Washington State University Top Questions

If I could go back and meet myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself of the following. Firstly, I would tell myself to take a deep breath and not to worry, everything will work out okay. Then I would tell myself to do as many scholarship applications as possible. Although it may seem boring and tedious now, the benefit later, if you get one, is worth the work. Next I would advise myself that during the first few weeks of school it is important to be outgoing and social. You are in a new setting with new people, the more new people you meet now the more enjoyable your experience will be later. Along with this concept, I would advise myself to get involved in some way. Find some way to connect with a group on a regular basis no matter whether its government, intramurals, or just study groups. The final piece of advice I would give myself is that it is important to go to your classes. Even if you think you are not gaining anything, by going to class you are much more likely to be successful in that class.

I would have told myself that high school is a cake-walk compared to college. I did not know how to study properly while in high school and it took me a year in college to get the art of studying down. So, I definitely would have told my past self that I need to not procrastinate and study thoroughly, and that procrastination is definitely a college student's Achilles heel. I also would have told myself to not be shy since most people at my university are very friendly people.

Do exactly as you are doing, trust your instincts and live freely.

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! My freshman year I made a mistake and not studied as much as I should have. The transition from Highschool to College is very difficult, you really have to put your mind into your work. No fooling around. It's hard because you are so excited being at college now that you get distracted. You want to take in all the college experience at once. Take your time, You got four years to do so! Trust me, it's enough time! The class rooms were the hardest to get use to and the independency you need to gain so quickly. Professors always try to act hard at first, but as the semester goes on, they begin to open up and don't be affraid to go see them in office hours. I never went to office hours my first year, now I go and the Professor gets to understand you and how you work. That makes it so they can help you on a more personal level. Becoming so independent so quickly was fairly hard for me. Professors are nice, but they aren't highschool teachers. They move fast with learning: so lastly: DO YOUR READING!

I would tell myself not to fret so much over change. It?s a natural, necessary occurrence in life, otherwise we would all be mindless cogs in the societal machine. I would tell my high school self to embrace the change and push it as far as it will go. Don?t be afraid to make mistakes because we learn nothing, otherwise. I have learned that it is the change in life, and more importantly how we adapt to it that truly defines who we are in this world. I would also tell myself to keep friendships but to be more independent. It is important to have a support network, but above all learn to rely on yourself to achieve your goals. Friends and girlfriends that are meant to last will share your life and travel it with you, without actively altering it to your detriment. Oh, and PS? Stay away from Las Vegas!

There are several pieces of advice I would give myself in high school. First, stop spending so much money on things I don't need and save it for architectural supplies - nope, tuition doesn't cover it - and groceries. Keep up the search for scholarship money and convince my boss to give me more hours. Maybe even get a second job. Most of my classes are lectures, so practice note taking skills and learn to grasp the most important concepts that will be tested on. Living with a roommate and a floor full of other guys is pretty fun, so don't worry about meeting new people. But perhaps most importantly, I would tell myself to have more confidence around girls; I am in college with no dating experience! Experiment a little, and please ask out that girl - you know the one - to prom so I don't go alone. You will regret if you don't, especially when you run into her during Thanksgiving break. Finally, I would advise to learn to have fun, but balance it with studying and I will do just fine.

I would strongly advise my high-school-senior self that getting involved in college is one of the most important things you should do. Going to a university and not getting involved is one of the best ways to waste the experience. I would strongly encourage myself to join some highly engaging and really involved campus group, like a club sports team or hall government. It not only strengthens applications for all sorts of positions, but it gives you experiences, knowledge, and the background that employers want, and it shows that you're an engaged person who really wants to do something. Furthermore, it's an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience that you won't regret. Really, join something and be a part of the school life. You don't want to just get a degree and leave, otherwise you won't get your money's worth out of the school.

I would tell myself to nor rush and worry about college. Since I'm an 18 year old colleg senior I'm almost done with my college career before I even really figured out what I want out of it. Looking back, I would have enjoyed high-school more and not be so concerned with how hard I thought college would be. In contrast, It's been relatively easy. Teachers are amazing, learning is incredible, friends are fantastic. College is a place where learing is a high priority. I've loved school and my expectations of college have been surpassed.

Community college is truly a neccessary transition period before a four year school. Whether you take classes at a CC during high school, the summer after you graduate, or spend two years getting your AA, the credits are cheaper and the experience will teach you how to achieve better grades in college courses. Time spent on college courses includes mostly reading and studying, as opposed to daily assignments and busy work like many Freshman are used to from high school. When students arrive at a university, they are immediately distracted by the appeals of living on their own, making new friends, joining clubs, and getting a job; it often just doesn't occur to them that school expectations are very different now. Many Freshman avoid getting a job or participating in clubs/sports their first year because they want to focus on school. I advise against this because participation in activities that encourage responsibility and dedication transfers over to responsibility and dedication to classes, while a lot of free time encourages distraction and a social life that dominates over education. I guarantee your social life can still thrive in the background, even if your main focus in school is success.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that "taking a year off" was not the best idea. As you become an adult life often gets in the way and it only gets harder and harder to go back to school. Now, with a full-time job, children and a husband to take care of college cannot always be the number one priority. With family you never know when an illness is going to get in the way of a final. All of that aside, work hard. Sometimes it means staying up to the early hours of the morning, but if you work hard you will do well. Its not easy but it is possible.