Central Washington University Top Questions

Work hard to get into the tougher classes, it will make a world of difference in your future. Have short and long term goals that will hellp push you along the way. Stay motivated and be persistent. Surround yourself with positive people who have similar goals that will guide you. Choose a major that interests and excites you. When classes get hard, and they will, knowing that you are studying to do something you love will aid in those difficult times.

Dear high school Spencer, I know college seems out of reach but anything is achievable if you put your mind to it. Working your hardest and applying yourself will pay off in the future, sooner than you'd except. I know the plan is to go to community college for the first two years and then transfer to a four-year Univeristy after you've achieved your Associates of Science degree. This was the most cost effective plan but plans change and don't worry everything will work out. Although staying at a community college for your second year will save you money, it won't give you the life experiences you could have had if you went to a four-year university. The chance to experience living on your own, making new friends and having new responsibilities is priceless in the end. All I have to say is that its worth the risk to experience college and a life outside of your comfort zone so don't be afraid or intimidated, embrace your new found strength and enjoy every minute of it.

There are not many things I would change about my past, but I do think about how different my life would be if I had only known what I do now. If I were to write a letter to my high school self, I would stress the importance of the decisions I was making and the consequences of those decisions. I would explain that the GPA I made in high school would follow throughout my entire academic career. I would encourage myself to step away from the people I followed and to become a leader. I would tell myself to pursue hard after my academics so they would not be as difficult to learn in college. I would let myself know that the hard times of high school would end soon after graduation. Most importantly, I would stress the importance of seeing the big picture of things and lending a helping hand as much as possible.

I would tell myself to not worry so much what other people thought of me. Once you get into college it really doesn' t matter. Everyone is doing their own thing and is on their own path. It won't matter who you did or didn't date or what sports you did, once you're in college all that matters is who you want to be now. You can choose to be anyone you want and start fresh or keep on just like you did in high school. You are out on your own and really find yourself and how you want your life to be. If I would have known that in high school I would have saved myself a lot of stress and worry.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to save money. Even if I am getting help with grants and scholarships there might come a day when I need to pay out of pocket and if I start saving then I'll have no worries later. Also it might feel like that you can't make friends but really if you take a step back and look you'll see that you have some of the same people in more than one class. Finally that it's ok to change what you want to do in life. Most people change what they want to be more than three times so go ahead and change as many times as you need just know that one day you will have to make up you mind.

Be engaged. Listen, ask, collaborate, study, research, be curious. You are at a brand new place in your life that you've never walked through - don't miss something because you're too shy or feel silly exploring. Aside from being a small child -this is one major time in your life that you can explore freely and gain a fresh start in new surroundings. Be yourself - you are accountable to you alone, so don't be sucked into things and people that are unhealthy for you. Also, know you are not alone. Many, many other people are in your same boat - this time of transition will be hard, and you will get through it. Please travel!! Go away to fully experience new people and new cultures. You will never be more free financially and relationally to go than you may be at this time of your life. Make lasting relationships. Go deep and long with your friends, and welcome others into your circle. Friends are invaluable - you will not be healthy without a rich community of people around you.

Every college student wishes they could go back in time to when they were seniors in high school to tell themselves something about the future. Some may choose to tell themselves how to win big money from lotteries or games. Others may choose to tell themselves to enjoy time with friends and families due to an unexpected death. For me, I would tell myself to really think about a career i would enjoy and focus on pursuing it. From what I remember in high school, I was living in the moment with friends and having the time of my life. I would not change that for anything. However I would change my education choices such as taking courses that would help me pursue in my degree instead of taking the easy way out by taking classes that were easy A's. I would also tell myself to really look for a job while attending school and apply for as many scholarships that I can so that I would be financially prepaired and not have to worry about loans that I currently owe.

I would tell myself to enjoy my senior year of highschool and spend as much time with my family and friends as possible. During my senior year all I could think about was going to college and getting out of my parents house. In college you miss the things you have at home, you miss your family and friends. The hardest thing is staying in touch with your friends from back home. I would advise myself to be more thankfull for the support my parents gave me, whether food, gas money or even just moral support. When you have to eat food from the same place three times a day everyday you'll want nothing more then your moms homeade macaroni and cheese. But the most important thing I wish I could have done in high school would have been developing good study habbits and taking advantage of the library. Those are the two most important things you will utilize in college and its alot easier to come into college having found a specific study habbit that works for you. Overall I would tell myself to enjoy my senior year and to take advantage of the time with my family.

The advice I would give to myself is to study hard and put the time and effort into your studies. The grades you make will affect your college and life career dramatically. The college years may be hard and strenuous, but they only last for so long, so take the time to dedicate yourself to your studies and it will pay off in the future!

"Don't worry, be happy" to copy Bobby McFerrin song, that’s what I would say to my 17 year old self. A simple sentence yes, but very wise in the spectrum of things. The stress I bring upon myself amuses me in ways, because the fear that sprouts from my worrying is irrational. Back then why did the prospect of college seem so terrifying? I grew because of it. Clubs, classes, volunteering, living on my own, you could say I was at a full run when I hit college. Never having been on my own I still managed to amaze myself with my responsibility and my “go get ‘em” attitude. Somehow and for the first time I had my life in my own two hands. And hey, I was doing a good job with it. Worrying is such a useless action, in the end all that matters is how you handle what worries you. Take it from Bobby McFerrin, "In your life expect some trouble, but when you worry you make it double . Don't worry, be happy"