California Lutheran University Top Questions

I would tell myself to make it happen no matter what else is going on in your life; it’s too important to put off - for any reason. During the time I was supposed to be planning my college experience, my parents went through an awful, nasty divorce - they were focused on that instead of helping me plan for college. Looking back, I wish I knew I was strong enough to do it on my own, but I didn't know the first thing about it. After working for a company for the last 4 years, thinking I would be able to work my way up and it not happening, I realized that I needed to finish school. This is something that I always knew I would do, it was just a matter of figuring out how to make it happen. I am paying for my education by myself - I don't have the luxury of having it paid for by my parents like my older sisters did when our family was still together. The divorce and subsequent financial and emotional instability has hindered my opportunity to complete my education but I'm not letting it stop me any longer!

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and not be scared to make new friends. Also, to make sure that whatever major you choose is the one your heart is really in to. You don't want to have a career that you hate. I would also tell myself that it's okay to make mistakes because they help you learn. Involve yourself in extracurricular activities and clubs.

Hey Phil, I know that you're in a tight spot in applying for different colleges and stuff. I just want to let you know that you are good. Just be prepared to get rejctions and not to get into the schools you were hoping for. However, the school you do get in to is a great one where you'll meet many amazing friends and people you'll know and be friends with for life. Make sure you keep lifting weights and get stronger because you'll be playing rugby instead of football. Its better for you, trust me. Keep up the good work in your senior year. Its one of the best times of your life. Make sure to brush up on your chemistry over the summer and try really hard to kick that procrastination habit. I'm still trying (working on it tomorrow.) Also chemistry is a blast. Its so much more than I expected and I'm having a great time. You picked the right major! Well I hope the rest of your senior year is a good one! Love, Phil

As early as possible I would recommend going to great lengths to get a job in the industry I was planning to pursue, even if this meant donating my time. This would give a working knowledge of the business, clientele, and industry-specific terminology. In so doing, I would have a better understanding of my future career and confirming my enjoyment of it. It’s better to know ahead of time versus graduating and learning that it was not what I expected. I would also suggest using all resources my high school has to offer. There are many avenues: counselors, college planning seminars and clubs on campus. There is an enormous amount of help and information on campus. Explore and conquer all options. Last, I would become involved in my community. It offers many opportunities to contribute time and talents to causes that give life-long learning experiences. It is a time to explore skills and talents and try new ones. This is also a great way to get to know people in your community of all ages. Being involved in mixed generational activities allows plenty of opportunities to glean wisdom from those who have much more knowledge and experience.

I would tell myself, that while college is serious, go out and have fun. Meet people and try new things (legal of course) and don't be afraid of failure. I can be a very shy and timid person and sometimes it just gets in the way of fun and new experiences. I would also tell myself to study hard and have set goals and to have them written out to remind myself daily of what they are. Relax and to realize that I won't like everyone I come across. I would tell my senior self that as part of college it is not always about meeting people you like. You can still learn from people that you don't like. You can also find out things about yourself. College is a huge learning experience and to never take a single moment for granted. Live life and never look back at your mistakes, learn from them and move on. One of my favorite quotes, "I don't live in the past, the past lives in me." -Author Unknown. The point of the quote is don't beat yourself up after a mistake, learn from it and move on.

I would tell my senior self that I needed to focus more, that college isn't about slacking just like I did my senior year. I would tell myself that I need to start really caring about my education because college is harder than high school. All in all I would just tell my senior self that college is completely different than high school and that I would need to change my study and note taking habits to prepare myself for what is to come in college.

Know what I know now I would advise myself to take harder classes so I can prepare for the college work load. My senior year in high school was just a coast year. I had all my required credits in order to graduate by the end of my first semester. My second semester I went half a day and took meaning less classes. I hardely had any homework. I would also take college classes during my senior year so I could get ahead but I was not thinking about that I was only thinking about my current situation and how I just wanted to live my last two semesters of high school up. Some more advise I would give myself would be to apply to multiple colleges and apply for multiple scholarships. I had the idea that the money would come to me and my dad would pay for my college. Boy was I wrong and was going to get a rude awakening come about two weeks before my first semester of college started.

Dear Highschool Self, I know you think you have your whole life figured out, but believe me when I say that you will change your mind a thousand times in the next three years. Your interests will change and you will have new opportunities and experiences that will draw you in new directions. Be prepared and ready for change and open to new ideas and opportunities. Get involved in everything you can. Take advantage of free events and trips on campus so that you can meet new people and get a taste of something different. Also, don't work too hard. Push yourself academically, yes, but you have sixty years ahead of you to worry about your bank account. Study abroad, take travel seminars, join student groups! It doesn't matter that your friends don't want to do those things, be independent. What's more important, know that college is nothing like high school. I know you felt like you were mediocre. You tried so hard to be the best, but always felt like you fell short. Start fresh and create yourself! Love, Three Years Later P.S. - Guys don't automatically mature with a diploma. Proceed with caution.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that college isn't as terrifying as it seems. The professors are very willing to make appointments with students who do not understand criteria so I wouldn't have to worry about falling behind in class. I would also tell myself that not living on campus may make it hard for me to participate in some of the school events, but it doesn't mean I won't make friends. When the time comes for orientation, I will tell myself that its actually really fun and not to miss out on any of the activities because that's where to make new friends who could potentially be life long friends.

If I could go back in time and tell myself what i know now about college. I would say STUDY!!! Yes there is lots of free time and nobody is nagging you to study and do homework, but it is more important now to study and not just try to get by. Also not room with friends from high school. High school drama will follow you to college and it is more important to focus on the present rather than the past and high school. Also not rooming with people you know allows you to meet more people in different backgrounds and you become more social rather than hanging on to what you know from high school. Lastly I would say to do what you love. Play Water Polo, join clubs, go to parties, and have a blast and do not dwell on what happened in the past. Make the most of your freshman year and the years to come because they only come once.