The Evergreen State College Top Questions

That college is very important.I would make sur i went back to college sooner and not goofed off , that way i had a carrer sooner. I would have had a chance to support my family better.

Dear Student, When I started college, I thought I would pursue environmental sciences because my parents encouraged it and I thought there were jobs in that industry. A year later, I found myself prusing visual arts. Ten years later, pursuing creative writing. No matter how hard you work against the grain of your soul, for career or financial promise, your spirit will succeed. Listen to what your heart and gut want to be, then give that part of yourself a chance to grow while you are young and have time to think, reflect and process. This is your time to experiment and fall in love, only then will you find the key to your real education.

I would tell my senior self to take the college search more seriously and apply to a variety of different schools, as well as to numerous scholarships. Although college application time is stressful, one needs to really think about the choices they have instead of diving into one on a whim, realizing that they will most likely be spending the next 4 years there.

Take a foreign language and put a lot of time and effort into it. Take chemistry and mathematics. Try to excell in your writing. Hold a vision in your head of life after high school. Other than what you learn in class, the world of high school has very little to do with college life. Cliques and popularity contests might seem important in high school but they will avail you nothing in college. Spend some time at home learning to make three or four healthy meals because the food situation at most colleges will cause you to gain weight. If you have a musical instrument, practice it in your free time. Musical gatherings are a popular social activity in college. Do what you need to to get through the high school situation but remember there is a lot of life to be lived after high school and it is ok to look ahead and prepare.

There is a whole big, wide world out there beyond school. Get involved in it and it will in turn help you appreciate and apply the things you are learning in school. Don't limit yourself to doing what you think you're "supposed" to be doing. The friends and relatives who want to go to the most prestigious, expensive college you can get into do care about you, but you get to decide for yourself. You already know there are more important things than prestige and competition; you just have to follow your gut feeling and put your principles into practice. Get out there and do what you want to be doing, what you're passionate about doing, and the rest will follow. Challenge yourself to make commitments and to follow through with them. Go get that journalism internship you've always been talking about, and use it to learn about the issues in your community and in the South America you so love.

I would tell myself that it's important to remember that it doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do with your life yet, many people don't, and that's part of what college is all about -to learn about yourself and see what you really want in life. Once you do figure it out, it's ok if it takes you longer than other people to complete all your studies, or if you don't succeed in the first place, that it's not uncommon to have to repeat classes. You'll stumble and fall many times over the course of you college career, both academically and socially. you'll learn to pick yourself up, see why what happened happened the way it did, and choose an alternate path that will lead in the same direction -or a completely new one. You'll learn from your successes and mistakes, making you a better person and molding you into the person you truely are.

Gird thy loins and steel thy will, for the world wants to eat you.

The first few months of college life can be exceptionally difficult, know that everyone is going through the same confusion, mental anguish, homesickness, and stress that you are -- even if they don't show it. It is easy during these first few months, often known as "the Red Zone" to be despearte for social connections and thus make poor decisions that you generally would not (with drugs, sex, relationships, etc..), keep that in mind. Work hard, professors see it and appreciate it, and they will consequently open doors for you that you would not see otherwise. Get on you're financial aid early -- even if you don't think you need it, never hurts. Life only gets better after High School, be excited. Stay in shape during the rough transition periods, running and eating well are the best counter to depression. Study abroad is the best thing you can do for yourself, travel, travel, and travel. Joing sports teams or clubs of any sort, its a good way to build substantial relationships that aren't centered around smoking weed or drinking (not just at Evergreen, anywhere). Keep an open mind.

Wow... what would I tell myself?! I think most importantly I would tell myself not to worry, and that college and life are going to turn out better than you ever expected! I would stress the importance of not trying to fit in and be someone you know you aren't, because the people you will meet down the road are going to be true friends and definitely worth the wait. You really need to relax a little and realize that, although you're a smart and academically talented individual, your GPA and getting into the most academically competative, private college available, isn't the world. Take the time to appreciate the little things, and don't take the experiences that life (and those presented through Evergreen) throws your way for granted. Be open and accepting of change. Be passionate about school and your future... don't take the easy way out. Realize that your future salery isn't everything, and shouldn't determine your academic choices. Don't stress about not coming in with a declared major, IT WILL CHANGE! Keep up the good work, staying academically focused and determined WILL pay off :)

To not give up, seek help and to ask question when you are not sure. It does not mean you are inadequate, but you are preparing yourself for what is to come for what lies ahead of you in your career also education. We are here to support one another so we can make the right decision for our generation to come not just for ourselves. We are starting and setting a solid foundation for our generation to come after us therefore we need to be educated in the right manner so, we can be able to stand. Speak out for what is right because you may be the only voice a person hears. Never be afraid. It only takes one person to make a change but in order to do so, we must do our research, provide facts for the information we are presenting and stand accountable. Be open minded to the information you are receiving and learn how to use the feedback you are being given for the person who is educating you only wants you to succeed. Remember to continue to press toward the mark of success and we are all winners .