Sonya
I was ready for college at least a year before I graduated so there's not anything major that I would remind myself of before beginning the application process.
Some general advice I have is as follows: Be strong; decide who you are now and develop yourself so that you know who you are as you enter the next stage in life. Don't let anyone shock you, be gentle and respectful, listening to others and accepting them for who they are growing into. Love the unloveable, care for those who need it and those who act like they don't. Keep your studies and your friends as priorities. You can sleep when you die. This is a time to grow up if you intend to enter the work force and become a positive member of society upon graduation. Laugh and be sure to stop and smell the roses when you are busiest. Forgive everyone as they make mistakes that affect your life.
kira
I would tell myself to go straight into a College and not attend a Technical School first. I would also tell myself to work hard and reach for the stars. With hope and faith, nothing is impossible.
Sara
My goal is to get the most of my education because I know its value. I work very hard in school and usually maintain a 4.0 GPA. Even if I find a class challenging that just means you need to work even harder- no excuses! I am very excited to be entering the nursing program this fall and I plan to work very hard to learn everything I need to know to be a successful nurse. My goal is to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I want to be working with infants every day, it would be a dream job to me. I've had to deal with my own health problems in life and I know that I can help the families because I understand what they are going through. I have done so well academically at Piedmont College.
Ashley
As I go into my second year of college, looking back to before I was enrolled, I see a significant difference in myself between now and then. There has been major personal growth that I think is important in every individual growing up and going into "the real world." We're not at school to get ready to make money. We're at school to learn and to grow even more. I believe that before I graduate, I will be able to fully understand who I am and who I want to be. I have, thusfar, enjoyed my college experience and know that when I come out of this, I will be a fully mature adult- something that not everyone manages- and will be able to look back and say, "Hey, that was me? Well, I'm glad I spent my time here. I definitely needed it."
Katie
Don't stress out about the future. College isn't nearly half so stressful or hard as everyone says. Your study skills and work ethic will pay off, and your classes won't be a problem. Besides, you get to choose your classes so you won't have to spend your time bored; instead, you will enjoy your classes. Don't worry about losing your comfort zone and friends. Your dorm become your very own home, and the important people in your life will always be a part of your life. Plus, college provides countless new friends and opportunities. Instead of being concerned about how unnerving the unknow aspects of college are, focus on the fact that you can get through anything that you want to. You can handle it.
Megan
When applying for colleges, your guidance counselors and parents always tell you how the academic part of college is going to be. They try and do everything in their power to prepare you for that, but not one time was I told how hard the emotional part of college is. Not only do you have to study more and spend your time wisely, you also have to get involved in activities on your campus. The hardest part of college so far for me has been the emotional part. Being away from my parents and not always having someone there to love on you or encourage you when you have had a bad day or something has gone wrong. I would encourage counselors and parents to not only focus on the academic part of college but also the social part of it. For students I would advise to do your best to get involved and make as many friends as you can to make your college experience just want you have expected.
Wesley
With the knowledge I have gained from my college experiance, I would give myself advice including time management, campus activities and purchasing school books. Time management can work to your advantage if you use it wisely. The first step to planning out your time is to have a schedule of everything involved during the course of a week. From there, space out time for homework ,leisure time and sports/ extracurricular activies. By planning out your time, you will be able to balance everything without being stressed. Also, time management will ensure that you stay on top of your classes. Being envolved at your college is important because it allows you to get comfortable with your new surrounding and meet new people. With this simple decision, you can open up many doors of opportunity including making lifelong friends and helping the community. The last piece of advice I would give my high school self would be purchasing books for your classes. Eventhough the college bookstore is convenient, they're overpriced. I would tell my high school self to use amazon or any other online store to get the best deal on books.
Elizabeth
If I went back in time and talked to my high school self the biggest thing I would make sure to tell myself it to relax. In high school I was very stressed about making the change, I was worried that I would be over welled or that I wouldn't make friends, or any one of a hundred other things would go wrong. The biggest thing I learned coming in was that everybody else worried about the same things, and that by relaxing and being myself I made a better first impression than by trying to do the "cool" thing. College is the next step in the rest of your life, and there are some really big changes and choices that you find yourself making, but your whole life doesn't need to be planed in a day. When you let yourself relax you learn more about yourself and those around you instead of just stressing to get though the day. That is why I am constantly telling my brother, who is a high school senior, to just relax, and to trust his choices.
