Whittier College Top Questions

There are so many things I wish I could go back in time and tell my 18 year old, recently graduated self. Being almost 10 years older now, I have had so many life experiences that have made me into a stronger, wiser, more grounded individual. If I had to choose anything I could say to that unsure, curious but hesitant 18 year old me it would be this: YOU CAN. I would want myself to know that I can accomplish any goal I put my mind to. To know that there is only one thing holding me back from turning any dream or vision into reality: myself.

Make friends, I mean it. Yes it's absolutely terrifying. Your first day at college will be the scariest and the best day of your life. There will be so many strangers that have the potential to become your friends so don't miss out on the opportunity. Come out of your shell and say hi to everyone you meet. It's not easy, that's for sure. But it's worth it.

After spending a semester abroad in Sweden, the only advice I can think of to give my younger self is that I should have arranged to study abroad in two different countries for two different semesters. Now that I'm a senior, I no longer have the time to study abroad, but I really want to study abroad for a semester in Asia, and I think that going somewhere outside of the United States/Western Europe would have been good for me. Honestly, though, I'm pretty happy with the decisions I've made until this point. Whittier was the only school I could afford (after accounting for scholarships, Whittier was even cheaper than public school), and I got really involved in the Quaker Campus newspaper on campus while also writing two more books (I wrote my first in high school). Still, study abroad was the best experience I've ever had, and I wish I could have planned to study abroad for two semesters when I arrived. Oh, and I would also have my younger self take more Gender Studies courses since I've learned more from those classes than any others.

I would focus on getting high grades as possible so that way i could get scholarships to help me with school. I would study harder than what i did. I would try to do my best i could

If I were to have a conversation with my 17-year old, senior in high school self about the transition to college life, it would be short and concise, brief and to the point. I would say to think long-term. Prepare for tomorrow by acting today because in the years to come: she won’t be there, ball won’t be there, and the opportunities you once have now won’t be there anymore. What will be there are the consequences of failing to act on those opportunities and the decisions you make as a senior. Realize that the goals you have in place aren’t achievable with the effort currently being put forth. Dreams don’t come true from luck and nobody is going to hand it to you but you. To successfully make that transition you need to refocus and reprioritize the things in your life now to set yourself up for success later.

Going back in time and talking to myself as a senior i wouldnt change anything, I believe i made great choices and stayed infromed with everything especially deadlines. I would mostly go back and prepare myself with financial case, and also stability. I would give my self the advice of going far and meeting new people, getting a new experience and traveling the world. I would talk to myself and consider not staying local. Gaining new friends, and adapting to a new environement is always a great choice and i would go back and make the choice of going far.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, first off, I would pat myself on the back for staying in school. Second, I would probably tell myself to stay focused. College life is very different from regular public schools and the workload is a lot more. It can be extremely stressful and competetive when applying for scholarships or just trying to get an A. I would tell myself to learn to balance my schedule because a college student needs a good amount of time to do homework and work on projects, but it is also important to have a life while in college because the stress can consume you if you do not take care of yourself. Ultimately, I would tell myself to keep calm and prioritize.

Do your best in all of your classes. You don't have time for slacking off. Start applying for college early. Do your research. Apply for scholarships as soon as possible to help pay for college. Don't wait until eight years later and start school. It's nothing wrong with going to college late but, you will succeed faster if you go to college right away. Major in something that you enjoy doing. Don't let your peers influence you to go for the highest paying degrees. You will end up in college or maybe in debt paying for what you really want. College is college. Leave the high school mantality in high school. It will be up to you to come to classs, study, and to do your own work. The professors aren't going to give you a grade. You will have to earn the grade. Surround youself around positive individuals. Take advantage of all of the FREE resources. They have tutoring for math, reading, writing, computers, tests, etc. If you get off track with the partying life, hurry up and get back on track. Your can be successful. Your success depends on you April Diane Williams.

Deat 18 year old Shavontae, Enjoy every second that is given to you and never forget to have fun. Play hard, but work harder. Take every opporunity that is right infront of your face or two inches to the left of you. Apply to 100,000 scholarships to increase your chances of at least winning one and minimizing the possibilty of worrying about money. Know that things are going to change but accept them; remember " So it goes". Read Frankenstien, Slaugtherhouse- Five, and the Alchemist again before going to college. Take your health seriously, we are only given one body. Eat healthier, run and walk more, and never stop playing basketball no matter how bad your knees are. Smile more, straigthen your back, and keep your head up. Last but not least, this is YOUR LIFE so live. Love, Yourself

I would tell myself that it is ok to be sad, but that putting myself out there and doing social activities will help a lot. You will make it through and it will get better. Get help when you need it, from friends, faculty, or staff. Be social it will make the next four years amazing!

