Simmons College Top Questions

My first advice to my senior self is to re-take the ACT. Additionally, don't over-think the exam - slow and steady, but answer as many questions as possible as it can improve the score. Don't regret the decision about starting at a community college and working to pay through school, but don't work too hard. Take more time to study and don't procrastinate (so much). Finally, proceed to the BSN / MSN route while you still have a young brain and don't have so many complicated life situations. The support is there and it will be much easier to do it than to wait the many years that we did in this current life.

Don't say 'no'. Except to drugs, and alcohol, and excessive partying. Otherwise, throw yourself into college life head on. Don't think to yourself, "Maybe next year. When I know more people. When I have more friends." The only way you'll be able to make lasting friendships is if you get out on your own and try out new things and meet new people. And also don't think to yourself, "Well, this sin't really my thing. I don't do stuff like this." How will you know if it's your 'thing' unless you've actually tried it? College is a place to find yourself and your true passions without feeling self concious of others. Because remember, everyone is in the same boat as you. Everyone's new to college and no one really knows each other. So don't be afraid to say 'Yes!' It gives you the opportunity to try new things and meet interesting new people.

If I could go back to high school and give myself advice for college I would tell myself 3 big things. The first piece of advice I would give would be to go to all of the colleges you are looking at to give yourself more to compare on, you have to feel comfortable at the college. The second piece of advice would be to make friends with your floor mates fast, they are the people you have to live with and share your space with all the time. The last piece of advice I would give would be to get in the habit of keeping a calendar and making a schedule. Keeping a planner is the best thing you can do, even if you think you will remember every assignment, meeting, or test you have one will slip your mind and that can cause an upset in your course and get you discouraged. Over all, the best thing to do going from high school to college is have an open mind. Drop any preconceived notions of college and go in with an open mind and find new unique experiences for yourself.

I would tell myself to not stress out too much about the future. I would tell myself that I don't need to know exactly what career path I want before entering college. I would tell myself to try everything once, to join as many extracurricular clubs and activities as possible, and try them all out. Then to narrow down my involvement to what really makes me happy. I would tell myself to open my mind to new people, new opportunities, and new possibilities. And I would tell myself not to worry, because college is an incredible experience; life changing actually. College is full of knowledge, experience, activities, life long friends, amazing teachers, and self-discovery.

I would advise my younger self to be more involved with programs, activities and organizations offered at the college I will attend. One thing I most regret not doing while I was taking my prerequisite courses at a community college is getting involved in the activities. Looking back on my experience there I realize that there were many groups and activities that captured my attention and would have helped me to have a more well-rounded approach to everything from study habits to resume writing skills after graduation. The community college that I attended held and currently holds various workshops monthly to aid students in their transition from high school adolescent to college young adult and even further into adult hood. I would advise my high school senior self to actually pay attention to the many flyers posted around the school that advertised these programs because I now know that it is sometimes necessary and okay to seek help when something is very new to you and you are scared and unsure of what to do to achieve your goals.

First I would say, Keep your attitude at home. Do not talk back and most importantly LISTEN and interact with the teacher and students. Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Most importantly stay focused on your school work and don't let anything else distract you from your studies. YOU CAN DO IT! No one is going to hold your hand and tell you to turn in your work. It is not like high school. Get a schedule that works best for you and give yourself study time which takes priority over everything else. Do not worry about what you are going to wear the next day, worry about how you will get all your worked turned in and passing that class! No excuses! Get it done because you can! Show the world what you are made of and excel excel excel!! Don't let anyone or anything stop you from reaching your goals! Work first play later! You are going to make it!

Dear Melissa, Make sure to take those science courses seriously. While you know you can do the minimum and still earn great grades, you need to push yourself more than you ever have before. Don't memorize! This will only hurt you in the long run. You have to be able to comprehend the material and really make sure you understand what you are reading. Don't take the easy way out. Don't be afraid to take chances! Go above and beyond what is expected of you. Don't be afraid to do things that may make you feel uncomfortable. And always, fight for what is right and just. This will only prepare you for what lies ahead of you in college. The tears and sweat may make it seem like you're getting nowhere...but you are. You just don't know it yet. You are going to be amazing and successful and a true leader in healthcare in the future. Those tears, sweat, and headaches? They will all be worth it. PS- Make sure to go out for Varsity Basketball your senior year. Don't take the easy way out. Sincerely, Your older, wiser self

If I can go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I need to get ready for college by doing the research on how applying for college works. Signing up for scholarships would be another important topic I would mention. I will tell myself that scholarships are more important than I thought and that it will make my college life so much easier money wise. Since I had a very difficult time deciding what class i wanted to take, I just jumped into any class without really thinking about it. Instead of making that mistake I would tell myself that the career I really want to work in is Occupational therapy, not Criminal justice. I would also tell myself what school I should pick, which is Keiser University, because Everest will just be a waste of my time and money. The last thing I would say to myself is to take every class serious and pass with the highest grade to my ability. If I were to fail I would have to pay for the whole class and for the books, if the books are different depending on the year.

Remember, you can do the crazy party thing and the college part. Remember to do the college part.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself the advice to take advantage of every scholarship opportunity available, and give myself more credit for what I have done with my life. In order to succeed in life one must learn to brag. Not become arrogant, but instead able to acknowledge your accomplishments. I once thought I had nothing to write on a scholarship application except my name, but I never thought of all the little things I did every day. I was a volunteer math tutor at my high school, I sang at charity events as lead vocals with the band at my music school, I was a Girl Scout for nine years and I was a Pease Greeter. I had so many things to write that I never gave myself credit for. So I would have asked myself to remember that I had more to offer the world than I once thought. That way when I got to college I wouldn’t spend the first few weeks looking around wondering how I fit in with all the accomplished women around me, instead I would know I belonged.