Spelman College Top Questions

As a high school senior, I pictured college as another high school but with different teachers. Unfortunately, I was completely wrong. It took me both semesters of freshman year to really adjust to the flow of how college worked. The old study and homework habits that I use to use do not work for the 6+ hours of studying and homework I have every night. It takes planning to be successful in college. The advice I would give to myself is to prioritize correctly and study at all times. Time organization is the ultimate key to being a star student. Planning your day hour by hour is what helps to keep yourself on track every day. There will be days that seems as if 24 hours in a day is just simply not enough. Academics should always be before anything. Always focus on what drives your GPA to a 4.0 then, you enjoy extra-curricular activities all night. College opens your eyes to real world that your parents, somewhat, shielded you from and you have to speed up the transformation process from child to adult. Be wise and pay attention.

Assuming that I can become a time traveler, and go back in time to “warn” myself about the upcoming trials of college, I would change history. I would let myself in on the secrets about applying for the right college and the actual way to prepare my applications. I would encourage myself to take more risk in school so that I can do more things that’s accountable and related to what the colleges are looking for, including Acing those test and knowing the meaning of my transcript as a junior in High School student. Knowing that it’s the junior year that makes or breaks you for the scholarship money that’s needed, I wouldn’t let setback hold me down, I would encourage max participation in all community events and make certain that I participate in the things that I need to in order to get the “so called” points that I need to strengthen my college applications. I would encourage campus visits and certainly researching all the ins/outs of the institutions before making a choice. I would encourage myself to plant the right seed in the right soil for the future of my collegiate experience.

I would tell myself you do not need everything. I would also say not to go crazy and eat everything you see because the freshman fifteen is real. Also to be cautious about the company kept around myself, not everyone is going to want to help you. Listen to your friends sometimes their right, do not be afraid to ask for help the strongest people do.

The advice I would give myself is to learn how to be independent. People here in college are your competition, so there are not many people that will truly help you to succeed except for the professors. Most friends that you have in high school will not be your friends in college, so dont try to go to the same college as your friends. Pick the college that would benefit you the most. With school work, make sure you do all of your required work and studying before going out to have fun. Don't stress over work and stay focused. Also learn how to budget your money because college life is the struggle. But most of all remember to be true to yourself and to only change for the betterment of yourself.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, the best advice I could give in terms of the college life would be to fill out scholarships continuously. As a high school senior, I did not fill out one scholarship then came to the rude awakening that I had no money to pay for my $40,000 tuition. I would tell my high school self that schoolarships are cruicial in determining your future. It could either make or break you. Not only that, but you have no money to do anything else such as extracurriculars because every pemny you obtain would have to go towards your tuition. To sum it up, fill out scholarships and win scholarships. It will make your life a million times easier.

I would tell my high-school senior self three things. 1) You are going to meet a lot of people and that is going to expose you to more than you ever knew. Take advantage of this and really work hard at making new friends. By the time you graduate, you will have a group of friends that will be around the rest of your life. However, reunions are more fun if you know more people. Don't get stuck witih only those you know. 2) The focus is to graduate, but plan on working when you graduate and do everything you can to ensure you have the skills and experience to have a job after graduation. Life doesn't always work out the way you plan, but if you have developed skills, you can more easily adapt to Plan B. 3) I would tell my younger self either work really hard at finding scholarships and pay student loans off as soon as you finish. Even if you have to live at home for a few years, the long-term benefit outweighs the short term inconvience.

Choosing the right friends in high school is one of the main things I wish I could go back in time and tell myself. Now that I know what a true friend is, here a letter to my youngerself explainng the things I wish I knew back then: Dear younger self, Friends are lifetime companions that we choose to share our lives with. High schools is a very interesting four years of life. You enter as a teenager and leave as an adult. You will expeiernce alot of things, but it is imporantant that you surround yourself with people who care for you and your well-being. Choose friends with the same goals so you can grow through life together. Make sure that one another is staying on a goo path. High school is a time where a lot of things are being thrown at you. Things can get really hard, and sometimes a good friend is what is needed to get you through the tough times. Motivate each other. Make sure they are working towards their dreams as well as you doing the same. At the ends of the day, friends are family that we choose, so cherish them.

Dear Synclaire, College is fun, but remember the reason you are there. You cannot expect anything from anybody, continue to be the sunshine person you are and try not to get discouraged. A lot can happen over the span of a year but you are not to allow hardships to break you, no matter what. You are pursuing your dreams, remember that. Continue to be kind, even to those who take advantage of you. You have been optimistic and kind hearted for as long as we have been alive. Sometime it is okay to remove yourself from a situation if you do not feel comfortable, and remember that sometimes you have to be a voice not only to yourself, but also to others. You are strong and resilient. Never lose sight of that or your goals. And most importantly never ever ever accept the word no. You can do anything, and you will! And dont forget you can call daddy whenever you need to, he has been your bestfriend this long and even though the transition is hard, believe it or not, you guys will only get closer through this experience. Smile, Laugh, Cry, and Love, shamelessly.

Never stop filling out scholarships and getting financial aid. Start applying for scholarships sophmore or junior year, that way when you are ready to go off to school you won't have to worry about searching for last minute scholarships and not having enough money. It's not a good feeling to have to think about how broke you are and worrying that you cannot afford to go back to Spelman for your second year. It actually hurts very much and to have to think about not having money to pay off your full first year while you are taking your finals, it is just way too much pressure. Apply for schoalrships! Make a deal with yourself, three scholarships per week, every week. You won't regret it. I promise you. Stay smart and make good choices.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take advantage of every learning opportunity. I would not avoid difficult classes because I now know they are the classes that I will likely have to take in college. Taking them in high school will better prepare me for college. In high school, I would also develop better study skills as well as organizational skills. I would pay close attention to writing techniques because in college a lot of papers have to be written. In addition, I would take as many technology classes as possible. I have found that being tech savvy is of great benefit. Another thing that I would learn to do while in high school is my laundry. I have found, you can mess up your clothes if you do not put the correct detergent in the washer at the proper time. Overall, I would tell myself to be more responsible and consider positive opportunities as chances to learn and grow.