Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

What I would tell myself as a high school senior would be that living on your own, is harder than you think. Coming into college I thought it would be all fun and games, but you really have to learn to become independent. It's great to keep in touch with your parents, but they're not there with you every day to tell you when to make your bed, do your laundry or even your homework. The best advice would be to learn time management. In high school, I used to always put things off until the last minute. I've learned being at college that it is better to do things early and one step at a time. Also getting involved is the best way to meet new people, which was a challenge for me because I have a tendancy to be very shy. Take college each day at a time, and sometimes you even have to look at it one hour at a time.

Knowing what I know now, if i were to go back in time I would tell myself not to stress about the little things and to learn how to deal with sticky situations on my own as best I can, because there is nothing like the bittersweet feeling of being on your own. Even though you get the benefits and satisfaction of independence at the same time you have to deal with the every consequence of your actions in and outside of school, where not every question has a black and white answer.

I would tell myself that nothing else matters at this point but my education. I would tell myself that the thrill of being known will get me no where if i don't do good in school. I would tell me to wait till a later time to have my children because in the end they have a better life if i'm well established and sucessful. That the only things that are important are high school graduation and college. I would tell me that even if i still did the same things i've done, not to give up on my dreams because dreams dont die people just stop believing in them.

Quit worrying about life after high school and the fact that you won't be living at home all the time anymore. It's not going to be that bad of a transition and that when graduating from high school don't lose the ties that you had with your high school friends, but still go out and make new friends within the college you go to. College will be the best years of your life, so make the most of it. Go and try hard to earn good grades, don't worry about anything unimportant, but most importantly make the most out of your college years, instead of worrying about what's going on at home. Network with everyone you can, because one day one of those freshman year contacts you made may end up being the professional connection you need to be successful in your career for the rest of your life.

Do not freak out about starting college. I was valedictorian of my class and was worried I'd flunk out of Penn State. But as long as you plan out your time wisely and just get your work done, college really isn't that hard. It's all about time management. I also worried about making friends; my first day here, I just wanted to leave because I didn't know anyone. But, just be outgoing, introduce yourself to others, join clubs, and have a positive attitude. If you lock yourself in your room, you won't meet anyone. But when I joined clubs on campus and began talking to people in my classes, I made some friends that I know I'll be with for the rest of my college career. It's college, so it gives you the chance to just start over, be yourself, and live your life the way you want, not how you did in high school; taking advantage of the factor really allows you to succeed and to be happy in college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior there are three things I would want to stress one work on your study habits now you will need them in the future and two don?t ever assume a class will be easy just because you took a similar course in high school and three don?t skip out on homework and go out with your friends too much. The reason I would tell myself to work your study habits is because like a lot of high school students I never really had to study in high school and when I got to college my first semester I had to learn how quickly because of how much harder college classes are. I would tell myself not to assume a class is easy just because you took a similar one in high school is because college classes are a lot harder and require more work. Finally I would tell myself not to skip out on homework and go out with your friends is because it will help you especially if you?re struggling in that class even if the homework is only to read a chapter.

College is like a dresser of clothes?it?s a unique collection of personality crammed into a small space. First off, variety is crucial. Just as 10 pairs of blue t-shirts aren?t very exciting, neither are back to back classes and clubs all on the same topic. The key is to try new things; even if they?re not a perfect fit, you?ll never be left wondering ?what if.? You will most likely be left wondering how a few things got in there. It?s OK, occasional memory loss happens to the best of us. College is a busy time. There probably will not be room for everything. Like a dresser, the better you are at organizing, the more that can be crammed into the space available. Lastly, college is like a dresser because you need lots of socks. The more you have the less laundry there is to do!

Of all of the words of advice or wisdom I have gleaned from my three years in college, I feel that the best advice I could have given myself back then would be to stay focused, but do not worry so much. I have spent these past three years with a great deal of fear in my heart over the outcome of each test and the outcome of my entire college career. Now as I am fast approaching the end of my time here, I am beginning to see what the entire experience is actually all about. The fear of having debt an no job is not the thing which I fear now. What I fear from this entire experience now is that I will not have developed myself enough while worrying about scores. The friends, activities, and personal lessons that we develop in college are just as important as our education, but apply much farther than simply what profession we end up in. We may not find a job with our degree, and we may not have an easy time paying off our debt. What we can secure for ourselves in college is a strong sense of self.

Don't be afraid to go somewhere far away from family and friends. There are so many opportunities to meet new people so you will have no problem fitting in. Be sure to do a lot of research on the schools you are thinking to attend. The more research you do the better you will find which college would suit you. Make sure to let your guard down and open up to those around you because chances are they are scared of being in college too. Stand up for what you beleive in. Don't be afaid to be yourself because if you are yourself you will find friends who will accept you for who you are. Be sure to start practicing good study habits because once you get to college you need to know your stuff to get good grades and you can't slack like in high school.

If I were able to go back to my high school self as a senior and give advice for the college life transition, I would just tell myself to live in the present. I have struggled learning that I do not have the power to be in control of everything at all times. There are certain things that I can control, but as far as schedules, order, and depending on different plans, I have become more lenient. It was scary thinking how old we were going to college and dealing with all the changes, such as moving away from home, all my friends and most imortantly family. It took a little while for me to embrace the idea of change and to welcome the new definition of the norm. The thing I would emphasize most if I had the opportunity to talk to my younger self would be the control issue. I would have loved to come to college with a more flexible mind-set and able to handle changes better. Too bad we cannot time travel, although I would not change a thing. It was fun.