Portland State University Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself back as a high school senior I would have pushed my self harder in math. And I would have asked more questions to my councler about scholarships so that way I could have enough money to pay for my books and other expenses that I had to pay.I would also have also pushed myself more over that summer between the transition of high school to college to get more volenteer work done because having volenteer hours help you alot when it comes to applying for scholarships. I would have also told myself to be more consistant on making more appointments with the advisors at te school , they are the people that help figure things out .And another important thing is that , if you have a class that tells you that homework isn't required but could help, DO IT! it will benifit you at the end becasue alot of teachers use somethingd from the homework on the quizes. And another thing, get enough sleep and take notes of the lectures . Intoducing youself with your teacher and get you questions answered from them on their office hours or in class!

I would tell myself to take better advantage of all of the tools the school has to offer. There were so many more resources that I didn't take advantage of. Encouraging more club activities and volunteer opportunities would also have been a large part of my lecture to myself. I would insist that the past me try new foods, be more social, and try to be more open-minded about how people choose to live. I would mention to always stock up on extra toilet paper so as to avoid that awkward knock on your new dorm-neighbor's door at 3AM to ask for some. There would be a lot of positive reinforcement and back-patting, reminders that it would always be difficult, but never boring, and never impossible. Most importantly, I would tell myself to never take no for an answer. If you are told that such a thing cannot be done or are denied, keep trying and asking questions until a solution, or at least a compromise is reached.

"So you're starting college next year, eh? That's a good choice, you're on the right track already. The best thing you can do for yourself at this point is take everything that has to do with your future very, very seriously. Think ahead. The fact that you're a senior in high school doesn't give you the right to figure that 'Oh I'm fine now. I don't have to worry about scholarships or getting a job just yet. I'm still not in college'. That's not the case - it's never too early to start thinking about money or your future. Get a head start because what you do now will affect you in the long run, plus it'll make your life much, much easier. And what? You're nervous? Don't be. Just think of it as another step towards the person you're going to be later on. With each challenge you will continue to grow and realize your potential as a human being. So take everything seriously, do your best, enjoy the opportunities and keep moving forward. You'll be fine. "

I wish that I had pushed myself. I know I am capable of earning a 4.0 but I let situations get the better of me. When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I let depression consume me and my grades fell where they should not have. School should have been my vice, my escape from my home life. Instead neither location was a refuge for me and I fell behind. I was so focused on science classes during my years at Grant High School, that I often neglected exploring other fields. Now that I am in college, I realize that I could have earned a handful of college credit had I taked the AP English or AP Government tests. I should have been more involved. Even though I wanted to pursue an internship over the summer I lost track of deadlines and let an amazing opportunity slip away. I suppose if I could talk to my past self, I would offer words of encouragement. I would tell my self, "Chin up, girl. Get through this. The grass is greener on the other side. I promise."

I would tell myself to earn a degree in a tangible field. Employers are looking for individuals with tangible skills that they can place immediatly. I would inform myself of the importance of a degree that works for me, versus a degree that I have to make work. Ultimately, people are in charge of their own financial well-being. This is why we go to college, to get skills in order to get a job that will provide us with a prosperous life. Were I to go back in time and give myself advice, I would instill the idea in my mind that I need to obtain a degree that provides me with a specific and practical skill. I belive it is vital to know what you are going to do with your degree after college, in the first few years of college, it is okay to be unsure, but eventually a person needs to know. Afterall, we are paying a lot of money to get an education, it might as well be worth it.

If I could give my teen self advice about college I would tell myself to take as many college prep classes in high school as possible to help prepare for the classes in college. I would stress the importance of looking for a mentor at the university. Someone that I felt very comfortable talking to and could trust their advice. This person could be a faculty member or another student, but someone who would keep me in line and focused on my educational goals. Another bit of advice that I would give is to not stress too much if I haven't selected my major my Freshman year. I would tell myself to take my basic required undergrad classes and keep an open mind. Try a variety of elective classes to see what field peaks my interest the most. I would tell myself about the freedom that comes with college life and how easy it is to get off track. It is very easy for a Freshman, living away from home for the first time, to get caught up in the party life. Taking classes seriously and putting studying first will be key to my success.

Finish today it is the only way to live tomorrow. Your ideas are the tree upon which your actions bear fruit. Pay attention to the little man for in him are the truths you lie to hide. Grow relationships, without them you will surely starve. Debt is like plastic surgery it gives you things you didn't have but doesn't fix you inside. The only thing that can overcome your hopes and dreams is your failure to recognize your ability to achieve them.

My life back when I was a senior in high school was incredibly small and callow. To think back on my experiences as a young adolescent is to think back on all the events that led up to me being the person I am today. If I had the opportunity to travel back in time and speak to the rebellious, immature and self-centered girl I was back then, I would grab that girl and slap her around a couple times. Due to my recklessness as a late teenager, I had to face the consequences of my actions as a young adult. Finding the girl that took pleasure in breaking rules, ditching classes, sneaking out at night, and indulging in self-destructive behavior, I would face her and say, "Stop it, you're hurting both of us." I would tell myself, "Throw the pack of cigarettes in the trash, do your homework and really research your options for colleges." I'm thankful that I've grown past those behavorial issues and can safely say that I'm a more mature and focused student. But without the mistakes I made in the past I wouldn't who I am today.

If I were to go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to weigh out the pros and cons of each of my college choices. I would remind myself that even though I am stepping out of the educational environment that I am familiar with, I will be able to adjust to my new surrounding just fine. I would inform myself that Portland State University lacks a lot of the traditional college traits, and that it will be a major social adjustment. I would tell myself to remember to accept all of the scholarship awards that I spent months applying for; I?m going to need that funding. Most importantly, I would tell myself to keep in mind what an important transition this is in my life, and to make the best of my experiences.

I love the friends that I've made and the experiences I've had at Portland State University, but, unfortunately, there are so few of them. If I could go back in time and talk to my my high school senior self, I would tell me to stop being the shy, introverted person I am and go out and just have fun! If I wasn't so shy I could have made more friends from the start of college and participated in many more fun events. Now I've spent over a year of my college life mostly on the sidelines, and I wish I would have gone out and done more. Now I'm doing more things and meeting more people, but it would have been nice to start making the most out of my college experience during my freshman year, instead of waiting until now.