Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

I would tell myself that it's okay not to be involved with every activity and to say "yes" to everything. Sometimes you need to focus on you and that's okay!

College is not all fun and pretty flower fields when you first get there. It's scary and the tranistion will make you very uncomfortable and almost scared to start your college career. Not everyone is going to be your bestfriend when you first get there. It takes time and someone will end up being your friend. After time goes on, you will make more friends and you will make friends in your classes and in your major. College is about finding yourself and what you make of it. Give it a chance and just let things happen. I've learned that not everyone is going to love you and want to be friends with you. You are there to pursue the life you want in the working field. Keep your head up, stay strong, and never give up on chances and obstacles that life is going throw at you.

I would tell myself to not think of my self worth through how many friends I have or how many pictures people like on my Facebook or Instagram. When I first got to college I felt like I was a loner because I only had a few friends, I would come back to my room and cry all of the time and I felt awful. Now, I realize that sometimes a few close friends are a lot better than a lot of fake ones that aren't going to be your friend after school is over. The close friends I have actually care about me and what I'm going to do with my life. So I would definitely tell myself to not get caught up in the social life too much. It's not like high school, you don't know everyone so you're not going to have as many friends that you grew up with, and that's OK.

Do not focus your life around any other person than yourself, don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask as many clarifying questions as you need to fully grasp a concept. Do not let bad professors intimidate you, they are there to help, and if they aren't the need to be. Get a job, having your own income is rewarding, but actually save some money. Last but not least, try new things and let yourself grow.

The number one piece of advice I would give to my high school self is to study to learn, not to memorize. I got by in High School studying to ace the exam, rather than studying to learn the material. In college, it is so much harder for me to do well on exams because the questions being asked on exams are application questions, and because I don't know how to study correctly, doing well is much harder for me. Another big piece of advice I would give is to get involved. Whether it be signing up for intramurals, club sports, or clubs, just do what you can to get involved. The more you have on your resume, the better you appear to college admission officers.

Do not be afraid is all I would tell myself. There will be nonstop opportunities for you to feel uncomfortable and back out of. That is not how you could be taking this experience. I would say, wake up every morning with a smile on your face, and go out there and tackle the day. Make every single day worth it. If you are not getting out of bed putting your best effort just go back to bed. College is going to be the most fun , but also one of the most stressful times of your life. The trick to getting through it all is, just keeping a smile on your face. If that can be managed, then there will be absolutelty nothing to worry about. You came here to get an education make sure that is put first, and enjoy the ride, it is the best of your life. Make this time about making yourself into the best version of yourself you can be.

Dear High School Self, Don't worry. Stop stressing about your SAT scores, they're better than what you need and no one cares about them after you get to college. Stop scouring the internet for the perfect major and start searching for yourself, it makes the process a lot easier. Stop worrying so much about your boyfriend or best friend, if they really care about you they'll keep in touch. The dorm rooms are smaller than you think, I promise. Once you get moved in and realize how small it is you'll want to pack it all up and go home. I know how much you're worrying about the 'freshman fifteen,' but don't worry, campus is big enough that you'll walk off that burrito before it goes to your thighs. I'm not going to lie to you, self, there will be nights that you want to cry (and believe me you will). There will be exams you feel unprepared for, and there will be awful nights. But those are outweighed by the times spent laughing with your friends while watching 'Mean Girls.' College is amazing so don't stress yourself out. Love, You.

Going back to when I was a senior, I would first tell myself to get serious with your financial aid. College is not cheap, whether you are going to community college or a big university it is extremely expensive. Second, I would tell myself that no job is worth your health or your grades. Third, go straight to the main campus. Yes, community college is cheaper and you love your job. But going to the main campus will give you so many more opportunites than the ones you get at Kent Ashtabula going part time because of a full time job. And lastly, I would tell myself that it is okay to not know. At eighteen, you're not supposed to know everything or what you want to do. Do not let anyone make you feel inferior.

If I could go back in time to my high school self I would tell myself not to be afraid of change. By the time that it has been a year since you walked across that stage to recieve your high school diploma a lot will have changed. You will have had your last summer with your high school friends, had your first day on campus and will have taken your first college exams. You will stress out and study for hours and think that high school did not help you prepare for this at all. But no one can fully prepare you for your first semster of college. You will lose contact with many old friends but you will see new faces on campus to meet everyday. There will be a lot more personal responsilbilty that you put on yourself to succed because college is a whole different ball game. The one thing that you need to realize though is this change is one step closer to your future. Your first year out of high school is a lot of change but this change will make you a better person and you will finally know yourself.

You're graduating within the next couple months, not that I have to remind you of that--You are well aware considering it is all you think about. You think that leaving high school means leaving behind the people that judged you for every little aspect of your life, or that all the rules are suddenly gone and you have absolute freedom, and your biggest mistake is assuming that just because you are moving on to college means that the boy that broke your heart will no longer be relevant. This is the last thing you want to hear as a senior in high school getting ready to graduate but someone has to tell you--High school NEVER ends. Everything you had to put up with in high school, you will continue to affect you in college, in your future career and beyond. You have to accept it. The difference is made with how you handle it. Worry about yourself instead of others and it will make the change you've been yearning for. Stand up for YOURSELF. Be healthy, study hard, be vulnerable, do what YOU enjoy-- for YOURSELF. Most importantly, smile and be brave. You deserve it.