Truman State University Top Questions

I think about this question all the time. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now, there is a lot to tell myself. My first correction would be to explore more schools and go on more campus visits. I would also look into required courses. I did not know that a liberal arts school had so many unrelated courses (to a person's major) required for graduation. My next step would have been to apply earlier. I put off applications with a fear of rejection. I now know that the earlier you apply to a school, the better chances a person has at being considered. One last step I would tell myself is to be serious right away, college is so different from high school but nothing to be afraid of. All the hard work put in takes you one step closer to where you want to be in life.

Honestly, I don't think there would be any advice to give, except to not waste my money applying to any other schools, but that's something I needed to figure out on my own. I would probably tell myself that I would just be another number at a bigger college and need something more personal. I loved the experience of picking a University and feeling confident that my choice was right and I would relive it in an instant! I believe I would just say, "I think you'd really enjoy Truman and the friends you'll meet and the opportunities you will have".

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself, I'd make sure my old self knew that you don't have to go to an Ivy League school to get a good education and have a good time. I would definitely ensure that I also knew to get involved with activities in college. There is no time to be shy because everyone here is new and everyone is looking to make friends. I would also tell myself to remember that most of the people at college do not know me and thus, I can change anything about myself more easily. All of these suggestions combined would have helped me greatly had I known them as a high school senior.

If I could go back in time, one of the most important pieces of advice I would give myself would be to take more dual credit and AP courses. I often feared failing courses which held me back from performing a lot of things I now wish I could've. I braved one AP Litterature course my senior year and surprisingly passed with an A-. Going back in time, I would be more creative and adventurous by taking more extra-curricular activities. By not attempting a variety of clubs, I didn't give myself a chance to even gain interes in any of them. My senior year I worried a lot about making my collegiate profile look great

If I could go back to my senior year in high school knowing what I know now about college life I would take the opportunity to spend extra time with my high school instructors inquiring about their experiences in college and what it really takes to succeed accademically in college. I would have taken math and writing preparation more seriously to be better prepared for the level at which college students are expected to perform.

I would tell myself to have more fun in highschool because college is harder than you expect. I would tell myself to save the money I earn from my job because college is very expensive and there will be a lot of suprise runs to Walmart. I would also tell myself that the dorm rooms you see on those "back to school" commercials are unreal and they are way smaller. The myth that all you do is partying at college is just that, a myth. There is saying at Truman: you have a social life, homework, and sleep, you get to pick which two you want. From my experience, on a good day I can get one of these three things. There is no such things as the perfect roommate or perfect suitemates, sometimes you won't always get along with them either, so see what living arrangement suites you best. Though I would warn myself of these things and more, lastly, and the most cliche and honest thing i would tell myself is that no matter what you are going to make mistakes, it is up to ypu how you learn from them and prepare better in the future.

I would have tried harder in high school and set myself up better in college. By doing this I will be ahead of the other students and have less work to do to stay with the class. By not working to my full potential in high school it hurt me immensely in college; with poor study habits and not coming in with any credits.

Not to listen to other people's opinions of school and to go somewhere that I would feel comfortable and focus on my degree.

Do not be afraid to ask questions in college and question your professors as often as you can because 1) they enjoy it and 2) you can both learn something new that way. College is about taking risks and gaining from different experiences, so make sure to go out and experience new things. Never let fear hold you back!

Procrastinate now, while you still can. Don't overreact to situations that you have no control over. Regarding rumors or activities, do not believe everything you hear, believe everything you see. You don't have to be friends with everyone, just occasionally hang out with people. Don't try to please everyone or you will end up making things worse. Get a day planner and plan things. Don't try the whole double major thing, just stick to Political Science and stick to the sample program. Ask which political science classes are on what semester cycle, then you can plan accordingly. DO NOT take junior or senior classes as a sophomore, except Arabic. Take Arabic, and focus and study that more than anything else, but don't neglect your other studies. Make your relaxing time going to more symphonies, guest speakers, movies, plays, etc. Embrace napping for it is glorious! Make a budget, save as much money as possible because the economy is going to go down the drain (tell mom and dad to pull out of the market and save some money). Don't worry Obama will be President. Have fun, and good luck!