Anderson University-Anderson, SC Top Questions

If I could have one “do- over” in life I would go back and make myself understand how important my childhood was. I was in such a rush to become an adult that I feel like I missed out on being a child. Now I try to stress to my daughter to relax and enjoy being a child because there are responsibilities that come with becoming an adult. I also tell my daughter the importance of school. I regret waiting so long to go back to school. I wish I had started college straight out of high school. We all have regrets in our lives. We wish we could have a “do-over”. If we are able to erase a regret it would erase a part of who we are today. Every decision we make in life shapes who we will become.

If I were to go back in time and speak to my high-school-senior-self, I know exactly what advice I would give. In general, during my freshman year, I was less involved than I could have been. Many opportunities to enrich my knowledge and friendships passed by because I allowed them to. Looking back, I am struck by how much time I spent by myself. I could have spent that time much more wisely by getting to know my friends on a deeper level. I could have also spent much more time increasing my knowledge and cultural understanding by attending more lectures, concerts, and study sessions. While I did have many wonderful experiences and make several dear friends, I look back and wonder if it could have been and even richer time. I would love to go back in time and ask myself, "Will you be content with yourself and your solitary pursuits this coming year? Or will you live fearlessly and be willing to grow at every opportunity?" If I had the chance, I would definitely encourage my high-school-senior-self to step out more and seize every chance to enrich her knowledge and friendships.

"Hey Girl, Calm down, im you 3 years from now. First of all you know better than to let DISTRACTIONS keep you from going to class. I mean what were you thinking, yeah that one guy did have really cute eyes, but im letting you know now, HE WAS NOT WORTH IT! Remember that school is very important and your teachers think very highly of you so there is no reason why you shouldnt go to class. Oh yeah and remember to ALWAYS do you homework, trust me it will help in the long run. College is nothing like high school, there is so much more freedom, DO NOT , I REPEAT DO NOT abuse that freedom! Oh and dont be in shock, high school was easy but college is very difficult, but you can do it, trust me i know! Your a very smart girl, dont let anyone tell you that your not. Remember to stay true to yourself and always smile cause not everything is easy! OH and one more thing, girl get into yoga or something because your stress level became ridiculous, look im breaking out! I love you! See you in three years, in the mirror!"

Don't be afraid to interact with people that are not like you. Don't hold on to friendships that are draining. These are not goign to have to be your friends forever. You will make better ones late. Love learning and soak up everything you can but don't be a fraid to have fun. There are not a lot of years of being a goofball left. Try not to procrastinate although I know you still will. Don't care what others think about you. That is their business. Unless you are hurting people, or acting immorally, don't change who you are. Stay on course and centered in your faith in the good times, so when bad times come, you have back-up and you are a little more prepared. And have faith in the work you are doing at your school. You are leaving a legacy there with the clubs you have started and all you can do is plant the seeds, water it a little, and step back and let God do the rest. And you will make it through High School. I promise!

As they say, hindsight is 20/20, and talking to my senior self would be no different. The first bit of advice I would give myself would be to not take high school forgranted. It might seem like it is a lot of work to take courses in high school that will transfer to college credit, but it makes your college workload easier. I would also tell myself to make sure that I take recognition of the comments that teachers make on my work, because a lot of that transpires to the grading in college. Also, it would be a good idea to pay attention to my weak spots and make sure that I work on them. I would also advise that I learn new study techniques and techniques to stay organized because that has been such a problematic area for me. Overall, I would tell myself to live my senior year with no regrets and to take the time to appreciate my family and my youth, because too soon after my senior year, my mother died and it took such a toll on my schoolwork.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schoo senior about what I know now about college, i would definitely say that i should study as often as I can to keep the grades up high. I would also say that there is time for friends and a time to study, andto never forget about your family. And the most important thing is to always keep God first in every thing you do. It will definitely get you far in life.

College life didn’t seem that much different than high school life, but there were some things that I could’ve done better back then. Getting rid of clothes I don’t wear would’ve been wonderful advice for starters. But, more seriously, I should have listened to my teachers when they said everything is about the presentation. I could have the worst story in the world, but if I told it well, it’d turn into a masterpiece. Presentations in high school were a joke. I showed up in jeans and a t-shirt, read off my notecards, and sat down. College? Not so much. College required all the advice that went in one ear and out the other from my teachers. I had to learn to dress nice and to present myself like everything I had to say was vitally important to my listeners. For college, it was a hit and miss deal, but if I’d listened to my teachers in high school lecturing about how to be professional, I wouldn’t have to miss. I would’ve hit those presentations dead-on. If I could go back, I’d learn to make masterpieces to begin with.

When you start classes, the most important thing to remember is to connect with your professors and peers. Making these relationships can help you greatly when looking for help academically and personally. Also, time management is a key ingredient to success in the classroom. With classes, studying, work, and a personal life, it is all about juggling your schedule. It is vital that you make time to relax, but are also aware of how many tasks you need to complete and what time constraints you are under. Know your deadlines. Deadlines are extremely important and missing one could cost you your grade or even your financial aid. Learn to take good notes in class and always ask for extra opportunities to help with your grade and learning. Different professors have different expectations so pay close attention to the class syllabus that will be given out the first day of class. Make sure you become involved in the community and take advantage of club opportunities and events on-campus. Getting involved outside of class will help make your college experience more enjoyable and memorable.

I would tell myself “Paige, college isn’t easy, just because high school was doesn’t mean college will be.Take your time with thing and do chapel at the beginning of the semester. “

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, one of the key pieces of advice that I would give myself regarding making the transition into college life would be to get involved early on. Getting involved in activities and clubs on campus helps to make the transition much easier. You are able to meet people and make friends that have common interests much easier and much quicker. I would also tell myself to focus more on what I'm learning and maintaining it than the grade that I am making. While grades are very important for college applications and scholarships, really learning the material is what is going to help in the long run. In high school, it is easy to get bogged down with just making the grade and just learning the material for the test and then forgetting it. In college, however, the material is what is really going to help you later on in life as opposed to the grade.