West Chester University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

Always have your main plan and a backup. College is not just about getting an education...it is about learning about yourself. You're making an investment, therefore; make your decision and look at multiple majors you may be interested in (just in case you would like to change majors). Also, NEVER SETTLE! Once again...You are making an investment into your future. You want to be happy with your decision in the near future, and you want to be greatful of the decision when you receive a "return" on your investment in the distant future. If your heart leaps at the idea of attending a university that you've researched deeply and contemplated on the idea logically, chances are...that is the choice you should make.

I would advise myself to go away to a four year school immediately. These past two years that I spent at Montgomery County Community College were not what I expected. While I saved a decent amount of money going to a local community College, I did not feel like I was at college. At WCU I will be taking advantage of every opportunity I can to advance myself. I want to connect with the Sports Department and start helping them out, as I aspire to work in the sports industry as a Public Relations professional.

Perhaps the greatest piece of advice I would give to my younger, more naïve high school self is to stop living up to the expectations of others. Despite what they claim, no one knows the hopes and desires you keep close to yourself. Happiness is subjective, and the road to it is as varied and unique as every individual. Attempting to please everyone is an exercise in futility, for everyone demands different things from you, and it is impossible to please them all. Instead, focus on the things that interest you as an individual. Sign up for fencing, contribute to the campus newspaper, or focus on training your body to become a stronger, healthier version of itself. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen, and marvel at the difference you make in a person’s life. Participate in the activities that fascinate you, despite the unreasonable condemnation of your peers. The only expectations that you must accommodate to are your own. Life is short, fleeting, and to not live on it on your own terms is a disservice to both your talents and intellect.

College is just that final step needed to make life easier and can help other build their path towards their career and the work force. Once people who decide to go to college, will have the best four years of their life where people wish they could go to college all over again after graduation. Also going to college can help people achieve excellent jobs for their careers. Also it is best to have perserverance and never give up on the goals that one sets for themselves to accomplish and it is best to see it through to the very end.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself the advice to save my money to pay for college instead of spending it on unnecessary items. I wold also advise myself to not sweat the small stuff. I would get myself so worked up before a test and if I did not get a good grade I would beat myself up after I got my grade back. I stressed so much that I did worse on the test. The one test grade would not have hurt me enought to worry about it to the degree I was. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to get involved in my community more. I believe volunteering helps an individual realize there is more to life then just themselves. I feel I have skills that I could have used to better my community but I did not share my abilities enough. The one thing that stood out to me as soon as I read this question was; I wish I spent more time with my family when I was home.

I remember being a high school senior like it was yesterday. I was so nervous and excited all at the same time it felt like I could explode at any moment. I remember thinking all sorts of wild thoughts about what college would be like. Things like will my roommate like me? Are my professor like my high school teachers? Am I really going ot have to right a 20 page paper every semester?! Just millions of thoughts rushing through my mind 24/7. The most important advice I would give myself is to simply calm down and breathe. As simple as that sounds surprisingly I couldn't do that at all when I was a senior at high school. College has been an amazing experience exceeding all my expectations, I had nothing to be nervous about at all. People were right when they said college would be the best four years of your life. I honestly never want it to end.

Hey kid, I am you from the future. I am here to give you a bit of what the real world is like. You have to do things on your own, you make your own destiny, and you cannot doubt yourself for one second. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in the world, and also meet a lot of great people who understand you. It will be scary at first, but I know, from experience, that you have what it takes. Remember to plan out your days and leave time for work and for fun. And start flossing, its good for your health!

High school was very easy for me and for the most part was not taken seriously, I thought I was a genius! If I could give advise to myself it would be to prepare for the unexpected not only intelligently but finanically. College is challenging and if I realized that ahead of time I would have worked harder my first semester rather than slack off thinking I was going to pass anyway. Even a C your first semester can risk your GPA for the future, DON'T STRESS OUT TOO MUCH but at the same time just be aware and work on time management. High school and college life are very different and if I advised myself to not go into it head strong I would have ended up less stressed.

It seems like yesterday that I was taking a campus tour of West Chester University as a high school senior, an outsider, looking in on the college life, the different majors, and numerous opportunities. If I were to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise not to be scared of change, but embrace and adapt to it. As we open unfamiliar doors in life, we deal with fear and uncertainty of what new territory lies ahead. I had trepidation about leaving behind family and friends, and transitioning from “home” life to a completely new college life filled with freedom and independence. After two semesters, I learned that change is beneficial and that I was fully prepared to face the tasks and responsibilities myself. To add, balance and moderation is the key to success. It was a major transition going from four classes in high school to six college classes. Although I had a heavy workload, I found that with great time management, hard work, and organization, it is possible to succeed academically and allocate time for community service and social outings with friends. College has helped me grow as an individual.

I’m standing in the small corner bedroom of my parents’ house, complete with decades old blue carpet and whirring ceiling fan. A young quirky haired high school boy sits at his desk, smirking a little under his pointy nose. The calendar behind him says 2006. Then, beyond my wildest dream, I realize that boy is me… only a much younger and greasier version of me. And that phone, oh no, it can’t be. “Dan, I scream, put down that phone; you don’t want to accept that job! Sure, it looks like great now… but think how you’ll feel working alone, baking bread, in the middle of the night. You’ll spend two years trying to make yourself something you’re not. Don’t do it, please. You have that brain, character, and you're warm and approachable! Why would you want to waste those strengths hidden like a worker elf in the back room? You can teach! Go to college and make the world better by your talents.” That is exactly what I told myself 7 years ago, but now I am sitting in front of a blinking computer screen writing it.