American University Top Questions

I was raised in a very non-traditional family and was not permitted to attend high school. I took it upon myself to acquire a GED with only my sixth grade education, work ethic, and self-motivation. However, I did not understand the need to attend college until I was 24 and pregnant with my second child, waiting tables. If I could go back in time, I would encourage myself to not stop at my GED. Having completed my associate’s degree in biology and starting on a biochemistry degree, I wish I would have just started taking classes right away, even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. The point is to always keep moving forward, even if it's just in baby steps. The purpose of a college education is not just for a degree but for life transformation. Each class you take molds you as a person and contributes to personal growth and self-discovery. Every step you take leads you closer to what you desire and a college education gives you the tools you need to realize your dreams and become, not just personally successful, but a productive member of society.

I would advise myself as a high school senior to be confident about following my dreams, and to ignore what others say about how irrational it is. Dreams are for achieving.

Work hard to get into your dream school and don't take no for an answer. Be realistic about the financial burdens of your chosen school. Some times chosing to go to a different less expensive school can be a wise choice.

I would tell myself to really get on the ball and to look and apply for as many scholarships that i can. I did not take that seriously in high school and am finding it difficult to be eligable for as many scholarships now. I would also tell myself to do more volunteer work, and apply for more schools that I was interested in. I started at my current school without even really knowing where it was until July of that year. I always knew I was going to college right out of high school even though I wasn't sure what I wanted to go for but when it came time to do everything I didn't and it is hurting me a bit now. I love my school, the people, and opportunities that I have been able to experience but one of the best transitions would have been to not worry about the money. Even being a Phi Theta Kappa member, it is still difficult to find school funding that isn't out of my pocket.

I used to think that college would be a waste of my time and money, especially right out of high school. I thought I was in love and wanted to get married. I wish a thousand times over that I had gone to college after graduating from high school. Becuase I did not go to college, I made some very bad decisions, I have a hard time paying bills and my children want things that I can't afford to give them. Go to college Angie and do it right the first time. Make a life for yourself and the family you will have. You grew up poor, don't have your children grow up the same way. They will deserve better. You won't have to worry about having a stable job. You will have the education you need to aquire a stable job, and make amazing money, and keep that job. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for. Don't waste your life. Go to college. You won't regret it. Don't go to college, and you will pay for it the rest of your life.

Be open to change. I came from a very small, rural high school to a large, urban, college in Washington, D.C. These two areas are about as different as can be, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. In order to know more about the world, to grow as an individual, and to gain new perspective, one must experience living in a new environment then they are comfortable with. And this is what college is great for. Try new things. Learn to be independent and don't be afraid to live on your own. I was terrified to live so far away from home in such a different place, but knowing what I know now, I realize that it is not as scary as it seems. There are many students going through the same things and feelings as you and many other people who are willing to help. The number one thing I would tell myself is to be confident that I can adapt to a new environment and thrive on my own. I think so many college students never grasp this and end up missing out on a wonderful growing experience.

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would give myself some major advice about life and making the transition from a high school senior to a college student. I would talk to myself about the possible majors I could choose from. I would take some more time and learn about different possibilities. I would tell myself that I have made a good choice in attending the community college first to get my AA in early childhood education before transferring to the 4-year university to become a psychology major. I would assure myself that although life may throw me some mean curve balls; I have the power, intelligence and courage to continue to persevere through any challenge. My parents have raised me well. I am a fighter, and I will never give up. The most important thing I would tell myself would be to always strive to do my best. Anything is possible with continuous effort. I would be sure to thank all my family, friends and teachers for the extra efforts they provided to me. Overall, I would be very supportive to myself and take my advice. Who knows, maybe I could win a scholarship! Thank You.

I would remind my senior high school self to savor and take advantage of all of the unique opportunities that you only get as an undergraduate. This is the only time in your life that you have the freedom and resources to really discover yourself and the world around you. It's totally acceptable and encouraged to go new places, try new things, change jobs, and generally live life to the fullest in a way that will be impossible or reckless once you are a college graduate in the "real world." I would also advise my high school self to go to a school away from home and live on campus for at least a year or two. I didn't do this until my junior year of college and by then I had missed out on a lot of the relationships and experiences that other students had from living on campus since they were freshman. Living on campus also helps you academically since you're fully immersed in the university life. College is just as much about personal growth as it is academics, so the more you throw yourself into it the more you will get out of it.

* You really, really, really don't need the unlimited meal plan. You probably don't need the 200 meal plan, either. The dining hall food is actually pretty good, and I'm generally satisfied with it, but you would get tired of eating there every single meal seven days a week. You probably won't be eating three square meals a day, either-- I always did until I came here. Almost everyone has leftover meal swipes at the end of the year. *Do rent a mini-fridge, and bring a small vacuum cleaner. The instructions say not to get extra-long sheets, but my regular-sized ones always had trouble fitting on the mattresses (which are extremely comfortable, by the way). *The metro is awesome, but the costs do add up. Bear that in mind when saving your cash. That said, there are many wonderful free things to do in the city. Sign up for sites like Scoutmob and Groupon that will help you find deals! The metro also frequently has delays, so always leave a little bit earlier than you need to. *Don't worry about picking a major right away. You don't have to declare until sophomore year. Take classes in areas that interest you to help you narrow it down-- you might like the idea of majoring in International Relations, but you might hate the classes themselves. *No matter what, you will never get as much sleep as you think you will. *Don't just cling to the same people that you met during welcome week. The people I know who formed super-super-de-duper close friendships during the first days generally feel awkward around those people now. Take it slow and be open-minded in making new friends-- it's not summer camp, and it's not middle school. *The Davenport Lounge in the SIS building is awesome, much better than Starbucks. I don't even drink coffee, and it's still one of my favorite spots. *Wearing WONK t-shirts is not a good idea at all. Students here HATE Wonk. *Joining a club that you love will change every aspect of your college career. Don't be scared to try new things-- you'll have so much more fun (and if you decide to drop an activity, don't worry. It's the beginning of the year, and people won't judge you). *Most places on campus are closed after 8 on weekend nights. It's very hard to buy food on-campus in the evenings. Luckily, lots of restaurants off-campus deliver. *Definitely go to office hours with your professors. *Smithsonian museums (and the zoo) are FREE! Lots of people don't know that, and they're one of the best parts of the city. You can also get tours of places like the Capitol building for free. *Best inexpensive and delicious place to eat? Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan. A college student's best friend for sure. Even if you've never had falafel, pay them a visit.

It's hard for me to answer this because I was homeschooled half of my junior and senior year. The community college I was attending seemed just like high school to me, so there was really no transistion. I really want to make a change in my life and be dedicated and transfer to a four year college. All though, if I could go back to high school and tell myself what I do know now, I would tell myself that high school really isn't that important. Make the best of it and don't get caught up in the drama.