Murray State University Top Questions

Other than the obvious ways to make college life easier (save up as much money as possible and learn how to take notes- the right way) there are more then enough things to give advise to myself, even kids in school now, about preparing for college. If it were up to me I would go all the way back in time to elementary school and say straighten up, get in the G.A.T.E (Gifted and Talented Education) program, you are smart enough to do it! Minors these days do not have great self confidence, which was my problem, always being told “you’re stupid,” being made fun of for getting another “C” on a test, it was a daily battle at school to try to feel smart. The worse thing I did was listen to them. I would go back in time, grab my grandma pinching checks and say “You’re smart. You don’t have to do drugs and drink alcohol. Go home and study and prove those kids wrong.” Who knows if I would have listened but getting that point across then would have been easier then to have gotten it a year later.

The advice I would give myself would be, don't be afraid. Being scared is a natural part of life, however there is no need to be afraid when it comes to going to college. You've chosen the right school. It is an amazing place to be and so very inspiring. The people there welcome you with open arms and are willing to help you no matter your situation. The campus is like one close-knit family all trying to succeed in life. Don't worry about making friends. Everyone wants to have friends and people who care about them. You will find some of the most inspirational and thought-provoking friends as well as faculty there. You will find people who challenge you daily; you're going to enjoy it! Don't be afraid. These truly are the best years of your life and you're going to love every second of them!

I would have been for involved in highschool activities and highschool organizations. I wouldn't have been shy, I would have put myself out there and made more friends. I also would have studied harder and made better grades a priority. I would encourage any highschoolers to take college courses their senior year, as i did, if its available. It showed me how college would be and prepared me for it. It was a very good experience. I interned at the hospital and I should have volunteered more.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would have a lot to say. First and foremost I would let myself know that believing "I can go to college anytime I decide to" is an outright lie. Time flies when you're having fun, and when you're forgetting everything you just spent your entire life learning. In high school I had a 3.2 gpa, it was easy and I never worked hard to earn it. Last year I took an entrance exam to get into a technical college and ended up in remedial classes because I had forgotten everything. Ten years later I have two children, husband, a full time job, and I go to school full time and I spend every minute working hard. So to state it simply I would tell high school senior self "work smarter, not harder" and waiting for the right time is only wasting time, and if that isn't enough please know that wasting time is ultimately wasting money; however bigger than wasting money is wasting the past 12 years worth of knowledge. Senior self please don't waste your life!

I don’t claim to have all the answers nor the knowledge to tell you everything you need to know to get what you want. I'm here to tell you that it isn't about you. In the past six years I've learned that your wants are so miniscule compared to the needs of the world. That selfish quality you possess is your biggest enemy, all it does is feed your pride. If there's one thing I can tell you it's that pride and power don't go hand in hand. You need to remain humble in order to love and serve this world the way you were designed to. You need to focus on the impact you can make on people’s lives. Your words can fall out of your mouth and walk into the hearts of men and women. You are a great salesman. Instead of selling products, sell dreams. You need to create insanely good experiences. Learn how to perfect the message that will kick start people's brains. Put a dent in the universe, change the world, don’t let the world change you.

Going back in time and giving yourself advice is a privelige most wish to have, however if I had that opportunity I'm not sure if I would take it. I love the way my life is now, and if I went back and spoiled all of this unforseen goodness...it wouldn't seem as grand. Everything in life happens for a reason, and my past has gotten me to where I am today. I wouldn't change things.

I should have selected Murray to begin with just because the first university that I chose was too large and plus it just wasn't the best place to start at. Murray State has filled me with so much excitement and a bit more spirit than anywhere else. The music fraternity that I have joined is full of a bunch of great guys, they are much nicer than the other guys in the other fraternity. All I do know is that Murray State was one of the best choices that I have ever chosen.

I would tell myself, not to attempt the medical field. I found out fast that it was not what I wanted to do. And it set me back and really hurt my GPA. I regret that first year because I went into college without an idea of what I wanted to do. My advice... to myself... would be. "Think this through, don't rush, and don't let the professor push you around. This is your life and your future. You've always enjoyed history. Take a look into that field, you will be surprised." I wish, sometimes, that someone would have told me that. Before I went into college. Maybe even suggest that I learn a trade to help pay my way through. Things would have been much easier.

If i could go back in time knowing what i do about college life and give myself advise i would tell myself to get more involved in the activities and clubs on campus because it can make such a difference in how you adjust to college life and affect the number of new friends you make in college. Academics are important i spent more of my first semester only focusing on getting good grades and i did well but i was not completely happy. my second semester i still focused on grades but i worked on becoming more involved in programs on campus like student ambassadors and my dorms art club. in doing this i meet many new people and became much more happy with my experience on campus. in my first year of college i learned that it awesome to have sucess but its much better when you have friends to share it with.

I would tell myself to enjoy college but don't get too sucked into the extracurriculars. Make sure you focus on academics and look at the extracurriculars as a reward for the hard work you've done academically. Also, join as many clubs and social groups as you want because that's the easiest way to make new friends even though you are a shy person. The social clubs and groups can help you come out of your shell and help you gain a new network of friends. Take every opportunity you can to join study groups or use tutors because they will help you maintain the gpa that you want. Last, but most importantly, make sure no matter how hard things get make sure you go to class. If you need someone to talk to go to counselling. Use your resources. They are all there for you in order for you to succeed.