Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

Throughout high school I could not wait for the day where I would leave to college. I was just ready to be on my own and be free to do what ever I pleased. I finally only had three days left, three days before my entire life was going to change forever. I remember it like it was yesterday, I remember telling my dad, "Dad I don't know if I can do this." And he told me, "Always follow your dreams, but never forget your way back home." Then it didn't make sense, but now if I could go back I would tell someone the same thing. Dreams are beautiful, and sometimes they will take you places that you didn't have planned, but home is home and that will never change. My best advice would be to appreciate everything your parents do for you. Appreciate the little notes that your mom leaves to remind you of things, the home cook meals, the arguements, the lessons, appreciate everything because when you go to college you lose it all. Appreciate how easy life is when you're in high school, because it's barely the first step.

My whole life, people have been telling me "High school is the best time of your life!" I was very disappointed with that statement all through highschool, because high school was fun, but it definitely was not the time of my life. I made more vauled friends and memories in the first month of college than I ever did in high school. My biggest piece of advice is that STOP worrying about everyone else. It doesn't matter if everyone else has accomplished things, been places, or made grades that you have not. It doesn't matter now and it won't matter later what "everyone else" is doing because YOUR LIFE is about you! If everyone has their license, get yours because YOU are ready to drive, not because everyone else can drive. You will look back on these things and feel silly for trying to keep up with your peers all the time. On a college campus where no one knows you, where you came from, or your past reputation, you will realize that life is not about constantly competing with others, its making yourself the most successful person you can be.

i would really say get involve in high school it will make the world of diffrence in college. Get involved in anything joing the organizations that the school has work on building your resumae before you get to college. Dont go into college without thinking about what you really want to do figure that out or at least narrow it down and go to a school that has both ideas that you have in mind. Even as a freshman it may seem like you have forever to decied and look for scholarships but the more you can get before you go to college the better off you will be.

My advice to myself about transitioning to college life would involve being more independent! I always had help when a new experience presented itself. Whether it was signing up for classes, filling out paperwork for a sport, or determining my tax status, I went to people with questions. Not that you don’t have counselors and professors in college; but it’s not the same, I don’t know these people! I was apprehensive using my school email for class instructions and Blackboard to listen to lectures. Buying books and books with access cards took searching for a bargain to a whole new level of online shopping! I have found persistence pays off. So does trial and error! Don’t be afraid to tackle those new experiences by yourself! My brother had never flown on an airplane until he joined the Army and was “forced” to travel alone. After the first time, though, he said he could conquer any airport. I think of that philosophy when I’m trying something for the first time; next time I do this I will be an expert at it. Well, at least I’ll know a little bit about what I’m doing!

If I could give myself advice about college before entering, I would say do not make quick decisions. I've made so many poor decisions because I never took the time to analyze the outcomes and I based them off of what others told me. Rather than relying on others, research for yourself. Take the time to make decisions that you know will benefit you towards doing what you're passionate about and don't worry about the financial situations or what others might say because you have to live with your choices, not them. It's better to make clear choices now instead of completing a degree in a field you don't enjoy, getting a job that isn't fulfilling in multiple aspects, and deciding to go back to school for something completely different. So, take your time and make educated decisions. If you don't know what you want to do, research and take classes that will help you decide because you won't know if you like or dislike something until you try it.

Throughout high school I was always told to study and focus on my grades, so I was fully prepared for the SATs and I had a strong GPA to apply with. Although these numbers are a vital aspect of applying to any university, I wish I had focused less on my academic work. Studies are incredibly important and should most certainly not be slacked upon, but high school is also an experience. If I could go back and tell my high school self anything, I would tell myself to get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities high school had to offer. The importance of getting involved is so overseen because of the publicity of grades and scores that we forget about the experience. I wish I would have tried out for a play or attended almost every sporting event that I could instead of spending that night studying and worrying about all the work I had to do. High school was my opportunity to step outside of my shell, to be adventurous and try something new, but I failed at experiencing that opportunity. Do not wait until your senior year like I did, instead get involved early.

If I could go back and talk to myself when I was in high school I would tell myself to use everything the college offers to my advantage. My first couple of semesters at college I thought I could schedule my own classes and actually do well in my classes. Unfortunely I did not because I missed some important prerequisites for my major which has made me overload on classes. If I just scheduled an advising appointment that first year like I have been I would be on schedule to graduate in 4 years. Also I would tell high school self to focus on meeting people in my major and working with them because those people will be my friends and colleagues for possibly the rest of my life.

No one ever gets to go back in time to talk to themselves, but I'm sure everyone wishes they could. Making the transition into college is what gives people experiences to learn from. Transitioning from high school to college is the first big step one makes into becoming an adult. Knowing what I know now about college life, I would give myself so much advise. The funny part is, is that the advise I would like to give to myself a year ago, is the same advise other people were giving me. College has made me grow up so fast, and I now realize what is important in life. I wish I could go back a year ago and tell myself how important family is and that they are the ones standing behind you, to take school more seriously, do not give into peer presure, do what feels right and do not be ashamed of who you are. I wish my old self had known that college is not all about parties, you have to work hard to see good results. Luckily, I was able to quickly realize all of this and make a happy transition into college life.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give myself as a high school senior is to avoid procrastination at all costs. No matter how tempting it is to procrastinate, I would advise putting off for tomorrow what should really be done today. As a high school senior, I prided myself on my willingness to burn the midnight oil and stay up into the wee hours to complete my work. There were times that the sheer volume of my often college-level work in high school would warrant studying well past the midnight hour, but all too often, my procrastination was really the culprit for my lack of sleep due to my laboring over school work. It is vitally important to closely examine all classes, upcoming assignments, exams, etc. and truly map out due dates on the calendar. But even more importantly, once those due dates are placed on the calendar, it is absolutely essential to strategize the plan of attack in comfortably pacing completion of the work. Procrastinating on assignments in college will result in sleep deprivation. It is best to resist the temptation of putting work off for tomorrow.

I would tell myself to not focus on the little things so much. In high school, I focused on things that I honestly cannot even remember. I would tell myself that they will not matter in college and to enjoy the time with little respsonsibility!