Pepperdine University Top Questions

Making friends might seem hard but keep reaching out to people and attending events. Relationships will develop but they take time. Cliques form very quickly so be sure you hang out with people you genuinely like and do not be defined by just one group. Just because groups seem rigid doesn't mean you cannot be a part of several have friends in many different places.

Don't choose a school because you feel pressured to or because someone else wants you too. You need to choose a school because it is the school that you want to attend and that you feel passionate about. If you go for someone else's benefit, it hurts you in the long run because they are not the one attending college 8 months of the year. You may have made them happy briefly, but you haven't been fair or true to yourself. If you think you will be a better fit at another school, chance are that thought is correct. So never let the opinions of others influence you. Don't just go somewhere because of the reputation, or the location, or the esteemed academics. Allow yourself to choose the school that you best see yourself at, and that you see yourself being the happiest at. This may not be the best academic school, or the most fun school, but it will be the school that you will be proud to call your own.

I would say, "hey buddy, good job." Throughout high school, I ran with the crowd that you would normally find partying and playing sports. I even managed to have some complications with the law enforcement of my town, that was typical for most of my peers in my high school and the other high school on the other side of my town. While doing this, however, I was able to maintain my 4.0 GPA, attended national comeptitive swim meets, joined in clubs as well as other sports, while still have all the fun a high schooler would hope to have. That being said, I am ever so grateful for my wildness because it pushed me to attend a tame school, like Pepperdine, that had a strict dry campus policy and was known for its enforcement of such policies. This was very different than most schools in the greater part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (where I am from). I found that as I grew tired of binge drinking, that most of my peers, who came from stricter environments than me, were just getting started on their wild phase at a time, , where academic competition thrived and only gets stronger and stronger...

Don't worry about anything and just trust that the right situation will come up allowing you to go where you are meant to go.

Starting college is the biggest period of change that we experience in our young adult lives, and I have learned so much about myself and my life in the short 7 months that I've been here. Knowing what I know now, and observing how other people have dealt with the change, my biggest advice on making the transition would be this: College is a time for starting over, to be sure, but you don't have to reboot yourself and abandon everything that makes you you to thrive in college. I struggled with identity issues my first semester because I was so concerned with what others thought about me. I tried to build up a persona that I thought would fit 'the college life'. Life is all about personal relationships. I've come to realize that there are lots of people out there, and the ones whose opinions I actually care about are the people who will like me for who I really am. Your surroundings change day in and day out, but you have to deal with yourself for the rest of your life, so invest in who you are and who you want to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself, "Keep your head up. Mom and dad won't end up back together, but it's for the best, I promise you. Let go of dead weight, the person you think you love is dragging you down and will only continue to do so. It's okay to be angry, it's okay to be upset. No one can hurt you anymore. You are strong, you are giving, you are timeless, you are YOU. Don't let yourself fall through the cracks, don't give up on school. That senior research paper? It'll turn out just fine. As a matter of fact, you're going to do the best in your class. Baby, don't cry. Wipe your tears and stand up. You have every right to feel the way you're feeling. Don't give up now, you're so close. You're going to figure out who you are, and you'll love her. You're going to make it through this. You're alive and you're successful, and you're now happy. So, So happy."

I would tell myself how important it is to find balance in life as early as possible. I would also tell myself not to put too much on my plate, especially early on, and to not be afraid to say no or stand up for what I need/want. Learn how to be comfortable outside your comfort zone, and enjoy the adventure. I would also say not to worry so much about all the change, and that's what meant to be will be. I would also remind myself that all the change that seems so scary isn't easy, but for every difficult part there are just as many hidden blessings. Things have a funny way of working out, as long as you remember to keep your chin up and your feet moving forward.

Do not let what you did in highschool define who you are. Your potential is so much more than a high school student body president or yearbook editor in chief. Those achievements are just titles, instead take those experiences and find what aspects you enjoyed to figure out how each activity has shaped your personality. Go into college with expectations, but don't expect for things to always go as planned. College tests are a lot different from high school tests. One simply asks you to reiterate facts while the other involves more critical thinking - I'll let you figure out which is which. Most importantly do not fall in love in the summer of your senior year. Also bring a sponge, you don't know how handy that comes.

