Central Washington University Top Questions

I would give myself advice about how big the transition from high school to college really is. Being away from family and having stress is very hard to cope with and not fun when you have no one to lean on. Following this is workload, if studying was no issue in highschool it becomes just the opposite in college. It is either study or fail the class. Oh and the last thing i would suggest is to make friends!

I grew up in a very small town, graduating with just 25 other students. If I could go back and give myself advice that day as I threw my cap into the air of that old gym, I probably would. However, I wonder if I would have listened to myself... When I got to college the transition was intense for me. I realized that no longer was I a "big fish in a little pond", but just a girl in the midst of thousands of other kids just as talented and smart as I was, if not more so. Everyone was so unique; which was another immense shocker for me. I was used to the small town, ?one basic way of thinking? kind of life. The real world proved to be incredibly different. If I could have given myself advice it would have been to open up my mind. Realize how many different ways of thinking really are out there, and that I have no right to say which way is right or wrong. I would tell myself to embrace the beauty of the miscellany I was soon to experience, because frankly, there wouldn?t be any path around it.

Don't take anything for granted. High school is great, but once you hit college you are responsible for your self and you can't blame anyone but yourself for your actions. On the other hand, college life is wonderful. Set your goals, stick to them, and just enjoy the ride!

I was a very naive high school student and I would have to go back and say "brace yourself." I grew up doing everything I was told and only questioning that once in a while. I had the impression that kids were either like me or opposite of me and no inbetween. I knew about the kids who did drugs and the kids who had alcolhol and sex and I always thought those were just the "bad kids." College has taught me that each and every person has a struggle. The three most common struggles are with drugs, alcohol and sex. No one told me that when you leave the home you grow up and with that you have to deal with life. The laundry, the bills, the crazy roommate, the dishes, showering down the hall and most of all their studies. I could go on and on about what college students deal with on a daily basis. But the point is each person deals with their stresses in different ways. I have learned to accept everyone because they have a reason for the"bad things" they do. The judgements were misplaced because everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes.

As a college student I would tell myself as a senior that there is more free time than expected. There are things to do around campus and I would strongly recommend doing more things around campus to keep your busy. Also, do not spend all your time in your room or in the dining area-go out and have fun. Another thing that I would tell myself would be, do not expect to like everyone around you. If you simply do not like them, just try not to be around that more than necessary. Everyone needs their own space. If you do not like your current roommate either I would strongly recommend transferring out of the room. In the end it will affect your grades and relationships.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself that everything will be okay no matter what. I remember being so stressed yet so excited for the new changes my life was going to be going through. I would tell myself that people will change drastically and the friends I thought would always be there for me, won't. I would tell myself to remember what is important and to remember that my family will always love me. Save money and only buy what is necessary, Jeans don't count. I would tell myself that I'm going to meet the most amazing people in college and that school needs to come first because those final semester grades of senior year really do matter. I would tell myself to be strong because hard times will come, but great times will too. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I'm going to be just fine and to not worry so much.

Work hard but have fun. The major reason to attend college is, first and formost, to receive an education to prepare yourself for the real world. Take it seriously, don't get distracted. But remember to take some time for yourself. You may never have this opportunity again. Remember that it is also important to have fun. Take a class or two only because you want to, not just because it fits into your degree plans. Don't be afraid to make friends and work with them to help each other succeed, two heads are better then one.

My parents always instilled in me that I could be anything that I wanted to be and do anything that I wanted to do. Along with that, they also instilled in me that I need to be a good citizen. Since starting college, I have continued to keep those things in mind by pursuing my dream to be a musician. And also to continue to be a good citizen by volunteering my time as a bugler for our veterans.

I would say not to leave the studying for the last minute. For papers revise them more than two times have other people go over them. Also never be scared to ask the profesors for help if you need it. Don't let your social life interfer with your school work, manage time wisely.

If I could go back I would tell myself to exercise more to help cope with stress better and manage my time more efficiently. I just want to succeed and me going back might have made it a little bit easier to do so. I have not fully made it through school yet and I would tell myself to just do the best I can do and knowing how I have done so far I could convince myself from the past to do even better and how much I would benefit from it.