Plymouth State University Top Questions

There is one key piece of advice I would have for moving onto college. Make friends, go out and do things and don't spend your entire first semester without any true friends. It doesn't have to be a lot, but then it doesn't have to be just a few. Find the number that is right for you. College is about experiencing new( preferably safe) things, and you have no idea how much happier you'll be with a solid core of friends by your side. A regular meal time with four friends will do more for you then you can realize right now. But it is something which you will come to love and treasure when you have it, and crave it whenever it can't happen, or whenever the entire family isn't there. You'll never know how happy you can be until you experience life with a few people you love and trust. Just take care of yourself, and take care of your friends, and go out and live and experience that life. Trust me, a few close friends will make you wonder how you made it through the past four years without them.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self as a high school senior I would tell my self many things. I would tell my self not to stress and relax, everything is going to work out. I would also tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible becuase paying for school is not going to be easy!

Don't give up!

Dear Jack, as you are getting ready to start your college I thought I would give you some tips about making the transition. The most important piece of information I can give you is to find a good group of students to become friends with. Find like-minded people who want to do well in school. Avoid the people who are just at college for the parties whose parents pay for everything. As you get into the new found independence you must learn to balance socializing with friends and doing school work. You can always hang out with your friends later; sometimes your school work can't wait! Just remember to take it easy. College can be some of the greatest years of your life but it can be turned upside down any minute. Don't go with the crowd be your own man and do what makes you happy.

I would tell myself that you need to be prepared to work hard for your education. If you want a good grade you have to work for it. I would also tell myself if you need help fight for it and work hard. There is always help for those who need it you just have to be willing to look for it. Sometimes asking for help isn't always a bad thing. Some people will say no but then there are the others who go the extra distance to insure you get the help you deserve. Push the limits and never stop until you get what you need. There will be long nights and assignments that seem impossible but it is those nights and assignments that show you who you are and what you are capable of.

There are so many things that I would go back and tell my high school senior self. A major one would be that the work is worth it. All the late night homework assignments will pay off and the stress of college admissions will end and it will turn into something amazing. It is very important to listen to what your teachers have to say to you, they know what they are talking about, they have been in the same exact spot that you're in now. Take every bit of advice that you can from them, because, trust me, it will come in handy. Don't be so hard on yourself about a bad SAT score, because even though it may be important, it does not measure your worth as a student. Having a tutor is a glorious thing, they help so much and a lot of the time can get you to understand something better than your professor can. And lastly, do NOT procrastinate. Procrastination is an evil thing to get caught up in, just stay focused and force yourself to sit down and do your work!

If I could go back I would tell my high school self to take one semester off and travel or something crazy to help me find myself before leaving for college. I have changed my major three different times because of not knowing who I really was and what my true calling is. After my second change in major I took a semester off and worked full time and traveled around and figured out my passion was helping people. Last year when I enrolled in Social Work classes I knew immediately this was what I was meant to be doing and found my passion. The one semester that I took to myself and really got to focus on ME was so beneficial!

Learn more Math. It will certainly come in handy.

I would tell my self to visit the colleges i wanted to attend more than once. I have now attended three colleges. First was NHTI where i left after a year since i was home sick since my dad had just passed away. Second was WMCC where i graduated with an associates. I am now currently enrolled in Plymouth State University. My second piece of advice is to take more ruunning start courses to cut the cost down on college classes.

One of the most important things that I would tell my high school self would be to never fear or be conflicted by change. Whether it be changes in friends, housing, classes, jobs, majors or personal growth, everything will fall into place with a bit of faith. Adjusting to college life is hard, but it is rewarding and allows you the freedom to become the person that you want to be. Be spontaneous and adventurous without fear of trying new things; you may try something that doesn't work out, but that doesn't mean that you failed! It means that you put yourself out there and gave it a shot, no matter what the outcome. College is what you put into it, and nothing is worse than looking back on the years with regrets, so go for it! Focus on the present and live life to the fullest, whether that be taking an extra class or going out to social events with people you may not normally hang out with. College will be full of awkward and uncomfortable moments, but the good will far outweigh the bad. Live it up and don't be afraid of change!

As I had taken a couple of extra classes as a junior/senior in order to graduate early, the main thing I would tell myself is to not stress out about the little things. I would tell myself to enjoy the great things and opportunities that highschool has to offer before it is gone forever. Another important thing I'd tell myself is to respect your parents, because they are only trying to help; make lots of friends, they are there for support when you simply cannot talk to anyone else; and ask for help from teachers, they will most likely be happy to help! If I could go back and give myself one major bit of advice it'd be to keep pushing, as the outcome in the end is fantastic! I would tell myself that graduating early is not a mistake and that you have given youself a great opportunity.

