Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

If I went back in time, I would tell myself that you don't have to know everything; tiral and error will become your best friends. Going into college, I had a plan. I thought I would stick to the same study plans, join certain groups on campus, and have an easy four years. But, when I got to college, everything changed. My study plans didn't work for the classes I was taking, and the clubs i joined were not enjoyable. I finaly let go of my plan, and tried new things. It took me a few tests to get the hang of studying for college classes. After quitting clubs I did not like, I went outside my comfort zone, and made some of my best friends. So, I would tell myself to enjoy college and be open-minded to change. While trial and error are scary and unkown, they could lead you on the greatest adventure you will ever have.

The first thing I would tell my highschool self would be to learn how to make friends and socialize. First semester is really lonely as it is because I chose to go to a school without anyone I already knew. It was hard for me to make friends and I stayed in my dorm alone and it became very lonely rather quickly. Next, I would tell myself to get into a regular practicing habit. As a music major, it is important to have a practice routine as to not get behind on the learning material. On the topic of habits, I would tell myself to create better study habits. I am the worst offender of procastination. Finally, I would tell myself to learn how to eat healthier and how to go shopping for your own food. I had to learn the hard way that the "freshman 15" is all too real.

Make sure you listen to where you want to go. Don't let your family steer you in a direction in which you may not want to go. And when you do decide on a school make sure that you have a network of other people from your school going there to ride share for long weekends.

I would advise any high school student to explore as many different areas of study as you can before determining your major. Talk to professors, take a variety of classes, job shadow various disciplines--take advantage of the ability to explore your options! Talk to career counselors about how your skills and interests align with various careers while you have the opportunity. It will be well worth it in the long run!

The college process wasn't easy. Trying to beat one hundred people to my counselor made my senior days very stressful. I was soaked up in the stress of getting everything in on time, and getting into the colleges I wanted and I never really took the time to enjoy the people and activities of my senior year. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say that there are people there to help, stop rushing everything and take a deep breath. I pushed myself so hard academically, trying to impress colleges even more, that senior year didn't feel much different than any other. I was striving to get as much scholarship money as possible and to get into a strong University to make me marketable for Graduate school. I wish I could tell myself that it is all going to work out because it is time for me to be happy doing what I love, and that the transition will be okay due to all of the support and help that I will receive. I am excited for the college life, but money will always be a worry.

Join the women's club ultimate frisbee team your freshman year! You didn't join until sophomore year and this team has been such a monumental part of your life - get that extra year in! You'll travel all over the country with the most amazing group of girls and make lifelong friends. You'll create a supportive network of open-minded, fun-loving, and hilarious characters. Also, explore all the different majors offered! You might settle on one of the well knowns like psychology or education but there are so many fascinating options out there. Go explore!

I would say have fun. Life is too full of worrying about what tomorrow might bring. I would say be dedicated. Make a choice on what you want to see yourself doing in 20 years, and find the ground stones that must be laid to form the path to that image. learn what strengths you have, and run with them. Use your best qualties and sharpen them into powerful and efficient tools that will build the kingdom of your life. Because this life is short, and if you have to struggle for vast amounts of time working for something that is painstakingly difficult to do the easy tasks, then it will not be worth all that time that could have been spent becoming great at what your already good at. And if the things that come easy have not yet revealed themselves, try new things. Search and discover unknown fields, step into places that land you outside your comfort zone. Because without discomfort there is no change, and without discovery there is no progress. Never cease to progress, never cease to discover. And be faithful in relationships, for no success is worth achieving without someone there to share it with.

Have a plan! I got my B.A. in English/Creative Writing. I then spent over a decade doing primarily financial work, uncertain as to what I would do with my life. Only many years later did I decide to go back to college and work on a Master's (in Architecture). So, while I knew that 'creativity' was a key, the manner of it was wrong. I guess I just didn't know what I wanted to do with my life (and, honestly, how many 18-22 year olds do?). So know what my ultimate 'end goal' should be, then having a plan for it would have drastically changed my life. Yet I don't live with regrets, either. My time in finance was a great education and I shall, some day, also work on an MBA to compliment my M.Arch.

I would tell myself that sometimes it is okay to fail as long as you do not give up. Not getting an A on one test does not mean that you are not good enough, it just means that there is always room for improvement. I would want myself to know that as long as you do your best, and you give it your all, you will always succeed.

Matt, when you get to college you're going to face some surprises and tough challenges. God is going to lead you to the Marine Corps and you need to follow that path whole heartidely with abandon. There will be times you want to quit - don't worry about it, it's good training and you'll get through it. Study hard, and when the opportunity comes up to study abroad somewhere for a semester, do it. If you don't, you'll regret it. The military will pay for it, so go and don't worry about losing traction. Just get the experience of international travels as much as you can because it's something your older self wishes he had done... Stay solid.