Time traveling, everyone's unattainable desire. "If only I could go back and tell myself what I know now", this phrase has somehow found itself to be a staple of our society. However if we were truly able to go back and give ourselves advice, would we even take it? It's human nature to believe that we won't make the mistake people are advising us against, yet nonetheless we would all take that slim chance and attempt to talk to our previous self. If I could speak to myself as a High School senior I would simply tell myself that time management is the key to everything. Too many incoming college students believe they can do it all: have a social life, receive the straight A's they easily received in High School, join greek life, sleep...the list goes on. The reality is that we can't. We have to prioritize what truly matters; without priorities, the college education that you have longed for, and the efforts of your family can quickly dissapear. Even if my High School self ignores this tidbit of advice, i'd offer it regardless a thousand times.

Wisdom comes with experience. If I could write a letter to my high school senior self, I would tell advocate one phrase when adjusting to college..."work hard- give every job, even the most menial one, a hundred percent. Keep your eyes open. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Trust God and be patient. It’ll unfold." To make the transition easier, taking risks is a priority. This year I ran for Freshman Class President at Pepperdine University and won the election. Meeting people while campaining and bursting out of my comfort zone helped me in more ways that I can count. I would also remind myself that thinking about a vocation, can be quite overwhelming. At eighteen do you really know what you want to do career-wise for the rest of your life? My dad, one of my mentors, said something I thought was very profound recently. He said, “Every step of your life should continue to be great as long as you are loving the Lord.” I would challenge my high school senior self to trust that God has plan bigger than you can fathom. This would put me at ease during a period of transition.

Choose a school that is best for YOU, not your parents. This current generation has so much pressure depending on which school you get into and if you'll be the next kid from your high school to go to Harvard. The size of the school means nothing as great people come out of every university across the nation. Narrow down what you desire in a school, whether it is the east or west coast, large or small population, multiple seasons or summer year round. Putting in the extra time and effort to seek out the perfect school is completely worth it. Take a deep breath when you feel stressed and overwhelmed with the application and deciding processes because it will all work out in the long run. Invest time into your advisors at school because they have seen so many students graduate and go onto college before you. You won't receive any help unless you ask! If the school you end up choosing doesn't feel right, there is nothing wrong with transfering. Choosing a school is not set in stone for four years unless you choose so! Keep repeating: It will all work out. Deep Breath.

I would tell myself to study hard, recommend educating myself on alternate ways to pay for school, and to start the semester after graduation. I waited a year to start and was so discouraged because of my financial situation. It was my second year of college that I learned that there are other option and assistance programs. Another thing I would tell myself is to not give up and not to get overwhelmed or stressed because it only makes it harder. I would tell myself to enjoy college and take advantage of every oppportunity that arrised that helped further my education. If I had someone to tell me back then just how simple it was to fill out the fafsa and recieve help I would already be graduated. Now, I am married and the combined income has taken my grants. Although, our bills are too high to contribute what is estimated I will have to find a way to pay for college to continue. If only I had known senior year. If only I had used the recourse available to me when I was younger. Most importantly, I would tell myself that no matter what, you're completely capable!

Throughout life you're always being asked "if you could go back to a certain age, what would you tell your younger self?" In this case, being fresh out of high school there's so many things I would tell myself. In fact, I'd first tell myself that all of these people I think are my friends, don't care about me and never will. Don't waste your time trying to fit in and be cute because being cute will only get you so far in life. Next I'd tell myself to focus on my SAT and ACT scores and most importantly, figure out what I want to major in once I begin applying to colleges. It's okay to skip social outings to study or to do homework because at the end of the day, getting into your top 10 schools is what really matters. Lastly, I'd tell myself to relax and not to stress because the work is very simple. You've been in school for about 13 years, don't let your senior year beat you up and allow you to become discouraged. Own your senior year and let it breeze on by!