Amber
I would advise students and parents to choose a school that best nurtures that students career goals. A small class room environment with understanding professors is crucial to a good GPA and success in the college years. Choose a school with high employment rates and credibility among employers and colleges. Large universities are not all that they are thought to be. I was highly disappointed with the major university for my state. I was left behind after admittance to fend for myself. Only a small environment although it may not be "hard to get into" is more beneficial in the long run.
Daniel
I find that it's important to find a college that feels like a home away from home. I think that a student should go where they will feel comfortable with the class sizes, faculty/staff interaction, and the communtiy. I went to a college where i didn't know anyone which was kind of nice because it gave me a new start, however i think that it is important to consider where your other friends go to college because friends are what make college what it is. WIthout good friends to hang out with in college all it would be is classes. College is not suppose to be about all learning you need to create memories and life long friends that will always be there. I found it crucial to find a balance between studying and socializing because you don't want to spends a lot of time on a certain one because it will affect your grades or the fun your trying to have. So the main thing to consider when choosing the college that is right for you is what college out there is just like you?
Brian
Finding the right college is all about what fits you best - From what I've learned since graduation the name of your school and the title of your degree are minimally important in comparison to the testament you've delivered by dedicating four years of your life to your education - that's time you've spent becoming more knowledgeable, worldly, and most of all, training yourself how to you your own mind in the most constructive way. A degree means "I'm worthy, I'm trainable, and I know how to work hard and persevere in an academic and professional environment." Choosing a school should be based entirely on you - If you prefer small classes, make it a priority - If you prefer rural or urban settings, factor that in - but most of all, visit the college, tour the campus, sit in on classes, and try to spend some time with the students - see what fits you best. Choosing a college isn't really so much different thant choosing what T-Shirt you want to buy. What really matters is that you've got a shirt on your back when you're done.
Tim
College is an important four years. Its the most important, most fun, most needed, most desired and most remembered four years of your life. The right college is imporant. You need to go somewhere where you can balance your school work and extra-curriculars and your social life. You need to be somewhere you fit in and can make friends, because the friends you make at college are the friends you'll have for the rest of your life.
Kristen
Make sure you know what your child stands for and make sure that the college you stand for has those same values. Find a school that will push your child, but also support them. Find a school that will work with you to cover you financially. They should be more focused on you getting an education than if you have money or not.
Janet
I would tell students to talk to everyone on campus when they visit and try to get a fully rounded idea of what people think of the school. Students should try out for every scholarship they can find. Many students either don't know about many scholarships or never get around to filling out applications. I would also tell students to take advantage of their campus library. It offers many other services besides checking out books and the staff is usually more than happy to help. Students should try to attend as many events as possible because they are a break from school work and it's fun to hang out with other students that they may not usually hang out with. Students should make sure that they are smart about the choices they make and know what the college?s rules are and if they don't fell like they can follow them then they should attend another school. Students should try to stay on campus on the weekends even if their parents want them to come home on the weekend. Most of their friends will be less busy on the weekends and will want to hang out.
Laura
I would like the parents to consider a smaller college campus with a great reputation for wholesome social activities that are actually fun and rewarding. Smaller colleges have a greater sense of community. The student will not be overwhelmed by the amount of people and could feel like they fit right in a little easier. If a potential student is accepted into a smaller college with these opportunities, it could be more expensive than the average university. Great schools have a tendency to offer scholarships that bigger schools do not. The more activities your student is involved in, the greater chance he or she has of receiving an additional scholarship. This makes a more expensive school a little more of a realistic choice. I would recommend that the student should live on-campus, which is something I did not do. I believe that it would have contributed to a better college experience if I had. Once a certain school becomes the best choice for the student, go for it. Don't be scared and let life begin.
Louis
Be sure it meets your desires. Don't settle for what's available. You should do some research and evaluate the college to see if you can find yourself comfortable and fitting in there.
Sarah
Parents should visit the college with their child. Parents should not pressure their child to go to a certain school. Once the student knows where they want to persue a higher education. Let your child apply to as many colleges as they like. When they find the right place, respect their decision. Know that they are a lot of new experiences in college and your child will experiment. Let your child know that they can depend on you and that you will be there through good times and bad. Support your child.
auda
Make sure its where you really want to go!
adam
Don't choose college based on who are dating at the time, because that will more or less ruin your whole life. Choose the college in the location and offering the classes that able you to study what you want to study.
Portia
Make sure you find a college that makes you feel like you're not "just another freshman".