Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

I would go back and tell myself that I do not have to change my attitudes, beliefs, or goals about life to fit into college. College provides so many opportunities to be myself and succeed in anything and everything I want to accomplish.

I wish I would have enjoyed my time in school more. Instead of always working so that I could spend like my rich friends, I wish I would have realized that I didn't need to spend so much and in turn waste so much time. I know I have gained friends from college that I will know for life but there could be so many more memories if it weren't for me having to get up at 7am to work every football Saturday. Being in the real world, I now know that I have plenty of time to stess over money. I could have saved myself a few years and just lived the life of an average college student. I even graduated a semester early, with only a semester's notice, because of a lack of finanacial aid. If I would have stayed in school a semester or two longer, I would have so many other strengths to build on. Instead now I have to wait until I am financially sound enough to go back and get a Master's to gain this expertize. "If I could turn back time, If I could find a way..."

The most important thing i would tell myslef would be that school comes first. Overall, college is a wonderful experience however, you need to keep the large goal in mind. Even if you do not feel like studying that is why you are there and you need to do it.

I would give myself the advise to stay closer to my family and keep my want to get away from home at the door when it came to applying to college. Being away from home and my family has been the most difficult thing that I have had to deal with while in college. I would remind myself that my family is everything to me and that being so far away from home meant that it would take a longer time to get home when emergencies came about (which they have). I would also advise myself to look at the cost and the amount of aid that each school usually gave out to out-of-state students because when school is done, the loan bills won't be pretty and there is no way to get around it.

Apply myself to excel academically and get the help I needed to understand how to do something properly. Study harder and take assessment tests to determine what I want to do for a career. Understand the culture I live in completely so I have the opportunity to make the right choices later in life.

Attend an instate university or college, also know what course of study you wish to study , do not attend an university not knowing what you desire to be in life.

Keep your school work as your number one priarity. Keep your friends colse and do not be afraid to let new people into your life. Take advantage of all the extra help you can get from your proffesors and study groups. HAVE FUN.

I would tell myself that I am in for many changes. I did not have an active social life in high school but when I came to Penn State, I immediately met a diverse group of people. I found a group that I could be myself in. I also would tell my future self that I will need to learn many responsibilities while living away from home that go beyond household chores; I would need to learn how to be responsible in the life choices that I make and how those choices will affect my future. I would tell my college self that getting straight A's may not be my reality in college. I was a perfectionist in high school and that did not translate well to the hectic college pace. The most important thing that I would tell myself is to not be afraid of change. From the time I was three years old I wanted to be a doctor but exploring classes in college has taken me down a completely new path. Looking back on my senior year I could have never predicted the life that I have now.

I would tell myself that it's good I went with my gut. I decided to enlist in the US Navy right after high school, and at times I always wanted to know what would've happened if I didn't or maybe I shouldn't have joined. Now looking back, I'm proud that I did. I'm proud that I served my country. The only one thing I would've done different while in the service, was to take a few more online college classes, so that by the time my enlistment was over, I would be a little ahead of the game, instead of starting from the beginning.

I would give myself the advice to be me and not try to be anyone else, to find yourself and figure out exactly what you want to do, and to enjoy every second you have. I would also give myself the advice to get involved, stay involved, and try harder to make friends. Give people the benefit of the doubt and stay involved even when you transfer. Even though it will take a while to adjust and you think it's horrible, go with it. Don't always worry about money, you will figure it out or get help. Try, try, try, try, try, and never give up. Have faith in yourself, you are must smarter than you give yourself credit for. Stick with your program and give PDS all you have. Through it all remember your family and your true friends. They will be there for life. However, if things go sour, look and see who is still standing tall by your side and remember them.