Kaitlin
Life is not a race. You cannot judge your progress based on that of your friends. You cannot think less of yourself because of where you are now and where your are going. Sometimes, you just need to sit back, relax, and breathe because it will all work out in the end. The college transition will be a rocky one, but once you get everything sorted out, it will all be ok. You will figure out where you are going and you will be happy. It will seem like forever but then you will look back and realize the journey was not nearly long enough. All you have to do is breathe and enjoy the scenery and you will be ok.
melanie
If I could talk to myself in high school, I would tel myself to live up to my potential. You are a smart girl and the life you want will not be possible without an education. Do not worry about boys and slow down. Maintain a job and save a tremendous amount of money for school. College is hard and requires focus, strength, and determination. These are all qualities you were raised with. Don't let anyone tell you it is not possible because anything is possible when your mind and heart are in for the win. Stay on course and do not let obsticles hold you back.
Heidi
The first thing that I would have told myself is to follow my dreams and to do the best I can at everything I do. I took a short break from Southwestern to attend a Junior College to follow my first love. This was not devastating to my degree but I think that if I had stayed that I would have been better off because I wouldn't have had to move back and forth two semesters of college. I originally went to college because I wanted to play soccer and my advisor at school talked me into being a Biology major. Biology is the one degree that I could not be less interested in. I would have also told myself to sit down before going into his office with an idea of where I wanted to go in life. It was confusing then and I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders now that I am older and have had time to think about it I am sure that I would have told myself to concentrate on Business Administration from day one.
Katie
Go into college with an open mind, and do not be afraid. Being timid will get you nowhere. College allows you an opportunity to create a new name for yourself. You are no longer confined by what you were known as in high school. If you put in the work, time, and energy to your activities, they will pay off. Begin to step into new leadership roles. You never know where they might take you. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Before you know it, four years will have flown by and you will be wishing you made the most of your college years. So I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, get involved in a new activity, and take the time to get to know new acquaintances. You never know, you might just find life long friends. Good luck! You will do great!
Kelli
Your years through college is what really starts to mold you into the person you are suppose to be. Therefore, the decision you make on where to go to school is a very important and life changing decision. While it does not have to be a permanent decision, it's good to find a college/university that is successful for you. Don't be afraid to leave home and try new things. Once you have choosen a college make sure to get involved and meet new people, but keep your studies as the main priority. College will be some of the best years of your life, but you need to remember that your studies and grades are what will get you farther in life after college. It is important to have a healthy social life, because that is what will keep you motivated about school, but your studies must be of a priority.
You should try to give your major of choice and college of choice a legitimate try, but don't be afraid to try new things if you do not enjoy what you are doing. College is a place where you find yourself.
Tyler
Don't go to this school, theres more schools out there. You'll end up changing your major before first semester ends. You won't make the transition for about a month after you get back from orientation. If I knew all of this when I was still sitting where you are sitting now, I wouldn't of gone to Southwestern. If you go, your going to be making probably the biggest mistake of your life.
Anjaih
The advice I would give myself is no matter what situations may come your way, NEVER give up on your educationally dreams. It gets hard, lonely and draining. However no one ever told anyone that their life journey would be easy. We as individuals have to prepare ourselves through faith, love and prayer in order to get strength to endure what life has to bring our way. So as life struggles began to take a toll on my, I still had a little hope, faith and love to help me keep fighting to get back on the educational path that I was striving to get back on. Now that im back on thta path, I am very grateful and fortunate that I was given another opportunity to pursue my degree. I am SO blessed to be at this institute and very fortunate to be surrounded by such a group of individuals that are grounded spiritually and academically and most of all they are outgoing indivduals that love to have fun. Im looking forward to what lies ahead for the years to come.
Tiffaney
I would tell myself to get a job and save as much as possible. Another sore topic is I would make sure I took the advanced placement tests that I took the classes for just because the score results would have been sent and I wouldn't be having to have my junior year results sent up. The main thing is knowing what I want from softball and determining before I got here if I was going to play. That would have made the first few months alot less stressful and I would have stayed out of the Emergency Room and been a lot more secure in my own identity. It also would have been easier to let down my family if I had been able to quit before I went to play for a college.
James
They should try to make friends as soon as they get on campus by joining a club or just introducing themselves. During the first few weeks of school is when all the cliques are formed and if you don't get in one soon then it will be harder to make friends later.
Stacy
I would recomend that they take the time to learn about the services the school has for learning disabilities because a school that has tools available for these students really care about education.