Chesapeake College Top Questions

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself many things. My plan in life is to join the Coast Guard and study Marine Science. Right now I attend a two year community college about an hour away from my hometown. First I would tell myself you should have been saving up some money for college rather than spending how much you make. I would have done things way differently. I would have told myself to strive for straight A's rather than settling for average grades. I would have told myself to set short term and long term goals rather than having no goals. I would have told myself to stop wasting time and look for scholarships 24.7 and write a better essay when applying for colleges. I would have told myself whatever I do now, determines my future for its best or for its worse. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I wish I could go back in time and give myself advice.

School, career first than start living. You can take a life time adding to your family, but once your family starts it takes a life time to finish school and you might be a grandmother by that time. Remember to start and do not try to know all the answers now. They will answer themself in time.

Don't be afraid of change, that would be my only advice to myself if I were able to travel back to 2004 and speak to 18 year old Jeff. Self confidence is a struggle for me to this day, but having embraced change and accepted challenges head on I have found that I am a better person because of it. In my 23rd year I am starting to realize what I wish I had long ago. Perhaps I could have saved myself some pain and frustration along the way. I wouldn't; however, have told myself to do anything different. I am happy with who I am today and proud of who I am becoming. I wouldn't clue myslef in on little hints to make the future easier, I'd just give myself that pep talk about change then carry on with the rest of my years. Besides, how much of a future could I look forward to if all I'm doing at 23 is telling 18 what to become.

In his song, "Letter to Me," country star Brad Paisley says, "I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be. I'd say have a little faith and you'll see. If I could write a letter to me." This quote perfectly sums up what I would tell myself as a high school senior. I was homeschooled all twelve years of school, so I did not know what to expect when I went to college. As a high school senior, I was scared to death about college. I knew I wanted to go, but I did not what it would be like. Most high schoolers were able to make the transition easily, but I did not have that confidence. Looking back now, I realize that I worried for nothing. I graduated with a great education, and was adequately prepared for college. I would tell myself to relax, and to have more confidence. I've come to realize that having self-confidence makes a big difference in academic performance. Those who have little self-confidence tend to perform at a lower level compared to those who have more self-confidence. Using this advice, I could have transitioned more easily to college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to modify my work habits. Throughout high school, I always worked hard and did my best in every class I took. I was never really taught, however, that there is more to knowledge than just the memorization of it. Now that I am in college, I look to use information that I have attained in my classes and put it to use, make it practical. As a high school student, the majority of information learned was learned through memorization and repetition. As a college student, I have learned that memorized information is very well and good, but it doesn't mean much if you can't use it. College has pushed me to use my prior knowledge as well as my new knowledge to really assess problems and make informed decisions on issues. Also, I would stress the importance of reading textbooks. In high school, my teachers never really stressed reading the textbook. I have found that textbooks are extremely valuable resources that help reinforce class lecture points.