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To high school me: College isn't scary. Think of it as an extended camp with classes. You study and make sure you keep your grades up, but you will have time to be involved in any organization you want. Try new things. College organizations and students are open and willing to help you, so don't be nervous and shy like I know you can be. There will be times when the dining hall is completely full and you might have to sit with someone you have never met: don't be shy. Talk to them. Everyone there has gone through that or will and understands. You never know who you will meet. Make connections and network with people. It can give you the upperhand with classes or organizations or maybe some outside interest such as hobbies. You won't always get along with your roommate. Always talk things out with her. She becomes your sister. You will know each other inside out, and that is not someone you want to end up not speaking to. To sum my advice up: be yourself and try new things. Work hard, but also know how to play hard. Best, College you

I would remind myself that one bad test grade does not determine my future, a few good friends are better than a crowd of lousy ones, and the only thing you can plan on is having a change of plans. As confident as you are in high school, college seems like it's made to shake that confidence. Let it! Allow yourself to learn from your mistakes and develop a great sense of humility. What seems like failure is simply a way to guide you to what you're naturally meant to do. Work hard and reward yourself but most of all, remember that you are capable of accomplishing great things. These four years help you figure out who you are in the most confusing, frustrating, and amazing way if you let them.

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Dear High School Me, You're about to head to college! Considering that we had a tough time with this transition the first time around, here are some things I wish you would've known: 1. You are only as small as you allow yourself to be. Don't be afraid to raise your hand in class. Don't trick yourself into believing everyone is "smarter" than you. It doesn't matter who can answer a question quick on their feet. These students are your comrades, your shoulder to cry on, your future friends. Instead of feeling small, realize this: You're as big as you dream you can be. Go big. 2. Don't let a boy (or anyone for that matter) to dictate your decisions. If you want to go out for a play, learn that monologue! If you want to try out for a position on the recreational soccer team, lace up those cleats! College is meant for new experiences. Experience them. 3. Finally, stay away from the baked tilapia in the dining hall. It's nothing like Grandma's. With love, Your Future Self

Don't settle for the first people you meet as a base of friendship. I latched onto the first grouop of people that accepted me and we naturally grew apart over the course of 5 years. I would tell myself that it's ok to grow apart from people. It makes you grow as a person.

I would tell myself to breathe. Don't worry about about changing your major or dropping classes. You have to do what you have to do. Don't let one class stress you out to the point that you question dropping out. College is worth the struggle and after your first semster of adjusting you will be fine. Don't let your parents determine what classes you take, do what makes you happy. You are the one getting the education so find a major that you enjoy and that doesn't stress you out constantly. Life is too short to worry. Also, read your textbooks and go to office hours when you are falling behind. It's useful and don't be ashamed that you don't understand because there will be 300 other classmates that are waiting for you to ask that question in class.

I tossed and turned all night as I thought, “This place is not my home.” My bed was 5 feet off the ground hovering over my mini fridge and freshly unpacked clothes, it was hot, and there was another person sleeping right across from me. My first night of college was brutal to say the least. Anticipation of what was to come whirled around in my mind at 100 miles per hour. I never thought that this place would become home, that I would build long lasting friendships, nor did I ever think I would even pass my classes. It seemed as if all of these fears were inevitably certain to materialize. As I look back on first semester, not a single one of those worries came true. So what is my advice to you? Take your time; there is no rush to figure your entire life out in one day. Always remember to set your alarm, know that it is okay to walk alone, don’t forget to wash your sheets, and its okay to mess up sometimes. Stay true to yourself and know that the intimidating mountains in front of you will soon become small in retrospect.

Abigail, you did a lot of stuff right! But you also did a lot of it wrong, and made many mistakes. You should have enjoyed yourself a little more, while you had your parents to worry about all of the "adult" stuff. You should have taken more electives that interested you, rather than things that were "career-oriented" because you have time for that in college. I wish you had been a risk taker, and stuck up for yourself more rather than being docile and "peace-keeping" to a fault. You love history and contemporary issues, so don't feel bad when you struggle in math or science! You don't have to be good at everything. Your JV tennis career will be a frustrating and bitter disappointment, but that's okay. Learn to just play for fun, and don't let the pressure and competition make you hate something that you love. Try to be nicer to people in general- you never know if they have something going on in their lives causing them to be mean to you. Finally, always keep a good relationship with your parents- they love you very much.

Growing up, I was a perfectionist. Failures would tear me apart making me feel unworthy of all my previous accomplishments. I thought to myself that I would never again accomplish anything successfully. Unsurprisingly, that mind set led me to have high levels of stress throughout middle and high school, which in turn made the already difficult process of growing up, balancing academic and extracurricular activities, and having a social life extremely challenging. Perfectionism was a false friend that seemed to urge me to succeed but led me to sacrifice my mental health. Finally in my senior year of high school, I was overloaded searching for scholarships and colleges and completing coursework and leading clubs. I snapped. After a mental breakdown, a night of crying, and a mother-daughter talk, I realized this wasn't healthy, and it needed to stop; unfortunately, I realized it too late. Those hours spent towards perfection were taken from times I should have slept and ate. I was fatigued and became anemic. My struggles created my present happy, healthy, successful self, but I wish I could have saved myself some trouble. To my younger self, relax. You are much better than you think.

I would tell myself that studying and going to class should be top priority over everything. Striving for excellence over popularity is the most important thing you can do; never be afraid to ask for help either!

