Washington College Top Questions

I would remind myself during freshman year that academics count, and can really impact your grade, so put in effort and study hard. I would also tell myself to get involved in more extracurricular activities and clubs, because they are not only making an impact locally, but colleges really appreciate and look at those things in the decision making process. In addition, I would tell myself to actually study for tests and quizzes. I often times took advantage of the laid back attitudes and grading policies of my high school teachers, knowing that if I got a bad grade it would not really make a difference. In college, if you don't study, you will most likely fail the class.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice I'd start by saying, "Yes, the last year of spanish is worth the trouble." Keeping up with foreign language is incredibly important and it does not get any easier in college, suprise! Socially however, I'd tell myself it's okay if you fall distant from your friends from your hometown. Learn from the distance and take it as a positive thing. This distance has made some of my friendships much stronger over the course of the summer and first two college semesters. It's tough learning that distance is okay because you don't want people to feel forgotten and you don't want to feel forgotten. Those who choose to see you will see you, effort should be matched but not forced. Enjoy the time you have to make new friends, they really can be such a blessing. Meet as many people as you can in different majors, sports and clubs. You never know who you could help or who you made need to turn to for help (and who knows you might learn something new).

The first thing I would say to my high school self would most likely be “Calm down. Put down the fork, it’s okay. I’m just here to help!” Once we finished a movie-style bout of misunderstanding and fear, and a quick trip for coffee to catch up, my single most important piece of advice to my high school self would be “Don’t sweat it”. As a high schooler, I spent many a night racked with anxiety, particularly over the fear of going to community college. Despite my worry, I still ended up in community college and found that I absolutely loved it. Worries about SAT scores, college prestige, applications, and financial aid packages proved to be pointless and kept me from enjoying what should have been the best year of my pre-adult life. Now that I am in college, I see that there is only so much for which we can prepare. In essence, I would tell my high school self: “Do well in school. Save your money. Join clubs. Apply for scholarships. Beyond that, beyond what you can’t control… Just. Don’t. Sweat it”.

Dear High School Brooke, Transitioning to college is going to be kind of difficult. You are going to miss your family and home cooked meals. The tests and papers you are going to write are going to challenge you, but it is nothing that you can not handle, even if at times it feels like you are not going to finish them. You will, at times, going to have more time than you know what to do with, use it to your advantage. You are going to have a fantastic roommate and you are going to be best friends with her. You are going to make fantastic friends that are going to be there for you when you need a pick me up and you will never feel lonely. Last but not least, LIVE IT UP! Your first year at Washington College is going to go faster than you will believe. So, make the most of every moment; go to parties, go on that bus trip to New York City, go to all of the sports games that you can make and join clubs becuase these are going to be the best memories that you will have. Love, College Brooke

Don't stress out so much. You have to try hard and study well but make sure that you are doing this correctly. You shouldn't be studying the night before the test and you shouldn't be so worried about grades at the same time. Start studying and doing work ahead of time and be prepared for it to just get harder from here. That stuff was easy and (virtually) stress free.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transiton, I would tell myself to be more proactive and stay focused. During my senior year of high school, college wasn't my main priority. I was more focused on being in the moment rather than planning what college I was going to attend or how I was going to pay for college. Instead I should have been more proactive and listening to my parents that way when it came time to start classes I would have the funds to attend but I didn't. Before classes started I didn't know how I was going to pay the rest of my tuition but my parents saved the day. I would also tell myself to try to become more independent. When I first came to college I wanted to leave within the first week because I didn't have my mom there to help me do evertything. This was my first time being alone and I didn't know what to do. I eventually got the hang of college and started to enjoy myself.

I would tell myself to make sure to take advantage of everything the college has to offer, especially grants. In addition, don't let an opportunity slip by, one essay isn't going to make your college career but an internship would. Don't worry about being a perfectionist and even if something comes by at the last minute, don't let it blow by. Don't be shy or nervouse becuase everyone is going through the same thing. In regards to studying abroad, think it through because it really is a scary venture on your own, this is one of the things you should NOT be impulsive on. I would tell myself to take everything with stride and research as much as possible before making a final commitment, because in college it can really mean alot for the future.

"Live day by day." I am a very organized person and I like to know what's happening, when it's happening, where it's happening, etc. I think ahead a lot. This can be a good thing, but it can also put a lot of stress on someone. If I could give myself advice, I would say to take everything in stride, live for the moment. Pre-planning and failure of others to pre-plan made my freshman year a bit stressful. Some things are better to plan ahead on, but don't stress because you planned a 5:30 pm dinner and no one shows up until 7:00! Not everything can be expected. So just live and enjoy.

I have always lived my life with no regrets, everything that we do and everything that happens is what allows us to become who we are today. If I could go back I would not tell my-self to change anything or do anything differently. I would simply try to make sure that I go into college with my life in order. I would tell myself that sometimes things will come up that will cause you to choose between what you want to do and what you know you should do. Sometimes doing what you should do isnt always going to be the easiest or most fun choice to make but in the long run it will be the most benifical. Keep you head up, your grades high and enjoy everyday because it slips be so fast.

Having completed my first year in college I have realized that gettting good grades are not as hard as they may seem. If you study you get good grades it is a simple formula. If I could go back in time to when I was in high school I would tell myself to study and stop sleeping in class, that track isnt everything, and to do as much as I can to get my GPA up and study for the sat and act harder, and to also put in an appeal for my admission to utsa.

