Franciscan University of Steubenville Top Questions

Dear Maria,

Making the transition from high school to college life can certainly be filled with anxiety, but my experience turned out to be much less difficult than I had anticipated. Some of my pre-college worries included homesickness, falling behind in classes, being lonely, and not getting along with my roommate. My greatest fear was that of the unknown: a feeling of anxiety at the mystery of college life and all its new trials. My advice to a high school senior is twofold: take your time, and get involved! The first couple of weeks at my new school were difficult, and I did worry a lot and I missed home for the first weekend, but after that I got involved and I was too busy to be worried about useless things. I realized that my friends were becoming as close as family, and that I would never be lonely without them. I made friends in classes and formed fun study groups to keep up with studies when midterms and finals came around. My roommate became my best friend, and all was well. Of course the unknown can be intimidating, but the best thing to do is jump in with both feet!

This would be my advice. Be true to what you want to do with your life. Be open to the possibilities and focus on what you love. Don't worry so much about the money, you'll find a way of making ends meet. Work hard and stay on top of things and the money will come. Don't worry so much about what other people think or what they're going to do with their lives. You're going to make so many more friends who will be with you for the rest of your life. Be yourself and find something that you will love doing every day of your life. Don't forget what you believe in and never abandon your faith. It will steer you right when everything else seems to be going wrong. Remember how much you love working with people and know that the reward of doing that can never be measured in terms of salary. Look around and see what you truly love. Take it all in and then take a confident step forward. If you keep doing this, you'll end up where you're supposed to be.

Apply for more scholarships. Smile and introduce yourself to people, because they are just as nervous to be there as you are. Thank your parents for helping you get to where you are and letting you sleep at their house. Bring silverwear, slippers, and earplugs. Work hard at the beginning of the semester, because it only gets harder. I would tell my high-school-senior-self not to be afraid of change because it is going to happen, the only thing you can do is make sure it's a good change. Also, I would tell her to get involved in activities, because that is the best way to find yourself and some great friends.

I would have told myself to take my classes seriously, to be myself and to not try so hard to fit it. I would let the high school senior me know that once I got to college I would find my own niche and I would feel welcome.

I would tell myself to take my studies more seriously. Many people consider a lot of what they learn in school to be a waste of time. They wonder what practical use it will have once they graduate. I would try to persuade myself that the main purpose of an education is not simply to get a job but to become a better person, to be able to understand myself and my surroundings, the reality which I live in in a more clear way so that I can know how to act properly and live a good and virtuous life. A proper education is one that teaches us how to be human. Sadly most students are expected to know how to perform in the work place as soon as they graduate so universities have become the place where you learn a job instead of the place where you recieve a rounded education and learn what it means to be human and lead a good human life, both individually and within society. I would tell myself to not just go to school to get a job but to become educated, to learn how to think and act properly in society.

If I were to go back to highschool and give myself some advice I would start by telling myself to never underestimate highschool grades and standardized tests. Although I did not do terribly on them, higher scores would have made funding my education a great deal simpler. Next I would strongly encourage myself that if I was graduating from highschool early and did not know what major to pursue then go to a community college. There you can save time and money. Lastly I would tell myself to learn to manage my time efficiently. When I was in highschool I was very busy hence when I got to college and had "freetime" I went a little crazy. In addition boys should only be persude if and when time allows. I would most certainly warn myself that they take up a lot of time and when they don't work out it will make you feel like you have wasted your time, since that time could have been spent studying for a test. In the end I would say ultimatly have fun with college but be smart with the decisions you make.

I get into my Delorean (for what better way is there to travel back in time) and I punch in the numbers, 09/2005, and I'm off. Its the beginning of my junior year. I put a smile on my face and walk to my first class. As I peer through the doors glass pannels, it is like looking through the all seeing mirror. I see myself sitting in the second to last chair, my teacher loved the orderly manner of the alphabetical seating chart. I wait for my 16 year old self out in the hallway anticipating what I will say. The bells rings, such a familiar sound. I was the first one out of class, I chuckle to myself knowing that there is where the problem began. I begin talking to my 16 year old self. Stubborn as I was then I listened to the wiser me. Hearing that life isnt a walk in the park, it is difficult and bad things and hard times happen to good people. Never take anything for granted especially your education. Because when difficult times happen those grades you will be your saving grace and you will truly reap the benefits.

Dear Jessi, Senior year's been rough and exciting all at the same time, I know, but you have so much ahead of you. The stress of finals and senior papers is catching up, but believe me, you'll need those skills at Franciscan. Don't give up. You'll study more than you ever thought you could, but you'll also be having the time of your life. During this year, don't forget about applying for every scholarship you can, even if you don't want to write the essay for it, or feel like you don't have time to get it done, do it! I know the parents and the counselors are talking to you about taking out the loans and being in debt for the rest of your life, and it's easy to shrug off, but you're going to meet the love of your life, and debt is going to get in the way. You'll also meet wonderful friends, and some that aren't so wonderful...remember, you have a BEAUTIFUL heart. Be yourself, love yourself and let yourself be loved, and true friends will come. Love, Jessi

I would probably tell myself not to worry. Looking back, I realize that my high school experience prepared me pretty well for college. The only thing that I might regret about back then is a lack of planning. If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would remind myself to think about what comes after college. I love my maor, but my plans for afer graduation have never been very concrete. I wish I had planned better for real life. If I had it to do all over again, I would plan better.