I would tell myself that taking risks is worth it when it comes to what you love. I came from a very small high school with a graduating class of 46 in Michigan, and I fell in love with a large university in Georgia. It was everything I ever wanted in a school, but it was a risk committing to the school because of the distance and financial requirements. At the same time, I craved adventure and a chance to experience a whole new life. I ended up committing to the University of Georgia, and I'm finishing up my first semester here. I would tell my high school self that UGA is everything that I ever hoped it would be, and more. I didn't know a single person when I came to school here, but I've met some of the most amazing people so far. Packing up and leaving my whole life behind seemed very scary and indimidating at first, but the decision was well worth the sacrifice. I've loved having the chance to discover who I really am, and I know that I made the right choice by coming here.

Learn to study. Senior year is fun and easy and a smooth breeze after you get accepted into the college of your choice, but don't forget your work ethic. College is VERY HARD. Teachers don't care about your family or friends or boyfriends. They don't even care about your grade. Their job is to teach and lecture and they couldn't care less whether you show up or not. Pick your friends because you genuinely like them and enjoy their company. In college you don't have to hang out with people to please your mom. You're on your own and you decide who you want to hang out with. So make friends that you get along with and have things in common with and keep in touch. One bad grade isn't going to kill you. It stinks when you don't do as well as you hoped for, but life isn't about A's and B's. No one cares what you made on your AP US History exam in college. There are more important things happening in the world today. Talk to your family and tell them you love them.

If i could go back in time and tell my high school self something it would be to work hard on scholarships. I never knew how expensive college was until actually seeing my student account balance and going through the days when I wanted some extra money in my pocket. I would tell myself to look at scholarships as a partime job. I would say complete at least 3 scholarships a week. I would also tel myself to get involved in the thingd ging around on campus During the first couple of weeks is when the vub recruiters are out, do not be afraid to join them because later you will have some free time with nothing to do.

I would tell myself to look at more options for colleges and not just go in-state because it seemed like an easy thing to do. I wish I had looked at more schools and reallly paid attention to what I wanted in a college. I would also tell myself not to feel so stressed about living on my own, because you start to get the hang of things fairly quickly. I'd remind myself to loosen up a little and not put so much pressure on myself. College only lasts for four years, so you really have to take advantage of all the people you can meet and all the opportunities you can have. You can learn so much, both in and out of class, and you can have so much fun. Once you find the right balance of work and play, college is fantastic!

The advice that I would give to myself if I was able to go back to my senior year, would be to try harder and not to focus on just keeping my grades high enough to play soccer and softball. I would tell myself to study a lot more. I would tell myself to procrastinate and put things off until the last minute, not to get so discouraged so easily when I was unable to get the correct answer to say a math problem. I would have tried to make myself more prepared for the transition to the college teaching style and the load of work that was required also the deadlines being so short when having to write papers. If I had this advise before now I may have been able to do better in school.

I would tell myself to not change a thing. I thoroughly enjoyed highschool, but all the while I put in the effort that was neccesary to make good grades that brought me to a college that I love. Had I changed anything from highschool, I wouldn't have had the wonderful academic and extra-curricular experience that I had, and that may have hindered me from getting to the school I am at now. I would also tell myself to enjoy every minute of high school, and to take in every moment, because high school is an incredible time that you won't get back. If I had to give myself one piece of advice, it would be to enjoy my parents still paying for most things while I can, and save as much money as possible. While that Starbucks run before school may be tempting, you will need that money for other things in a few years. Other than that, I would just say to never rush a day of it, and to sit back and enjoy every second of a wonderful time in your life.

- Enjoy every moment of college, even the more difficult ones, because it's over in the blink of an eye - Sometimes skipping class is good for your sanity - Take advantage of afternoon naps because the working world doesn't believe in that sacred event - Don't take grades so seriously. One bad grade is not going to fail you. Plus I'm sitting here as a college graduate so obviously you don't flunk out - Make friends with your professors. They are a wealth of information - Don't be embarrassed to sign up for that free tutoring - You don't have to go out with that college guy just because he asked - Learn to love coffee. It'll be a lifesaver when those all-nighters are necessary

I'm not going to say that drinking is wrong or to say no to drugs because I know you won't listen, but I will say what I have learned. College has the potential to be the best and worst experience of your life but it all depends on your choices. You can choose the classes you take, whether you're going to work hard or barely get by, you can chose what clubs to join or how to do your hair but most importantly you choose who your friends are. You can fight it all you want but there is truth to the phrase "you are who you hang out with". My advice to you is to be who you are. Be who you are most comfortable with and don't get caught up in the violent flow of the social rapids. Take a stand and be who you were created to be. You are made the way you are for a very specific purpose, why would you change that for a chance to fit in? Be who you are and the rest of your college career will fall into place.

If I could go back to my senior year and give myself college advice, I would tell myself "take your AP exams seriously; don't take 8 AM classes; learn how to manage your time wisely; learn how to study; learn how to write/analyze for english; and don't give up." I learned so much from my freshman year. I struggled with learning how to study effectively. College did not come easy; I was used to making A's in high school. I believed it was going to be easy. I was wrong. I developed a weird sleep schedule, stressed out over everything, and didn't have a huge social life. I did enjoy my small group of friends, which made me enjoy my freshman year. Despite my battles with adjusting to college, I enjoyed my freshman year at the University of Georgia.

If I was able to talk to senior me, I would tell her to not wish her freshman year away. I spent a lot of time wishing for Fridays downtown with my friends or Saturday football games between the hedges while the week was passing me by. It took me a couple of months to realize that it doesn't matter what day it is on the UGA campus, the spirit of being a Dawg is everywhere: in the walk through Tate, on the hike up Baxter after a long day of studying at the SLC, the themed dinners at the dining halls. You never once forget that you attend one of the best universities in the country. Also, I worried a lot about making friends. Greek or not, when people say that you'll meet your best friends in college, they're right. I never would have thought that I would meet two of my best friends on the first night before rush as a result of them making a lot of noise hammering burlap into the wall with a hairbrush, but I did. Oh, and one last thing, go to Ramsey and never take Family Housing.