West Chester University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to study everything as deeply as possible. In college every class you take covers a wide range of subjects and material. For instance you might take a psychology course and come out learning about the human body or even how people learn to read and speak. Putting a few hours into a class is worth the knowlege you will receive in the end. I would also tell myself to keep in contact with teachers from high school. These teachers know you more are willing to spend more time with you then a busy professor who teaches 6 classes a day. Last I would remind myself that their are so many options to choose from as a career and not to worry about the perfect career path yet. There are so many options you have not yet explored in order to choose wisely.

I would tell myself not to worry about fitting in. The best way to do that was to just be myself. Don't dwell on the relationships you have to leave behind because you're going to make other friendships that are just as valuable as the ones at home. Don't forget to spend time with your family before you leave. They want to know how things are going - even if they don't ask - so volunteer information to them. Call your mom! She misses you more than she will tell you when you leave. Make your sisters come visit you because they miss you too. Brag about your good grades to Dad because he is so proud when you do well. Cultivate YOUR interests. Not anyone else's. Don't be afraid to try something new, even if it doesnt work out. Don't do anything you wouldn't want to tell your mom about afterwards. Strive to be the best you can but don't forget to have fun on the side! Don't be afraid - it is the beginning of the best years of your life.

Go out and join a lot of clubs and be active in things other than studying all the time and do not worry about everything especially getting good enough grades, because if you study the two hours to every hour of class time you should be fine just like your teachers suggested you should. Take classes that interest you and would be helpful to your daily life because the ones that you will do best in will be the ones that you have interest in , even having a good professor helps because if the professor can not inspire you then how would they expect you to do work for them.

I would go back and tell myself to be as open-minded as possible about the transition from high school to college. In college you want to be involved in as many extra curricular activites as you can because it provides the opportunity to meet people and develop friendships. The most important piece of advice I would go back and give myself would be to just follow your heart and make smart choices that are going to benefit your life down the road after college. Do your best to try and keep your stress level down by planning and preparing for tests and finals far in advance. Also just because people around you are drinking does not mean you have to drink to fit in at parties. Most importantly have fun in a safe manner. Do not forget to call your mother. She misses you more than you think.

Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today! When you receive all your class syllabi, plan ahead! Look at the dates when assignments are due, and get them completed ahead of time. Do not wait until the last minute. There's no need to get overwhelmed, just take it week by week. College is not that difficult if you work each and every day, even Friday. Make a schedule and color code each class. When the assignment is to read something, go to the library immediately and read what they ask you to read! Take notes on what you read and reflect on the material, so you can go into class prepared to ask relevant questions. Ask questions! Take advantage of your professors. It?s their jobs to be in service to you, not the other way around. Walk up to your professor after class and introduce yourself. Make yourself stand out in some way. Go to every class! Most importantly, have fun! You don?t need to work 24/7, but you need to prioritize what needs to be done. Schedule in time for relaxation and socializing, just remember why you?re in school, to learn.

GET INVOLVED, GET INVOLVED, and GET INVOLVED! I would tell myself to step out of my comfort zone and explore programs, speeches, and conferences that help me become a better leader and build a great newtorks with friends, faculty, and professionals at my school. Many times in life great opportunites may not come with what you know but with who you know and the only way to get to know great inspirational leaders on your campus is to get involved and step out of your comfort zone. These opportunities can lead to great things such as scholarships and jobs in the career you choose. I would also tell myself to always prioritize and always keep academics first and never let myself get influenced into making a decision that can affect my college career or grades in a negative manner. I would also tell myslef to always stand up for any cause I believe in because as a wise person said, "" If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." Lastly, I would tell myself to work hard, be dedicated, and be persistant because you can be anything you want with if you NEVER GIVE UP.

Well, I would let myself know that college is a challenge, but a fun one if I am up for it. I would also suggest to myself to start reading a lot of things, some of which I may have little or no interest in to get in the hang of reading a lot of material for classes. I would also suggest learning money management skills and truly suggest learning how to stick with things; because college can be fun but it is not a "bird course." Also I would suggest learning how to make sound decisions, choosing whether or not to study for a test or go to a social is a hard decision that only that person can make. I would also suggest going home as little as possible and speaking to parents only twice a week to help with the transition of living on your own.

I would advise myself not stress over the small things. When worried about something that is not so important it could really disrupt what is actually important, like studying for a test or remembering to help out a friend. When a so-called "disaster" happens just think of the long term effects and always know that things could be a lot worse.

Some advice I would give myself as a high school senior about to attend a college would be to go into college with an open mind and the motivation to make friends and work hard. College is different than high school, for most students, because they may feel peer pressure to join a fraternity or a sorority or they may just chose the wrong friends all together. The friends you make at college influence you more than in high school because you are on your own in college and you live with people your age instead of your parents which make rules. Pre college students should learn to be motivated to get involved in clubs and extra-curricular activities because not only will you meet new people, but you will be boosting your resume. Get involved right away, meaning the first semester of college because it will allow you to fit in and feel more at ease with your environment and surroundings.

If I could go back in time to advise my former high school self I would tell myself that my success in college is solely up to me. I would tell my former self to apply for more scholarships and choose my school wisely. I would also tell myself that being diligent in my school work and avoiding procrastination can be the difference between an A and a B. I would have told myself that my main goal was to graduate and I would have to find a balance between school work, a job, and social obilgations. I would also tell myself that college is not always an easy route and sometimes there are going to be late nights and early morning but in the end it's worth the challenge.