Read more classics. When I was younger I was an avid reader, but once i got into high school I never made time for it. I was number one in my class, but after coming to Pepperdine, I realize how far behind I was in terms of my reading list. Classical literature, all literature really, not only expands your vocabulary, but also teaches you life skills and lessons. Having intelligent conversations about the books you've read is much more rewarding and impressive than conversations about the latest movie you watched. They may be difficult to start, but once you finish, you feel like you've won a valuable treasure.

In order to maximize my time in college for the first few years, I would tell myself to take calculus and chemistry 221-223 to begin with. As well as that, I would inform myself that in college collaboration is key. Meeting with teachers, other students, or getting tutored is all apart of college. People are always there to help you and make sure you are on the right track. College is all about meeting new people and enjoying your time there, aside from all of the studying that is required in order to pass. And lastly, I would tell myself good luck!

Don't stress over the changes in your life; they're all for the better. You are going to grow so much as a person while living away from home- embrace it and don't be afraid of learning independence. There are going to be many new people in your life, and each of them will be unlike others you've met before. Some will be the best friends you've always wanted, and others will be close-minded and offensive. Embrace them all, because everyone is important. There is always something you can learn from each person, be it positive or negative. There are so many life lessons out there to be learned- just be sure to go through each day with an attitude open and willing to learn. Dive into your classes and don't complain about your teachers- understand they are there to teach you and take advantage of that. Become friends with your teachers and appreciate all the knowledge they have to give. And don't forget to do some things you wouldn't do in the past. Take the bus down PCH and visit the Getty Villa Museum!

If I were able to go back in time and talk to my high school senior-self I would highly advise myself to begin practicing my time managment skills. I have found that just having your priorities in the correct order does not necessarly allow you to get the most out of your college career. One must also have time managment skills in order to acheive your potential in college. Time managment does not always mean working more hours, but simply alloting the proper amount of time for each activity. The most difficult part is teaching yourself to switch between each activity (studies, sports, sleep, etc.) without filler inbetween. I have found that this 'filler' is what really takes up the time in a day, whether it is checking your social media before staring your essay or wandering the halls of your dorm after lunch. There is a time for everything, and it is your most presious resource. The better you manage time the more succesful you will be at acheiving your potential.

If I could go back in time and talk to my seventeen-year old high school self about the transition that college life forces one to undergo, I would tell myself a few key tidbits, but first and foremost I would tell myself to breathe. I would tell myself that despite this significant, and largely uncomfortable, change you will become mentally invigorating, gain invaluable knowledge as well as several pieces of treasured wisdom, and most notably you will discover who you want to be and how incredibly paramount it is to persistently strive for that. I’d tell myself that, undoubtedly, you will experience overwhelming feelings of sheer uncertainty and profound heartache, but to be hugely grateful for these times as it will only teach you the importance of empowering yourself with unconditional love. I would tell myself to look in the mirror each day, smile wide-even if you don’t feel like it-and be conscious of the ultimate goals and ambitions you have had since you were just six. I would tell myself that, “you will thrive,” and that, “you will indeed make yourself and your parents proud.”

I would sit down with that kid and tell him the advantages of dive into his books and advance on his academic development. The reason behind is that I left school early and had to do things the hard way, meaning that I had to work twice as hard physically, far from home and life in general. By studying hard instead, he can work hard, but smarter, with his brain and make life simple and better for him, his families and for everything and everyone he wants to extend a hand. It is possible, but the only path is education.

I graduated high school in 2009. I have been in and out of college three times, every time with a different major. My most recent major is accounting. If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to consider choosing accounting as my first option for a major. I actually enjoy accounting, and had i known that, there is a huge possibility that I could have had my bachelor's degree already. I would tell myself not to quit. Doing the homework is actually not that hard. I would have to tell myself that the hardest part of college is committment. I would hate to think about how long college takes, all of the classes I would have to take, and all of the homework that I would have to do. Today, I would tell my high school self, or anyone actually, go to college. Do the work. Stay committed. The hardest part of college is not the work, but having the strength and courage to get up every morning and keep going. Our problem as students is staying committed to school and I believe committment is the key to success.