Oregon State University Top Questions

Hey there, younger self. The best advice I can give you right now is take a deep breath and do not rush anything. Take the time and effort to learn about yourself, what you want to do in life, and who you want to spend it with. Do not brush off anyone or anything placed on your path, instead you should study them like a piece of art and ask yourself, "Will this make me better or happier?" The answer to this question will not only help you find a career you are passionate about but will help you find your spritual side, the one that makes you happier at the end of the day. More importantly remember this: life is a journey that has dark alley ways to pass, but at the end of the alleyways there is always a beautiful city.

I would tell myself, "join those clubs I was too fearful to join my freshman year because those clubs, and the people that did join them, are the people and experiences that will help you find yourself."

I was extremely naive as a high school senior. If I could talk to myself, I would advise myself to learn more about myself and my passions before entering college. I would encourage myself to take a year off to figure out what I wanted in life and who I wanted to be in the future. I would also advise myself to spend more time on academics; I should have spent more time learning how to take tests. I want to also advise myself to enter college with an open-mind and a desire to meet new friends. I entered college very shy, and I missed out on many friendships because I spent more time in my room than out meeting people. I want to also encourage myself to take advantage of every scholarship opportunity for high schoolers. Above all, I want my high school self to know that no matter what choices I make, that my family loves and supports me.

Talking to my high school self, I would try to explain that as important as school is, it’s more about your experiences than your homework. In college, I've come to understand that great grades don't translate to success. I was the kind of student who worked really hard at maintaining a good GPA, however I don't believe I learned as much about life in the process. Had I adapted my understanding of learning to include the real world around me, I wouldn't have spent so much time worrying about a little number that is supposed to measure my intelligence. I have met many people in my life, both in college and out, that are extremely smart and successful, yet didn't get good grades in high school. Sometimes it's better to pull your face out of the book, and take the time to look around and apply your knowledge to the world around you. Not every answer to life's questions can be found in a book or your homework. They are often found in daily life; you just need to pay attention and start making small connections. They'll make a big impact.

Go to community college for cheaper costs.

I would tell myself not to take my senior year of high school for granted. I spent my senior year not doing anything and just having fun. I wish I would have taken some of that time to explore scholarships and grants available for college. I would tell myself that just because you are going to community college first doesn't mean scholarships don't apply to you; you could be passing up a lot of free money. I would have also highly recommended to participate in more community service and extracurricular activities as they help greatly when applying for scholarships. I would have also told myself that senior year is a great time to challenge yourself a little bit and take some college level courses. It may seem like you can't enjoy senior year with harder classes but it pays off when you can receive college credit in high school. Not only do you receive the college credit but you also save money by taking the class for free in high school and save time that you would have spent taking that class in college taking other courses that may interest you.

College is not something that should be taken lightly. You need to buckle down and realize that this will be the foundation of the rest of your life. When you walk into college on your first day, give it your all. Study, don't cram the night before a test, and never miss a class. You are paying for your college education, if you fail because you were being lazy then you've wasted your time and your money. Take it seriously. After high school you're going to realize how much work you have to put into your studies to receive the grades you desire. There's always a tutoring center in all colleges, take advantage of that. The people you go to high school with will fade away, it's inevitable. There are too many people you would have to keep in touch with. Hold the ones you care about close to you and never let them go. One day you will thank me for telling you all of this. When you graduate from college with honors you will thank me.

My biggest advice is the importance of relationships in college. Having good relationships with the people who are educating you isn’t just about being polite; it can really work to your advantage both now and in the long run. Asking for help or, when the time comes, a letter of recommendation is much easier if you know that you’re liked and appreciated instead of just tolerated in the classroom. You don’t have to be buddy-buddy with all of your professors; just being respectful and cooperative will take you a long way. The secret to good grades, is that they’re often more a reflection of the amount of work you’ve put into them than your intelligence and willingness to go the extra mile; that’s why taking advantage of your high school’s honors program, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes shows colleges that you haven’t spent four years slacking.

Dear High School Senior Self, There is a rough road ahead, but you already know that. You will be tested beyond belief. Don't worry about your personal life, it will follow naturally. Please, please, please stay focused on the end classes of your AA. Don't get arrogant or burnt out. Do well in the last classes because when you choose to fail one, it ruins your gpa. Watch to see when you can graduate so you get to walk across the state with your husband at Taft College. Stop trying to be what others want you to be and feel free to speak your mind about how you really feel. Start your Bachelors in January 2013 instead of April 2013.

The first thing I would tell myself is that while computers are very popular, the need and types are constantly changing. I would also advise myself NOT to get married right after high school so that college is my priority and that it will save myself a ton of grief and abuse. I would give myself advice about what classes would be very important and which ones can wait (since some of them no longer exist). I would help myself plan for the future I knew would now be better since I could keep myself from wasting time and energy on things that will come not to matter at all. I would advise myself to take classes, such as math, back to back so there were no breaks in between to forget.