George Mason University Top Questions

I would tell myself to not sweat the small stuff and to get more prepared to go to college. Also to quit my part time job sooner because I would get a job closer to school and not have to commute back home to work on the weekends. I would not want to say too much to change my present because I enjoyed my freshman year of college and even if I could go back and change things; I would not. I learned a lot of things after I graduated from college such as how to manage my time better and better study skills. All and all I would tell myself to do things that make me happy and that the future is looking good.

If I could go back and tell myself anything about college, it would have been to apply for more scholarships and start saving for it earlier. Before I even started filling out college applications, everyone that had either been in college or was currently in college stressed the importance of being able to afford it. Some representatives from organizations such as Access even came to some of my classes and personally gave ways as to how we could make college affordable. I heard everything I was suppose to so that I could avoid taking out loans in my name or stressing on how I was going to make it to the next semester. Still, I now have student loans in my name. I did not realize that financies played a huge role in my education until I saw it on paper and money started coming out of familly accounts. Grades, clubs, and internships are important, everyone is told that. Not everyone gets how just important the financial aspect is though until it is too late. I personally know people who will not be able to finish college because of it and like myself, struggle to pay. My advice, plan early.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to continue to work hard, so you can come out on the top of your class. I would also tell myself to apply for many scholarships so you would not have to take out loans for college. In transitioning to college I would tell myself to make as many friends as possible your first year because they will always look out for you and are going through the same transition as you are. Most importantly to stay focused because there are so many distractions in college, many that will cause you to fail many classes. Distractions are parties, different events held on campus, Greek life and sometimes friends. Make sure your priorities are straight before you allow yourself to fall to these distractions. Make sure your work is done and make sure you don’t have any prior obligations before you do anything. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to have fun. College will be some of the best years of your life so make the best of them.

To put it bluntly, "Your parents aren’t always right and they don’t always know what’s best. I just spent the last two years of college chasing a dream designed by our parents. But they are actually destroying everything that makes you extraordinary. You see Catherine, no one knows what’s best for you but yourself. Money is not the sign of happiness, a smile is. If you continue listening to your selfish parents talk about becoming a doctor or a lawyer, you will waste two years studying gibberish and build yourself so far into debt, you could eat stars. Screw what your parents think, this is about you. If you want to be a nurse, you have the damn right to be one. Start taking chances and do what you feel will make you happy. Take classes that will stimulate your senses to live and learn. If I have to sit through another lecture on wavelengths, I will eat my foot. Take a career path that you want, not your parents. In two years, hopefully, you will be chasing a dream you designed for yourself because I forget what it's like to genuinely smile."

Not much. I was well prepared and researched behind a lot of community colleges before I chose one. I piched a CC because they were cheaper and would allow me to develope my degree more as I explored myself and several courses. If I had to say something, it would be "good luck, missy. And take it easy."

If I had to go back 2 years ago and see me as a High School Senior, I would strongly advise myself to pursue higher than my expectations. Because back then I really wanted to attend a 4 year school in San Anonio, but due to the fact that I wasn't Top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class or had high grades, for me the Idea of College wasn't so Important as it is now. I would have told myself to challenge myself and take college credit classes in high school that way when I get to college I'm already advanced. I would point out to apply to more scholarships and to schools I really wanted to go to such as UTSA, OLLU, or even University of Pan American. One of the other advises I would tell myself is to really study hard for my SAT and ACT tests. Being that in High School I had to take it more than 5 times just to make it to the nearest Universty, Now that I am older and wiser I would have loved for someone to advise me how fun but, it is to be a college student and adult.

Always go to your classes. I know it seems like it isn’t necessary because the classes are so huge and it is extremely cold out, but you need to go! This will definitely help you get those amazing grades. Definitely make those appointments during office hours with professors so they can get to know you and definitely make these connections for future recommendation letters! Make sure you make appointments with your advisor regularly, because George Mason will not encourage you to pursue this, even though it is incredibly important. Live off campus after the first year. Campus housing is extremely stringent and there is no extra sense of community when you live on campus. Find some great friends to live with and move into a house nearby where you can have a bigger sense of freedom. Make sure you take advantage of the study abroad programs. Finally, George Mason is what you make of it. Because it is so big, you get lost in the crowd. Make sure you join lots of clubs, volunteer, and make an effort to go to D.C. It seems like far away, but it is definitely worth it!

I would go back and tell myself to stand up for what I believed in more, and not let what other people think bother me. I spent so much time stressing because I felt like I didn't fit in, and trying to change myself, that I was making things worse for myself. I have made many more friends by just being who I am, and not struggling to fit into a mold I'm not comfortable in. Doing what is right for me has been my biggest challenge, but is also my biggest strength at this point now that I have stopped trying to fit in, and stopped trying to change myself for people who won't matter in the long run, anyway.

Dear Elizabeth, I am now a senior in college, as you are now a senior in high school. You've had a wild, tough ride up until now, believe me. I know you're itching away at the seams to run as far away as you can. I thought it was a good idea at the time, I really did. But it hasn't been easy or all that fun. Trust me we've had our moments but maybe it could have been better in the beginning. Make sure you thoroughly research schools that would be in your best interest, no one elses, and dabble in a little bit of everything. Don't settle for one thing you MIGHT want to do later on. Make sure you work, tutor, volunteer and be a part of clubs while you're in school, to make everlasting friends and learn from life's little lessons. Right now, we're trying to save up money from work and filling out thousands of scholarships that we don't get chosen from so that we can go BACK to school. That one whole year broke our hearts but we're back in it now. Sincerely, Elizabeth

If I could go back in time and give myself any advice it would be to make sure that I take an internship before I get to college. Work experience is incredibly important now that I'm in college and the earlier I can start networking and procuring experience, the better position I will be in when you get to college. I will be looked on with favor and maturity when looking for jobs or future internships if I have had any type of experience working before. The networks can be invaluable for the rest of my career so don't be lazy and work hard to make someone gives me a glowing reference for the future.