Portland State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to not feel pressured to go to college right away. Unless you know exactly what you want to go for, exactly what career you want, take your time deciding. Be smart with money, balance work and play, and develop communication or "people" skills. As you do these things, your true gifts and desires will unfold and you will make better decisions for the long haul. And only make decisions for you, not to please anyone else. Do all of this and you'll be just fine, no matter what your academic timeline ends up looking like.

The thing I regret most about high school in general is that I did not make the most of my time there. I wasn’t involved in many activities, I didn’t do sports or get involved in leadership, and I didn’t go to any games or other activities at my school. Quite frankly I was a nobody and if I could do it all over again I would get involved in as many things as reasonably possible and take more of the harder classes. As far as senior year goes, I would tell myself to put more time into applying for scholarships. I gave pretty mediocre effort into that whole thing which is reflected by the fact that I have nothing to show for it. Every little bit counts and whether it is paying for a textbook or for your tuition, free money is free money. I don’t think I realized how expensive textbooks alone were going to be and I know that any extra money would have come in great use. The last thing I would tell myself is to just enjoy the once in a lifetime experience that is high school.

You want to do and see everything right now, and that's okay. Just keep in mind that at some point you have to find a passion and dive into it. I'm ten years past you and I'm just figuring ours out, so by no means should you ever feel rushed. Have fun and learn a lot of interesting and (seemingly) useless things along the way. It's a journey, not a race. I don't want to use a word as constraining as "plan", but at least try to have a general scheme of where you want to go and when you do, go all in. Suffer no mediocrity and in doing so, we will have no regrets. Don't buy into anyone else's idea of what you should be doing or should be interested in or how you should act or how hard you should work. Know what you want and act accordingly.

I would definitely pay attention in high school because college is probably 10 times harder than high school. I would tell myself to learn and not just jump through the hurdles. I would tell myself to have more fun in high school because then you start missing your friends who go to different schools in different states. And lastly I would ask myself to get focused or at least think about what I want to do or become in the future.

When going off to college, you think its going to be easy, but its not. After I have spent one on my own I come to realize its a lot harder than it seems. If i knew what I know now, I would planned better, took more campus visit to make sure that is the college. Talk to the current students to what their thoughts on the campus. Apply for as many scholarships as possible you never know if you get if you don't apply. The big thing I would tell the students PLAN. Start planing when you are a junior or summer before your senior year. It will help you make the best decision for you to futher your education.

I would say to go to community college first and to start exploring gender studies and education. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, and don't be afraid of rejection!

Dear Emily, First I'll start by saying, just to prove it's me, look behind the bookcase. There's a pack of camels and a lighter mom would kill you if she knew you had. Life get's kinda crazy from here, and your in for some good times, but you already guessed at that based on how things have been recently. You're going to make some mistakes, make them. They've molded you into the tough woman you are now, but, be kinder to Jay when you break up, he doesn't deserve what you would do without this heads up. Don't get drinks with Mike, you have a chance to get two years of life back. Take Corey less seriously, he is a good kid, just a little messed up. Be nicer to Mom, she loves you very much. Spend more time with Anikan, we've had some close calls with him, and almost lost him. Life from here gets intense. Take more time to love the people who love you, you can't save the world, but you can help the people who love you. Live, laugh, and love, because time isn't promised.

In my high school days I really needed to be reminded not to worry so much about college life. So far everything in college has worked out as it should for me, so I really could have used advice telling me “just don’t worry so much about it.” I have met fabulous people that I would have never probably come in contact with if I had not gone to this college. These new people in my life have made my college experience more diverse and exciting. I would have loved to have known ahead of time about the people I would encounter. I almost decided not to go to college because I was confused about what I wanted to study. Then I took a web design class that changed my life. Now I enjoy web design like I never thought I would. I have learned to give new things a chance. My college experience has taught me to take risks and try new things. There is so much out there to enjoy. Don’t be afraid!

My college experience has been great so far. I have learned to communicate with classmates intelectually not just as buds. Portland State University helped me to be more resourceful and help me better to work alone and help me find help when I need it.

I have not been able to attend college full time like I had planned due to being financially strapped. But the classes I was able to take taught me a lot of valuable information that I will take me to my future career. This year I hope to be able to attend college full time and finish my Bachelors degree so that I can start applying to medical school. It is very important for people to realize that a college education is extremely valuable and will be a helpful asset in a student's future.