Texas Christian University Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself what a financial responsibility college is, especially going to a private university. I did not slack off in high school but if I had of done better academically and done more research I would have had more scholarships available to me. I would not change where I decided to go to college because it is the best decision I have ever made. Not every student finds the college they truly love, and I am exremely lucky to look forward to going to school every day. However, paying for school as an independent frightens me. I wish I had of taken more initiative as a high school student to prepare myself for the amount of money college would empty out of my wallet and I should have wrapped my mind around paying off loans for the next few decades.

I would definitely advise myself to take dual credit classes NOT AP classes. If you take dual credit classes you automatically get college credit if you pass the class. With AP classes you must make a certain score on the AP test in order to get college credit. I took AP classes and came in with hardly any hours already taken care of. I changed majors, and already having credit for some of the core classes coming into college really would have helped me. Since I only had like one English credit coming in, I will be in school a 5th year simply because I had a year's worth of core classes to get out of the way.

With the knowledge I now possess with a semester of college under my belt, I would advise my former self of the time commitment that college requires, and the work load involved. As a high school senior, school came relatively easy for me. The information that would have been most useful to me as a high school senior would have been a warning that college would require hours in the library and advanced preparation for each and every class. If I could go back to mentor my high school self, I would make myself aware of the time investment ahead. Also, I would tell this naive version of myself about the importance of networking and getting to know many people, from peers to professors to other people in administration. College life puts a significant focus on communicating with others and making connections, relevant both now as well as in the future.

TCU?s core values are clearly established; my past experiences reflect the same values, from academic achievements to community service. I was committed to organizations that I represent, and I have held many responsible leadership positions in organizations such as community theatre, charity league, and church choir. I have played small roles, such as taking pictures, and large roles like planning community service projects. I have traveled a lot , and I believed I have a broad perspective that would be particularly beneficial. I?m organized and a good problem solver. I enjoy learning new things and meeting new people. I teach a musical theatre and tap class to kids. I learn a lot from them, and I have learned how to communicate better. If the kids cannot understand me, I must figure out a different approach. I?m very patient, and I have become a good listener. I?m there if someone needs to talk, and I try to help them in any way I can. Looking at all of these traits I wish I had applied them earlier in my college career. I would have also got out o my box way sooner.

A societal issue that is of significant personal importance to me and that you must be sure to avoid is the uncontrollable need to conform to the stereotypical assumptions with which you are identified. Although some conformity is a necessity in order to preserve unity, diversity should abound in order to provide a segue that allows individuals to break free from the stereotypes that they have been subjected to throughout their lives so that they can become successful in society. Society incessantly suggests that individuals should enter into a constant struggle of conforming to the expectations that society imposes on them. This decision to concede to the perception of society is detrimental to an individual?s integrity and demonstrates a nature that is treacherous and self-rejecting. Being the editor-in-chief of the high school newspaper, diversity is important so that the ideas and talents of different individuals can be acknowledged, represented, and expressed. Each member is encouraged to embrace their unique strengths and operate to their full potential, so that the possibilities are not left undiscovered but are utilized to their full extent.

Knowing what I know about college, I would tell myself not to panic. When I got to TCU, I drew into myself. I was in a different place, away from all the people and things that I knew, and I didn't know what to do. I would tell myself to not be afraid of speaking to people in classes, of hanging with the people I met at Freshman Camp. I would tel myself to not worry about everything, about doing well in class, making friends, meeting people, being away from home, because everything turned out alright in the end.

Keep true to yourself. It's probably the most important thing I have learned in college. There are so many pressures to be different, to give into things and people you know you shouldn't. Trust your gut, rely heavily on your morals. The only way to find true happiness is to be yourself, believe what you feel is right, good and cherishable. No one should make you feel less. You will experience things you have never before had to deal with, so prepare yourself. Set your boundaries, set goals for which you hope to obtain in college. Get involved in as much as you can. This is where you find quality people and quality relationships. Become involved in student governement, in social activities, in advertising and public relations groups. Do as much as you can without getting overwhelmed. Study when you have free time, not the day before the exam. But most of all be who you are. You are one of a kind. Why not act like it?

Were I able to give myself advice as a high school senior, I would encourage participation in various clubs or organizations. I would tell myself that joining a sorority would be greatly beneficial to me, as I would learn more respect for tradition, make lifelong friends, and participate in inspiring philanthropies and community service. These things would make me feel like I had made a difference, no matter how small the impact might be. Study, study, study, I would say. Never having to study before coming to TCU, learning to study - and study effectively! - was more difficult than I imagined. Also, I would encourage to be more outgoing! I came to TCU knowing not a soul, but joining the Sigma Kappa sorority and spending a lot of time with my roommate has increased my social side. With this advice, I surely would not have been so hesitant and introverted as the beginning of the year. I am much happier now that I have had this experience!

Don't sweat the small stuff. As cliche as that phrase is, when selecting and preparing for college it rings true. There are thousands of colleges in the US and beyond, and you would probably love and excel in a large number of them, so visit campuses that sound like a good fit. Don't choose a school based on the prestige of a name- choose your school for you. What feels right? Where do you see people you could imagine being friends with? College is a great time in your life so pursue what you're interested in and don't be afraid to major in something that is deemed "unmarketable" as a career- you'll do what you love and it will enable you to find a career you love. Don't be afraid to be unique and to get your voice heard and make sure you are inspired every day by what you do.

As a high school senior, I thought the major concern was getting a high score on the SATs and maintaining a high GPA, which are all important but it wasn't really a big advantage coming into college. If I could do it over, I would tell myself to take advantage of the summer courses offered at a community college so that I could transfer additional credits over. I never thought of summer courses as being an advantage and getting an early jump start into the semester, I was just concerned with school events and filling out college and scholarship applications. Because being on a scholarship at a university is not something that should be taken for granted, long study hours and numerous requirements takes a lot of time management and determination to make it through the first semester, all things I didn't practice as a senior in high school. I would tell myself to really consider taking those summer courses, even if it meant that I would be losing my only months of freedom.