Spring Arbor University Top Questions

Each year can be the best year of your life. As you finish high school, appreciate the past, but don?t cling to it. Move on to a fresh place where you will be stretched, and embrace opportunity once you get there. Don?t allow yourself to become stressed?you will inevitably make some mistakes. Deal with what is on your plate now, living in the present; too much thinking ahead causes you to miss out on life now. Look at people when you walk past them, and smile; it?s amazing what a smile does for both you and others. Relationships are at the top of your mind; just be authentic. Don?t push a personality that isn?t yours and don?t second-guess whether or not people like you. Respect others and be willing to both share and listen. Be the one to include the outsider in social events, and you might unearth a gem of a person. Even if you don?t feel like it, get involved in good activities because once you start you?ll find your passion simply waiting for you to make a move. Let your true heart show up wherever you are.

College is going to be different than high school has been. It is time to buckle down. One's room is a sanctuary. It is a place to rest and have fun. Roommates can be distracting to studies and homework assignments. Therefore do not do homework, reading, or studying in the room. Go to the library for all responsibilities regarding schoolwork. This will keep one's room an enjoyable place to go to rest and to have fun in. Start homework and papers as soon as class is over. Before heading to the room, go to the library first to get a heads start on the responsibilities due for the next class. With block scheduling it is easy to not do the homework or reading until the day before it is due, do it the day that the assignment has been known! This way one has two days to work on the assignment if need be. Set a bedtime for each weeknight. An efficient amount of sleep is crucial for performing well in the classes that will be being taken. It is vital to be active in class participation and listending to others during class.

Steve, you are a member of this community. When you were a child, your father's trade opportunities decreased considerably which left you paying your own dental bills with paper route money. This may have left you feeling opportunities are for others. Trade work may or may not be your calling. Explore multiple opportunities and start them with a college education! The challange is to find your talent and interests without limitations and apply them. God gave you wonderful gifts. You have consistenly performed well throughout school, you know you are capable of achieving an education. You must not blame your family's financial limitations as an obstacle that is impassable. Go home and tell your parents about grants and loans. Tell them you are interested, ask them to support you. Working your way up through promotions earned through hard work is an option. It is a tough option and it is limited. Education is the key, no matter how much you do not understand this now you must trust me in telling you that a degree will open doors for you. With a degree you will have a world of opportunity to serve yourself and others. Go for it!

First off, I would tell my high school self to get a job. College is way more expensive then I thought it was going to be. Second, hit the books. You can no longer skate by without studying, you need to actually apply yourself to get A's. Third, relax. College is fun, you will make good friends, stay up late, laugh, cry, but it is all worth it. It is scary, but you have a wonderful roommate who helps you through the struggles. She is your rock, and sometimes you tormentor, but in a good way. She keeps you grounded when you would rather be a butterfly and float from one thing to another. College will be fun. You are still connected to your family and friends from home. But you have another family down here, just as vital to your sucess as your real one. Relax, enjoy yourself, and work hard and you will do just fine.

Knowing more about college life, I would tell my high school senior self about how true it is when "they" say that you get out what you put in. There's so many more choices to make when one is now living in a dorm, being away from the parental figures in one's life, choosing their own majors, minors and prospective classes. One has to remember to take it one day at a time, but to not be short-sighted; college is one of the last major steps of the education ladder before one is thrust into the working world, so one has to remember to make it count for all it's worth. That's not to say that one should be tenative of having fun and living a little, going out with friends and relaxing between studies, but one should try to remember what the most important reason for college is. That reason is the whole reason they left for college in the first place; to earn a good education in preperation for the rest of their life.

If I was able to go back as a high school senior I would give myself advice on taking academics seriously. In high school I was the type of person who never studied for tests and got A's. High school was so easy for me. Coming to college, I have found that it is not that easy. You have to study or you will not do well. Because I got in the habit of not studying, I have struggled on tests. I have now realized that in order to do well, I must study, and this had been hard. I am getting better, it is just something I have had to get in the habit of doing. I did pretty well in high school and I want to do well in college, so I have to start studying more. Also, I would try to get myself to be more outgoing. Coming to college, not knowing, anyone was hard. I was a really shy person. I eventually opened up and have made a lot of friends, but in the beginning it was hard. So I would try to make myself get out of my comfort zone as a senior.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice knowing what I know now I would tell myself to not give up. I would tell myself that college life isn't easy and it's hard to get the money you need for school but if you give up you won't get anywhere in life. I would also tell myself to enjoy the time you have as a senior because when you make the transition from high school to college it's a whole different world. I would say to myself, " Work hard and don't give up on your college dreams and take the time to stop and enjoy what time you have left in high school. " That is what i would say to myself if I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior.

