Rowan University Top Questions

When I look back on my high school experience when I was a senior, I become filled with many conflicting emotions. I was in a certain mindset that I thought would help me progress into a college student. If I could give my senior-self advice, I would definitely say to appreciate family more. Before entering college I was under the impression that going away to school would give me the opportunity to distance myself from my parents in the way that I wanted. The idea of being able to live on my own for months on end seemed really great to me. Therefore I ignored a lot of what was going on around me in my life at home and tried make time go by as fast as possible. I wanted out and as a result I did not take enough time to appreciate how much my family means to me. Once I got to school I felt isolated from the ones who truly care for me, which brought me to this: College is a time for new experiences and profound changes, but the life at home that you temporarily leave behind is the one that should be cherished.

The first piece of advice I would give to my past self is to make sure that I save more money than I did. Money is the most important aspect of independent living, and it is imperative that I tell my past self this advice. I am a decent saver when it comes to financing, but sometimes I find myself buying things I truly did not need in the long run. I could instead use that money now for food, books, and many other college supplies that I need. I would ensure that my past self knows to double check every expense I had in mind, and to ensure that what I was buying was to become a good use. If what I was buying was not, I would tell my past self to store that money away for a later and more important time, when I am running through change to afford that $300 Calculus textbook! Saving money will be the most important aspect of college life and the most apparent transition from living at home to an independent life, and I would ensure my past self knows that!

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and not shy. I woudl have said this because I would make mroe friends this way. Get involved as soon as possible. Doing this will keep you busy and keep you mind off about being away from home and being home sick. Not only will it keep you busy but it will let you meet new friends.

Don't be scared of what is to come. College is a time for learning not only about your future field, but also about yourself. Forget about your insecurities or regrets from high school, because those no longer matter when you enter college. That "enemy" you had in high school... long forgotten by you second semester in college. That embarassing thing that happened in the hallway... totally forgotten. College is a time to start over and be who you want to be. Your high school friends won't stick around, so don't worry about pleasing them; and don't worry, your college friends will be so much better. They will appreciate you not only for what you offer them socially, but also intellectually. So, during the nights you will inevitably stay up worrying about college, remember that you will be fine and you will succeed more than you could ever know.

No one is going to make yourself succeed but yourself. You're going to be have no one but yourself to fall back on. You'll have friends and family supporting you along the whole way, and professors will have your best interests in mind, but in the end they're not the ones doing what needs to be done. Get ready to get some work done. Because there's going to be a lot of it. Unless you choose to make things easier. But you're only going to hurt yourself in the long run.

If I had the great opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself two things. The first thing would be to actually study purposefully for my SATs and Subject Tests. I made an extremely lackluster attempt to cover my bases before the exam and as a result I only received an 1840. This combined with the "upper-middle class" income that my household brings in, I quickly learned that I would not be given much help if any to pay for my collegiate education. The second thing I would tell myself is that "the small school you went to, with barely any competition, yeah that's going to end real soon." In school growing up I was always the guy looked up to as the 'genius'. As a result, I came into college with that same mentality towards college methodology and schoolwork. Unfortunately, that resulted in below par performance for my first year. I have now learned from my mistakes as "hindsight is 20/20" as my dad always says. However, my current worries could have been avoided if I'd only adhered to those pieces of advice.

My first advice would be to start college living on campus, or near campus. Get everything out of it that you can; You're going to love it!

As an adult returning to pursue a graduate education, I have a decade more experience than my high school senior self. I finished my undergraduate degrees with a fair amount of success and have worked, both in the Education field I pursued fresh out college and in a fair amount of other fields, searching for the career that suited me best. In retrospect, the transition from high school to college was not a difficult one. I had always loved school and been a motivated learner. I wish, rather, that I had been better prepared for the transition out of college. If I were to advise my younger self, I would prepare me for the hardships to come. I would warn myself not to be discouraged by the countless applications that would go unanswered or turned down as "inexperienced." I would tell myself to pursue more avenues since the things I truly loved about teaching could also be found in a variety of human services fields. I would tell myself to pursue each opportunity with the same tenacity with which I pursued my education. Mostly, I would assure myself that each obstacle can be overcome, and that it's all worthwhile.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would give advice my high school self about various elements about college. I would tell myself to prepare yourself for this life. It can be hard yet rewarding, but don’t be afraid. Prepare to teach yourself if the professor is mainly lecturing and what he/she is saying isn’t comprehended. Read the textbook, make an outline for yourself to study. There might be situations where you are nervous and unable to know what to do. Relax; take a breath, think positive then take action to solve that problem. Know that events in life do not work out like they should, but compromise with it. Do what you need to do in order to achieve your goals. Don’t ever quit,. Don't let outside influences hold you back from focusing. Don't let it distract you from what is important. You would have to write a lot.....don't worry you are prepared for this. You might have to stay up till 3 in the morning to accomplish some tasks, but don't let that clock bother you. After, you feel great by your achievements

The advice I would give myself as an incoming freshman is to make sure that I focus on my school work a lot more then I did in my first two semesters of 2011. I did not take it as seriously as I should have and I let my grades slip out from underneath me. That would be the most important thing I would have gone back and fixed. I would also tell myself that I should get more involved with clubs and other campus related activites along with being a varisty athlete. Telling myself to put in the effort everyday and work harder at not only womens soccer but also my academics as well. I would tell myself not to rush into things and let time and life take its course. Many good things come to those who wait but you cannot wiat forever sometimes you have to go after what you want.

