joshua
I have learned alot and made good friends.
Samantha
Ever since I have been attending college, I have found out who I really am. Also I've learned that education is extremely important to make it through life. College has been so valuable to me because it's a home away from home. When my home life beomes difficult I just go to college and study. Another valuable aspect of college is meeting new people and making new friends. The bonds and connections college has provided for me will last a lifetime.
Julie
My college experience has been amazing in many ways. Participating in one of the greatest marching bands in America is an honor and I can still feel the excitement of performing in that stadium for the first time. There have been many adjustments that i have had to make such as living with a roommate for the first time but I have had the time of my life doing it. You no longer are forced to be home by a certin time or hear the daily reminders from your parents and you learn to do things on your own. There are many lessons that are necessary to learn on a college campus when you are 18 years old. I cannot imagine myself anywhere else but Western Carolina Unversity .
Joel
During my attendance at Western Carolina University there have been many great experiences that have enlightened me. All of the classes that I have taken so far have all taught me many interesting facts of information. This information can help me in the future to better understand how our world was and how it works today. With that understanding, I will be able to cope with the problems of today and figure out how to make a living and survive in this world. Being on my own and not having my parents around has been a substantial change and is also very important because when I am out of college I need to know how to live on my own and know how to be responsible for myself. In college I have also been able to make great connections with new people and make many new friends that I will cherish throughout my life. This is very important because networking is always beneficial. Someday you could not know how to do something and someone else you know could understand it. Overall my college experience has helped me to understand how to live life to its fullest and learn how survive.
Virginia
If I had the opportunity to go back in time and tell myself a few things about college I first off tell myself to 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} For certain choose Western Carolina. I would tell myself that is defiantly the right choice and to not worry about making a poor decision. Then I would tell myself to join the Marching Band. In high school I was a little hesitant to join, however it was the best decision I made at Western. Through the band I have made my absolute best friends. It also gave me a chance to make friends, because we were together 24/7 for a week before school even started. I would tell myself to buy a lot of organizers and to actually be organized. Then I would tell myself to appreciate high school. In high school I used to complain a lot about my homework, however compared to college high school had very minimum homework.
Roberta
First of all I would tell myself it's natural te be afraid, but not to let that fear debilitate myself. The fear will be fleeting, and the outcome will be independence, and self respect, so just trod right on past the fear. Secondly I would tell myself to follow my own instincts, and not let others influence my decision. I am the only one who really knows what I want and how I feel about something, so I need to act on my feelings. Next, I would reasure myself that I have what it takes to make it to the finish line. If I stumble, I have what it takes to pick myself up and continue to the checkered flag. I don't have to finish first, I just need to make it across the line. Finally I would tell myself, this is the most opportune time in my life to discover who I am. As life forms around me, with each layer of experience, I will become less pliable. Do not let life happen and stuff me into the mold it wants for me. Use this stage of my life to make my own mold.
Keith
The best advice I would give myself (and others), looking back on my senior year, includes a number of things. You must first remember you are in school for an education; not to have a "good time". Then, ALWAYS take notes in class as the professor speaks, even if you have to speed write. Many tests have essays and are not covered in the text books but by facts that the professor has given to you in class. Next, study the text chapters assigned until you know them by heart. Just as it is important to take notes from the professor, it is equally important to know and understand the text assigned to read. Next, from day one, try to get a feel and understanding of what the professor is looking for in assignments that are turned in and answers to essays on exams. It varies from professor to professor. This is very important in keeping your GPA up. Then, get involved. Whether it be part of a school activity, tutoring (which I also participated in my senior year in algebra, English and information systems); and by all means, join Cooperative Education. Employers want experience as well as academic achievement.
Catherine
Winston Churchill once said, "there is nothing wrong with change if it is in the right direction." If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise 18 year-old me to be prepared for how completely my life was about to change, to accept that there was nothing I could do about it, and that change isn't neccessarily a bad thing. The first semester of college was comprised of the worst five months of my life and I believe that if I could go back and tell myself to make more friends when I got here, that time would have been much easier for me. I would tell myself that the homesickness would be awful but that it would eventually pass and that a time would come when I would actually want to stay at school on the weekends. Lastly, I would go back and tell myself, "when the time comes that it seems all hope is lost and you will never be happy again, know that you will be just as happy later as you are sad then."
Margaret
Break up with Andrew because he will cause nothing but stress. Avoid Spartenburg, South Carolina. Study really hard for Furnish's final test because you got A's on all those other assignments. Don't go home every weekend to work because where it looks good on the paycheck; missing the collegiate experience for money is not worth it. Get on Fastweb.com quickly because it is a great place for scholarships; also, don't slack on those scholarships. Every bit helps. Be friends with Bunny but do not let him get too close. Follow dad's advice about having a great time. Just have a great time and enjoy it!
Alyssa
As a high school senior, I knew I wanted to go to a 4 year college so that I could "live the college life." My dream school was in Florida, but I was too scared to go that far away. I ended up going to SUNY Cortland for the first semester of my freshman year. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that it is ok to go to a community school until you know for sure what you want to do. I ended up coming home and attending community college my second semester, and next fall I will be attending the University of Tampa. I wish I would have known that it was ok to take my time until I got up the nerve to follow my dreams, rather than going to a 4 year school right away.
