Michelle
Get involved in student activities immediatly to meet people and get involved on campus. It is proven that students who are involved on campus have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate.
Katherine
If I could go back and speak to myself during my senior year in highschool, I would have asked myself to be honest with what I truly want to study. Many highschool graduates do not take the time to research their true passions. It is better to chose career based on a sincere interest, rather than randomly choosing what looks impressive to their peers and parents.
Khari
I truly enjoy attending college and am grateful to God for the experience. Though I always dreamed of attending college, I never really applied myself in high school, doing just enough to get by with a "D." But now, I pride myself in attaining good grades and love every moment of the college experience. So I would say to myself, "Keep at it."
Dustin
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would just tell myself to not worry about anything and to enjoy my last few months in school. Even though everyone always tells you that high school is the best 4 years of your life they are wrong. College is so much more fun than high school was. Sure winning State and everything was amazing but most of those people that were around you then that called you a friend won't be the same after you graduate. The memories will always be there but the people in them won't always act the same towards you. You will make so many more, closer friends in college that will be there for you through anything. The last thing i would tell myself is to not be shy in college. You're starting over and have nothing to be afraid of. Be yourself and people will like you better than if you tried to act different. People don't judge like they did in high school and if they do they're just jealous of you.
Jacob
As a high school senior, I thought about playing baseball at the division 1 level. Now that I have experienced the college life and playing a sport in college, I believe that it would have been more beneficial for me to go to a school that better fit me as a student and as a person rather than one that was just based on baseball. The experience that I have had here makes me believe that if I were a senior again I would have chosen a larger school. This school is a good academic school, but it would have been smarter to go to a school with all the choices I considered for a major rather than just one or two. If I were a high school senior again I would have made the decision to go to a bigger school for my academics instead of a smaller school for baseball. I have kept my grades up really well, but I believe that if I were to go to school at a more recognized university and focus solely on academics, I would be better off after school. I would say choose a school that reflects more of my character.
Justine
My life was very painful for me until I decided to take it into my own hands, and when I decided to do this I was only 17 years old. Of course, being so young some of the choices I made were not what I would now consider correct, but I am still amazed at how much my life has changed and how far I have come. Because of serious domestic issues I dropped out of highschool at 16, got my GED at 17 as well as my own apartment and two full-time jobs. Soon after, I began community college and completed my Associates Degree at 23 with a 3.95 GPA. I am now 24 and attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville, which has been my dream for 5 years. My dream is coming true and I will be the first person in my family to earn a Bachelor's degree. So what advice would I give myself after all I've been through? "Justine, your strength and passion to succeed will take you beyond what you can imagine, and no matter what happens strive for knowledge because that is the key to happiness and freedom."
Iris
Two and a half years beyond my high school gradutation, I can very clearly see how little I understood the college decision making process, and wish that I could act as the Ghost of College Future to show myself the error of my ways. I was a great student in high school, and still am in college; learning has always felt natural to me, and schoolwork was generally a cakewalk. Given this history of near perfect grades, a spot in the National Honor Society, and a feeling that I belonged in a nationally recognized school, I assumed that only a small private school, preferably from the book, Colleges that Change Lives, could provide me with an education that matched my abilities. When I stubbornly chose to only apply out of state, and got rejected by four of the six colleges I applied to, my decision quickly turned from one of merit to one of tolerance - of weather that is. After moving to Florida, realizing that warm weather does not fill the void of an unsuitable academic environment, and leaving after one semester, I understood that a for the price of long underwear, I could gain a great public education.
kayla
If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would knock some sense into me! When I was a high school senior, I did not want to go to college and waited to apply at the last minute. I was not aware of the numerous amounts of opportunities that were waiting for me. My mom lost her job and I thought I was going to have to pay for a majority of my tuition. Money was a factor. Luckily, I ended up in a university that fits me perfectly. The advice I would go back and give myself is research scholarship opportunities (there are millions and no need to stress about money), look at schools everywhere (plan trips to the campuses and look at the cities), make sure the schools offer ample social opportunities, academic programs and class room settings to accommodate your needs. Ultimately, choose a college that fits you (do not go somewhere because it popular and your friends are going). A little research can go a long way and it can get you out of class! Explore the world so you can know your options are not limited!
