Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

I would tell myself in senior year that getting into a college isn't as hard as teachers and parents say. I would tell myself that no matter what college i choose to go to, I would still have to get used to the entirely new environment and I would need to stick my neck out no matter where I go. I would also tell myself that there is ALWAYS a club to join.

If I was able to go back in time and talk to myself before I had graduated high school, I probably would have said what every motivational speaker would say-- Follow Your Dreams! But honestly, I was a huge skeptic in high school, and I was terrified every single day that a career in the arts would turn me into a starving artist, and leave me broken on a street corner in New York. But the truth is I would not do anything else. I'm still not certain that in the end I'll be a better waitress than a costumer, but what I am certain about is that I'll be a damn good costumer. I am absolutely doing what I love, and I get to do it every single day. I struggle with depression, and I can unfortunately say that anything else probably would make it worse. But getting to create and learn and master my art, I am so much more than I was back then. I would tell myself to stick through the bad times because the bad times make you better, and honestly they're really not that bad. Keep dreaming!

Speaking to my high school senior self, I would say: "Relax!" Getting into college shouldn't have been as stressful as it was. I got into several schools! I would suggest that I think a lot harder about places I am comfrotable with in terms of community, as I have noticed that not fitting in at my current college causes a lot of strain. I would tell myself to focus on finding a place that's right for me as an individual, rather than a place that will get me the most valuable degree. I also would have applied to a lot more middle range schools, rather than all the Ivy leagues I applied to, as I now know that stressful environment wouldn't have been enjoyable. I've realized that the most important thing about college is feeling comfortable in every sense: the right climate, location, surroundings, campus and community. Feeling comfortable with political affiliations, social norms, and religious influences also plays a big role. I guess overall, I would tell myself not to doubt my ability to receive scholarships for school and focus solely on finding a place I can see myself truly happy for four years.

The biggest piece of advice that I would give to myself as a high school senior is to just breathe and look forward to the future. I was terrfied in senior year to move on and graduate, go to college, live away from home, and all the other challenges and experiences that come with growing up. However, now that I am here I know that I am going to be more than okay and just need to take it one day at a time.

If I could back in time and talk to myself about college I would tell myself to develop good study habits. In high school the course work was not nearly as demanding and did not require much studying. In college you must stay ahead of your classes by reading the material that will be covered in lecture ahead of time. In many classes the exams are the only grades for the semester which makes studying much more important because there are no other grades to help boost your grade. The exams are very in depth and often have questions that require bringing together many different concepts which is only possible by having a thorough understanding of the material. If I were to go back in time to my high school self I would stress that this level of understanding is not possible by scanning the class notes before the tests. It is aquired through dedicated review of the information everyday.

I would definitely say to not slack off during senior year. Even though you think that there's nothing left to do, you can be applying for scholarships as well as continuing to work hard. The GPA at the end is still a contributing factor of whether you get accepted or not, and continuing to work when everyone else has given up shows that you have a strong work ethic.

John Quincy Adams once said, "...you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." I know countless times I have overlooked the value of a higher education and the freedom which was bought for me. I would tell my high school self to reflect upon the inheritance I have been given as an American and not to take it lightly. I would exhort myself to excel in everything I put my hands to and apply for scholarships. Most of all I would tell myself to be thankful in all circumstances and give credit where credit is due.

I transferred in so I really cant say on this one...

The most important piece of advice I would give myself is start applying for scholarships earlier and apply for every one that you can. As an out of state student, my costs are very high and I would definitely tell myself to work harder to get more scholarships. Another piece of advice I would give myself is apply to the universities early so that you can apply for housing earlier and get your first choice of dorm

Being a high school senior and preparing for the transition to college is an anxiety-filled time, but also a very exciting time. The unknown awaits. For me, the unknown was scary, but I knew that I would feel at home at Colorado State University. I worried the most about making friends and being able to fit in where I wanted to. After having been in college for 2 years now, I would have advised my high school self to have more faith and confidence. Every in-coming freshman feels the exact same way. Therefore, everyone wants to be friends with everyone. Suddenly, there is a social explosion and making friends no longer seems to be so daunting. The other thing I was worried about before I entered college was whether or not I would succeed in a field of study that truly interested me. Now, being in a degree that I am passionate about, I would again tell my past self not to worry because there are so many options at CSU and as long as you follow your heart and not your wallet, you will end up doing something you will love forever.