Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Top Questions

Two things--two very important things that nobody but yourself can teach you. Firstly, be tenacious in everything you do, and make sure you do plenty. I believe that everyone is smart enough to chase that 4.0 GPA, especially you. But you have to want it--it will take long hours of studying (and maybe a few tears), not to mention a fair bit of luck. But if you ever feel like you need a second chance in life before you are even out of high school, you aren't working hard enough. So listen, just don't be lazy--trying is half the battle, and one battle that is the most likely to be lost. Secondly, no matter how well you do at the aformentioned, life will knock you down. Once again, you will probably never learn this in high school (some people don't learn it untill post-college). What is critically important is that you learn what to do after taht happens--and as quick as possible too. My best advice? Get back up and remember why you put one foot in front of the next.

If I could go back and give myslef advice about the future I would tell myself not to focus on material things. I would tell myslef that material things, although great at the time, will not help get me thorugh college. The most important thing in life is famiy. Our family can not be replaced. Families are there for us all the time and act as our "cheerleaders" when we are in college. They are the ones who tell us not to stress and celebrate with us when we do good on a test or quiz. Material thins are nice for the time but can not share the wisdom that out family has to offer. Life is too short and can be taken away from us at anytime. I feel it is important to stay connected with family in college and never lose touch.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was in high school, the two things that I would tell myself is to learn how to study and to be more frugal with my money. I was a straight A student in high school, and it came effortlessly to me. But when I transitioned into college life, and especially now that I'm studying my major, there are concepts that I struggle to grasp. It was difficult to have to learn how to study in a way that works for me while I was having problems in a class. Another important thing that I would tell my high school self would be to save my money! Whenever I got paid, I couldn't wait to go out and spend it! But now that I have major bills to pay at school, I'm lucky to be able to go out for food and can't save much of my money. If I had saved better back then, I might be able to pay for some of my tuition out of pocket, or at least buy some of my books without having to take out a loan.

Looking back at my high school self, I realize I was way too stressed out. As I juggled four Advanced Placement classes, varsity soccer, figure skating, and a job, I also constantly worried that college was going to be even more difficult. I was spending all my time trying to get ahead so I could have summers off of school to see my family. If I could go back and give myself a chat, I would plead myself to take it slower, enjoy my last year at home, and to focus on my current happiness. I would knock it into my head that college goes at a pace comfortable with you, and there is plenty of help if you get caught underway. My past self should know that yes, the AP credits do help out, but the bittersweet memories of your most glorious year out of "the best four years of your life" help out too, not with academics, but with the other part of college: the living independently part. I tried to grow up and take on the world too quickly, like many mistakenly do, and if I could go back, I would enjoy being a kid.

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self something I would say stay focused. During my senior year I was on the ball with everything keeping up with scholarships and financial aid. I would tell myself to stay focused because when I came to college I was very unmotivated and I did not stay looking at the bigger picture. I would have also told myself that I made the right decision to follow my friends. I know that some people advise students to go off and their own thing and they do not need their friends. I am the type of person who gets anxious about being alone in public or making big decisions alone. Another thing is I would tell myself to calm down and take a deep breath because college is not as big of a headache as everyone makes it out to be.

If i could go back to high school, I would tell myself that I need to start thinking about college really early like everyone was telling me. I would tell myself to stop putting it off because it is going to add so much stress to your life once the time finally comes and your ready for the big first day. I would also tell myself to fill out scholarships! They reallt are important! My teachers were not kidding! They really did know what they were talking about. All that time my class thought they kept repeating themself because they didn't have anything else to say in that moment. The last thing I would do is take more trips to the college to find my classes before the semester starts so I wouldnt be a nervous wreck the first day of classes. College can be crazy, but if you listen to those people that just keep repeating themself, life wouldn't be so rough that first month of classes.

Do your absolute best. The harder you work now, the simpler you can make it for yourself in the future. No one can take your education from you.

If given the opportunity to advise myself as a senior, I would take full advantage of the situation and start by saying that college is truly the best and the worst of times. I would remind myself that even though it does not seem like a fun idea at the time, it is better to go to a community college first. It is likely that the major you start with will not be the one you finish with, so save the cash on a big university by attending a community college for the first year, until you know for sure what you want to do with your life and can find the perfect university for that major. But putting the financial stress aside, college will be a moment in life to find out who you truly are as a person and it is important you take full advantage of that learning experience. College opens you to opportunities that you never even thought of or had been presented with before. So do your work, and when that is done, go have fun. You deserve the time to find friends, love, and most importantly, finding yourself.

FIrst, I would suggest these few things. Be more outgoing and do not give up. There are people to help you, so do not be shy and speak up if you have a question. Also, talk to people. Small talk can start real conversation and develop friendship. It is okay to still be deciding where you want life to go, but understand that this decision cannot be delayed too long. Get out and broaden your horizons. Go to sporting events, volunteer, have fun, but make good decisions. Ending up in a paper for trouble is not good for you, friends, classmates, or family. College is in the "real world", not the general 8-3 routine. It is your life to live, so be yourself. Make your own choices, but make them for your benefit. Lastly, there are a lot of people. As potential competitors, every student seems like an enemy. There are people who try to put you down. Cut loose from their grip and keep your head up. Professors and faculty remember the ones who smile and show kindness better than any other student. So: be positive, press on, get some rest, and never give up on your dreams!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would tell myself to quit slacking off, do better, apply for more scholarships and apply for them much earlier, as well as try to act better around my parents. I would also tell myself to save every penny instead of wasting it on everything I want but don't need.