Being a high school senior possibly is one of the most stressful times of a person’s life. It marks the transition from teenager to adult hood. In a matter of months some of the biggest decisions one must make all come up at once. It’s hard to make decisions regarding the rest of your life, which is why hearing advice from those who have experienced it before can be so beneficial. If I was to go back to myself as a high school senior and give myself advice, I would say is to learn to become independent. College is no walk in the park like high school, teachers and counselors no longer are there to hold your hand nor remind you of all upcoming deadlines, this is now all up to you. You are seen as an adult in college and that is how you are treated. You’re no longer getting an extra day to turn in work and because of that it is important to be able to take care of everything independently. Finally enjoy yourself, this is one of the best times of your life, these experiences will be ones that will never be forgotten.

The advice that I would give to my high school self would be to work harder in school. It's every seniors dream to be done with high school, but I started letting go too early. If I would have worked harder, I could have earned more scholarships and helped my parents with my next 4 years. Also, I would advise myself to spend more time with my family. Its hard to realize how much you will miss them when you are off at college. I was used to seeing them everyday, but now I hardly see them. I would want myself to take advantage of the free time I had and spend that with the people I care about the most. My family has always been there for me and it would have been nice to enjoy more quality time with them when I had the chance.

Have fun! Meet new people and let them influence your life in a positive way. College is time consuming but in the end very rewarding. Keep your head high when the times get tough and keep your head in the books when your tempted to go out with friends. You will change your college goals not once, not twice but may be three times before you really know what you want in the end. With each change will come a challenge, but you can overcome them your a hard working woman. Mom is proud of you no matter how much she complains that you live to far away. Transitioning out of the Marine Corps is harder that you may think. Just remember that the family that you have made with every Marine you have worked with is still strong even if you do not work side by side any more. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Dear High School Self, Everything that you think matters now will not matter when you get to college. College will be a fresh start, and any issue you have, whether it social anxiety or popularity, can be managed in college. Just be yourself and there will be people who like you for who you are. If they don't, then something is wrong with them, not you because you are an amazing person. This is also a perfect chance to find what you want to do for the rest of your life, so take advantage of that opportunity. School comes first so you should study every chance that you get. Make use of every resource the school has to offer because you are investing thousands of dollars and you need to get your moneys worth. Above everything else, have fun! You only have 4 years left before you are out in the real world. There will be difficult experiences and some of them may be overwhelming but don't let anything withdraw you from the rest of the world because beyond every bad experience there's something better for you so stay positive and be prepared for it. Sincerely, Malcolm

I would tell myself, "Prepare yourself for a lot of work. Also learn different studing habits. Yes there are times that you have to stay up late doing homework, but if you can learn to manage your time very well, you can cut those times down by a lot. Another thing, don't be afraid to go out and have fun instead of doing homework every once in a while because sometimes taking a break is the best thing to do when you have a lot of work. Also use all the academic resources that are available for you. They really do help when you are struggling with a subject. The last thing advice I have is to do your best, and no one can ask for anything more of you. As long as you do your best, be proud of your work."

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would let her know to take more risks and go on more adventures. I did a lot during my senior year but I wish I had done more. I would have loved to have traveled and sky-dived, among other things. I would also tell myself to work less during freshmen year. I missed out on a lot of opportunities due to working so much. I was unable to go to plays, hang out with friends, missed speakers, and get-togethers. I would also tell my-self that physics is not the right path. Though I switched majors at the end of my first semester, I wish I had known that my hatred for physics would carry over to college and make me miserable during my first semester. Though I would tell this all to my-self, I would also tell her not to change a thing that did happen. Everything happened for a reason and made me who I am today.

I would tell myself not to worry. I would keep my options open and push myself into joining things that were outside of my comfort zone. I would become more involved in my campus life from the very start in order to make more relationships early in the year, and give myself exciting new opportunities that are outside of the classroom and help me to familiarize myself with the campus early on. I would make myself try new things even if I was nervous as it would help me to quickly become comfortable and excited about life on my campus.

If I could go back in the past I would tell myself to just be very friendly and confident. I would tell myself to not be scared or worried about making friends because everyone is really nice and if that you just be yourself you will make many. I would tell myself to make sure you study what you learned in class for at least an hour everyday so that you don’t have to cram the day before. I would tell myself to eat healthy and try really hard at crew to make a really good boat. Finally I would tell myself to do everything I did do because I loved my first semester as a college student.

I know this experience is going to be very different for you. The freedom you are given at such a short amount of time will be overwhelming. You will have the urge to not go to class and to go out and party with your friends all the time. You have to remember that there needs to be a line where; you stop having fun, buckle down, and do your work. You will think "oh I can finish this another time" ,but then you keep pushing that time back and procrastinate. Then all of a sudden the assignment is due tomorrow and you are rushing to get it done. You might get it done, might not, but why take that chance? Do your work when it should be done to prevent any worry that it possibly will not get done or be done at a lower quaility than you can actually make it. Remember that the main reason you are there is to learn and begin a new life away from home. I am not saying not to have fun; I am saying to make sure you allow yourself to have a full college experience.

Look, college is not High School anymore, you will have to work your but off if you are to succeed. I know you are used to getting straight A's without studying, but this is all about to change. You have to start learning new study methods and how to study for nights on end to get those high scores you are so used to. Also, your grade will no longer comprise of a bunch of homework grades, you will have only three or four tests to earn your grade. This means you absolutly have to reinforce what you learn in lecture by working everything again by yourself. These tips of advice may seem boring and a bit much but they will be worth it in the end. I have all the confidence in the world in you, you are a hard worker and your work ethic has never been in question. Continue working hard and study hard, you are going to love college!