California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

After my first quarter of college, there are a few things I wish I had known as a high school senior. First of all, you get out of college what you put in it. It does not matter so much what school you go to, because the value of your education is entirely up to you. If you put forth the effort, you will learn just as much at a state school as an Ivy League school. It's much more about having the right attitude, the right mindset. Everything else follows that. Another thing I would tell myself is not to follow your friends to school. In other words, choose a school because that's where you want to be, not because three of your best friends are there. The thought off going off alone to college can be intimidating, but it's an exciting opportunity to meet people and make new friends. If you only hang out with your old friends, you will miss out. Lastly, new friendships take time. You don't have to meet your lifelong friends in the first week of college, and probably won't. But that doesn't mean they aren't there.

I would say to my high school senior self, "Do NOT be afraid. Be open-minded, patient, thirsty for knowledge, adventure, and experience. You will find a little bit of yourself through each opportunity you take, and it will make you into a person you want to be and are happy to be. Pursue what you love with hardwork, passion, and compassion and when you do, it will all work out in the end. With that said, Congratulations on graduating high school Lisa!!! Show the world what you're made for!"

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work very hard and put my all into everything. That way, when I must make my decision of which school to attend, I have many windows of opportunity. I would also tell myself to explore different clubs and activities in high school so that I can better understand what I am passionate about. I would also tell myself to think of those things that mean the most to me on a daily basis and find a school the embodies that. I know that I often find myself setting goals while being spontanious; to find a school that has that would be a great fit for me and a place I can truly call my own. This applies to both the social and academic aspects. With friends, I would tell myself to be open and try to learn about others. The transisition is hard but many other people are also going though it and you all share something in common no matter how small.

Beg your parents if you have to to take you on a road trip around your state visiting campuses. The one I regret I have was choosing schools blindly based on reputation with out visiting campuses and towns. Although I love my campus and college town I would probably be somewhere else if I had simply seen other places. Remembe: it is important that the school is good and matches your needs and future aspirations, but you do have to live there for four plus years! So make sure where you end up attending is a place you love to be.

"Alison, be ready for the work load. There will be distractions and fun social things, but that is ALWAYS there. Your essay deadline is not. So buckle down when you need to, and don't be afraid to say no to watching a movie, to get some work done, and to get enough sleep. Now on the other hand, you have to put yourself out there. No one can read your mind, so speak up and introduce yourself, find people with whom you can work as well as have some fun. That way there can be a good balance of 'work and play'. You have a lot to share and so does everyone else; listen and wait your turn to tell your story, there will be a time. Be patient and hear others out. This is how you build a good support system with friends, which you will need for work and play. Keep exercising when you can; you will have an outlet to clear your mind. All in all, listen to your body and how you react in different environments; it will take time, but it is MOST important to learn how you personally work best to succeed."

Although I know it's a difficult transition, I would tell myself not to be so stressed out and enjoy the rest of high school becuase what is to come, now that's stressful. Also, I would take advantage of AP courses offered in high school. These classes may count towards credit at college and result in less courses you have to take, and who doesn't like less classes? I only took one AP class in high school and now think I should have taken more. Lastly, I would tell myself to truely keep in contact with high school friends because it's always nice to have someone who already knows me, to talk and de-stress myself. Following this advice would lead me to a smooth transition in college life.

I would find a major that would give me more economic advantage because you still have to go to school the same amount of time as one that pay less. I would look into the major more to what kind of jobs are available once I got the degree. I would have explored other majors before settleing on just one

If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school, knowing what I now know, I would have told myself to enjoy the time with my family while I could. I would tell myself to not be so eager to get out of town and to take full advantage of the opportunities that I had back then. I would go on to say that college is great, but to slow down and not want to grow up so fast. I should have gotten more involved and taken on more resposibility back then so I would have those work ethics with me when I first got to college, instead of learning them later on. Going to college is a complete wake up call to the real world; There is a much bigger world beyond high school and I just wish I was more prepared.

Take more advanced classes high school. Don't party as much in college.

College is a rediculous opprotunity to take your life in whatever direction you want. We get to choose between a plethora of interesting majors that prepare us for interesting careers in the world. While academics is a HUGE part of college, I believe people often take for granted the social side of things: you can be whoever you want to be in college. There are countless opprotunities to grow and learn through making new friends and having new expierences, and I believe its something that should be given some serious thought before and during college. Live, learn and grow!