Point Park University Top Questions

I would start by saying that the transition to college is not exactly hard, it is just something you have to get used to. I should have told my senior self to take another AP class, getting those credits before college is a great way to get ahead of the game. Stay calm and enjoy the ride. High school and college are some of the most carefree and fun times in my life.

I knew I wanted to be a filmaker for a very long time but I never realized the journey I would take on the way. If I could talk to my high school self I would tell him to go to college and be himself. For a long time I tried to follow the path of everyone else to be successful. I thought there was only one clear way of making it in the industry. I found myself making films that I did not even like myself because I was too busy trying to please everyone else. I think to be sucessful in this film industry you must first inspire and please yourelf, you need to make films you would want to watch, and not worry about everyone else. If you do that, then success will follow. You see there is a diffrence between success and achievement. Success doesn't just come out of the blue. You must first reach achievement by trying your best and the success will soon come. I wish I would of known that from the start so that would be the advice I would give my highschool self.

Ashley's Advice to High School Seniors: 1. Don't worry. You WILL find your group of friends. It might take some time, but they're there and they will become your lifetime friends. But if you can't find them, then: 2. Say YES! Maybe not to everything, but you will never find those lifelong friends, or discover that awesome coffee shop, or find your favorite new pizza place without stepping outside your comfort zone and saying YES to new opportunities. With that, don't forget to: 3. Try new things. One of my biggest regrets is not studying abroad while in college. If you have an interest: go for it. Seriously. 4. Go to class. Do your homework. College is a huge investment of your money, of course, but by enrolling in college you are investing IN YOURSELF. Don't waste that! Above all else, please don't forget to: 5. HAVE FUN. Whether this is by watching movies with your roommate, finding the best parties on campus, or joining a Qudditch team (yes, these exist!!), college is the perfect time to grow as a person and learn so much about who you are. Good luck!

Hey 19 year old Emanuel. It’s me, 24 year old future Emanuel. High school is almost over and college is around the corner. It’s a very weird transition, but it’s also an exciting one too. There are just a few things I would like to share with you before you get there. When you come back home you’re not going to be the same person you were when you left. People will call if you if they want to keep the friendship. You’ll have disagreements with your parents about your life decisions, can you try listen to them and hear them out, seriously. As far academics is concern; don’t buy books, scan books and get a library card because it saves money. Doing work when no one else is doing work is the time to do work, meaning a grade is not the rest of your life; it’s the skill that matters. The work is simple, but it’s not easy. Finally, remember that you can succeed in anything in school with three D’s and an A: Dedication, Determination, Discipline and Appliance. Keep those in mind and you’ll get that degree.

I would tell myself to follow my dreams and not let anything sway my decisions. I entered college with a major I had no interest in because my true passion was performing and that did not seem practical. I now realize that this was a mistake and I am transfering in the Spring to finally persue my love of the theatre. While everything I've learned has helped me grow, college is too expensive to not be doing exactly what you want. I am excited to finally be doing what I love.

If I were to go back in time I would give myself some important college life advice. The number one piece of advice I would give is to choose a school that truly fits myself and my goals instead of focusing on what school everyone else may seem to be gravitating towards. I would tell myself to remember that I need to study and work hard becausse every class I attend is important towards graduating...not to mention worth a lot of my own money. I would encourage my high school self to attend a college where I felt at home. It sounds weird but in order to become involved and branch out in college it is important to feel comfortable. The most important thing to remember is that college is a big transition. Keeping an open mind is a big help but the most important thing to do is to give it time and soon you will begin to adapt and succeed.

To my high school self, I would just like to say, do not wait until the last minute to pack for move in! You'll regret it when all you want to do is sleep before the six hour car ride. Honestly though, the hardest thing about transitioning to college does not happen until the end of the semester. It is the realization that finals are alarmingly stressful to begin with and procrastinating as usual does NOT work. You end up crying and staying up all night every night for two weeks and then falling asleep in exams and annoying your roommates who did not procrastinate because your desk lamp needs to stay on so you can finish just a few more paragraphs in order to pass this class and then you can worry about the next class. Even though your professor might say that it is okay to turn in your assignments at the end of the semester, that does not mean that you should. A coffee maker might be a good investment though. All those Starbucks runs get expensive and as much as it may seem so, your flex dollars are not limitless. Proceed wisely and gain wisdom.

If I could give my senior self advice, it would be to get more involved with sports/clubs/activities and take the SAT's more than once, and sign up for colleges and scholarships sooner. I would spend more time loving high school than hating it. I would make more friends than I did because i'll never see them again. I would embrace how easy high school life is compared to college. I would also have asked more questions and studied more.

If I had the ability to travel back in time to 1989 as a senior in high school, the advice I would give to myself as I was preparing to graduate is to no to be afraid to try new things and not be afraid to speak up. Do not be a follower but be a leader as a strong leader commands respect and the attention of others and a strong leader will get you many of places in the "real world" after school. It took me a long time to learn this (after college and several years in "the real world" to realize that you need to lead and not be lead.

Finish strong...you're almost there. Take your placement tests seriously. Appreciate your teachers and the education you received in high school that has prepared you for college. Apply for scholarships and take one or two classes that will give you college credit.