Howard University Top Questions

The best advice I would give to myself as a high school senior is DON'T BE YOURSELF. I know you are probably thinking, what type of advice is that? All we hear growing up is "Just be yourself and everything will work out just fine". Well, what happens when being yourself doesn't yield the results you want? YOU change YOU. Now by changing you I don't mean change the core of who you are. What I'm simply suggesting is that sometimes we have to reevaluate some of our ways, thoughts, and actions in order to adapt to a new environment. Transitioning from high school to college was a hard time for me because I was moving to a completely new place I had never even visited and left all of my friends and family behind. I was always a quiet, shy person but somehow I managed to make friends in high school. However, college was a totally new dynamic and quite frankly very intimidating. The fact that it took me a very long time to break out of my shell and comfort zone hindered my college experience. So that's my advice: DON'T BE YOURSELF!

If i could go back to my senior year i would tell myself 3 important things. First, to really cherrish enjoy the time spent with my friends. I always hung out with my friends with high school everyday, it became a routine that i didnt prepare for an ending. After graduation my friends and I all went our separate ways and it was hard adjusting to not seeing them every moment of the day. It didn't dawn on me until later on in my freshmen year that i needed to reminisce on our memories to get me through the next chapter in my life. The next thing i would tell my senior self is to apply for endless scholarships. Paying for college is not easy, and it doesn't hit you until your actually in college adding up all the expenses. There are a lot of people out here willing to invest in students futures you just have to search them out. The last thing i would say is to think of college and graduating as a fresh start to a new world and to approach it with a big mind and open heart!

I would tell myself to get on the computer and immediately start researching scholarships and looking more in depth into the universities on my list about their administration and financial aid processes. I made the mistake of making my bed too early thinking that a high GPA, challenging course load and an acceptable resume would fill out all scholarship applications for me. I also made the mistake of not double checking with the college of my choice on how they handled financial aid and freshman scholarship incentives, which resulted in a huge financial set back many months later, forcing me to leave in the middle of my first freshman semester with no records. It left me only able to work until I could save up enough money and head back to square one all over again as a freshman a year later. I would tell myself that where you are happy and feel that you are meant to be is where you will thrive and knowing takes experiences, good and bad. Lastly, I would say tuition is not cheap, so take all the knowledge and advice you can from your professors and anyone inspiring you meet along the way.

There are three key things I would tell myself before leaving for school... 1) Remember why you are in school 2) Communicate 3) Have fun 1) When first getting to school you can get distracted by being indepent, away from mom and dad. You have stay focus and remember that you are there to learn and graduate. That your future depends on what you do for these 4 to 5 years. Never lose sight of your goals. 2) If you need help do not be afraid or to proud to ask for it. At school there are professors and advisors that are willing to help you with anything, you just have to ask. " A closed mouth does not get fed" a quote that mom told that I have put into practice a lot since I left for school. 3) College is supposed to be the best time of your life. You are finding yourself, becoming idependent and learning with others who want the same thing as you. To be successful. School will have its moments when it will be very challenging, just take a breath, relax and know that you are making something of yourself. Be happy about it.

Dear Lexiss, You have finally made it to senior year! Can you believe it? Not only have you maintained an excellent GPA, you have faced the daunting task of applying to college. It seems like the hard part is over. But it is just the beginning. Always remember that you are intelligent; college will test you physically and emotionally. Challenges may attempt to bloom. You may let them. Sleep may become a figment of your imagination. You may get tired of the food. You may never want to get up for that 8:10 class. You may have too much pride to ask your professor for help. You may want to skip that club meeting. However, you will do all that you can do to showcase your intelligence, campus/community involvement, and most of all YOU. Stay true to yourself. Study even if it means you lose hours of sleep. Do not procrastinate. It will stress you out. Be an internal push for yourself. Showcase the wonderful person that will be cultivating on the grounds of your university. You will be walking across that stage again in four years like a fresh pearl, radiant and ready for the world.

College has been an eye-opening experience for me. In college, I've been taken out of my comfort zone and placed into an entirely new world. Coming into college, no one told me what to expect; everyone I talked to only told me that I would "love" college, but they didn't tell me how much of an adjustment college is. If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to start learning time management early. I've learned that time management is essential. as a college student. Not managing my time efficiently is one of the leading causes of stress for me as a college student. I would also tell myself to prioritize and to develop a time schedule to better help priortize my days. Moreover, I would tell myself not to spread myself too thin. Don't try to be a part of everything. Simply stick to one or two activities and commit yourself completely. Lastly, I would tell myself not to remain disciplined. A strong work ethic and adherence to your beliefs and values will be your guiding light throughout school.

Knowing what I know now, I would explain to my high school self that self-esteem is the most beautiful attribute that any one, especially any young lady, could possess. Without confidence, you will continue to feel "ugly" and uncomfortable in your own skin. I would also explain that God made you the way that you are for a reason and do not let anyone tell you differently. Also, study harder for the SATs and ACTs so that you can receive the Legacy Scholarship at Howard University.

If I havea chance to go back in time I will talk to myself that I want to take college class that the allowed and finish in high school and study hard to past the class because college class and school fee cost more then when you take it in high school. I will do anything to get in high school so I don't have to pay alot in college school year and try my best to get in every program that I could get in and get helped.

I would tell myself to plan for college. Take the ACT more than once and be committed to my studies. Don't just take easy classes, but ones that challenge you. Get a part-time job after school and save your money to help pay for college. Don't just blow it, or at least not all of it. Be involved in an activity at school whether that is music, sports, drama or something else. It is good for you socially and mentally and you may be eligible for more scholarships. Apply for schoalrships starting your junior year. There are a ton of them out there and it is to your advantage to look for them. Look at the differences between a 2 year and 4 year college. Take a career interests survey or test if you are not sure what you want to do. Overall, be studious and resourceful. You never know what opportunities you may have if you don't look for them. Surround yourself with positive people and those that will help you achieve your dreams. Get to know your teachers they may have knowledge you never would have known otherwise.

Things always look differently in hindsight than in the moment. It’s almost as if you should have been able to predict what would happen if you signed up for that 8 a.m. class instead of the 10 a.m., if you sat at one table versus another in the dining hall, if you studied abroad somewhere a bit more exotic than Europe. As I look back there are a few things I wish I would have known:•Go to class! College isn’t that hard if you actually, you know, show up! •Relax a bit and enjoy the moment. Study hard, but also say yes to opportunities that take you out of your comfort zone. You never know where exploration will take you.•Trust your instincts•Ask for help when needed•Sometimes people DO have my best interests in mind; they're not trying to hurt me.