Saginaw Valley State University Top Questions

Rachel, congratulations on working so hard in high school. You have a natural talent for learning and are a hard worker. Don't be nervous about college as you have what it takes to be successful in academics. My advice to you is to take a lot of time exploring all different career paths, as you can be successful in more than one area. Also, spend a semester in the dorms. I know that you want to save money, and want to get an apartment with a roommate instead; the one thing you will regret in college is being so focused on school and work that you forgot to form relationships. Spending some time in the dorms will help you overcome your social anxieties and you could gain friendships for life. Investing all your time in one person ends up hurting you. Again, congratulations on your schievements, be proud of them! Now make sure you take the time to enjoy life during this next journey.

Anxious, nervous, and fearful. Those are words I would use to describe myself when I was a high school senior thinking about starting college. Knowing what I know now about college and the transition to college I would definately have some words of wisdom if I could go back in time. First, I'd say, "Nicole, stop worrying SO much!" Life is no fun if you can not take a step back from school and work and really enjoy the world around you. As a high school senior I also worked full time. I would definatly not suggest that, even to myself! I would also tell myself, "college isn't as scary as it sounds and I can do anything I set my mind to....believe me, I know what i'm talking about!" I would also tell myself that microbiology sounds like a nightmare....but you'll do fine!

In high school you will come across many people, some will be friends who will give you nothing but good advice and others who will try and make you a failure in life. Do not let those who do not want you to succeed pull you down, you let those type of people go, trust me you don't need them. As a high school senior, that is your year to sore and experience. You will try many things that will not work or fit you and some things you will enjoy, take pride in those things you find interest in, they will help yopu in the long run. As your senior year pass, which it will fly by; remember those classes that you may hae failed or the ones you were not good in. Take those classes over. You might not like them but you will see that your freshman year will be much easier. Last but not least, look into your major and take as many of those classes as that you will be taking for your major. the classes will be a piece of cake for you, as well as your freshmen year.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself not to procrastinate. That is one of my worst habits and I have a hard time breaking it. I would tell myself not to stress too much over the homework. My first semester I stressed out more than i should have over homework. I would also tell myself to try to get involved more to meet new people.

Advice to 18-year-old Sarah: Be sure to take advantage of programs or information that help you explore different career paths and opportunities. Take people seriously when they ask you what you want to be when you grow up. It is great to have a love for something and want to make it your career, but you also have to be realistic about whether you can make a good living doing it. Don't take the easy way out. Work up to your potential and don't be afraid to struggle. Don't avoid the hard classes just because you are afraid to fail. If it isn't hard, you probably aren't learning anything. Take help when it is offered and ask for help when you need it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. "Other people have the same question, but are just afraid to ask" is a true statement. Get involved in sports or other activities. This helps build discipline, character, and the ability to work as a team. Although it is hard to believe, the world doesn't revolve around you. 18-year-old Sarah, life is too short so don't waste it.

Stop messing around in math class.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior there would be two pieces of advice I would give myself. The first piece of advice I would give myself would be to put everything in the past and start new because college is a new beginning. It is a new beginning with new people , home, and school. Getting used to the change at first is hard but later you realize it was the best choice you made for you and your future. The second piece of advice I would give myself is do not take the college life for granted just becasue you are away from home doesn't change who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing.

If I knew as a high school senior what I know now about college life I would have done several things differently. I would tell myself to be sure to put my academics first and study more. Instead of doing enough, I would have went above and beyond what was expected. I would have strived for a scholarship to prevent myself from acquiring student loan debt. I would have done more career planning and participated in several more academic activities. Also, i would have put more thought into what college i would attend and planned several campus visits. College becomes your life and the importance of academics and the time input needed to succeed only grows larger. I would tell myself to look at high school as an opportunity to jump-start my career, after all, knowledge is something that stays with you for a lifetime.

I would tell my self to stay focus, dont play around too much and continue on reaching my dreams without all the doubts

I would tell myself to try to participate in class more. In high school I would never speak up in class. I was mostly in AP classes, so there were only a few students in the class, so it wasn't hard to volunteer answers. Now in college there are more students and some professors require that I participate in class. I find it to be quite difficult because I never did it in high school, and I am very shy.