Webster University Top Questions

I think the transition from high school to undergraduate school and now to graduate school has been difficult for me primarily because I come from a home where only one other member of the family (my brother) had finished with a bachelor's degree. Both of my parents did not graduate high school. If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to find a mentor early on. No one in my family was able to help me when it came to the nuances of networking or simple college life. I had to learn everything the hard way and I hope to pass my knowledge on to my kids. But if I could go back I think I would definitely choose to find a mentor to make my transition a bit easier. If only I knew that was necessary back when I was a pimple-faced teen.

It gets better. Cliche. But it does. The bullying stops in college. People are mature, or they just don't care enough to pick on you. Nobody cares how you do this, that, or the other thing. They don't care how you dress or do your hair. Sure, there are people who are still judgemental, but you'll never escape that. But now, you don't care about what people think. You toughen up a little bit more when you get to college. You grow. So, don't worry about the nay-sayers right now. They'll go away. They'll forget they bullied you and you'll forget too. Why? Because it'll become irrelevant. Once you're in college, social dynamics will change drastically.

I best advice that I could give myself if I were making the transition to college is (1) take your studies seriously, (2) keep your life goals in front of you as you marticulate through your studies, and (3) enjoy the ride.

Do not compare your future with anyone else's future. You are on your own path-- you do not and will not just go to a four year university and that is that. No matter how much you search, you will not be able to get into any universities, not that you would be able to get any scholarships in time. You will start out at community college and you should accept this, love this decision. You should get involved in community college. Join a club or two-- stop making excuses that you just can not make the time. Apply to more than one college when you decide to transfer. Do not settle. Explore and take your time in your decision. No matter what, go with your gut. You will make your way.

I would tell myself not to worry so much about grades. What I did not know then that I know now is that going from a community college to a four year college, high school grades don't matter as much as community college grades. I would tell myself to enjoy my senior year, take risks, go to all the clubs and sport outings. Grades don't matter now.

Write out a plan for college so that you don't get distracted or lose motivation part way through. It is very easy to lose focus if you don't have clear goals and steps for reaching those goals. It is important to write your goals and accomplishments down so that you can keep track of why you're doing what you're doing and see how far you've come. It is way better to choose a major and stick to it, than to just take general courses and decide later, because classes and study feel very pointless if you don't see exactly what your hard work is going toward. Most of all, don't give up! Keep pushing through, it will be worth it, there will not be a better time to go through college than now!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student, I would have quite a lot to say. I would look at that person and tell them that things will get very hard in the future. There will be a tremendous amount of competition for the things you want and everyone will be fighting to get even a little piece of the pie. I would tell her to not be so afraid of stepping up and taking risks, that sometimes these are good things and can lead to opportunities that you wouldn't have known about. I would tell her to not doubt her abilities, but embrace them and use them to her advantage and to talk to her teachers and mentors about how to prepare for life as an adult. I would tell her to be brave and really research and understand what it is that she wants for herself and to set goals she knows she can attain. I would tell her that it's frightening sometimes, and it won't be easy, but she will be all the more rewarded for it in the end.

I'd tell myself to do what I did. Everything is good, no bad choices, no extreme circumstances.

If I had known in high school these three things, I would’ve possessed invaluable knowledge that may have led me toward a different path: It will be harder than you think to move out of the house and let go of your parents, you don’t have to have your life completely planned out, find what you love and never let it go. One thing that I’ve learned in college is how much I depended on my parents in high school. I never realized how special of a bond I have with my parents, but I no longer take time spent with them for granted. Since I am a huge planner, I have planned out my life hundreds of times, and each time it hasn’t gone accordingly. I wish I would’ve taken general education classes to get a feel for what I like instead of jumping in to a major that I ended up switching anyway. I have a passion for musical theater, and I’ve let opportunities pass me by because I wasn’t sure if it was for me. I’ve realized that it’s something I enjoy and should never give up on.

I would tell myself to save every penny, nickle, dime, quarter and dollar that I have ever had as my possession. I was always told that it would be wise to save for college. I knew this myself, but it did not really sink into my mind until I entered college and needed money for books, food, and extra activities. This would be this biggest talk that I would give to my "high school self". Budgeting and saving is crucial in college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself several things that would assist me with my education in the future. I would tell myself first, to study in the field of technology with an emphasis in communications. I would concentrate on the areas of computer analysis in the area of technology because in todays world science, technology, and communications are the leading jobs in demand. I would tell myself that in order to transition into webster university I would need to keep my gpa within the guidelines for this school because they have a few scholarships for students who have a certain gpa. I would also tell myself to develop a relationship with my advisor to help assist me in my educational and job searches. I would also remind myself that if did not need federal loans to not take any out. I would tell myself to focus on scholarship and paid internship opportunities to finance my education, and only use financial aid when it was completly necessary. Finally, I would remind myself to become involved with my community on and off campus and to enjoy life.

