Baylor University Top Questions

While being a high school senior, it never occurred to me that building a strong educational foundation would help lead to my success in college. During senior year I took many electives as opposed to the necessary classes for my major. I only took one Advanced Placement class and one science class necessary for my original major. Starting high school, I wanted to be a Crime Scene Investigator therefore the classes that I took were forensic science classes. While filling out college applications I realized that I wanted to pursue a degree in Bioengineering. After starting community college I realized that I should have taken many more Advanced Placement math and science classes that would have benefitted me in getting my associates degree. If I had planned my high school schedule out better, I would not have had to take many summer classes to finish my associates’ degree in two years. Also I would have a smoother transition from a two-year institution to a four-year institution. If I were given a second chance at high school, I would take more math and science classes and would strive to understand the concepts in those classes important for future studies.

Rachel, you need to follow your dreams and stop worrying about what your mom tells you to do. Take different courses at UTD and figure out what it is you are passionate about. And start caring! Yes, you are young and have your whole life ahead of you, but this is your chance to make your future. This is your chance to become someone and change the world. Now, go out there and make a difference!

As a senior in high school, studying is not a major requirement. However, college is all about studying and how to study. If I could go back, I would teach myself how to study and learn how I study best. Once you get to college, you spend most of your time studying for tests and can start as early as a week or two before the test. I would practice making flash cards and setting aside a certain amount of time preparing for things. I had no idea how hard it is to study and how much time you have to devote to it! I would have gotten myself in the habit of styding so that it wouldn't be as hard once I got here. I would also say to take Dual Credit courses instead of Advanced Placement, because you're guaranteed credit with Dual Credit, but not with AP classes. That way I could have had a little college practice and some credits going into it.

If could talk to my "senior self" and assuming that my former self would actually listen, I would say that there is no reason at all to be nervous about attending college. Everyone there is afraid of the unknown just like you and there is no reason to get all worked up and nervous before experiencing it. College is a lot like high school; easy if you listen, study and ask for help if needed. I would tell myself that being in high school as an adult is different than high school too, where you have more riding on this education process. You actually have to pay for the education so it is definitely wise to try hard to excel. I do know that if I told my former self that she would be able to pass all of her math courses with A+'s, that she would not believe me and then not listen to another word being said. Thus, I would save that bit of advice for the very end of the conversation.

My advice for myself would be to embrace every mistake that comes my way. Too often did I regard mistakes as setbacks in my path to success and therefore, I lived to avoid them. But in the process of living a calculated and careful existence, I forgot that mistakes serve to condition us for whatever future curve balls life throws at us. Mistakes make college life what it is: enlightening. To evade them is to deprive myself from experience and by extension, from learning. If I welcome and conquer each mistake, I inadvertently dissipate every sliver of self-doubt, insecurity and uncertainty that bubbles beneath the surface. And it is only through my mistakes will I begin to understand and appreciate that struggles are an integral part of navigating through life's unpredicatable waters. So make mistakes and when you do not think of them as obstacles but rather, opportunities.

It's ok to try and stand out; don't be afraid to find and be yourself, even if you discover you have different opinions/views than those around you. Question everything around you so that you know absolutely that you believe what you believe; question your views, your religion, your authority figure(s), the government, and the world around you so you can be a leader and not a follower. Never let anyone convince you that you are less than what you truly are: a beautiful, headstrong, independent young woman. No matter how hard life is, press on; it'll be worth it in the long run. Always remember that you are never alone despite the bleak loneliness you feel from time to time; there are people that are there for you and will help you if you speak up. Never stay silent when you see an injustice, even if appears harmless; your actions can make a great difference in someone else's life. Break out from the mold and have fun; meet new people, scream, dance, act silly, just LIVE because you have this amazing life and this life only, so make the most of it.

I would tell myself to remember to keep contact with my family and friends. Transitioning from high school and living with my parents to living with a roommate and classes at a college can be a hectic and trying time. The easiest way to keep grounded and relieve the stress can build up from the transition is to spend time with my family and friends, to get my mind off th stresses of college life. I would also tell my high school senior self to spend more time with my familyas my mother passed away during my freshman year in college. I would tell myself to spend time organizing my time management so that I would have an appropriate amount of time for academic and an amount for social events. Time management and stress relief are the two major aspects that I would give myself advice about if I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self.

If I could go back in time to when I was a senior, I would tell myself to focus more on my studies and the direction I am shaping my life. When I was in high school it was hard for me to see past Friday night. My social life was my main priority. Going out, wearing the latest fashion, and having the "in" things was what I lived for. Looking back now, I would tell myself that you have so much more ahead of you. High school doesn't last, parties don't last, sports really aren't your life, and clothing doesn't make you popular. Once you graduate, the things that were important to you, literally mean nothing. They aren't going to build your life or make you successful. Excelling in your studies, making good decisions in life, those will build a foundation for your future. I'd tell myself to study more and worry less about what to wear tomorrow too impress the cute boy in English class. Education is what matters. An education will get you some where in life. This is what I would tell myself if I could go back in time.

I would attend a junior college first to get acclimated with college life. I was not prepared to live so far way from home, take on some very hard courses, and I did not know how to study well. I would have taken basics instead of declaring a major. I changed my major four times. I would have studied harder. I am a people person and I love kids. I would have researched the medical field more closely. I think if I had gone to a junior college and attained a higher GPA, I could have gotten some scholarships when I attended a major university. I would have been able to help my parents by taking on more of the financial responsibility and I may have been able to reduce the amount of school loans I have incurred over the years. By the time I finally get my BSN, I will have so many loans to repay. I also would have taken dual credit courses instead of honor courses to obtain some college credit before I graduated from high school. Looking back, if I had done these things, I would have my BSN now and could be working.

I would tell myself that finding scholarships is top priority after getting accepted to the university of my choice. Do not spend the money that you have because you may need it for something unexpected. Take better care of yourself and form a bit better study habits (although your grades are great). Do all your school work for yourself not for others. Try to be more outgoing in this last year, which will help you a lot in college. People may not say this, but a great GPA in highschool does not really help you get scholarships for college. It is very difficult to pay for college, and loans can be very intimidating. Quit procrastinating on doing the things that need to be done; just finish what you start as soon as possible. This may help you in the near future.