Ashley
Dear Ashley,
I know you're having a great time as a senior in high school, but let me tell you this: it gets better!! Moving in with a roommate after being an only child? Not so hard! She'll be your best friend, so just let go of any worries you're carrying about her not liking you. You'll click so much you won't even believe it! You make friends so easily, but you'll gain a family in the first few months. You'll trust these people with your life, and Conservatory won't be that hard with them beside you.
I know you might not be into the whole 'campus' thing, and that's okay. But have some fun and find some friends outside of your world of Conservatory--they will serve you well when you need to get away from it all. Put yourself out there on campus and you won't regret it. Call mom every day (she'll miss you) and staying in touch with family at home is so important because you always need someone to go back to when you've had a bad day : they'll always be there.
Ashton
Priorities should be the number one focus going into college. Being a freshman can get overwhelming. It is different than high school and you have a lot more responsibilities. You have a new class schedule, living in a new place, and you are surrounded by people that you do not know. Most people will try to fit in with the crowd and lose their focus on their education. Keep your head on straight and make sure that your number one focus is on things that matter. Another big piece of advice I would give myself is to not procrastinate. Putting things off until the last minute can cause stress. The less stress you have in your college career the more fun it will be. When you get things done early, you feel better and can find more time to do things that you really want to do.
Sydney
The main thing I would tell myself is to get involved more. Don't just focus on the good grades but seek clubs and committees that will get one involved in the community and in the student body. Not only will this help you meet friends and peers but it will also help you succeed as you go on to college. It helps you to learn to manage your time and to gain a better understanding of what people, your community, and society as a whole needs. You will not only be able to obtain your goals in your profession but also be able to better contribute to society as a whole.
Alissa
If I were to go back and give myself advice, it would be about managing my time. Time is key in college and the outside world. In high school, you kind of get a little peek of how it can affect your progress and success but nothing significant as going to college. Learning how to control how much time I spending hanging out with friends or going to the gym really would have helped me by not having such late nights. The time management, which I have learned to organize myself with now, is what really guided me into either knowing the information in my classes or having no clue what was going on. Now I give myself a schedule, limiting how much time I spend on one thing and then also giving myself time to relax so I am not so tired at night and then also not needing to stay up so late. Managing what time, how much time and when to stop is really what gives you the biggest opportunity to be very successful.
Samuel
If I could advise myself for my future in college I would have practiced reading and studying before entering college. Having the ability to read and study are two of the most important traits to have working for you. Also college can not be done by yourself you need peers to turn to for guidence and not be afraid to ask for help from your professors, thats why they are there. Knowing these few simple ideals makes for success for the rest of your life.
Alison
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to save the money I made working, and to maybe take a few college transferable credits at our local community college. I would have tried to do alot better on my SAT and maybe taken my ACT. I would have told myself to work harder in math and switched teachers because I would need the math we learned in high school for college as a prerequisite or for our humaity courses. I would tell myself to care just a little bit more and have a high GPA rather than just having a 3.2.
Jessica
I would tell myself to remember that everything in life is temporary and to not take things so seriously. One bad test grade, one argument with a friend, or one all nighter of studying isn't the end of the world. I would tell myself to let go of high school and be more open about making friends. I would tell myself to bypass Greek Life because it's a mistake. I would let myself know that you are the only person who matters and not to rely on others. I would remind myself that parties can be dangerous, and to never drink. I would tell myself to stay true to myself, because that is the only way you will make it out of college happy.
Shannon
It is a vital social skill to learn how to interact with a variety of people. Many students become stuck in particular friend groups in highschool, which can lead to a stressful transition into college life. Within the first few days, weeks, and months of your new college career you will encounter a great number of cultures, backgrounds, races, and behavior habits. It is very important to learn to accept and appreeciate individuals for who hey are, and what they have gone through throughout the course of their life.
Justin
This is very simple for me, I would simple say "Dont enlist, go to college and become an Officer of the US ARMY. Enlistment is full of soldiers that need leadership and you are a great leader that will save lives of fellow battle buddies as a Medical Officer." After learning the hard way, I am now going back to school for the same thing that I should have done 6 years ago.
Nathaniel
Don't be shy. Go out, make friends. Get involved. The quicker you get involved and engage yourself in your campus, the easier your transition to college will be. Yes, college academics are somewhat harder. ITS COLLEGE. Also, learn effective time management quickly. If you don't, you'll end up with a horrible GPA because you overslept and missed classes. Learn when your best study times are at the beginning of each semester, it will help you get into a routine that will hopefully lead you to success. Learn to let go of things that happened in high school. You aren't a high schooler anymore. Hopefully, you are 18 or close to being 18. There's a lot of freedom that comes with being legal, but also at the same time, there's a lot of consequences. Make the right choices. Think about what you put up on MySpace and Facebook (if your mom wont be proud of it.. dont put it up there). Most importantly, don't freak out because your mom doesnt take care of you. Have fun! Do things you've never done before! Go on trips! You only get one shot at it!