North Carolina State University at Raleigh Top Questions

I would tell myself that life is short. You will never truly know what the future holds. Enjoy every moment of every day. Even if it seems like the universe is against you, there is a reason for all that happens. You will meet many people in your life, not all of them are what they seem, don't ever accept anything for face value. Continue to learn your entire life, this is an important step if you wish to grow as a person. Never look back and wonder what if, this does nothing to help your future. Look forward every day, each journey truly begans with a single step.

I would tell myself not to focus so much on being an overachiever. I always pushed myself too hard in high school and was too hard on myself when I didn't perform perfectly. Some of that is good; I excelled academically and thanks to all the AP classes I took, I entered the college of my choice with 25 credits. However, overachieving in high school was manageable because there were limits. In college there is more freedom, and I used that freedom to take on more than I could handle. My grades did not suffer extensively, but my mental health did. Junior year I took 22 credit hours in one semester, and I suffered a breakdown. I was lucky to learn that my university has wonderful student health facilities, and with the aid of counseling I have continued working toward my degree without compromising my health. But to high school me, I would say: relax. Push yourself to excel at what you can handle, but not beyond that. College should be fun; it should not drive you insane.

Sometimes, you just won't be the best. In high school, I wanted to be perfect. I was the perfect "A student" and never got a C on anything. I seemed near invincible! Unfortunately, I faced a harsh reality when I came to college. I already knew college would be difficult; but, I honestly had no idea. I still remember talking to one of my upperclassman friends about my goals for first semester and she laughed and said "Eboni, you may have gotten a 4.3 GPA in high school, but here at State, you'd be lucky to get a 3.5". Despite my better judgment, I let her advice go through one ear and out the other untilI had a rude awakening just a few weeks later. I've always viewed my communications class as a breeze until I received an 81 on my recent test. I wanted to burst into tears. I've never had experience getting a grade so low. After a long talk with one of my teachers in high school, I realized that it's okay to not be perfect all the time, but I wish I learned that a long time ago.

Knowing what I would know now I would tell myself as a senior not to focus as much on everything that needs to be done and instead focusing on myself and what I need to develop as a person. Any struggles that I have encountered in college have come from not devoting enough to myself and my academics and isntead focusing on what people wanted from me and what I was doing to stay "busy" rather than what I needed to do to succeed. College is a time that should be about personal growth. Focusing on academics to develop a knowledge base and discovering opportunities that will allow for a balanced life within and in addition to one's career. Stressing about having all of that correct before the real opportunities have presented themselves only detract from being succesful.

I would tell my high school self the following statements about his upcoming revelation: Go for it. Don't hold back. College is the time where the greatest of changes happen. These changes will be the best things to ever happen to you. You had your fun in high school, but starting a brand new slate? -- it is priceless. However, there is one thing that you have to remember: work hard. The rewards don't come free, but working hard isn't all that...hard. I mean you've made pretty good grades up to now, so just keep doing what you do! But hey, there's that one habit that you REALLY need to stop doing: procrastinating! In college, assignments have due dates that cannot be changed no matter what, and these assignments aren't always the easiest. So get used to putting pencil to paper instead of finger to video game controller!! I know you; it's like we're practically twins, you and I. Listen to these words of encouragement, and you'll shine the brightest. Remember: don't hold back. The future is yours to grab... will you take it?

If it was possible to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself to apply more effort. I would try to educate myself on college life and some of the changes I was about to face. Entering college is a different world that I wasn't entirely prepared for, and I would tell myself that things are going to be hard but it will all work out for the best.

I would try to get in the habit of scheduling my time, not because college is some horrifying experience, just because being independent means there is less motivation to get things, fun or academic or otherwise, done.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self. I would make sure I knew of all the sochalrships that are available for me to recive. I would make sure I knew how to fill out my finacial aid application, and what papers I need for it to be completed. I would tell myself to start looking for child care as soon as high school ends so you can find the best child care facility for your daughter. And I would make sure I knew the importance of getting to school on time and making sure all school work is done.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to spend more time with my family. Looking back, that is one of the things that I regret most. Instead of going out every weekend and spending all of my free time with friends, I wish I would have spent more time with my parents. Now that I am in college, they are one of the things that I miss most. When I'm sick, hungry, or stressed my parents are the ones that I wish were here. Going out and having fun, those are all options in college, but going out to dinner with mom and dad, not so much. In highschool, something that was very important to me was having a good group of friends and making sure that they accepted me. I wish I could go back and tell myself to stop being so immature and to stop picking friends over my family. I wish I could tell myself to go to the movies with Dad or to go shopping with Mom. I wish I could tell myself how important family is. I wish I could tell myself how much I regret it now.

After graduating High School I had no idea what the world could offer me. I come from a small little agricultural town in California called Dinuba. The only jobs I was aware of was teaching or feild work, neither really described my personality. I would tell myself that with such a positive attitude and happy demenior I could do anything, I just need to work at it. Staying focused and not letting outside distractions such as friends, parties, and mean people get in my way. I would tell myself that this is my life and I have to live it for myself, nobody else. That the great thing about it being my life was I can either work hard and reward myself with accomplishments or suffer the consequnces of being lazy. I would tell myself that life is short and making the most of my life is with hard work and dedication. It doesn't matter what feild I go into but that education is the key out of Dinuba and a positive attitude and friendly approach will make you many friends.