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As a high school senior, I remember feeling as if college was going to be a piece of cake. I made it through my senior year with all A's and most teachers spoke to Central Columbia's class of 2009 as if college was going to be just like our senior year. The only advice we really got were "Study hard and go to class!" College is so much more than that simple six letter phrase. College is about time management because in high school, you were stuck in a building for about six hours. College gives students more free time and some students don't know how to handle this added freedom. College is about personal drive. In high school, teachers and parents were constantly urging students to do homework and get good grades. In college, the student is the only person responsible for keeping up with homework and passing classes. Last, college is about independence. The shift from the parents house to a dorm is such a dramatic change and I wish I prepared myself better for the change. College is all about being prepared for a life of independence and starting to shape your future.

High school is a totally different world than college and real life. Let go of the petty cliques and popularity contests. Have fun, be yourself and stop worrying about what others think. You will be happier and surprise, surprise...you will actually make MORE friends this way. Stop judging people and just talk to them, see what they're about. College is a time to get to know yourself and everyone else too. Remember that you are at college to get a degree, but it's also much more than that. Leave high school back home and in the past, where it belongs, and let yourself breathe and grow in your new environment. Don't waste a semester figuring this out, start right away. You will be so glad you did.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior about college I would say that high school and college are completely different. Grades don't come as easy in college as they did in high school. You need to read, study hard, and attend all your classes. Also teachers aren't going to push you as much to get your work done; you have to find the motivation to get done and turned in on time. You also have to find the motivation to get involved. No one is going to tell you what club to join or what you should do in college. You have to attend events, try different things, meet new people, and find where you fit in. Its okay to feel confused, scared, and anxious; almost everyone has the same feelings when starting college. You're at the beginning of decided what you want your life to be and who you want to be. Just remember to live each day to the fullest and reach for your dreams because the time will go fast.

I chose to attend a very big college, so I would tell myself to walk on campus the first semester open to anything new. With students here from all across the country, and even the world, it is important to be open to all cultures and extracurriculars. There are hundreds of clubs and activities offered here, so do not be afraid to go to as many initial meetings as possible. Attend the clubs and activities fair, and get information from half of the booths. Trust me when I say that there is no obligation to go back. Just keep yourself very busy and open the first semester, and then narrow your interests down after that, because you may find something you love to do that you never even thought about in the first place.

If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself not to choose a school based on who i knew that was going there. It's nice knowing people in a new place, but college is a great place to meat new people. I wouldnt tell myself to completely forget my old friends because i love them to death, but i've seen friendships from home get messed up at school because its just not the same atmosphere and i would never want that to happen with my friends. I would also tell myself to get a job, and work all summer long to have money saved up for school.

The one thing I would tell myself is that I don't believe there is one perfect college for anyone. I think what makes a person's college experience great is how you react to situations. Basically, if you are willing, you could make any university a great university for yourself. It is important that you go to a college that has a good program of study you are considering, or any specific club or organization you can't live without but the rest is up to you. You make your own college experience what it will be.

When you go on a campus visit, spend time walking around. Alone. A lot of times, when walking with a tour group or with your family, you're occupied with the exciting sights and facts and promises that college will offer you. But when you finally enroll to a university, the majority of the time you spend will be on your own. Try visiting the campus when its busy. Try visiting it when no one is around. Maybe even get a hotel room nearby, and get a feel for how the campus business ebbs and flows throughout the day. Eat the food; could you stand eating that every day, all day? Check what social events are on calenders. See if you can find people that you'd like to become friends with. Basically, see if the school gives you a comfortable environment for you, as you are right now. Simply starting life as a college freshman does not mean you hit a reset button and become a new person. If it doesn't feel absolutely right to you as you are, move on, because that university will become your home for the next 4 years.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to be prepared. The future is scarier and more surprising than I believed it would be. I would also tell myself to learn how to study differently and how to focus better. It was such a change from high school that it was not nearly the same. I, like many other students, were blindsided by the change one would have to make to succeed in college because high school came easy to me and I excelled naturally. Now that I'm in college and with many other students that were like me, its more challenging and difficult. Therefore, "Sarah of 2007, be careful. Life is fully or more surprises than you believe there will be. College will change your life for the better. Don't worry though, you make it through alive."

The first semester is very stressful; however, by taking AP classes and community college classes, the mandatory classes for the university-which are extremely crowded-are eleminated. In addition, invest time into finding a compatiable roommate, and do not just accept the randomly assignmed roommate the university gives you. By finding someone that fits you, and your life style, you will be more comfortable in your room, and less stressed out. Don't put off studying for midterms and completing homework assignments. Find someone that can help you, or find a resoruce center or tutoring center that can aide you in better studying and understanding course work. Ensure you have "me-time" in order to relax and take your mind off of school a few hours a week. Make sure you are organized and know what you are suppose to be doing, and how you should properly study for each of your classes. It will take a while to find a comfortable study habit, but once you have it down, stick with it. In closing, you may also consider a school not close to home. This can distract you from school, and negatively impact your college career.

The only way that my freshman college experience could have possibly been enhanced would have been if I had just entered with a different state of mind! High School Self, just relax okay? I know you're worried about the big transition and how it's going ot feel like and if you're going to make friends and if you're going to be able to handle the coursework...but you're simply stressing out too much! The only thing you did have to worry about was getting used to studying harder which is a thought that didn't even enter your mind. One of my teachers already told me, and i know youlff find this useful, "In college...being smart just isn't enough. Work for it!" But relax and the transition will be way easier for you. Good friends are not that hard to come by if you look hard enough and, trust me, this place will meet all your other expectations too. Rid yourself of your anxieties and face this new place with an open heart and a smile on your face.

