Will
I have found that a huge part of college is the extracurricular activities that the school offers. Clubs, sports, and social events are an important part of getting the full college experience. Upon coming here, I did not know much about the city of Greenville or the university and what they have to offer. As a result of this, it took me a while to get involved on campus and find a group of friends with similar interests. The advice that I would give to my high school self would be to do more extensive research on the schools I was applying to. I would have loved to have known about the intramural sports and clubs at ECU so I could have brought appropriate gear such as soccer cleats and my camera equipment. I also could have been more aware of the clubs that are of interest to me such as Pre-Medical Students Clubs. Now that I am fully aware of the available extracurricular activities related to my interests, I have been able to make more friends, be more outgoing, and enjoy a more holistic college experience.
Brooke
The only thing I would tell myself as a high school senior is to not stress out as much and get more involved around campus. I just ended my first semsters and the only thing I wish I would have done over the last couple of months is to get more involved. I wish I would have joined sometime of club. There are many wonderful opportunities all around campus. Also, the first couple of weeks of college wass stressful with all the work being thrown at you. Toward the end of the semester, I became use to things and found I had a lot more free time to myself. College is about learning and gaining the knowledege to be successful in a career that you love, but also creating memories and lifetime friendships In the future at college, I want to keept the same level of dedication that I had toward the learning ascpet, but also try to enjoy myself more and create memories that will last awhile. This is something I would tell myself as a high school senior to do once in college.
Tyra
If I could go back in time and lecture myself when I was a senior in high school I would prepare myself for what the future holds. I would inform myself that my parents are going to face a financial crunch and encourage myself to make an extra effort to apply for more scholarships. I would explain that these scholarships will be the only way in which I will complete my undergraduate career and express the importance that these submissions will have in the future. I would also suggest getting another job to help my parents pay for the costly tuition in which a four year university brings to the table. With the second job I would emphasize the importance it is to save money and assure that I have enough saved to put myself through school for at least a year. Although I would encourage myself to save and apply for more scholarships because most are targeted toward high school seniors I would express the positive impact ECU will have on my life. I will also inform myself of the lifelong friends I will make at the university and the relationships with my professors that I shall cherish forever.
stacy
Dear Stacy,
Relax! You're doing great just keep up the good grades and remained focused on what really matters. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Procrastination adds on to the stress. Do NOT wait til the last minute; better safe than sorry. Start early but take one step at a time. SAT and ACT are a big deal so take as much practice as you need and take it seriously. Manage you're time wisely. Even know you're busy with sports and a job, make sure you have time for school work. If there is an opportunity that is beneficial for you're future, TAKE IT. Enjoy highschool while you can and don't be afraid to try new things. Do you not know what you want to major in? Well good news, more than 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students don't know either so its completley okay. Do NOT get discourage and do what makes YOU happy. Apply while you can. You're in for a crazy ride. You will encounter green lights but you will also encounter red lights. But remeber, at the end of the storm there is a rainbow. Keep you're head up (:
Deandra
Life in high school is a lot more simple. There's a right and a wrong way to do everything. In college, you have to find your own style and find yourself. College is the time when you get to claim your freedom and become the best person that you can be. It is during this time that someone should be happy and living life in the best way they know how. You should be more afraid of missing opportunities in life and simply existing than you should be of living a full life.
Linda
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to get more involved in sports. If I would have started track in 9th grade, I would have been great. I started track in 12th grade and I was not that bad. I felt that I had so much potential and I could have become someone really well known. Along with sports, I would have also told myself to join more clubs. Being involved in your school is very important. I never realized this until I arrived to East Carolina University. Sadly, I can not go back in time but I still have future to look forward to. I am still young and there are a lot of opportunities out there for me.
Miranda
If I could go back in time I would give myself three major peices of advice. The first peice of advice is to be more academically mindful and study harder. Knowing that college is harder than most think it is, I would tell myself to be more academically prepared and to keep my future in mind at all times. The second peice of advice is to be involved more in campus activity. If I could go back, I would be in more club sports such as volleyball and swimming for example. I miss being a part of a sports team and would gladly encourage myself to become apart of a sports team. The third peice of advice to give myself would be to get involved with more research opportunities. Research broadens horizons more than I thought when in college. If I could go back to college life, I would study much harder, increase campus involvment, and do more research.
Zoe
Transitions are tough. This is the phrase you're going to hear most when you head off to college. It won't be until you actually get there that you really understand what it means. It is tough; you're in a brand new place, it's unfamiliar, you don't know anyone, and you're sharing a bedroom for the first time since you were eight years old. My advice is to be brave, but take care of yourself. Everyone is going to tell you to step out of your comfort zone, and to "put yourself out there," which, true, is a great way to make friends and really find your niche, but if you need a day to just sit in your dorm room, or call your mom, or miss your friends, that's perfectly fine. Taking care of yourself is far more important than worrying about getting the "college experience" everyone thinks you should get. Everybody is different, and your college experience can be unique of all 25,000 other students on campus, and still be amazing. You know yourself better than anyone, trust yourself, and always do what feels right. You're going to do great.
Ashley
My college experience has been anything but ideal, and in a way I prefer it that way because the hard work I put into my academics, as well as the experiences and failures I have learned from have humbled me. I have come to realize that I am in charge of my own future, and it is my responsibility to create a story that I will be proud of sharing. So to my high school self, here is some advice:
1) College is all about pushing yourself to the max so that you can have career options once you graduate. Remember that you are in college to succeed in life, and academics should come first.
2) Parties aren't mandatory and true friends will understand that you can't hang out everyday.
3) If you are struggling academically, take a breath and remember that all of the hard work you are doing now, is what is going to set you up for an amazing future!
4) It is perfectly okay to study by yourself. You get more done anyway.
5) Your failures are just stepping stones to success. Have confidence in yourself, you'll do great!
6) Be grateful!
Shenail
I would say Shenail here are some dos and don’ts of campus life; don’t take the intro to neuropsychology your first semester, educate yourself on the lasting effects of saving money, There will be times when your stability will depend on good friends, you chose your friends with your best judgment believe that. Learning to trust in your own judgment is a course all its own. Being on a large campus for the first time friendships make all the difference. there is nothing wrong with receiving help and your greatest attributes are gleaned from those around you, Asking for help can only result in an increase of knowledge and that increase is true success. As a senior in high school you were enthusiastic and determined to accomplish goals on your own. Success is not determined by financial gain but by connections made and experienced gained. When you don’t know the answer there is someone who does. Fads are not conducive to campus travel, and the true cost of obtaining course material is not necessarily the cheapest available. Hind sight may be 20/20, but living in the here and now is how you will make it.