California Lutheran University Top Questions

If I could go back and give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself to go outside of your comfort zone and to stick to whatever you think is best for yourself. Right now in my senior year, I would have been stressing myself out about finding the perfect college. The fact is that wherever you decide to go, you can make it work out. I realize now that I would have done well at any of the colleges on my list, if I just put myself out there and became involved. Wherever you go, the first year at college is going to a huge adjustment. It is for everyone. Now is the perfect time to make big decisions, step outside your area of comfort, and to take opportunities that are presented to you. Don't be afraid- everything comes with time. Be involved with activities that interest you on campus, get to know your professors, and be friendly to everyone around you. College is what you make it.

When I was starting high school I thought that these were your best years by the time I was a junior in high school I realized that this was actually just the beginning of the start of a new life. I always had craved more and I new college would fulfill that. Knowing what I know now I would have prepared myself for the possibility of life going really wrong and I would have given myself a chance to realize that. That no matter how good you are in school and how good you are in life things can happen around you that completely devestate your life. I have realized different things are the most important, no matter what the world may tell you. Family is really important and something that is so far from being replaceable. Life does go on after a death in the family but it goes on in a very different and hard way. I have had to learn to readjust to my new surroundings after the death of my father and I have had to find a way to continue and strive for the best life possible at the loss of such a great man.

As a transfer student, I ran into trouble trying to figure out which classes to take and which ones transered to the schools I hoped to attend. If you are planning on going to community College or want to finish College in a timely manner be in contact with your Counselor. If you are questioning, go to them. At first I tried to plan my way all by myself; unfortunately I ended up repeating a requirement and missing application and other deadlines. To avoid this, talk to your Counselor and use their available resources. It saves time and money. My other advice is to get to know people in your classes. Sometimes this will come naturally and sometimes not. Either way making friends in a class (though not talking all through class) can help you. If one of you misses a class or needs help understanding the material, you can go to each other for help. It's nice to see people you know on campus--it's way more fun and you learn which teachers and classes to avoid or to take. Enjoy College. Plan it so you don't worry and enjoy new people you meet!

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice before I entered into college I would tell myself to get involved on campus right away. I would suggest that I sign up for as many clubs and activities as I could find that sounded interesting to me. I would also tell my high school self to be more confident and to put myself out their as I enter college because the friends you make and the roommates you live with will be with you for life. College is a new beginning, a place where you can shape yourself into the person you want to be. Each day it challenges me to grow. So I would be sure to tell myself to be prepared for the most challenging, but best years of my life. We are all more than we know ourselves to be, and college has helped me to uncover part of who I am.

I would tell myself to be sure and spend time building relationships that matter. Whether it be with roommates, friends or teachers, you begin a life separate from home and those relationships you had will not be so tangible. I would tell myself to be more outgoing and friendly because it will enhance my college experience. I would also stress the importance of making aquaintances in classes. Studying in groups is far more beneficial than doing so alone, and from those study groups, friends can be made. I would tell myself to be sure and have an alternative source of transportation since I didn't have a car. A bike would have been very useful for local trips to the store. I would have told myself to be prepared for things to be different than I imagined. To be aware that the people may not all be people you want to be friends with, and that I may have to make the best of it, and not be let down by the change or surroundings.

If I could give my senior-self advice, I would give it in the form of 5 tips. Tip #1: Consider the location. College is where you'll live as well as work, so think about what you want your new home to look like. For example, a small town or a big one? Greenery or cityscape? Tip #2: Try the food first. Food is what will sustain you when you're studying, playing a sport, etc. I would recommend trying the food first. Tip #3: Don't let the price tag discourage you. If you want to go to a school that you think is out of your financial reach, don't give up. There are dozens of avenues that can get you the resources you need. Tip #4: Be realistic about how often you want to visit home. Think about how much you depend on your parents, and base the mileage you put between you on that. Tip #5: Remember that college is probably one of the biggest gifts you'll ever get to give yourself. Don't base your decision on your friends, or any other social pressures that you face. Do what feels right for you.

As a high school senior, I was more focused on enjoying college life and being on my own than I was about the fact that I was going to school. I would tell myself to focus more on my classes, because fun and friends will always be around, but not taking classes seriously will follow you for the rest of college and you'll have to compensate for those mistakes later. It's much harder to play catch up than it is to stay focused all along.

I would say to myself back in High School, Ember, college is not going to be easy. School will be tough, you will be stressed, and it sure will be an experience living with someone you don?t know. You will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them and move on, you will be fine. The purpose for this time in your life is to grow and experience life on your own. Learn something from everyone, continue to work hard in everything you do, and you will be successful. There are so many opportunities out there for you, so take them as they come. Just keep in mind you may not always agree with what your school does but there is a reason behind the whole college experience. You never know what the future holds so don?t ever limit yourself or your abilities. Remember, have a little fun while you?re at it too.

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self and remind myself not to settle. During my high school years I had a hard time transitioning into the Honors Classes at my private school, and because of this my college counselor did not encourage me to go further and give me the confidence to believe in myself. This led to me settling on my choices I chose my junior year, and in result I ended up improving my senior year and did not have any new options. So if I had the chance to go back in time, I would tell myself not to settle and to be confident in myself and choose schools that would fit me.

I would tell myself that going to a school with a prestigious reputation is not as important as going to one that is right for you. Make sure to tour campuses you are interested in and try to see yourself there. Get a feel for the people, because they will be your friends for the next four years. Once you get to school, make sure you try to meet a lot of people, and get involved with activities right away. This will help with finding a place you belong at school. Know that the work load will get more and more difficult as you begin taking upper division classes. Make sure you set aside time for studying, but also make time for friends and a social life.