Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

The advice I would give high school senior self would be not to worry about going to community college first. It's not worth fighting the parents over. It works out for the best anyway because the math professors at Virginia Tech are much harder and do not care about one on one teaching. I would also tell my high school self to dump my at the time boyfriend. He was only good for was holding a girl back and wasn't very supportive in life choices. He ends up dropping out of school and doesn't amount to very much years later anyway. Lastly, I would tell myself to not be too discouraged when things don't turn out exactly how you see them in your mind. There are many paths to take and you end up doing fairly well for yourself.

Take in every experience that is available and retain good study habits that were taught to you early in life.

Don't be nervous! My first year of college at Virginia Tech was the most fun I have had. It is a big transition being on your own but with a good group of friends and keeping true to yourself it will be extremely exciting and fun. Make sure to keep your head in your studies and limit the amount of nights you go out. Getting good grades and going out is possible! So just be responsible and have fun! If you ever get a chance to do something new, do it! Go outside your comfort zone and don't regret anything!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to participate in more community service projects and take more dual enrollment courses. Colleges really do pay attention to students extracurricular activities and the things they do for the community as a whole. Universities give excellent merit scholarships based on those credentials and as a student you need to stand out from others to be noticed. I realized that after I graduated from junior college that I can have the same grade point average as the girl sitting next to me but the only difference is that she has went above and beyond what I have done, and has achieved a lot more credentials and experience than I have, and if we both were applying for the same job , I wouldn't even be considered for the position. Sadly enough to say, yes I know, but it is very true. So not only to myself, but to other high school students who really want to stand out and go above and beyond, set yourself apart from other students and you will surely be a candidate for great awards.

I would say get to know everyoe. Consider everyone a potential friend and be friendly to everyone. Don't be shy!! Get to know people on your hall. I would also say to try new things and join something you like, not necessarily what everyone else is doing. It's easy to just sit in your dorm room all day but that's not what college is about. But most of all I'd say, make sure you have no regrets because you'll never be a college freshman again.

Storm- Remember when you took spanish one in eighth grade, and then had the choice to take spanish one freshman year or move on to spanish two? You took spanish two. Big mistake. You spent almost every year of high school trying to get the right amount of high school credits in language to be eligible for the colleges you were appying to. After taking spanish two, you had to go back and repeat spanish one, and then take spanish one again at a college level at a community college. That was not a fun way to spend summer break! You should have taken spanish one again freshman year and gotten all your credits in order. Hola Storm, you really blew that one!

The most important aspect of college may just be the social interaction with academic faculty members. If I could, then I would tell my past self to regularly chat and network with professors and academic advisors. When a class has coursework that does not seem overly difficult or unruly, go to a professor’s office hours and discuss the real world applications of the course material; do not just idly sit by absorbing the knowledge like a sponge and give it no heed or credence. Professors are valuable resources who can help sift through careers and find the perfect match for a student’s particular interests. They can give positive recommendations and even involve their students in very remarkable and real world-impacting research projects. There is no good or sensible reason not to have a relationship with professors when they can give you so much in return for so little from their students.

College can be the most rewarding time of your life, if you let it. Work hard no matter what the circumstance; you have your eye set on a college out of town, but dwelling on the fact you have to stay closer to home is highly unnecessary. Complete your first two years at your local college and remember to go to class! College allows you freedom, but it doesn’t mean you take advantage of it every chance available. The minute you stop attending class, you’ll find yourself failing and your transcript showcasing a person that is highly unlike you. The dreams you had of leaving won’t come true for another four years if you act this way. Please start saving for school; when you’ve signed up for classes and your parents stare at you with questionable eyes asking, “How do you plan on paying for this?" you’ll know why it’s important to save. If anything, don’t give up on yourself. Don’t assume your future will never end up how you planned because it will if you stay focused on your goals. And remember, happiness is incredibly more important than piles of money.

I would choose to live in the dorm. I decided to live off campus my freshman year to save money; however, I have missed out on the "initiation process" as a freshman. I have also missed out on making friends from different places. I would have enjoyed campus life.

The first thing I would tell myself is to truly enjoy every moment with your friends and family because it is much harder to be without them then you will think. The next thing I would tell myself is that there are a lot of different people in college and it's important to know who you are and be confident in what you are doing. If I could give myself advice about school, I would say don't be afraid of a challenge and make sure you take advantage of the amazing opportunity to attend college at a world class university and to be use to utilize all it offers.