Confidence, thankfulness and endurance, the three words I would emphasize while talking to myself in high school. College is completely different world. Good grades come from hard work and desire to succeed. In high school I always looked at myself as an average student, someone who would never really get the as I always wanted. In college I realized with time management and confidence, I can tackle any syllabus handed to me. To attend college is something only a small percentage of people on earth get the opportunity to do. I would tell myself in high school to be thankful for all of the hard work my parents, teachers and friends have put into me. There are some people that could only dream of going to college and here I am living the dream, it is truly a blessing. Endurance, with school work, attendance and scholarships. I know I could have gotten more money for school if I had tried harder my senior year. Luckily I have adapted to the college life and endurance is something I have been able to achieve. The gift of education is priceless, and I am blessed enough to have been given exactly that.

As a high school senior, I had two friends and a boyfriend because I refused to talk to anyone who was involved in partying and drinking on the weekends. I also didnt participate in many of the activities because many of these students would. When I thought about college, I made myself believe that my only option was the local community college or SAU which is a local Christian Private school. I didn't seek other possibilities to where I could go for a higher education and college life experience. I also didn't look to others for financial aid or how to find out the expenses of college. Now I am into my first year of college and I am close to over my head with loans. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to look for colleges that best fit me and find someone who can help me with the financial aspect. However, because we can not physically go back in time, I'm doing it right this time around, searching colleges that fit my personality and my needs and getting a better grasp on the financial end of college.

Transitioning into college can be difficult for freshmen students and if I could go back to myself as a high school student I would have a few things to say that would probably have helped my transition. One of the pieces of advice would be that you do not need to bring everything you own! The items that you use at home will be the ones that you use at school. You only need to bring what you need and important possessions. A second piece of advice would be to save your money. Sometimes it can be hard to get a job during college and saving money can allow you to still have fun with your new friends you will make. Don't spend your money on useless purchases because it is easy to go broke. The last piece of advice I would give is to not worry. Situations always turn out how they're supposed to and it's not good to worry about something that you can't control. Have fun in college, but also make sure you are focusing on education as well. Social life is very important, but you're paying for your education.

I would tell myself that you need to start getting your finances together right now. I would make sure that I told myself to focus on grades more than girls, for they come and go with the wind. I will tell myself that you are a bright, intelligent, and driven young man, who is going to succeed in anything that you put your mind towards. I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships as soon as the school year started, using websites such as fastweb, zinch, and cappex as my resources. I would tell myself to really buckle down right now because in college it is easy to get off focus given that you have so much free time. I would tell myself to read more, to study more, to pray more. I would say, " I know that the media portrays college to be one big party, and it can be, but that I'm not going to college for that. I'm going to make a dent into society. I would tell myself to get connected with as many people as you can so that you can network because its not what you know its who you know."

I would tell myself to stay strong and not lose confidence. Stepping out of high school and into college is a big transition. I would also tell myself to stay focused and not fall into the party lifestyle that surrounds the college experience. If you become discouraged or confused about what you are wanting to do in college, talk to someone instead of keepin it all in. Use your guidance counselors. Stay ahead of the game with scholarships and class registration. Do not slack off and fall behind in your studies, you will regret it. Dont be embarrassed to ask questions, everyone else is thinking the same thing. Find your inner confidence and don't lose it, you will need it to survive the college and all that comes along with it. Do what it takes to be successful no matter what anyone expects of you. Strive to succeed on your own, don't let your friends encourage bad decisions. Step back for a minute and really think about what it is you want out of life and go after it!!!

Preparation Equals Success I know it is hard for you to imagine that there can be anything more important in your life right now then going out on a date friday night, or getting just the right dress for prom, but allow me to shed some light on your future. I know how much fun high school can be...I've been there, I've done that. Yet, as much fun as you are having with your friends now, it will all come to a screeching halt once you goto college. The classes that you breezed through and found to be too boring to put much thought into will all of a sudden become the focus of your college career. I don't want to seem like I am preaching to you like your parents, because I didn't listen to them either. But, from me to, well me... I have to level with you - they are right. The time you take now to focus on your homework, and start to think about what you would like to do as a career for the rest of your life will save you much sorrow in the future. Remember, preparation equals success.

