Virginia Intermont College Top Questions

If I can go back in time as a high school senior, I would give myself as many advices as possible. For instance, I would of taken very challenging courses that would help prepare myself for college to see how the lectures, note taking, and even the homework would be. I would of encouraged myself to take advance placement (A.P) courses that would look really well on my transcipts and already earn college credit. I would also advice myself to join clubs, community programs, and participate to extracurricular activities such as Marching Band or play in a sports to be very energetic and active. The advice I would definitely tell myself is to get all of the requirements needed to attend to a University because although it is quite expensive, I would of pursued my major interest onto the University that I wanted to go to and continue my education. I believe that I've done great when I was a high school senior. As of now I am currently enrolled in East Los Angeles College and participating in the STEM program (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) to pursue my educational and future goal in Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy.

I know that your biggest concern is finances but I want to encourage you not to let what you really desire, be hindered by lack of resources. College will give more into your life than if you never pursued your dream. You need to seek guidance from those who have knowledge in obtaining the resources you are lacking. You only asked your Dad, who had a negative attitude towards the importance of a college education, instead of seeking others who would have guided you. But I want to encourage you to take the steps necessary in pursuing this dream one step at a time. If you look at the whole mountain it can seem impossible to climb but actually the transition to obtain the goal is not as hard as it seems. Obtaining an education will help you in making difficult decisions in life, and it will give you better insight and coping skills. When you are pushed beyond your own comfort zones, as you will be, you will discover who you really are. My advice to you is, go for it, and don’t let fear stop you! You won’t regret it!

First of all, do not worry, because everything happens for a reason. What is important about the college experience is finding yourself and making yourself happy, not anybody else. Do what you want to do, what you feel is right. It's ok if you have no idea what you want to do in life - seriously, almost everyone considers (and switches) their major once or twice. Be you. Be honest and true. Never give up on what you want or hold dear, and don't let anyone or anything convince you to be someone you are not. You were created for a purpose and though this is a big step, you are never alone in life. In college, you are independent are free, so step up to the plate and be responsible, because I know you can do it! Nothing is impossible when you believe.

If I were still a high school senior, first of all, I would tell myself to get an earlier jump on college and scholarship applications. The earlier I would have gotten started, the more opportunities you have. Second of all, I would advise myself, as an incoming freshman, to get myself as involved as possible in campus activities. Usually, it is a good idea to get involved and get to know more people on campus. That way I would have more of an opportunity to make lifelong friends. Lastly, I would tell myself to be myself, no matter what others thought. That is the most imprortant part. Usually, there are people out there trying to the same thing. That's where true friends are found. I would write myself a new motto: "If they have a problem with me, then that's their problem."

I grew-up in a small town in Northeast CT- about 1800 people total. My family would vacation in Maine and Florida, but I'd never lived anywhere except that same small town. When I was deciding where I was going to attend college, I was a little hestitant to move too far away. I distinctly remember my mom telling me,"The world is SOO much bigger than this area." So, I moved 750 miles away to attend college. Moving from the Northeast to the South was an interesting experience in itself, and it was this move that has given me a drive to experience the rest of the world. Before coming to college, I'd never been out of the country, but now, thanks to a trip partially sponsered by my school, I've been to the Domincan Republic and Haiti. I'm also planning on studying abroad in Germany this coming May. Having been given the chance to taste these different cultures has given me a hunger to see even more of the world. I honestly believe I would have been content to live in the same small town if I had never left home to attend college.

I think the thing I have gotten the most out of my education is a sense of belonging. I am new to the area and everyone, teachers and students alike really do their best to make everyone feel welcome. Over half of the teachers go out of their way just to say hello to every student they pass by, whether they know them or not.

It has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. I have just enough freedom but still looked over by overseers to make sure that I do not make mistakes. I have learned a great deal and I wish it had been like this since high school. I have met some of the greatest people that I will never forget. They have made an impact on my life and even if we get split up by the school's financial situations we will always have each other in our hearts. The professors made me realize who I really am and how big of heart I have. Because of them I intend on working in the Social Work department or Psychology department and incorporating my knowlege with my other passion horses to teach responsibility to troubled teenagers and help the disabled have the courage to love a large 1000 pound creature.

If I had the ability to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior about the college process and transition I believe I would be a little better off now. The main thin I would tell myself is to start earlier with everything. I would make sure that I had applied to a lot more scholarships than I did, and to hand them in well in advance of the deadline. I would also tell myself to start saving for the equipment and books needed during the school year, if not before as opposed to just during the summer. About the transition between high school and college, I would tell myself to start spending as much time with the people I loved and cared about as possible because I wasn?t going to be able to see them for a long time. I would also tell myself to keep in touch with friends form high school while away, but at the same time not be afraid of getting new friends at college.

The advice I would give to myself would be to work on my time management skills because that is a skill that is very important in college. I find it very hard sometimes to find time to do work and if I had worked on this skill in high school, I might of had a easier time with finding time to do my school work.

If i could return to myself in high school, my first bit of advice would be to take as many AP courses as possible. They are not as difficult as i think, and it saves a lot of time and money once I get to school. I would advise myself to get a little more involved in school and community activites, it looks great on both college and scholarship applications, and it well worth the time. Speaking of scholarship applications, apply for any and everyone you can. Many scholarships are only available to highschool seniors, so after you graduate, its a lot more difficult to come across scholarship money. Also, I would tell me not to bring so much stuff to school with me. Its a small room that i dont spend much time in, so I dont need my deer head and racing flags and old street signs and everything else from home, its just a pain later. Last, but not least, keep on top of everything. I know its a lot to manage, but dont let little details get brushed under the rug, because when you get to school it is a way bigger problem to deal with.