Brigham Young University-Hawaii Top Questions

Don't be afraid. I went from feeling on top of the world my senior year in high school to the bottom of the pecking order in my freshman year. That's what I thought at least. I know now that that self-doubt and fear was self inflicted. As my freshman year started I was afraid to put myself out there and be friends with everyone around me. I was too afraid of being rejected, being different. What I quickly learned is that everyone is either in the same boat or knows what it feels like to start a new phase of their lives. It is never easy, but knowing that everyone is just as scared as you or has felt the same way at some point in their lives, makes it a whole lot easier to be yourself and have the confidence needed to make the most of your college experience. If I was face to face with my senior self I would tell that boy to continue with courage and not to fear. I would assure him that everything works out. I would most importantly tell him to be confident in who he is as a person.

To my "past self". Looking back I have seen that success in studies comes when we make the decision to succeed. I believe that when you want to learn, you stop seeing your work load as a road block, and more as an opportunity to advance. School is a preparation for the future in career, social life, family life, and many other aspects, so when we are optimistic and motivated we can gain a lot more than an experience in passing tests and turning in homework assignments. When our motivations are firmly rooted in strong values and beliefs that we can excel, become great students, and improve the world we channel those beliefs into our studies and actually begin learning. I feel that when I decided to begin loving learning, it became something so much more. Yes, you need time to experiment and try everything and find out what is good and what works; but this process is much more beneficial when we have the mentality to do good in the world and make the most out of our studies. I know that anything is possible if I am willing and determined to put forth the work.

I would tell myself to really try hard to get good grades. I would say that school is a big privilege and not many people get the opportunity to receive a good education. Think of the things you are kearnigna s knowledge and not as a burden that you have to go through. Take homework assignments and an opportunity to learn and aquire new knowledge. The assignments you dread can actually be very rewarding and enjoyable if you just go about doing them with a different attitude. Remember what the prophet said. This world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth. Your worth is often decided by how much education you have. I would tell myself these things and also to just have fun and treasure the times you have in school. One day you will be working a job and supporting a family. Take advantage of the time you have to be around your peers, learning and growing together. It only comes once in a lifetime.

If i could go back in time to high school as a senior the advice i would give myself in transitioning to college life would be to know what you want to do in life and then do it by studying and experimenting with it.

The advice I would give myself is to never judge and only love. To learn to serve those around you. A huge struggle I had my first year was the transition of being away from my family. It was through service deeds where I came to know people and become close to them. They became a part of my family as well. Soon enough I was making life long friendships, and because of those friendships my life changed. I would encouraged myself to forget about myself and my stresses, worries, studies, and help someone else with theirs. I would tell myself to NOT WAIT. It took me several months to grasp this concept. Once I did, my entire experience changed. My heart was opened.

Dear Senior Madison, Well if I could tell you anything now I know that your senior year was the hardest, try harder take those AP classes more seriously, yes they help you get into college, Check out the apartment your going to be spending alot of time in dont just think well this is home away from home, and your roomates are going to drive you nuts, choose carefuly! Getting lost that is just part of the expirence, we all get lost in college the first year. SAVE your money I know the shoes are cute but living off of peanutbutter is not the greatest. Learn to love exersise people are not kidding when they call it the freshman 15 the weight gain is not just somthing your mom tells you. Live in the moment and enjoy everything because you will wish that things were easier,enjoy the times that your pearents will help you because being an adult is hard.

I would tell myself to learn how i learn best. Everyone has to find a way to learn that tailors to their own personal needs. For example, i learn best by studying in a quite place for no more than two hours. Then i take a 15 minute brake. When i do this, i learn the material so much better and i can recall it on tests. So my advice is to learn how to learn. Try different methods until you find the best one that fits you. Also i would encourage you to set goals and have vision for the future. Its hard to go where you want to go if you dont have a goal to get there.

1. Even though some teachers don't take attendance, you should go to every class, even when it's boring. 2. Make a lot of friends, not only with locals, because you will have more sources of help in your academic help. 3. Talk to your professor when you are having a difficult time. I didn't do that for my first 2 years of school. Now that I do it, it helps a lot with the class. It also assures them that you care about your grade. 4. Take breaks during long study periods. I found that it wasted time because you study for a long time and tend to forget a lot you studied. 5. Volunteer at events when they ask for some. It helped me make righteous friends.

If I could go back in time and give advice to my former self about college, its ins and outs, the leading advice I would give him is not to get distracted. Often times we crave the social aspect of college and the academic aspect gets neglected. I would explain to him balance is very important- it is important to make new friends, enjoy your freedoms with them, and have fun. But college is not all fun and games either. I would advise him to say "no" to some invites, "yes" to study times on Saturdays, and to do the homework. I would tell him to focus on his studies and stay true to his life goals by doing the work required to get there. Not only would I warn him about the dangers to much partying brings, but also sit down with him and reconfirm his life goals. I would tell him if what he really wants is to be a Physics professor- much like a father to son. Although it is important to warn him of the consequences his future actions would bring, it is also improtant to note that I'm doing well anyway!

To younger me, Hey there young Nelson, its me older Nelson. I have been contemplating long about what things you could do to help me out. Its not a lot and they're easy to accomplish if you harness your attention and energy. Having just recently discovered my own potential and determination I can tell that if you had started to develop your talents and knowledge with greater importance I would be much more successful. However, since I am having to do this now I am limited in my progress. Please focus more on being constantly anxioussly engaged in a good work no matter what it may be. Ask yourself if what you are doing will uplift and inspire you to become better. If you do this then we will be a lot happier in the future. Another way we will be guaranteed greater success and happiness is by you learning to control and discipline yourself. You will find that the gap between dreams and realities is only bridged by discipline. So my young self, I implore you to focus and ignore the insignificant distractions around you, and start inspiring yourself and myself.