Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself some advice. I would tell the 2009 edition of me to relax, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Making the transition to college is one of the most exciting, and sometimes one of the most stressful, times in every student’s life. I was so busy worrying about deciding what school I was going to go to, how much it was going to cost, and not to mention the fact of whether or not I was even going to get accepted. Two years later, it’s all starting to work out. I’ve recently been accepted to the school I’ve always dreamed of attending and will be transferring there this fall. Because of my ACT score and grades I’ve already received a small scholarship from my school that will definitely help, but there is still a lot to go before everything is paid for. But yet I’m more excited for school than I have ever been. I wish I could tell my former self that everything would work out. I can hardly wait for school to start!

I would definitely let myself know to not stress it too much. I mean, you honestly have no way of knowing what you're getting into until you're there, but you can just anticipate a new pace of life and know that you'll rise to the occassion. It's ok to not know what major you want. Odds are the first one won't be what you anticipate anyway, and you can spend some valuable time looking into other interests, eventually leading to one that you'll stick with. Also be looking for other growth opportunities. It's your first year of college! Have fun! Get to know people, work hard from the start so you don't have to pick up slack later. Things won't necessarily go as planned, but if you stay on top of it, you'll find your niche and your friends and even new passions that you can carry with you for the rest of your life. College is fun. It's tough. You don't have your family or the friends your used to, but there is a new life waiting for you and it's more than you could anticipate.

"Don't eat the school cookies!" This may sound weird, but boy is it true. As I have made it through my first year at community school, studying Exercise Science, I have found that I am extremely crunched for time. With that I have found minimum time for exercise and meal planning. Although I still keep up with it, I realize now that if I would have learned healthy lifestyle habits in high school this process would be much less stressful! I lost about 30 pounds once graduating high school and I have learned so much during this time. However, since I was "commited" to unhealthy habits in high school it is so easy to be tempted to fall back into those now. One amazing thing that I have taken away with this work, besides a smaller size, is the ever-growing interest I have discovered in it. It has truly led me to what I want to do in life and it is so exciting! Now in class and I am amazed by the fascinating health facts I am learning, and one things for sure, I wasnt thinking that back in high school.

The most important thing I would tell my high school self would be to stop worrying about the future. Everything will work out. Life will be full of unknowns and no one in the real world can predict their future; the adventure of figuring it out is worth the suspense though. Keep working hard, regardless of the fun things you're missing, because it will open so many doors for you later. Don't sweat the small mistakes. You’re not perfect and you’ll mess up, but the lessons you learn will help you later on in ways you can’t see right now. Learn how to wash clothes and start to appreciate your mom’s cooking; you're going to miss it. Enjoy the time you have left with your high school friends but don't waste it feeling sad about leaving them. Make memories now and know that if their friendship is important enough, it will last. Learn how to manage your time now and balance a healthy life with your social, academic, and spiritual life. All those aspects are important so don't focus on one and leave out another. Lastly, keep smiling no matter what.

Don't stress so much! College is a time to grow and excell academically, but also socially and spirtitually. College is very different from high school when it comes to studying. In high school, you can get by with studying the night before. In college, studying a little every week is definitely the way to go. The college experience is what you make of it. Preparing early for tests allows you to throw in a couple relaxing nights with friends. It allows wiggle room in your schedule if an emergency comes up. If you do your school work first and do it ahead of time, you will be left with plenty of time to volunteer, work and have time with friends. College isn't the nightmare studying or the crazy partying that is shown on tv. College is about being yourself, excelling in what you can, and realizing that you can't do everything in one night. Don't over commit to too many friends, groups or classes!

If I went back in time and talked to myself I would tell myself that their is plenty of time for a serious relationship later in life. Right now I need to focus on my education and what field I would like to work in. I need to take this more serious because in order to have a great life and not have to struggle for the things that I need and want to need to continue my education. I would tell myself that while everyone else is out there at the parties having a good time, it would be smarter to stay at home and concentrate on my studies. The sooner that I can enroll in college and take courses towards my degree the quicker I will be finished and I can then go out and really enjoy life without worrying about how the bills will get paid. I would tell myself that in order to have that house I have always wanted and take care of my children I would have one day I would need to have a secure job. One that would pay for the things we all need. Stay around positive people and influences.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to take as many AP and dual credit courses as I could, because they only get harder in college. I would also do better my Freshman year, which is what really hurt by GPA, because I did not take any pre-AP classes. I would also tell myself to live up every minute because you can never go back. College is a whole new experience, and while I love every second of it, I miss my close high school friends and playing Volleyball. All in all though, I would tell myself that I did great and that in the future, I was proud of everything I accomplished because it got me to where I am today.

Make the most of your time, it goes by so fast GET INVOLVED- you will meet your best friends in college Study but don't forget to have fun- you will remember those times the most Call home every so often Meet your professors Don't get a dog

In high school, I got all of the typical advice from my counselors and teachers. "Watch out for that freshman fifteen!" or "Don't procrastinate!"... these were typical. How could I forget the last piece of advice from my parents: "have fun... but not TOO much fun." I didn't need to be reminded of these things. Most of them also applied to high school. What people didn't tell me was that I should definitely invest in a bike. It comes in handy, and cuts travel time in half. Nobody told me that College Station, Texas has a rainy season. I would tell myself to buy some rainboots and ALWAYS carry an umbrella in my backpack. Nobody told me that sometimes refridgerators in dorm rooms go out, so you should always be friends with your neighbor just in case you need to store your perishables in their fridge! Nobody told me that finals week is literally the most stressful week. Ever. I would tell myself to take pictures of every moment and always make an effort to befriend that stranger. I would tell myself to calm down, because no matter how hard it may seem, you can do it.

Senior year of high school was a time filled with stress, lack of sleep, and anticipation of what was to come. Now I have entered into the college world, a world of hard work and fun experiences. As I look back I ask myself was all that worrying worth my time, could I have utilized my last year in high school any better? If I could speak to myself then, knowing what I know now, what would I say? I would tell myself don’t worry about the details of how everything is going to work out, it will all work out in the end. I would tell myself keep working hard, because hard work is what is going to get you through, not just high school and college, but through life. Sleep more, dream bigger, and know that what ever is coming your way was made for you to handle. Looking back today I would say to myself of the past “ take a deep breath, just keep moving, I believe it all works out in the end.”