The values you now possess are not as self engrained as you may think they are. Don?t go to college thinking you already know who you are and that you can?t change because of that. Accept that you are not happy with yourself and that the things which matter most won?t matter in the same depth later on. Don?t anticipate the problems you will have in college, for they will not coincide with the struggles you are having now. Your environment changes and therefore the way you learn and the awareness of what you have learned also changes. Today you look at yourself through the eyes of what you have experienced this far, but tomorrow you will see life not only through your eyes, but through the eyes of everyone you encounter. Be observant and slow to speak. But don?t let that be an excuse for not speaking at all. Finally, make learning, not grading, the most important thing. Thats how college differs from any other schooling you have had this far. College isn?t about fooling others into thinking you are learning, its about learning how to learn for the rest of your life.

As a high school senior, I got in habits of procrastinating and allowing "senioritis" to settle in. When it came time for my freshman year of college, it was a hard transition in managing my time well. Due to procrastination, I also became stressed very easily. I focused more on my athletics than on my academics, and I considered my sport to be first priority. I had no idea who I wanted to be and I never thought about the future. If I could go back and talk to myself, I would first tell myself to start good studying habits now, because it makes college that much easier. I would tell myself to carry a daily planner and to write EVERYTHING down. I would remind myself that although you can learn from sports, academics are more important for your future. Lastly, I would tell myself to set goals for the future and to not simply believe something because its what your parents taught you. I would tell myself to write down my thoughts and goals so I could see how I have grown and the changes that have taken place in my life and in my heart.

In retrospect, it would be beneficial to know that time management is important as a college freshman. I would tell myself that it is necessary to decide what is most important and prioritize my day based on these areas. The three that come to mind are academics, friendships, and personal time. Academically, a perfect grade point average is not as easily attained as it once was. An apportioned time to work solely on homework is necessary so as not to procrastinate. Know that it is perfectly acceptable to go to bed early as not every invitation must be accepted. Forming new friendships is exciting, but there is much time for that. However, it is important to allot time specifically for friends and relaxation. It is crucial to take mental and physical health into consideration as well. Time to oneself is of great value in the midst of community. Taking the areas of life I value most-- academics, friendships, and personal time-- life is more effectively balanced in managing time wisely.

I would tell myself make sure you know what you want to major in. Do research about the field that you want to go into. Make sure that you count the costs. College is an investment in your future so make the best of it. Know that you can accomplish great things if you pursue them .Whatever you do make sure that you are passionate about it. Pursue the best career choice for you. As far as social life, have fun but remember you are paying to get educated. You are working towards a goal of graduating with a degree. If you complete school with the best of your ability you can have access to more options, thus you can acquire more wealth. As a side note, I would warn you, be prepared to make negotiations with your roommate. Bring shower shoes and a caddy, they are absolutely a necessity. As far as books go, check out the prices online. Save what little money you can, even if its five dollars a week, every little bit counts. Get adequate sleep and tackle your homework before you socialize. Trust me I know you. Do not procrastinate because you will be stressed!

I would first tell myself to calm down! In high school, college is an extremely intimidating idea. It?s hard to choose where to go and what to go into. It is also intimidating to think that you will have to leave home and make all new friends. However, college is not nearly as scary as it seems. People seem to be on a more even playing field than they were in high school. In college kids are becoming adults and there is a lot less of the stereotypes and cliques, everyone comes in at the same level. Also, the actual academic work load is a lot heavier than high school but not necessarily harder. Just keep working hard and doing what you are doing and you will do fine. Do not be so worried about getting an A that you miss out on opportunities to make memories and lifelong friends.

My high school never put a lot of emphasis on AP classes. The teachers that taught the AP classes obviously didn't want to, and many people didn't even pass the AP exams. Knowing this, I easily chose not to take any. Looking back though, I wish I would have. Many of my friends have come into their first year of college with sophomore credit. Also, I would definitely advise myself to take advantage of dual enrollment. What's better than free college classes? Take the general education classes, especially if you know what you want to go into. Along with that, if you know what you with your life, start early. I'm going into graphic design and photography, and I bought my first iMac and DSLR camera in high school, but honestly I should have done more. Why not come in with experience and even maybe a name for myself? The biggest thing is don't wait until college to pursue your dream. Take advantage of what high schools have to offer for college credit.

If I had the chance to give myself advice before I went to college, I would tell myself that college is different. You have to make sure to manage your time correctly in order to get everything done, but college is not just about studying. You have to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunties, because there are a multitude of them just waiting to be explored but they won't come knocking on your door by themselves. You have to pay attention to your classes, but you also have to pay attention to the people and events around you because there are some really awesome people and some life-changing events that can help take you in the direction you want to go as long as you're paying attention. Don't be afraid to do whatever you want and whatever you can think of, because college is when the rest of your life starts, and you can choose any path you like.