Southern New Hampshire University Top Questions

The first thing I would tell myself is the graduate on time. I would also tell myself that kids can come later on down the road. I had a daughter at 18 years old so for a long time, school was not an option. I had to provide for my daughter. I would also tell myself to start school in the fall after graduation and get all my schooling out the way, travel the country and experience what life has to offer. I don't regret having my daughter but I had to put a lot of my dreams on hold and stop dreaming about them all together. So mostly importantly, I would tell myself to keep going for my dreams!

If I could give my high school senior self advice, I would tell her to go to college directly after high school - no excuses! I decided not to go to college after high school because I was involved in a relationship and had a good job, so I did not believe I needed college. I now know that this was a big mistake. The relationship ended terribly and the good job disappeared, leaving me struggling to make a living. GO TO COLLEGE! Even if you do not know what you want to do with the rest of your life, college is valuable. College can offer you experiences to learn, grow, and discover who you are and what you want to do with your life. You do not have to have it all figured out before you go to college. Part of college involves the figuring out part. And, if you still do not have it figured out by the time you finish your degree, at least you have an education to help you to get a decent job to earn a living while you continue to evolve. This evolution will be a lifelong process, so make the most of it!

College is a lot less scary than it is painted to be to high-school students. Still, the process is cumbersome so make a checklist and check it twice. Fill out applications early and follow up on documents that are sent in by second parties like test scores and transcripts. Visit the campus before you make a final decision; imagine yourself there and see if you’ll be comfortable there. When you are accepted, get to know the campus and the people there. People there are less intimidating and assured of themselves as you may think, so realize you are not alone in figuring it all out. It’s okay to feel completely lost and overwhelmed, so take a break and pinpoint exactly what makes you anxious and if you ask for it you will find help! Lastly, get involved out of the classroom. Chat with professors, join a club, and go to events, because this is your experience as well as education.

Dear Monique, This is the future you. Knowing what I know now I will not bore you with a long letter so I only have a few words of advice for you: 1. Stay true to who you are. Remember your dreams (The briefcase and the Suit). 2. Have a plan and set goals (Your plan will always fail if you fail to plan). 3. Stay focused ( There will be plenty of time to really enjoy life). 4. Surround yourself with others who can or will help you to achieve your goals (And get a Mentor) 5. Most importantly LOVE and BELIEVE in YOURSELF! (If you don't no one else will) These five Principles will take who you naturally are very far! You already have it! And if no one has told you lately I am VERY proud of you! Keep up the good work and I'll see you at the Top! Love Always, Monique B.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would have told my past self to stay in school and finish that degree. Although I had a good job that allowed me to get into the IT industry without finishing school the lack of a degree would become a hurdle in the future - where a university degree is required for employment. University is not anything like high school and although it seems like the same boring classes in high school, they are structured to enhance one's critical thinking skills and expose a person to different fields of science or art. I would tell myself to not give up or great frustrated - situations are only temporary and life continues regardless of what happens. I would also offer the following advice, keep your eye on the goal of finishing school. Grades usually do not make a person, but how one applies the knowledge they have learned to the job at hand and life means more than any grade that one can achieve in school. Finally, I would also tell myself to follow my dreams and not the dreams of other people, including parents.

Dear Kelly Learn from your mistakes the first time instead of repeating them. Focus! Pay attention! Grow up! Don't let the party intefer with your studies. An education is important to making it in the world. You don't want to spend money on a degree you won't use so really get to know yourself this year so you know what you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life. You're not out to impress anyone but yourself. Do the best you can with what you've got. You're smart, you just have to realize it. Don't be afraid to get to know your classmates. They're going to be great people. Ask questions! Do extra work. Good luck

Gary? Hello? Listen--no, there's no time explain--just listen. It's me. I'm from the future, and I have something to tell you. Shh. There isn't time. I know you think you're awesome right now but, in about six months, you're going to get a terrible job, working as a cook in a restaurant. After that--VERY soon after that--you're going to realize that continuing your education is a good idea. Guess what? It is! Do that, but skip the terrible job this time around. You’re going to choose a school that you should have done more research on. Yes, you’ll get a degree, but it won’t be what you what you TRULY want. Instead, choose SNHU. Google it; you’ll see. It’s cheaper, and you can get your BA instead of AS, which is exactly what you want to do. I have to go, but I have one more thing to tell you: Relax. You’re going to make it, and you will (eventually) make the right choices. Oh, and whatever Sarah and your dog (Millie) say, do that. Do exactly that! Goodbye, past Gary. Goodbye.

I am a unique applicant, since I returning to school after receiving my Bachelors almost 20 years ago. Having a lot of life experience under my belt, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high-school senior, I would encourage "me" to be more balanced. I have always been an over-achiever. One might say a "nerd". I don't think I appreciated the social aspect of college and that it is truly a "once in a lifetime" experience. I would encourage the high-school Dena to study and do well (of course, I am a nerd to the core), but also to get involved in college activities. The transition will be a lot smoother if you have people to share it with and you can take the journey together. I would also remind myself to take advantage of any opportunities for work study and meeting professionals in my career field. College life is the beginning of the networking experience and you can establish key relationships that will allow you to be successful in the future. Overall, I would remind myself to have fun and be appreciative of the chance to go to college!

Take into consideration ALL of your talents. Culinary may not completely pan out. It's always good to have a fall back. I'd say try and be social, but honestly it mostly just brings drama. Focus on the education, if you make friends keep them; well try to.... The people you deal with in high school.... you'll never have to see them again. Unless you go to the 10 year reunion.... still haven't decided that myself. Don't give up on the Culinary... Part of our future is there! Most importantly... Enjoy yourself, learn and be you. Oh and don't let the Epilepsy stop you. Like they say in A Cinderella Story "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Never stop going to college. "Taking a semester off" is just dropping out. My semester off turned into 12 years. Keep going because it is very hard to get back into school. Find a way to stay in college and do what it takes to stay at it. Find the money, find the time, but just stay in college.