University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Top Questions

The first thing I would tell myself if I could time travel would be that I was enough. In highschool I was trying to decide not who I was, but what I wanted to be. Those four years I was constantly plagued with the question of, "Am I enough?" I felt like I was falling short in several departments such as, pretty enough, smart enough, funny enough, strong enough, brave enough and so on. I was so consumed with other people's opinions of me as if my value depended on them. I can not change what they think about me. In the end, the only person's opinion that matters is my own. Am I content with myself and my abilities? Can I accept my flaws and work towards correcting them? In my mind I want to be perfect but I realize now, that being real and kind is more important.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not be so scared! I was terrified to leave my little town and go to a "big scary university". The college I chose is the most amazing place I've ever been and I feel silly for ever doubting it. Its not big at all and the people here are the best friends I've ever made. The second thing would be APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. I was such a fool in thinking I would be fine with not ever applying because I was too lazy. I've got myself in a bad place because of how lazy I got during senior year. I've had to take out loans and work 2 jobs, which leaves barely any study-time. My biggest regret is not getting motivated to ask for help. The third and final thing I would say is to expect your first roommate to be awful. Everyone's was. My first roommate and I hated each other, but I moved to another floor and eveything is fine now. So, don't sweat it. Its not just you.

I don't think I would go back in time to tell myself to go straight into college,because if i did that i would'nt have my two beautiful children right now. I would of course tell myself to straighten my life up a lot sooner so i wouldnt miss some of my kids life going to school. I would also let myself know that even though it will take us a while to even consider school, that we do go and we will graduate because we have the drive to go to college and we have the heart to see it through to the very end till graduation. An in the future we do and can see ourselves walking across the stage and recieve our masters degree with a very happy piece of mind.

I would have told my high school self to think more about my interests. I was always so concerned with what courses I was taking during high school, and how they would reflect my ability to get into the college of my choice. I was worried that if I didn't take multiple honors or AP courses that I wouldn't succeed. I think I would have been far more calm and less stressed out during my senior year had I realized that I didn't need to have absolutely everything figured out by the time I graduated. I would tell myself that as long as I was putting my best foot forward and putting effort and time into my studies, that I would be perfectly fine attending a college. I guess I thought I would have to know exactly what I wanted my career to be so soon. I know now that I can still take time to sort that out. I did well in high school, but I was a very stressed out student. Knowing this would have spared me the worry and allowed me to enjoy my classes more.

Dear Cynthia. I know the C word has become pressure full, now that the big year is here. Its exciting but comes with a responsibility that will affect each and every decision you make from now on. Don't let the load of papers you have to fill out, and the financial matters rob you of the thousand created dreams and wonderful imaginations that are locked within you waiting for the opportunity to be unlocked in full wonders. You are privileged to be where you are, with so many opportunities that you would have NEVER had if you were still in the refugee camp. This is what you once hoped for, the spark of light you once saw as you sat staring in the sky on a breezy midnight in the semi-desert of northern kenya. Transitions your used to them, money you have scholarships, grants,loans and school work you have the determined hard-working heart. Hope for the best but expect the worst. Oh little one, don't let anything hold you back anymore, your dreams arent dead! its time to wake them and College is the right place for that, Smile always, it will lessen the stress.

If I could go back and inform my teenage self about college life and the transition into being an adult, the first thing I would tell me is keep going. No matter how down I get, no matter how much I want to quit, just keep going. I would also tell myself to be as social as I can. Finding "your" people is key to helping you get yourself through college and through the troubles and trials that come with being an adult and having responsibilities. Another thing I would tell myself would be not to get stressed. If I feel overwhelmed, then stop for a moment. Nothing is worth getting all upset about.

I would tell myself to study, don't take time for granted, and that food is a good thing. Most high schools aren't that hard to complete, you go to class, you do some work, you graduate. But college isn't like that. You actually have to work. Time feels endless in high school, not so much after high school. In college you have to schedule things, you have to make sure that you have time to both get what you need done and to sleep. Rest is nice. And finally food. I don't know how many meals I have skipped because I was studying or I just didn't have time to fix myself something to eat. When you're living at home, most of the time, your parental guardian has fixed you something to eat. At college, you have to fix yourself something to eat. This goes back to the time thing, make sure you have time to feed yourself. You'll feel a lot better later on in the day.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience that will greatly benefit me in the future. First, I have made great friends, with very diverse backgrounds and cultures. This will benefit me because I have learned to interact with all different varieties of people. Second, my college voyage has allowed me to become more hands-on in my experiences. I have been able to dissect everything from parasites to sharks, to pigs; I have also been given the opportunity to shadow doctors and get experince working with others in my field. This will allow me to be more knowledgeable of my career as a doctor when the time comes.

My brief attendendance at USAO has taught me to think outside the box, to find that tiny strand of DNA that makes me different from everyone else. USAO is one of the smallest if not the smallest colleges in the U.S., but this setting fits me just perfectly. I am becoming more outgoing and I find myself reaching out for other peoples opinions, instead of relying on my sole outlook on things. This school has taught me to pay attention to the way our economy and government is being run, and the more I research and read about the different policies being adopted, the more aware I become about the change that needs to come about. What I have recently learned is that people ask for change and expect others to make that change for them. The only way change can occur is if we as individuals become that catalyst for which change can grow through and around us.

So far, my college experience has allowed me to grow as an individual and as a future physician. Moving to a small town that faces a completely different set of challenges than the city has allowed me to understand more than just the people next door, but the people across the state. The worth of my education cannot be given a price, this is all I have ever wanted to do and I am ecstatic to be achieving and living out my dreams.