Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

Save up as much money as possible for college and stay in touch with friends.

I would say try to be more independent. And to start thinking for myself. I would remind myself that with God's guidence everything would come out on top.

If I was back in high school, there would be some changes that would affect my college life. In my early years of high school, I did not take school as seriously as I do now. I did just enough to get by and graduate. If I could go back I would tell myself to focus on getting good grades so I could get a scholarship for college. I realize now how expensive it truly is, and receiving a scholarship would help greatly. Another piece of advice I would give myself would be to get involved more on campus. This advice would also help with me getting a scholarship. Being more involved would possibly motivate me to be even more involved than I am now. I played varsity sports all four years, but never did anything to really change things at my school for the better. Now I know these important aspects of college life, but it would have changed everything if I had learned these lessons sooner.

Pay more attention to the classes. Once you have everything major decided, like where you want to go and how you're going to pay for it, the next major things are the classes. If you don't pick a good schedule for yourself, you could put yourself behind, especially if you have a rather demanding major(s). But really, the most important thing is that your first semester is a lot more fun when you have a good schedule. You're able to work around it better and have a lot less stress. Also, if you have a schedule laid out for the next four years, that takes a huge load off your mind and lets you relax a lot more.

The transition isn't really as hard as you think it will be. Don't worry about the course loads, they are similar. Expect to change a lot and try things you never thought you would. Try and go to an in-state school because out-of-state tuition is a joke and even though you are an active, involved, and committed student that will go on to have a 3.95 GPA, no one will have any money for you because they are too busy handing it out to those who struggle.

I would tell myself to stop procrastinating and do what's needed to be done when it is assigned. I would also tell myself to save as much money as possible because college is very expensive. Also, I would learn better study habits and learn how to take notes better. Just stay focused, because your college education depends on it.

Keep your head in school it is a big step in life to go from living with your parents to living alone in a big city where you know no one, but with time you will adapt. Apply to as many scholarships as you can because college is expensive and there are a lot of bills you will have to pay and having no money can and will put a lot of stress on you. Stay focused once your in college it isn't hard to succeed do your work, homework, and study for exams it really isn't as difficult as people say it is. Remember to be organized and manage your time and most of all have fun. You don't have to be perfect at everything you do, but do it to the best of your ability.

I have always lived in a family where budget was top priority. Senior year I found out that I had recieved a scholarship to Arizona State University that could have paid for my education, but I had chosen to go to Northern Arizona University, and the scholarship went to another incomming freshman. I wish I could have told myself to take the ASU scholarship and forget about NAU, so I could have at least saved a semesters worth of money.

If I could go back to my senior year to talk to myself about the college experience, I would say three things. First of all, I would tell myself not to be so excited about the college experience, because once I'm in college, I will wish I had my high school years back. Things then will seem like heaven compared to what it's like when transitioning to living on your own. Secondly, I would make sure I apply for EVERY scholarship available to me, not just the ones I "feel like" applying for, because I could use all the money I could get. Lastly, I would make sure I understood how to create a budget for myself, and how not to spend money so frivolously, because it is true, college students go broke pretty easily, especially the ones paying for their own education, and those unwilling or unable to get a job.

I would tell my past self that the future we share is like a tunnel with a large light shining ahead. And though I have not fully reached the end of the tunnel I know that I reached as far as I have through perserverance and a strong work ethic. I would tell my past self that in the end by the time he reaches where I currently am in the present, that everything will be worth it and to lose the worry along his/our journey. My only other advice to my past self would be to understand that life (even in academics) is not just one linear path and so that he/I should not be panicked when things don't turn out the way that was expected. I would tell him that even if that happens things still have a way of working out in the end, to perhaps greater results then previously thought.