Pacific University Top Questions

I would tell myself that people are assholes everywhere and even you if you make the trek from Wisconsin to Oregon things might still suck.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that high school is much easier than college. High school is easier in terms of course material and being less responsible. Though it may sound a bit terrifying, there is nothing to worry about. Responsibility comes naturally in college. I will realize it on my own and take notice of my more mature transformation. I would tell myself that my first and most important job in college is studying; it is why I will be attending a higher level of education. Although responsibility comes naturally, getting good grades doesn?t. It is something I have to work for much, much harder than in high school. But with my continued determination and dedication to studying, I won?t have many problems. Overall, college is a great experience where I will get to know much more about myself than I used to: faith increase and personality being two different aspects in which I will learn about more myself.

Dear Andrea, You are about to enter the fall of your senior year. Congratulations! You made it! Start applying for colleges, and try to go take a class at the community college. You'll earn credit, and then may be you will not have to take that class later in life. Focus on your grades, not on the boys or the teams you play on. You are so young, and you will meet many of the great people in your life in Clark Hall. Try to convince Dad to take you college shopping. It's importanat to check out as many colleges as possible, and asked your tour guide if you can sit in and watch a lecture class. Make sure you check small schools and larger schools too, as they have completely different social and classroom settings. If you can get a scholarship for athletics, go for it. But make sure you keep the grades to earn an academic scholarship. Keep yourself involved in the many clubs at Hamilton, and that will help you succeed too. And most of all, each day wake up and say you go girl in the mirror. It will help :) Love, Andrea Jones

I came from a small high school with a graduating class of only 23. The town was very poor and drugs and alchohol were common of parents and also of students. There were some wonderful teachers in the school, however I fear as students we were not pushed as much as we should have been, and I did not push myself. I kept a 3.5 gpa so I felt this was sufficient and never took books home or studied out side of school except on rare occations. I regret not pushing myself harder. There are so many things about the world and people I do not know or understand. I wish I would have took advantage more in high school with learning and particularily as a senior when I "slacked" the most. I spend a lot of time thinking of boys and sports which of course did not benefit me in the long run. I am able to see today the importance of an education, I am proud of myself for making it to college and avoiding the drugs that the town brought to many. Now I just need to remember and focus on what is in important, learning.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school and give myself advice, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to stay calm and confident. One of my biggest worries was making the transition to a new place miles away from my family and friends. I would tell myself not to worry and to just be myself, because the college experience is all about being yourself. I would tell myself that I would be okay and that everything would work out for the best in the end. The most important thing though is to be confident and outgoing, or at least to make an effort. Instead of spending your first week of college pent up in your room go out and have fun and make new friends. While college seems scary and stressful and like you'll never make it out alive you will. You have an amazing and supportive family that will do anything for you and you will make friends and connections at school that will also do anything to see you succeed in life. You're a smart and funny person and you should never let anyone tell you otherwise. Good luck!

Visit your colleges before committing to one to make sure it fits with what you want. It is important to visit schools while students are attending in order to get a good feel of what the school is about. And expensive doesn't always mean good, you don't actually get what you paid for.

Be prepared to make sacrifices. While something seems like it would be fun now, is it really worth sacrificing a good grade for? You will make lots of friends, but make sure that you use their resources to help you when possible. You are not alone. With the help of others you can do great things.

I would tell myself, not to give up. That no matter what happens you have to stick to your guns and decide to stay in school. That sacrifing a really good job in leiu of going to school would be worth it in the long run. When seemingly everything is going wrong and life is throwing curve balls at you to stay in school. Listen to your parents because they tend to have a good handle on life and tend to have a better perceptive on life, to learn from their mistakes and not let it go in one ear and out the other. Take chances on people, to be more outgoing the worse that can happen to you is that they will not be your friend. That your fears are holding you back, when the fears are unfounded. That no matter what the economic status of a fellow classmate, they are are still in fact human. To take every chance I could to explore other cultures and try to understand the world from other eyes.

Slow and steady. Just remember to breathe, allow yourself those five extra minutes of sleep, and walk to class knowing you're going to make a difference in society someday.

College is much different than high school. I like going to college, I just don't like the college I chose. Make sure you pick a school that fits your personality and goals, because if you don't your experience will be much like my, regretful.