University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

The paper in my 18 year-old hand crinkles. The hand writing of my 22 year-old hand looks almost familiar. The words in the letter are somehow strange, somehow perfect. "There is so much for you in the next four years," the letter reads. "I could tell you what will happen, the ways you change, who becomes your best friend. But that, I have learned, is not what is most important." Confused, 18-year old me continues reading. "My advice to you is this: learn how to open your eyes. As you move into this new part of your life, pay attention with eyes wide open. Look at people's eyes, faces, open to their stories. Notice the way the morning sunlight filters into your dorm room, plays among the leaves in the arboretum, chases the darkness down Franklin Street at dawn. Open your eyes to the world around you. Take it in and hold it as it is. Learn to see pain, sorrow, joy, beauty. Most importantly, open your eyes to yourself. You are astounding." I put the letter down. It occurs to me that I have lived 18 years of my life with my eyes shut tight.

Life is to short to worry about all the small stuff in life. Never dwell on the past nor the mistakes that you may have made. You can only pick yourself up and move ahead. In doing so the most important thing in life is to find yourself and go for it. College education is so very important. With out an education you may not get very far in life. Listening to your parents or whom ever about college degree is not a laughing joke. It is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Trust what other tell you about it. College is so important and should be talked about more in school. Life is not a joke. It can be taken from you in a matter of a single breath.

Dear Markisha, You have always been fearless in the pursuit of your dreams, but as you approach the greatest transition you have ever experienced you will find people around you distributing ill-placed advice. Do not allow these people to make you second guess yourself. You have always been able to succeed on your own merit, never forget that. Additionally, it is of the utmost importance that realize immediately the following truth: Procrastination is a tool of the weak and feeble minded. Never allow your new found apprehensions to move you to inaction. Waiting for the magical moment where your nervousness is effaced will hinder you more than you can imagine. Finally, it is important I leave you with these four shining pieces of wisdom. Think thoroughly. Act quickly. Write passionately. Never look back.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself not to worry so much. I moved multiple times before attending college, and those transitions prepared me for the college experience in ways I could not have imagined. The terror of attending a large university where I would know almost no one was no different than going to a new high school and finding my niche in a campus full of opportunities was just the same as trying out for the varsity volleyball team for the first time. The entire experience was nerve-wracking and full of social adrenaline, and completely fantastic. If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior about to go off to the greatest four years of my life I would have told myself not to waste precious time worrying about meeting new people or succeeding academically; I was already prepared to make the transition to college, I just did not know it. I would encourage myself to abandon the fear and embrace the campus as it was so willing to embrace me.

I would tell myself as a high school senior is to live each moment as if it it were my last and not allow anyone or anything to stand in the way of my goals and dreams. I would also say to not rush life so much and just to enjoy the many blessings bestowed upon me and not take the little things for granted.

If I were to go back in time to my senior year in high school, I would help myself in retrospect by describing what the professors would ask from me in regards to the workload and class notes, so as to be more prepared, but also let myself know that the professors' main goal is for me to learn and be able to apply the material. I feel as though it would give me peace of mind to know that the professors like to help students during office hours, and that often doing this will help you learn the material much better. Other things I would tell myself are that managing your GPA is like a job. It is important to read the course bulletin thoroughly to know what credits are needed to graduate, and that it is sometimes possible to pass/fail a class that does not count toward a major. This would be a possible step to take if a student does not feel as though he or she will receive a satisfactory grade. Finally, I would suggest enjoying the classes and if this was not happening, then to possibly take classes from different departments.

If I were to go back and time and give myself advice about the college experience, the first thing I would emphasize would be to create a efficient study schedule. It was a dramatic change to go from not having to study much to studying daily. Start a schedule that would fit other activities and breaks in between the study time. I would also tell myself to find something I really enjoy doing in my leisure time and if I do not currently like anything search for something the school has to offer that I would like to be involved with. Never leave time for boredom! Also, I would encourage myself to go and seek help as soon as there is a problem with work and misunderstandings. GO GO GO to office hours it can help a barely pass or failing situation. Last but not least, RELAX and have fun. College is a good experience, seek the most out of it!!!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say to myself that self motivation is the only thing that will get you through school. You cannot rely on your parents to tell you when to do your work and when you can have free time. You cannot rely on your parents to tell you what you should major in while you are in school. College is a learning process. You learn about school subjects but you also learn about yourself. You begin to discover your talents and weaknesses. I also would have also told myself that finding scholarships my freshman year is extremely important. I will have to pay for college by myself for the next three years because my parents are unable to offer me any support and while I was a senior in high school I should have taken this more seriously. But you can only learn from your mistakes and that is what I plan to do. My experiences in high school and my freshman year in college have made me stronger and a more motivated individual.

GET OUT THERE! Talk to people, tell them what you're interested in, offer ideas, make moves, TAKE ACTION. Don't be afraid to be "in time"

Take your time!