University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Top Questions

Dear 18 year old me, The college decision process is a very difficult one. You hope you make the right choice but there are so many factors to take into consideration that you don't even know yet. I know right now you think you waat to go to a large university with stadium seating lecture halls where you can remain invisible. However the future you will find the ability to converse one on one with not only your classmates but your instructors an invaluable asset. You were concerned that going to a small school with a number of students you attended grade school and/or high school with would be a problem. What you didn't know was how comforting it would be to see familiar caring faces every day and how much it would make the transition to living away from home much easier. Don't be afraid to go to a different school than other family members. Be yourself and let yourself grow. A large university may not be the best solution for everyone.

Since I did not go straight to school out of high school I would give myself some advice about what to do when i did get ready for college and to not be lazy and to find an apartment so I don't have to live in the dorms.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would tell myself to study hard, to get good grades and just grasp, as much knowledge as I possibly can. The reason why is I wasted so much time doing pointless stuff, when I could be trying learn new and useful skills. I would also tell myself to try to make as much money as possible. So I don’t struggle financially as much as I do. Another thing I would tell myself is to take college more seriously and not take it as an easy task. Even though it will not be an easy task, it will be a fun and life changing task. Most importantly I would tell myself to apply myself, to my fullest potential and not to hold myself back, in fear of messing up or failing. With that point being made I would also tell myself I need to embrace failure and accept it’s going to happen. That I need to learn from them and grow from them.

College is something you need to take serious and if you can’t take it serious you need to realize you you’re the only one holding yourself back. You didn’t come from money and you told yourself growing up that you never wanted to struggle with finances but without doing well in school you might not get a good job, so you’re going to struggle. You need to get good grades and work as hard as you can because this is the rest of your life you’re looking at. Learn as much as you can so when you graduate you can confidently say you know a lot in your field and you will do a great in any situation you are put in. Be proud of yourself and how hard you work, both at school and at work. When you do something do it with the best you have, don’t slack or make excuses. Be the best person you can be so in the end you can say you tried your hardest and know it’s not a lie.

The advice that I would give my high school self is to be more open to the new experiences. With school work and a job, it can seem impossible to actually keep a social life with clubs. Joining clubs was the main way I made friends and helpful people who were in my classes. I was extremely fearful coming into the university just because I was worried about being a failure. When you have those thoughts in your mind, it can seem impossible for you to have an enjoyable experience at college. I would tell my high school self to enjoy these moments of your Freshman year just because they will never come back. College can be pretty stressful and tough at times, but to not let the bad times mess with my head.

Go to a good collage like ITT and then stay in class do not skip and study hard in all classes and pick a good job that you will like to spend the rest of your life doing.

My Friend, College really isn't as hard as you think. All the fear inside is mostly stranger anxeity, and not stress of the transition from high school to college. If you studied hard in high school then don't worry. Use whatever you have been doing before college. The more stressed and overworked you are, the chances are you are not going to survive in college. Always keep a calm, level head. Most importantly though, make as many friends as you can. They help boost your self- worth and confidence. Both are the keys to a successful college career. One more thing, do not change yourself to fit in with others. College is about accepting who you are, and not forgetting who were. Bad thing may have happened in high school, but it does not matter now. There is no from high school where you're going. Good luck with your new world.

I would tell myself to aim higher because I could have gone to a better school and not be in the perdiciment I am in today. I would also tell myself to go for what I really want instead of just trying to please everyone else. A higher education is up to you, and if you aren't happy with what you are learning in college, then you aren't going to be happy in that career. I would tell myself to go for what I want and enjoy life at college.

I would tell my high school self that college is going to be okay. Even though I have gone through three majors I am now on the right track and know what I want to do with my life. College is not as bad as you thought it would be, and you are happy with the decisions you have made. You have made some great friends and have been living life fully and you are loving every minute of it. Your job is great and you are volunteering as a coach for your high school softball team. Life is good for you and you have a great support system in your friends and family.

If I could go back to my senior year and tell myself some words of advice it would have to be to never limit my dreams or aspirations, as cliche as that may sound. Back in the eighth grade before I understand who/what I wanted to be, I took a vocational placement test. My results indicated that I would best be suited for a teacher/counselor position. Needless to say, after playing teacher throughout my childhood, and then to hear from some test and my family that it was best for me, I decided as a senior to settle upon the "good" or "safe" decision and major in secondary education social studies. However, after getting deeper into my education classes, I realized that teaching was not at all what I wanted to do! I realized that my true passion was and had always been history and that that is what would truly fulfill me, no matter what anyone else told me. Therefore, in late January 2010, I withdrew from my program and took on a dual major in history and communications, and I have never looked back since!