Wichita State University Top Questions

Dear Alissa, This is your senior year. This is the last year of life as you know it and end of something great. This year I recommend that you take advantage of your seniority and be a prime example of how a senior should act. The freshmen are looking up to you and you don't want to steer them wrong. Lead by example with good behavior. Apply for scholarships. Take some college credit classes to get one step ahead. Continue to make good grades even though senioritis takes a toll on most people's academics t this time of year. So, buckle down and hang in there! Although your grades need to be a top priority, also remember that this is the last year you will have with some of your closest friends. Do not become so tied up in school that you forget to spend time with those important people as well. Cherish those moments because there are only so many of them left. Have fun, take chances, and remember that being a senior puts you in the perfect position to inspire others, make your mark, and show everyone what you’re made of. Sincerely, A Helpful Student

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take one more science credit to meet the Kansas Board of Regents, and to apply for more scholarships. That last science credit could have opened up more scholarship opportunities for me. I also did not apply for as many scholarships as I could have because I felt so overworked and stressed by senior year. I have unfortunately found that many scholarships are only for graduating high school seniors and now I have a hard time finding scholarships that I qualify for. If I had the chance to tell myself that during senior year, I would not be having such a money problem now. I might have been able to live on campus and still afford my sorority and art supplies for my major. If I thought I was stressed in high school, I’d like the old me to know how much harder she made it for the current me.

I would tell myself to practice better time-management. I didn't do so hot my first semster, but it was a good one. I really wouldn't want to spoil to "newness" of the experience. It was exciting to learn what it was like to be in college. I think for the most part I loved the experience. I might tell myself to be an even better roommate. I always felt bad for coming home late, because my roommate was always the one to go to bed early. I also think I would have done better if I took one less class. My workload pretty much overwhelmed me and that was why I did so poorly. It was a good experience and still is. There isn't much I would change besides that. I think I would just tell myself "Enjoy!".

I would tell myself to be involved and have fun. Learning and getting good grades is the most important part of college but it is also a place where you make life long friends and gain connections for the future. I would have also told myself to really try hard to get financial aid and save up because college is very expensive especially if you are hoping to go on and recieve an even higher education. Not only is tuition expensive but you also have to pay for books, room and board, food, and any other activities that you want to be a part of.

Study more efficiently! Do not take the study guides the teachers gave for granted, and read all instructions before completing any test or assignments. Charish the support the high school teachers are given, because you may not receive the same amount of support in college as an adult. You are always responsible for your actions, so make sure you choose the correct ways to handle situations between a student or teacher. Your degree will not be handed to you. It takes a lot of hard work that you may not have experienced before, because high school tended to be such a breeze. Therefore, try to learn more even if you are done with your homewok, because in the end you are never done. Learning takes place everyday, hour, minute, and second of you life, and if you are not willing to learn something, you are not willing to succeed far in life!

I would tell myself that it takes time to transition into the college lifestyle. You have to learn how to depend on yourself, learn how to stay organized, become a better studier, and be open to making new friends. I would remind myself that college isn't just about studying all the time, it is about meeting new people, and living your life. It is easier to make it through missing your family and studying for major tests when you have friends to help you. I would advise myself to introduce myself to teachers on the first day of class, and to always ask if I don't understand something. I would advise myself to use a planner to keep track of all the things I have to do, that way I don't forget anything. I would also tell myself to go out and join groups and clubs, go to school events, and hang out around the student center. It's a great way to meet new people and discover more about yourself.

I would tell myself to take more time to truly discover what it is that I want my career to be. (To avoid returning to school when I am 30 years old!) Do not take the easy way out because you think you won't be able to accomplish all of your dreams and goals. Prepare yourself for the financial responsibility. Educate yourself on student loans and what the real outcome is going to be once you are finished with school. Accept outside guidance when it comes to how much loan money you really need to take out and how much you will be able to pay for yourself. Do A LOT of research on scholarships and write as many essays as necessary to help fund your education. Education AND making smart choices is key to the career you want and deserve! Learn from those that have gone before you and take their advice seriously. Being financially responsible will get you a long way in a country that is quickly becoming bankrupt.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to find a healthy balance of fun but treat college as a job. If you put in the hard work during the week attending classes and getting good grades you can celebrate and party on the weekends. I would also tell myself to be more involved on campus. Volunteer more and take advantage of all the opportunities the school gives you to learn both in and outside of the classroom. I would finish the conversation by telling myself to take advantage of the chance to learn about yourself and become an individual and not always follow the "in" crowd.

Well kid, pay attention because what I am about to say to you is very important. Community college is great! It's cheap and close to home so that you can live at home with your parents and concentrate on schooling. However, please don't do what I did and slack off. You may tell yourself "C's make degrees!" but in all reality, you are just killing any chances you might have for future scholarships. Homework really isn't that much of a pain. I can guarantee that if you do all your homework and take notes in class, tests will seem so easy. Then with your 4.0 GPA (yes you can have one if you actually try!) finding scholarships for that beckoning university will seem that much easier. Also if you do get a scholarship for the community college, don't waste it! Take advantage of it while you still have it and take as many classes as you can. You never know when circumstances may cause you to lose it. In short, do your best and take advantage of any opportunities that may come your way. Good luck, and may your future be bright.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not be so afraid of making it through college, to believe in myself completely because I can do it. I would tell myself that college is going to be hard, even more so because of my daughter, but it is all going to be worth it in the end. I would let me know that my daughter will look up to me for continuing my education, she will see me as a role model and I will feel amazing and confident about being that role model for her! I would let myself know that friends from high school are not always going to be there, and it's okay to spend more time on studies and getting ahead because I will be so proud of myself and accomplish anything I set my mind to. My family and friends support me and tell me how proud they are of all of my accomplishments and it is the most wonderful feeling in the world.