Texas Tech University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would be more serious about taking tests. Test taking is not my strength; I would take more time out to learn from my mistakes. In high school, I couldn?t wait to graduate, not because I didn?t like my school, but because I knew that there were more bigger and better things that are in life than just being in school. Not only that, but to also feel that there are teachers who care about my education. I would tell myself to not be in any or everything that the school has to offer. Now that I am in college, I realized it?s not about all the activities that you are in , it?s about how well you present yourself, the grades you make, and most of all its about how well you want to be successful in life. Lastly, I would tell myself to figure out what I wanted to be/do with the rest of my life before my senior year. This way, I wouldn?t be pressured to make last minute decisions that would eventually affect me.

I would tell myself that I needed to learn how to study. Before college, I never had to study. When I started college, I thought that I could still pass by doing what I did in high school: nothing. Instead of passing, however, I did horribly in all of my classes. Now, I am working extremely hard so I can get back on track with my life. That's what I would tell myself.

Given there is a time gap of about 20 years between my high school senior year and the year I returned to college to complete my bachelor's degree, a great deal of information was made available to me in that time. My main advice to myself, and any other student entering college studies, would be that if you aren't sure what your end goal is, you may be wasting your time and resources. After my first year of college right out of high school, I realized that I hadn't gone to college because I wanted to, but because everyone else wanted me to. Over the years, I would dabble, taking a college course here and there, but it still wasn't my goal, still it was what others said I should do. When I entered Texas Tech in 1998, at age 37, it was finally my goal to complete the degree, my wish to learn natural resources management at a top school. And though I worked full time during my full time studies, and celebrated the birth of my youngest son during this time as well, I succeeded. Only because it was MY goal.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself several things in order to survive college. I would tell myself to make sure you really know how to study. Do not wait until the last minute and cram the night before a test. College does not work like that. Most likely test are over several chapters and you actually have to take the time before and study for tests. You should make sure and learn how to take good notes, not just what teachers put on powerpoints. You have to go beyond powerpoints and write down what is important. Make sure you go to class. Going to class will only benefit you in the long run. If you do not go to class, you are likely to miss important information or pop quizes. I would also tell myself to look for and apply for as many scholarships as possible. If not your going to have to go all on student loans and then it will take several years after you graduate to pay them off. I would also tell myself to have fun and enjoy college.

Going back to my senior year I felt I was on top of the world. I had been accepted into the college I wanted to go to and I was basically the "it" girl at my high school. I had no cares and the last thing on my mind was classes and my ACT score. Yet looking back now and having completed my first year of college I have alot a things I would love to go back and tell myself. First off I would have to study harder and set stricter goals for myself. Although I graduated top of my class, the work load is tons different here at college. I also would tell myself to worry about my ACT score and take it as many times as I could, because the higher you make the more scholarship money you can get, and money is scarce as a college student. I also would tell myself to start having an open mind and realize that I am about to go off where I know nobody and not going to be the center of everyone's world. I need to focus on school and my grades, not my social life.

I would tell myself to take as many different classes in high school as possible. It's good to get a broad knowledge of your talents and interests out of the way in high school so you don't have to do it in college. You already have that preception in your head of what you like and don't like, so it narrows the area of thinking when you are deciding on your major. Also, start practicing priciples that are used frequently in college such as making flash cards. Repetition is the key to sucess. Once you have that strong foundadtion cemented as a routine, it's going to make things alot easier. For the most part, you know what your passionate about. Don't doubt yourself. Take the money aspect out of the equation, and pick something you can truely see yourself doing for the rest of your life and being happy. If your happy, everything will work out.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to concentrate more in school and pay attention in class. Also, I would tell myself to take challenging courses. High school really doesn't prepare you for University course work. If I could of taken Honors, Pre-AP, or AP courses, I would of.

I would definately have to say the transition from highschool to college was very rough for me. Coming from a very small 1A school to such a huge University, I wasn't fully ready. In addition, although I did very well in highschool, was at the top of my class, and took advanced classes, Honors College at Texas Tech was simply too much for me to handle. Had I known what I know now, I would definately tell myself to take it slow, space out my work load, don't procrastinate, and don't worry so much because I will do just fine as long as I stay focus and work hard. I would also tell myself that God already has a plan for me and to step aside and let him do his job, because he has a bigger and better plan for me than I would have ever created for myself.

I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships. I had enough money to pay for an entire year of school but I definitely do not have enough money for next year. A lot of my friends got their entire schooling paid for, and then some, just by hunting for and applying for scholarships. I plan on scholarship hunting over this semester in order to have an easier time, financially in college.

I somehow always thought that going off to college would change everything. Though now being here, I realize that college is just another step in life and it?s something we all do. If I could tell myself the most important thing about college as compared to high school is time management. Life at college is all based upon this concept. Everything Ido is all based around how I manage my time and what I do with it. I also realize that my studies at college take a lot more time and effort, but I do believe that I have a lot of down time to do whatever I want. College is way better than I could?ve imagined and I have the freedom to choose to do whatever I want whenever you want. I am aware that I am on my own and I must do what I think is best. College is exciting, fun, challenging, different, and the gateway to my life.