Shorter University Top Questions

Be a a more deicated student in my freshman year!

Kristal, life is not about worrying over the things from the past, but to surpass those memories and make new ones. Live happily and forget such horrid events; life is beautiful and what you make it is what it will turn out to be. It is all in the decisions you make and the time it may take, it will come fast while others will come slow. However, God created us equally different the reason who knows. What you should do and be is the best of your ability fighting for whats right and in what you believe. This is a huge step into a new beginning do not be afaid because the dreams that were only visible at night in the closing of the eyes will become reality into a world created by God. God knows your plans and your future, it is your job to just hold his hand as he paints the picture, receiving education even through the smallest instructions. Kristal do not hold back you want and need to help your parents continue the base that was started. You are the future they left everything behind for, and if it is not now then when!

I would tell myself to try to find more scholarships to apply for and spend more time preparing for college, including sending AP score reports to the college I enrolled in so that I wouldn't have to retake English because the college didn't accept the scores because I was already enrolled in the class. Other than that I might also tell myself to relax because so far college isn't as hard as I expected it to be and I spent to much time worrying about how difficult it would be. Finally I would tell myself to better enjoy the freetime that I had back in highschool because there is even less when you are in college and to save more money for college.

Don't be afraid to pursue the career that you have always wanted! You have always wanted to be an early childhood educator, but those around you are telling you that you need to become a physician, so you can help people. Don't be afraid to tell them that there is no other career more profoundly able to help others than becoming a teacher! It is the most noble profession of all. You should gently (or not so gently, if needed) tell those who are pushing you into a career in which you are not interested that no other profession would be possible without excellent elementary school teachers. Aren't they glad that someone taught their physician to read when he was a child? Your career will matter the most to others if it is one you choose. Don't be fooled into thinking that entering a lucrative field, such as medicine will instantly offer you happiness or financial success. A lot of physicians do not ever admit that their student loans must be mortgaged over 30 year student loans, or that they sacrifice more time with their families on holidays than they would like to admit. BE YOURSELF!

you dont need to rush to get everything ready for the first day of school. Because my home is not too far I can take my time with packing. I do seasonal packing that way my dorm room is not too crowded.

If I could go back to my high school senior self, I would stress the importance of college. I would explain how it takes dedication and determination to graduate college, but that it is worth every minute you put into it. I would also tell myself to take time to live on a college campus, explore life in other countries, experience life, because you never find a better time to do it in the future. My rush to be married and a mother prevented me from reaching my educational dreams earlier in life. I have wasted time and energy in jobs that do not appreciate me, only to replace me with someone younger and less experienced. Finally, twenty years later, I am finally getting to experience my dreams, albiet a little differently than I would have chosen at that time. Finally, I would tell myself to experience college life without holding back, learning with gusto! It is far more important to be educated and intelligent than it is to be popular. Respect is earned by the degrees you earn and the knowledge you can impart on the world, by making it a better place for future generations.

Dear Michelle, College is different than high school in so many ways. The world treats adults with more freedom. You see in high school we would get pulled up by deans, teachers and other staff on our attendance or misbehaviors. In college, there are people who care but you must use self-discipline to keep up with your class work and attendance. No one really has the time and effort to be pushing you to do something you do not want to do. For that reason you must decide if you are truly ready for college. If so then make sure you push yourself to handle your responsibilities. I have learned that you never know whose hand you will need or vice versa. In addition to these points, it is essential that you stay on top of class material. As you get through the semesters the work gets harder and longer. However, if you pay attention and start your assignments right away you will avoid such complications: plagiarism, a waste of your time, the professor’s and classmates’ time, and plain F’s on your transcript. I wish you well on all your endeavors. Always aim high. Respectfully, Your friend

Start applying for colleges as soon as possible. Search out and apply for scholarships right now. Keep up with school work and grades, don't slack! At the same time don't get stressed out about school work; school is important, but worrying only hurts you; just accept what has happened in the past and plan for the future; control the grade, don't let it control you. Excercise your body so you can excercise your mind. Be more of a producer and less of a consumer, even in high school. Be creative and chase what you're passionate about as hard as you can. Pray without ceasing. Don't trust in your own strength to get you through the education, tests, sports, or anything else; ONLY trust in God's strength to get you through each and every day.

have fun, do all that you can and more, dont be afraid to take on challenges

If I could go back in time and warn myself about college, I would tell myself to take all of my academic classes serious to maintain a high GPA. I would also tell myself to study for the ACT/SAT so that I would have I higher score and be able to get better chances at an academic scholarship. I would tell myself that most institutions don't just look at grades. It's a combination of GPA and test scores. I would tell my freshman self to start out really strong so that I stay motivated throughout high school.

