Murray State University Top Questions

Your life is about to change. Honestly, a lot of your college experience is going to be stressful, emotionally draining, & sleep deprived. You will eat ramen daily, get your heart broken at least 2 1/2 times, & walk through campus in the rain because you, once again, left your umbrella hanging on the doorknob in your room. You're going to cry lot. All I can tell you is "this too shall pass." No matter what, you'll always manage to rally and charge at the world again. Do us both a favor and try harder your first semester. Your probably shouldn't be friends with James, but I know you will anyway. You're going to do a lot of things you said you'd never do. You're going to have regrets and sometimes be an emotional wreck. But it's all worth everything when it's 3am and no one can stop laughing; when you're laying on the floor with tears in your eyes from laughing so hard. Use your planner; mom is right about nearly everything; don't forget to love yourself. You'll enter senior year strong. I promise.

Some advice I would give myself if i knew what i know now about college life would be to do a lot more studying and reading. I would tell myself in order to get to my goal in life and to help out my community like I dream to, work as hard as you can now that way you don't have to work so hard later in the future. Your brain is able to grow and retain much more information in your younger years of highschool than it would in the later future. Keep up your ambition to focus on your school work in order to go through your college years with ease. Dont give up, because it will be worth it in the end!

When I was in high school I did not take my education seriously. I never learned how to properly study for a test or learn how to write a paper. So when I got to college I was overwhelmed with the ammount of work I had to acomplish. So i would tell my former self to pay attention in school and to listen when the teacher is trying to teach me how to properly study for the big final comin up at the end to the school year.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to try harder my senior year. Transitioning from high school to college was not as easy as i thought it would be. I was a straight A student all throughout high school and i still feel that college is harder than high school ever was. I would also tell myself to relax and have some fun. I always felt that it wasn't possible to make good grades and spend some time to myself which made me uptight when it came to school work. I would always stress myself out for no reason at all. I would ultimaltely just tell myself to enjoy college because it goes by way too fast.

Vince, you are at a critical life transition. Sports, fun, and activities are going to swirl around you during your college experience so take advantage of them, but don't forget your making choices that will chart the course of your life for the next 30-40 years. Make sure your passionate about what you choose. Don't hesitate to work with a school counselor or advisor for direction because sometimes you struggle to understand your own talents and gifting. I suggest going and checking out some classes and programs prior to making your choice. Don't rule out further education either. You never know what doors will open up after you graduate. The economy will change throughout your career so don't put all your eggs in one basket. Dare to dream and don't forget you want to be able to provide for your family. Consider "AND" in your decision making instead of only "OR". Sometimes there will be lateral options that other people won't understand. You will have an exciting life and career. Enjoy college, my friend.

I would give myself the advice to be more outgoing. People in college are so much more willing to reach out to those they don't know, so don't be shy or intimidated. Don't worry about what people in high school think of you because they are only holding you back. Be yourself, love yourself, and express yourself like you have always wanted because once you get into college people will embrace who you really are.

If I were a high school senior, I would give myself more permission to be a loner and not follow what others rigidly would steer me towards. I would have taken more and more classes in what truly interests me, Computer Science and Math, although I was severely discouraged from it, although I had a high aptitude. I would be more forgiving of myself, as people think this is an atypical choice for someone like me; however, my opinion says it suits me to a T! I have tutored developmentally disabled adult students in Math and English. I have tutored adult students in Baic electricity, HVAC and Photovoltaics, where I received a 4.0 in these classes, serving as a Teacher's Assistant, where I graded papers. I served as Vice President of Communiations 2012-2013 for the NV/CA Region of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, and I currently serve as a Director At-Large for the Alumni Association. I am a leader, who loves to help others, as I have been helped.

As much as I truely love going to Murray State, I would sadly tell myself "DO NOT GO TO MURRAY STATE!!!" I love everything about Murray, and all the amazing people I have met, but there is just one thing I did not get to get away from. Parents. My dad's gf works at Murray State and she knows EVERYONE, and she tells EVERYONE that I am her bf's daughter and that they should keep an eye on me. I can go to a class room and the people know me, people I have never even saw before. It is the worst thing in the world to have taddle tale adults tell your folks about every little thing you do. I cannot even go and hang out with friends without my folks asking me, "So who were you hanging out with at the park??" Oh, they also expect me home like all the time. I live on campus in a dorm that I am paying for, for a reason, it is college. Privacy is needed and I do not have it here. Time Machienes need to be invented so I can do just that.

I would walk up to my former self and kindly take me out to lunch, while also discussing the reality of college life and what I have learned until time allowed me to visit my past. I would then tell myself, "Do not to be afraid of what lies ahead and do not set your dreams aside because people tell you that you will not be able to achieve them . Do not ever feel like you are insignificant and do not be afraid to share your creativity with the world. It is okay for you to be nervous, but don't run away from your dreams, because you fear being judged and then failing. Stay focused and do not take time for granted. Be assertive and continue to express the humility, that makes you true to the person I am today." I would then give myself a hug and say, "Know that, if there is not anyone that does not believe in you, I do, because I have confidence in myself, and I know that I am capable of doing great things that will enlighten, strengthen, motivate, and entertain the world, starting from today."

Focus on class and work more rather than mostly having fun. Work hard, play hard.