University of Puget Sound Top Questions

If I could go back in time and visit myself as a high school senior I would have told myself to be prepared for something completely different from high school. I would have informed my high school self of the higher expectations, need for self-motivation and discipline, and general independence that comes with college life. I wish I could have known coming into college that my previous study habits and routines simply wouldn't cut it here, but instead I had to learn the hard way and struggle through my first semester. My high school self thought she was independent and I wish I could tell her otherwise.

Not everything will be perfect, but it will be okay; that is the hardest lesson I have learned since entering college. If I could go back in time and talk to myself a year ago, I would tell myself that a lot is going to change very quickly. I would say things like, you cannot procrastinate in college like you did in high school and you are going to gain a new perspective to life. You are going to realize what you want to do with your life, so stop worrying about your indecision. I would tell myself not to turn down those trips to grandma's house, because she has less time than you think. When you reach college you'll realize that your friends are going their own ways and you need to go yours. People will come and go out of your life and you just need to accept it for the way it is, and know that even when you live on your own you will never be lonely. I will say the college work is harder, but do not get down on yourself because it is like that for everyone. Never lose your faith.

To be honest, were traveling through time possible, I don't think my first priority would be to visit myself after high school--things like the Colossus of Rhodes or the library of Alexandria would be far more interesting to see. However, should the opportunity present itself, I would tell myself 2 things. The first would be to accept what i know about myself--my perfectionism, my love of pondering, my weakness for being overwhelmed--and really try to consider what kind of school I wanted. It took me almost 3 years to figure out what I really wanted, and while it was an excellent learning experience, starting my college career at the school I attend now sounds wonderfully appealing. The second, and the more important, would be to LIGHTEN UP, take some time to enjoy the world i was living in and the opportunities I was being presented. I'd want to tell myself, heck I'm still trying to, that I don't need to figure out all the answers right now. "Get out of your room (and your head) and explore the world a little. Just live. Don't get trapped in academics."

Once you get to college, get involved and meet new people. Being without your high school friends is hard, so do your best to make new friends who can support you if you start having problems. And don't just make lots of friends, make good friends. Meet everyone on the floor of your dorm, introduce yourself to the other people in your classes, get involved in clubs (not just one club, lots of clubs), sit with people you don't know at meals. Don't be shy, because everyone else wants to make new friends too.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would let myself know that picking a college isn't only about picking the best education that a college can offer you in the classroom. I'd suggest that I better assess what makes me feel comfortable with a living situation. I'd tell myself that I need to recognize what is important to me socially in a school such as diversity and within the community the school is located in. Being able to feel comfortable enough to live within a completely different community on your own is an exeptionally important part of choosing the right college; this I know now and I wish I knew it as a high school senior applying to colleges. I would tell myself that I should apply to colleges not just to apply, but because I could see myself living there and being a part of that campus.

Learn to effectively time-manage before attending college, and prepare to read far more than you did in high school. Having said that, remember to take breaks so that you don't completely overload yourself with stress. If you take your time and give it your all, you can easily get through college.

If I knew then, what I know now, I would have told myself, "Learn how to study!" There is an art and a science to learning good study habits and high school was a breeze! Getting good grades didn't involve much studying or talent and I think my high school teachers did me a disservice. They rewarded me for being likable and for completing my assignments. They didn't actually critique my work. The good grades I received got me in to my top choice school on scholarships; however, once I got there, I didn't know how to do school work. I graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA. My first semester college GPA was a 2.34. Ouch! Thank goodness for my wonderful floormates that taught me the lesson, "Sometimes, it's just not possible to watch TV every night. Sometimes, you actually need to read 100 pages before class the next day." After that first semester, my grades skyrocketed and I was back to getting grades I was used to receiving; however, I will always wonder how much better I would have done in school had I learned how to study earlier in my education.

First of all, try to break out of the image you've gotten during high school of what kind of college you "should" go to. It doesn't need to be the school with the highest academic ranking, and your life does not depend upon picking the perfect school. However, try to pick a location where you will be happy living for the next four years, and a school where you feel comfortable and from which you will recieve a good education. Don't go into college with a definite career path in mind, although it is helpful to have a general idea of the subject area you are interested in. There will be many resources at your college to explore your options for careers, more in fact than you will probably encounter in any other situation in your life.

Don't have any expectations. College will be a completely different experience from what you think it will be. It will be both great and terrible. You will have the best time and meet the best people but you will also have the worst times and meet not so good people. But take time to appreciate the good moments. They will not last forever, nor will the hard parts never end, so don't dwell in them. Go crazy, make lots of mistakes, and take honest time to learn about yourself. Most character building moments are not as fun or as heroic or as romantic as you may imagine them to be, but they are what will make your time more rich. And in the end, cut yourself some slack. Be ready to learn, more about life than anything else and be ready to learn how much you don't know and how far you can reach.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would honestly tell myself to do exactly what I have done. I love where I am, I love what I'm doing, I love where I'm going, and I'm super excited for what lies ahead. I would tell myself to work hard in school and to trust my inclinations. I would tell myself to find people who make me feel cared about. I would say to take classes that follow my passions, and to find people who will help me to learn and grow. Do what feels right, don't let people scare you out of living your life. Take chances and live it up. College is what you make it, and I am making it amazing.