Brigham Young University-Provo Top Questions

Begin getting involved in activities that college offers earlier. Investing more than academics in your college experience will make your it more fulfilling. Becoming part of a club or college council not only provides opportunities to make more lasting friends and memories, but it will introduce you to faculty and students who can help with with future goals in academics or even internships. Connections around campus are a genuine way to feel connected and welcomed at your school.

Have lots of fun your last year of high school. If you feel like you need to take some college level classes, check with the college(s) you've been accepted to to see if what you're taking will help you. If not, take them for fun or not at all. You will get all you need in college, and you've worked hard enough that it's okay to take a little break. Don't take more than one hard general credit your first semester. Work up to taking more hard classes at a time. Even though you may know what you want to go into, take a lot of introductory classes in other areas that are interesting to see if there is something else that you'd enjoy. Talk to a lot of people. Make new friends everywhere you can. It's always nice to see familiar faces walking around campus. Take advantage of all the university has to offer you. Try new things. You won't regret a minute of it.

High school was a fun experience, but I worried too much about popularity and social standing. High schoolers would be better off if they could realize that life is not all about them. There is so much more joy in serving others than there is in wearing the latest fashion or having the newest phone. Material possessions don't matter. People matter. True friendships and family relationships are far more valuable than anything you could ever buy or own. Also, school is important. Finding joy in knowledge is one of the best things one can learn early on in life. Advanced Placement classes are good for colleges and scholarships, but they are not everything. If a student can learn to love what they are learning while being challenged by the new knowledge, they will gain far more than what an Advanced Placement class can teach them. Having credit while going into college is nice, but there is no need to rush the college experience. Live life to the fullest. Be the best you can be. Working your hardest is good enough. Serve often and love everyone. That is the key to happiness and success.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college, although it is fun, is about getting an education. It is so important to take your college education seriously. It isn't like high school, you can't just glide through it. College takes a lot of discipline, dedication, and most importantly a lot of hard work.

I never got to make it as a college senior. After sophomore year, I dropped out of high school and received my GED. If I could go back in time, I would tell 16-year-old Anna that she is good enough and smart enough to make it to graduation. I would tell her that in college, she could achieve the goals she never thought possible. I would tell her that she can get really good grades and be in the top of her class, she just needs confidence in herself. I would make sure she knew she could be just as good, if not better, than her competition. I would assure her that honors programs and president’s lists are possible for her if she puts forth the effort. I would tell 16-year-old Anna, that in college, she will realize how beautiful, intelligent, and smart she really is; that she can and will do everything she sets her mind to, because she’s good enough. I would tell her not to be afraid, that school is the most important tool of her life, and that everything is going to be okay.

If I could go back and give my self advice as a high school senior I would tell myself to not procrastinate. I would let my self know that it is not the best when you stay up till two o'clock in the morning finishing a paper that is due at eight. Getting homework and projects done in a timely manner will keep myself from being overstressed. If I could go back and tell myself somthing as a senior I would tell myself to not procrastinate.

When everyone tells you that high school is the best time of your life trust them. The second it ends you’ll want it back. Have fun, and don’t be so serious. The real world begins when you graduate and life revolves so much more about school and work. Realize that no one opinions matters beside your own of course. Your happiness needs to come before anyone else’s, so live a little. Don’t spend all of your time absorbed in your books. Allow time to be a teenager and just enjoy life. Soon there will be no more Friday night football games or homecoming dances. Your grades are important since they’ll get you into the college of your choice. But the memories made in high school can never be recreated once its done so take the time to make those memories you’ll never forget with the people who were with you for the whole journey.

College is what you make it. It really doesn't matter where you go. If you have a positive outlook on life, a bright future to reach for, and a dedication to 2 very important goals, you will succeed; and you will love it. What are the 2 "very important goals" you ask? They are: #1-learn, and #2-have fun. Strive to gain all the understanding you can. Learn to love learning. Get excited. Be passionate. Soak it in. You can never acquire enough knowledge...and I don't just mean academically. Learn about yourself. Find out who you are, what you believe in, what, where, and who you love. Always seek to find more than is given. Never be satisfied with "good enough"... and have fun doing it all! Spend time studying, and enjoy it! Be done studying at some point; breaks are vital. Meet new people. Try new things. Help others. Be social , but be comfortable spending time with yourself...that is an essential life skill. Take advantage of quiet moments. Smile! As one of my professors says, "There is no boring subject, just boring writing". So don't hold back, make your life a masterpiece.

Be confident in yourself and have fun. I would tell myself that I should be more outgoing, more friendly, and give myself more credit for all of my talents and accomplishments. I have always been a perfectionist, and now that I'm older, I can see how that led to stress and a lack of self-esteem. Instead of getting down on myself for not being perfect in every aspect of life, I would tell that 14 to 18 year old girl to lighten up, work hard, and have fun. High school is about growing up, getting ready for college, and being a teenager. I would tell myself to take the pressure off! Looking back, I was filled with stress, pressure, and fear that I wouldn't get good enough grades, do well enough in sports, be a good enough friend, or do enough in my community and church. I would tell myself that I'm great! There is no need to worry about things I can't control.

Tip #1: Do you have absolutely no idea what your major will be? Or are you completely positive that you know exactly which career you plan on having for the rest of your life? Either way: make sure that you job shadow! Job shadow, job shadow, job shadow - and don't just job shadow in the career you're planning on. Try job shadowing in a few different careers that you might never have thought of. Trust me, it will either cement your knowledge that you actually want that career (giving you strength to get through those rough classes ahead), or it will give you the time to look elsewhere. Tip #2: Get out there and do more! As a freshman, you have the opportunity to be anything you want to be. College is a time to re-create yourself for the better. Think about it: you get a completely fresh start. Be the person that you want to be. Get involved and do something new and different. Keep yourself busy; but not overly stressed. The best way to do well in school is if you balance it with a fun and wholesome social life. Remember to volunteer!