Coastal Carolina University Top Questions

The things that I have gotten out of my college experience were that it has allowed me to begin to overcome personal obstacles that I have faced in my personal life as a teenager, make new friends, and strive for excellence. It has been valuable to attend college because had I done something else after high school, I would have been looking back saying, "What if?" Had I have chosen another university, I also would have been saying, "What if?"

I have made lots of new friends at Coastal Carolina University. I have learned a lot so far. I also learned that nothing comes easy. Everyone needs to study hard. I need to study harder. Always follow your dreams.

When I graduated from high school, I thought ?I am free?! I was going to college, away from my parents, and I could do anything. I was ready to explore the world. Of course there were insecurities as well. I didn?t know what was going to happen in my future or what to expect. I know that I wanted to be successful, but how was that going to occur. Here in my second semester of college. My first semester has really been a transition for me. There has been a lot to learn. Going back in time, particularly to my senior year of high school I would definitely change several things. READ! You can never get enough of reading. It broadens your intellect, keeps you informed and opens your imagination. In high school they require reading, but not as much. It doesn?t end in high school. In college they expect more from you in less time. The benefit is enormous on an academic and personal level. Next, I would become more sociable in school. I would join school groups. It would have given me the opportunity to get involved with people inside and outside of the school.

If I could go back and talk to myself I would say "Don't get pregnant on your honeymoon." College is a full time job. Having the support of my husband has been overly rewarding, and my daughter is absolutely amazing. However, juggling a seven-week old between homework and dinner isn't easy. Professors don't like hearing, my daughter spit up on my homework. (I don't think they like the spell of sour milk.) Other than that, I would encourage myself to get organized. Keeping my classes on a color-coated system has greatly improved my study skills. It's a no-fail system when each class has a colored binder with a matching notebook, that only corresponds to one class is essential. Study hard and stay focused. You'll do amazingly well.

I would tell myself to study up in the health occupation classes because I wouldn't have wasted my Hope hour money on a degree in Early childhood care and eduaction, when i could be using my hope hours to pay for a degree in Occupational therapy as and OTA. I would then focus on attempting to apply for scholarships, because that money would come in handy to pay for any housing, books, and tutition. Instead of having to work and go through school which going to school is stress enough to be working too. That is what i would have told myself if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior.

Knowing what I now know about college life and making the transition, if I could go back in time and give myself advice, I think I would give myself two main ideas- make school come first and be more open to others. As a high school senior, a lot of students come in conflict with "senioritis," a term used when a senior slacks off a little with school work. Also, having known the same people for years in high school, one may forget how to make new friends and get to know other people. Starting college is a hard transition, from being at the top, to going somewhere new as almost a nobody. Students tend to forget what they are at college for- an education. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that school work always needs to be done before anything else. Another transition in college is a new location with tons of new people. I would have told myself to be a lot more open to others, even if it's not what I am used to. I've learned that in the end, everyone has been in the same shoes at one point.

If I could go back in time and talk to me as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop trying to grow up so fast, leave the boys alone, believe in yourself, and you can go to college. As a high school senior, I was homeschooled, trying too hard to be an adult, and did not go straight to college following high school graduation. It would have definitely been easier to go straight into college, live on campus, work at the school, and study hard. There are so many opportunities that I miss out on because I have other commitments. Early morning classes, Saturday classes and internet classes at the local college are not available on a consistent basis. The Internet classes that are available are always harder than traditional lecture classes. Thing that I would emphasize to myself the most is: if I am able to do well despite all of my current responsibilities, there is no doubt that I would have been able to do extremely well if I had waited to graduate from college before I put these obstacle in my way.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a highschool student I will let myself know that college is something not to play around with. Yes, it's a lot of fun and sometimes it can be distracting but don't let it hurt your education becuase there are consequences. Study first, play later because when mid-term grades come, you're going to be scared and upset with yourself and sometimes its too late to catch up because in some classes, you'll only get a few grades for the whole semester. It's definitely not highschool. I will also tell myself to learn time management because that to me is the most important in life. It balances out everything you need and want to do. Enjoy college because it's the most important and fun times of your life but dont allow yourself to fail because it's not hard to do.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop doing what your parents think you want you to do. You're very smart. I know fashion industry isn't the most highing paid field but your happiness doesn't have a annual salary. Don't be afraid to fall down because you have falled down before and you have gotten right back up and face your challenges. College can be scary only if you make it that way. Your friends will come and go so stop trying to follow them because they are pursuing their own dreams. You need to believe that you can make it out there and even though you have setbacks, those setbacks will only make you stronger. You know no matter what you do, you will have your mother to lean on even if you're in Myrtle Beach, or Chicago or New York. The fashion industry is tough but what you will go through in the next 12 months will be the most eye-opening experience and you skin will be tougher than an alligator.

The advice I would give myself would be go to University of Delaware and here is why. I would say " You are going to go to Coastal and fall in love with this state and this school. Your second year in your gonna find out you can't come back unless you find some schloarships and you are going to be crushed. Save yorself the pain." I love Coastal and I am very sad that I might have to leave if i can't get the loans and schloarships to come back next year. I would tell my senior self to just not even go and meet the people that are going to become your friends because its just going to make it harder to say goodbye. As backwards as it sounds it is hard to have to start over when I am so close to being finished.