Dear Rebecca, I know that you were completely heart-broken after Notre Dame rejected you and when you found out that you would only be third in your class, not valedictorian. Do not worry about any of that. You are going to love Webster University; it is truly your perfect college. I know that you are anxious to leave Rich East and get away from all of the stress that unfortunately comes from living in Park Forest, but you need to remember the good points of your hometown, too. It was your home for 18 years, and believe it or not, once you move to St. Louis, you really will miss Park Forest and all of Chicago. Stop worrying about the future and just let it unfold for you. You got into this college for a reason, and in a few years, you will see that it was definitely worth it to get rejected from Notre Dame, trust me. Everything happens for a reason, remember that. It will all work out in the end. Love, Your Older, Wiser Self

Take time to have fun and learn how to manage time between fun and school.

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop and enjoy life. I grew up extremely poor. I had to work 2 jobs in high school just to help pay the bills then I would come home and take care of my younger siblings so my parents could work. Whenever I was invited to go out with my friends I would decline because my focus was working so I could earn more money to help make my younger siblings have more. I lost several friends and even missed out on my senior year of fun. I felt that at the time I would never miss the fact that I didn't go to prom or the parties because I was working. I wish I would have participated in my senior year more to have better memories. I now know that my family would have survived for me to be a teenager.

College is a wonderful experience if you approach it with the right attitude. I'm sure you've all heard to "be yourself" and discover who you are. Well, there's nowhere better than at college. But don't blow the experience. I'm not going to tell you not to get involved with all the partying, drinking, and shinanigans of college life, but instead I'm going to tell you to be yourself. You've, I'm sure, heard this before all throughout high school, but for real, be yourself. Maybe you are the person who wants to succeed financially in life, but don't let anyone tell you this. Instead, major in what you want to major in, not what's going to get you the most money. And maybe the party scene is you, but don't get involved with it just because that's what everyone else is doing. You'll find like-minded people if you're patient. So go and have an incredible experience; you're only hear once in your life for a few short years. Don't waste it, but get everything you can out of your college experience.

My advice to me would be, "Hey you!! Don't mess around in high school! Get more involved with my studying, acquiring good grades, and activities - especially sports. ( I was a very good swimmer and diver with no training and I should have joined the swim/dive team. But, I didn't.) I would tell myself that high school is not a place to play but a place to build my life, my future. Make conscious choices about, not only what the future can offer and what do I need to do to acquire the skills to be successful, but to choose my friends wisely. These people are what my memories will be built from and will be important to my future. So much time was wasted on being more concerned about what I was going to do next friday or saturday night, than what was I going to do with the rest of my life. Now, at the age of 50, I have acquired a master's degree. But, I'm financially struggling because I waited too long to seriously invest in my life. I won't allow my 3 daughters to make this mistake.

I would tell myself that the college transition is not always easy for everyone. No matter if you have an idea of what you want to do or not always do your best. Make sure you have people arounfd you that is determined to do a good job in class and are focused. Whenever you have a hard time with something do not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help no matter how dumb it may seem to you. Make a game out of all your homework. Your teachers will not always come out and tell you what is important, that is why it is important to take as many notes as possible. Make enough time for play as you do for doing the homework and studying because you do not want to burn yourself out too quickly.

Find alumni from your high school who currently attend the school you plan on going to. I did this my senior year, and it was the perfect way to figure out what the college was like compared to what I already knew. Having a clearer picture of what college was going to be like for me made the transition less frightening. Those same people also helped me around campus, ate lunch with me, and helped me into a group of friends. Their guidance saved me from stressing about the social aspects of college so I was able to focus more on the important part--my education!

As a freshman in college, the world is truly different. Instructors do not care if you "forgot" your essay in your car or at your house. They don't care if you didn't know it was due that day. And they don't know or care about the struggles of your everyday life. If i could go back one year and give myself advice about college, I would tell myself to ask for help and not to worry. Life is hard enough as it is on a day to day basis; worrying about the stress of tomorrow doesn't do anything but hurt. I would tell myself to get ready but to try and have fun. I would say "stay where you are, don't move, and things will be better". I would say "keep your job, buy a car". And I'd tell myself to stay close to my real friends and forget those who doubt me. I would tell myself to get my head out of the clouds, because what you make of your life is purely up to you.

Screaming was the way to shatter my wall of indignance back in the spring of 1999. If the 30 year old woman I have grown into could retreat to that time, I would swoop down and throttle the teenager. "Jennifer Lynn, stop being so incensed that you can't go to a major university in the fall! You are not above community college. Internalize the craft of humility in order to figure out your life! You will never move forward until you learn to stop taking shame in where you must begin!" Stuffing a giant slice of humble pie down my own throat was the first step of my journey. I am now a successful student, one year from a top-ranking law school in America. Had I allowed myself to accept that there is zero shame in beginning an education at a community college; I could have accomplished great things many years ago. As it stands, I am grateful that my daft aversion to local education diminished into a distant, embarrassing memory. I could not have accomplished anything at all, had it not been for the availability of community college.