Texas Lutheran University Top Questions

Hi Max, I wish I could tell you that once you got to college you could relax a little bit, but I can't. Do you remember that hard work and dedication you put into school everyday of high school just so you could reach your goal of a 4.0? You need to continue that. You need to find the motivation to open your book everyday and study. You need to realize that college is harder and sometimes you're going to feel like you can't keep up, that you're not smart enough to keep going, but you are. The first month it's going to seem really hard, but I promise you'll find a routine that eventually makes college life easier. Above all, make friends. Cliche, i know, but there will be times when you feel so overwhelmed and mom and dad aren't around, so you need friends that are more like family to help you get through these temporary rough patches. The best advice I can give is to get up each day and strive to be better than what you were yesterday. You'll make it. I promise. Sincerly, Your future self

Explore the world! Travel! You never know what's out there that you might not be able to live without. Go find it now before you spend years and money on an education or job that doesn't provide what you want from life. Get out there and see everything you can. Also, and possibly most importantly, make sure that whatever you do helps someone. It is far better to give than to receive and if you pursue a life of purely selfish ambition you'll never be truly happy. Remember, life is an ADVENTURE! Live it!

If I could write a letter to myself as a highschool senior, I would have so much to tell myself. It would probably go something like this: Dear Jen,

If I were gven the opportunity to go back in time and give myself advice, my cards would have been played differently. First and foremost, I would have told myself to enjoy the ride. College is meant to be grusome, but through those hardships you can still find happiness. The difficulty of being away from family, learning new and innovative material, and a new social atmosphere can be very overwhelming if you do not have the right attitude. I would adive myself to go into it ready to take on anything and everything with the right attitude. Anything done with the right attitude can and will be lifechanging. I learned most of this after my freshman year of college while I was surving as a missionary for my church in Seoul, Korea. This was lifechanging. Had I known what I know now during my freshman year of college, I think I would have been able to enjoy that journey in my life much more. However, now that I understand how much of a role attitude plays, I will always try to have the best attitude. College is meant to make us grow.

Don't worry so much about what people think of you, because, in the end, it doesn't matter. Do what you love and what you do best, and what you want to do will become clear. Don't let your judgement be clouded by the wants of your friends, teachers, or even parents. Follow your heart and soul-- allow yourself some time to get to know yourself. If you don't know yourself, who else will be able to know you?

Don't be afraid to get out there and enjoy this new phase in your life. Follow your heart and not the will and desires of others around you. Don't be afraid to do something different with your life. Stay true to yourself even when everyone around you disagrees or doesn't understand. Call Mom and Dad everyday and tell them how muchyou love them. Thank them for this wonderful opportunity to grow academically and spiritually. Embrace all that you are faced with and enjoy every moment of it. It goes by way too fast, so take time to slow down and recognized the blessings in your life.

When I was about to go to college the thing I needed to hear most was that I was going to be fine. So if I could go back and talk to my I would say that you can do this.It won't be easy but you will make it and it will all be worth it in the end. I know that does not take up two hundred words but that is all I have and any thing more would just be for show.

Dear Beka: You really think you want to be an anthropology major and go to A&M. Neither is for you. You are meant to be a psychology major at TLU. There are people who care about you there, people who love you and want what's best for you. Break up with your boyfriend, actually, don't ever start dating him. There are so many oppurtunites and he's going to wreck your mentality, you don't need him. You can find people who genuinely care about you and want what's best for you, unlike him. And then there's Bing. He's going to die before your second semester, but always remember that he is a good dog and you proudly wear his paw print on your chest. Also, start watching Doctor Who now. That show is going to help you so much. And please don't forget, you are loved and you're gonna have a wonderfully fantastic time. Love always, Beka.

Hey bro. Start the tough classes now. Save the easy generals until the end. Although you think you want to major in Radiology, you'll end up changing your mind to Electrical Engineering because Radiology takes 10+ years of schooling. Then, you'll change your major again to Civil Engineering because you don't want to deal with the electromagnetic world due to its intense complexity. Also, save up as much money as you can, even though you can't attain a job because of the ailing economy. Apply for a plethora of scholarships, because if you don't, you'll regret it when you see the price of tuition. Also, try to enjoy your last week of high school, as you will miss your friends and teachers. Don't worry though; you will get over it once you start college! College brings freedom of choice and endless possibilities. It feels great to be treated as an equal, and not as an inferior. High school is nice, but college is so much better. I will leave you with on last thing. Network, network, network! The more people you know, the more options you have for your future career et cetera.

I would advise myself to not worry about the future and have fun and make good decisions based on what I had in front of me. I would say to enjoy every moment cause it goes by very fast and you're going to want more of those moments. Be happy with what you've recieved in life and make the best of it, cause there is aways light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy life, your family, friends and yourself.

If I knew what I know now, I would have made many changes. After I graduated I attended a 2 year community college and received my associate of arts in elementary education. I then went to a 4 year school in San Antonio for only one semester. I was very unpleased with the school and didnt like the big atmosphere. Recently I switched to my newest school in Seguin which is a 4 year school. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student I would have done things a different way. If I knew my last school I attended was the going to be my favorite pick, I would have gone there straight away. I originally wanted to but the cost of tuition scared me away I think. It wouldve been more difficult for me to go straight into a 4 year school but I think it would've been a smarter choice. If I had done then I would be more on track and would be about to graduate and possibly already graduated. Once things are done you cant go back and change them, but you can keep moving forward.

