Plymouth State University Top Questions

I'd tell myself to work harder. I've had a tough time making the transition from culinary school to my new career choice. I've had awful health issues which have changed my perception of what I should be doing with my life, and the decision to go back to school is not only exciting, but terrifying. I suppose I'd do a few things differently if I had the opportunity to do so. However, I wouldn't be who I am today without everything I've gone through in my life. I learned to appreciate everything life has offered and am thrilled to return to school. I like to explain to myself how expensive schooling today actually is. I believe that would have been a deciding, and motivating factor if I could have been better informed on that situation.

Regardless of the obstacles you faced as an adolescent, mountains are about to move out of the way and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams are going to occur. Push through the turmoil. Have faith in yourself and others. Your are brighter than you think you are and you can do anything you put your mind to. Your persistance will carry you far. Be wise in your decisions. There is a lot of freedom on the otherside of the door. Focus yet wisely explore your independence. Try new things and don't limit yourself. Above all, keep your faith it will take you far!

I always thought I would go to school and major in Political Science at the University of New Hampshire, which is where my father graduated and is fairly close to my hometown. I took classes in high school that were CP, but I'm not sure that I applied myself as well as I could, even though I often made honors. My parents would give me a pep talk when it came to choosing classes or completing work, but I wanted to be independent and thought my application and grades would assure me guaranteed admission to UNH. When my rejection letter came in the mail, I was disapointed and realised my parents were only trying to help me acheive my goal. I attended my freshman year at Plymouth State University, earning a spot on the highly coveted President's List, my entire freshman year was spent trying to prove to myself that I could work hard and make it into UNH. Recently I received an acceptance letter to attend there as a transfer student this fall. Looking back, I wish I had spent more time concentrating on the advice my parents gave me.

Justin, you delightful heart for education will overtake you as you age. Stay strong and make sure to always develop, maintain, and strengthen the relationships you will build along the way. They will prove a wonderful resource of blessing, not only for what they may offer you, moreso for what you offer them. As much as you will labor in knowledge, Justin, spend yourself in equal effort to labor in loving people with it. Offer them your all: all aid . . . all encouragement . . . all physical, and emotional support . . . all the provision you can muster. I promise you, Justin, this will not dissappoint. The investment made into others will reap an hundred-fold return as you mature. Take life's dialy examples: though a baker know his craft well and creates delectible treats, is he praised for his work with no customer? Though a teacher fathom all depths of knowledge, and master all proof and explanation, is he reckoned well with no student? Seek knowledge, Justin, yes, but not unto self--unto service. Mark my words: it will not dissappoint; Justin, my solemn promise to you is this: service will fill your life with years and your years with life.

The advice I would give myself would be to really think about what you want to do it life. When I first came to plymouth state I thought that I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but in reality I really didn't. I ended up changing my major last spring semester to biology from criminal justice. I never realized that criminal justice would be so boring and nothing like I thought it would be. I have changed my overall perspective on life and I really would like to help others by working in a hospital laboratory trying to find cures for diseases. I have learned so much from doing research on diseases that it inspired me along with my grandfather inspiring me to work in a hospital lab because he did it for his entire life. I could have really used the advice to slowly make a decision and not make a hasty one. I am currently a sophomore and I am just now starting to declare minors and think about interships and all the real world stuff that we have to do. Think quick and work slow.

Seniors in high-school think they’ve got it all figured out. I was one of them. I sent in my Common Application to the only school I wanted and focused on enjoying my last year with my friends. I don’t regret spending the time I did with the people I’ve know forever, but I wish I had put more emphasis on preparing myself for the college lifestyle and the financial strains it would cause. I heard about scholarships all through high-school. I knew they would be a smart and free addition to my college fund, but I procrastinated on doing them until it was too late. So there I was, a senior on awards night watching all of my friends winning hundreds of dollars in scholarship money and I was stuck with my sales associate pay check. So my advice is this, completely simple and straight to the point: TAKE THE FREE MONEY! Fill out the scholarship forms, write the short essays. You may not receive them all, but the smallest amount goes a long way with books, classes and meal plans. Be the senior getting up and receiving all those scholarships, you know you can.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior I would give a few words of advice. First, I would tell myself to try a little harder in my classes and attempt to learn all the material taught to me, rather than just try to get a good grade in the class. I would also try to convince myself to get better grades, so I would’ve had a better opportunity to be awarded scholarships from the University. My last piece of advice I would give my senior self is to take advantage of the free education I was receiving. After getting to college I've realized how much education costs and how much better off I would’ve been if I learned more in high school.

Entering into college was not like anything that I had dreamed about as I made the long walk up on stage to recieve my high school diploma months before move in day. I remember thinking that college was going to be like summer camp; a long, exciting vacation filled with "get to know you games" and smores by the fire. In fact, that's basically what the orientation at college was like. So, to my surprise, when I spent my first week at school I didn't like it and couldn't imagine having to live at college for the remaining four years of my life. If I was able to return to my highschool self, standing there on that podium, experiencing the last moments of my highschool world, I would tell myself to remember that change takes time. I feel like this lesson is one of the most important things that I will take from college. Change is something that will happen all throughout my life and it is not a walk in the park. But what is life without challenge? It is important cherish memories in the past, yet dreams are achieved through change and hard work.

I would have advised myself to be more open to people and making friends. People were very friendly and I feel like at first I held myself back. I'd also tell myself to get involved in extra curricular activities, even if it's just things like intermural sports. I think college is all about having fun while balancing your school work at the same time. If you're too focused on your work and leave yourself no time for your social life then I feel like you may hit a rough patch. I would tell myself to be careful who you trust and don't put all of your eggs into one basket because you never know what's going to happen. You find out very quickly who your real friends are.

The advice that I would give myself if I could go back in time is take every oppourtunity that comes your way. Don't be afraid to try new things that you may have never tried before. College is an experience that you will never be able to get again. I know back in high school that I was stuck in my comfort zone at all times. I had the same group of friends, we did the same thing every weekend etc. Since I have been to college I've noticed you learn the most when you jump out of your comfort zone and try these new things. May that be a class you wouldn't take usually, a club that interests you, or a group of friends you never thought you would befriend. Be open to these new opportunities because you never know what might happen.