Seattle Pacific University Top Questions

If I were to go back into my senior year of high school, I would advice myself to have the mentality to do the little things that count. Which means doing anything that I can do to get me “known” at school, and make a change. It is better to be seen than unseen. Make sure you do not get overshadowed, and have your voice be heard. Also, to take advantage of the resources on campus by getting involved in study tables, groups, clubs, and organizations. The more experience you can gain is the better. Lastly, I would have to say get to know everyone that you have a chance to know. You never know who you will meet that could possibly have an impact on your life, a great friend, or someone with connections. In this modern world, it is all about networking. I wish that I knew these things when I was still a high school student so that I could prepare myself for the college life. Now that I have revaluated my life in college, I have overcome these suggestions, and am proud to be a student at Seattle Pacific University striving for world change.

If I could go back in time to when I was in high school I would have told myself to continue with my education. Returning to school as an adult is extremely difficult. When I had graduated high school I still had the convenience of living with my parents. I could have gone to school while living rent free. Instead I felt it was more important to party. As an adult I work as a receptionist at the bottom of the food chain. I get mistreated on a daily basis. I have no benefits, and contribute nothing to my retirement. I have no opportunities for advancement in my company. My failures are in my face every day when I show up to work. I have no choices because now I have responsibilities and bills that have to be paid. My biggest regret in life is not experiencing the joys of college life. An education is priceless. The statistics of pay wages for college graduates is substantial. Showing the dedication and determination that is applied to graduating college is a direct reflection of you as an individual.

I would tell myself not to be so set on my career at that time. You think you won't, but you will change your mind. I advice you to take up every opportunity and experience that is offered to you, regardless of what discipline it is. You will eventually find out what you want to do with your life and you will be grateful for your abundance of activities. Secondly, please volunteer during high school. After you start college, you will feel like you wasted so much time in high school. Time you could have spend job shadowing and volunteering. Both of these make a successful student and employee. Thirdly, and most importantly. You needed to be applying for scholarships yesterday! There are so many scholarships out there, but if you don't apply from the beginning you won't get them. These scholarships will make college life a million times easier. Instead of working two jobs to get through school, you can spend more time with you studies and your friends. It seems daunting now, but do your self a favor and set yourself up for success now.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to try harder and get involved more in the activities offered at my high school. I would tell myself to not procrastinate, or do less than my best on school assignments and papers. I did fairly well in high school, but I could have done better. My advice would have included: volunteer in your community more, join more sports (even if you fail at them as long as you try your best), and try to get more involved with school counsel activities. I would have also said to be more open with people and try to engage with others more often in order to make more friends and be a better friend to the students around me. I would have told myself to not be so afraid of failure and criticism, but rather embrace all the opportunities available to me even if they were scary at first. I would also say that "College is a more serious, expensive, advanced, and refined version of high school" so start learning good study habits because you will need them. Overall "Have Fun!"

Assuming that I know enough about college life from the three weeks I have spent here, advice I would give to my past, high school self is to take initiative. Take initiative in talking to others and making good friendships. Take initiative in applying for college and scholarships and thoroughly researching various universities. Take initiative in finding your passions and what you want to do with the life that you have to impact others in this world. Take the initiative to get a job, to find a church group, to do your homework when you are in college. Take initiative and prepare your mind--your convictions--as to not be swayed but stand firm in what you believe. However, do not be afraid to test what you believe, because if what you believe is really true, it will stand true through storms of change and tribulation. Above all else, learn to live to make the most of everything; it doesn't mean you have to do something so extraordinary or wild everyday, but you do have to make the concious effort, take the initiative, to remember that this day is one more day, one more opportunity to live--and enjoy.

I would tell myself to study more for the placement test at Suffolk Community College. If you don't, the school will place you in developmental classes for doing poorly on the test. When you go to a different university after community college, make sure you only get one roommate. Living with three girls is too much of a hassle. Make sure you bring everything you need for college like food, plates, and utensils. Don't borrow anything from anyone. Be independent. Once you start making friends, don't go home on the weekends. As soon as you make a friend who will introduce you to other friends and let you party with them, stay at school so you can hang out with them. If you follow these rules, the next four years of your life will be alright.

When preparing for college, I think the best advice would be to get organized and take initiative. I would advise myself to make lists of things that I needed to do and prioritize them. Making lists helps to become more organized and efficient. By making a list you have a visual reminder of what you need to do and you’re more likely to do them. Now that I am in college I still write everything down and it really helps me to keep on top of things and also not to procrastinate. Procrastination is the easiest thing to do and the hardest thing to get away from.

It's not going to be easy, but don't give up.

I would tell myself to enjoy my senior of high school and not to worry so much about "college." It's such a big word thrown around all of high school and the pressure put on you by your parents, teachers, and friends isn't validated. The college experience is what one personally makes out of it, therefore, don't stress about getting into the most prestigious school. If you are willing to use all the resources given to you at a university, you will succeed. College is fun and it's about owning it yourself. It's up to you to make the experience memorable. Don't see it as burden or something on a check list, but instead something that will make you grow as a person. Enjoy the independence from your parents, but don't abuse it. And most importantly, realize that college isn't exactly about the education because you won't remember facts from history class in 30 years, but instead about the people you meet and the connections you make.

College is hard. Taking five classes in college is not like taking five classes in high school; its more like taking ten. Stick to fifteen credits or less and if you are too ambitious and go over, drop before the withdrawl date ends! You don't want a "w" in a class because you dropped it too late and its still on your transcript. Also, listen to college counselors. When they tell you eighteen credits is a lot, they know what they're talking about. College counselors know about programs of study too. The description of one may sound like it fits, but the actual classes you want to take may fit better into a different program of study. Lastly, don't forget to have fun. Be open in class and make friends. Go out one or two nights a week. It takes the stress off you; and there will be quite a lot.