National University Top Questions

In a perfect world, after maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a student athlete who volunteers 30+ hours per month throughout high school, you would attend a fancy college and easily afford tuition with grants, scholarships, and loans. After completing your prestigious degree, you get hired at your dream job, get married, have kids and live happily ever after. My advice is to prepare yourself for the “curve-balls” life throws at you. Rather than putting all your eggs into one basket (make choices as if your degree choice is set in stone as a freshman), explore a little bit. Focus on getting your Associate’s Degree first. Take courses that might not be in your area of expertise. Be flexible when you decide that you want to change your major. As a high school senior there is a lot of pressure to be the most completive student, but I would argue that being a competitive person will have a greater impact on your success. You might have to transfer a few times, or possibly take a semester off. Night classes could fit your schedule better. Remain competitive as a person; finish your degree. You will be successful.

If I can go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to do my best on the assessment test for college. Everyone says that assessment test for college does not mean anything but just helps the college know where is your standing point. Think again, if you fail or do horriably wrong on your test it takes longer to get the classes you need to graduate. Took me three years to graduate from a community college and transfer due to taking unnecessary English and math classes. Therefore, every test you are given do not take it as a joke always do your best. Because if you know you did your best you can never be mad at yourself.

Don't take a break from school and don't consider that things are only easier without an education. Because they're not!

If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell Terri to work on better organizational skills; get used to an organizer and using it. I would tell her that being famous for her procrastination skills is really not that special; that when you enter college, and have to work, it is truly a hinderance! I would advice Terri to immerse herself in books and develop a passion for reading; it helps when you enter college and are faced with tons of reading to get through. I would encourage Terri to look at college differently this time around; that it's OK to have fun, go to games/parties, etc., but that there must be a responsibility and a balance between having fun and studying. Too much of one without the other does not make for an enjoyable college experience! I would tell Terri that you do not HAVE to get it done in 4 years. Ideally, that would be great, but realistically, it's not worth it nor is it possible, when you have to balance school and working full-time! Especially if you strive for A's and B's!

That guy your life revolves around? The one who controls you and makes you feel like less than you are? In college, he does not matter. In college, you'll wish you'd focused more on the important things. You'll wish you weren't so desperate to grow up, and that you'd taken that homework a little more seriously and listened to your teachers when they told you that you were wasting your talent. In college, you'll wonder why you waited so long. You'll feel at home, and blissfully stressed. You'll get used to your classes eventually, and you'll do well, but you'll wish you could go back and tell yourself that the things you feel are so important now are incredibly fleeting. In college, high school feels like a dream you only half remember. Your classes are hard, but not too hard because you're smarter than you give yourself credit for. You should make it easier on yourself. Believe that you're worthy of an education, of being more than what you could settle for. I have just one wish for you, and that is for you to succeed, for yourself.

Freshmen in college find themselves on a new path in life, one that forks in countless directions that all lead on thrilling life journeys. Unfortunately, typical students underestimate complexity of the choices that they will be faced with and consequently under-prepare for their first year of university. They enter college with very little real world experience and generally are not fully matured. I was one of those typical cases. If I could give “young me” advice, I would tell him to actively volunteer and make the world a better place. Volunteerism would have given me a new perspective and encouraged me to mature. Like many adolescents, I knew that volunteerism was positive, but I did not realize how beneficial it truly was. Similarly, I failed to understand how much it would make me grow. My first experiences with charity and community outreach came long after high school. Through these experiences, I grew immensely as an individual. Volunteerism taught me to truly value life, and to connect with people in a way that I never had before. These experiences would have been priceless, and they would have made my transition into life as a mature adult for more fulfilling.

There really is nowhere else to go without a college degree Kawika. You’re arrogance and overconfidence are blinding your vision to see your future. Our future. Do you really believe that because after a reading a few articles of how “computer science degrees aren’t worth the time” with other toxic statements such as “you could learn everything you need to learn online.” True – but at what cost to you? Why struggle when you could maintain the traditional route. The arguments such as “Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are college dropouts. If they can do it why can’t I?” The answer is simple Kawika. It’s because you’re not them. Your over-affectionate mother falsely boosted your confidence, telling you how much “smarter you are than the other kids.” You’ve been feeding off this spoon of deceit, and it’s time you stop being scared and dive deep. We’re living in a generation where ignorance seems to be a choice – at least in the US. We have access to so much information at such little cost to us, but we refuse to use it. This is your time to explore Kawika, don't be afraid.

Do not listen to school counselor, Mr. Neuhaus - he is an idot! He said you were not "college material" when he saw your SAT scores. The truth of the matter is this, Ronni, SAT scores are based on the subjects you studied in high school. But, you did not take the courses that prepared students for this test. Mr. Neuhaus is not even smart enough to take this information into context for he does not even look at your transcripts! There are colleges that have open enrollment which means they do not require the SAT scores. Community Colleges will adminster a different entrance exam and have remedial courses to help you ready for college classes. You can go to college, Ronni, and realize your dreams. Go!

Start preparing as soon as possible. Don't put it off. Join as many clubs as you can and do sports and things like that. Don't just sit around waiting for everything to be done for you because it won't be. This is for you and it's your responsibilty. Don't wait to start college. Start as soon as you get out of high school and do your best. School comes first and don't forget that. You will always have time for school and boys are not important so forget about them.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to pick a major before you start college. If you go in with no educational goal or focus, then you won't be as motivated to learn. And if you are not certain on your major selection, then you'll end up changing it over and over and take a lot of courses that you don't need. And consequently, waste a lot of money on courses and books that you'll never use in the future. If you can't decide on a major by the time you graduate from high school, then wait before you go to college. College is expensive, so you should make sure you're getting your money's worth and investing your time in a subject that really interests you and you'll use in the future. If you need to, get a job after high school and see what the real world is like and that will help you decide what career you want and therefore what major will benefit you the most in your career aspirations.