University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

Academically I was pretty well prepared through taking honors and AP classes so I knew i could handle the work load. Dedication and time wise i was also prepared for because I played three sports in high school and still mantained a good GPA through the harder classes. The biggest thing i would change is financial status. I would tell myself to be more serious about scholarships because just applying for a few scholarships doesnt mean i will get them. The other financial aspect I would tell myself is to work harder and try to earn more money. Although I worked alot over the summer and made some good money I wasnt prepared for the expenses living on my own would bring. I am alot more broke than originally anticipated and it gets hard to come by certain necessities. Making the transition with money would be alot easier than it has been without money.

Hello Vaughan and congratulations on all of your accomplishments. You have made the most of what high school had to offer you so far but I want to encourage you to do more. Be involved in the things you enjoy and act upon it passionately. Be the best that you can be and always give the best to others. Don't just be a member but be the president! Committ enthusiastically and do anything that you can do to help others. Helping others will give you the internal satisfaction to move forward with your life and have the most rewarding experience possible.

Advice i would give myself would be to just follow thru more on getting transcripts from school to school. Also, just to be on top of credits receieved and the ones that will be accepted at any college that you chose. Other than that i have no advice because ive been very accomplished by graduating a whole year early. Also by being one of the youngest students in my classes and being able to maintain my gpa being im fresh out of highschool. Personally, ive never been the type to play around i get my work done then its play time. I can say for myself i have accomplished more than some people at 18 years old. My advice is to keep up the good work and set high goals and do my best to achieve them.

I would tell myself to STOP STRESSING. When I didn't get into my first choice school and had to choose my second choice (USC), I wasn't as excited as I could have been. I wish I had told myself to embrace change, because it is a huge theme of my life now- something is always going differently than I'd planned, but now I don't mind at all! I would also tell myself to make a list of goals I want to achieve in college, such as getting a job, keeping my GPA up, joining x amount of clubs, and trying plenty of new things, because I wasn't as motivated to do that as I should have been. Basically, high school Shelbs, go with the flow, keep your head up, and BE OUTGOING!

High school is a major transition in most teenagers' lives, It's a four year bridge from childhood to adulthood. In those four years I made friends I still hold close to this day, I've learned things easily as well as the hard way, with triumphs, achivements, tears, and shinnanagans along the way. But if I could go back and do it all again the most precious advice I could give to myself would be to expand my horizons. And by that I mean to embrace all the opportunities highschool displayed in front of me. I think this would be great advice because I was so shy and reserved in highschool it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my life in regards to my education. If I had taken advantage of the clubs and supplementary classes I would have experienced and been exposed to more things I could have considered as a passion and chosen to pursue them as a career. College is an open door and I'm very excited to turn the doorknob into my future.

If I were able to go back in time to tell myself about college life, I would have nothing but positive things to say. When I was younger, I was afraid college would be extremely difficult and I would not fit in. I had the most uncomfortable feeling about the whole idea and the nervousness I felt really hindered my life, as I have come to find out only with time and age. I would say yes college can be intimidating and challenging however if you put your mind to it and dedicate yourself to studying that college really is no more difficult than high school has been. In fact I am enjoying college even more than I thought possible since I am able to take courses of interest. There are many great people available to help and guide you in the right direction as well as mentor and help you succeed. Every time I turn around, I am learning something new and exciting and I really regret that I chose to wait so long to continue my education. The best advices I can say is just go for it get involved and have fun.

Going back in time to my high school years, I would have told myself to have a little more faith in my own abilities. Although I had a very good GPA and several officer positions in after school programs, I did not feel that I matched up to others. I did not apply to certain schools because I thought I did not either have the ability compete or the money to pay. Due to this, I hampered myself from opportunities that could have aid my career and offer a unique experience. If I could travel back I would have pressured myself to apply to scholarships and schools that I, at that time, felt were out of my league. Additionally, I would have stated to save more money to pay for books and other surprise fees. This would have helped me financially and save me from unnecessary stress. Furthermore, I would have pushed myself to find internships and volunteer opportunities to gain more insight in market. I know that it would have helped me to gain advantages that I did not have because my lack of confidence.

Dear High School Zoë,I know college is right around the corner and you are worrying about what to bring, what kind of friends you will make, how you’re going to find all of your classes, etc. The best piece of advice I can give you right now is to stop worrying. Everyone you will meet is in your same situation and it is so easy to get help with anything you need while transitioning. It’s going to be very different but it’s going to be exciting and fun. Everything you could need on campus is within walking distance, so be prepared to walk, a lot. All the walking will be much needed once you discover the delicious buffet on the bottom floor of your residence hall. I would also advise that you start saving your money now, because you will soon find yourself calling mom and dad every weekend asking for “just a little more”. Mom and Dad can’t provide for your forever, which they will soon make very clear to you. Most importantly, just keep an open mind and get ready for the best year of your life, full of new and exciting experiences.

Stop and smell the roses once in a while, everything can't be about work and achieving a set goal. Change is such a wonderful thing to embrace and roll with; Travel abroad and take care of yourself physically and mentally.

Chris, I know that you are tired and ready to graduate, but remember that it’s not over until you walk across that stage! As I reflect over our senior year of high school, I feel a sense of regret. Although you will graduate in the top of your class and will be crowned prom king, you’re really slacking when it comes to academics. Instead of going the extra mile on assignments and making the straight A’s you’re used to, your grades will begin dropping to B’s and in one class a C. When you get to college, you’re still going to be set in that lazy “everything will be alright, I’ll do it when I do it” attitude. It takes your first low test grade to slap you back into reality. Trust me Chris, the path you are setting yourself up for is not worth it. With that being said, I say to you, my smart yet rebellious 18-year-old self, “Push through this last year with everything you’ve got. It won’t be easy, but if you give it your all, then great things are bound to happen!”