University of Mississippi Top Questions

Think hard about leaving your family and living so far away from home. The transportation cost was something I did not think about when attending a college so far away.

I know what you're thinking, "Here comes another adult trying to tell me how to live my life." I just want you to hear a little piece of advice from someone who has been where you're going. First all, you're beautiful. Never let anyone make you feel differently. No one is perfect, but guess what? No one is YOU either! You don't ever have to compare yourself to others, just be the best YOU that you can be. You have a lot to offer the world, but you have to believe in yourself and stay focused and determined. You're very smart now but you still have a lot to learn. Learning doesn't stop when you reach my age. It's for as long as you have the passion to do so. So don't ever be afraid of what you know and learn in this world. Take that and use it to your advantage. Don't be afraid of what you're capable of. Don't run from success, run toward it. And if you should stumble along the way, pick yourself up and keep going because you're stronger than you know.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would probably tell myself a few things. First, I would tell myself not to try and hurry through life. Ever since I was young, I have had my career plan mapped out, but like often in life, plans change and that is okay. As a high school senior I was so sure about the plan my life would take and now as almost as senior in college I realize plans change. Next, I would tell myself that it is okay if I truly don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. At only eighteen years old, it's okay to be unsure. Finally, I'd tell myself that even knowing what I know now and changing my career path after three years in college, I would still go the same path and do it all over again because ultimately it is what made me who I am today and is the reason I am at Ole Miss.

I would tell my high school senior self to stay on my academic works. I would tell myself to try to achieve higher on the ACT and to study more for it. I would apply for University scholarships before the deadline and kept deadlines on my calender in my phone.

I would tell myself to study on the weekdays and go out on the weekends. I would also tell myself to not date anyone from my home town once I move off to college.

You gotta go, it's 6:15. Wait! Don't forget the classic Instagram pic capturing the beginning of the Holy Grail of all that is high school: senior year! #Surreal. Imani ,my friend, I want you to know that everything happens for a reason. This year you'll face joy like never before, students you merely passed in the hallway last year will become close friends , and you'll look back at every moment with no regrets. Everything you've been told to look forward to this year, is 1000 times better than what you've heard! However, like I said, things happen for a reason. You know those schools that you were "predestined" for acceptance, SPOILER ALERT: let's just say you'll be knocking on some closed doors. Also, just when you think you've found the perfect school in sunny Malibu, California, dorm, roommate, flights and all, well brace yourself because no one imagined the household income would drop to zero. Defeat is a real emotion you will have to overcome. Nevertheless, do not be fooled by closed doors . They are God's way of protecting and preparing you for something greater. See you Spring 2015!

Dear High School Self, Although hanging out with friends on weekends is fun, please remember that getting used to saying no every once in a while and staying in and studying is very important. Mom and Dad probably haven't told you yet that they don't make enough money to puy you through school, and you don't qualify for financial aid, so you need to be proactive about your future and start doing your homework, as well as applying for scholarships and grants. Cherish every ounce of sleep that you get now, because you're going to be spending a lot of time staying up late and studying. It's also important that you get a side job while in high school so that you can save a little bit of money while you're still living under Mom and Dad's roof, because pretty soon you're not going to have that kind of time. Please, just take life seriously. Gain knowledge about credit scores, loans, budgets and bills. It will be very beneficial later on. Sincerely, Your Older, Wiser Self.

Know what is important to you and remember it. Stay true to yourself. Keep making thread anklets and necklaces for people because once you leave, you might not see those people for a very long time; you will take comfort in the fact that you gave them a momento of yourself. Friends may come and go, but family will always be there-so be good to them. There will come a time when you will be homesick and miss your family so much. At times they annoy you, but appreciate them being so close to you right now. Continue to use a planner and study well. Those skills will DEFINITELY come in handy when you're juggling fifty things at once. Read more nonfiction books. I know we LOVE reading Nicholas Sparks and Sarah Dessen, but they will NOT help you here. Try broadening your horizons a little. You know you are short, so take my advice and learn how to sew so you can fix your colorguard uniform pants and not have them jaggedly hemmed by your best friend. Enjoy home cooked meals. Enough said.

Volunteer more so you have the experience and the background for better internships during college. Also, don't attempt to major in Biology at Ole Miss, it is a weed out major, and you will not do your best.

Knowing what I know now, I would advice myself to stay focus, make sure to surround myself with positive influences, and to stay involved in activities as much as possible. The transition from high school to college was quite easier and straightforward for me, but at times I would slack off and have to make up for it toward the end. I have found staying around people that share my same interest(going to school, doing the best I can and of course making good grades) helped me to stay grounded because there was no time to play if we were trying to reach our goals. I only participated in a few activities, but I find the more you're involved the more people you meet and the more opportunites become available. Overall, keeping focus, staying involved and being around the right people would definitely help not only me, but anyone making the transition to college.

Naomi I know that going into college is a huge step, you have never been so far away from your family and close friends and you might think that you are all alone in Mississippi, but you are not. You have a huge and loving support system in Florida and they will always be there to cheer you on or give you advice. Never give up becasue failure is not an option. Success is not what others want for you, it is what you want. Your life begins here, the rest of your life really depends on what choices you make during these next four years so make the best ones this first year to set up for the next three. You are on the road to do great things and the future is so bright. I know you will make a myriad of friends and have fun, but do not forget your main purpose: Graduating! Remeber to write home and call Grandma and grandpa. Family always comes first. You will do fine and try not to worry so much.