Katie
Expect to be surprised! So many people you'll meet can teach you something if you're open and willing to learn -- especially from those you may not think. Friends, teachers, and classmates have valuable wisdom to share with you, so keep your ears and heart open. Ask lots of questions, look at ideas from different views, and enjoy this time as new and exciting. Understand that you are on a journey, and you don't have to have the answers! Be in discovery, in the question. Go for what you want in your heart, and always stand in your biggest possibility. Remember that you are closer than you think, you are exactly where you should be, and you have everything you need. Learn from everything that happens -- you can get coaching from a rock if you're always looking for the lesson! Be understanding of where others are in their journeys, and be their champion and challenger. Stand for the success of others, believing in all they are capable of, and you will be successful as a natural result. Know that you are more than enough. You are amazing.
Hannah
Do not panic. There is often a lot of reading for classes. You most likely won't have time to finish your reading, so skim. If you have a lot of papers and tests and projects all at the same time, prioritize and just take it one day at a time. You will be okay. If you get behind, feel free to talk to your professors and explain your situation to them. Chances are, they will try to help. If they don't seem to care, just try your best. Don't be ashamed to ask for help from anyone. As for social life, just be you. Don't try to act like someone else just to make friends. Being yourself, however you feel on any particular day, will attract people you will get along with. And always remember to breathe and get plenty of sleep. Take naps because they feel amazing and will keep you refreshed. Balance academics and social life. Finally, know your limit and remember you will be just fine.
Alexandra
Go to the colleges that you are interested in and walk around and ask people how they feel about that college. Make sure you look at the classes offered, and determine whether this college will help you on your personal academic path.
Lia
Make sure you visit the school, along with a variety of other schools so you can see what you like and dislike in comparison. Also, be open to new experiences in school, but be careful not to go too wild in your new environment. Most importantly, go to the school you want the most, and dowhat you most want to do, because it is your life and your college experience, not anyone else's.
Eric
Choose the college that best suits YOU. Not what anyone else believes is the best choice, but the place you feel you will be happiest at. You will have to spend four years of your life there, so the best idea is to choose a place that you will enjoy yourself at.
Nora
spend some time around campus first--talk to students not advisors or tour guides.
Gabe
Small schools are great.
Gillian
Don't rely on the tours to tell you an experience about the college. Parents, let your child visit and stay with a current student at the school to see what it would be like to live there as a student, not as a kid being trailed by his or her parents. Students, being in college is about learning to be independent; why not claim it from the very start? Do your research yourself to find what really feels best to you. Also, talk to upper classmen when deciding what classes to take. The professors can make or break a class, so find out who the beloved professors are and take their classes, even if they don't fall under your major category of interest. Who knows, you could discover that your calling is to be an expert in nanotechnology instead of psychology. Use the teachers as a guide to find out what you want in life.
Samantha
Finding the right college is extremely important. My advice to give to parents and students is to take your time, research and visit as many colleges as possible. Not only does the college he or she chooses need to be great academicly, but it needs to fit the person socially. If a person isn't happy at a certain school, he or she won't try their best or suceed in his or her classes. Also, it is extremely important to make the most of one's college career. College leads to the rest of one's life, and taking away as much as possible of what the school has to offer is extremely important. It will not only strengthen one's mind, but his or her social life, and future. College is an amazing time in life and it sets everyone up to grow into adulthood. Finding the right school and making the most of it can only shape a human being in being the best they can be. If in the right place, only success can be made.
Allison
I would reccomend visiting as many schools as possible . While you are visitng take a tour and try and talk to regular students to get a feeling for the student body and campus. Think up some crucial questions and don't be afraid to voice any questions or concerns. Try and participate in some events on campus while you are there to get a feeling for the campus's social scene. Overall, go with the place you think will be the best fit for you.
Dawn
evaluate career interests and social interests and make sure the school has the classes and extra curricular activities to meet those needs.
Aaron
Find a college that offers the best variety of possible choices for you prospective major if you are not sure of exactly you want to major in. If you know what you want to have your focus on. Go to each university and try to get a good feeling of what the students, teachers and staff are going to be like and find the place that seems the most inspiring for your focus of study and application of its work into the professional world.