Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take high school a little less serious and have some fun instead of studying all the time.

If I were to go back in time and tell myself about college I would have told myself to try as hard as I could, to show my art to everyone that I could. And I would have told myself to spend every waking minute to draw and paint and sculpt as much as possible so that I could further define my abilities as an artist. I would also tell myself that nothing is certain and that there is always a chance that things will be able to turn around in an instant. That I will always be myself, my own voice is important, and that I should show everyone with my art what I can and will be in the future. Because I want to be an artist, I want to show people what I can do and what my imagination inspires me to create.

Start early. College is expensive so finding good scholarships will save you a lot of money. Choose your career early, taking random classes is going to waste you time and money. Study hard and prepare for ACT. Apply for collage early.

I would walk up to my high school senior self and simply say, "college is not as difficult as teachers and councilors say." College is mostly about time management and dedication. You need to always remember that sleep is extremely important. Make sure that you have everything you need. Money management is important make sure that you send money wisely on things you absolutely need. Do not, I repeat do not wait until the last minute to do an assignment the night before it’s due, it is a major stress. Always eat healthy snacks. Eating healthy will help you think well. Never turn to smoking as a stress reliever. Stay active. Always ask for help on homework if you are not sure. Also, make sure your always updated with new scholarship. Lastly, know when to say no to invites when you know you have homework.

I would tell my self to choose to go to the Institute of American Indian arts first, even though you think it is a big move. I would also tell myself that take college seriously because you are rewarded for your successes.

I believe that every year people are reborn. In a way, birthdays serve as perilous awakenings so that we can move forward and celebrate ourselves transforming. Although it's true we are constantly undergoing a sort of metamorphosis, numbers symbolizing our life span just makes the abstraction of time more concrete. As a high school senior, I cared very little about everything. I was tired of doing the same thing everyday all the time, and I thought it would be smarter to blow off what everybody was telling me not to. In fact all that has created for my life is major setbacks and harder work later on. If I could tell Katie Lasley circa 2008 what was ahead, I would surely emphasize that hard work does pay off, and yet the same is true for laziness and shortcuts. While it may seem easier at the time, the lack of effort is going to surface somehow and throw everything off kilter. I would certainly tell myself that consistently opposing what you are told to do is not rebellious at all, as being the antagonist is still succumbing to being controlled.

I would tell myself to apply for scholarships early. It's hard to start a college education with zero amount of dollars. I would have told myself to save money, and no matter what, work hard to keep my grades up. As a senior, I was confident in my funding for my education but when the time came around, I realized that college is expensive and I should have been applying for scholarships at the start of my senior year. I would also tell my senior self to gain a sense of who I am. In college, you come across people from every corner of the world, and it's great to have a strong understanding of yourself when you meet those students. I would also tell myself, to never give up, and never let anyone tell you that you can't. Even if that person is your principal.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there is plenty I would want to tell myself starting with this: save!!! Save the money your making now so that when it comes time to pay for the University of your choosing you will be able to afford it. Also to attend school every semester and especially in the summer for it is amazing how quickly you can finish if you can hunker down and focus! Secondly I would tell myself to become more involved in school activities and organizations, not only do they look better on an application but they teach a sense of togetherness and responsibility as well as community awareness. Third I would remind myself to always be applying for scholarships for they are an extreme help. Finally I’d rationalize with myself not to move out of my parents’ house at such an early age. Although as hard as it may seem to deal with ones parents, it is much more difficult to face the realities of adult life and the harsh complications that one may encounter.

If I had to go back in time and give myself advice I would tell myself to be better prepared. I was prepared as far as getting materials for settling in my dorm, but knowing what courses I was going to take, I was blinded coming into college. Although I had saved money over the summer for any supplies & books I needed, it still seemed like it wasn't enough. I believe what I would've done differently when I visited the college on a campus tour a few months earlier, I would've asked more questions and be more on top of things. Because theres so much information coming at you that at times seems like a lot to process, but you have to if you want to get ahead of everything. Making this transaction from high school was a big difference, I have to be more aware of things I wasn't before, such as figuring out my financial aid, finding scholarships, and most of all finding the resources that are there to give you assistance when ever you need it. This is the advice I would give myself, knowing what I know now, be prepared.

I would tell myself that there are options and people that will help you succeed. Take advantage of all the oppurtunities available.