Dakota
I was a high school senior in 2010 who was doing something rather untraditional, I had decided to study abroad from 2010--2011 as an exchange student in Per Brahe Gymnasiet (High School) located in Jönköping, Sweden. During that year, I repeated life as a "high school senior", and came to learn a lot about myself, my family, and the country I was currently living in. As I look back upon that year and my last year in the US, I would make myself realize how important it is to take care of finances, and plan ahead. I still struggle with this to some degree, but as a teenager we think of only the immediate future, not what could happen further down the line. I would make myself understand the concept of planning and saving. I believe it is a skill that everyone should learn, people need to realize that sometimes immediate gratification is not better long-term preparedness. Instead of buying whatever I wanted, I should have saved the money I earned, and taken better control of my finances.
Thank you for your time,
Dakota R. Karlsson
Shaelyn
If i were to go back to my high school self I would tell my self to let it go and belive in yourself. No matter what anyone says to you or what you hear through the rumor mill, you need to belive in yourself and know only you can shape your future. I would also say to myself that take every experience from your parents divorce and become stronger, don't doubt yourself. Use the common phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" to get through everyday and be a leader and example to your friends to help others. Live every day for that day and dont hold on to the past just live and let go.
Marisa
If I were to go back in time to when I was a high school, I would tell myself that I should focus more on school and the time I had with my friends than slacking off. I would tell myself to save up money because when you go to college you are broke, period. I would tell myself that the people that are your friends now change in college and that they might not be your friends anymore. You become an adult so fast and are thrown into another world that you are not used to. Sure the freedom is great, but the things that come along with being an adult are not always what they seem. Get cracking on applying for scholarships there is zero time to be goofing off now. This is your life and you now make the decision for your future.
Bryan
OK pal, future self here, listen or suffer. First: Stop. F*cking. Procrastinating. Seriously, it does neither you nor I any favors. Second, you know as well as I do that piloting is fun and all, but trust me, actually going to school for it drains all the life out of it. Go for a history major instead at RMC, and a minor in aeronautical science would be really easy from where you're standing. Being an aircraft mechanic is more suited for you, ask the mechanics at flight ops about it, they have good advice on how to get started. Third, stop being lazy, be a man, and get help when you know you need it. The faculty here are pretty good, and Mom is more understanding than you might think. Alright, those are the main things you'll be concerned about a few years from now. Don't have any advice regarding girls, sorry to say. No lottery numbers or anything like that either. Oh well, perhaps 25 year old us will visit you or me at some point with better advice. Now stop whining about your self esteem and go do something about it. Future you, out.
Aubyn
I already have a love of the science fiction genre, so I am certain I would have no problem opening a letter from my Future Self and know it was genuine. I would let Freshman Aubyn know that even though she had to have an untimely foot surgery just a week before starting college, to go ahead and move into the dorms and not return home for the first semester. Your new roommates will freak when you try to move in the second semester. One girl will cry because she can no longer use your area for storage. Another roommate (who will become a good friend) will escape to Santa Barbara to be a nanny because she isn’t connecting with anyone at school. Freshman Aubyn could have been that connection! I would re-assure my younger self that she has the tools and capabilities to meet the challenges of college, academically and socially; however, prepare for some incredibly awkward and hilarious times! My post script would suggest hitting the gym more often to release stress.
Dusti
If I could go back in time to talk to myself about college, I would tell myself to get my head out of my romance novels, and apply for more scholarships. Talk to people, I never have before to get advice, on the best way to apply to scholarships. Don't fear what other think about you, go out and Work! Don't make up excuses about everything, Go out and start saving for college, you can't comprend how much that extra money will help you. Voluteer, I know you were always willing to help if someone asked... Don't wait to be asked... Take action. You can do it, When life gets tough, you won't be able to shove your head in a novel, and pretend you don't exist. Do everything you can to get a car, don't worry about how amazing it looks, just if it's durable enough to get you where you need to go, Lastly, spend ALL the time you can with your family, because when push comes to shove, and you are in your dorm feeling like your all alone... or confused a call home makes the world of diffrence.
