you again, and if you do then they are your friends. Don't get discourage if you apply for something and didn't make it the first time around. That just means try to gain more experince and apply again next year, or try to find something else to do. Somethings are not suppose to work out for the better. When you pick a major make sure you like it and have a passion for it. Also be nice to people even if you don't get along with them because there may be a common ground you won't know about till later.
Audrey
I would give myself the advice to not get the 150-swipe meal plan, because it was too much! I would also tell myself not to buy my textbooks from the bookstore, because I can find better deals online. Most importantly, though, if I could go back in time, I would reassure myself that I was making the right choice in choosing Ohio State. OSU was the final college I visited, and until then none of the other schools had really satisfied me. I was getting discouraged, but when I visited OSU I felt that it was the place for me. Knowing what an awesome experience I've had so far, I wish that I could have gotten more excited about my choice after I made it. If I had known this, maybe I would have gotten more involved with school activities sooner rather than later.
Emilee
Time managment has always been my struggle. Take time to figure out priorites earlier because what I did in highschool really has affected my college carrer. Stay true to staying away from dating in highschool, I met the love of my life in college. Hold on tight the ride is fast, so get the best GPA you can as fast as possible!
Tori
Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to relax. I was so worried about making sure I did exactly the right things to get into college and eventually get into vet school. Instead I would tell myself to let my curiousity loose and find classes that interest me, because by doing that recently I've found a research internship of my dreams!!
Jamie
If I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself to just relax and enjoy the ride. There's no need whats-so-ever to worrry about college because there is always something at Ohio State that every student can relate to and be apart of. I would also tell myself to become involved with activities and student organizations that I have an interest in and make time to meet new people. College is the place where one is supossed to become who they've always wanted to and not be afraid of changing. I would tell myself that college is the best years of one's life to date and not to take it forgranted one bit. I would remind myself that I'll make great new friends and memories that I wouldn't get anywhere than Ohio State. One last thing I would say is apply for any scholarship made available and be careful with money. Only spend what you can afford and decide on a "need/want" basis. Just have fun and make the most out of the 4 short years that you have.
Carly
If I could go back and talk to myself my senior year of high school, I would most definitely tell myself to not stress so much over college and just embrace the future. Change is a scary thing for anyone who has been in a comfortable bubble for 3 consecutive years. However, in order to grow and become who you want to be ten years down the road, you must be willing to accept the changes as they come. Transitioning from high school to college is just another step towards the top of the mountain everyone else in the world is climbing with you.
I would also tell myself that despite what stereotypes are thrown around in high school; most of them are wrong and preconceived ideas of those who try to have answers to questions unknown. Take a step back and try to forget the need to feel accepted. Embrace who you are and be open minded to everyone, everything, and the different opinions. When you take off the high school "blinders" and explore the world, it is amazing as to what hidden ideas and opinions others can teach you, as well as what you can teach yourself.
Amanda
I'd tell myself not to worry about not knowing what to major in. There's so much pressure in highschool to decide a major, but as soon as you get to college, everyone tells you to take your time! Once you leave highschool, you're entering a whole new world, and you never know what you might discover. Confining yourself to the major you choose as an 18 year old high school senior leaves you without a lot of choices in college - you feel stuck. Being undecide isn't stressful, it's adventurous! You can take all types of different classes to find out what may or may not interest you, and you learn so much about yourself that you never realized before. My advice would be to not stress about deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life, and just enjoy the transition into college!
Sarah
Dear High School me,
I wish I had known how much more I needed to grow up. I thought I understood the world and how it works, but my education here has broadened my mind in so many ways. Every day I learn something new about the world, and about myself. I wish I had spent more effort in high school learning the things I didn't find easy. In high school I could get away with that, but not any more. I wish I had not put so much value in the 'presitge' of a university, and what I could offer it, and instead had focused more on what the university could offer me. Had I done that, Ohio State would have been my top choice, rather than my backup plan. This campus offers me experiences and opportunities every day that I could never have dreamed of before. It's amazing, and I feel fortunate in so many ways. But I also wish I had saved more money. Ohio State is relatively affordable, but still expensive.
Study hard, and prepare to grow beyond what you even imagine!
Miguel
"Miguel, you have to make friends as soon as possible. You can't do this by yourself anymore. You're not going to be the smartest kid around and you're going to have to work together with other people to get stuff done. To succeed in college you're going to have to humble yourself enough to ask questions when you don't understand things even if you're afraid of looking stupid. Your career and success hangs on this. Don't think it's all going to be fun and games, but don't think that there won't be some fun every now and then either. Make sure you find a fun class to take that will break the monotony of math-science-engineering-repeat. With all this said, hold fast to the values which you grew up on, they will help you endure. Always remember to stay in contact with your family and friends and don't replace them with new college experiences. Remember where you came from and where you're going. Last but not least, don't let yourself be buried by the stress, it'll be ok in the end. I promise!"
Devin
Prepare well for college while in high school. It will make you more successful! Study hard, serve others, get involved and try to be the defining force and change others' lives! Success is not winning scholarships and awards but loving what you do when you're doing it! I have found success in serving others and seeing the difference I have made in their eyes! High school is a time to study, a time to have fun and a time to prepare for the future. All teenagers can make a difference... you have to face the fears inside and step up to the plate to get things done! There is no greater reward!
Kerrianne
Ever since I can remember, I was afraid of college. The TV portrayals of sorority hazing and drinking parties, as well as the all-nighters and caffeine addictions petrified me. But after graduation, I was finally forced to confront the fact that I was going to be a college kid. If I could go back now, I would tell myself to relax! The “college experience” is purely in the choices you make. You can just as easily decide to party and drink as you can to abstain from these situations. The same applies to classes. You can cram the night before and stay alive due to intravenous caffeine, but it’s just as easy to read the material and go to class. The most important choice to make upon entering college is deciding who you want to be. Staying true to who you are will not only set you up for success, but it will also determine your friends, experiences, and ultimately your happiness. Instead of fearing, you should embrace college life, taking all opportunities and expanding your mind. I would tell myself to stop being afraid, because as it turns out, college is my favorite experience!
Angela
Every student has one chance to make the best of the years ahead. Why not start making the best of it in high school? I spent four years trying to fit in with other people, that i forgot what it meant to succeed. My past has changed my future and i wish i had one more chance to go back in time and be more motivated. No matter what obstacles i may face , never give up, i am here to achieve more then there could be known possible.