University of Southern California Top Questions

Dear Veronica, YOU MADE IT! It's your first day of high school! I know you are nervous so I have some advice for you. 1. Don't be afraid to try new things- Alright! You're in a classroom with kids who've played sports since birth. Don't be intimidated. They will support and help you! Reach out and try something new! 2. Listen to your heart- There's going to be a lot of options and choices to make. Be true to yourself and what you want. Only you can make you do or think something, so believe in who you are and you'll do great! 3. Enjoy every moment- These four years will go by fast! Make the most out of every moment despite the negatives. It will be hard sometimes but you are strong so enjoy! I know you'll work hard and achieve all you want to for college so take the time to enjoy high school. Be you and be happy! You have nothing to be worried about. Lastly, never forget you are truly loved. -Future You

Three golden rules for high school graduates to follow: You must take advantage of scholarships and grants that organizations give away constantly. I never took advantage of them, and I truly regret that now. It is also a must, that you get a job and have a source of income. With a new salary, you not only increase your net-worth, but you also gain appreciation of your possessions as well as a heightened sense of the value of a dollar. Before I got a job, I abused my parents’ money, but now I appreciate my possessions way more because I had to work hard for them. It is also a great feeling to treat yourself to some new items of clothing every once in a while. Lastly, live the college life to the fullest. It is a privilege that many kids your age do not have the opportunity to experience because of familial or economic drawbacks that prevent them from doing so. Venture out of your comfort zone and meet new friends. Have fun, but remember that this is also a time for you to build yourself so you can have a well-paying job in the future.

Savor every minute of freshman year. Living on campus makes your first year different than any other year on campus, and while being an upperclassmen has its perks, there's nothing like being a freshman. USC focuses on giving first year students the best experience. Meet everyone, attend everything (school sponsored and otherwise). Take an interesting class pass/fail; you'll have time to floor it academically in the next three years. For now, just focus on having a great time.

Savor every minute of freshman year. Living on campus makes your first year different than any other year on campus, and while being an upperclassmen has its perks, there's nothing like being a freshman. USC focuses on giving first year students the best experience. Meet everyone, attend everything (school sponsored and otherwise). Take an interesting class pass/fail; you'll have time to floor it academically in the next three years. For now, just focus on having a great time.

If you never take chances and push yourself towards your own limitations, you will never truly know just how far your success path may lead. Challenge yourself and keep striving towards new goals and you will find that your rewards will be endless. There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren't the way you had hoped they would be, that’s life. There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them. Life throws curve balls at us and even though at the time it may be hard to believe when all feels lost, there is no fulfilling destination without a journey. Humans are scared of change by nature, and no one wants to take that unknown journey. Everyone desires the end result of that journey. However, if you acknowledge the normal fear associated with embarking on an unknown journey, you will be able to take the first step with a little more certainty that it will all work out. Challenges and changes will only help you find the dreams that you know are meant to come true for you.

Assumptions regarding college as a high school student: there is no extra time in a week for those who wish to succeed. Be prepared to develop a discipline for the use of your time; keeping up is much easier when you don't get behind, do not procrastinate! Do not give in to peer pressure and fun; there will be much more fun to be had when you find a good career. Be aware your basic needs as Maslov's hierarchy of needs is absolutely correct. (i. e.) You must be at your peak if you want to stand out among the competition. Partying, and other poor habits will interfere with you reaching your full potential. All your decisions "will" shape your future, take one step at a time; then, your rewards will be forthcoming as you are in control of your destiny. Choose a college that will fulfil your needs, you may be the best investment you will ever make. Do not scrimp, find real world experts to guide your path as they share the benefits of their work. Explore all avenues regarding funding for your endeavor, including scholarship opportunities, like those offered by the experts at campus discovery.

Go after your dreams, the future is now. Don’t waste time thinking “what if” become yourself though your pursuits. If you have passion for something just go for it, grab the bull by the horns nothing will stop you once you start.

