Samford University Top Questions

I would stress three principals to myself. The first is to simply your life. There is so much clutter (things and people). Cutting out the negative is the first thing to go. And, then cut out all the material stuff. It just doesn't matter. People do. Focus is hard for any student, but it all comes down to that. Get a planner and write all your assignments, tasks, appointments, practices, job shifts, and get organized. Then, and this is the most important - keep your head down and take care of business. Try not to get overwhelmed and just plow through the work. Remember - head down and work. And, lastly, it is important to know that you will fail. Big time. It's okay. However, it's what you learn from those mistakes that is the point. Don't give up on yourself just because you failed. It's so easy to roll up in a little ball and have a pity party. Instead, you have to rely on yourself to pick yourself up and try again. And, please be nice to yourself. Treat yourself as you would your best friend.

Looking back, the primary advice I would give myself would be, “Don’t wait.” College offers so many new and exciting opportunities. While the array of choices may be overwhelming at first, don’t let this stop you from jumping in and trying new things. College is a great time to find out what you are passionate about; by trying a lot of new things, it allows you to refine your focus and become deeply invested in a cause about which you are passionate. Getting involved your first year will also provide you with more opportunities for growth and leadership throughout your college career, which will continue to benefit you after college. New offerings and activities expand your horizons and make it easier to build relationships. Though academics are the primary reason for being at college, the relationships you build along the way will enhance your overall experience and will challenge you to grow in unimaginable ways. So, don’t wait to get involved and embrace the diversity of the new opportunities and people surrounding you.

Dear Lindsey, As you prepare for college, I want to remind you to always remember what you are passionate about. Don't be afraid of overcommitment, but maybe try to make a list of what you want to try and what you know you enjoy. Experiencing involvement on and off campus gives you the invaluable opportunity to learn about yourself and what you really care about. Once you establish your passions, make sure to jump on that train immediately and enjoy your adventure. Don't worry about money, because it can be a distraction. Don't let the world and the values of others dictate what you think and care about--continue to be yourself and regret nothing. Keep your friends as long as possible and don't judge before you really know them, because these really are the people you'll be spending the rest of your life with, and that is the greatest feeling you can have in college. Be light and frolicsome, be brave and headstrong, be loving and understanding. Keep your eyes on the end result, but keep your feet on the ground below you--remember that the ground is not always flat. Yours truly, Lindsey

Be Courageous! Whether in the classroom, dating, or SGA, don't limit yourself to who you were in high school. Don't allow your fears and anxieties from high school to dictate or drive decisions you make. Explore new interests, try things you think you're no good at or were once afraid to try, and make mistakes!!! People will respect you for the bold and sincere way in which you approach life. The more you challenge yourself in the classroom and activities outside the class, the more you will discover about yourself and your wold.

To my high school senior self: "Alura, as I reflect on all that I have learned and remembering the process of being a recent high school graduate to a college freshman, continue with what you are doing. If you do this, you can remain true and wholesome to yourself. Looking around and hearing stories as incoming sophomore from multiple friends, each them being surprisingly alike, I realize all of my friends have lost apart of their character. Stay strong in your work ethics because that Astronomy you take in the spring semester will be a tough one. Be confident and proud of who you are. It's what makes each of us interesting. But, most importantly, stay anchored to your beliefs and do not sacrifice your ideals. In the long run, many peers and friends will end up respecting you for who you are and for not wavering to 'fit in' to be one with the popular crowd. One last piece of advice to you, call home every week and keep in touch with your family. They will miss you dearly."

The best advice that I could possibly give myself or anyone that is in high school is to try and get a job before you graduate. I think that the aspect of my life in college that has been the biggest struggle is managing money, and time between school and work. Another piece to add to that would be to try and find something that you don’t absolutely hate before you graduate too, it is much harder to find a job when you get out of high school with no experience. Even if it is a place that you do end up hating or can’t make it work with your homework at nights, at least try. That way when you graduate you’ll at least know what places already are not going to work out instead of later. Another piece of advice that I would give to others (not myself and you’ll know why) would be to have a plan for your living situation after high school, even if it means asking your parents what type of money they want/need after you graduate. For me it was a big deal with child support ending after school.

Don't be afraid to plunge into spontaneity and to take the initiative of involvement, both in class and around campus. That is how meaningful relationships are formed. You will have a lot more freedom, and use it wisely, but don't be afraid to have fun and to embrace your broadened horizons. Go ahead and take off with your friends to get a milkshake at odd hours of the night. Go explore the city around your new school on the weekends. Later, each laughter-filled moment will be worth it a thousand times over. If you take the initiative to get involved, you will have more than enough community. Speaking up in a class discussion and having serious conversations with your professors is a huge step towards academic success and personal growth. Becoming a member of student groups will allow for more of those moments of spontaneous fun. It can be difficult to strike the balance between academic and social commitments, but refuse to listen to those who say it can't be done. It can be done, and with style!

If I could go back in time and visit myself as a high school senior, it would be on the day of my audition into the School of the Arts for Samford University. After appearing in a shimmering mist and allowing myself to get over the initial shock of seeing my future self, I would animatedly explain that I should go into college with much enthusiasm and no fear! Fear kept me from even attempting many things in my freshman year of college, but I would make sure that my visit to the past would remedy that mistake. I would explain to myself all of the wonderful experiences that I gained in my education and performances when I finally took the chance. I would reassure my crying, unbelieving past self of the good things that came from putting my fear behind me. Then I would pray with myself, and encourage myself to keep doing so because there can be no faith where there is fear. With those parting words I would vanish once again into the shimmering mist and return to an even better future.

If I could go back in time and give my senior high school self some advice, I would definately have a few pointers. First off, I would inform myself to lay off recreational games such as video games and going out and partying all the time. A's are easy in high school, B's are super hard to get in college and you really need to shape up and begin good study habits and time management for college or else you find yourself being snow balled really quick and unable to have any time for yourself. Also, college is just as socially akward for everyone else as it is for you, never think you will be the socially akward one at college, everyone there is as well. The best thing you can do is watch your time and try to explore and meet new people, even tie in some school work into it and ask them to do a study group with you. College is supposed to be hard and challenge you to think harder and deeper than high school. Overall, just make sure you can breathe every now and then and try to have fun!

I'm learning to become a better student and a better person with what I've learned in just one semester. As a student, I've already learned so much. My writing has improved by leaps and bounds and my analytical thinking skills have as well. My professors care so much about their students; they are not only fantastic teachers who want their students to learn a lot, but also get to know us as people. As a person, I'm becoming more responsible, which is such a great feeling! Even just paying for my books and any groceries I need--which I didn't have to do before--is somewhat fun because I know it's part of growing up.