Grace College and Theological Seminary Top Questions

The biggest piece of advice I would give my high school self would be to try not to limit myself. I now know that any school and any major are a possibility. When I was in high school I belittled myself and made myself feel as if I was not smart enough to go to my dream school, when in reality anything was and is possible for me.

Dear younger me, Being at Grace College has truly changed our life. Once you become a part of this community, you will know exactly what I am talking about. You have become more responsible and even more ready to take on the world, but there is only one thing you need to know. Before I start, I know it was really tough for us growing up, but it is what we have overcome that shaped who we are today. It is because of our experiences and growing from them and choosing to rely on God rather than ourselves, that allowed us to grow into a man of God. Now, the most important thing I want you to know is that we must carry our own cross daily, so we must deny ourselves and die daily because Christ lives and reigns in us and he gave himself up for us. Life will not get any easier, but Christ is worth it. God takes us through many trials and sometimes it is easier to just give up, but we are called to be so much more, so do not give up because we are His! Do not give up, Older self

I would tell myself as a high school senior to not stress about college too much. Enjoy the time that you have in high school, becayse college life is very different. In college you have so many things to juggle- work, classes, friends, and family. Take the time to live and love. When you get to college, give yourself some grace. It's a hard transition! Don't be hard on yourself because you think that it should be easier than it is You'll get through it. You will adjust to be surrounded by people, to three hour night classes, to not going to bed until one in the morning. Give yourself grace as you learn all of these new things.

Looking back from where I was to where I am today, I admit that my life has changed in countless ways. It is incredible what a semester of college can do to a student, if he or she allows him or herself to be changed in ways that will help them grow. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schooler, I would tell myself to cherish every moment in high school. Many times, I had a mindset to always move forward and to reach for college. I never took time and enjoyed the moment I was in. High school was very special to me. I would love to go back and tell myself to take advantage of every beautiful moment. In addition to this, I would also tell myself to not worry about college. I was afraid that I would fail in my academics because of the hard classes I would take. Now I realize that there is nothing to be anxious about if I take one moment at a time and work with all my heart. The teachers really care for their students and want them to be successful.

I would tell myself "Do not worry. Grades are not everything. Go out and have fun with your friends. As long as you learn somthing,because at the end of the day relationships are what last longest.

As a newly graduated senior, I think I would tell myself not to worry so much about the future and really focus on what you are working on right then. I was looking so much ahead of me that I did not focus as hard on my studies and oppertunities my senior year.

In high school, I found education to be exceedingly easy and never really applied myself. Due to this I never really formed study skills. If I could go back and give myself advice I would tell teenage me to work hard, strive to get a 4.0 GPA that I know I could have easily achieved, and to form study habits. I would let me know how much I wish I had done those things because of the various ways it would have helped me in my undergraduate. Firstly, it would have helped me in some of the more challenging courses like genetics and organic chemistry. For these courses, I had to teach myself to study and I wasn't very good at it even though I still received fairly good grades, overall. Secondly, I would have received more scholarships and wouldn't be as buried in students loans as I am now. Now, that I am continuing on to graduate school it is becoming even more difficult to find these scholarships. I know that this advice would have been immensely helpful, both in my education and in my finances.

Do not cut yourself short. Look into all your options; you might find something you didn't even know you were looking for. Apply to all the schools you can, and apply for all the scholarships you can. If at all possible, look into trying to get some experience in the field you think you want to study so that you can know more certainly. Don't be afraid to change your major; you are studying to hopefully find a career in the same field of work. But don't be afraid about picking a major because your options are endless. When you find something that you enjoy, go for it.

If were given the option to go back in time, I would choose wisely. I would sit down and tell myself that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would also make it very clear that no day is sweeter and tangible than today is. I would look down at my 16 year old self and tell her that at the end of the day, it is the simple little details that matter the most. The insignificant book that you failed to read, will one day make your fingers tremble and allow your mind to expand. I would tell her that teachers that you hated the most were the best ones, not because they gave you a lot of work, but because they challenged you. If I would have known everything I know today, it would have been a moment of clarity so overwhelming yet so welcomed I could have made better decisions. Yet, I do not regret any of it, because now I can talk to myself today and be reminded that every second counts.

The world at times can be very scary when you feel naked. I felt like a fish out of water trying to balance my school, work, family and social life. I remember my life felt like a plate was completely full of Peter Pan food I just needed to be able to see someone else lead me to eat before I could believe that it could be there for me all the while I felt people were looking for me to lead them. I lacked support and conviction to implement a plan and didn’t want to go down a wrong direction. I could see several paths of going into professional business however I lacked the understanding of several key life elements that come about with experience which has helped me to clearly see what I am passionate about. My advice to my senior high school self would be to not make life seem so serious that the darkness consumes you and the balance of good is thrown off. Even though you see big things others may not always share them so remember to embrace positivity whenever presented and persevere with a smile even while things seem looming and uncertain.