The Master’s University and Seminary Top Questions

If I could go back to my high school self, I would simply tell myself to really take advantage of the study skills that the administrative staff was trying to teach us throughout all of high school. The reason why is because they really came in handy last semester and helped me to get the grades that I got and I will continue to use them.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would have a few tips for the college life. First of all, I would advise my younger self to ask more questions my freshman year. People do not expect newbies to know everything- they are just waiting to help. Asking librarians for help on papers, financial aid counselors for scholarship direction, teachers for study help, even upper classmen for college street smarts-- these people can help you keep from making stupid mistakes. I also would tell myself to not worry so much about being cool and popular at college. The truth is- college is so different from high school. Everyone has friends at college regardless of how cool you were in high school. I would also tell myself that teachers are not your enemies. They genuinely want students to succeed. Lastly, I would tell myself to not freak out about the load of work. It seems scary at first when you get your syllabus or realize you have three papers due the same weekend-- but it always gets done, and if you take it one day at a time, everything will turn out okay.

Great job on taking electives at comunity college. You'll spend a lot less money in the long run!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to enjoy life! Make the most of every opportunity! Learn all you can! Experience many things! When I was in high school, I was so caught up in getting good grades and the future of college that I forgot what life was all about. My freshman year in college was resultingly very stressful as I continued to try as hard as possible to do perfectly at everything. I wish that I would have realized that while yes, it is important to work extremely hard, it is also crucial that I take advantage of all of the opportunities I have in this stage of my life. I need to get to know wise and experienced professors, to meet new people with their different thoughts and ideas, to travel as much as possible to different culutres, and to try and have an impact on the community around me. In the end, those elements make up the most important aspects of life and those experiences are as equally important to my college education as all the time spent in class and in the library.

Be flexible. The future is uncertain. And while you do need to be certain about what you choose to do, it's okay to take your time and think about what that it is. It's okay to think about what you want to major or minor in. Take different classes, but don't be scared of the work load; if you persevere and do your best, you will succeed. So be faithful. Be open to different ideas about life, learning and what you want to do. You may change your mind, even after a year or two of classes. I certainly did. So stay flexible and teachable. Learn all you can now. Be open to new opportunities, jobs and ideas. Don't be shy! You never know when you'll learn something that will prove beneficial in the future. It may even be that one thing you may have thought was somewhat pointless to learn. There is a point to everything even if you don't see it now. So learn, serve, be humble, be teachable, be flexible. You won't regret it. And don't forget to be friendly and smile to all!

I think that I would tell myself to try harder. That is the biggest lesson I have learned in college thus far and I wish someone would have told me that before I started college. I thought my high school prepared me well for college, but it was no match for the rigorous classes here. I also would tell myself to manage my time. It was the first time I was away from home with no mom or dad to tell me when I could go hang out and when I had to stay home to finish a big project. That is another big lesson that I had to learn the hard way in college... I had to fail at something before I succeded at it. Knowing these things NOW, I have done better with trying harder and managing my time but it would have been so helpful if someone had told me these things and given me tips about how to accomplish them.

I would say: "make the most of relationship opportunities at college. I had chances to get to know more people in very close ways and I didn't always pursue those.

College life... is just as hard as you thought it would be accademically. Life-wise, it's going to be a million times harder. Just stay focused, stay calm, and think through things thoroughly before you act. Make sure you really want to do something before you jump headfirst into it. As long as you keep to that, you'll do just fine. Just remember: you'll make it through, no matter how rough things get. It's not a matter of making it through. It's a matter of how you want to have acted at the end of it all.

Soak up these last moments of childhood, spend time with your family - never, ever take them for granted. But face the reality you are becoming an adult - it is exciting, but unless you shoulder the responsibility with opportunity, it is wasted. Go to class. Appreciate professors. Love to learn. Never take learning lightly. Dream enormous dreams, but unless you work hard, they'll never come true. All that said, college community will shape you as much as academics. Find great friends, spend time with them - study with them! When you're tempted to make a choice you know is wrong, get out right away. Forgiveness may be easier to get than permission, but your choices now are shaping you into the adult you will be for the rest of your life. Don't waste the time. Study hard, embrace responsibility, enjoy life - it isn't all about a GPA. It's about changing the lives of people around you, and the people who change yours. You will be a person you never imagined on graduation day - remember that when tests are hard, and the relationships difficult...it is worth it. Nothing is impossible, but opportunity only comes to the faithful.

I would definitely recommend visiting a school before you decide to attend. You'll learn about the community environment there, the reality of the classes & professors, the dorm life, the caf, etc. That's where you'll get the best picture of your next four years. Talk with your parents/student about every area--financial aid, desired major, etc. to make the best decision. Pick a college that matches your philosophy as well as your needs. Also, try to get a few classes taken care of beforehand at a community college if you're looking to reduce costs. Enjoy it!