State University of New York at New Paltz Top Questions

If I could go back in time to give myself advise as a high school senior, I would begin by emphasizing how important it is to put in as much effort as I can. Studying becomes a necessary procedure for college classes. In high school, I often would walk in to take an exam without studying or even looking at my notes. I learned quickly that I could not get away with this practice in college. I would also tell myself to reread every writing assignment I hand in. Professors appreciate a well-organized and comprehensive essay. They take grammar, structure, and effort into consideration when grading writing assignments. Between studying and proofreading, my grades in college increased dramatically, and I felt more pride in what I was turning in. If I were to give myself advise early, I would have said to start working harder as a senior, so the work load would not come as a huge shock. College tests your knowledge as well as your skills and effort; therefore, it is important to work your hardest.

Start the application process as soon as possible so that you can have as many options available to you as possible, definitely do not leave it to the last minute, because college can be fun and new friends can be made. Make sure to look at both the upsides and downsides of each school.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior i would adivice myself to not waste any time on playing video game ansd start doing real reasearch paper instead of copying and pasting stuff from the internet. I think it would make my life whole a lot better if my past me knew more about the work amount the college courses have such as reading books and writinf orginal work etc. I would also tell past me about being serious about math and science as these two are pretty hard subject if you dont complelte the basic classes in high school.

I know what you're thinking: college is scary, you aren't ready to be an adult, this transition is going to be so hard and how are you going to meet anyone? Stop. Take a deep breath. You will be alright. In fact, you will be amazing. The transition you make from high school to college will take a lot people you thought were close friends out of your life. It may hurt, probably for a while, but it will be okay. You're going to meet people in orientation that will be friends that are more loyal and compassionate than anyone you knew in high school. You are going to make friends that you will have not only through your college years, but the rest of your life. It will be hard, and there will be challenges, but you will persevere. Stop worrying that you haven't done enough and that you aren't ready. You've done more than enough and you will continue to do more. You may not feel ready but you can handle it. You will always be able to handle it. Have faith in yourself and the universe. You will be happy.

I would have started looking into colleges earlier, instead of only looking my senior year.

For blossoming adolescents, senior year is the pinnacle of stress. During the final fragments of childhood, young adults are pressured to make pivotal life decisions. Suddenly, we must rummage through our minds in search of a degree that is not only obtainable, but profitable. Such pressure is burdening; with the weight of the world on our shoulders, we’re left to decipher a future that’s still years away. My senior year was spent obsessing about the future instead of enjoying high school’s finale. I allowed myself to become consumed with worry and, in doing so, missed out on experiences I can never get back. Though it is pivotal to plan ahead, you shouldn’t never your anxieties paralyze you. I would assure my senior self that even the greatest obstacles are resolvable and success stems from challenge. We don’t know where life will take us, so instead of dreading things to come, we should be living in the moment. If we’re not making the best of our present days, how can we expect to illuminate the future? Live for today, dream of tomorrow, but don’t let the unknown overwhelm you.

Not to procrastinate Apply for more scholarships cherish every moment you have

Don't worry about someone else's opinion! I used to spend far too much time thinking about others' perceptions of me. Just this year, I realized that they do not matter. I'm not paying for a reputation, I'm paying for my education. I am investing in my future, which is not dependent on what the guy I almost tripped and fell onto thinks of me. You are not an opinion, or perception, or thought. You are a human being with hopes and dreams. You are a hard-working student who deserves respect. If other people can't see that, then they are missing out! People's opinions come from what you project, so if you are confident about who you are and what you are doing, then it will be acknowledged. Besides, they are usually so engrossed in their own problems that you are the last thing on their mind. And if they are judging you, they are too small-minded to be worth your valuable time.

My first advice is take nothing for granted. Complete and apply for as many scholarships as you can. Do not get discouraged. Another important advice would be to stay ontop of deadlines. Important deadlines are reports, projuects, scholarship, REGISTRATION!!!! College is nothing compared to high school. School work load is more intense. Plus most likely you have to worry about jobs to. College can be very intimadeting, but ask for help feel overwhelmed talk to your advisor, teachers. They can help you!!!! ( they will understand). My last advice is all work and no play is no fun!!!!! take time

In knowing what I now know I would sit down with my "high school self" and tell him to take a deep breathe. It's going to be a long road. At times hard and sometimes oddly easy. Just keep doing what your'e doing. Don't give in, don't give up and certainly remember where you came from. There is a lot that you are going to do. Then my "high school self" would ask: "Am I going to do ok?" To that I'll respond: "Not to worry, you've havent come this far to fall of the earth, you will be fine." Then my "high school self" will get a glimpse of hope in his young naive eye and ask: "Well, is it going to be really hard?" To that, my present "college graduate self" will reply: "My friend, you are not doing this because it is easy, you are doing this because it is difficult. JFK said that." And finally, my "high school self" will say: "Yeah, I knew that."