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

Assuming that I were able to go back to my senior year of high school, the advice that I would give myself is that there are better things to worry about in this world rather than wanting to fit in with the 'cool' crowd. I was the type of person who would do anything to try be a part of the 'cool' group. My past has allowed me to be where I am today, and without it I would not have been able to be an encouragement to others. I have been able to manipuate what I have learned from high school to a way that allows me to use it in ministry. I have learned to love serving others, and even if my day is not going well, i love to be that person who encourages others to get through each day. This helps me now in serving others rather than trying to get noticed for what I do.

Develop some time management. Allow yourself to be "locked" in your room to finish assignments. Don't judge anyone before you meet them, but more importantly dont mind when people judge you.

Traveling back in time to the point where i' am a high school senior to meet and talk with my former self would be epic. I would have all the answers to the questions my highschool senior self would be asking. I would tell my highschool version to be prepard for whats in store and apply for every schooliership he could get his hands on. I would encourge him to be outgoing and to make as much friends as he possibly could. I would tell him to make sure he does'nt miss the deadline for his tribal schooliership, like I did for this semester. I would praise and persway him to join more clubs and enjoy his time being a senior at Pojoaque Valley High. Because one day he will receive a letter of acceptance to the Institue of American Indian Arts that will change our lives for the better. I would encourage him to improve on his writting/math skills so he wont be put in the 99 english class and lower math classes. I would tell myself to do good in college. Before i'd leave, i'd give myself a smack on the back of encouragement.

If I could go back and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would have many things to talk about! I would make sure my grades were the best that they could possibly be. My reasoning for the grades discussion would be primarily for the purpose of scholarships. Another piece of information I would tell my "high school senior self" might be along the lines of how much different college is than high school. Note to self, there is no playing around! High school is a right and college is a privilege. Transitioning to college was a big wake up call and I have matured a lot from it.

My college experience has been great. love how the school is small and how the teachers can get to know their students. it has been valuable because its a small school and the help the teacher and everyone else gives is really great.

My college experience is helping increase my confidence in my intelligence. Returning to school after 39 years brought up feelings that I didn't know were there. My first time in school was not a good experience as I was only 17 when I went to college. I didn't have the maturity or skill set to get my degree , and that is something I've always regretted. I never considered returning to college until I found out I could attend the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I applied on November 19, 2009, and here I am! My goal is high and I will receive my degree in Indigenous Liberal Studies, with a minor in Museum Studies. I have met some wonderful people, including professors and staff, and everyone is interested in everyone's success; that is extremely refreshing in today's world. Those new friendships are valued by me. Classes are stimulating and thought provoking. It is good for my physical and mental well being to be actively involved in an academic environment. Being around young people in this environment is beneficial; they cause me to think from other viewpoints.

If I was to go back in time to tell my High School self about college, I would tell myself not to wait so long after high school to get on track. I would tell myself that I don?t have much time and I don?t want to wait until the people that matter to me are gone to make them proud. I would tell myself that college is really fun and that it?s not as intimidating as it may seem. I would tell myself that I am going to meet a lot of new friends in college. I would say that I am a smart person and that I am going to do very well, as well as meet a lot of people that I share a common friend with; my father. I would also mention that I would be carrying on my father?s legacy, which is something to be proud of. I would tell myself that I am going to learn a lot of useful skills and that it doesn?t hurt to learn new things. I would also tell myself that I have a lot of potential and that I need to utilize it.

I would tell myself not to get overwhelmed or homesick because chances are that every person going to your college is going to feel the same way. Take it one breath at a time and don't scare yourself. There are always people there to help, from faculty to fellow students. So get ready for the ride because College is an awesome, overwhelming, scary experience.

if i was able to go back and talk to myself i would slap myself in the face for bein stupid and takin my education for granted. i would tell myself to not give up pay attention. i would also tell myself that the people i hung out with was not the crowd to be with. i would tell myself to not quit cuz i would have more oppertunities in life.

I would sign up for many scholarships for highschool graduates . I would also sign up for many colleges and figure out which one to go to first. I would get a job to save money to move to the college. My choices would be to enter savanah art and design college or Iaia. Whichever one I get amitted to I would go first then go to the next one . I would stay active and study hard enough to get a 3.0 to get better scholarships. I would also practice driving more and get a driver lincense before reaching