Wheelock College Top Questions

While I was applying to colleges and recieves acceptance letters, I was so stressed out about where I would go and to make the right decision. Since I have been in college, I have realized that most decisions are not perminant and that I have control over where I want my life to go. So, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to relax and go with what feels right, but if I find that I didn't make the right choice, then I could do something else. It is hard to feel that way during someone's senior year while everyone is asking them, "What do you want to do?" because frankly, not a lot of high schoolers know what they want to do, for me especially.

I would tell myself not to pretend like it's not happening. I just did not want to think about college so I put it all off. Also, apply for scholarships! I did not think they mattered my first year of college so I just did not try, but when my parents got my first bill I realized how serious it truly was. You need to apply yourself in order to make the expierence less stressful. Now I scramble looking for scholarships and it gets tough when billing periods come up. I would also tell myself to do more campus tours, because as much as I like my school it is always good to see a school before you go. Fall in love with your school before you attend it truly changes your outlook on everything. Just be smarter and know college is an important step in life and running away from it really is not an option. It is all worth it, stop stessint you'll fall in love with it all eventually and see how worth it the epierence is.

My biggest piece of advice to myself would be that it is OKAY to be afraid. I felt so much pressure as senior in high school to know exactly what I wanted in life. I made my initial decision about school (I am a second year transfer student) based on insecurity. The only solid I had was that I wanted to study education. Choosing schools is a terrifying experience; it is also one that I think is nearly impossible for a 17-year old to make. I had no idea what I wanted for the next four years of my life. It is a huge, overwhelming decision. A year into my time at school in Maine, I realized that I just didn't belong. So, I took a leap of faith and applied to an education school in Massachusetts. After I was accepted, again, I was scared. I was moving to a foreign city. But I trusted my instincts and soon learned that sometimes it is the raw, unnerving sensation of fear that leads us to our truest potential. My fear led me to my first year of college and then ultimately drove me to pursuing my dream.

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not hold on so tightly to my own expectations. I would tell myself to go into everything with an open mind, because the second I start to do that, life improves so much. I would tell myself that, no matter what I think, I will miss my mom and my hometown. I'd tell myself to cherish the time I have there, because although better times are coming, times at home defined me too. I would tell myself, to prepare for a radical change of mindset. I always cared about helping people, but it will become my life. I will tell myself stories about social justice and how my old friends may not quite understand how I can be so passionate about things that don't touch me directly. Above all, I think I would tell myself to let go of my anxieties. I would say, “You are about to start an incredible and remarkable adventure. You will make new friends and have the time of your life learning eye opening lessons. Enjoy it.”

Hey Carina, College is many things and freedom is one thing that will help you accomplish anything you want, if you use it wisely. So much time in day, week, and month. You may not know what to do with yourself in the beginning with all the time you have, but be patience because things will happen and you full figure out what to do. Don't force yourself to be in a group of friends when they will find you. Never let anyone bring down your self-esteem and rememeber home will always be home and it's not going anywhere, but you are. College is about the next chapter of your life, being independent and figuring out what career or occupation you want to do. Friends come and go, learn to accept that not everyone you meet is going to have your back or be by your side. Never ever stop believing in yourself and don't let others run your life for you.

I would stop and appreciate what I had as a high school senior, rather than wishing time away because I wanted to be done with high school. I think that a lot of times people are so focussed on what they want next in their lives that they forget to stop and appreciate what they have. The transition into college made me realize that I should not have take my senior year for granted.

On move in day on my first day at Wheelock College, I was terrified. High school was over, yet I still felt so young and like I didn't belong in the big city for college. When I was a senior, I often thought about this day and how it would go. I figured that I would feel exactly like I did: a nervous, homesick wreck. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have known to never feel that way. I now feel more at home at school than I do at my actual home. I think that the biggest piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be: "Don't worry and be nervous about college, because it is going to be the best experience of your life! I know you will be homesick at first, but it gets so much better. There will come a time when you can't even imagine being anywhere else but Wheelock College." I wish I had known this as a senior, because it would have relieved so much anxiety that I had about whether or not I would enjoy college!

Allow your passion and your goals to be your motivator. At times college can be overwhelming, and what you give is what you will get. Nothing in life comes easy, you must work hard for it. You cannot afford to be like everybody else, have to work twice as hard. Allow your passion to be drive.

Transitioning from High school to college can be a very stressful and exciting experience. Though you still have classes and teachers, the environment is very different. I can't lie and say that the transition will be easy and simple, but there are things that can make it a easier smoother transition. One thing to makes the transition easier is doing an overnight college visit to a college that you are interested in. It helps you experince what a college campus actually feels like. You are allowed to speak with students and see what both the social and academic culture looks like. Another things that makes the transition easier is keeping and open mind. We all go into college with certain expectations and assumptions, but keeping an open mind allows for you to try new things and become active. Join an organization and make friends who have similar interest as you. Having someone to go through the transition with you will make it easier.

Do not settle in regards to the choice of college you want to attend. It is hard knowing now what life will be like for the next four years as you attend college, but let me tell you this- you only go to college once, so make the next four years worth it by choosing the school you want to attend the most. Life passes you by so quickly, and before you know it you will be a senior in college getting ready to graduate. Therefore, you need to do what is going to be best for you and what will make you the happiest. Try not to worry about your future too much, and do what you need to do in order to enjoy yourself while still receiving the education you know you want and deserve. Do not settle in your life journey. Do not settle for anything less than amazing. You deserve the best, so do not doubt yourself and your future; make it happen!

