Mary Baldwin University Top Questions

Dear high school Me, Are you having a wonderful time applying to colleges? Are you still searching for that perfect balance of fun and academics, of stress and relaxation? Well, I have news for you: college is not about being free from your parents to do whatever you wish. While you are away from home, you will take on a tremendous amount of responsibility unlike anything you have encountered before. No one will tell you what time to be home. No one will tell you to go to class or write your papers. No one will tell you to shower or do your laundry. You must value yourself and your success more than anything else. In college, you are the only one who is looking out for you. You will discover your independent self, new strengths, and new weaknesses. So, while the whole world seems to crash down upon you while you're completely on your own, remember this: you will come out of college prepared to take on what the world throws at you. Use this time to improve yourself, not focus on all the unproductive things you can now do while without parental supervision.

I would tell myself to learn better study habits and time management skills. I would also try to break myself out of the habit of procrastination and shyness. I found myself trrying to rush to get my assignments done and turn them in. When I had other things to do other than my work I was unsure if how to balance out the two. Now I would tell myself to take advantage of the study groups. I would tell myself to interact with the other students so that maybe I could be the one to create theses study groups. I would then teach myself to use my free time wisely.

If i could give myself advise about college i would say apply for every scholarship out there because it can get really stressful paying for college. Stay focused on worl even though this is an all girl school, you can get destracted easily by wanting to go hangout with friends. Stay on top of your homework because professors will not always remind you what is due. Study any chance you get it will be worth while. Go to every tutoring option they have on campus. Do work a head of time so you dont have to cram your work in one day or night. Find things to release any stress you may have but dont blow off home work. Make a designated time for home work.

Senior year. Being a senior in high school for me was kind of like being in the limbo of life- I was not a child anymore but I was not quite an adult living in the “real” world either. So many questions needed answers, answers that I didn’t have then and some that I still don’t have now. I think that is what worried me the most- not knowing exactly what was out in the real world. If I could go back and give my high school self some advice I would tell myself to take a deep breath and accept the fact that I don’t have to have all the answers right now. I was so worried about what my future in college would hold that it was sometimes hard to enjoy the time I had left in high school. Had I known then what I know now, my transition to college would have been a lot smoother.

I did not have a good advisor while in high school and therfor did not know about all the opportunities out there. I would tell my high school self to do research on colleges and scholarships and to apply before I graduated.

Don't be scared. Try your best and everything will fall into place.

If i could go back in time as a senior again i would tell myself to save some money for myself instead of spending it on clothes if i had saved my money i wouldnt have any problems with finance. I would be set because i would have learn how to manage my money instead of blowing it I think this would be a great leasson to learn during my senior year.

The advive i would give to myself would be to prepare myself for a different learning experience. colllege is not like high school you become independent and value the education you are receiving, especially in this economy. less people are given the chance to get a college education so i would tell myself to take adavantage of the opportunity i have. studying and keeping your grades up needs to be priority. in college you dont have teachers telling you, you have to do your homeowork. its your responsibility to get things done, you learn to grow up and do things on your own. basically in one sentence take advantage of your education oppurtunity and prepare to become independent and responsible.

Personally, I would say to enjoy the summer before more than anything. Since I did leave school early I was not able to take part in all the senior actvities and I would have to say that I miss being able to do that. Also, to have fun but not to go overboard. Don't take too many credits and plan out a study schedule. Additionally, make sure that when you come to school to discuss all of the boundaries in your room with your roommate. The roommate contract will be what keeps you sane throughout the year. Don't try to fo everything that you did in high school. Pick a couple of things and stick with it. Don't take it personally if you don't get a posistion that you tried out/pledged/or ran for. There truly is a opportunity for each one that is gone. Finally, don't stress out. The first semester will be hard and the classes will be big. But you can do it. Just plan out your schedule and remeber that you don't have the amount of free time that you think you do.

The first time I attended UCF, I was straight out of high school. I found housing off campus. My roommates were upperclassmen, and big partiers. I thought I wanted to be an engineer, but soon realized, I wanted to party and live the "college life" instead. This caused me to get academically suspended from UCF. 12 years later, here I am, back in school, persuing my true calling (physical therapy). My early college years taught me alot and showed me what I shouldn't do to get my degree. Although, my early college years set me back on my goal, it gave me time to really figure out what I am meant to do. I wouldn't have done it any other way, (I just wish I hadn't waited 11 years after my suspension to go back.) Such is life. I've been attending a Community college for 2 years now, and about to re-enroll in UCF. I brought my GPA from a 1.66 to a 2.54. I have my previouse college experiences to thank for that.