Temple University Top Questions

Coming into my senior year of high school, I expected to relax and enjoy my last year of high school. Alternatively, senior year was a pressuring and stressful time when it came to deciding which college to choose. Knowing that college is the foundation toward the rest of your life and career, it was difficult to know which college would be the right one. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would give the following advice to myself: Do not let anyone affect your decision because what ultimately matters is where you are going to be comfortable. Family, friends, and teachers can skew a student's decision because each person has their own opinion. When each of your friends is trying to decide which college to go to, that can interfere with what your choice is and what you really want it to be. Overall, as a high school senior, I would advise myself to choose which college I want to attend based on my own opinion and not on others.

I would tell myself not to compare my education to anyone else's. Everyone has a different struggle when it comes to attending college, whether it be in paying for things or getting good enough grades, making enough friends etc. The list is endless. I would tell myself to read a lot more and to take the time to enjoy it. I would also tell myself to save up money so that working during the school year wouldn't be a necessity. On top of everything, I would let myself know that it's important to have fun, and to try and not get bogged down with stress as these are supposed to be some of the 4 best years of my life.

Success is a subjective measure of how you progress over time. Thus, achieving success cannot happen overnight. You have to work hard and know that success begins with you. I want to emphasize that where there is will, there is a way. Although everyone has a unique story there are components that make someone, like yourself, successful. Drive is a major factor that determines whether someone is successful or not. I found this useful because, in today’s world, it is important to be driven. You will never know how far you come until you give yourself the chance to do so. Drive is the motivational key to success. If you are driven you have the determination to pursue your aspirations. I think that the quote by Eddie Robinson best explains my interpretation of drive as it relates to success. The quote states, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. It asserts that once you have the craving for accomplishing something it is essential to follow through with your aspirations and you will be destined to succeed.

Dear high school senior me, If you take any advice, make it this: learn to admit what you don't know. This seems absurd, since up until now you have been in a competition to sound smart, to sound how you thought you should. Now, not knowing seems frustrating and shameful, but learn to admit it to yourself, and even to others. Why? Because you don't know much; but, in college, those who know or those who are willing to help you find out are at your service. So first, open yourself up to not knowing. You will spend the rest of your life realizing how little you know. The sooner you accept this, the sooner that feeling of not knowing becomes excitement rather than fear. Second, let others know you don't know things. Though you may think you can learn everything on your own (you have the internet, after all!), search for answers in your peers, your teachers, and your community. Many people won't help you, but those who teach you or offer to search with you will become the deepest connections you make, I promise. Remember: selling your smarts is for job interviews, not classrooms.

Knowing what I do now from being at two universities in three years, I would tell my high school senior self to not give in to the false pretense of university prestige. Just because a private university with a high price tag looks good on a resume and may impress your friends, personal happiness is not guaranteed, which is what matters most. I wish I had realized earlier on that pleasing other people only goes so far, and that it's much more important to be pleased with yourself and who you are as person. You should be comfortable when stepping on campus during a visit to the university or college, and truly feel that the next four years at that place will be a successful and fulfilling time for you. Only you can know if the place you choose is going to be right for you, so don't let the feelings of your parents or your friends sway you into going somewhere you're not 100 percent happy with.

Play it safe, and don't procrastinate. As soon as you hit college you fill find there is very little windows for time to put things off to the side and what not. Also, it's a big world out there, whereever you end up, play it safe and don't miss-judge anyone or anything. Remember to enjoy yourself as well, and choose a college in which you can be comfortable for the next 4 or so years of your life.

Don't expect to be the popular kid on campus. There are many people on campus and everyone is not going to like you and some people you won't connect with no matter how hard you try. But don't get discouraged. You can have a great social life in college as long as it is with the right people. You're looking to make life long friendships and connections with people who could be influential to your life even after you graduate from college. Leave the high school fantasy behind that you'll be friends with everyone because you won't. But that's okay if you're not because it means that you are finding yourself. You are finding yourself and in the process you are finding people who fit naturally into the young adult you are becoming. After a while, you will realize who is truly a friend for life and who will just be that "college buddy".

I would tell myself to just go out there and get what you want. Hit the ground running and don't let anyone or anything deter you from doing what you have your heart and mind set on. Don't waste your time on people who are not genuinely invested in your friendship because your time is college is only temporary and many of these people will not be in your life once you leave. Try not to overthink things and just have fun. Manage your time wisely and plan your class schedule accordingly. Get involved with things that interest you and you think will make you happy. Try to do something that will change other people's lives and that will leave a footprint on the campus. Be memorable...

College is, for most of us, the first time we all truly venture out on our own and begin the work of deciding who we will become. It is a beautiful time of discovery and one that you won’t get to repeat.I won’t lie to you: College is going to turn your world upside down in both the best and worst ways possible. You will lose yourself, and you will find yourself again. You will most likely change your major, and your roommates will probably become your best friends. But, they are also the people who will come to know you better than you know yourself and some days you are really going to need that. Never let the fear of failure inhibit you from doing what you know you actually want to do. As cliché as this is about to sound, be sure to revel in every bit of these next four years because it will go faster than you could ever imagine. My advice is to trust their gut in all decisions they make and do whatever YOU feel most comfortable.

I went to school ready to pound myself into becoming a hugely successful artist. Realizing now that the value of the final destination is quite small compared to the journey, I would tell myself to not put so much pressure on my 18 year old person, pace yourself. The degree itself doesn’t determine your success but what you do with it outside of school does. It’s very difficult to take that on if you’re already burnt out. That being said, I would feel less shame in asking for guidance with my degree but be sure to speak up when you feel you're being led in your education rather than guided. A friend or a teacher can give you their advice but you will be the only one dealing with the rewards and consequences of your choices and behavior. Be truly honest with yourself about what type of life will make you happy when you enter the workforce rather than what title. Lastly, find a way to enjoy your struggles. Actively surround yourself now with positive influences and people. The final payoff will be all the sweeter.