Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

Relax going to college is a big step in life, and you will grow immensly as a person so stop stressing. It is easy to be caught up worrying over college during your senior year, wondering which college is right for you, how will you afford it, and the whole 'what is this FAFSA people are telling me about?' situation, but relax there are answers and everything is not as critical as you're probably making them seem. Start by doing research into the colleges that interest you most, visit campusdiscovery.com, and make a visit to them, you'll feel it, if it's the school for you. The FAFSA isn't a great mystery go to fafsa.gov and there will be tons of information. While your learning about the FAFSA apply to alot of scholarships many will turn you down but don't be discourage because some of them will turn out good, so relax you are a senior and seniors have the most fun.

As a second semester freshman at Arizona State University I have had the opportunity to experience what college life is all about. Looking back on my life as a high school student there are several things that I wish I had known before entering college that would have helped my transition into this new and demanding lifestyle. Moving three states away and having to live without the help of my parents in the next bedroom, it would have been nice to know the cost of daily necessities and how important it is to learn how to create and maintain a budget. If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, I would stress the importance of saving money, getting a job, and learning how to budget for myself. Since I decided to go out of state I moved into an entirely new environment, knowing absolutely no one. If I could talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to stretch out of my comfort zone and close-knit circle of friends to constantly be meeting new people so the transition to adapt to a new setting would have been easier.

I would tell myself to be thankful for everything I have. When you get to college, you can realize how quickly life changes and how much work it takes. In high school, most things are given to you without much being expected in return. You have lots of friends, everyone at school knows your name, and it's a fun time. When you get to college, things will change. Enjoy the time you have now, and make your memories last. Many of your friends will move off to different colleges, and you have to take on one of the biggest challenges of your life without many of them. Stay the course, though. Be prepared to work hard, and don't give up. No matter what anyone else tells you, you can do it. Remember that you are now in control of what happens to you. Hard work and dedication will get you through anything. Stay focused, and work hard!

Select a college major now. That was my first mistake. By selecting a major then would have really helped me out now. I would tell myself to keep my head up, and your on the right path. Its gonna be a hard path but in the end it would be totally worth it. Living poor is part of the college life experience and applying to as many scholarships as possible would really help you out and save you the stress later on. Also, i would recommend not getting a job the first semester because, you have to begin making an everyday routine. Once, University life is settled then you can begin applying for a job to get that extra spending money. College life is difficult but you appreciate it more when you work hard for your money, as opposed to money just being given to you. Thats one lesson I have learned recently as a college junior. Also, having a vehicle is even more difficult so begin saving money for parking permits. Also, smile so you can make friends easier and remember that they are just people who are there for the same reason as you are....an education.

Prepare now for the future. Choices made today determine a lifetime. There are so many possibilities dream big. Take time to decide your path but once the decision is made bring a relentless passion to be the very best.

To choose wisely on a degree and really focus on school starting my freshman year.

There would be a lot of things to tell myself about college. During my senior year I became arrogant and big headed because I was a senior. However, a semester of college has changed that thought in me. There are so many responsibilites that college students must take on in order to make it through college. There are of course the cliche warnings of "time management" and "become friends with your professor", then there are a slew of more subtle warnings to know. Of course, the cliche warnings are crucial too. I would tell myself not to brush off those warnings. It would benefit myself to be on a first name basis with my professors. Professors will be more lenient when grading if it is a student they know personally. I would tell myself to definitely take advantage of office hours. Then there are more subtle things I would have to tell myself. Checking blackboard daily is a must do. Professors will not warn you of some assignments or some required reading. Instead, they will post on blackboard and expect you to be responsible enough to check the postings and to complete the task.

There are so many things I wish I could tell the high school me! I would start by saying, "Take a deep breath... it's ok if you don't know what career you want yet. Plan out your goals even if their little ones, and it will help you feel more in control. " I would tell the former me to never be afraid to ask for help because there are students all around that feel just as scared and homesick when they get to college. I would tell myself to make a real effort to keep the friends I already have, because they will help you through the loneliest and most stressful times. Also, make new friends because all you've known is your little town, so here's your chance to expand! Especially on ASU's campus, keep your open-mindedness and your world will grow. I would tell myself that this is the start of a whole new life and it's complicated sometimes, but stay true to who you are as a person then you'll be fine. As for academics, you'll be fine, I know you're a smart girl.

I am proud to look back on who I was in high school. My grades were to my satisfactory, my friends were who they were temporary company, people to relate to while I was on break. I should have praticed healthier eating habits, which would have given me enough energy to continue juggling sports and my academics. I believe I did everything I could to prepare myself to graduate. My parents were a big influence, they are biggest part of who I have become. I like that I wasn't very social, because now I am highly self disciplined. Being self disciplined is knowing when I am stressed and doing something about it that does not have to do with any substance or subscription. I feel like I've been groomed and trained to be a professional. I used to never speak to adults unless I was spoken to, now I work in a mangement office where my co-workers are adults and I have to communicate everything. I feel like I learned at my own pace and allowed my self to make mistakes and learned from them. At work my supervisors tell me they think highly of me.

I would go back and have more fun. During my entire High School career, I was assured by my parents that they could pay for any school that I got into. Upon gaining admission to NYU and realizing that they would be under a $160,000 burden, my dreams were very quickly crushed. I spent my days during 9th-12th grade studying, trying to get good grades so I could get into the best school. I gave up a lot of my social life in pursuit of the grade, and I really shouldn't have. I don't believe it takes a lot to get into ASU, and I could have done it while having more fun at my High School. I would have told myself not to aim so high, because you fall a lot harder. Just have fun day by day, and while the future is important, it's not everything.