Southern Polytechnic State University Top Questions

Dear High School Senior Philip, Right now you think that you have to attend college for four years and graduate because you're "supposed to." As your future self, I can tell you that this is a recipe for failure. Book learning and theoretical knowledge are incredibly important to have but you need to know to couple it with practical knowledge, too. After your first two years of college, take a break from sitting in a classroom and provide for yourself. Do something with your hands that produces tangible results and feel the pride of hard day's work. This will give you a broader perspective about how fortunate you are to have your opportunities. It will teach you the humility and self-respect you will need to keep from failing those six classes that I failed, all because I was afraid that my best wasn't good enough so I never eally tried hard at anything. After you learn these lessons you will return to school and finish because you will find you are capable of anything you want to do; and you will know what that is, instead of going through the motions because you're "supposed to."

Start off strong and build good study habits they will save you the stress and long nights of cramming. dont look at the whole picture just take it a class at a time, and find the people who are willing to help. They will be the people that you can lean on in your time of need.

I would tell myself to not let anyone tell me that I can't do something. That everyone holds the key to their own success. Stay aay from excuses and only be proactive and accountable.

I would tell myself that my dreams will live if I want them to. Believe in yourself, and the only fear is fear its self.

Don't take the easiest classes you can at the beginning because it will only take longer to complete the degree you are trying to work for.

Looking back, if I had the ability to go back in time to 2008-2009 when I was a senior in high school I would have most defiantly given myself a long hard talking to. In high school I set my goals high for academic success, but unfortunately some of my "extracurricular activities" got in the way of my goals. However, as a senior who thought she had a plan I could have used some much needed insight to the future with my plans with college. First off, my advice would be to become more aware of scholarships and events in my school. I would also mention to myself to broaden my horizon with alternative options when it came to higher learning. Having the opportunity to possibly speak to myself as a high school senior I would have been able to accomplish a lot more with my time - that’s if I would have listened back then.

I would first tell myself, do not take science and math classes at the same time if you can help it. Do not sign up for morning classes or Friday classes if you can help it. Meet all the people you can during freshman orientation and throughout your college career. Be involved with many campus activities because networking will get you a long way. Time management is something to have and take advantage of because the use of time in your day ccan determine your future; so use the agenda as much as possible. Try new things, if you want to work on your drawing skills, take a drawing class. Do not let anything stop you from doing what you want to do and always strive for the largest prize! By allowing yourself to set goals and achieve them objective by objective, you will feel accomplished in even the small things like working out or completing a project on time. Lastly, get to know your professors, they know a lot of people and they often times have great advice which could help you succeed in the area you are studying.

If I could go back, I would make myself not take advantage of the benefits going to high school gives you, like turning in late work, doing extra credit, and redoing assiments. I would also try harder in math, and studied more so I wouldn't be stressing out trying to understand math now that I'am paying for the class.

I would tell myself not to be nervous. College isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be, and even if you get caught up or things get complicated, there are plent of people that want to help you make it through. Don't worry about losing your friends you made in high school, the ones that truly care about you will keep in contact, and there will be people at your new home to fill the places of the ones that don't. Try to get rid of your procrastination problems because that will be the only thing that will make college hard for you. Go to ratemyprofessor.com to find good professors that actually teach, dont trust the orientation leaders. Lastly, don't expect to see alot of girlfriend material girls where your going, go to atlanta to find that.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college I would advise myself to work harder. I would tell myself to focus on my school work a little more and study as hard as I could. I would advise myself that high school is the time to pay attention to my studies and lean on my resources as much as I could. High school is a time to focus on my grades and maintaining my grade point average. I would also advise myself that you only get one shot at high school, in comparision to college. Do the best that I can and realize that time can never be returned. Focus on a good college and try to decide what I want to do with my life and lean towards that by looking at colleges who were able to help me reach my goals.