California Lutheran University Top Questions

I think just not worrying too much about college. Senior year everything is stressful about college, but in the end it gets better. Everything works themselves out and everything isn't the end of the world.

Go for it. Be brave. Many more doors will open for you than you'd expect.

I would tell myself not to worry about the small things that I am afraid of and that I should step out of my comfort zone more. Also, you have to be motivated to get involved and nothing will be handed to you. If you want to achieve your goals you have to work hard and be determined.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say the following: "Jennifer, you need to get yourself together. You need to get your priorities straight and figure out what is more important to you. Friends or your education? I'm not saying you can't have them both, but you have to figure out which one is higher on your "totem pole". Don't let yourself get carried away and distracted from your college work, afterall that's why you're going to college right? Oh, and one more thing, STUDY! Study, study, study! I cannot say that enough! College is the real deal! You HAVE TO study! Use your time wisely! And last but not least, be true to yourself! Have some fun every now and then, meet new people, join clubs."

I would tell myself to choose Cal Lutheran from the start. I went to CSU Fullerton my freshman year and felt lost. I was just another face in the lecture hall to my professors but at Cal Lu I stand out and am getting much better grades. It is so nice when professors want you to succeed and work with you in order to do so. I would also tell myself to live on campus so I could get that experience of having a roommate.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say "go to a four year college and purely focus on your education." I would also tell myself for the first year of college stay on campus and do not get a job. I would want to give myself one year to learn how to manage going to school full-time without having to juggle a part-time job. I would explain to myself that it is much easier to attend college and graduate with a degree without having the responsibilities of raising children, working, and paying your mortgage and other household bills. That said, I would tell myself to make your life easier instead of harder.

As a high school senior, I would tell myself to allow myself to have an open mind. I would say dont be afraid to explore all of the opportunities that college will make available. I would be sure to push myself to be more involved in discussions, research projects, volunteer experience and internship opportunities that are offered. I will learn more from these opportunities because they will not serve as experience but will open up more insights into the career and what life has to offer. I would tell myself to not only study and take the material i learn in class for the test, but to apply it to real world scenarios on a more abstract level. I would tell myself to explore all my options and not be afraid to make wrong decisions as I will grow from them and learn what us important to me. Its important to enjoy all aspects of the college experience, work hard to get work done, but also take the time to enjoy the beauty life has to offer and most important, make sure that what you are studying is what you love as this will become you life

I would tell myself to accept change and open my mind to new experiences. Be open and outgoing and you will be able to be a strong contributor to your new school. Accept that you are almost starting over as a freshman and look to find worthy upperclassmen to help guide you. Ask for help! All of the counselors and instructors are there to help you through college, it's not as easy as high school. Learn to make good decisions. Stay on track and strong and you will succeed. Most of all, don't get distressed or overwhelmed with college life. While you are technically an adult, there are a lot of resources to help you get through that first year.

If I went back in time I would tell my high school senior self to take advantage and take summer classes at my local community college to get ahead. Therefore, I would have been done by now and not worry about tuiton and loans. In addition, I would of told myself to have told myself which UC's to apply to so I could have received more aid at my school. Lastly, I would have told myself to break up with my boyfriend at the time and enjoy my Senior year with friends because he ruined my last year. That is one thing I really do regret, letting a guy ruin my last year of high school.

Given the opportunity to give myself advice in high school, I would tell myself to not let others impact what I want to do. College is a time to grow and try new things that interest you- not your parents, not your siblings or roommates. I would want to tell myself to not be afraid to do things on my own; it is okay if your roommate doesn’t want to join a club with you, you can do it by yourself and make new friends along the way. In addition, I would want to advise myself to take fun classes along with the ones required for my major. Although this education is preparing you for your future job, learning should be a fun experience, so take a surfing class along with accounting and business law. Finally, I wish I could tell myself to be who I want to be and not to let anyone get in the way of that. Whether it’s deciding what to wear or what to major in, make sure you are the one in charge of your decision.