I would encourage myself to be curious and open minded. There is so much out there to discover - about myself, about people, about life. I would advise myself to look at my options and make good decisions, but do not be afraid of trying out something new. College is a period of time where people can discover new characteristics and aspects of themselves, so it's time to take the opportunities and run with them. Be social and kind to everyone. I'll meet great friends to build memories and many acquaintances to build a strong network. Although college can be stressful, it is also an awesome period of life. I would say to do everything with a smile on your face and always be humble. Be humble in your successes. Be humble in classroom. Be humble in your relationships. College is also a time when many things can happen - good and bad. Remember to forgive and love many.

Stay strong and stay true to yourself; if I were presented with the opportunity to talk to the old me, these would be my words of wisdom. Having only experienced a semester of college, I have extensively grown and matured intellectually and psychologically. During finals week I received some very unfortunate news. My 24 year old sister had been diagnosed with cancer. This event proved to me that life can be hard and blunt and the way that you handle such situations can ultimately determine your success. College midterms and final exams may be hard but it is a precursor to real life experiences. It is important that you keep your goals in mind even if it seems you're not getting any further in achieving them. If you remain strong and stay true to yourself when presented with any obstacle you can only succeed. You only fail when you give up. Although I had to deal with my sister's condition, I also had to keep in mind that my education will determine my future. I had to stay strong for my sister's sake but I also had to stay true to myself by continuing my studies.

I would advise myself to listen to the advice given to all high school seniors about the college transition. I thought, as most did as seniors, that college life would not be difficult to adjust to, but it is a great change. The advice I received that was most applicable to me was regarding time management. Time in college is much less structured, creating the illusion of more free time. However, this open time should be used for studying and staying up on your classes. When you fall behind in a college class, it is much more difficult to catch up. Joining clubs is a great way to make friends with common interests and get a group of friends outside of those you live with. The most important piece of advice I could give myself is to make sure to relax with some regularity. It is easy to go crazy focusing on school and the work you need to do, but if you don't take a break from it, you will burn out. College is supposed to be enjoyable as well as difficult, so make sure you are enjoying what you are doing.

Focus on your studies and don't get carried away by insignificant events.

PAST AND FUTURE I would have told myself that what I thought was the end was really just the beginning. I was doubly worried; partly over the impending goodbyes to the only friends I’d ever really known, and partly due to the masses of new strangers I was going to be forced to live with…but I see now that these were both just starting points. "Those old friends are already a part of your life, which will never change. As for the upcoming acquaintances, they’re not trouble or a burden or something to fear. They are just new friends waiting to happen. And it may not happen over night, or over one week, or even a month. Soon enough, though, you’ll realize that the cycle has started anew, that you have a new group, a new stage of life. The only difference is, this time, you have an even greater past from which to draw inspiration and love."

I remind myself to be open minded, and go with the flow. This school is the most amazing place to study, and I feel like I get to go to Disneyland everyday, because this place makes me happy. I would tell myself to always be myself, and to not let anyone change my opinions, or my personality. I should always stay true to myself.

Young Carly! I know you're anxiously awaiting your looming college adventure, so here's some advice to ease your concerns. Primarily, don't worry about the transition. You'll love meeting new people (although at times it is stressful) and you will absolutely love living away from home. Remember that all your high school friends are going off to different schools and experiences, so don't expect them to be the same. They'll experiment in all kinds of stuff, but hey, you can do that in college. Just remember to keep a solid code that you firmly believe in, and surround yourself with people who think the same way you do. It's awesome to have a diverse friend group, but remember that peer pressure flourishes in college where at the end of the day you don't go home to your parents, but to lots of friends that live next door. The dorms are one big 24/7 sleepover with all your new best friends, so manage your time well. With that said, have a blast! Meet tons of new people! Try new things! Keep following your dream! You've got a great start by picking USC.