I would tell myself to be less anxious and just enjoy the carefree time you have because it doesn't take long until the bills start adding up.

There are several things that I would tell myself if I could go back in time. First, I would probably tell myself to look into cheaper options, such as attending a community college at first, and then transferring to a larger school. Also, I would tell myself to try to apply for more financial aid while in high school, look at cheaper colleges, and to get an extra job while in high school to start saving. Another thing I would tell myself is to make friends quickly! Even though its not my typcial personality to be extremely outgoing and put myself out there, I tried to do so at orientation and the first few weeks of school. This really paid off because I made several friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. I can honestly say that I have made those "bridesmaid" friends, or the girls who I know will be my bridesmaids in my wedding! Another piece of advice I would share with myself is to stay true to yourself. There is so much pressure at college to be someone who you really arent, but I've remained myself all through this time.

I would tell myself that everything that colloeg students say to you when you are in high school is true. College is nothing like high school. You really are on your own and you make your own decisions. The homework you do is not something that can be done in a couple minutes or an hour, it takes a couple hours to do work and there is a lot of it. However, at the end, it is all worth it as long as you work hard.

If I were a Senior in High School knowing what I know now about college I would advise myself to start working on time management skills earlier. It is really challenging to manage your time in college, because there is not the structure I had supporting me in high school. I would have practiced ho to manage time better because classes are at different times everyday and even though it looks like you have tons of time the reality is that you do not. That time that I thought I had free to do homework filled up with clubs, school activities, and friends. I wish I had challenged myself to schedule more so I could have gotten use to being organized like I am now.Also, I would advise "past me" that it would be hard being away from family for a long time. I would advise myself to stay at school as long as I could because if you go home too soon it can be harder to come back. I stayed a month before going home and should have stayed longer. I would remind myself that it also gets better and isn’t supposed to be easy.

Well I was a high school senior last year, so instead I would choose to go back to myself as a freshman. I started going to community college in 10th grade, and I would tell my freshman self to start community college then, rather than wait a year. In an extra year, I could have taken more classes and gotten more experience under my belt. If I had taken more classes back then, I would have been able to transfer to a 4 year university last fall instead of having to wait. My lack of enthusiasm about college back then has definitely effected when I will go to college now. I would tell my freshman self to work harder and not be so laid back in my first two years of highschool so I would have more done transitioning into a full-time community college student.

If I could give one piece of advice to my high school self, it would be to GET INVOLVED in extra-curricular activities on campus. In college, I joined a co-ed a cappella group, and it defined my collegiate experience. We rehearsed twice a week and performed frequently on campus and all over the city of Boston.Being in an a cappella group taught me about dedication, commitment, accountability, and time management. Each week, I had twelve people counting on me to show up, and although we were all incredibly busy with school and social activities, we knew how important it was for us to get together each week and make music. Singing with an a cappella group also made me more a confident person and played a significant role in my feelings of community engagement in college. When I reflect on my college years, I don’t remember the hours spent writing papers in the library. I remember working hard with a group of talented, motivated, dedicated young men and women. I remember hours and hours of rehearsal, I remember laughter and tears, and I remember the formation of friendships that I’m confident will be long- lasting.

Dear Keveisha, Remember when you said, "oh yea I should stay on campus"? If you are thinking about staying on campus just remember that there are some people who you might not get along with. Also think about whether or not it would be more convenient to commute, especially if you are thinking about staying in state. I know your parents would like you to get the full college experience but remember more than anything this is your experience. Do what you want to do and have fun while doing it. Remember that these are four years that you will never get back and also remember that the reason you are going to school is to help out the people from your neighborhood. I want you to know that it is okay to change your mind about what you are coming to college for. Most of all stay true to yourself. I love you and you are going to do great things in your life. Love, Me

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to be better prepared. I would say to take things a bit more seriously and stop leaving everything for the last minute. I would say that It isn't going to be easy and at times you're going to want to just give up but it's all part of a process. That process involve going through a lot of hard work so don't get discouraged and don't mix your school work with your social life. Things get out of hand fast. Other than that I think I wouldn't need anything else. That's all the advice I would give myself.

I would tell myself not to worry about whether I chose the right school or whether I'll make friends and succeed in college. It might be hard being away from home at first, because I am not able to care for my brother who has special needs, but what I am doing in college means that I will be able to provide for a better future for him. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to take risks. Wheelock has taught me how to stand up for what I believe in and how to assert myself, which is something that I didn't know how to do in high school. I would tell myself that although I am sad and scared about leaving high school and my friends behind, I will find something even greater at Wheelock. Looking back at how nervous I was about coming to college I can't help but laugh because now I can't imagine myself anywhere else. The classes may be harder but I am learning about what I want to do in life which makes the process all the more rewarding.

If I could go back and give myself advice I would tell myself ask for extra help when it is needed and others will help. Don't procrastinate . Make friends. Get involved. Believe in yourself Fight for your dreams you can be anything you want as long as you work hard for it HAVE FUN