Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

Don't be scared of changing as a person. Looking back on myself as a high school senior only two months into college, I can already identify myself as a whole new person, and sometimes it can be stressful to think you are losing sight of yourself. Although changing is scary, it brings out a new part of you that has never been experienced and don't just accept it, embrace it. Tha balance of old and new can be difficult, but time heals all things, and remember that there is support all around if you look for it. The best thing college does is open your eyes to new opportunities, so sieze them all. No one knows who you used to be, so keep the parts of your life that have made the best of you, and trash the old things that are holding you back; you can live up to your highest potential if you are willing to let go and see how things happen. And the last part of change is time; don't think that there isn't enough time to do what you love. You have all the time in the world.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself to learn how to study properly. In high school, school came pretty easily to me, it never took a lot of real hard effort. When I came to college, my first set of exams were quite a shock, and it made me realize that in college you really have to stay on top of your reading and studying, or you'll find yourself in some trouble. Not only would I tell myself to learn to study, I'd tell myself to enjoy being young and stress free as long as possible, and not worry so much about having a job, but worry about having fun and being bill free. In high school, I was a work-aholic, because I owed my parents some money, and I wanted to pay them back as soon as I could. Once they were paid back, I loved working so much that I just kept working. I didn't have free weekends because of work, and although I loved it, I could have been making memories with my friends.

I would definitely tell myself that college is a very different atmosphere and to be persistent no matter what. One thing that was a hindrance for me was settling into the college life; coming from a predominately African American and Hispanic high school and transitioning to "Aggieland" was definitely a culture shock. I would tell myself to be as open to the change as I ask of others and embrace it so I can focus more on academia than those close minded ones that unfortunately had a good bit of my attention for a large period of times.

This past March, I skipped a college class for the first time. I decided to drive to Houston to visit with an out-of-state cousin in town for the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship. We planned to meet for dinner and afterward I would return home while she went to the game. Unexpectedly however, a generous stranger gave me a free ticket to the game just because I engaged in small talk with her at the restaurant. While I supported neither team and had a test the next day, I experienced an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.My advice to my high school self is to calm down. The above story would have never happened in high school because I was too anxious and worried about the future to enjoy the present. I stressed about my schoolwork so much that I neglected to have a social life and spend time with family. Now that I am in college I understand the importance of balancing school and social activities and family. A person's education will stay with them forever, but time spent with friends and family is precious.

Dear Jessica, this is you, from the future. When you are asked to go to volunteering with friends, search for something that you really enjoy and stick with it. Serving the community will be more rewarding when you actually enjoy it. Next year in college, you will start volunteering with children at an elementary school and their smiles will light up your darkest days. When your friends ask you to go hang out the night before your AP tests, do not go! You know you have studied enough, so you know that I am not telling you to cram (we both know that never worked anyway). I am telling you that because you did not get enough sleep the night before, you were not at your best. Sleep is just as important as preparation. Also, when you wake up late for that test and have to rush to school, you will be stressed which does not help you out on the test. Keeping stress levels down is very important. Take up yoga. You will your freshman year of college and you will absolutely love it. Relax, sleep, destress, and eat. Good Luck, future You.

Decide what you want to do as soon as you can and make sure it is what you are passionate about. Do not choose a school or major because it is what your parents think is best for you, choose what will make you happy. Push hard through the last three months of high school, or else you will regret it in the future. Apply for scholarships early starting your Junior year of highschool, and try to avoid student loans. Out of state tuition is expensive, so be prepared to have loans for many years following graduation. The friends you make freshman year of college you will know for the rest of your college carrer so be outgoing and choose carefully. Study a lot, but enjoy the time you have at a university because there will never be another time where you can explore and experiment with little concequences. Most importantly do not forget your family when you move away, yes they're annoying but it's only because they love you.

Sweet Melanie, Your next year is going to be remarkable. You meet the most amazing friends, learn to love, and learn to study. But there are several things you need to know. 1)Meet your neighbors. You’ll avoid awkward hallway interactions the whole year and it won’t be weird when your shower dribbles goo for a week and you ask your neighbor if you can borrow their’s. 2)Don’t buy that $400 bike…it will get stolen. Don’t buy that $60 bike…it will rust in a week. 3)The Freshman Fifteen: It. Is. Real. Stay away from the cafeteria chocolate chip cookies, pepperoni and pineapple pizzas, double hamburgers, crispy fried chicken, red velvet cakes, butter pecan ice creams, spinach and artichoke casseroles, spinach fettuccini, and egg rolls. Focus on the salad line and STOP avoiding the gym…its not as terrifying as it seems. 4)Finally, enjoy the year. It will fly by. Don’t focus too much on school or organizations or family or boys, don’t get caught up in the details. Be flexible and have fun. I love you. You’re going to do great.

Calm down. Don't panic about leaving, or being away from home. Every other college freshman in the history of college has done it, and they keep doing it- so you really shouldn't think it's so bad. Don't worry about your roommate, or your classmates, or your professors, or how to make friends. It will all work itself out, and you will be stressed over nothing.

You can't just sleep through all of your classes and hope to do well in them. Make sure to go to all of your classes and actually listen, don't take your laptop because its too distracting. Make sure to take time to study and do all of your school work, including extra credit and all extra work, before spending nights on the town. Good job joining A&M bonfire, best decision of your life!

If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I would have to study and work harder than I ever have before. In high school, I was the type of student who did not have to put that much effort to succeed academically. However, in college I realized how much work and effort would be required for me to make the caliber of grades I made in high school. I would also tell myself that once I did find the study habits that worked for me, I would realize that I could be a successful college student. Not only would I have to study more than I ever had, I would also tell myself not to be intimidated by the college work load. Although it is very challenging, it is still doable. As for things to look forward to, I would tell myself I am going to have a blast at Texas A&M and could not see myself at any other place.