I would tell myself that I needed to work on my time management skills more. High school was not as time oriented as college is and I would have liked to have more of an understanding of this skill.

Go to college and concentrate on your studies. It will be over before you know it and you will be all the better for having stuck with it and for having done your very best. You will make a lot of new and good friends too! It is so worth the work!

Dear High School Melonie, GO TO GEORGIA TECH OR SOUTHERN POLY!!! Please just believe me on this. Shorter is a nice place, but it is not well suited for what you will find you love most, programming. If you don't believe me, take a programming class at one of the local schools before graduating and you will see the truth. There have been some unforgettable people that I have met at Shorter including some amazing faculty and the financial aid staff, but this place is not well suited for our career goals. Do yourself a favor: find a way to get to know Dr. Chuck Pearson, Dr. Anthony Nichols, Dr. Patricia Dewitt, and Richard Hayden Self. You'll love Hayden, literally. The others are mentors and friends who will help you through difficult times. I am currently attending Southern Poly for a masters in Software Engineering and it is wonderful. The facilities are well-maintained and very tech savvy. It is amazing and I wish I had come here sooner. Please do us this favor, go here instead of Shorter but find a way to still meet those important people. Love, Future Melonie & Hayden Self

I would have told myself to stay focused and do not procrastinate and get your education. I should have started my degree when I first came to this country and my brain was young and fresh.

If only I really could! Looking back at highschool senior days I miss them so much, and i thought that I would be finished after that... oh was I wrong. If I could tell myself anything it would be to apply for more scholarships because any help that my family was, is no more since my dad broke his leg back in September and has not been able to return to work due to complications. Also, I would teel myself to take some extra dual enrollment classes to get a jumpstart on college and help myself out in the long run. The transition from high school to college was very stressful for me so I would tell myself not to forget just to stop and take a deep breath every once in awhile, because everything is going to be alright.

As a high school senior I was always thinking time could not go by any slower. Looking back now I wish time would have, indeed gone by much slower. I would tell myself to take it slow and spend as much time as you can with family and friends. I would explain to myself that life goes by so fast and it seems to go by even faster once you are in college. I would also tell myself that at this point in time you may think that you want to just get away from your old life and experience the real world. Well the reality is that the real world is tough and you will, weather or not you want to admit it or not, miss your old life and your friends and family you are going to leave behind.

Hi little girl. I miss you and love you very much. I know that you have a lot of things going on in your life and you think that you could never pay for school. I just want you to know, it is easier to get to school than you think. You have the brains and ambition to follow your dreams. Please don't let life get in your way. There are many opportunities available to you, and all you have to do is go for it. Don't be afraid. There are Colleges where you would feel at home and help you down the path to a career you could be proud of. Just because your parents didn't finish school and they don't understand how to help you get there, don't let that stop you. Take the initiative yourself and find out what opportunities are out there. You can do it!

I would tell myself that I should attend college right out of high school and before I got married. Always strive for the best and expect the best in return. Never let anyone tell you that you can't because you can.

The greatest thing I have received from my college experience has been a sense of belonging and the ability to lead. Shorter is such an amazing campus and University. Without a doubt, the people at this school, including students, faculty and staff, are amazing people who genuinely care about you and love you. The people I have met will remain close to me for the rest of my life. Because the people are so friendly, there is a drive to get involved on Shorter's campus. I have been involved in so many things since I started attending Shorter and it has transformed me into a great leader and a better person. I have learned what it means to lead and how to do it effectively amongst my peers and those outside of my school as well. This skill is something that will be indispensable to my future and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to develop it in my time here. Shorter is a place that changed my life, grew me academically, and will forever hold a place in my heart.

I have learned to be more responsible in my daily life. I have also learned to make better decisions so that they benefit me in the learn run. College allowed me make new friends and build more relationships with people that i feel can help now in my present and later in my future. It has been a great opportunity and i am glad that i have a chance to take advantage of it. This experience has been valuable to me because it is helping to futher my eduacation. As a young person i feel that my educaton is the most important thing in my life at the moment. I enjoy learning new things and this is a great way to go about doing it.