Howard University Top Questions

Assuming I could go back into time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to better prepare myself. College is sooooo much different from high school, therefore there is so much advancing and progression that needs to take place within myself and my habits. You can procrastinate, but it is not recommended whatsoever. There is no such thing as free time. Not to say that you'll be buried in books and homework, but thus there is so much to be apart of and to do on campus aside from your school work, you'll always remain busy. When you're not doing anything, you should be studying. No one is here to push you, because you are no one's true concern. You must put aside the immature things you did as an adolescent in high school and become an adult in college. Though you are a first-time student in college and have time and room for curiousity and mistakes, you can easily avoid many expected mistakes by preapring yourself now. You don't want to be the kid that is enrolled in college, but still acts like a high schooler.

I believe that the most important thing I have learned is to dare to be myself and be on a constant journey to grow. I have learned to constantly evaluate who I am and what I believe and be willing to defend that. Most importantly, I have learned to spend time with myself and not jeopardize my integrity for anything or anyone.

Dear Kimberly: I know that you are eager to attend college and just like your senior prom, PREPARATION IS KEY. Now, let's separate the good from the bad. The good: you are on your way to greatness and only you can define your journey. Make the best of it. Don't be afrad to ask questions and always keep trying after each failure. Failures will come. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." (And pssst... guess what? Tomorrow and the day after that, you are still you.) College is like your locker--only more organized. There is a lot going on and it is for you to find your way through the clutter. The bad: The "freshman 15" could be for you the "freshman 20" but you're still beautiful and don't you ever forget it. Parties come and parties go. Guess what? Before you there was Soul Train, now there's Amtrak--another train back home in case you forget why mom worked so hard to get you where you are. In essence: Carpe Diem!

All of my life I have pushed myself to give my all to my education. I remember as a high school senior loading myself to the brink with classes and extra-curriculars just so I could "stand out." I also remember the feeling of inner dread that I had while doing it. I always felt like I had something to prove, but I didn't know what. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to look in the mirror, smile at myself and say "You are enough. You are going to succeed. Your passion shows. It is okay to not be what people consider perfect because you did your best and that is always the best you could do." I would still advise myself to give it all that I have, but I would warn myself to be easier on me and to give myself a break sometimes. It is okay to be a regular teenager, it is okay to not know all the answers at that moment, just give yourself time... growth and answers come with time.

I would tell my high school self to stop doubting yourself and just do it. Every goal you have and everything you want in your life comes with consistency, hard work, and persistence. I would also tell my high school self to work even harder, because you have the enthusiasm and the power to change thw world someday.

I would tell myself not to waste your last year of high school and be more proactive. I would tell myself to take duel-credit course so you wouldn't have to take basic college courses in college. Dont worry about the future ,and be happy with your desicions. Be sure of yourself ,and go with your gut feeling about certain situations.

Do not delay on deciding what it is exactly that you wish to achieve. Have a clear-cut plan with realistic steps that will get you to the position that you are striving to be in. Always remember that doing nothing will get you nowhere; you have to be willing to go the extra mile and work harder than your peers. Network with as many people as possible; only surround yourself around people that have the same mindset as you. Constantly remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Find someone (a professor, advisor, classmate, etc) on campus that has similar career goals such as yourself. Complete all work on time and never slack. Remember why you came to college: to graduate and receive a degree. Sure the social life seems fun, but make sure that you have a balance. Commit yourself to studying at least 10 hours per week. Although you may need to possess certain skills in a field, you also need to know someone who can help push you even further. Apply to as many internships as possible and leave a lasting impression on them so that a full-time position is waiting post-graduation!

During my senior year in high school I was franticly trying to find a college that would please everyone else instead of me. Many of my classmates were getting accepted to many great colleges across the nation. In my high school you were considered a failure if you didn't get accepted at a prestigious college/university. Now knowing what I know about college life and making the transition I would have spent less time worrying about my social life and dorm rooms and focus more the important things such as the opportunities that the university offer and finding a college where I was sure I could flourish academically and professionally. I would also tell myself not to worry about making everyone else happy, but instead choosing the best decision for me.

Dear KIera, I know you would rather be watching tv right now than writing essays, but please apply to as many scholarrships as you can from this point until you go to college. I know yo u don't fully understand the financial process of college and you think that money is just going to magically appear in your account, but I am here to tell you know it doesn't . You are going to have about a $10,000 gap in tuition with less than two months to apply to as many scholarships as posible. Soon, you are going to get a job at Rita's. Keep it. Don't let that boss get to you. Don't quit even when the boss has you in tears. Use this job as an oppotunity to learn and build a thicker skin. You cannot run away from everything that makes youn upset and uncomfortable. Honestly Kiera, the journey to where you are now has been a hard one, but you will be succesful and you will make your family so proud of you. Love, Kiera Onunaku P.S. Enjoy your summer in San Diego before you start college!!

If I could provide my high school self with the knowledge that I posess now I would have stressed the necessity of a balanced life. Time management is something that you hear about all the time as a high school senior but when you are actually on campus it is a completely different world. The problem with my personal experience was that there was no transition from high school to college; I did not change my study habits, therefore my grades suffered ridiculously. I went from leaving high school with a 3.5 to receiving grades that I'm ashamed to even speak of. This has hindered so many aspects of my college life, and I had to spend the following semesters catching up just to be able to qualify for scholarships. It was a struggle academically, socially, financially and personally, and I believe that it could have all been easily avoided had I known how to balance things like I do now. I am lucky enough to have learned a lesson that I will never forget and can always use the skills that I acquired along my journey but if I could do things differently I definitely would.