A rip in the fabric of space and time has somehow thrown me back into the year 2009, as a 17-year old high school senior. The freezing temperature, black slush, and white powder suggests it is late Decmeber, early January. As I walked down Cottman Avenue I see my previous self walking out of the familiar 7-Eleven that is across the street from my house. I explained my existence at our first encounter; and in 5 minutes my former self was filled with excitement upon hearing my explanation. I went on to strongly insist "Myself" to continue working hard during the last year of "My" high school year; I told "Myself" that college is a complete 180 from what high school is like, especially "My" high school. "Time management is crucial, if not the MOST important, in being successful with studies in college." I explained. He had so many questions for which I had many answers to, but before I could answer one, I find myself looking at the familiar ceiling of my dormroom. And thus I was pulled back into the reality of 2010.

Making the decision of what to do with my life was one of the hardest things I've ever done. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to get more involved from the start. I'd tell myself to find a club or group that was right for me and fully devote myself to it. Also I would tell myself not to be afraid to try new things or take interesting classes, and not to stress too much about the little things.

If I had a chance to go back in time to visit myself in my senior year in high school, the one thing I would tell myself to make getting into college easier is to get "involved". By this I mean it is a good idea to play a sport or many sports all the way through high school and/or join a club. Another smart idea would be to get involved outside of high school and help your community by doing volunteer work. Doing these things will help your chances dramatically of getting into college. It will make it easier on you and it will save you a lot of the less stress and frusteration of getting denied acceptence into a college. Colleges look highly upon students that have good grades, but they also look higher upon the students who have extra curricular activites on top of their good grades. I have learned this the hard way. So my number one advice I would tell myself as a senior in high school is to get "involved".

I would tell myself to open my mind to the opportunities to explore all this new world has to offer with out fear. I would tell myself that there is no reason to worry about ridicule or lack of acceptance from my peers, they too are exploring new avenues and are as apprehensive as I am about entering a new phase in their lives. I would work very hard to continue my friendships with my classmates,family and friends because I know I will need their support and understanding as I leave my safe little world for the first time. I will also reach out to new people so that I may gain a better understanding of myself and others. I would accept every invitation offered to me to see new places and meet new people, to further enhance my understanding of the diversity in the world. I would volunteer more in my community to gain a better understanding of the many career paths that may be available to me. I would get a parttime job to teach myself the importance of manging my time and my budget wisely. I would thank God and my parents for this opportunity everyday.

I would give myself the advice to really take my high school education more seriously because it will benefit me in my college career. I would tell myself to study ten times more than I did in highschool because it will really show in my grades, and while studying hard make sure to meet new people and open up to new experiences. Being shy does not help at a large university and being a very outgoing person in college can really have an impact on your life , mainly your career after college. I would say that college is a great experience and I should not take it for granted. College is a time to have fun, but make a good life for yourself at the same time so responsibility is a key factor in those four years.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to try my best on everything I do and graduate with a high grade point average and do reseaches on the things I would love as a career, and read more. Even though it's going to be hard, because of the distrations around you; such as: family, friends, and jobs, you should always put school first, in the end your hard work will be worth it. Graduating with a high GPA gives you more chance of acceptance and more open doors from different colleges/universities. You can choose which college/university is best for you. With the reseaches of your different career choices gives you a step ahead of students that doesn't know theirs. After you graduate high school you can go to the college that fits your career; it will save you a lot of time and money. I would tell myself to read more because reading is important. Those would be the advices I would give myself if I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior I would first talk about grades. I would tell myself that grades are what is most important. I need to do all of my homework, study for every exam, and take it serious. Your final GPA is one of the most important things an employer will look at on your resume. I would also tell myself how although the school work is extremely important having fun is too. You want to have the full college experience. So when you aren't working on schoolwork, go explore all the activities you can do at your college. Learn about clubs you can join, activities you can do, and community service you can help with. All of that stuff will look great on your resume and you will meet new friends and make great memories doing it all. Always go after what you want and your dreams will come true!

If I could return to the past and give myself adivce about the college transition, I believe I would tell myself to pay more attention to the matierals presented in class versus focusing on just getting a grade. I feel that college puts more of an emphasis on the actual course material than just doing work to earn a letter grade. Not to to de-emphasize the importance of letter grades; the are a very important part of you academic career. However I feel that the college experience should overall equip you for a profession instead of taking courses just to get a grade. I feel that going back in time, I would have gotten alot more out of my classes instead of just doing what was required.

I would tell myself not to stress out so much and not to be so hard on myself. Fill out as many scholarships as possible and study as hard as you can, more than in high school. Not all classes are as easy as they were in high school, and if you have trouble in a class dont be afraid to ask for help, go to a tutor, or the professors' office hours. In the end, all of the effort will definitely pay off. Also try to get involved in as much as possible, it's a great way to meet new people, find new things you love, and make friends.

Assuming I am a high school senior and know how my first three years in college will turn out, I would have many words of advice for myself. My main advice for myself would be for me to be confident. I should never doubt myself based on how many other students there are trying for the same goal that I am. Nothing makes them any better than me and I am just as equal as every single student in school. Another word of advice for me would to study hard and get into a routine. Never fall behind on work and be prepared every single day for class because no class is less important than another. Its all part of my future. Last advice I would be would to get involved from the very beginning. Volunteer my time, join groups, do whatever you can to make a difference in the community because not only will it provide self satisfaction but you will also gain a lot of valuable experience that you cant learn in the classroom. Even though I am not a high school senior currently, I will continue to use this advice everyday.