Southern Utah University Top Questions

Dear High School Me, College is one of the most rewarding and difficult things you will ever do. If you want to succeed and make the most of your college experience you need to adopt this motto now: Work hard, play hard! During the week you need to: Kill yourself studying, go to bed on time, eat nutritious meals, and exercise daily. On the weekend study when needed, but take time to have a lot of fun! Make Sunday your day of rest; the one day a week that is completely stress free and homework free, and this will be your lifesavor. Do not be afraid to ask questions; you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. You are not a bad test taker, so stop making excuses. You just put in the time and study! Two hours is not long enough, make ten hours your minimun study time per test and you will be successful in whatever you do. Do not limit yourself. Finally, remember what Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away." P.S. Buy snow tires before you crash your mom's nice car in the snow!

As a high school senior I was not well versed with the many job opportunities and career paths available with a college education. Gymnastics had been my passion my whole life and I planned to continue with the sport in college. Although I loved doing gymnastics, it did not give me the chance in high school to branch out and learn more things about the world. With little knowledge of degree paths in college, I decided to stay with what I knew; exercise. I highly enjoyed my undergraduate and graduate studies in Exercise Science and Sports Performance respectively. However, as I looked to future job opportunites within this field, I realized that it wasn't my true passion. After searching and running my mind through all the possibilities of careers available, I decided that accounting would be something that I could see myself doing the rest of my life; therefore, I have decided to go back to school. As a high shool student I would have told myself to make sure that the degree path I chose was my passion, to make positive connections with others, and to enjoy each step along the way because it goes by fast.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to start my college career right away. I would want to attend school without the hardship of being a single parent and an untraditional student. I would advise myself to make more friends when first starting every semester of school. I would also tell myself to open up more in class to the professors and my fellow classmates, to make the connections with people that would be life long friends and collegues. I would also tell myself that no matter what happened along the way to keep trying and make the most of what is put in front of you. I would advise myself to let others in to my little world and help me when I am in need and be there to encourage me when I need it the most. Most of all I would tell myself to work hard and stay focused on what is important to me.

I would tell myself to not take as many hard classes the first semester because it will already be overwhelming being away from your family and freinds. And you need to be open to making new freinds and not only hangout with the few, if any, that you moved away with. College is a time to remember, so make sure you are having the time of your life and don't get too stressed about school.

I would tell myself to get started looking for scholarships sooner as well as pick a college sooner. I would also say to get more volunteer hours in and get a job over the summer to help get more money for any school supplies that are needed. Also, don't pack so much stuff when you're getting ready to move down. I would say to spend more time with your friends so you could say goodbye, even though it isn't forever, it's still really hard to not have them here. I would say a few things about my family as well. Let dad think he's right more often so there would be less fighting before I leave. Don't sweat the little things and tell mom and dad that you love them every day because it's really hard to not have them there when you need help.

I would tell myself that I struggle in the future because of the decision I made to NOT focus on school. That I am married with a beautiful 9 year old daughter but stuggle each day to support them. That I live from paycheck to paycheck with no progression in the career that I am in. That I sometimes feel overwhelmed and inadequate of being a supporter, husband, father and student. That school is the key to a better future for us and his future family. I would plead, beg, and cry to him, to focus on his studies. I would let him know that the people who he thinks are his friends are no longer a part of his life in the future. That everyhting our parents have told us about education is true.

I wanted to start by saying first off, I spent the first half of my high school senior year concussed and recoverying at home from a moderate concussion I got while playing varsity football. I was recoverying at home for about a month until I was able to come back to school, but it was still a recoverying process for me. I was still experiencing concussion symptoms, or post-concussion symptoms, by the time I returned to school. I couldn't play football anymore so I was sidelined for the rest of my senior season. After winter break was over, I was getting better and finally catching up in all of my classes. By May 2013, I graduated with honors and as Valedictorian. It was one dramatic and traumatizing school year for me but I made it, and now I'm in college at Southern Utah University. So what advice would I give to my high-school-concussed-senior-self about college life? Well, I would say, "take your studying very seriously; be patient with the learning process, learn from your quiz, exam, and homework mistakes; and save up as much money as you can for bills, food, and rent."

Go into a different field. Make sure you graduate with a job in mind so you don't have to pay lots of money and can get grants.

Don't worry about the classes being too hard, going to class and doing well in school is the easiest part of college. The hardest part is dealing with roommates. Don't let anyone talk you out of doing what you know is right. A lot of older girls are going to put you down, but doin't listen to them; they are not more mature than you just ecause they are older. Remember that you are smart and that you make good decisions. Making a bad decision is ok, just make your own choices because that is how you will learn to grow up and be an adult. Don't be afraid to try new things, just figure it out as you go. Nobody is suddenly prepared to be independent, so it is ok that you don't know how to do everything yet. Just remember to stick up for yourself and don't let your older roommates push you around. They don't know any more than you do.

I would tell my high school self to take high school more serously, and learn as much as possible. I would tell myself to take concurrent enrollement college courses and get my Associates Degree in high school, college is way more expensive!