With my extensive and superior knowledge of college life and the transition from home to campus, my advice to my high school self would be to take a giant chill pill. I was frantic, thinking that I had to memorize all the facts about classes, financial aid, and scholarships. I was anxious, worrying nonstop about which college to attend, what to study, and how I was going to pay for it all. When it was about time to move in, I stayed up late, my brain telling me horror stories about failing my classes and not making any friends. What I really wish I could do is go back in time, take my senior-self into a warm, enveloping old-lady embrace, and tell her to calm down. Being a student at Plymouth State University has been an amazing experience that I would repeat again and again. It is a welcoming and enriching community which cares about my health and education. Last summer I was clinging to my mother’s apron, begging to stay home. I wish my high school self could see me this summer, counting down the days until I can go back home to Plymouth State University.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be this…. Mickey Bea, you know who you are and who you want to be, do not let anyone or anything stand in your way. I know you may think that he is the one and he would never do anything to hurt you, do not fall for it, Do not put yourself in that situation. Let the old boy go, you will find a new one that will not put you in the position to choose him or your future. The new guy is not the one that you would expect so do not go out looking for him, he will fall in your lap and you will never be happier. You need to learn to forgive and not hold on to grudges, holding on to it will only make you exhausted. You can forgive someone but that does not mean that you will forget what they did. Your mother knows what she is talking about, and even though you may not want to admit it, she gives you the advice you need to hear. And lastly, Always remember to follow your heart and your dreams!

Don't stress the small things, be someone you'd like to meet, your truth differs from everyone else's truth, be willing to unlearn/relearn what you've learned already, don't judge, be patient, don't be black and white, love unconditionally, fear is a waste of life, don't label anything or anybody, live to be happy.

The most important peice of advice i wished i knew and did more when firsting attending college is to socialize. Networking is so insanely important especially in the business field. I was a hermit for my first few years of college and it's my biggest regret. I developed social anxieties and now have to take classes on how to socialize with unfamiliar people and networking is a major challenge. I deffinitely underestimated how important socialization and communication is and now im paying for it.

I have always cared about my academic standing and wellbeing, and I would advise my past self to always remember to do your homework, and write assignments down. But I have noticed that since I came to college, I have completely thrown myself into homework and projects, and my health has suffered as a result. Stress is a killer, and I would like to advise myself to always leave a little time to relax, even if it's only reading a few pages of my book fifteen minutes before work, or taking a break from an essay to email a friend. I would especially ask my past self to take special time to email friends and keep in contact with the world outside of books and homework. To go outside and take a walk occasionally, and get in tune with outside life. I'm not sheltered, I just spend less time outside now, where I love to be, than I did in high school. Most importantly, I would encourage myself to remember that happiness is the most important goal in life, however you reach it.

Find what makes you happy. There is no point in rushing through a life where you can not find raw joy everyday. I think if I could go back to talk to myself that is what I would emphasize on. I would stress the points that you dont need others approal to make you happy, you dont need to freak out about the future, and alcohol and partying is not always the best way to spend your weekends. Happiness comes from within, and when the four years of college are up that is when you need to take what you have been studying and do somethig that makes you happy, something you have passion for, something you love. There is not a second that is worth wasting, the past is the past and all you can do is learn from things, move forward, and ultimately be happy about life and the knowledge that is given from every lecture, every person you pass, every meal at the dining hall, and every interaction you can absorb. Everyday is a new day, grow, learn, embrace, and ultimately be happy.

I would tell myself that I need to learn how to study and discipline myself and get my work done. It is easy to get caught up in social life and blow off your homework, but we can't do that. I would also tell myself to start saving my money now, because I'm not going to have any in the future. You will struggle to pay your bills. I would aldo tell myself to be open-minded about what you want to do when you grow up. You will change your mind about 100 times before you finally decide, and even after you decide you will come up with new ideas. Just open your mind and go with whatever makes you the happiest, it will come to you. You will find what you're passionate about, but it will take some exploring. Also, you will become best friends with Mom eventually, so start being nicer to her, because when you don't have money for laundry, she will start looking like an angel with Tide.

If I was a senior again, I would tell myself not to worry so much about what other people think. I went to a private school where everyone was worried about appearances. Now that I teach high school and watch how much students fuss and fret about what others think, my mature self sees how ridiculous it all is. Being true to who you are and want to be is more important than impressing everyone else. I wish I had known that when I was selecting a school and going off to college. The good thing is thatI know it now and, since I'm going to school again, I can learn from my own mistakes and begin anew.

Go into college with the right mindset and focus to get things done and fully take advantage of your educational opportunities. I have learned over this past year that college is what you make of it. You could be going to a terribly known college, that is only known for it's drinking and partying reputation, but if you put in the time and effort to utilize the information given to you, and find other alternatives to having fun outside of the assumed college ones, than college can be an amazing place and you are going to love it.