Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

Even though it was only last year that you were still in high school it has felt like forever. You have matured and gone through many experiences such as being in a sorority and having to deal with time management issues that you did not expect. I would advise that you sever your ties with other kids from your high school when you get to college because there are so many new people to meet and please just be yourself because that is what you messed up the most! Call your mom and dad more than I did (at least twice a week), and do not decide that the group of people you start out with at the beginning of the semester will be the group you finish with. Also, keep studying until you get where to your goal because that is what you should do. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do something because they are not brave enough to do it themselves. Really, just trust your instincts because you were raised to be independent and do not do anything your parents would not let you do and you will be fine.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to never stop trying as hard as possible in school, socially, faith, and sports because the possibilities are endless in college. In high school, I thought I was a good student who was focused and had the drive to excel at Texas A&M University. However, coming to Texas A&M as a freshmnan, I started making the same mistakes that many college students make, such as drinking, procrastinating, and slacking in my classes. My last two years of college, my priorities began to evolve and I started to focus more on school. So many doors have opened up for me. Now that I am excelling at Texas A&M University, I have had many opportunities to attend graduate school, become a youth leader at my church, become a camp counselor for a freshman orientation program, and to work for the athletic department's laboratory. I hope to use my knowledge and experience to help guide incoming freshman in the right path of having the best college experience and to utilize every gift and talent they have with endless opportunities.

For myself, the transition of going from high school to college was quite overwhelming. I went from being a senior on top of the world and about to graduate into a nervous and uncertain freshman in an unfamiliar place that I knew little about. If given the chance to go back in time and give advice to myself as a senior, I wouldn't even know where to begin. I think the first thing I would tell myself, would be to relax and calm down-that everything would turn out just fine. The very next advice I would give would be all about the dangers of procrastination. I would stress how applications won't fill themselves out and turn themselves in, and if I did wait too long, I would miss my chance. I would tell myself to learn how to manage my time better and appreciate any free time I get; I would tell myself to be prepared for a much larger workload than I was used too; and I would tell myself to quickly learn about the wonders of microwaves and Ramen noodles and to get used to sharing a bathroom with three other girls.

Enjoy the time that you have now with your family, friends, and other people who you have grown up with over these past four years. Soon you will find yourself in a whole new situation, away from the undying support and love that is provided under your parent's household. You will no longer be able to play and go out with your childhood best friends everyday, make sure you spend your time wisely and cherish every moment you have with them. Make sure your parents know that you love them and that you truly appreciate everything they have done for you to make you successful. Know the importance of money for college, to avoid always struggling for strap cash during college, just to buy overpriced textbooks. Continue to read everyday! Study habits cannot be broken due to senioritis, because they are vital in college. Stay ahead of the game in everything you do and make sure to make deadlines way before they are approaching. Do not take sports for granted either, most student athletes will never play again after high school and it will be missed dearly. Enjoy your days of freedom, but do not forget to manage time.

The main theme to advise myself would be to live on the things I only need and not want. I would tell myself to make a budget for all college expenses and miscellaneous items. I would live off campus to save more money from oncampus costs, but close enough to ride my bike to campus; this way I do not need to purchase a parking pass. My budget would also include conservative spending on foods; this may include reducing the amount of times I spend on "eating out". As for the rest of my college life, I would join any kind of group or organization. As important as it is to take time for studying and listen to class lectures, it is just as important to make friends and offer my own time of service. College is not just about making the "grade", but educating yourself for the "real world". This includes making an impact to your society and market niche. By being a part of an organization, you allow yourself opportunity to build a social network of friends and colleagues as well as offering your skills and professionalism for service. College is your place to make a better world.

Looking back on my high school days, I am filled with memories of friends, cheering at football games, and the first grade class that I was a teacher's aide for my senior year. If I could go back I would remind myself to cherish these times I had in high school. As a senior I had no idea how hard college life would be, or how much studying I would have to do. With the experience I now have I would remind my senior-self the importance of not only listening in class, but also truly learning the information being taught. I would also explain to my senior-self that just because I was making good grades in high school did not mean that I was fully prepared for college. Therefore, I would explain how important continuous hard work, determination, and faith would become in college. I would challenge myself to take advantage of the helpful teachers and people I had around me in high school. These teachers truly wanted their students to learn and succeed. Furthermore, I would tell myself to invest more time with my family. They are the ones who support you through everything.

I definitely would take as many AP and dual credit classes as you can in high school and try to do your very best in them, because as hard as that class may seem, it will most likely be much harder in college. Getting credit for college helps in other ways as well. For example, it may help your class registration date get bumped up to an earlier date, allowing you to get the classes you want at the times you want. It will also allow for you to take more classes that you are actually interested in, rather than spending all of you time doing core classes. Finally, apply for as many scholarships as you can.

So much pressure is placed on the high school student to choose the right career and college. While everyone has regrets, looking back at my high school years, I wish I would have done a few things differently. I made a romantic, less than practical choice at eighteen towards a career in art. Thirteen years later, I realized that very few people are able to earn a respectable living as an artist and while the concept of the starving artist may sound romantic to some, it is not ideal when you have a mortgage to pay and a family to support. I found that high school improperly prepared me for the rigors of college demands. While brains alone may get many students by in high school, college demands a good work ethic, study habits, and organizational skills. Unfortunately, I did not learn these skills in high school or during my first try at college, but until I spent an ample amount of time working, raising a family, and running a household. Looking back now, I would advise myself to take workshops on building study skills and to choose a career in nursing- that I could always return and study art.

Challege yourself your senior year. Take as many AP classes as possile. Prepare yourself for the SAT or ACT tests. Get involved in a few school organizations. Volunteer in your church. During the summer, go on a mission trip through your church.

Strange to be giving you, me, advice but you could use some. College is not as scary as you might think, you'll be fine. Really do your best in all your classes now, even though some of them may seem miniscule. It all helps. The AP classes you've taken and are taking will help out emensely. Enjoy your last year here, and don't worry you'll make new friends. Send out as many job applications as you can even if you have to repeat certain stores a job will definately help you save for college, don't worry if the first 20 don't have any call backs. Also look for scholarship applications early in your free time. Remember while your on campus to go to bed on time! Don't make excuses, just do it. Keep studying the way you have been and you will do fine.