Saint Louis University Top Questions

-Don't slack on studying. Find what study habits work best for you- highlighting, notes on computers/paper, visual rep., etc. -Learn to use your free time to your advantage. You will have a LOT of it in college. -Get over others and don't be afraid that your question is stupid. I promise; stupider things have been said. -Don't let anyone (even your friends) copy your work and vise versa. It'll only make it harder in the long run. -It's okay not to know what you want to study &/or do for the rest of your life. Get some ideas but don't stress over it. -Never give up because of the money. There will always be scholarships, grants, and worst case; you can sign away your life on loans. -Don't let others decide for you. Study what you want to study. Go where you want to go. It's your life; not theirs.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax. I was quite anxious about starting school. I did not know what to expect as neither of my parents had ever been away to a four-year university. It has been the best three years of my life so far and I was so worried that I was going to absolutely hate it. I would also tell myself that I should not be so dead set on my life plan. I had everything completely mapped out. I was going to be a biology major, pre-med, graduating with at least a 3.7 and go to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. I was convinced that my life would turn out exactly how I had imagined. However, I fell in love with psychology and now I am on track to become a Marriage and Family Therapist and I am happier now than ever. Finally, I would tell myself to make sure I had rainboots, a rain jacket, and an umbrella because they do not cancel classes due to rain and you never want to turn in a soggy paper.

Coming into college I think the best piece of advice that I could offer to myself is to remember to work hard and to work harder than I was used to, because college is a whole new level of education. Highschool may seem like fun and a good time, but college will be even more fun than you could imagine. The opportunities that are available and the people that you will meet, will just alone make college some of the best years of your life. But with all of the wonderful opportunites that will come to you, remember to always get your schoolwork done before you enjoy the good times that college has to offer. Because in college you will have alot of free time, and I mean there are times that there is so much free time that you will not know what to do with yourself. Just remember to get your work done early and first. Also find something that you love to do or would like to get to do , and do that in your free time to help have a good time. Above all have fun in college and dont let the time slip away.

My advice to my high school self would be that “you are not hot stuff.” Coming out of high school, I was arrogant and pompous towards my studies. I was so worried about making friends and having the “college experience” that I completely forgot the main reason why I was there in the first place which was to study. I would tell myself: to get my act together early, realize how to study and what I want to study. There’s no need to be preoccupied on making friends because that will come naturally when I find interests either through clubs or shared major interests. College is going to be one of the best experiences of your life, but you have to make it a priority to study and figure out what you want to do after you are done with college.

Dear Self It is very important to take all academics very seriously early on in life as these important decisions pave the way for our future. You must enter all new endeavors with an open mind and be receptive to all criticism that comes your way. If a challenge presents itself, go at it head on and don't shy away. Trust the skill set you bring to the table. Do what makes you happy. Advocate for yourself more often. Do not settle for less. Do not let negative attitudes infiltrate your goals and dreams. Never be complacent and aspire for greatness. Good Luck, Future you

If i would go back in my high school. I would give this kind of advise, be positive, and more focus in my studies, because we live once and we have to make our dream come true and get the major we want eventhough it will be very difficult. Nothing is impossible in this life, everything is possible if you will want to do it, no matter how hard it is. So i won't regret in the future by saying why i didn't study and i didn't get the major i want, abd why i didn't make my dream come true and be happy doing the work that you were going for after i get graduate the University. If i won't risk it now, i won't get the right major in the future. This kind of advise i would give to myself if i would go back in my past.

Do as much as you can in high school. College is attainable through scholarships and student loans. Don't pass up all the opportunties offered to you. Don't drop out of your AP classes just because no one has told you the reasons for taking them. They will help your future. Take your free time to volunteer. Not only will you help the community but many available scholarships require it and you won't have time between classes and work. Beleive in yourself. You have the drive, the strength, and the ability. You just need the encouragement. So what if you don't know what you're going to major in. College allows for general studies so that you can adjust and decide on your future. It's you're future, so you have to be the one to start it. Therefore you might as well start now, in high school, so that your success is all the closer to reality. I wish I had done more and I spend every moment with high schoolers explaining the importance school, grades, and attending college. I tell them everything I wish someone had told me to help make my future better.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to get overwhelmed. Welcome Week and the first week of classes are very busy and can be a little scary, but just step back, take a minute, and breathe. Four years later you will be a senior at SLU and one year closer to getting to work in the field that you have wanted to since the eighth grade. Sometimes it feels like things are not going to work out, but in the end it all does and you will be glad that you chose to go to SLU.

The advice that I would give myself is to study harder. When I was a high school senior, I wasn't really looking at college as the big deal that it is. I slacked off. However, if I went back in time, I would study for everything in my classes no matter what. If there were parties, or hanging out with friends, I would ignore it to get my grades to be A's. In high school I also underestimated myself and took college prep. classes, when instead I held myself back from taking honors and A.P. classes that I know I could have done well in. All in all, the slacking off was my downfall. Doing it over, I would study harder, take those A.P. classes and show my true potential.

Today is the day to make the changes you want. Today is the day to create the life you want. Do not let fear of the unknown stop you. You CAN do it! You have more strength and ability inside of you than you know. Trust that. An education is going to give you the tools you need to help the people you are supposed to be helping. Those people need you so don't let anything stop you from realizing your dream! Ask questions when you need to ask them and seek out information at every turn.