DePaul University Top Questions

Growing up, I experienced feelings of demoralization and utter hopelessness in response to an adult authority's treatment of me -- my stepmother. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to merity her approval or acceptance. The resulting resentement, anger, and hurt I experienced because of this intolerable situation affected my self-concept, my relationships, my schoolwork, and my perspective about the future. I was not until college that I realized that myt stepmother represented the sum of her limitations and fears. I began to see that her views were not accurate, and that how she pictured me was inaccurate and skewed as well. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senionr, I would tell assure my high school self that while I may be the sum of my experiences, they need not victimize me. In time, I will find the inner-strength and educational gifts that will enable me to rise about the early influences that would have otherwise destroyed my hope and cost me my future.

Jeffrey: You come from a very small town. Moving to Chicago (or any other city) is going to be massively different. You will have to transition to life without your friends and family, life in a big city, and college life all at once; this is not easy. The best thing you can do is throw yourself at any opportunity possible. This does not mean you should sacrifice your principles and beliefs, no true friend you'll make at college is worth that, but explore yourself and what you want because this small town only gave you a glimpse of what the real world is like. Speaking of glimpses, go out and see something other than your dormroom. It doesn't matter if your school is in the middle of a cornfield or in the city. There is something to see, whether it be a museum, a sunrise, or the world's tallest building. You have chosen to go on an adventure... so leave your comfort zone at least once!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to seriously relax and calm down. Enjoy senior year as much as you can before it ends. Go to prom, even if no one asked you. Buy a class ring because you are so going to regret not buying it. Don't worry so much about preparing youself for college because there will be so much people that will help you once you get there. I remember one thing you were really scared of before going to DePaul was if you were going to make friends or not. Let me tell you, you are going to do just fine! You are going to meet some really awesome people that help you so much so don't be afraid to talk to them. Let your thoughts be known and don't care so much about what other people think because the once thing I really regret is not being more open. So follow my advice. Enjoy senior year, don't worry about college so much, and speak up. College is a new start so let your new self out!

Looking back, I would tell my high school senior self to chill out; it's just school. That is not to say that working hard in school is not important, but I worked so hard that I was constantly exhauste and did not have time to enjoy life. While I got good grades in high school and benefitted quite a bit from my participation in various diverse extra-curricular activities, I ran myself ragged. What is more, the experience did not even translate very well to college. I was not great at making friends in college. If I could go back and tell my younger self how to go about it differently, I would tell myself to be more aggressive about joining student organizations that interest me. I did not really join any student organizations during my first couple of years in college, but when I finally did I discovered that it was a great way to meet an inclusive group of people who share some of my interests and who are also looking for friends.

Don't stress about it. Everyone talks about college like its written in stone. Teachers and counselors make it seem as if you don't jump into to college right away, its the end of the world. I've found that it isn't. Go slow with what you want to learn and really appericiate what you are experiencing. Enjoy the time you spend in school, instead of rushing and worrying. It will be a more pleasant memory for the future.

I would tell myself to explore my options more about what degree and careers there are out there. I would also tell myself to prepare myself as much as possible by taking more college level classes available at my school. I think I would also tell myself to get more involved in volunteering at places that related to career interests I had. To inform myself about the transition I would tell myself to get actively involved in college life. Being involved in groups, clubs, organizations helps your social life and makes it easier to make friends and adjust to life in a new environment. I would overall tell myself to prepare and use the tools my high school provides me with and to go into the college setting with and open mind!

If I could advise my younger self, I would tell her to be fearless. I would tell her how important it is to share her voice, because she is more intelligent than she knows and what she has to say matters. Being a shy new college student prevented me from experiencing many things and left my thoughts and feelings unheard. Fear of judgement, discrimination, and criticism held me back. Luckily, I learned this lesson - but I still learned it too late. Fear of the unknown is unnecessary. Be fearless. Allow your voice to be heard and be confident. College is the most beautiful and opportune time to do so.

Growing up, you are told that college is your ultimate goal in your academic career, it is the Promised Land. It seems that all the work you put into school is all a lead up to the big time: college. And perhaps that is true, but college is not the big bad monster that each person has to tackle into entering adulthood, bringing back the blood drenched diploma you had to wrestle for with your life. Turns out, getting into college is the easy part; staying in, that’s another matter. I remember being a senior going into college, I had similar fears that I had when I was going into high school. How naïve I was. If I could go back in time and talk to newly graduated self, I would tell myself that it's really important to be on top of things. Know your options, your opportunities and research what you don’t know. I would tell myself to stop worrying about school itself, I’m a hard working kid and have an outstanding work ethic, I would be fine as long as I stuck to those ideals. Never stop grabbing for opportunity!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior there are many things which I would have changed. Some of the advice that I would have given to myself is to focus on my academics. I would have studied more, and also I would have become more involved in either sports, and in clubs. I would have also would have told myself to be more outgoing and be less shy. I would have also have given it my all my senior year and not have procastinated. Once I entered college I realize that hard work does pay off and If i set my mind to it I can acomplish everything. Through my hard work at a community college I was able to raise my G.P.A. to a 3.0 and got accepted to Depaul University. Looking back at my senior year in highschool I would have concentrated in school and have strived for better.

Dear Alex, I am you in four years. Right now you are a senior in high school and you are having several doubts about the direction you are planning to move in. Be excited! You are going to make several new friends along the way and you will learn alot. College is a good time. However, there are some things I need to tell you now before it is too late. 1) Take school seriously, you are there for academics and to open the door to your future, do not forget that. 2) Do not Procrastinate, seriously it is the worst idea, just get it out of the way, pushing it off will only create unneccesary anxiety and frustration on your end. 3) Sincerely thank Mom and Dad, they only want good things for you and they only push you because they want to see you succeed. And last but not least, 4) Push yourself. Learn a different language. Attend the school play. Sing karaoke. These experiences are just as vital to your education as anything learned inside classroom. Believe in yourself and never give up.