Brigham Young University-Provo Top Questions

I would tell myself to remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and your parents aren't feeding you anymore. I'd remind myself that I am in charge of myself now, and that if I plan on going to school, then I'd better make sure that I meet all my deadlines, and work hard to make sure that everything that needs to be done, paying tuition, finding housing, regestiring for classes, is going to be done by me. I would also mention to myself, that you can have a bit of fun too, just don't procrastinate deadlines. I'd also mention that I may want to pay a bit more attention to the lovely Taylor Anderson, as she is someone that I don't want to ignore. . .

A typical high school senior spends his or her final school year on top of the world. Consistently students are told their generation will change the world, so dream big! Sooner or later, however, the weight of the world settles on their shoulders as students realize every single choice they make affects their future. It’s a heavy burden to bear, and their ability to dream big diminishes. These were my feelings as I finished my senior year, realizing that never again in my life would I feel so carefree. I wondered what the future held. As I watched those I considered successful, the common element I found was not that they dreamed big, but that they made certain they had a plan to achieve their big dream. They obtained information, reached out for assistance, and sacrificed comfort for success. Building on a foundation of specific plans, goals, and values, they created success wherever they went. Looking back, I wish I had practiced setting goals sooner. Every student needs to make a plan of what they want to be, because through those plans and driven by dreams, perhaps those students will change the world.

Work in the summers. Even though it doesn't seem like you can, squeeze any work you can in. It helps on a resume and with your finances. Also, study hard and start early. Cramming is highly ineffective.

Dear High School Self, There is never enough time. This is a cliché but that doesn’t make it any less true. And being true doesn’t make it any less cliché. I happen to know you’re horrible at time management so let me give you some pointers. 1) Set priorities. Decide one or two things that must be done and make them top priorities. Now pick one thing you want to do more than anything else. This will be your reward for getting the important things done. Don’t do anything else until these are done. 2) Hold yourself accountable. When you’ve decided that something must be done but you know you will have trouble motivating yourself, find a way to pressure yourself. Maybe write it down and hang it on the fridge or ask someone to ask about it whenever they see you. 3) Set aside some time for procrastination. You’re going to procrastinate anyway so you might as well be in control of it. Schedule yourself some time to play that video game or to go rock climbing. When the time is up, stop and get to work. Good luck. Sincerely, Your future self.

Dear High School Self, You will do amazing things in the coming years! Times will get hard, especially financially, emotionally, and academically, but most situations will eventually come to an end. Although you fell in love with chemistry in high school, the chemistry classes required for your major in college will be extremely difficult and frustrating but you can do it. Just push through the classes and your reward will be great. Life also has a tendency to throw in several surprises that may or may not be wanted, but learn to live in positive ways to overcome those challenges. Responding negatively will not help in most situations. Also, learn how to cook better and eat healthier now and use those skills in college life. You will not regret it. In addition to this, be prepared for the dating life, as you have not been on a date before starting college. Prepare to be a wife that the most amazing man deserves. You will find him and love him more than you can ever imagine. I will not give away too much but you have an amazing future ahead. Be strong and never give up. --Your College Self

Although I sought for and achieved my personal goal of graduating high school with honors simultaneously with my two year collegiate degree, I would advise my High School self to spend what other time remained on one thing. I would advise obtaining some form of skilled work certification- electrician apprentice, phlebotomist, personal trainer, mechanical skills, etc. - due to the fact that the job market is now filling up with many who have obtained degrees, but are working in minimum wage part-time jobs instead of their respective career fields. This is due to a lack of experience or certification, which is obtained through further education, for which one needs further monetary means, which cannot be obtained with a high rate of success through a low-skill level job. This leading to a cyclical trap. So, in one sentence for my former self, what would I do differently? Gain certification for work in connection with your studies.

Dear Mr. Invincible: I know you believe that sleep is for mere mortals and that you can cram for any exam and still ace it, but you are in for a rude and expensive awakening when you lose that freshman scholarship. College life will provide you with exhilarating freedom, but keep your ultimate goal of family and professional success in mind as well. Go ahead and join a late night video game session or impulsive prank once for the experience, then notice how little satisfaction it brought you and how tired you are in class the next day. All you’ve known in life so far is increasing strength and ability, but that will change sooner than you think. Play hard but don’t risk any serious injury. Your peers are now just as smart as you so schedule breaks between classes and skip every other line while taking notes, then fill in those blanks immediately after class to solidify what you’ve just learned. Finally, join as many study groups as you can because they’ll provide both a source of quality friends and a quicker, more effective way to study.

If I could go back in time and talk to my highschool self, I wouldn't talk to myself my senior year. I would talk to myself my freshamn year. That was my best and worst year. Best in the way that I did a lot of new, fun, and exciting things that year and worst in the way that it was the year I lost control. By the time I was a senior I had gotten my act together but it was my freshman year that changed me. In my freshman year I experienced for the first time ditching school, marijuana, getting arrested, getting a ticket, & bad friendships. I didn't have a care in the world except to have fun no matter what. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to grow up. I was young but my focus should've been completely in school, getting into a good college, and getting a job. Not ditching, drugs, and all those other things. I'd tell myself forget trying to be cool and fit in if it's going to end up hurting me. That's not even half of what I'd tell myself.

In the words of Socrates: know thyself. Specifically, learn how you learn. Think about how you think. Organize the way you organize. In college the way you take notes, study and complete assignments is very personal and specific to you. If you learn visually you can personalize your notes and study methods to be visually based. If you think analytically than surround yourselves with analytical people in study groups. Becoming organized is crucial. This includes scheduling, calendaring and keeping track of assignments. Lastly, learn how to work before play and how to become self-disciplined.

Dear Payton, As you are preparing yourself to make the transition to college life, there are a few things you should know. You might have heard that you should be prepared to work and study harder than you ever have in your life. You've probably heard that you will have to balance your time between school, social life, and adequate sleep. And you've surely heard that the next few years could be the best and most rewarding of your whole life. All these things are true, but my advice to you would be to try not to think about these things too much. When I was preparing to enter college, I was full of stress and expectations. Looking back, maybe I received too much advice. Perhaps sometimes it is better to take things as they come. College will bring lots of change for you, but don't worry. You will adapt to these changes with time, and it will all work out. Don't let one part of college dominate the rest. Find balance, do your best, and get ready for the best years of your life!