Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

I would tell myself not to get distracted by trivial things that I will not care about a year from that time. Stay focused on the ultimate prize and do not stop working to get there until you do.

Do not be afraid of the unknown. The greatest lesson that I’ve learned from college is that you must be brave and cannot be scared just to try something. The future looks abundantly brighter when you’re more open to new things. When you matriculate into you new institution, be on the lookout for the interesting clubs and activities that are available to you. Just have the initiative to devise a plan and run with it. Attempt an idea; failing is better than never trying. And so what if you fail? Learn from your mistakes, try something else, and stay positive. You have the skills and intelligence to accomplish so much in your future; you simply lack the confidence. Be optimistic and believe in yourself. There’s no limit to what you can do if you push yourself.

Ok, I only have 200 words to tell you but you are going to absolutely love college! I know you were kind of nervous about leaving home and moving away from mom and dad, but you will find once you are there that you can take care of yourself. Some advice I would give you, would be to get more involved in the things you know you’re going to want to be involved in. I know you signed up for like everything, but don’t do that. Please devote more time to finding scholarships to help mom and dad out; they are already doing a lot for you. And work hard on that ACT score, you are going to need it to be higher. Also, its ok to not go out every weekend. Some of your friends will try and tell you differently, but don’t listen. Do your homework, get some rest, and relax. Go out when you have free time. I know you’re pretty smart, but don’t be afraid to ask teachers for help and when you get to college, forming study groups will really help you and even telling people information is helpful.

Take your time. College is not a race; neither is life. Take your time to know yourself and how best to apply yourself. Do not compare yourself to others' progress. What you see on Facebook are the polished brags of your peers but never the raw turmoils you feel you stomach alone - you see a trophy case in which everyone has some superlative but you. Eventually, with your best, you will have something to gleam about too. High school is rough on the self-esteem. High school is an insular microcosm of an environment - the intense dramatic nature of academic pressures and cliques will eventually run its season. Your qualitative success is what is important, not quantitative time. Others may speed through their milestones, which is just fine. Know your personal pace. No one matters but you in this time.

If I could give my high school self advice, I would mostly tell me to just stop worrying about everything! Especially making friends, and finding someone you can safely call your 'best friend.' It takes a different amount of time for everyone. So what if your roomate finds her steady group in just two short weeks and you're still a loner. It will happen! Because guess what? I'm you, and I lived it so I can tell you first hand that you will find your best friend. So yeah it took a few months but that just doesn't matter. Things happen for a reason and whatever is meant to be will be. So stop stressing and take every opportunity good or bad as an adventure. This is your time now. Go explore, go make a bunch of mistakes, and go learn from them! Sucky things are going to happen but just take it as a bad day and move on. At least you've gained some more experience. The world is just a big adventure. And yeah you're on your own for now. But it's going to be worth it. I promise.

Back then, I didn't have the notion of what life would be like after high school. The moment I received my diploma, the moment it made it's way into the palm of my hands, I knew that my life had changed for the better. Little did I know that life would be throwing curveballs at me shortly after I've accomplished to reach a significant milestone. Here I was, a young man, unaware of all that I still had to learn. I thought I knew everything there was to know, but unfortunately, for me, I was utterly wrong. Had I been given a chance to speak to my future self in high school, I'd probably be a different person and sitting on a different set of problems. On the other hand, if I was able to give my younger self advice about this transition, I'd have said, "Embrace the changes coming your way because reluctance could only set you back. Face your problems the way your problems face you; with assertiveness, revelation, and an open-mind because that's probably the only way you'll be able to solve them."

I would tell myself to apply to many more scholarships so that I won't put my family though the financial burden that I am putting them through right now.

1.) Your GPA comes once. ALWAYS PRIORITIZE ACADEMICS. Yes, you passed high school at the top of your class and with flying colors, all while putting in very little effort. But the formula for attending class and paying attention NO LONGER means that you will do well. The system works much differently in college. Yes, you need to LEARN HOW TO STUDY - something new - but you must learn it nonetheless. It will be impossible to do well otherwise. 2.) Time: USE IT WISELY. It is the only way you will find success. 3.) You've always been social and very involved; keep it up. HOWEVER, don't let your heavy involvements in organizations get in the way of academics. Find a healthy balance. This will likely be your biggest struggle in college (FACT). 4.) Learn to LOVE learning. It'll be a process, but when you love it, you will appreciate it so much more. And academics will be far easier to manage. 5.) Don't wait to explore your career options! START IN HIGH SCHOOL! (Wish someonone told me this before.) 6.) Find a good group of friends that will keep you focused and sets HIGH expectations.

I would tell myself not to be so afraid of getting involved. It took me several years to get involved with things other than my classes and I feel much better after doing so, but I wish I took advantage of extracurricular opportunities as a freshman instead of just recently. Regardless, I now understand that what kept me from pursing those opportunities for so long was the fear that I would not be accepted by my peers or would be looked down upon for some reason. However, that was not the case; in fact, everyone here is treated nicely. Unfortunately, I did not know that until I actually made the effort to get involved last year. Now, as an incoming senior, I will be continuing my work as an undergraduate research assistant, helping with my student organization, working on campus and hopefully studying abroad. Furthermore, I feel more connected than I did as an incoming freshman. That is what I want my high school self to know - that there is much more to college than academics. Classes and grades are important, but extracurriculars can make the experience truly worthwhile.

If I could go back and tell my high school senior self anything it would be that life is going to throw you some challenges in the next year. You are going to be tested and tried more than you ever have been, but it is your passion and drive for the things and people you love most that will get you through. Don't let anybody or anything stand in the way of your dreams. Take chances and try new things. Meet people you wouldn't normall talk to and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Trust me, it will all be worth it in the end because the moment something good happens, the moment you find out you got into medical school or recieved the internship of your dreams, it's all that pain, determination, sweat, and tears that will make those moments that much better. I would also want to say I'm proud of everything you have accomplished in your life and don't let anyone tell you, you are anything less than you are. Now go out there and be amazing, I know you can do it!!!