Columbus State University Top Questions

As a high school senior at a small private school, I was easily affected by the peer pressure of picking a big name college. Many of my peers were only applying to schools that everyone thought sounded prestigious, or large universities with a famous football team and party reputation. I was so worried about what others would think about me if I chose a lesser known, cheaper state school. However, I do not regret my choice at all. I picked the university with an incredible Theatre Education program that has done a great deal to prepare me for my career. I have also made excellent connections with my professors and fellow students. Today I would tell my high school self to stop worrying what others think and just be me! Also, my only major regret was having a serious boyfriend for my first three years in college. I wish I could tell myself that it is better to spend some time alone and take advantage of all the opportunities college has to offer instead.

In all seriousness, I would make sure that I knew the experiences that were to come. I would tell myself that college is a completely new experience that is definitely ulike high school. The former me would then know that he cannot skate with decent grades but must instead strive to make the grades he gets better. I'm not sure that as a high school senior, especially with only graduation on my mind, I fully understood the severity of the upcoming life changes I would soon endure. I would overall just make sure that I was ready for what was to come. Looking back now, I'm not sure I was completely ready for the responsibilities, and I wish someone would have made it clearer to me then.

If I had to give my former high school self any advice before attending college, I would have to say to start making good study habits NOW, because whenever you are off on your own away from your parents it’ll be harder to stay on track whenever it’s optional. Study hard and make good grades because your financial aid/future relies on it. Find a good stress reliever for whenever schoolwork gets too hectic, if not then homework might seem like an excessive burden. Know that bad grades are not the end of the world; you can always take the class over again and do better in it to get your GPA back to where it needs to be. Make new friends, that is a great way to network and get to know more stuff about what is going on around campus. Get involved with campus activities; the more you get involved with the more connections you will make that will better your chances of getting to where you need to be for graduation. Above everything else have fun! These will be some of the best years of your life so enjoy them while you can.

If I could give any advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop listening to other people telling me what I should do with my life. For most of my life, people told me that I should study music or that I was going to be a famous singer one day. I love singing and although I know that I am talented vocally, I am so much more than that. I have so many other interests that I did not take time to develop in high school because I thought singing was my destiny. I would tell myself that I can do anything that I want. I am the only person who can hold myself back. I wish I had taken more advantage of the opportunities to pursue other interests and to figure out what I am passionate. Throughout college I changed my major three times before I finally figured out that Art was my passion and settled on an Art Education degree. I graduated in May 2013 and am now working as a Textile Designer, despite the fact that many people told me I would not find a job in the art field.

When I was in high school, it was honestly the last thing I was interested in. I made a horrible mistake and dropped out, figuring an education wasnt really important to obtain, and if i could talk to that girl now, I would have to much to say to her in one breath. After dropping out I traveled the country and did minimum wage entry level jobs. Last year after serving at an Italian restaurant 60 hours a week, it hit me. I needed more from life and deserve more from life. After that I enrolled in classes to obtain my GED because I needed some brushing up. In May I recieved the GED diploma and now I am enrolled in HCC as a pre-vet major. That is a dream I had since i was a little girl. I went threw a lot of hardship that wasn't nessasary. If i could go back, I would tell myself to stick it out. It hurts much more in the end. I would tell myself that Im better than all the pain I would go threw, I would tell myself to read the poem "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost.

If i could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help.One of my main problems then and now is that i always want to do things on my own. This cause my not to get tutoring,even when i thought i needed it.I did not even ask for help when i was applying for colleges or scholarships . This almost caused me not to get accepted.This is something I still struggle with today.Although i know that everybody needs help sometimes my pride can still get in the way.

I would tell myself to enjoy school; not think of it as a chore. School is just as much about learning, studying, and graduating as it is about having a social life, participating in campus activities and making lasting friendships. There is so much to learn and do in college. Yes you can try and finish as soon as possible but don't wait until you are burned out to take a rest.

Going into college is going to be great and fun. However, I would really push myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible! I would tell myself to work on studying habits and not to be afraid to ask for help. I would remind myself of how important it is to gain my own sense of responsibility for daily use now that I am going to college. There is no one to tell me to get up for school; no teacher is going to ask me to come to class prepared. The consequences are much great in college and it all falls on my shoulder whether or not I do well. The last thing I would do is give myself a pep talk and pump myself up for some of the hardest yet rewarding years of my life. Learning new things, losing friends, changing my outlook on life, and studying to the point of exhaustion are the things that will eventually shape who I am for the rest of my life. I would encourage myself to live life to the fullest and give it my

If I had a chance to sit down with myself as a Senior in high school, I honestly think the one bit of advice I would give would be to stay away from parties. I've had many nights where I had to get little to no sleep in the beginning because the idea of a college party with new friends sounded like such a great idea. I told myself that it was all part of the college experience. In reality, the college experience is not about parties and late night binge drinking with friends you just met. It is about learning to grow up and say no to the parties because you have a ten page paper due in a week and there is no way you can hash it out in one night. The college experience is about learning who you are as an adult, and becoming a mature member of society.

I would tell myself to calm down! College is a big step from high school but it is not night and day. It is still school. The biggest difference is the independence but independence is a great thing. So just be calm and embrace change because once begins you will not want to leave. I would also tell myself to stop stressing about getting into a big school. In actuallity any degree you get is equal to the next. Besides class sizes and campus activities, the education recieved at any school is primarily the same. So in conclusion, yes, college is a big change from high school life but it is not a bad change. And, anything is better than staying in high school. College was a great decision for me.