Northern Arizona University Top Questions

I would tell myself to research exactly what I wanted to do more thoroughly. I am 27 years old and I am graduating this December. Having said that, if I would have known more about what I wanted to do sooner, I would have saved previous time and money. I do not completely regret taking so much time deciding what I wanted to major in, as it allowed me the opportunity to learn and take other classes that I would not have normally taken. I would also tell myself that time flys in college. When I was a senior in high school, I know I was worried about not only paying for school, but also the thought that I have to go through another four years of schooling. But once I was in school, it all goes by so quickly and before you know it, you will be soon graduating. I hope this would help to alleviate concerns my high school self had about college.

If I was able to tell my high school senior self anything about college, I would say to be patient, and do it right the first time. After high school is over, it is very easy to want to live a life free of school. I would tell myself to wait a few years before starting, that way I can fully appreciate, and focus on my future goals. Starting immediately after high school would not be the best idea for me, because I would not yet be in the mindset I needed to be in to reach my full potential. I would tell myself to really think about who I am, who I want to become, and what I want to accomplish, and do everything in my power to become that person. The reward of staying focused, putting in the time and effort, and being patient is worth more than I could ever imagine. My high school self would be very surprised at how much I have accomplished today.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self I would tell her that college is a challenge. It is not a challenge so much academiclly but more on a morals and values way. College will test you on every level. But you will be able to get through it because you are strong and know what you want out of life. The academic part will be the easiest, the hardest will be sticking true to who you are. But with your friends and family you will be able to get through it. All the worries you have about college will really never be a worry, just stay true to you and you will get through it!

No matter what your personality type is, going into college, be outgoing. This will help you make new friends and form study groups. Being an engineering I know classes can be time consuming but, doing extra curricular activites help with time manegment and get your mind off of school for a while. Also study groups are a big contributer to academic success.

If I could go back I would tell myself to stop playing video games and go live life! I had a group of friends through high school and the first few years of college that were major video gamers. So much time was spent staring at a screen and letting life flow by. I am not saying there is anything wrong with video games, but since I have quit playing I have found so many better uses of my time. I now have ample amounts of time to complete homework assignments which gives me time to help friends, family members and my local soup kitchen. It is hard to think about what I could have accomplished if I was not entangled in the world of video games, but I have to put the past behind me and focus on the future! I am now set on living life to the fullest by acquiring healthier habits and heavily concentrating on my studies!

I wouldn't say much, other than it gets better and don't believe what your teachers tell you, they didn't prepare you well for college.

The advice I would give myself would be to take more challenging courses. I am pretty good at college right now but if I took Advanced Placement Literature my writing would have been much better and I would have been better prepared for my Honors Writing class.

Do not rush into making any decision. It is YOUR future. Wherever you decide to go, or whatever path you choose, is entirely up to you. If you make the wrong choice, you are the only person to blame. Don't stress yourself out about making decisions though. Always compare your choices and make lists of the pros and cons of each choice. There is no rewind button in life, so be careful in deciding what is best for you. Listen to your heart. Don't let anyone try to persuade your decisions, and most imortantly, don't let anyone make choices for you. Only you know what is best for you. Take as much time as you need to make a decision, because there is always tomorrow.

Dear Kelsey, College is a wonderful experience, if done right! Make sure that you take all dual enrollment classes offered during your senior year in high school. If you do this, you can spend more time focusing on classes that deeply interest you, and you can avoid the possibility of boredom! I highly encourage you to apply for scholarships. You do not want to end up in 20,000 dollars of student loan debt because you were too lazy to complete scholarship applications. This will open the door to you to purchase assests when you start your post college career! Lastly, I encourage you to become involved in as many things as possible. The beauty of college is that every indivdual has something exceptional to offer towards your college experience. This is the same for every activity that is offered. You will learn more about yourself, and the world around you if you get plugged in. Stop and appreciate how privileged you are to attend college in the first place, and utilize this opportunity to its maximum capacity! You never know when your freedom of education may be taken away. Best Wishes! Sincerely, Your college graduate self

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