Just relax! Do what you did: try to be friendly and outgoing. Just don't sleep through the work-study fair.

Well I'm from the midwest and the high school to college transition is way different here in California. If I could give my self any advice it would to be start early; I found out the application deadline to get into say the CalState colleges is five months or so before the high school year even ends. In the end I ended up applying for mostly private colleges and universities. It ended well I do like my school but its very expensive. That's another thing would have told myself to somehow regulate my money; applying for scholarships, grants or what ever I could apply for because my parents are disabled from permanent/ steady jobs due to all the lay offs.

Go wherever you want!

What would I not want to tell my high school self about the academic rigors, emotional ups and downs, and new, maybe even frightening first experiences that were awaiting me in my not so distant future? Looking back, I feel as if I have grown into a completely different person than I was when I walked off the podium, clutching my diploma at graduation. Most importantly, I would tell myself that a path with no obstacles probably doesn’t lead anywhere. The transition into the many new and different aspects college life will not be easy, but this life changing experience will be the first of the many steps it will take to achieve your long term goals. I would tell myself that you are at a point in your life when you've got the world at your fingertips. Seize the day and embrace every opportunity that presents itself to you. You only go to college once. Don’t accept your diploma and walk away feeling any regrets. Join the track team. Spend a semester abroad. Join the Spanish club. Pursue a double major. Someone is paying for you to be here. Be grateful that this opportunity is yours.

My college experience thus far has been positive and very motivating. Considering the fact that I'm over the age of thirty, it feels good to know that I can fit-in with the younger generation and get good grades too. I came to the realization that I am not even close to being too old to learn new things. When do we really stop learning any way? I know that as long as I continue to challenge myself and learn new things that I will have a better chance of surviving in this forever changing economy. By continuing to increase my knowledge in the medical profession, I can possibly open a door for future discoveries in medicine. Education is allowing many more possibilities in my life. It has opened up my mind to hypothesize changes for the future of man-kind.

Throughout college so far I got out appreciation to a different type of method of learing that was against my usaully way of doing things. I learned that if I don't take my time doing a project, homework or even studying for a test it will show in my grade. The best thing though because I was living on campus doing fall term was I made different network connections. This was valuable to me because once I got older if I need any legal advice or any sort of advice I can turn to the people I met. The best experience hands down was participating on the cross country team. The reason why was, I didn't know anybody who attended this school so I was a little nervous wondering if I was going to fit in. But to my amazement the whole team treated me like family, and showed me around the campus. They told me things about the school such as what teachers expect out of you, and if I needed any help in any subject im taking I can just go to them and they would help me out.

Honestly, I transferred after last year due to financial reasons but I am currently in the process of going back. Being away from the school made me realize all of the amazing things that I was missing out on and the people. I can't describe how blessed I am to have met these people and still have them in my life even though I am not currently at the school. I was able to play soccer there and at my new school I was not. I was able to realize my love for the game and the need for it in my life. I have missed the diverse and eccentric types of people that I would see everyday on the campus. I was able to attain a sense of community and family at this school with people who I know will always be apart of my life. I can not wait to be back with people who love me for me and at a school where people are able to really learn and use their knowledge in every aspect of thier lives. This school made me want to learn and to really think about what I want to do.

The college experience has taught me so much. I have learned that, despite what I believed in high school, I can succeed in the academic world if I really apply myself. My grades are stellar compared to those in high school, and I have enjoyed my college career immensely. Attending college has opened my eyes and my mind to what I can achieve with a college education and degree. I have learned advanced problem solving techniques, improved my time management, and seen my quality of life imrpove as a whole because I am more confident in myself and my ability to succeed in life.

Whittier College has given me the gift of initiative. An education is not given here... knowledge is given however, the value of education is decidedly left to the students and how they themselves interpret and choose to use and expand upon that knowledge.

Because I chose to come to a small school, I have to attend class and I actually have to speak in the class room; however, these are the great qualities of my college experience, not the bad qualities. By engaging myself in discussion I have actually retained information from my classes; therefore, I have truly gained knowledge throughout my college experience. College has been challenging because I have so much work to do, but with such a small campus, I know many of the students and professors so there is always somewhere I can go to get help. Finding help and doing the required work is the thought provoking aspect of college because I have to think about the readings, and schedule my time efficiently enough to get everything done. This is another reason why college is so valuable, I have learned great time management skills. It is most valuable because I will leave Whittier College with a Liberal Arts education so I will be well rounded in many different subjects and areas. Also I will graduate with a double major of Child Development and Social Work which will lead me to many job opportunities.