Alexandra
Going back in time to my senior year I would have given myself the knowledge of the financial situations to come, the work load to expect, the level organization needed and to be more involved. First off, enrolling in a four year college with a high dropout rate should have been a red flag and should consider a two year where I could have gotten Associates in Science that was transferable to a four year university. Doing so, would have prevented me from accumulating a few thousand in debt on classes that are non-transferable. Secondly, I would have warned of the heavy work load and late nights that where to come and would have gone a lot smoother with some organization skills used. Thirdly, as a commuting student it’s key to be involved in clubs and organizations to meet new people around school and develop relationships that are vital to life after college.
Shelby
If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphasize the importance of becoming more assertive and confident. In college, it's easy enough to find resources for educational struggles, but it's difficult to make friends without jumping in head-first. What I would specifically say to myself is to cut off the toxic friendships that led to a lack of self-confidence in my senior year and carried into my college life. Because of my shyness, it's been difficult to make friends or talk to classmates, which plays a large role in satisfaction with college life. I would also tell myself to start saving as much as possible and as soon as possible- instead of taking that babysitting job out of charity, I should have found something that would allow me to help people while also taking care of my needs. Financial stress is a huge issue, and since I have to pay for college myself, I should have gotten a job that would actually have helped make a dent in my current debt.
Chualeng
If there was such thing as going back into the past and just to talk to our "highschool senoir" version of ourselves, it would be so dam awesome. My question to myself now is, where in which time peroid during our highschool senoir year? That, my answer to my own question is, start from the very first day at the start of my highchool senoir year. Knowing what I'm capable of now, and if it' even possible to go back into the past just to talk to my highschool senoir version of me, honestly I would be very glad to use as much time as I can talking to my highschool senoir version of me. What I will do is, I'll give him more than just advices, I'll just guide him so that he should force himself to better himself. Something very basic like studying very hard and always never fall behind, and even if he's a little behind, then I'll tell him, " hey you get caught up so you don't fall too far behind". Hopefully this should help my highschool senoir of me to be prepared before he actually get into a college.
Janice
College is a difficult transition. From a life of comfort and support you enter a life where your success or failure over the next few years determines your future. That is a heavy load to carry. However, there are people around that want to see you succeed. Your parents, friends, professors and school counselors want to support you in making your dreams come true. Many people start college with a preemptive plan. Once you become immersed in a different lifestyle and constant knowledge being thrown your direction plans change. Changing your future career path during college is totally normal. The American education system is designed for you to find yourself and your dreams. The best advice I would give myself is to never shy away from help and seek it when needed. Trust your gut, it will take you in the right direction. Ultimately, remember to breath and take it one step at a time.
Alex
If i were to go back and talk to myself in my senior year, I would encourage myself to pursue scholarships more. Pursuing scholarships early will help you out in the long run, so as to avoid back-breaking loans. I would tell myself to apply left and right for scholarships and to seek other ways of getting money for school. Also, I would try and convince myself to not look at the price of attendance and more at the quality of the school. I believe I let some opportunities go because of my skepticism towards the cost of some schools. I realize now that there are endless ways to get money for school and that I should've taken advantage of some of them.
Renee
College is a new start. Allow yourself to wander. I thought I had it all figured out going into my freshman year but I didn't and that's ok. You are allowed to change your mind. Take fun classes, interesting classes, even classes that you think you'll hate because you might be suprised what you fall in love with. Allow yourself to branch out. Try new things. Be adventrous. Find yourself. It's not about the destination it's about the journey.
Paige
Learn how to study!!! As a high school student you can get good grades without putting much extra time into your studies. College classes and tests are so much more indepth and time consuming than anyone realizes. They say that each hour of a college class equals 2-4 hours of studing, but no one believes that in high school. Learn how to study in your own way and keep up with it.
Take dual credit classes or AP classes while in high school. Taking these classes in high school are usually easier and much less expensive for the same amount of credits. I did take some dual credit classes in high school and my parents were very thankful.
