High Point University Top Questions

Jayden, don't freak out. This is you from the future. I know it is your senior year and you are super stressed out - you always get stressed out when change is coming - but trust me, everything turns out okay. I know that your intentions are good, but I want you to stop doing a few things that I wish I hadn't done the first time around. First, stop worrying about your stupid GPA. I got a 4.0 and no one really cares. Instead, join a club or an organization that is going to give you some real experience. You learned a lot in those AP classes, but you would benefit a lot more from some good stories and some fun group experiences. Also, stop trying to hang out with that one girl. You know who I am talking about. When you get to college, you wil realize you are a better person without her and you will realize how many things you missed out on because of her. Stop trying to be someone else. Everyone I have met in college so far loves you for you. Finally, apply for more scholarships. College is expensive. You got this.

It sounds silly to say, especially only having just left high school, but there are many things that I wish that I had known about college before I applied. Most importantly, if I could go back and tell myself something, it would be to embrace the "flaws" that make you different because when you learn how to love yourself, you are more confident and you are more able to love others and adapt to new situations. I have always been extremely self-conscious, however being at college has made me truly realize that everyone is different and you need to embrace these differences or you will be lost in the smog, so to speak. Knowing what makes you different and special is not only important for filling out job applications, but also in finding clubs that you want to join and just, simply, expressing yourself in the most true way possible. In the 3 1/2 short months that I have been here at High Point, I have learned that individuality is a commodity and you need to accept that in order to make it in the world.

Senior year is scary! The biggest thing that scared me was the money aspect of college. It's so expensive! My advice is to try to not think about the money as much. The number you see on those brochures is NOT the number you will be paying. There are plenty of scholarships that you are applying for, plus the school awards you and the FAFSA. When I was applying to schools my favorite was High Point Unniversity. I knew I belonged there for a number of reasons. But it was extremely expensive. So I applied to a few other schools as well. It was between Campbell and HPU. It was cheaper to go to Campbell but when I visited the STUDENTS even told me not to go here. Eventually I decided I needed to go to HPU for at least my freshman year. I needed to start off my college years right and I knew I needed to be happy to do it. After I committed to HPU, I foundout that with everything added up it was actually cheaper to go to HPU! Thank God! So go where YOU think YOU belong...no matter what the consequences MAY be.

To study more for the SAT. I had a 4.0 in high school, was the valedictorian, participated in sports and community projects but still had a hard time getting accepted in schools. I think a slightly above average SAT score hurt me. I should have studied more for that test.

If I were given the opportunity to go back and give myself advice before I started the college process I might not have plans to attend Highpoint University next year. The most urgent thing that comes to my mind is to make sure I tell myself to start my college visits earlier, rather in spring of my junior year and not fall of my senior year. I would certainly mention to myself to make sure I apply to more schools and have back up plans rather than going Early Decision and hoping I get in. Now that I know where im going and have visited I have really found out that I love the south which backs up what I said about looking earlier. If I did that I might have looked more into the southern schools and could have possibly found a different home for the next 4+ years. With all that being said I couldnt be happier with the school I chose and I know that it is the best place for me to start the next chapter in my life.

I had a bad high school experience and by the time I got around to my senior year and choosing my institution of higher learning, I didn't have much hope for what my future could bring me. After these past two years at High Point, I know that I am capable of almost anything, if I am willing to put forth the effort. In August, I am going to Ireland; In Spring 2014, I am going to Prague. If I could go back to high school, I would give myself very simple advice: Keep your head up, keep going. I was at a point of despair once I got to be a senior. I chose High Point first and foremost because it was far away from home and far away from the bad memories. I do not regret my decision – in fact, I am ever-grateful for making it. This experience at High Point teaches me that I can make my life what I want it to be. I can learn and I can grow on my own. If I could go back to high school, that's what I'd tell myself: Breath. Relax. It will be okay.

As a high school student, I was incredibly nervous about coming to High Point University. My high school class was about 350 people and I wasn't used to being around a ton of people everyday. Now I was going to be a little fish in a huge pond. After moving in to my dorm and meeting my new roommates and hallmates, I've learned that making the transition into college isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be. Sure, I miss my family every once in a while. But I've been given a great opportunity that I am going to take advantage of. I would tell my high school self not to stress out as much as I did because everything has seemed to fall into place. I would also tell my high school self not to procrastinate with my school work because that has gotten me no where.

I would tell myself to expect the unexpected. I had a huge culture shock when I went to school, and I would tell myself to get ready. It was very overwhelming my first couple of weeks.

If I was able to talk to myself as a high school senior now being in college I would have told myself that college is way different than being in high school. Work has to be done on time; it is very strict, study, study, study. College might seem as if it is all hands-on but, it’s not it is a lot of reading and participating behind it also. Being a freshman in college is just an overview of things you have learned in high school. Also, I would tell myself everything I am doing now in college that is making it a lot easier in school now than I was in high school. As I sit back and reminisce about being a senior I had senioritis the whole time which at times it was making me have a downfall so I would tell myself having senioritis isn’t bad but, put school before being excited about this being your last year because it just gets harder as you walk through the door at the college you wish to attend.

My advice is to savor freshmen year and be prepared to have your ideas challenged and mindset changed. College seems scary in high school. Your family is miles away, you’re living with peers who may or may not like you, and at first you don’t know a soul. But, it’s this new environment that makes freshman year an adventure. Never again will you experience your first move-in day, or first dorm meeting. This is a fresh start and exciting experiences lie ahead so savor each moment, because freshman year flies by. But, be prepared to meet many different people with different backgrounds, morals, and ideas. Keep an open mind and get to know those who are different. Because, though they challenge your ideas, they often give you a stronger understanding of the world and yourself. As you experience new events, people, and challenges, you will greatly mature. And your freshman year of college will provide you with so many unexpected obstacles that you will grow greatly in mind and personality. Freshman year is such an exciting, adventurous time so savor it but remember to stay true to you.