Winston-Salem State University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Winston-Salem State University know before they start?

Lauren

The transition to college is the beginning step for transitioning into adulthood. It’s a chance for self-discovery, diverse human interaction, and advanced learning. I would advise myself as a high school senior to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to me in college and embrace new experiences. The world outside of college can be scary and unpredictable at times. I would inform myself on the importance of learning independence and what it means to budget your money wisely. College is my time to make mistakes; I would tell myself to learn from those mistakes so that I will be better prepared for life after college. I would counsel myself to build a strong grade point average for the remainder of my high school years and college. College without financial support can be an expensive investment into your future. Although the investment is well worth the while, I would want to encourage the younger me to seek as many academic scholarships as possible. Lastly, I would tell myself to create a vision board for my future goals; Planning is crucial for future success of any kind. So I would stress to myself to start now and plan wisely.

Marvin

If I could tell my past-self anything about my collegiate experience, it would be to “keep going”. Education is paramount to the development of human consciousness. When I entered Winston-Salem State University as a freshman, I was swept out of my sheltered home and became aware of the world around me. Unfortunately, I contracted HIV/AIDS during that time and fell into a deep depression. A myriad of factors have the potential to affect the human experience. Personally, this was the most monumental. If I could inform my past-self of anything, it would be to endure. At any time during my collegiate career, I could have given up on life and my education. However, I remained diligent and continued to live my life. When I received my undergraduate degree, I departed with the desire to assist in the healing of whomever sought mental health services. Currently, I work in human services as a direct support professional. Now, I am entering into a new chapter of my collegiate career as a graduate student. I would inform my past-self that life is tumultuous, with challenges that may seem unbearable. However, difficult life experiences are meant to be overcome.

Micalyne

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be know what your capable of doing ,be open to all colleges, and apply to many as possible. In order to know what i am capable of doing I have to take risk and challenge myself more and then I would really know how strong I can be and encourage myself to do more. This would help me create stronger confidence in myself, which will motivate myself to keep working harder. No matter how tired I am to a certain situation I will always keep going because every thing is not the same there is always on certain piece that can be different. That is why I would be open to all colleges and be able to apply to many as possible because their are many perspectives.

Krustin

If I could go back in time I would tell myself in high school to apply myself more. I used to think that was something that only parents and high school counselors tell kids but I really wish I knew then what I know now. I would say do not procrastinate. I can't even count how many times I wanted the last minute typing papers and staying up all night and up until the morning when my class began. I would walk in class with red eyes and bags under them when the professor would be at the door with his/her hand out to collect the pages that I spent hours slaving over. Work comes out better when it is not rushed. I would teach myself time management.

Kasey

If I could go back in time as a high school senior I would tell myself to look and apply for more scholarships so I could have gone to one of the schools I wanted to go to. I would tell myself that yea extracurriculars matter but to enjoy myself and spend time with friends and family. To not doubt myself in what I want to achieve as a carrer choice because I would have to pick a major in college and it would be in the carrer field that I have always wanted to do. Lastly, to relax and enjoy high school becuase college is a different ball field.

Leberly

I would give myself the following advice: College is a challenge. Especially with kids in the houshold. You can do it.

Rachel

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to work hard, stay focused on school work and do not get distracted by boys, sports and activities. School is much more important. Be social, make new friends and have fun. Don't stay out late, nothing good is out past midnight and you will be thankful for the extra sleep in years to come. Decide goals that you want for yourself and strive to make them happen. Maintain a professional attitude in class and clinical, it will help in getting you further in life. Decide what you want in life and don't settle for anything less. Although school is stressful, hectic and frustrating it will be worth all the hard work. Make sure to make time for family throughout the school process, you will regret the missed memories. Cherish these times of hard work, it will make you appreciate the smaller things in life.

James

If I could go back in time as a high school senior I would take the time to improve my home making skils. As a male living on my own and being a baseball player with an active schedule, I found it difficult to find the time to do laundry, clean and cook. If I had taken the time as my mother requested maybe I would have been able to provide for myself better.

Shanequa

The advice I would give myself would be to apply myself more in the senior classes, as well as fill out plenty of scholarships. If I knew then what I know now, I would do exactly that.

Samuel

You are about to be faced with opportunities and challeneges that you have never known or dreamed of. You are going to be an adult.The freedom that we always wanted and the ability to make our own decisions. It is incredible, but you need to know a few things. That there will be times when you feel fear. You wont share it with anyone, but it will be there. Fear is normal, just remember that most everyone else feels the exact same way. You may feel less than at times but know you are not, and try not to use alcohol and drugs to make you feel better, they will do nothing but postpone the pain. Please understand that you are going to have to work to learn. It isnt like highschool. Remember that it is going to take focus and dedication, but you can do anything you put your mind too, I promise. Finally, love yourself. Dont look to fill the void in others, fill it yourself. If you do this I promise you we are going to end up ok. In fact if you listen these things, I wont have to write this essay.

