Howard University Top Questions

As a young man about to enter into a four year course encompassing academics, new surroundings, and late night study sessions I would highly suggest that you get your mind and body prepared for a unique journey. Throughout high school we both know that you’ve had some days where you didn’t have to sacrifice your time or your rest to achieve a certain outcome- essentially the majority of the minor obstacles that were placed before you were a piece of cake. Although before you venture off, I would like to leave you with my 3 F’s to Success: familiarize, focus, & finish. Soon as you arrive on campus make sure that you get acquainted with the facilities, resources, and surrounding area because you don’t need any excuses to not know where to go and study. Secondly, if college students across the country have one thing in common it is their liability to distractions, therefore always be focused on what you need to accomplish. Lastly, make sure that you always finish what you start! Whether that is a small class project or a final exam before graduation, finishing strong is what will take you to the next level.

I would tell myself to increase my study habits and to really sit down and learn stuff. Also not to take the easy way out of things. Lastly, to remain focus, save money, and learn more than what is asked.

Knowing yourself is one of the most important things in life. Granted, self changes, but at the same time, you have to understand who you are, what you stand for, and love that. Howard can be intimidating, and if you don't know and love yourself first, no one else will. You have to be comfortable in your own skin and always walk with your head held high, because when you loose that, anything can happen. You never want people to take advantage of your strengths, nor do you ever want to be out-shined by people when you know you are clearly the best at what you do. If you don't know what it is you do, its cool, college is that time to find that, but just stick to your morals and values and don't ever let that go.

If I were able to go back and talk to myself as a High School senior, I would probably say, "Don't doubt yourself. It's ok that you aren't 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} positive what you want to do with your life. College is a time for experimenting and growing--you'll figure it out soon enough. Don't let other people make you feel inferior about yourself, your grades, or your looks. A college campus is a wide-open space with many people from different walks of life, different perspectives, and different dreams. Just because one group of people don't quite fit you, doesn't mean that you won't find an amazing group of friends. Most importantly, keep your grades up and work hard. Don't be meek; if a professor gives you a grade that you disagree with, don't just take it lying down. Go see him! Discuss the grade and figure out what you can do differently. Overall, don't sweat the small stuff. College is meant to be one of the best times of your (our) life, so enjoy it immensely!! Get out there and explore new things and new people. Good luck.

High school is preparing you for one of the crucial parts of life: college. When going into college continue to have an open mind and take advantage of all the diverse people you will come in contact with. There are so many different worlds outside of you own. Therefore, learn to network so that you can be introduced to more opportunities and experiences in life. In addition, continue to not procrastinate and study for cyour classes every night.

My advice would be to develop a habit of scheduling your daily activities. This task is done for you in most high schools, but once you are off to college that responsibility will fall back to you. All of your TV time will have to reallocated to study time, you will have to go to bed at a reasonable hour, so you can get up at a reasonable hour, it is kind of like a job. You will need to read and study everday, if only for an hour or 2(wheter there is homework or not), this will ensure that you do not fall behind in classes, and if you need help, you can get it in a timely manner. This would be my advice. Avoid peer pressure as best you can!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to apply to more schools first of all for more flexibility. Upon making the transition to college, I would remind myself to choose somewhere that's not too far from home. If there are ever any family emergencies, it wouldn't be so much of an expense and problem to travel back home. To me, family is EVERYTHING, and though my education is very important, so is my family. I would also advise myself not to live off campus my first year, especially since I'm barely getting adjusted. There's a reason why they make you live in dorms-- to get to know a lot of other people and make friends. Otherwise, you will find yourself lonely often. Another piece of advice is to NEVER be afraid of seeking help. If you're struggling or need clarification, ask questions. That's what professors and teacher's assistants are there and paid for. To help you. Don't let it slide, thinking, "I'll catch on," because time flies, and then the night before the exam you'll wish you knew how to do it.

I would tell my high school self to listen to all the advice I got from everyone else.

If I could go to my high school self, I would tell myself to continue to be myself and to keep my focus on school.In college, especially big colleges, it is very easy to lose yourself. When you go to college, you come into contact with all types of people and most of these people do not know you. This makes it easy to become anyone that you want to be, because everyone wants to fit in; they are willing to give up there individually to be someone they think others will accept. I would remind myself that the purpose of college is not to lose yourself, but to prepare yourself for the rest of your life. In addition, staying focused on school can become a challenge. Being in a new place is always exciting and there are so many distractions that can take your mind off of school and you can forget the real reason you came to college in the first place. There is no one there to remind you to go to class or tell you what to do in your free time, so I would tell myself to remember what the main goal is.

You are about to approach a milestone in your life that many people can not attest to for many reasons, money is one of the primary reasons. Let this not be your testimony. Despite your parents being unable to fully fund your education because your twin brother Rashad is also attending college, you must use the resources available to you and apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible. By the end of the school year, if (and only if) the total amount of money you’ve obtained from scholarships and grants does not cover the total cost of your education, then you are permitted to apply for student loans to cover the remaining expenses. Listen to your father and apply for at least 100 scholarships. Look at the twins from Dallas, Texas who have accumulated over $1.5 million each in scholarships. After they cover all of their educational expenses for 4 years, they have more than $500,000 left for themselves. Do you want that to be your testimony? Begin researching and applying. Good luck!