California Lutheran University Top Questions

Actually, I have gone back and talked to some high school seniors about college life and what I have advised them about is to go to a college for the college education and experience. Do not go based on a sports scholarship where you might play or you might not play. Make sure that if you didn't get to play the sport at this college, that you would still want to attend there. I have also advised those who are stuck on just going to a UC or State college to consider smaller private colleges where you are going to get classes and be guaranteed a 4 year graduation date. Instead on going to the most popular college for 5 years and paying for 5 years you can go to a private school for a small increase in price but in the end it all weighs out the same because you will be done in a shorter amount of time. If you get home sick easily, stay close enough to drive every other weekend or once a month. You are still far enough away to have that college experience but close enough to go get some home cooked meals.

If I could speak with my former self as a high school senior, I would emphasize the importance of personal responsibility and accountability as I enter college. In high school, you have parents or teachers pushing you to get things done. In college, it becomes your own responsibility to do things like attend classes, fix meals for yourself, balance a budget, etc. In addition to advising myself to expect new responsibilities, I would tell myself that it is natural to feel homesick but that it will go away if you are patient, outgoing and involved. I felt very lonely during my first week in college because I didn't know anyone, and I was too shy to go to club meetings or to get involved. If I could go back, I would tell myself to be extraverted and outgoing and to get involved to meet people! Transitions are always uncomfortable at first, especially if you don't know anyone, but if you're patient and willing to be outgoing, you will find yourself feeling comfortable in no time. I would tell myself to be excited for this transition instead of feaful - these will be the best years of your life!

Senior year? I see you're having time of your life at the moment. It will surely be just a moment in time as you are about to experience major changes. You will lose friends and also make new ones. You will go through bad times but also good times. Make sure you take full advantage of college and study what your heart desires and not what others think you should study or want you to be. What your study will open further doors and possibilities in life. If you fall, pick yourself up. There will be times when you think things are too difficult but dont despair. These are very valuable years of your life that you will truly not want to go to waste. Stay positive and focused, for the world can be a cold place but surround yourself with people who care about you. For they are the ones who will be truly proud of you. Most importantly, do something so that you're proud of yourself in the end and not have any regrets. Good luck to you, because I wish I had that chance again.

I think back to the life I lived when I was seventeen and consider it a massive loss that I did not see my senior year due to dropping out. However, after enduring these past two years of blood sweat and tears in college, I realize that I had to hit rock bottom in order to approach my education seriously. As a result, I can proudly speak of my GPA (3.91!!!)--because this accomplishment would truly be a surprise to my younger self--along with my pursuit of a mathematics major. I'm not the "sharpest tool in the shed," but I honestly try my best. I would tell my younger self : Beware the friends you choose and visit your mother a bit more. If ever you find yourself in a dark place filled with self doubt, just remember that with each day you meet new potential and with the passage of time you have the potential to redefine yourself and prove to yourself the person you can be.

I would remind myself to keep working hard with my academics and also athletics. Since, I got off to a fast start my first semester of college, but ended the semester with a GPA that was not acceptable, I would tell myself not to get complacent with my grades. The thing that I believe would be most important is to not allow my social life to disrupt my academic life and keep academics as a number one priority. I think I did pretty well transitioning and handling college, the only thing is that my grades slipped at the end of the semester; other than that I think I was well prepared for college.

If I could go back I would warn myself that it was going to be a lot harder than I could imagine. I would warn myself of how much I would miss my family but I would also suggest ways to keep in contact with them to make it less hard, things such as skype, handwritten letters and weekly phone calls. I would also tell myself to stay focused on me and that although I would be living with three other people I shouldn't let my mothering instict take place. I would need to worry about me and not what is going on with others. Also, I would make sure to remind myself that reading is key to passing classes. And also that skim reading isn't going to help but that I would have to really sit down and take time to focus on what I was reading. Ultimately, if I could give myself any advice it would be to not let dorm life get the best of me.

Going to college will inevitably create changes in your life. It doesn't matter if you decide to go to a community college, small university, vocational school, large university and it doesn't matter if you live on campus, off campus or commute from home, pursuing a higher education will create some kind of change in your life. Don't be scared of the change. Embrace it. Take advantage of all the opportunities these changes will bring. Don't spend time worrying over how you'll deal with all these changes. Instead, spend time thinking about how many new doors are opening with all these upcoming changes.

If I could go back in time, I would study more and would pay more attention to my teachers. To me high school, was not very challenging and I some how mananged to get good grades even if I didn't pay attention. I never realized how important was all that my teachers would say. I would hear them lecture about college life and I would sometimes think they were crazy and that they were exagerating. Now I realize that they were not exagerating and that they wanted all their student to be prepared. I would have taken advantage of my teachers knowledge and would have visited them during their office hours and have taken the time to really learn the material they were teaching us. I wish I could go back and pick up some good studying habits and some reading tips.

Time management is more important that you think it is. High school really was a preparation for college and you should try to use high school to make mistakes, not in college. Once you have applied to colleges keep doing well, especially in AP classes because passing the AP tests can possibly lower your coursework for your pre-requisites and save some money. In addition, take summer classes at a community college so you can get into your major classes as soon as you can. When enrolled in college, even though you are gaining all this new freedom do not let it get you distracted from the main reason you are at school, which is to get an education. There will be plenty of time to make friends so stay focused on bettering yourself in school. I would tell myself that just because I got good grades in high school, that does not reflect how I will do in college. It is real life, and you need to get your act together because everything counts in college and grades are strictly from tests, not homework. College is not what television portrays it to be, it is time to grow up.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to simply experience life. I need to stop worrying about having to know exactly what I want to do with my life. I am young, and I have many future experiences that will shape who I become. I may think I know what it is that I want to do, but this will change as I meet new people who change my outlook on life and inspire me to do more than I ever imagined possible. I would let myself know that in my first three years of college I will go through many changes and while my high school self might not agree, I will become a very different person. I would tell my high school self that college is much better than high school and to keep in mind that I am a strong person. I would tell my high school self to be prepared for a wonderful journey of self-discovery filled with much joy and some sadness and to go with what life brings my way. I would say "do not stress."