KeAira
First, I want to emphasis how important it is to perform exceeding well in all classes. Although the transition to college can be a challenge, you have to battle through the obstacles and finish off strong. Your friends will not always be there to motivate you; instead, you have to find the dedication and motivation within yourself. Furthermore, you have to use the many resources around campus to your advantage. Remember that the professors and teaching assistances are all there to help you succeed. Next, do not give into peer pressure. Though this may seem like common sense, it can sometimes be easier than you think. However, you are much wiser than to be fooled by such trickery. Lastly, do not forget that education is the key to success.
Liz
If I had the opportunity to give my high school self advice about college, I would not speak of commuting from a community college in order to save money or even to study harder. Instead I would tell myself to do everything in my power to enjoy the overwhelming and wonderful college experience as a whole. Through all of the stress and change I would not trade the experiences I was fortunate enough to gain or the friends I made for anything, I would only try to truly cherish the memories I made. Knowing what I know now about college, I would tell my younger self that there are a myriad of resources waiting to be explored and utilized in order to reach my full potential, and that all I will have to do is go and make that discovery. What matters most is to fully discover who you are as a person, the kind of people you thrive with, the nooks and crannies of your new city, all that your university has to offer, and what is going to ultimately make you happy in life. Do not stop until you make these discoveries and enjoy each to the fullest.
Briana
On this day last year, there were many things on my mind. It was time to study for finals. I was still undecided on what I wanted to major in at college. Soon, I will never see the faces I saw everyday in the halls. Everything was bittersweet; I was thrilled to start a new chapter of my life, but I desperately wanted to hold on to what was familiar. However, I was too distracted to focus on anything. The only thing I cared about was getting my classmates to like me.
I have just finished my first year of college, and I am no longer the person I was in high school. I was so concerned on what people thought of me. I want to tell my high school self that all of that worrying was a waste. Cliques don't exist anymore. You will make great friends who will like you for you. It doesn’t matter who you were high school. We have bigger things on our minds; we are all focusing on the present in order to create our futures. The people who support you during your journey are the only friends you’ll ever need.
Seth
Make as many friends as you can and take advantage of the resources that OSU provides for you. There is a lot you can do to be social, since you won't really know anyone. Join a club, find a house with some other people, even go to some parties and hang out. You don't have to spend time at a job or at home if you decide to live there. Save some money, but have fun. It will be an experience you'll want to have.
Kaelyn
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, I would simply tell myself to slow down, to not get so anxious over the small things and to make time for those who truly matter. Dont sweat the small stuff, have fun, and remember who your real friends are. Once you graduate from high school, the things that used to seem important arent anymore. Its not about who has the most expensive shoes or who ate with who at lunch. Its about maturing mentally and emotionally, expanding your horizons, experiencing new things, and meeting new people. Sometimes things dont always work out the way we plan for them to, and life is hard, so just play the hand youre dealt and smile. No moment lasts forever so make sure you cherish the special ones, and remember that youre a strong, independent, young woman who has the world before her that she needs to take full advantage of and never give up. Take my advice and youll not only be sucessful, but youll be happy..
Because in the end, thats all that really matters.
Jamie
Dear High School Self: Do what you're afraid of. When you move off to college and everything is suddenly different, it's easy to gravitate towards things and people that make you feel comfortable. But you don't want to be comfortable. Comfort will not make you grow, challenge will. Challenge yourself to join the club you think you don't belong in. Take the dance lessons you're afraid of failing at. Take harder classes, find new and interesting people to talk to that you wouldn't ordinarily approach. Get lost in your new home and figure it all out. It took me half of my college experience to finally break away from the same group of friends and start doing things I wanted to do but was uncomfortable with. My fondest memories are of events that only happened because I refused to listen to my fears. If you face your fears to do what you want to, there's no way you can fail! The only thing you need to be afraid of in college is letting yourself down, because there are so many opportunities waiting for you. You just have to take them!
shaun
As I picture myself sitting in a class of over 20 students listening to my teacher reitterate herself about the importance of college, I tend to look away or doze off into a far away place. flash forward 10 years later I'm currently 30 yrs of age and just finishing my sophmore year wishing that 10 yrs ago if i knew that all i needed to do was concentrate, stay focused and keep with the values that I have put fourth for my life college could be much easier and I could have been done by now. those things of course I would have told myself, but now its a different day and I have now grown to know that those things are true and I hold them dearly to my heart. I always remember to remind myself of those things now which allows me to push fourth and obtain the career that I could have possibly had by the age of twenty five, but I also remember later is always better than never.
Allison
Be open to new experiences and opportunities. College will provide you with a newfound freedom but do not abuse the freedom, rather embrace it to better yourself. It is ok to not have a plan for your future and if you think you do, be open to new possibliities because you will learn so much more about your likes, dislikes, and your potential during your first few months as a college student.
Stay busy. Taking advantage of the numerous opportunities on campus like part-time jobs, clubs and organizations, and listening to guest speakers you will learn how to accurately manage your time and improve your study skills while enriching your social life.
Ultimately, try new things but never forget who you are and where you came from because it is those values that will lead you to success and keep you on the right path.
Stephanie
Take a good look at the campus. Go for a tour and see how the enrolled students act. Are students talking with others or more independent? Do the professors that you interact with impress you as insightful and interested? Can you see yourself sitting in the classrooms, getting around the campus, studying in the library, living in the dorms, etc.? Consider both inside and outside of the classroom environment. You will be attending that school for (most likely) four years so you need to be ready to make the commitment to an environment that best suits your needs and mindset.
Take financial aid into consideration, but make sure you fit with the school more than the financial implications of the decision. It might be more beneficial to take on greater debt for a school you love than to be unhappy in a school you settled for because it offered the most financial aid.
GET INVOLVED! People who match your interests might find you, but realistically you will have to simultaneously pursue those relationships. Find activities that interest you to keep a good balance between studies and recreation.
Stay focused and don't sweat the small stuff! Learn, Live, Grow.
Melissa
I would advise myself not to dwindle on the little things because when it comes down to it, that history test that I studied all night for and didn't do as well as I had hoped is a memory that has diminished. What matters is surrounding yourself with people who are truly there to help you succeed and bring you happiness. Leaving home and going off on your own puts a lot more into perspective. We begin to filter out meaningless relationships and replace those with people who genuinely have your best interests at heart. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to never try to impress anybody else or change yourself simply for the sake of another noticing. As cheesy and cliche as it appears, being yourself is all that matters. I would tell myself that the people who try to change you are the same ones that will be filited out of your life.