Oregon State University Top Questions

I would tell myself not to be so nervous about college. It's not as big and scary as I thought it was going to be. I would also tell myself to make sure I had my books on time, before I even got to school. I would tell myself I need to get used to reading for education, instead of just for fun. Mostly, I would reassure myself that everything would turn out okay. As a senior, I was so unsure of what I wanted to do and what college I wanted to attend. I was really nervous that I would make the wrong decision and regret it once I got to college. It turns out that I love Oregon State, and I'm glad I made this decision. The number one thing I would tell my high school self would be to calm down and have confidence in the decisions you make.

Aiming for a full international baccalaureate my senior year taking 11 classes, a word of advice I would tell myself is to not overload my senior year stressed with IB nonsense. I really feel like the stress was not worth it and would have been more beneficial to me if I took more AP classes that filled some requirements that were not related to my major. I would have also told myself to fill out more scholarships to cover my full tuition. I know I could have made room back then to at least submit a few in, but I had procrastinated and did not submit any.

I would tell myself to not worry so much about it. I spent a lot of my highschool years worrying about how hard college would be, and how I could possibly manage. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to have more conifdence in myself, and in my abilities, and I would probably tell myself to apply to a lot more schools, instead of being so afraid of rejection that I limited myself to two schools.

The change between high school life and college life can be a major change for many. Being away from parents is one thing many high school seniors look forward to, a life without rules. The first piece of advice I would give to anyone going into college is, just because you are free from your parents reign doesn't mean you shouldn't make your own rules. College will be impossible if you don't have some rules laid down. Another piece of advice I would give is, avoid "having a good time." I hear far to often that because I'm in college that it's time to be stupid and reckless. But when grades come around, you wont be to happy. Laying down rules remains the only option. Also I was a major procrastinator in high school, this terrible habit followed me over to college and it was not easy. Do your work as soon as you get it, don't ever wait until the last minute. This is one of the rules i made for myself, and it has helped. To succeed in college you must set rules and boundaries to regulate your life.

Don't Procrastinate. There is no, "I'll do it tomorrow" in college. Do it now. if you do fall behind, don't get discouraged. You can always work a little bit harder to try and catch back up. If you have trouble doing the work, ask for help! It doesn't make you stupid, or annoy the teachers when you simple ask for help. It does annoy the teachers if you wait until the last week before Finals to try and get some help. Don't be afraid to be yourself. College is a whole new world where you can be everything you want to be! Smile. Be happy. Enjoy it while it lasts.

The first thing I would say to myself would be, "Finish college, enjoy your freedom, and get involved while you are there. THEN, after you are more established and mature, you can think about starting a family! Don't be in such a hurry to grow up!" I would tell myself to make the most of my college experience. Living in a dorm, joining a sport or club, volunteering - these are all part of the college experience that you can't do as a wife and mom, at least not as easily. I don't have any regrets and wouldn't trade my life for anything, but if I had it to do over again, I'd have waited a few more years to get married and have my kids, and that's the main point I would try to get across to myself if I had the chance; who knows, maybe I would have even listened!

Taking full advantage of the opportunity, I would tell my younger self about the importance of beginning scholarship applications as soon as possible. I would explain how I liked going to community college before the university to have smaller class sizes and lower tuition costs. I would convey a sense of necessity for a decision on a college major to take the best advantage of time during college. I would tell myself to enjoy every minute of life because each year in school is more challenging than the last. I would say remember your love of art, do not let it go. Remember your love of swimming, do not stop. Remember the importance of friends, do not isolate yourself. Remember your God, always put him first. Remember that life was created to be enjoyed, have fun, go out with your friends, and spend time with your family. School is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Make a decision and stick with it, you will succeed in anything you put your mind to. You are a fighter, go for the gold.

I would tell myself to get a job during high school. It doesn't have to be a lot of hours, but anything would help with tuition. I would also tell myself that I shouldn't necessarily go to a college because my friends are going there; I should go somewhere because I want to. Don't be afraid, relax, it isn't tha bad. Be willing to open up and explore, there are endless opportunities. Study hard, but make time for fun activities. Just be you.

Keep building your momentum from senior year into college. Avoid falling into senioritis. Given your senior standing get involved in as many clubs and activities as possible. It?s your last year in school and you need to make the most of your last year of free public education! Try to find a job or internship related to you major over the summer between high school and college; that way you can continue growth of your knowledge and mind, even after graduation. Remember, high school was only the first step to the rest of your academic and professional career. Try to find a weekend or two over your ?last? summer at home to take a trip with your friends. It?s a great way to unwind and reward yourself for 4 years of hard work, and make yourself feel more refreshed and ready to take on a new academic journey come Fall. It?s a last chance to have memories with your friends before you all leave for your own separate lives, and at the same time, familiarize yourself with living with others outside of your parents? home. The hardest part of college is becoming independent. Prepare yourself for it.

I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as I possibly could. Warn myself that I will probably be in debt if I dont work really hard to find scholarships. I would tell myself to take more of the 2+2 credit classes so that I wasn't paying for classes I could have taken in high school. I would tell myself that dorm life stinks and its not easy to live in the dorms with people you dont know. Everyone has a different way they were raised from the types of music they like to how clean they keep thier room to the type of foods they like.