Towson University Top Questions

I have been able to gain critical experience in my professional feild through an intergration of academic and feild-work experience; make professional connections through my major's professors; networked with other students in my major; made some life-time friends, and have had the valuable opportunity be in an enviroment that fostered personal growth and development that allowed me to learning about myself and my future professional goals.

I developed the skill set that has provided me my career for the past 25 years. As an occupational therapist, I have learned mych from my patients, but mainly patience and perseverence. Those two skills have taken me through raising children, divorces, caring for disabled family members and my own physical injury that forced me to put my career on hold for a time, and re-examine my priorities. It wasn't just the classwork that helped me at Towson, but that relationships I forged at Towson that have helped me grow. I constantly look back to some of the situations I encountered at school, either in class or out, but these experiences will always stay with me, and in addition have provided a plethera of great stories to tell. Additionally, I still have three dear friends from Towson. One became my sister-in-law, one is my parter-in-crime and daily phone pal, and the third my facebook communicator who is there whenever I need her. These friendships stay forever. I wouldn't have traded the hard times or the good for anything. They cannot be traded or replicated.

I would tell myself to not worry about the highschool clique's, the hot shots, and girls who spend all their time in the mirror. College has so many opportunities, people, activities... the possibilities are endless. Apply for every school and every scholarship possible - it is amazing how many scholarships people don't apply to and companies that don't fill their scholarship quota. College is and was the best time of my life. As much as you want to be finished with school, relish the time you have left. Take time to decide on a major you will love. Don't let anyone pressure you into something you don't want to do. Sororities aren't for everyone and that's ok. Go to the football games, paint your face, sneak out at midnight. Don't walk alone at night and park close to campus. I would also tell myself that six years from now, you'll still be in college getting a masters degree, so don't plan on a real career until you're finished with you masters ... or perhaps even a doctorate??

After a year and a half of college, my number one piece of advice would be to join clubs, and be active in campus activities. These friendships will make will last through the next four years, and possibly a lifetime. A strong support group in college is vital to your success. College is not all about partying every night. It is a lot of hard work and determination. There will be times when you just want to give up, but keep pushing through the hard work will pay off in the end. When filling out your roommate application make sure to fill the form out as honestly as you can. I saw other college students who were miserable with their living conditions because they were not honest with their paperwork. Making yourself out to be someone you are not won?t help your transition from home to a college setting. Most of all make sure to leave some time for relaxation, if you are constantly stressing over school work you will get burnt out very fast and the semester will drag on for what seems like forever. This is possibly the hardest part of college, balancing work and ?play?.

I would tell myself to always follow my heart. To never be swayed by what others say or do. I would tell myself to make a poster which would have a list of all my goals and every morning I should look at the poster so I would never forget the reasons why I am at college. If I am confident in what I do then others will see that and respect that. I would tell myself to say, "I believe in me, I know I can overcome anything if I put my heart and mind in to it. Hard work will make me stronger and will help me help others, all I have to do is believe" every morning and every night. If I could go back in time and say this, I would have known what I know now which is, my passion is to help others around the world get the education, food, and health they need to succeed in this beautiful world around us. Then, I would say I love you and would return to this present day.

Going back to my senior year I would tell myself that going forward in life is not as scary as I was thinking it was going to be. The most important rules to always follow are being myself as well as never being afraid to ask for help when I need it. The journey can be enjoyed more, by simply letting go of my fears and getting out there. If I do embarrass myself it will be a memory for me and no one will remember. It?s better to live than to wish for all the things that I should have done when I had the chance. Most of all I would have to tell myself that getting out there and making friends is very important, it?s better to expand my horizons to transition in life to the person that I want to be rather than feeling obligated to stay with the same crowd and be smothered by the lack of change. Most of all I would tell myself to just have fun and go to bed a little earlier, everyone will understand.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself many things. First of all, I would tell myself to start filling out college applicaitons and scholarships early. Second of all I would tell myself to relax and to not stress so much. Yes there is alot of stress involved in senior year, but that is nothing compared to college. I would advise myself not to worry over silly things such as friends, popularity, little slip-ups in grades, and most of all not to be as harsh on myself as I was. I would make sure my former self doesn't procrastinate, because that is something that majorly hurt me. As for the SAT's I would give the advice on what to study for and to make sure I take it many, many times. Finally, I would tell myself that I take many things for granted. These are the little things that I cherish now but didnt back then. But most importantly, I would tell myself to talk to someone, to find someone i can confide in professionally before things get worse than they were then.

Take chances and don't think you are too good for things. It doesn't matter what it is, make sure you try everything at least once. Don't dwell on past mistakes, look ahead, but also be aware of actions and make sure you don't forget your responsibility. Have a balance between your social life and your academic life. If you get sidetracked on your goals, take some time off from whatever you are doing and concentrate on what you are supposed to do. School can be hard and hectic at times but don't forget your friends.

If I could go back in time and give myself new advice it would be to apply for scholarships and loans half-way through my senior year of highschool and stop expecting things from my parents. To move out of home and stay on campus so you can focus on your studies. I would also tel myself to pay closer attention to my credits and graduation time. To have more fun and be more involved in campus actiivtes. If I were able to give myself advice I am sure that I would have had a much more enjoyable time at Towson University.

If I could go back in time in my senior year of high school and talk to myself about college life, I would have told myself to take everything one step at a time. Since high school, i've grown to learn that it is vital for students to not juggle everything from school work to being social all at once. It was extremely important to take things slowly one step at a time. If things are rushed or pushed too far too soon, it will end in a train wreck. No matter what, it is important to stay focused in order for your college career to take steps towards the right direction- that is what I would tell myself if I could go back in time.