Bellevue University Top Questions

You have the opportunity to learn things in life that are beneficial to your future development. Take the opportunity to learn all that you can, there is going to be a time in your life when you are going to realize that some things are more important than others. So take the opportunity to be all that you can be and live life to the fullest. Make sure that you smile often, laugh louder, and remember that you are in charge of your destiny so take it in your hand and mold it into what you want it to be. For you always want to be proud of you and the legacy that you have created.

The advice I would give my high school self about college would be to apply for more scholarships, take more AP/college credit classes, and to strengthen my time management skills. I have learned that books are very expensive and to search online for great deals on used books. I have also learned that it is very hard to get by without a job or money saved up so I would advise myself to get at least a part time job. Money is more of an issue than I thought it would be. I also would have advised myself to look at the college's finances. The college I originally chose closed a month before classes started. It would have been cheaper if I had more college/AP credits going into college. My life would have also been easier if I learned to manage my time better in high school so that I would not wait for the last minute to finish assignments.

I would tell myself to simply try harder, take advantage of opportunities, and be more involved. When I was in high school, I didn't take into consideration that the more I did then, the better off I would be down the road. But as I started college, I immediately regretted not having participated in more extra curricular activities and not putting forth more effort to get better grades. Had I done that, I would have created an easier path for college life. I didn't have a typical high school experience; I was supporting myself entirely from the beginning of my Senior year and have maintained full time employment since, while adding on the tasks of full time college with honors and single parenthood. Had I applied myself more in high school, I wouldn't struggle as much today. I would tell myself to start college full time right away because it would have been easier to do it then compared to after having a child and starting a demanding career. I would also remind the younger me that the harder we work now, the sooner we can be at our retirement house on the beach!

If I could go back and tell myself anything as a high school senior, I would tell myself that the journey ahead of me is going to be harder than I think it is. I would say to be very prepared and definitally to fill out and apply for as many scholarships I could get my hands on. Also, I would tell myself to always stay focused until the very last day of school because everything still matters in senior year. Stay disiplined also, because no one holds your hand in college like they kind of do in high school.

If I could go back and give myself any advice it would be simply...work harder. Stop messing around and do the work. Once I figured out I was smart enough to get by on whatever was going on in class, I stopped doing my homework, studying and everything else. I would tell myself to step it up and learn more than what I needed to know to get by. It has taken me over 20 years to be ready to take on college because I didn't push myself in high school and wasn't ready to go to college after I graduated. I was very smart, never pushed to reach my potential and regret not doing it then. When the teachers gave up on me, so did I. So many kids are in the same boat I was 20 years ago and it is sad. I failed myself then and the system gave up on me. So IF I could go back and give myself any advice, I would tell myself I need to work hard and get into a good college...and listen to my parents, they knew what they were talking about.

I would tell myself to take high school more serious and pay attention. By paying attention in high school makes college much easier. I would also tell myself to go right from high school to college with no break, because once you get into that care free life style it is very hard to change. I would even push toward dual enrollment. Also that getting good grades and completing all college classes provides for a good future quicker. Once you do start college don't be afraid to accept all the help that is offered. I did not enjoy high school much and used it alot for socializing, the biggest thing I would tell myself is that college is much different. College is amazing it gives you the opportunity to socialize and still be working on school. Remember all these people made it this far and have the same goal in mind.

I would advise to take the school loans and pursue the degree I have always wanted instead of taking the faster cheaper career programs in fields that I do not care for. I managed to pay for my associate degree while working full-time but missed out on the whole college experience (dorms, social groups, etc) and worried extensively about financial issues at the time. It also took me many years to finish. I now am married, have a 2-year old son and a mortgage, and am still working while attending classes; my grades are high but I feel like it would have been a lot easier back when I didn't have so much to worry about.

I would love the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. After the initial shock of seeing myself at age 34, I would learn a great deal. I did not take High School seriously. I had a mentality of just "getting by." I knew in the back of my mind that if I applied myself I could do great things, but somehow the problems of High School life seemed more important. Fast forward to age 33 and I was without a degree and unhappy with a directionless career. I made the decision to go back to school. I started school in January 2011 and in May 2012 I graduated with an Associate's Degree in Accounting. This time, however, I applied myself. I am very proud of the fact that I finished school with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average. I would definitely tell my younger self the value of getting a degree. Not having one has limited my opportunities. While I am grateful that I have the chance to better myself today, I wish I would have done more than "just getting by" as a High School student.

If you have the opportunity, apply to as many schools and visit as many schools as possible that you are interested in whether they are in state or out of state colleges/universities. Enjoy your college years and get involved in extra curricular activities and volunteer programs. Be sure to stay focused on the prize and earning your degree.

For me, making the transition to college was a hard decision. I decided not to go to college right out of high school because I was pursuing my career at a bank and was moving up the ranks fast. If I could go back in time and give myself advice the number one piece of advice that I would give myself is not to wait! It's important to continue your education and the longer you wait the harder it gets to go back. Going to school full time and working full time is not an easy task, it takes dedication and hard work. Now that I am getting close to finishing I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that it was worth going back. Had I started right out of high school I feel that it would have been easier and I have been done with school years ago. I would tell myself to keep going to school and not take any breaks, going right out of high school will prevent unnecessary pre-requisite courses and will eliminate the need to 'refresh your memory' on the courses that you took in high school.