University of Tulsa Top Questions

I would tell myself not to worry. I would tell myself that if I work hard and enjoy myself along the way that the challenging road ahead of me will be well worth it. I would also tell myself to never sell myself short, that I am fully capable of accomplishing my goals. I would remind myself that part of the experience of attending college is fully absorbing this special stage of my life that only comes once in a lifetime. I would tell myself to not pass up incredible opportunities and to keep working hard.

I would tell myself to take high school more seriously. Try to push yourself in all of your classes everyday and not to worry about what people may think of you. To ask your teachers for help with anything you need to know and not think that they will not help you that's their job to help. And not to be afraid of failing and if failed know the mistake and apply yourself harder then you did the first time. Also study, study, study.

Some advice I would give my high school self is to do research on different colleges and scholarships. I wish I would have had someone to guide me in the right direction for life after high school and what to expect. Definitely be social and make new friends. They will be your study buddy and best friend during the duration of that class and even beyond that. Don't ever hesitate to reach out to your professors or any other school resource in a time of need. They are there to help you. Study ten times more then you think you would ever need to and always stay on top of assignments and don't procrastinate. College is definitely difficult but with a good support group and a good head on your shoulders you will do just fine.

If I could go back in time and give my younger self advice, I would say to always trust my gut and keep calm. This may seem like a cliche phrase and that it's actually not in refernce to my stomach, but it's a way of trusting ones' instincts. My experiences involving TU have allowed me to understand the importance of my "gut feelings". It may sound weird as an approach to ones life, but it can be very helpful. On my first visit to TU my gut told me that this is where I belonged, that this place felt right. To this day I know thats true, there is something about the campus and the evironment that makes me feel like I'm at home. Along with telling me I'm in the right place my gut has allowed me to recongnize when something isn't right, either with a situation or a person, and trusting myself to fix it. I have also learned that nothing is worth stressing yourself over, and that if you stay calm you can get more done. This may not seem like the most inovative advice, but it has definitly helped me.

I would tell myself that while attending city college to take all of the english and math courses first.

Dear Ashley, High School Senior, This is your future self writing to tell you, do not hold back! I know, you don't really fit in anywhere in high school but in college, everyone finds a place to fit in and friends that are amazing. College is all about getting to know other people and collecting experiences from which to grow. It is always worse to regret the opportunities you let slide by than those you took a chance on and failed. Do not worry about how successful you will be; when you get here, you will see that you had no reason to worry. You make excellent grades and you will continue that in college, so take some time and have fun. Also, remember to apply for scholarship’s early, that’s why you’re getting this letter. Sincerely, You

Relax. College isn't so stressful. You need to work hard and study. Don't get distracted by friends or outside activites when it's time to study. You can still have a social life but school work comes first. Drinking isn't everything. Partying isn't everything. Just make friends and have fun while learning all that you can for YOUR future.

The best advice I would have to say is, apply for scholarships before you attend college. When I was in high school I had no one explain to me about the opportunity of scholarships. Now that I am in college I realize how there are organizations available that enjoy supporting students and their intended dreams. Applying for scholarships before you attend college is less stressful than trying to accomplish this task while attending college. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to not slack off during high school especially during your senior year. Reason being is because your senior year is the most crucial year. It affects your possibilities of attending a prestige college. Becoming involved in extracurricular activities teaches a person how to time manage, become responsible, and develop leadership skills. All these are excellent skills to acquire and present them while in college. Overall, try to get the most out of high school in terms of academics especially because college high school credited classes are being offered. These are some of the major things I would tell myself.

"Self, even though you really like chemistry and math, the idea of majoring in chemical engineering because it involves both subjects is a bad idea. The combination makes for a inexplicably boring major that just isn't right for you. Now, on the other hand, remember how much you hated biology during your junior year? Well, you actually really like it, you just weren't ready for it then. Just wait until you get to college, and you'll know it's the right subject for you. So heed my warning, and don't waste your freshman year mired in something you don't love. On that topic, I know you dread the possibility of being labeled a quitter. Well, loosen up. There are so many things going on in college that you might end up in a class, major, or job that's not right for you. Don't be afraid to just say no once in a while. Believe me, there is nothing worse than knowing full well that you are somewhere you don't really belong. Lastly, if you ever find yourself being pressured into something bad, just stay true to yourself and everyone will respect you.

My advice to my high school senior-self would probably go something like this: "Well, hello there stranger. You've done a lot of things right, but there are definitely some mistakes you need to work out. First of all, going to Chick-Fil-A every Wednesday, even if just to support your best friend who is working there, is a bad idea. Not only are you wasting your hard-earned money, but you're also killing your metabolism and sadly, making Chick-Fil-A hard to enjoy in the future (who would have ever guessed?!). Also, all that stress about what college to choose and what to do with your life- you're going to make the right decision, so stop pulling hairs. You're going to be bald by the time college comes around! Also, learn to study. And do your homework. It's a miracle you've gotten where you are. I bet if you tried a little harder and stopped blaming others, your future would be a lot easier. But I am very proud of you. You haven't died and you're still a fairly nice person. Good job, Kaitlyn. Keep up the good work."