Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

If I could travel back in I would give myself a huge choice. ?I have experienced college,? I would tell myself I have come to love college and enjoy being there always besides finals. I would tell myself of the good experiences at Virginia Tech. Then I would explain his choices. I have brought back the winning lottery numbers for a lottery sometime in the future. I would freak out in excitement. ?So now you have to choose.? Are you going to forget about school and take the chance to win the lottery or are you going to go the place you know you will love. Skipping school would mean giving up on all my aspirations to be a mechanical engineer. Something I have wanted ever since I chose engineering. I would immediately travel back to the future. The choice would be all on me. But, I know myself and I know I would choose going to college. This event in my life is now going to be the major drive to push me to do even better in school and graduate and become a mechanical engineers. I would give up the lottery to follow my dream. Wouldn?t you?

Yestuday, I stumbled across a time machine. Of course, I had to get in and try it out. You know see if it worked. I shut the door behind me and the contraption started spinning. All I could see were flashing lights. When I recovered from the dizziness I opened the door to find my high school. I ran out and was not surprised to find my old friends in the usually spot. I ran in for a hug and to my surprise they could not see or hear me. As I looked around and listened in on the conversations I came to the conclusion that it was the last week of my senior year. Just then I saw her, well me. I looked so happy and ready to take on the world. Why did I not have that same feeling? What happened to it? I could not let myself lose sight of what I wanted to do in college. I had to do something. But what? I was invisible. Just then it hit me. I will leave myself a note reminding me that as long as you have discipline and stay on track that you can accomplish anything.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to settle for a school. When I was picking schools, I chose to go to a cheaper in-state university instead of the more expensive private college that I preferred. When I started off school I was unhappy and ultimately I am trying to transfer schools for next year. Higher level education is one of the most important things a person has in their lives and being happy at a university is directly related to how well a student will preform. I didn't really realize that when I was choosing a school, but now I do. Don't settle when it comes to education or any other part of life, is what I'd say. Being this age and going to college is hard enough without being someplace where a person can't reach their full potential for happiness and academic success.

Make sure you take hard classes and study what you are interested in. I really wish that I had taken more relevant courses in high school, like AP Biology or AP Psychology, rather than the classes I had taken which I had no interest in pursuing further (AP Spanish for instance). Be open to new experiences and people as well, it helps make you a more-rounded person. Do things because you are interested in them, not necessarily because "it looks good for college."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that going away to college, rather than staying close to home, can be difficult to transition into, but in the end it is very beneficial. Being able to meet new people of all different backgrounds, lifestyles, and cultures is very enlightening and prepares you for the real world. I would also tell myself to learn to become more outgoing, because it is no fun just staying in your dorm room every night doing nothing. Academically, I would tell myself to keep ontop of my grades, and the professors in high school are less likely to care about what excuse you have for not turning your work in on time. I would tell myself that college is a whole new world. Instead of classes consisting of around thirty students, they are more likely to consist of about two hundred students (in an average lecture). In all, I would just tell myself that working hard in high school and being outgoing will get you far in college.

Open your mind to learning and change; both will be with you for the rest of your life. Take as many opportunities as you can; you never know where they'll lead you. Stay humble, but remember to strive to be the best; there will always be someone somewhere who's better. Conduct yourself with honor and integrity, keeping in mind that the hard right is always better than the easy wrong. Commit yourself to a set of values that will build your foundation as a leader and Naval officer; Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Loyalty, Service, Sacrifice, Duty and Ut Prosim. Keep in mind that to be able to lead, one must be able to follow first. Despite the fact that you may fail, never quit.

I would tell myself to earn as much money ass possible. There are many things you need to purchase that you wouldn't think about on a daily basis. Also, appreciate your family. Leaving home with a good relationship with them will help you deal with any personal or financial problems. Also, get in the habit of a steady diet or exercise plan to keep off the extra freshman pounds. Get involved in things that interest you quickly so you can build your resume, meet people, and become a larger part at your university instead of just a number.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to slack off once in a while. I worked so hard in high school, trying to gurantee a scholarship for college, trying to prepare myself for college, and trying to fit in with the extrememly competitive environment my high school fostered. I forgot to live. I never got to experience the normal things a high school senior got to experience; i was too busy applying to colleges, applying to scholarships, and trying to get perfect grades. Now that I'm in college I realize I should have been a kid while I was still a kid. I should have gone out with friends on the weekend and been more rebellious at a time when society accepts it as the norm. I also should have spent more time with my family. Now that I am away I realize I should have left studying for college and been with them more.

It is necessary to take a break from studying every so often and have fun. You are still a kid and you only live once. Your college choice and decisions you make are yours and yours only. Your parents will not be taking your classes or living in the dorms, so do not let them decide where you go to school. It is necessary to pick a school where you can see yourself on the campus with the other students and where you feel comfortable in the classrooms and residence halls, after all, you will be living there the next four years of your life for the most part. College is an excellent environment for making new friends. Even if your friends are going to different schools, it will work out just fine. On the first week, the majority of the freshmen do not know anybody, so they are all in the same boat. When you sign up for housing, pick a random roommate. This way, you automatically have a new friend. Lastly, it is important not to stress too much, everything will work itself out in due time.

Honestly, when you come in you may think you know what you want to do with your life, major in, etc. This will change...don't stress out about it, you will figure it out.