If I could go back and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to follow my curiosity. I would explain the power of the human brain, of energy and thoughts. I would tell myself to focus on the question rather than the answer. I would explain that test scores are not a measurement of intelligence. Most importantly I would tell myself to choose mentors that inspire me. I would tell myself to believe in my dreams. College is not the answer to finding yourself, many students graduate from college and still do not know which path to take. I wish I could tell myself that I have the power to create my own path and make a difference in the world. Life has meaning and every mistake is just a lesson. I wish I could go back and believe in myself while I was a student, but I now know that as a teacher, I will encourage my students to self-discover and believe in themselves first and foremost. For the most important lesson in life is finding out why you were born and the purpose of your individual life.

Try not be so quiet all the time and to get to know people no matter what. Stop worrying about money so much and just have fun. Take the time to study material well and understand it.

I would tell myself to live on campus and get out more. I do get out now but not as much as other students on campus.

Try to get as many scholarships as you can because every little bit helps. Commuting is going to be a huge obstacle in your college life because it makes it that much harder to become involved on campus since you're virtually never there compared half of the study body. Sometimes there are going to be days where you just want to skip class and stay in bed because it's both physically and mentally exhausting and that's okay. Use your permitted absences wisely. Don't leave that eight page paper for the night before it's due. When you have downtime on campus, use it to do other work, especially if that work is reading. Take advantage of all the free elective space you have and pick some interesting classes. Always register for classes for the next semester as soon as your time slot opens. Don't go to class in your pajamas; lots of professors take this as a sign of laziness and apathy. If you have the opportunity to go to a campus activity with friends, do it. College is an incredibly refreshing change from high school; take advantage of every minute.

Focus on School alot more bacuse you are going to be fine. Things may be rough right now but you will have an amzing time stating college. Meet new people and experience bew things and dont focus on the bad things because it all works out in the end.

High school students think of high school as their goodbye to their childhood. The advice I would give myself would be to think of high school as the last opportunity to achieve an outstanding GPA and to pay as much attention as I could in class. What is taught in high school will follow through your college years or it will hunt you, making you regret all the hours you lacked in high school. Plus it will cost you more to take extra courses and not only that but as well as more time and a longer process for you to graduate. So STOP lacking in class and ATTEND all classes, there are no excuses of not making the BEST of you. Either way it's your life, and it's you the one that's going to step into the real world one day or another

Choose your major based on what you love. Don't pick a major that you will be bored with just because you can get a high-paying job in that field. You'll hate your classes if you don't choose what you love. If you hate your classes you won't go to them, and you'll waste a lot of time and money being unhappy. You'll be so much more engaged if you choose a major that interests you. You'll learn a lot more, be happier, and feel less stressed. One more thing: INTERNSHIPS!!

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the experience. I would tell her to stop wishing the time would fly by, because once its gone she can not get it back. I would tell her to carry a camera every where to capture the memories, because there will come a time when she will wish she had. I will tell her to remember and save all her notebooks from class (they come in handy in college). I would tell her to stop wasting precious time with friends, resolve all agruments and cherish all hugs. I would tell her to dry her eyes, the boy who broke her heart hurt will soon realized he made a mistake, but move on because you deserve so much better (save yourself time). I will tell her to have loads of confidence because she is BEAUTIFUL inside and out. Lastly, never doubt yourself under any circumstances, because you are awesome! Most of all, you will mature into a great woman, capable and strong. But for now, enjoy your life!

Dear high school senior me, Everyone is asking you where you are going to college, what you want to major in, and a million more questions. Do not get stressed out. God will show you were he wants you and what he wants you to do with your life. Even in your second year you will still have no idea what God will do in your life. Stay away from people who will only act like friends and make you feel popular your first semester, but leave you stranded the next. Do not be worried about your roommate, she will be great and you guys will get along. You will meet your best friend and share awesome memories with her too. Do not be afraid to go to dinner alone and meet people. Make sure to keep in touch with those from back home or your summer will be super boring. Go job hunting. You will not have enough money for school and take out many loans. Apply for more scholarships. Keep your head up and remember Jeremiah 29:11. God is in control! Love, Me

I think the biggest advice I would give myself is breathe! I was so incredibly anxious and nervous for my freshman year at college. It was my first time truly being away from home and I was skeptical about what the "college life," would be like and if Rowan University was the correct school for me. If I knew then what I did now, I would be excited more than anything! I would tell myself that this would be the most impactful and life-changing experience for myself. Honestly, I wish I could repeat my freshman year of college. I would also tell myself to stay true to who I am, because many things in college can try to change you or effect your morals. I would tell myself to experience everything I can because you never know who's watching you, or what window will lead to a magical door. College is filled with friends, academically hard-work and opportunities you can only gain through experience. College is the time of your life, if you are there for the right reasons and have an ambitious personality with a drive. I would tell myself congratulations and welcome to Rowan University!