The transition might be tough at times, but don’t give up – you’ll find your niche and love it! Worry less about fitting in with the crowd and more about the person you want to become and how to accomplish your goals. Top three tips: 1. Get involved with extracurricular activities so that you have things to look forward to outside of schoolwork. You will also make friends who have common interests and dreams. 2. Take time to get to know your professors. Some of them may seem intimidating, but almost all professors love to have students visit them during office hours. In addition to asking questions about the class material, find out more about their research and particular interests. Many professors have written books, traveled the world, and are renowned in their subject areas. Not only is it fascinating, but they may be able to help you with internships or research. 3. Enjoy going to cultural events, sports games, and hanging out with friends. Don’t neglect your schoolwork, but take time to have fun. You will cherish the friends you make and the memories shared long after everything you learned in the classroom!

Knowing what I know now I would tell my high school self to get ready for change and go with it. From the change of no homework to loads of homework was the biggest change of them all. No matter how many people may have told me that it was going to be the biggest change it didn't stick until I was put into the situation of the intense work-load. Those long nights and days of studying would have been easier to get through with the knowledge of right studying habits too. It is the most important thing that college students have right study habits or studying will be unbearable and may seem useless to some causing them to not study at all. Also to get ready to do things without needing help from other people. I became more independent within one month. All in all, I would not change anything because it has been a great adventure and learning experience.

1. One of the greatest delusions about college is that, it's like high school and that people are constantly judging you based on how you look, speak, act, dress, etc. College kids - and people in general - truly don't give a rat's ass about you, as they're far too concerned with their own lives. So stop flattering yourself, and worrying about what people think about you; truth is, they don't think about you. They think about themselves - a slightly chilling axiom which can be liberating in so many ways. 2. The second greatest delusion is, you have to party hard in order to say at the end of your college stay, "I have truly lived." The partying is over-rated, and exhausting, and certainly not worth the price of your brain cells. Like Einstein said, the formula for success is simple; Success = X + Y + Z, where X is hard work, Y is fun, and Z is keep your mouth shut. Ergo, work hard, play around some, and shut up (especially if you live in a dorm; because if you can't keep to yourself, your bed is sure to wind up on the roof).

College is initially a jarring experience. When you first enter, you may not embrace the variety of social activities and opportunities that it may present to you. It’s difficult to adjust to something that seems like a completely different world full of, let’s face it, what seems like no responsibility. Don’t let the novelty and anarchy of college scare you or deter you from the wonderful experience that college is capable of becoming. Instead of wasting time in the agony of adjustment, dive into the best experience of your life. Your four years in college is something that no one can take away from you. Do your best in your classes, join as many clubs as you can, participate in social work and even have fun at those parties! College is what develops you into an independent person capable of taking on life- soak it in and don’t miss out on a single opportunity.

My dear, do be excited for college. It is what you thought it would be, in a sense. It's also completely opposite, but that isn't a bad thing. So you didn't get a full-ride, who cares! Just be willing to put in the effort to prove yourself worthy as those who did. And of course, keep an eye out for scholarships inbetween study breaks. Also, relax! When you go to football games, be like everyone else: loud, slightly obnoxious, and proud. And don't repeat junior year: SLEEP! In this case you don't have to be like everyone else. As well, not everyone you meet will be your best friend or boyfriend, but get to know them. I do suggest more guy friends to get their perspective on life and raunchy jokes. Oh, dorm food isn't THAT bad, just mix it up. Then there are themed dinners which can be awesome. And of course, don't be afraid to try new things. Embrace free or relatively cheap excursions while you are here. Even though you have lived in California all your life, there is more to it than you thought.

Ryan: Listen to Dad. I know that you may not agree often, but, at the end of the day he's right when he says that he's been there and done that. He is also smarter than you think and cares for you deeply. Always give 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in everything you do. If you slack off in anything, you will suffer the consequences later. Be patient and believe in yourself, but don't think that you're the best there is--you're not. And when you get to college, be confident, but be careful. Your words carry more power than you realize and you must choose them with the understanding that they reflect the person you are. But also remember that words can be empty when not backed by actions. Don't try to do it all. Choose wisely but don't be afraid to take risks. With great risks come great rewards. Set your priorities straight and see things through til the end. But above all, do not forget where you come from, who you are, and what you believe in. And always, be the best man you can be, that's all anyone can ask of you.