Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

Dear HS Senior DeAmber: I know you you're busy preparing for plays, and learning about sound and light equipment, but I need you to hear me out. I know you're having doubts about college next year, but I'm here to help ease your internal struggle. The most important thing I can tell you is to follow your dreams. Do not let anyone sway you from ding what you love to do: cinema. I know you only chose Biology as a major because you want to make your parents proud, but how can you be proud of yourself? You're forcing yourself to do something to impress someone besides yoursel. And you're better than that. I know you're in your first relationship right now, but remember that there will be more in the future. Do not let him sway your judgment on life. Its in your best intrest to not enter college with a long-distance relationship; you cannot handle one. I know you're feeling something in your stomach now. You think its nerves, but its doubt. Your coinscience. Listen to it. Make the right decisions. Make them you, and you alone. Good Luck.

Dear past self, This is an urgent message from the future regarding your soon to be college expierience. Knowing your current situation of being homeless throughout high school you should know that things will not always come easy to you. With that in mind, you will have to be very ambitious when looking for funding to help pay for your education. Many people would already count you at a disadvantage for being homeless due to the fact that you do not have the ease of access to many of the resources other children have, BUT YOU MUST NOT LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. This will only discourage you, when it should empower you. Go out and look for scholarships, every year many scholarships go unclaimed. Doing this will take an enormous amount of stress off your shoulders, and also your parents shoulders knowing that they can barely provide you with the minimun needed for your success.

If I were able to go back and meet up with myself as a high school senior, I would probably give lots of advice about all the study abroad programs, because most likley, I would be either a huge foreign affairs or journalism major. I would talk to myself a lot about study abroad, because that is what would most likely give myself the opportunity to actually begin my career while still attending college, because I would actually have the opportunity to experience the ways of media and culture going on in other parts of the globe but the United States. If I could go back and talk to myself about attending college, I would provide advice such as, not only focusing on earning good grades, but also getting to know your professors personally, participating in class, and of course by doing those, you would eventually earn the professors respect. Personally, that' is what I would tell myself because I would make sure that I am experiencing what I truely believe in while still in the learning process, because I think that is what learning is all about, the experience to do it yourself.

Hey dude. Future you here. Listen, you got a lot of stuff ahead of you. Keep researching jobs and career paths. Turn off your computer. You will miss absolutely nothing on facebook. Trust me. Don't let your friends convince you where you need to go. Don't even let them be a factor. Think more for yourself. Consider your dreams. Don't worry about what other people will think if you decide to be this or that. What matters at the end of the day is what you think of yourself and if you're happy with your decision. With that, choose your college carefully with lots of thought.

After completing my first year in college, I can say that I learned a lot and had many unforgetable experiences. I made new friends, pulled all nighters, expanded my thinking, dissected animals in lab, and most importantly, I became more confident in my decision to become a pharmacist after being surrounded by those who share my dream, having discussions with my advisor, being supported by family and friends, and learning more about pharmacists. My first year was unforgetable since I felt that I matured into an independent woman and because of that, I truly believe that hard work would never betray me. If I could go back in time and talk with myself as a senior, I would say that college is a place of wonder and mystery. College is an experience that is different for everyone. Just because a person says he hates college doesn't mean you'll hate college, too. You have to experience college for yourself to discover it means for you and how much it'll significantly impact your life. Don't have fears about something you have never experienced before. Hard work got you into college and hard work will get you through it.

Quite frankly, I’d say I should have had more faith in people. Although I was born in the United States, I was raised in Nicaragua, the second poorest Central American country. I lived through the chaos of bus burning, home invading riots and have seen my family succumb to worry. Because of this, they sheltered me like an eagle her nest. I attended a prestigious private school and obtained an education many in my country could only dream of achieving. As fluent in three languages and knowledgeable as I graduated, I remained ignorant to the beauty of human interaction. So, upon arriving to college, I feared society because all I knew was fear itself. I was taught to survive, not take risks, so for the first semester of freshman year, I kept my dorm room locked tight and surrendered to the depression that had been creeping on me ever since I was born. Little did I know that a mere turn of a lock and push of a door would revitalize my life entirely. Hope poured in from all corners of the world and gave me the most amazing epiphany I regret not realizing long before: People are beautiful.

You know that guy you think is so handsome? Well, he is not the one. So keep your head in those books and stop trying to be cool. Acting unintelligent to fit in is not cool. You're different, so you will never fit in with that group of people that you're trying so hard to impress. Embrace your awkwardness, you will meet people in college who will love you for it. Apply to more than one school. Don't let the fear of rejection hinder you from applying to your dream school. Apply for scholarships. Take time to decide your major. Despite what people tell you, you have time, so don't settle. Don't procrastinate, it's a hard habit to break. Remember, becoming an adult does not mean that you are no longer daddy's little girl. Let daddy know how much you love him, you will lose him sooner than you think. You'll think that your whole world is coming to an end, but you will come out stronger than you would ever imagine. You'll learn that every situation is a learning experience, so take them as they come. You can handle it.

If I could go back in time and speak with myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stay focused and to keep pushing towards the finish line. I would say to not to let anything or anyone get me off track. I would tell myself that I have no limitations and that no one would be able to hold me back if I stayed strong. I would tell myself that college is one of the best experiences in life. It is a learning experience in every area of life. I would say that college will be one of the most fun times of my life. You grow so much in college, personally and academically. I would tell myself to be patient, everything in life happens for a reason. As long as I remembered that and put school first, I could do anything. I would tell my high school self that I did not need all the answers right then and there, that I would find myself without even having to look. I would tell myself to enjoy the college life more and stress less.

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to straighten up! While attending high school I slacked in grades and skipped many classes. I am currently enrolled in an Accelerated Masters degree; therefore know what I am capable of. If I would have taken high school more serioulsy and been more responsible I know I could have gotten in any university I wanted with a high probability of scholorships. Since I didn't make the right decisions when I was younger I am know paying for my education without assistance. I would also tell myself to get more involved in extra curricular activities. Having a "high school sweet heart" seemed right at the time, but it did not prepare me for my future. I had a fun during my high school years, but I must say I definitely needed some major improvements.

Maggie, don't go unless you know what you want to do, don't waste time if you are failing out, don't stick around wtih a boy that treast you badly, value yourself, and your time.