Save your money and apply for scholarships. College is expensive, but so worth it and so much fun. Apply for as many scholarships as you can. They are time consuming and nobody likes to write essays, but receiving free money for school means that you can spend more time studying and playing and less time looking for a job.
Last, but not least - have fun!!!
lyle
never stop learning, learn from everything. Learn from your teachers, parents, friends, school, books, travels, and most importantly learn from your mistakes. Life is too short to live not knowing what youre missing.
Cortnee
Hey past self hows it going? I see that you are getting ready to graduate high school and are considering which college to attend. You may feel like you should try for an online art degree to stay in sidney mt, but consider this do you want to leave montana forever when your older based on your career choice? I know I didn't and so after putting time and money towards a degree I didn't want, I switched back to my original idea of becoming a veterinarian. I am now pursuing a pre vet degree with a bachelors degree in biology at RMC. It has been long and hard, and I wish I would have started sooner. I am running out of FAFSA aid, and I now have to pray for scholarships and private loan acceptance in order to finish my degree. If I would have just went for my vet degree to begin with I would have been done sooner and had enough to pay for undergraduate. You should start volunteering and getting experience for veterinary now, and start applying for scholarships as soon as possible. This will save you both time and money in the future.
Lynn
Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to be open minded and confident in my decisions. Coming out to school in Montana and majoring in Therapeutic Horsemanship and Psychology, I realized that if I expect other people to accept these changes, I need to be completely open to their ideas. With that being said, even if people are not open to my changes, it is important to have the outward confidence in these decisions regardless of if people are going to be nice about it. Be who you want to be and have the confidence to show when you truly believe in it. If you think about it, no one has the right to make you feel inferior or to flash judge you. With this attitude, pride is important but so is humbleness. In the end, keep on helping people and enjoying life along the way.
Rose
Although it sounds like a cliche` you really need to put yourself out there and make new friends because there really are other people just like you out there, and believe it or not your roommate just could be one of them. Don't be fooled by your new classmates appearances; although it might not look like you belong in the same crowd that they do, you'll find yourself making friends with a number of vastly different people, and that's okay. I won't tell you that it's going to be easy because those first goodbyes might make you want to turn right back around, but you have to know that you made the right decision and you will be surorunded by a new, loving community of people who will be with you every step of the way. Although sometimes it may seem hard, know that you are never alone and you'll do great. Just remember to breathe as you step out that front door into your future.
Rebecca
If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would encourage myself to seek opportunities to grow and to learn skills that will make me successful in college life (like budgeting!) because college is a completely new world compared to living at home with Mom and Dad; the variety of people you meet is astounding and they come from all walks of life. I still can't believe the people I'm friends with now and how unique they are! I would tell myself that it is essential to be genuine with the people you meet because drama flares up easily and to be trapped in the midst of it is a stressful thing, and friendships could be ruined as a result. But the most important thing I would tell my 17-year-old self would be that the people you meet at college, at Rocky Mountain College, will be there for the rest of your life- that is how great your friends will be in college. And on the first day of new student orientation, you will meet your greatest friend yet and she only lives 30 minutes away from you now.
Cassidy
I know you are worried about college right now. And I know you hate yourself for screwing up in high school. Community college is literally the worst possible option in your mind right now but let me just tell you it changes your life. It is the best decision you ever made and you will thank yourself every day because of it. You'll see all your friends go off to college and I know you want that to be you, but if it was I am almost certain you would have lost the person who you are. There is a lot to regret about how you treated high school but it doesn't have to be that way anymore. You have a fresh start. This time make it count! Get involved work hard on your grades and find what really makes you passionate and happy and take it head on. Right now you know no one believes in you. But I'm telling you, you can prove them all wrong. So go out and do it.
liddie
I would saved up money to pay for school and learn a lot in school mostly to learn more things about college why i could got prepare for school but i do wanna do things in life at least be somebody and make people proud of me why i can say i did something in life . I see most of people aaround my age they not trying to things in there life why they can now .