Mariah

Mariah, Apply for as many scholarships as possible and begin looking into what you need to apply for your FAFSA in order to get grants as well. Also make sure that you send your official transcripts to any college you might even be remotely interested in. I would also suggest that you begin talking to every recruiter for all the military branches now, because I know you want to join the military. The college life is stressful and even though you took classes during your junior year at CAC you should try taking another class while its still free. Keep up with your studies because you need to keep your GPA high and make sure you study for your math final along with the others. You should also talk to Mr. Ray about having him help you when it comes to applying for scholarships he helped me out last second but it was the best last few seconds I made. Tell mom you love her and give Thor lot of love because his time ends during your senior year.

Cierra

The advice I would give myself if I could go back would be to not wait till the last minute to figure everything out. Start early by applying for scholarships, scheduling classes, and figuring out finicial aid. If you wait to long then you won't be able to take the exact classes you want at the time that fits you best. Now by getting everything organized and figured out I wouldn't be as stressed as I was when the first day of college came around. I would also tell myself that going to a Community College for my first year may seem dumb but it will really prepare me for the future of attendeding a bigger college. Instead of just throwing me into huge lectures with hundreds of people, a community college will slowly help me transition from high school to college. Thanks to attending a community college my first year I am now ready to transfer to a University for the next semester.

Whitney

When I first started attending high school, I didn’t take it seriously. My grades were average and I didn’t realize how much I was hurting myself. During sophomore year, my grandmother passed away. Although my heart was broken, I wanted to do better in school. My grandmother always told me to get a good education and it will help me succeed in life. My grandmother motivated me to pay more attention in class and do all the necessary work to excel. People make mistakes throughout life but everyone has an opportunity to turn their life around. I am proud to say I was able to pull up my GPA a 3.4. Even though I started out rough, I rose to the top. Through all of this, I learned how to stay focused and be determined to achieve my goals. My hard work and dedication helped me make a smooth transition into college. After my first year of college, I earned a 3.78 GPA and made the Winston-Salem State University Dean's List both semesters.

Audrey

Just go for it. You know what your dreams are, so make them come true. I would tell myself to not hold back. The best thing to do is to work hard and not let anything get in the way of dreams. If going to Hawaii is truly what you desire then don't stop until you get there. Go study and take your SATS. Apply for the colleges that are in Hawaii. Apply for scholarships and fincancial aid. Do not even apply to colleges close to home because it's not what you want. Get a part time job after school and save some money so you can have a little something when you move. Don't let your personal problems get in your way. Try to find a way to deal with them without losing sight of your dream. Go to counseling if you have to or write about it. Just don't keep everything bottled up inside. Make short term goals and write down how you will achieve those goals. Make sure you get yourself to Hawaii and don't waste your time here in New York. Do whatever it take and don't give up.

Lisa

Don't get involved with any guy right now. Focus on college. Study hard and get a Career. Before you decide to have children. Love yourself before you can love anyone else. School is the most important thing right now for you. Enjoy the college life, make new friends, join in the clubs at college. Study hard and you won't ever regret it. Otherwise you can end up with the wrong man and get pregnant. You don't want to wake up when your in your 40's and think about goiung back to college this late in life. Experience the whole college life. Quit trying to be a hairdresser and focus more on the business classes that high school has to offer. Pay attention and learn. I promise you won't regret it. Life can be better if you just stay on track with school. Don't just think about getting out of school. Hop right into college and keep your life on the right track. Don't bear right or bear left stay straight. You will be glad you did!!!!!!!!!

Ian

"Do it, man. Don’t worry about what people are saying or thinking – this will be the best decision you can possibly make." The high school that I attended made an especially big deal of the schools that you were accepted into – they had a big train (literally, each person was drawn on a paper train car) of students and their choices hung up in the main senior hallway. Normally, this isn’t such a bad idea – but I wasn’t applying to any major colleges. I had decided to save some money and time and go to a community college so I could live at home and work while getting some general education classes out of the way. Because of the atmosphere at my school, though, I wasn’t so sure this was a great decision: people mocked the particular school I was going to attend as well as community colleges in general. Looking back, there isn’t a single chance that I would change my decision: my experience there was debatably one of more growth and understanding than I had in my entire high school career. "Do it, man. This is the best decision possible."

Jashoun

If i could go back and talk to High school me, i would tell myself to work much harder in school and apply for out of city schools . I would tell myself to go away to school for you can see something different and learn something different. I also would tell myself that you can open every door by just trying.

Kayla

If I were a high school sneior once again, knowing what I knew now, I would tell myself to make sure that I know that everything is going to turn out fine as long as I work hard, stay calm, and continue to make rash and reasonable decisions. Knowing that everything won't be perfect, is no reason to completely give up. In all actuality, I wouldn't change any per say. I beleive that my life is going and is a very content and wonderful place right now and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Toren

If I could go back in time and address myself as a high school senior, I would let myself know so much. I would teach myself time management and how to plan for a group project. I would let myself know that it's college & no one cares about groups anymore, it's more about self awarness. Teaching myself that I need to learn how to ask for help and don't be afraid to just go out there and get what I want. I would teach myself how to prepare for having either a social life, good grades, & no sleep or good grades, sleep & no social life. I would be more lean, percise, and prepared.

Tajanel

Hey you! Everything you are focused on, blessed with, and can do, keep doing it! Your study habits shouldn't change and neither should your personality. Continue to be the person everyone loves and strive for greater. Yes, there will be plenty of challenges, but know that God will never leave nor forsake you, You Can Do It! Continue to network and always aim for a strong finish academically and in track.