Seattle Pacific University Top Questions

I would tell myself to definitely apply apply apply for scholarships. Dont just brush them to the side and think you will have time for them later. Because eventually time flies, deadlines pass and you do not want to be taking out loans on top of loans just to have a good college education. I would also tell myself to change my study habits. High school is nothing like college. You cant get away with not studying and half attempting assignments. In high school teachers held your hands and helped you graduate, but in college you are on your own. You have to learn to be independent and not really rely on others because in turn YOU are the one responsible for your decisions. YOU are the one who can make or break your life road. I would also tell myself to make sure to still keep in contact with family and close friends. Just because you go off to college doesnt mean you have to cut ties. It is good to have old friends and family to talk to and catch up with sometimes. It brings the sense of home into the dorm life.

Get the prerequisites out of the way first, don't dive in to what you think your major will be. It will almost, most-definitely, change. Many times. Also do not go into college with a girlfriend. You'll be just fine, there is nothing to worry about. You have the skills and tools to do well.

While doing academically well is important in high school as well as college, I would give myself the advice to learn to enjoy school. In high school I was extremely focused on maintaining a near 4.0 GPA while taking academically rigorous courses. While I formed great study habits for college which have enabled me to be academically successful in college, I think that I did not allow myself to enjoy school as much as I should have. Joining extracurricular activities or hanging out with friends is important because balance is necessary to enjoy school best. I realize now that life is more about the journey than the destination. While it is important to do your best in school so that you can reach your goals in life, it is just as important to have fun while striving to reach them. Learning to enjoy where you are at in life or in school is important because you will not always enjoy your career, but life is more fun for yourself and those around you if you have a positive attitude.

Find activities that you love would be my first advice. Do not be afraid to jump into things because you like them and do not let your fears hold you back from anything. And I would say some of the most helpful advice would be do not worry too much about friends. Friends are what makes the college experience, but the truth is for the first quarter they change so much. The next piece of advice I would have would be considering your room. Know the space you have, visit. My room is rather small, however, there is a lot of storage. Know if your room is small, bring lots of small things, but if it is big go ahead and bring the big things such as the large storage units, but if there is no place for those, there is no place. One thing that I would suggest bringing lots of no matter the size of your room is, would be clothes. You never want to do laundry, so avoid it by having more clothes. Also concerning clothes, make sure to bring some of everything. Wacky, formal and normal. There are so many different types of events on campus.

Nursing is a very competitive major in colleges all over. After attending a 4-year university my first year of college, then returning home to a 2-year community college, there are many things I would do different. The main thing I wish I could go back and change is the fact that I transferred from a university to a community college. Taking all of my pre-requisites at the 4-year university that I intended to attend nursing school at is the smartest decision I could have made. Nursing programs want to see that you took pre-requisites at their university, not somewhere else. A student is more likely to get into a nursing school by taking all of your pre-requisites with them. I wish I could go back and not transfer to my local community college. I also would have studied more and harder to make better grades. Nursing school is one of the toughest schools to get into because it is such a demanding and popular field.

Open up more, girl! I know you hold alot of pain inside you, and I know that others probably had their perceptions of you in stone after attending the same school for 12 years, but if you can change so completely, why can't they? You had an amazing graduating class! So many of them so grounded, so genuine, so tallented, so brilliant! You needed to have used those years to smile more, to connect more with these people, to love more and to blossom more! Also, you SERIOUSLY needed to join band sooner! I know it's scary and alot of pressure, but Mr. Smith is awesome, being a band geek is an absolute blast, and you will grow so much there! Put down the knife Victoria, stop crying and cutting yourself in the bathroom. Stop putting YOURSELF in the position of the outcast. What have you got to lose? Love more, smile more, BE more. Your grades were awesome though, keep it up!

As a senior I was unsure of a lot of things. I even thought I was going to be working a standard job to keep a roof over my head. If I were to go back in time and give myself some advice, I would very simply, and very calmly, slap myself outside the head and tell her to get her butt in gear! I always felt there was no point, and that there was nothing I could do, yet everything was there if I just looked hard enough. I was too busy thinking I didn’t have the right or ability to do anything that I couldn’t see the opportunities that I had and the potential that I could be accomplishing. Life isn’t as bad and you don’t have to just settle for what you have. Everyone has the right to reach for the stars, and I have always had the skills and ability to do so. With that in mind I would be in store for a very stubborn and passionate agreement, but that’s what I needed back then. Sometimes it’s all people need to finally get moving. It’s what I needed.

As we move through life, we often find ourselves looking back on our past attempting to determine where we went wrong, or what we did right. The college years are a time when this, I believe, is at its height because it is a time of growth and change. If I were to help my younger self make the college transition I would say this: Lauren, be yourself. Choose the school that fits who you are so that you may thrive in your faith and in your person. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and seek out friends that care about what you care about; you will be better for it. Keep in mind that this period in your life is a time meant for discovery--whether it be finding a career or starting a life on your own. Adventure! Try crazy new things! You are allowed to not have all the answers, so take life as it comes. You have your entire life ahead of you to settle down, so right now be free! Be poor, be uncertain, be yourself right where you are and thrive. You'll figure it all out, I promise.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to push myself, no matter what. I would tell myself to think through every decision that I make and think about everyone that the decision would affect, rather than just myself. I would tell myself that the most important thing is to keep my relationship with God as a first priority. I would also tell myself not to change who I am for anyone. I would tell myself not to procrastinate getting a job, and to save money as much as I can. Mostly, I would tell myself to be friendly to everyone and to keep my focus off of myself and on what God's will is for me.

I would advise myself to really focus on school, and if possible work a little less. It made a huge difference when I stopped working and was able to completely focus on school. I would also tell myself to get out there, to join a club and try something new. I would also suggest living on campus, at least for a year. I feel I really missed out on the whole "college experience" since I would have to head home after classess. I advise speaking your mind, because others arent afraid to do it. Dont be afraid to make a splash! Continue to talk to others you see sitting quietly, for they may just be waiting for someone to say hello. This is an opportunity to learn about other cultures, and make friends from different countries! Enjoy!