Radford University Top Questions

"Heather, I know you think you're ready to get out of this small town with nothing to do, but slow down, enjoy the people surrounding you. Enjoy you're last year of high school because you're never going to get to do it again. You think you're not going to miss you're family since you're only an hour away? Well think again. It's going to be a big change when you go off to college and no longer have the luxury of walking down the hall to cry about your girl troubles to mom. You're sister's getting married next year, you won't be able to help her plan every second of the day, and you can't see color swatches through the telephone. Mom and Dad are gonna have to dish out a lot of money that they can't quite afford with you starting college and your sister getting married, so save your money. And just one last thing... you're friends are going to be there for you, no matter how many miles away they may be."

One of my most favorite pieces of literature is science fiction; which includes time travel. If I were to time travel and go back to 2009 when I was a high school senior there are many subjects I would want to tell myself, however nothing like wanting to tackle the subject of peer pressure in college. Through my first semester at Harper College I was approached nearly four times every month by my fellow classmates to go out and drink. Having lost both my parents to drugs and alcohol abuse, I knew I would never touch either or those. However, the word ‘never’ is harder to say than ever. I went to a party where there was alcohol being served. I too became intoxicated, yet in my heart I knew it was wrong. I called my guardian and asked to be picked up. I felt so mad at myself for doing exactly what my parents did that killed them. If I could go back and advise myself anything, I would tell myself to believe in what you know is right. Face-to-face with my future self, I can see myself saying, “Katie, believe in what is right and wrong.”

In my senior year in high school, I had a serious case of senioritis like most students did. Instead of focusing on my homework and preparing myself for my future, I was too busy working to make some money that I let it consume me. If I could go back in time and tell myself what to do differently in order to be ready for college I would tell myself that money isn’t everything and that I need to focus on getting my grades to where they need to be for college. My grades weren’t horrific but I knew they could be better. Another advice I would give myself is that I shouldn’t go to college with my mind already made about what I wanted to do, because those plans were going to change dramatically. I should be open to new things. And the most important advice I would give myself is to not be afraid of new surroundings. I always depended on my family and I knew that college was going to change that so I would tell my high school self to be self-sufficient because my mom can be there all the time.

College isn't as bad as high school, I know you are tired of school all it seems you do is study without a purpose. You will have a lot of fun and enjoy your classes. You may even like the instructors/teachers, and get more one on one time with your instructor and or get together in groups with other class mates who are also shooting for the same goals as you are. It is relaxing and it is hard work but it is well worth the effort. I know you are one not to fail you will work hard and keep your goal in mind. Dig your heels in and work hard and it is only for two years for a associates but if you feel you want to work even harder then go for the bachelor's degree. You are a fighter Deb you can never be stopped, you have come so far. Some classes are tough but you can get it done. I have faith in you and just like dad says we can work through anything. Be strong!!

Knowing about college life now, advice I would give myself is to never be afraid to talk to people and be outgoing. Nothing is worse then attending a school where you don't know anyone and then never making any friends because you won't get out of your shell. Being social and outgoing is key to having a good college transition. Leave your dorm room open all the time so people know you are open to talking to them, talk to the people sitting by you in class, and join clubs to find people you have something in common with!

It is perfectly acceptable to not know what to do with your life. Success in the real world is not going to come overnight like in highschool. No professors are going to hold your hand to guarantee that your work is being done. going to a community college, living at home, working at a fast food restaurant does not make you a 'failure'. You are taking the more economic route in setting up your future. Even though it may seem like all your friends are progressing in their lives, your time will come. College is a time to set yourself up for the rest of your life and it is up to you to make the most of it. Although your tight group of highschool friends may seem like everything right now, they are not going to be there to push you to meet your goals. The time after highschool is the time for you to grab the reins of your life. Take off the training wheels; no more parents, teachers, coaches telling you how to live. My main advice is though it might not seem it, keep working hard and in the end it will all work out kid.

This reminds me of a Brad Paisley song "Letter to Me" . Looking backwards, I have made two transitions in my college career. I first started attending a community college in my area before transferring to Radford University. Each transition is scary due to new things, new people, and new challenges. You have to put your fear behind you and trudge forward. One can get lost in the shadows due to new things because you are busy watching others. I would tell myself that you have to remember that school does come first as it should but the activities and friends that you make along that educational journey are what help you get through those tough courses. You make friends with people that help you towards your goal not the ones that help you blow off your homework. One key to success that I would tell every high school senior is that asking questions in class or after class does not make you stupid. It makes you the smarter student because more than likely there are several other students that are confused on the same thing. Remember to be yourself, be prepared, and enjoy the ride. It is all great!

The advice I would give myself is to work hard as a high school senior. Drop Advanced Chemistry because that will be what affects your GPA the most. The best option is to take Psychology/Socialogy class. This will benefit you the most in college. You have to take psychology or sociology in college, but if you take it in high school you wont have to take it later on. I would tell myself to work harder on getting my GPA up. Possibly work at my job less and attempt to study more, in fact study period. Practice studying more. This will help immensely in the future. That's the advice I would give myself.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to prepare for a totally different experience. I would focus on time management outside of class because there is an incredible amount of free time in college than high school. I would tell myself to treat the new freedoms as a privilege and not abuse it. I would also tell myself to be very open to different situations that college offers and learn from the opportunities that arise. The reason I would tell myself this is because the lessons you learn in college are similar to the lessons of life and grasping these concepts will make you successful. Another thing I would tell myself is to be organized and always be on time and professional because when you are new to school, your presentation is what you are immediately judged on first whether its writing, apperance, or communication. The most important advice I would give myself is to stay focus and become a leader. The reason for this is because if you are a leader, there is nothing that can stop you from completing the goals that you have for yourself.

College has taught me that I'm the only one who is in charge of accomplishing my own goals. I have the support of my family, but ultimately its my choices and my hard work that are going to get me where I want to go. I can create my future, and Radford gives me the resources to do that. WIthout this degree I could not achieve the lifestyle I desire. Going to college and always pushing myself for the best has allowed me to see my dreams, right there within reach.