Alabama State University Top Questions

My senior year in high school was displaced by my lack of understanding the magnitude of what was to come afterwards. I had no more direction than a blind man walking into a crosswalk, and it took me nearly 8 years to figure out what to do. As a result of not knowing what direction to go, I have amassed a large amount of student loan debt and lost time through transferring from school to school. This is a paradigm that my peers and I can identify with due largely in part to being pressured into pursuing post-secondary education before having an endgame in mind; though they may be successful in their academic endeavors, they do not understand how to effectively transition out of the "in-school" frame of mind. So, to myself, I would pass along the abstinence mantra: WAIT. While you wait, work, or go to the military just so you can actually gain some experience doing something until you meticulously figure out the particulars and, most importantly, develop an exit strategy. Post secondary education can be a money, time, and resource trap if you do not plan accordingly to take care of those things before hand.

GO TO CLASS! Do the best you can and dont slack off, it will catch up to you. Take advantage of the teachers and their experiencce. Participate in as many things as you can.

First off I would I say to buckle down and stop worrying about everyone and worry about myself. I would tell myself focus on school and not on girls. Most of all I would tell myself to look at college and jobs early and be about the business of getting to goal. Looking towards college life it won't but with a good mind and god you can get through. To my past self I would tell him to pray, trust in god, and focus in school because the other things will come later. A gpa and trying to find the right school is now.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self some college advice, I would tell myself to pay attention. I would say “Shameka, read all of the chapters in the textbook and spend two hours outside of the classroom studying your notes.” Also, bring your textbook to every class and take good notes; also, start getting your professional business attire together. And don’t be afraid of what you don’t understand and connect the dots. Think about your day before bed and analyze how to be better tomorrow. Your first year is going to be rocky but hang in there you will make it out on top.”

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college I would first start off by telling myself to pick a school close to home so that I will have my family there when I need them. I would also tell myself to learn a good study habit and better my oral and communcation skills. I would also encourage myself to join as many organizations as possible and finish high school strong with a high GPA. But most importantly cherish your senior moments because it is gone in the twinkling of an eye.

I would advise myself to stay focused and prepared for a tough transition. Going from a varsity high school soccer team to a divison 1 athlete was the hardest transition for me. Going into my freshman year I lost focus on my academics and on soccer due to being caught in the social life. I would tell my senior self that grades are extremely important and no matter how easy the class is I cannot slack. Also that I should never lose my passion and confidence for soccer. Soccer has alway been a get away for me and during my time in college I seem to have lost that passion. I would also remind myself that it is all about the quality of friends not the quantity. All I will ever need is few close friends and a strong education.

Congratulations! You are a senior and you think that you know everything. The truth is, you are wrong. college life isn't quite what you thought it was going to be. You no longer ride the bus to school and you don't get your books for free. Apply early for the college you want to attend. Get your priorities in order and don't mess around. You carry the reputation of yourself and those who raised you, so your decisions should be honorable. Don't skip a class because you are bored or just don't feel like going. Make plenty of friends who are willing to study with you. Sign up early for your classes, because if you don't, you will regret it later. You also have to take on the responsibility of finding yourself work, appling for scholarships, and getting moved into an appartment. The daily routine is a little easier for college students who attend a four year college with the right scholarships. At a tech university, you have to drive yourself to school and can't enjoy the luxuary of living so close to your classes. Under no circumstances do you fail a course.

The advice I would give myself would be be in more student activiey that is how you get to leran who your peers are. The reason for that students organizations get alot of attention even if you were in a student organization in high school you should keep it under your belt when you get to college. The next thing I would say are to keep up with the money you have coming in from your FAFSA many times the school can loose your information or either the computer system can shut down. Make copies of everthing you recieve becasue the school will be quick to say that they do not have that information on file. If schools had someone to file paper work and also keep it on the computer I think the world would be better becasue you know that they have two copies of everything and you would also have one. If i could go back and rewind my life I would becasue the things I have learned , if I just got the chance to do that I would and I will tell people be careful about the decision that you make .

While in high school, learn how to use your time wisely. There may be times where you are overwhelmed with work and want to do other things. The most important thing is to have your priorities in order. Your school work comes first before anything. Set a time aside everyday or every other day just for school related things, but also give yourself the time to do things that you enjoy. This may restrain from depressing or stress. If you stress things will only get worse. So, the best thing is to use your times wisely. Also, learn everything and listen to what your paarents say. They know best. Expect nothing from no one. You are going to college for a degree nothing more. After that, everything will fall into place. Dont worry about anything that doesnt help you in your future. College are the best days and times of your life. Have fun but dont forget the purpose. Do work and party and celebrate later. In the meantime, have fun but also learn and work hard.

Life has a way of showing one the truth of themselve when the truth is the solution to all problems. I would explain to myself the importance of a "game plan." Organization is not only the key to successful semesters but it is also the key to graduating in my projective time. I would explain the value of a dollar and the importance of understanding financial aid. Then I would advise myself that home sickness is real and the further I am from home the more I will miss Rochester. Perhaps we would have a discussion about the importance of health so my early 20's would not be spent in doctors and hospitals. Most importantly I would tell myself to choose an institution that best suited my needs and dreams. A school that is beneficial to the advancement of my intelligence. Finally, I would remind myself that education is first priority. Sure, I should enjoy life and have fun but nothing should detour my dreams from coming true. Then I would remind myself that those goals I set for myself, both short and long term are reachable and to keep faith in myself.