Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

I would tell myself to keep pushing, and to push even harder then I did. I would tell myself not to let what people said to bring me down get to me and take my focus off of my work and to never depend on anyone because the college life is all about responsibility and making good decisions. I would tell myself to always strive for the highest dont ever strive for less because when you put your mind to it you can accomplish so much more then you think and there are so many different opportunities out there to explore so keep an open mind.

Stay committed because even though it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be worth it.

The uiversity experience is nothing like high school. You are an adult now and are expected to walk, talk, think and interact with students, mentors and other university staff as an adult. This means you have to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. mom and dad cannot write you a note to get out of class, and they don't care if the dog ate your homework. Everything you do at a university level is kept on record, they are called transcripts. This is the fundation of your future in your career. It is the backbone of your resume and portfolio. If your transcript reflects nothing but bad grades and unattendance, than your future emloyer will assume to expect the same from you on the job. University teaches you to think within and without the box. You may explore new ideas and concepts you never conceived of in high school. Don't listen to the old stories of "I remember back in my college days", university education is not about parties and demonstrations. It is about enlightening your mind to create a new and better future for the generations to come. Make a difference for yourself and the world.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school, I would tell myself to “Keep Calm and Carry On”. There is no need to panic about the little things. You have time. You can’t know everything nor will you ever. You are competing to be more than a ranked number; you are competing for a job in the work force doing what you have endlessly prepared for. Don’t worry. Everything will work out. There is no shame in dropping a class or realizing you are over your head. Just do what you need to do and you will have success. All you have to do is find a balance of fun and of academics and you won't suffer from burn out nor will you grieve from low grades. Make time for the things that are important. Prioritize your time well and don’t guard your desires to do what you want to do. Know how to be youself and understand that others are there for you and in a similar boat as you. You are never alone in a place that wants you to succeed and welcomes all to the “family of A&M”.

I would definitely tell my senior self that college is more than going to class and listening to lectures. College becomes one's lifestyle and it should be taking seriously at all times because school is vital part of being able to get ahead in this college focused society. I would also explain that school or certain fields are not for everybody. A person should definitely look into different fields before picking a major soley on how much money one could make. You should enjoy the major and definitely embrace it. It will benefit a person if they love what they do and be positive in every step of college. It is a ride but the memories, friends and hard work all pay off in the end.

College is a different world and freedom is the main cause. Freedom to skip class, go out on Tuesday night... and Wednesday night. With this freedom comes a needed skill that most college freshmen have yet to find - maturity. The maturity to complete a task and say no when others tempt them with fun parties. It seems easy? It's not. You will be surrounded by thousands of teenagers just out of their cage; they have little guidance and it is scary. In high school you are given a book. A teacher reads through the book, tells you what you need to know, and sends you home with homework problems to work out. College is not so motherly. You are advised to read a book; the choice is yours. The structure of high school is gone and it will knock you straight off your feet. Those first tests will be brutal, keep your head up. The true test, however, is if you can stand back up. Don't be discouraged. You have the maturity and brightness to do great things, remember that. You will learn more about your abilities and perseverance in four years than you ever imagined.

Even though college is really fulfilling and time taking, making yourself a part of a group or an organization is a need. Getting involved is something only aggies told me once I was already here but I was really overwhelmed with how big the school was and the amount of people there. I didn’t want to get involved in anything because I thought I could always rely on what I had done in high school but reality is people don’t really care what you do in high school yes it might matter when you’re applying to schools but when your applying for scholarships you need actual community work. I wish I would have known the organizations really don’t take up as much time as people say or explain it. Leaders understand when a member can’t attend a meeting because of academic circumstances. Getting involved in college is a need that I wish I would of know walking in because now I have wasted a whole semester with no activity involved with an actual group.

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would have advised myself to learn how I learn. When I left high school, I thought I knew how to study. It turns out, I had been doing it wrong this whole time. Before college, I was never in a position to understand how my brain learned or how to practice the best studying methods for me. I wasn't even aware there were different ways someone could learn. During my freshman year of college, I felt like I was sinking. I had no idea what I was doing wrong and I wondered why the effort I put forth in high school wasn't showing any resuts for me in college. It took me a while to figure out how I learn best, but understanding that has changed how I see solutions to other life obstacles. The idea of understanding different ways to solving a problem is far from unheard of. However, if I could go back and speak with myself as a high school senior, understanding how I learn would have been a huge advantage.

College is your chance to chase the experience that will propel you into a fulfilling and rewarding career. Set goals to do well academically, and keep the bar high. Speak with your professors to learn from their experience and for counseling in work and school. Trust your abilities and pursue success aggressively. Trust your passions and pursue your dreams wholeheartedly. Find a good role model, and don’t be afraid to meet new people. Friends are extremely valuable. Surround yourself with encouragement, avoid those who seek to dishearten you, and never give up. You won’t achieve everything you want on your first try, so you should always think forward and be open to making changes. Meditate on who you are. If you are in touch with yourself and your surroundings, you can bring together the resources to make your dreams come true.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice, I would tell myself many different things. The first thing I would say would be, do not be afraid to get invovled. Do not get too busy and invovled however, so that you are not be able to finish your course work. Remember that the first round of college test grades do not define you and you can do better. Do not ever stop trying, going, and learning. Sometimes professors really do not care, however, that is a rare case. Always be willing to talk through a problem that you have with another person. Be open and inviting to others; be excited to share experiences with people that you may not really know. Forget the highschool drama and embrace the freedom of college and everything that pertains to that. Understand that a grade will not define you; realize, however, that you are in college and that your job is to be a student. Try not to let roommate issues frustrate you; those issues do not matter all that much. Above all, be open to new ideas, friends, and things. College is the best experience thus far.