Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

Keep yourself motivated. There's this disease called "senioritis" and you must be careful of not getting it. The affects of senioritis are laziness, short attention span, lack of motivation, and "slacker" attitude. Even once you have been accepted into college, don't stop working. Apply to scholarships, study for exams, write your essays; keep yourself occupied. When you keep yourself busy, you'll see that staying focused and motivated will be as easy as pie. Trust me, if you manage to beat this disease, you will come out the most successful. This attitide and mindset of determination will get you far not only in high school and in college, but in life as well. Remember, your attitude of today, will reflect your personality tomorrow.

The main advice that I have is to not stress about the numerous tasks one will face in preparation for the college experience. This absolutely does not mean putting all of the applications, housing requests, scholarship applications, and other work on the back burner. What this means is that the individual approaches these tasks proactively. Making a list of things to do for college was helpful for my case because I was able to just check off items that had been completed. The truth about this process is that catching up is exponentially more difficult than keeping up. Having tabs on all of these demands is essential, but creating a ton of stress over something that one has already decided to get done is by no means the way to go. College is an exciting time, and there will be tons of new experiences. Why make this a stressful time when really it's a new chapter. Be proactive in one's approach, and have fun with the experience!

Don't get stressed about it and be proactive with the housing contracts and the finacial aid. The worst part is getting through the Hokie SPA. Once that is figured out, it is a relativley simple process.

I would tell myself to enjoy life as it is. Don't wish away high school, becuase there are certainly ascpetcs that you will miss of it. Don't waste all summer waiting for college. Enjoy the happy moments in life to the fullest because you never know when it may disappear. College is different. It is fun but different. You learn to become more independent and how to function without mom. Enjoy your indepence at school, but don't over assert your independence at home. At the end of the day, mom helped you gain that independence and is mostly likely paying for you to find that independence at school. Respect her. As for the transition period, don't feel like you have to plan out your entire life in a week time span. Take it one day at a time, even an hour at time, dealing with the current situation as it is. Be happy when your happy and sad when your sad. Just promise me you won't pass over the happy moments because of the stress to get an A in a class. You as a person are more important than your transcript.

The first thing I would say to my high school self is that high school is nothing like the real world. I would tell myself to focus on what makes me a better person. More specifically, I would tell myself to start hanging out with people for who they really are, not how many twitter followers they have, or how many 'likes' they have on their profile picture on facebook, for these things do not matter and frankly have no correlation to somebodys value or intelligence. I would tell myself to stop sweating the small stuff and to ask myself when facing problems "is this going to matter in a year?" The answer to that question is valuable when prioritizing what to focus on throughout the day. I would say that being honest with yourself is a priority. Just because your best friends like something, doesn't mean you have to like it to. I would say value the lessons your mistakes have taught you rather than putting value on the feelings your accomplishments have brought. Most importantly I would tell myself to cherish the little moments you have living with your family, because you will miss them.

To make sure you go to class...no matter what. While high school learning may have come easily to you, it's tough to learn much of anything if you don't go to class. Just forcing yourself to go, and sit through lecture is a much better option than not going at all. You really need to treat school like a job. Go during the day, and have fun in your off time.

Make friends with your guidance counselor by finding time to set up appointments throughout the year to catch up, and share your dreams, passions, and hopeful plans for the future. No one can help you more during the overwhelming application process to college, than a friendly advisor who wants more than anything to see you succeed! Don’t be intimidated by the “popular” girls with boyfriends and all their high-end clothing and birthday gift cars. One day after years of higher education, you will be able to afford nice things as well, and you will have found your partner along the way. Hormonally induced jealousy or self-destructive criticism won’t help you attain your collegiate and career goals! On that note, forgive that boy who hurt you, and move ahead! Moping around wondering why he left you at prom for that girl in the skimpy dress will only foster negative self-worth and anxiety. Turn the pain into energy to stoke that inner fire; use this as fuel for dedicated determination! Know that your plans may change once you settle into college. Stoic rigidity may hold you back from success in another realm. Passion. Follow it to success!

As you prepare for this grand trasition to your first step into adulthood you need to remember that that hard work is important. But having fun is needed and not a crime. Going out with friends to blow off steam is one of the best things you will ever do and will help you create the best memories. When you go to graduate from college you won't want to look back on that piece of paper that is your degree, you'll want to call your life-long friend from that crazy night in college.

After completing my first semester at college and looking back at my experience, I would tell all high school seniors to be patient. Upon entering college, I was excited and inspired. Although I encourage being enthusiastic about this step forward, I think it is important to realize that it will take time to achieve your goals. Mt. Everest is not climbed in a single day. I struggled early on in my first semester because I did not accept that fact. I wanted to have best friends, good grades, and adjusted to college life the first day I got there. Unfortunately, I did not complete those tasks on the first day. Realizing that fact immediately propelled me forward because I knew that they would come. It gave me freedom from the pressure that I placed on myself to adjust quickly. I wish I would have had this wisdom starting out my semester. My advice to all high school seniors entering college is to be patient. You have the opportunity to make all of your dreams come true. I believe you will, but it will not happen in a single day: your success, best friends, and adjustment will come with time.

Dear High-School Self, I am so very pleased that you chose Virginia Tech! You are truly on the path to success and will have many new experiences that will expand your knowledge and understanding of how to live God’s Law. However, before you jump right in, I want you to take a short moment now to heed to some important advice from your all-caring Future Self. First, do not be so needy with your roommate. I understand you want to start a “new” life by actually creating meaningful relationships, but seeking to force your roommate into being friends with you won’t work. Be patient. Look to see if your decisions are selfishly motivated or completely out of a desire to give before you act. Next, learn to prioritize your time right away. You always fall behind in classes by tending to watch TV or play games. Plan ahead of time to get some work or studying done before play, and you will avoid loads of stress in the long run. Last, but not least, please make as many friends as possible. Your best bet is to meet people at the residential college. Love, Future Self