Hey Suz, I bet you don't think you need my advice about college, but hear me out. Live your college years with no regrets. Don't change who you are. You are going to make lots of new friends, you will lose some and that's okay. Learn to love an accept yourself, it makes life easier. Call home often, your parents will miss you. Even though you won't admit it, you will miss them too. There will be times when you feel lonely and afraid, but I promise you will always find happiness. The next four years will go by much faster than you think. College can be really hard, but it is the most amazing experience. Most of all, thank you for making me who I am today. I couldn't have made it this far without you. With love always, Susie University of Mississippi-Class of 2014

Dear Caroline, The first thing I want to tell you is don't blink. Life is the most precious gift God has given us and to take it for granted would be your biggest regret. It may seem like you have everything you're ever going to need at this very moment, but I can promise you this, that the world around you is about to be completely turned upside down. It is true that you will always carry your friendships, hardships, and best memories from high school with you forever, but don't let those things get in the way of the wonderful blessings that college has in store for you. If I had had this letter when I was your age, boy wouldn't that have been more helpful. As important as it is to forgive and forget, don't lose sight of self respect and what's important. It won't all be easy and the ground will shift from beneath you but that is when you remember that "this too shall pass." One last thing, the best is yet to come. P.S. Give Mom and Dad a break, they're doing their best. Love, Me

Please apply for more scholarships during high school. Go to the school that fits your personality and budget the best. Go to the school that will offer you the most money. Try to go out of state to pursue your dreams. Go to all of the freshman social events, you will meet many people in your position. Strive for a high GPA your first semester and you will be set for your entire college career. Go to counseling when you are depressed and/or having problems with the transition from high school/teenager to college/young adult. It is a rough transition. Remember you are not alone and avoid taking out loans.

Be who you are. People care a lot less than you might think, about what you say and how you look and the fact that you just tripped down the stairs. Allow yourself to focus less on their impression of you and more on your impression of yourself. Harness your inner beauty by doing what you enjoy, whether it is reading Fitzgerald and Ellison, performing poetry in front of hundreds of people, or just telling obscure jokes. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you can't do what you want to do. One more thing, kiddo, look on the bright side. "This too shall pass," and greater days will come as long as you keep going and giving it your best. Remember that you are amazing, and colleges will gladly accept you. In fact, all the ones you apply to will! You are amazing and funny and brilliant and bright. It's time you start believing it! Maybe then, everyone else will too.

Tammy, I know that the last few years have been tough on you caring for your parents with their ailments, but these next few years are about you. Take some chances and live with some adventure in your life. Before you know it, some of the best years of your life will be behind you, leaving nothing but a dusty trail of missed opportunities. With that in mind, here are a few things that I want you to do: Address your passions with vigor and do not be afraid of failure-mistakes will make you stronger, not weaker. Learn a foreign language and visit that country. Then do it again. May I suggest Italian? Do not stop pursuing anything important to you just because someone else tells you that you can't do. Stand proud and invite them to the awards ceremony after you do. Last but not least, regardless of how you feel, you are smart, beautiful, and you are capable of doing anything that you put your heart into. Walk with both eyes open and venture forth.

There are so many things that I would go back and tell my high school self. The first and most important thing that I would say is to take my grades more serious during my freshman year. I would explain the importance of starting high school off right, with a good GPA rather than making myself play catch up my last three years to graduate with a GPA that I was proud of. The second thing that I would tell myself is to keep my good friends close. In high school I was so worried about what everyone thought of me. It was more important to me to be liked by all and have many distant relationships rather than a few close ones. With all of the stresses of the the transition into college and becoming an adult, a friend's shoulder to cry on every now and then is a must. Keep those who matter to you most closest to you.

If I had this opportunity, I would tell myself to not lose my mind. As a senior, I was in a constant state of panic. I would lie awake at night thinking about deadlines and scholarship applications. I would panic over minute details, and over think every aspect of my college choice. Looking back on my senior year, I realize that it is a good thing that I did not approach the college search and application process half-heartedly. However, I would have benefited from hearing my future self tell me that everything would be okay. It is important to take the college search seriously, but not so seriously that it hinders sleep.

As I high school senior, I would have spent more time looking into the colleges I applied to. I was extremely indecisive about where to apply, so I just decided to apply to all 14 schools that I was considering. My plan was to wait and see where I was accepted, and then take it from there. I ended up getting accepted to all but one school, so I hadn't really narrowed it down much. Because of that, I waited until last minute and chose a school my parents basically picked for me. I was not happy with the decision, so a month before classes started, I backed out and enrolled at the University of Mississippi instead. I spent my whole senior year stressed out and unable to decide on a school to attend. Instead, I wish I spent more time researching and visiting schools rather than just apply to them all. Since I decided on a school so late, I did not qualify for any scholarships, and I hadn't applied to any outside scholarships, so I was paying full tuition. I did not pay attention to money at all, and I really wish I did.

The advice I would give myself is to apply to colleges early because sometimes not all colleges will reopen their admission application to be enrolled there and to apply to scholarships quicker when they're handed to me.