St. Mary’s University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about college, I would explain to myself about how durastic the change from college to high school is. First, I would expain that the calm vibe in college provides for an easy transition from being a former dependent high school student into a maturing independent college student. The students in college are morally lax, wheraeas students in high school are frantic and frenzied. I would then explain to myself how different the college workload is. For instance, as a high school student, there were times where you could skip studying for a test, daydream in class, or even disregard a reading assigment given by the instructor. Well, this tatic does not work in college by any means. Each assignment given by an instructor has its own significant purpose, which is exposed overtime in the course. Finally, I would then remind the teenager by the name of Jaylen Bruce that college is a place where you find your indepence as an individual. College provides many paths of opportunity, but it is important to seize those opportunities when they are presented.

If I could back in time and just give myself advice I would have so much to say. First, I would tell myself that high school is important, grades are important. I would then tell myself that making plans are great but don’t be afraid if they have to change everything will work out for the best in the end. The second important thing I would tell myself is to not put off applying for scholarships. I would tell myself to apply for every possible scholarship you can. The last thing I would tell myself is to enjoy the journey at times it will be really tough and you might think you cant go one more day but hang in there. You will make it all your hard work will pay off. If I could go back in time I would tell myself you can do it.

I have made mistakes, but this is a mistake that I will regret, choosing the college that I was comfortable in was the worst mistake I could ever make. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself go to a public university. As a high school senior I worked hard to earn good grades to help me get scholarships and have to pay little money to go to the school I wanted but it didn't happen, none of the scholarship I applied to helped me and yet I was stubborn and chose to get a loan and have my parents pay for the rest. This is making my college life difficult because of all the guilt I have and will have for the rest of my life and the transition was difficult with this much thought in my mind. I would tell myself to not have myself and my parents go through all this and even though I skipped a year of college because of AP classes, it is still hard to see myself finishing my dreams of getting a degree.

Going back to my senior year of high school I would have marched to a completely different beat of the drum had I known better. I would have definetly given myself the advice to study hard and work hard and put effort in everything I did. Back in high school I didnt see that what you put in is what you put out and if you put effort forward you will see results. In high school,its more of teachers guiding you and staying on you about your work,but in college its certainly not like that. I would have prepared myself to be out on the limb by myself and not expect anyone to hold my hand. In college your responsible for everything you do and you have to wanna care about your education because the professors are only there to teach you. The transition wasn't a difficult one persay but from my personal experience I realized that education is very important once in college. I would tell myself and any other high school or college students out there ; a mind is a terrible thing to waste and noting or nooone is worth your education .

To my high school self: Breonna, the world is bigger than what you think. College can be extremely exciting, but you have to keep things in perspective. Remember the values your parents have taught you and be careful for sudden pitfalls. You will be exposed to a lot of things you have never experienced before. College campus life is full of a variety of activities. Be a leader and you will receive the respect and admiration of college professors, priests, and even the president. In four years, I want you to look back and say, "I'm proud of you'!

If I could go back in time and give myself advise about going to college I would tell myself as a high school senior : don't waite,you are somebody, you are a proud child of Appalachia, lets do something with our life to encourage others to go on to school and make some thing of themselves. Lets work together to change the lives of our fellow Appalachians. Lets do something positive with our life to make ourselves proud of who we are. There is no excuse not to try...there are colleges within 30 miles of your home so lets do it now. I waited over thirty years to go to college to better my life for my family, if only I had done it right out of high school I could have avoided some of the hard life lessons I have learned: like trying to live pay check to pay check, and just trying to get by. To not try and do your best is your only risk of failure.

Make sure you are well prepared for college, and what I mean by that is too apply to as many scholarships as possible. Apply for financial aid on time, get your dorm or housing on time, apply to college(s) on time as well to prevent any overwhelming or stress on the first day of school. That way you could make your first year at college into a smoother transition. Also make sure to manage your time wisely. Time can be your worse enemy if you do not prioritize. Make sure that when in college you make as much friends as possible, be involved, and make the most out of college because your college years are what you make out of it and what will lead you to your future.

When I was a high school senior I attended an Early College HS. My schedule was really jam-packed with both high school and college classes meaning I had a short period of time which was used on doing all my homework. Now that I'm in college and living on campus I have A LOT of free time. If I could go back and give myself some advice I would tell myself to use TIME MANAGEMENT. It would have helped me a lot more!

“I can’t do it, there’s just no way that I can attend college if I don’t understand math.” That was my high school self looking at my Algebra 2 homework and hearing my mom talk about the SAT. “I’m definitely not smart enough to go to college,” I had said “My sister was made for college, not me.” Remembering this point in time, I would go back and encourage my younger self. “College isn’t for the smart people, Pearl,” I would say “You have what it takes to make it through college.” Knowing how I was back then, I would snap back and say that if I can’t make good grades and struggle with something as Algebra, I would not make it in college. “Obstacles can be the downfall or realization of greatness, Pearl,” I would assert “It depends on how you handle them. I know you, you have the capability to take challenges and turn them into strengths. Teachers are looking for learners, not people who already know what they’re doing. Stay on track, keep trying, you have more to offer that what you think and your success will bring others inspiration.”

I would tell myself to apply for scholarships in high school because you are more likely to get them during high school and college is expensive, any money you can get will make a huge difference. I would tell myself that college is no joke and high school according to college is a piece of cake and if you want to succed you have to try. The first semester and year matters as well, it is a big transition, but make sure you try the first year becuase that first year can make and break you. Lastly, I would tell myself that college could be an amazing experince if I let it be, and the people there are good people, let them in and enjoy living the college life and good things will come.