Illinois State University Top Questions

Cayce, this is the time of your life that could be the most critical to your success in life, or the unfortunate beginning of the struggles you will face in your future. The choice is yours at this time, but only for a short period will the choice be yours. If you want to succeed in life, you must take this time as a high school senior seriously and not for granted. The things you may think are important to you at this time will not even matter ten years from now. Please take to heart everything your teachers and mentors tell you. Try to retain as much as you can when it comes to your math, writing, grammar and computer classes. These classes can be detrimental to your ease and success of your college and career path. The most important thing I can tell you is to believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can not accomplish your goals. People only tell you this because they do not believe in themselves. You can achieve anything that you put your heart and mind to. Every successful person started somewhere.

Dear High School Senior Brittany, Its me, the 22 year old version of you, with some advice about college and your transition. The very first thing I want you to do is understand you are a wonderful person. Its time to take pride in who you are and have confidence in sharing that with new people. Next, tell you "BFF" you are going to room with a random person. This will help you branch out and maintain a friendship you will otherwise lose (trust me I know). When you get to campus be open, and be your own person. Make plans with other new students instead of following around one friend. You have countless chances to make friends whether it be at campus activities or classes. Embrace new friendships. Now to classes-buy your books ahead of time, don't procrastinate, put in your best effort, and ask for help! Do those things and class will be the easy part of college! At first you will be homesick but talk to mom about it. You'll have loving emails and letters from family to help! Be kind, be confident and be sure to meet Tyler (your future fiance)! Love, Brittany

Work woman! Don't be afraid of a challenge because you can accomplish everything you set your mind to. You may not believe me but college is going to be a lot easier than you expect because you know the material and subject area better than you believe you. Because of this, don't be afraid to take on more things outside of your academics. Find a second job, you can handle it; join more clubs, they will want you there. My whole point here is: DON'T underestimate yourself! By taking everything step-by-step you will see that you can do all of it easily especially if you use your calendar on your phone. Keep doing what you're passionate about and jump right in before the 3 short years pass you by! Now go accomplish more than I did because I was scared of taking on too much.

Although, you are having a great time as a senior and it is going almost immaculate. It is extremely significant to not forget about your future. It seems like college is far away and will never come, but it will be here before you even know it. You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman and I know you are capable of accomplishing more than you know. I would just like for you to remember to keep a few things in mind as the next milestone approaches. First of all, STUDY, STUDY and study some more! You might possibly think you do not need to now, but use this time to practice for your next four years. College is all about studying and utilizing your time wisely. I would love for you to be prepared for that next step and senior year is the best place to begin. You have come this far and I want you to be as prepared as possible. Also remember that with growing up, changes also come along. That means that your high school friends will not always be there, but do not fear you have a bright future awaiting full of excitement and possibilities!

If I was able to go back in time I would have an ear full to give myself. I would start out making sure that I knew that no one is going to go out of their way to help unless they are asked. Counselors are more then will to point you in the right direction but they need to be told what direction you are looking for. They are a great resource that should not be ignored. I would also try to talk myself into going to Junior College first. I was unaware of the cost differences and how much harder the transition was going to be to jump into a 4-year school. I also would of made sure that I knew what would happen if I stayed on the same path that I took. Still working towards your major at 26 due to having to slow down and work on paying down the debt that has been accumulated. Not to mention the hour plus long commute that I have to complete due to job location.

All students have things we wish we could have done differently; get to know your professors, go to every class since you ‘re paying so much money to attend them, get involved, and go to more sporing events. However if I could provide just one bit of advice to the anxious freshman so long ago, I would tell myself to find a passion early on and pursue it relentlessly. Although I did eventually find my passion with international studies, it seems I missed the boat on several opportunities. As I prepare to return to Illinois State this fall in order to follow my dream of becoming a Study Abroad Coordinator, I can’t help but think I could have more relevant experience on my resume had I known about this desire freshman year instead of senior. I know, it’s hard to comprehend and acknowledge what you’re truly passionate about when you’re an incoming freshman, already overwhelmed by the extraordinary transition that will take place. Just remember to always keep your future in mind, and if you have a desire to pursue something, no matter the circumstance, do it; you might end up translating that into a career.

If I could tell my high school senior self what I know now, I would advise myself not to give up. I would tell myself that everything would work out by the beginning of college. I would try to explain how things would not be as difficult as they seemed back then. In high school, I was very stressed with the IB program and I was nervous about passing the exams. I would encourage myself to try my hardest in all of my classes and do my best on all of the exams. I would inform myself that the idea of taking a year off before going to college was very beneficial. I was able to get a full time job to support myself through my first year of college. This information would be helpful to my high school senior self because I was worried about college and my financial situation and the possiblilty of taking some time off before continuing my education. Overall, if I could go back in time, I'd let myself know that college would be a fun and wonderful experience and I would not regret it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work harder and to take advantage of important opportunities. I am sure I could have gotten A's in those classes that I got B's. Those volunteer opportunties are really valuable to college applications and scholarships. I would tell myself to focus on the things that really matter, such as leadership, service, and involvement, instead of focusing on having a relationship. The transition to college will make you realize that there is many more options out there. Goals and passions last longer than high school relationships. Most of all, I would tell myself to think about what would benefit my college career and future. Try as hard as you can in your classes, take on service projects to better your community, and take advantage of every opportunity.

The advice I would give to myself is be prepared. Going into college is not as easy as people make it seem. You have to wanna be in school beause there is nobody telling you what to do. I would also say to myself, dont slack off. If you slack off at the end of your senior year it makes it hard to come back to school and be focused on everything you need to do.

To be able to go back in time to talk to myself as a senior would be amazing. The first thing I would do is slap myself and say "What the heck are you doing?" When I was in high school I took it as a joke. Until the end of my high school year is when I took my life serious. I would tell myself to work as hard as possible and to join as many clubs and activites as possible. That I need a new curriclum if I want things to run smoothly as I am trying to start my life. To not have to struggle like I am right now to just go to a community college. Where if I play my cards right in my senior year or thoughout all of highschool I would be able to go to the four year univeristy I wish I was attending now.