I would advise myself to study more often and more effectively. I breezed through high school without studying and now that lack of experience is holding me back in college. College is a different story and I know I have to study to be succesful, but it's hard to change what I've done throughout all my schooling so far. I see kids spending hours studying and I think to myself "I could be way better than my 3.65 GPA if I studied like that." I'm so thankful for being blessed with the knowledge that I have but I've learned that there are so many smart people out there, and what separates the succesful people apart is hard work. If I could just give my high school self a preview of some of my college workloads then I know that would be all the convincing he needs to change his poor study habits. Too late for time travel, so I'll have to work on changing my college self rather than my high school self.

I have learned a lot through my journey in becoming an adult and learning the many obstacles you face as you are trying to get a good education. Trying to find many scholarships and grants before each semester starts can be very stressful and difficult. The main advice I would give myself if I could go back as a high school student would be to start looking into different scholarships and grants early. Coming to my university I attend I found out you have to be very independent and learn how to use your time. So I would also tell myself to become independent because my parents can not be by my side while away from home and I would also learn ahead of time to plan out my day when it came to my studies. There are many things I would tell myself if I could back then but now I have learned and plan to strive for my goals and keep looking for scholarships along the way.

I would tell myself not to rush things too fast with new friends. Slowly ease into your college life rather than trying to completely jump into it and leave everybody from your past behind. Many people get so wrapped up in their new college life that they feel like that is their entire world and they change themselves based upon that. For example, they stop talking and responding to people from high school because they think their new college friends are better or more cool than those from their past. Most of those changes are not for the better, although some may be beneficial. Your friends from high school have probably known you a long time and will be there for you when you need them. When you first meet new friends in college they are not always going to act like that so if you cut off all of your old friends to accomodate the new ones then it could be detrimental to all of your relationships by the end of your college career. Like the song says "make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self that even though it may seem like a ridiculously difficult task to go to college and to succeed in college, it can be done. I would tell myself, your perspective is important and is needed in the academic environment. The hardest part is getting started. Just get started and don't give up on yourself, even if you think everyone else has. Then take it one quarter at a time, or one assignment at a time and don't be afraid to talk to your teachers and be honest with them. They can tell from a mile away when a student isn't prepared, so be honest and tell them if you're struggling with an assignment and they will help you as best as they can. They won't do the work for you, but they will help you get to the answer.

Figuring out the balance between your academic and social life is crucial. You don't want to tire yourself out with studying or completing homework. What's best is taking the time to relax in between so that you can turn in the best work possible.

Well, kid, it's about time for you to be off. The big change is coming. College, the world of freedom! I know you aren't all that excited about it right now, but trust me, it's goiing to be a great experience...most of the time. Alright, sometimes it's going to be emotionally painful at times, but it turns out for the better. You're going to meet some incredible people that will support you in your worst times and congradulate you in your best. Be ready for work; it gets tougher from here on in. Expect longer papers, intense philosphical discussions that will challenge your faith and perceptions of reality. Do not slack off. Ever. You have no idea how trouble you will get yourself in if you do. Also, limit how much time you spend on the internet. Just because you can spend all day online does not mean you have to. In fact, you shouldn't. Go out and play, heaven's sake! Excercise a bit. Ride your bike. Join the ultimate frisbee group, they seem like a fun group. But above all, don't be afraid. You've got God on your side.

If I could go back to high school and inform myself about what college is going to be like I would tell myself to not worry about anything. College is an amazing place to be and you will enjoy it.

I will advise all high school seniors to go an visit the school they plan to attend in the fall. Talk to the students at the school but not just the tour guides. I would advise seniors to have an idea of the major they wish to pursue and take courses that head you in that direction. There is nothing wrong with taking a variety of courses your freshman year but do not wait to long to declare a major unless you plan on spending an extra semester or year in school getting on track for you degree plan. Campus life is all of what you make it. There are plenty of things to do in college besides studying and going to class. Go to college with an open mind, especially in your freshman year, because that will be the year you learn the most about yourself. Learning from mistakes and experiences will be the best way to experience college just remember your sololy respsonible for your actions. Lastly, with technology advances your never to far from family if you get home sick. Make your room just like home, be yourself and just live a respsonible life; college is fun.

Look for a school that will be small enough to address your academic needs and yet large enough to provide you with a diverse college community. Study hard and don't slack off but don't overwhelm yourself with school only. Try and find a balance between classes and a social life so that you won't burn out early and will still have a network of friends to get you through the years. Do take advantage of all the opportunities available for tutoring, volunteer events and committees, and other organizations that interest you. Don't be afraid to try new things or go outside of your bubbly; you'll be surprised at how many amazing things and people will become a part of your world when you just open yourself up to new experiences. Get to know the faculy well because they're there to help you even if its outside of their posted hours. the more interest you show in expanding your knowledge, the more they will help you.