Anderson University-Anderson, SC Top Questions

As a high school senior I just wanted to get out of school. I was tired of doing the work and being in a place that I felt i no longer belonged. I still worked hard, but when it came to certain things I really could have pushed harder. I wish I would have taken college courses at the local community college to not only use my time more beneficially but to help transition me to college life. I also wish I would have been more outgoing and done more things with school rather than feeling bad for myself becuase I felt that I was being excluded. Overall I wish I would have enjoyed the journey more. It went by too quickly. It's at the end of things or when things are gone that you truly start to learn form them or miss them. If I could tell my 12th grade self to relax and enjoy my time at home and at school it would have benefitted me greatly. Because looking back I was probably rarely the perosn I wanted to be or could have been. I would want tell myself it's okay to be yourslef, uniquely Ashley.

That I should pick my college based on my values and aspirations in life, not on those of other people. To love people unconditionally and don't t just cut them out of your life because you think you are moving far away. To personally invest in people's lives more so maybe it will help change their future for the better. To spend more time with people while they are still there in my life physically. Re-evaluate those I am friends with and show live to, so that I know they will always be there. Get even more scholarship money than I already have. Most importantly; listen to your heart, your gut, and God. Because when you do that it will save you from so much unbeareable hurt it's a miracle. If I would have just done that my life would be ten thousand percent better. So ya listen to God and your heart, because that's what will be the most important things to you for the rest of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax. The majority of my senior year was spent being anxious about all the new experiences of college. For this reason, I did not really take the time to enjoy my senior year in high school. I wish that I would have taken time to enjoy my last days living at home. I would spend time with high school friends, because it is difficult to find time to connect once everyone is at different schools. I wish that I had spent more time with my family because I only see them when I come home for the weekend. Take the time to make memories that will last a lifetime. Life is busy enough in college. Enjoy having time to rest and relax. As soon as I arrived on campus as a freshman, I had numerous friends. Everyone is new and scared. This helps everyone to instantly bond together. Also, professors actually want their students to succeed. They are actually willing to help you reach your full potential. College is stressful, but new friends and helpful professors make it better.

I could go on and on about what I would tell myself as a high school senior about college. I would begin by telling myself to enjoy how easy the school work is in high school compared to college. The difference in the difficulty of the school work in college is not comparable to high school. I would also tell myself to enjoy the time I have with my friends from high school because I have seen very few of them since high school. I have made new friends but I miss spending time with my old ones. I would tell myself to make sure I spend plenty of time with my parents and family while in high school also. This is the last year I have of living under my parents roof and spending a lot of time with them. Now I live in a dorm room away from home and barely get to spend time with them. The final thing I would tell myself is not to get stressed out about anything. I feel like I spent a lot of my senior year stressed about college. I would tell myself to enjoy it and just live life.

Dear High School Ryon, I really wish you would take the decisions you make more seriously. While you're working, save up for college tuition and books instead of blowing your money on junk food. Saving up will definitely help out in the long run when you have too heavy of a workload in school to have a job but still need to pay for tuition. Take your schoolwork more seriously, too. I know you make good grades but it would truly help prepare you for college if you took learning more seriously and found a study technique that really works for you. Also, do whatever it takes to go to your first pick college, even if you need to help your parents with the tuition. You will find the path to a career you will be so passionate about, you will grow in your faith, and you will find the man you will marry. It’s so worth the work to get to where you are going. Other than that, relax! Moving away from home and making new friends will prove to be easier than you think it will be. You’re going to love college! Sincerely, College Ryon

Dear high school Rachel, First off, when you enter the wide world of college, remember to give yourself credit for what you've already accomplished. You are in a new place with new food, people, buildings, and classes. It is alright to feel afraid or nervous. I would also highly suggest being intentional about building friendships, because your friends are the ones who help you relax and get through the hard times that can come around. Remember that everyone around you is going through exactly what you are.

When I was a high school senior, I desperately needed college advice. I was the first in my family to attend, leaving me no idea what to expect or what to do with all these forms and tests thrown my way. If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would first tell myself to take a deep breath and calm down - everything will turn out superb. I would then tell myself to stay on top of grades, applications, and standardized tests. Those components are imperative to getting in to a good college, so I would tell myself to apply early, go on tours, and take the standardized tests early on in senior year, and multiple times. My senior self waited until the last semester to really pursue some of these options, leaving me frustrated and on a time crunch, proving it is very important to leave enough time to accurately pursue and choose a college. My high school self really needed to hear that college is fantastic, giving you independence, responsibility, and new options to explore. College is a new journey, but it does not mean that you have to forget where you came from.

Dear Cara Ann, I know you’re nervous about transitioning to college. Your senior class of 30 is a drop in the bucket at this 3000 student college. Being away from home is incredibly intimidating. But don’t worry! Anderson University will feel like home in no time. Be yourself in college. Don’t change your personality or standards in order to get people to like you. But feel free to try new things and expand your horizons. You will probably only get four years of your life to focus solely on your education and social life. Be intentional with people and schoolwork. Don’t let life pass you by. To avoid homesickness, feel free to call and text and Facetime your family! Technology makes it easy nowadays to communicate with family any hour of the day. When you make mistakes (it happens), apologize, determine to change, and move on. Beating yourself up about it won’t change what happened. True change happens when you recognize your failure but refuse to let it define you. Finally, love people. Be a woman who truly cares about people. Proud of you girl,Cara Ann

Dear Alison Woodard pre-high school graduation, You are almost there! Almost to a brand new stage of life. Stop worrying so much about grades and future roommates and finances and enjoy this time of transition. Yes, it is really hard, and really scary. You can do it! Honestly, college is not as terrifying as it seems. You are going to make the most wonderful friends, and have a brand new start. After leaving your tiny high school, people will no longer refer to you as "the smart girl" or as a "goody-goody". At Anderson, you are going to find out who you truly are. Prepare yourself to be transformed during this next stage of life. Don't focus simply on your grades, or your graduation speech, or making enough money over the summer. Take time each day to rest in the fact that God loves you, will protect you, and simply wants to have fun with you. Learn to have fun now, and it will make the transition so much easier. Sincerely, Alison Woodard college sophomore.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would want to tell myself that no matter what stay true to myself. True to my beliefs and what I had already learned in my life. I would want to know that I was going to have to work hard, to better prepare for what was to come. I wish I could have told myself to believe in myself and be confident in my beliefs.