Gardner-Webb University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give my high-school self advice about college life, I would tell myself to get out and meet people! One of the biggest mistakes I have made as a college freshmen is shying away from meeting new people. Don't get me wrong, I've made some wonderful friends, but they are mostly upper-classmen, and when they graduate I will hardly know anyone in my class. I would tell myself that in the first week that I am there, and the school puts on tons of activities for the freshmen, that I should try to meet as many people as possible. That way, when I start my classes I would see some familiar faces, and I wouldn't be as uncomfortable in the first few weeks. The last thing I would tell myself is to meet the other girls who live in my dorm building. Even just leaving my dorm room door open, and as people walk by ask them how they are, or invite them in. I think if I knew this before starting college, I would have been more comfortable in the first few weeks.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would give myself advice about how to better prepare myself for the tough transition of becoming a college student. The biggest advice I could give myself would be learning how to study. High school classes and topics always came easy to me and I never really had to study to succeed. When I came to college I found that the classes are more of a challenge and studying was going to become a necessity. Basically, the advice I would give myself would be to study no matter if you feel the need to or not to better learn how to study for college classes and tests.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior, I would personally advise my self not freak out as much as I did once coming here I was afraid of all the change that was going to happen to me. To be more prepared of the idea of being on my own. I am now the only one to take care of myself. I alone have to handle every situation that comes my way. One of the biggest things I could advise myself as a senior is to not be so shy during college, because I now am making my way in the world and it wouldn't be right to give up the oppurtunities of college, for example making friends that will last a life time, all because I was to shy to say one word.

I would tell myself several things. Apply yourself to your studies. Don't let anyone tell you can't do this. It may be junior college but it's NOT putting you behind in anyway. PAY ATTENTION! Don’t shoot for the bare minimum. It’s okay to ask questions if you don’t quite understand it. Take all of your hard classes first!! STUDY A LOT! Above all make the most of your education no matter what. Your education is the most valuable thing you will have. It's not as hard as you make it out to be.

Going back, I would say to myself to be careful with who you choose to be friends and look forward to graduating early, in December, 2012. College is great. People don't try to hurt you and teachers love to help you more than those in high- school. You'll make better friends, who you can trust, and life turns out to be way better. But, those friends in high-school, don't talk to you much once you graduate. You soon start to find out who your true friends are. Stay close to family, as- well. At SCC Beatrice, people seem to understand how hard high- school life was. Most of them had the same or even worse experiences than you did in high- school. Your relationship with your parents get better, and they notice how happier you are at SCC now. They see a difference in your attitude, and you see your future is much better now. You start to focus more on school than you ever did before. You have come a long ways and it all pays off. But don't take this advice for granted. Stay focused and know you'll be happier than ever.

Entering college, I was most prepared for the educational aspect of the experience. I was ready to get good grades, make an impression on my professors, and strive to be a student that I could be proud of. I was not, however, ready for the emotional and mental impact college would have on me. In my first year alone, I experienced more death and heartbreak than at any other point in my life and while my grades did not suffer, my relationships with my family members did. During this time, I lost my great aunt, two Sunday school teachers, and a fellow classmate within five months of each other and my relationship with my brother fell apart. Looking back, I would tell my high school self, to be prepared to be strong through everything and to keep enduring through the hardships. Just seeing myself become a stronger person would make everything worth it. I would also tell myself to not ignore the little pieces of good that happen throughout the day. Sometimes, they can become the only things that help you through.

Don't get to wrapped up worrying about the first week away from home. Everyone is trying to make new friends and you will be easily find others you get along with.

The advice I would give to myself would be to study more and apply myself to school instead of looking at my senior year as a fun time. I would not have dropped my accelerated classes to make it "easy" on myself. I would have thought more about going to college and not relyed on sports to carry me into adulthood.

If I could go back in time and talk to me in high school there are many pieces of advice that I would give me. I have learned a lot about myself discipline and study habits. I would tell me that I need to study and apply myself more to my school work. When you try to slide by and do the minimum it will catch up to you. You need to understand that your social life is not the most important thing. Your friends will still be there when your school work is done. I would also say that you will have many opportunities to take chances, go for it. Hold nothing back and embrace change do not run from it. It is going to happen one way or another and it is best to face it head on.

I would say keep doing what your doing. Just dont get as frustrated and mad as you usually do