University of Maryland Eastern Shore Top Questions

Choosing college could be the most stressful thing for an high school senior. If i could have known what i know now about college and making transition, i would have made a better choice, personally. College isnt all about the parties, and having the best college expreince and being far away from home. which i was really worried about. But college should be about who i be able to find a job after i gradaute or how might taking this major at this particular school help me real my life time goals. If i had any advice like this prior to my high school senior year, i believe i would have made better choices for myself.

The advice I would give to my high school self is be patient Become a critical thinker, do not just act off emotions, think before you speak, become compassionate and trusting of others, more importantly yourself. Don’t not let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your goals, or perform your gifts. Allow every obstacle to become each accomplishment. Obliterate mediocre thinking and PLEASE keep going Protect each dream and motivation, do not allow the influence of other, or their expectations to become you. Take advantage of every opportunity and soar through life

I would tell myself dont expect college would be an easy transition fro high school. When you come , come prepared to be hit with a crazy amount of exceptations from your family and the school.

If I could go back in time when I was a high school senior I would have told myself to go on more college fairs or schedule to go to an individual college to get an actual feeling of what it would be like to go there. I would tell myself to ask a lot more questions on the types of programs and clubs they offer. I would have told myself to stop wasting my time getting nervous, thinking that I would fail and not make it in life.

Dear HS Jasmine, You seem to be a well-rounded teenager. You’re more mature than your peers. However, there are some things that you could learn from you older self. I know you hear these things repeatedly when you’re in College Prep meetings or New Horizon College Club, but trust me, soak up all the information. When people tell you that your high school career is vital to your college application process, believe them! It seems as though you are too in-tuned with your social life. You have enormous potential. Please believe me when I tell you. You are not challenging yourself. You could be doing so much better in school. You’ve been an Honor Roll student your whole life. Your social life has gotten in the way of that. It’s not that you are a bad student, you’ve just accepted being average. Get good grades so you won’t have to worry about paying back thousands of dollars worth of student loans ten years from now! The transition won’t be easy. But, trust me, you’ll be fine. You will do GREAT things in college, and maybe even surprise yourself! Older Jasmine

Knowing what I know now about college, I would tell my high school senior self that although college is the american dream, it is a privilege not a right. I would explain to my high school self, that making the college transition is not only taking education to the next level, but it is also taking the right step towards really becoming an adult and being more independent. Taking on more responsibility merits reward when one can make it through everything they encounter and come out unscathed. I would tell myself that in order to get ready for the transition from high school to college I have to re-evaluate everything I know and to lower my expectations, because college is such a big difference from high school, that there shouldn't be any expectations.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to get more prepared. Look for more scholarships and grants to not only pay for college but to also pay for books and other expenses that follow. I would tell myself to stay more on top of things and not to depend or blame anyone else on whats not done and what needs to be done. I would tell myself that walking a cross that stage to get that diploma does not just mean graduating high school. It also marks the begining of the rest of your life. Play time is over and you are officially becoming an adult women in this cold world and people will treat you as such.

If I could go back and advise myself on transitioning to college, I would advise myself to be more assertive with my class schedule and school decisions. I believe being confident in your school and course choice will allow you to be significantly more prepared for the change. I would explain to myself on how to stay focused and work hard in everything that I do. I would tell myself not to worry about the little things and just enjoy all the time I have left and look forward to the future ahead of me. I do believe you have to go to school for the right reasons, to learn and earn a degree. If you go for the wrong reasons it could put you in a bad position fairly quickly. College is a journey and every decision matters; be yourself, stay determined and be a little ambitious. Knowledge is the key to success.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now, I would tell myself not to worry about fitting in or making friends because they come naturally. In addition, the first year is the easiest to get acquainted with people from your class year because school's tend to have a lot of freshman meetings and things of that nature. I'd also tell myself to join clubs and stay involved in the school community so there won't ever be a moment where I'm bored but to make sure that I stay focused on my schoolwork.

If I could go back and tell myself anything, I do believe I would tell myself to practice more responsibility. I am expected to be more responsible now that I am older and in college. Teachers treat me more like an adult than a teenager, so I have to act more like it. The most responsibility I had during my senior year was my graduation project and earning my Eagle Scout award. Although both required me to show leadership, neither truly prepared me for the realities of the real world and college. So I would say, "Self, get your act together and act more like an adult. College is a big step. You will need to stand on your own two feet and give life your best. Work hard, play hard, and learn all you can because you only get one chance in life. Make it a good one. I love you."