Washington College Top Questions

I would remind myself during freshman year that academics count, and can really impact your grade, so put in effort and study hard. I would also tell myself to get involved in more extracurricular activities and clubs, because they are not only making an impact locally, but colleges really appreciate and look at those things in the decision making process. In addition, I would tell myself to actually study for tests and quizzes. I often times took advantage of the laid back attitudes and grading policies of my high school teachers, knowing that if I got a bad grade it would not really make a difference. In college, if you don't study, you will most likely fail the class.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice I'd start by saying, "Yes, the last year of spanish is worth the trouble." Keeping up with foreign language is incredibly important and it does not get any easier in college, suprise! Socially however, I'd tell myself it's okay if you fall distant from your friends from your hometown. Learn from the distance and take it as a positive thing. This distance has made some of my friendships much stronger over the course of the summer and first two college semesters. It's tough learning that distance is okay because you don't want people to feel forgotten and you don't want to feel forgotten. Those who choose to see you will see you, effort should be matched but not forced. Enjoy the time you have to make new friends, they really can be such a blessing. Meet as many people as you can in different majors, sports and clubs. You never know who you could help or who you made need to turn to for help (and who knows you might learn something new).

The first thing I would say to my high school self would most likely be “Calm down. Put down the fork, it’s okay. I’m just here to help!” Once we finished a movie-style bout of misunderstanding and fear, and a quick trip for coffee to catch up, my single most important piece of advice to my high school self would be “Don’t sweat it”. As a high schooler, I spent many a night racked with anxiety, particularly over the fear of going to community college. Despite my worry, I still ended up in community college and found that I absolutely loved it. Worries about SAT scores, college prestige, applications, and financial aid packages proved to be pointless and kept me from enjoying what should have been the best year of my pre-adult life. Now that I am in college, I see that there is only so much for which we can prepare. In essence, I would tell my high school self: “Do well in school. Save your money. Join clubs. Apply for scholarships. Beyond that, beyond what you can’t control… Just. Don’t. Sweat it”.

Dear High School Brooke, Transitioning to college is going to be kind of difficult. You are going to miss your family and home cooked meals. The tests and papers you are going to write are going to challenge you, but it is nothing that you can not handle, even if at times it feels like you are not going to finish them. You will, at times, going to have more time than you know what to do with, use it to your advantage. You are going to have a fantastic roommate and you are going to be best friends with her. You are going to make fantastic friends that are going to be there for you when you need a pick me up and you will never feel lonely. Last but not least, LIVE IT UP! Your first year at Washington College is going to go faster than you will believe. So, make the most of every moment; go to parties, go on that bus trip to New York City, go to all of the sports games that you can make and join clubs becuase these are going to be the best memories that you will have. Love, College Brooke

Don't stress out so much. You have to try hard and study well but make sure that you are doing this correctly. You shouldn't be studying the night before the test and you shouldn't be so worried about grades at the same time. Start studying and doing work ahead of time and be prepared for it to just get harder from here. That stuff was easy and (virtually) stress free.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transiton, I would tell myself to be more proactive and stay focused. During my senior year of high school, college wasn't my main priority. I was more focused on being in the moment rather than planning what college I was going to attend or how I was going to pay for college. Instead I should have been more proactive and listening to my parents that way when it came time to start classes I would have the funds to attend but I didn't. Before classes started I didn't know how I was going to pay the rest of my tuition but my parents saved the day. I would also tell myself to try to become more independent. When I first came to college I wanted to leave within the first week because I didn't have my mom there to help me do evertything. This was my first time being alone and I didn't know what to do. I eventually got the hang of college and started to enjoy myself.

I would tell myself to make sure to take advantage of everything the college has to offer, especially grants. In addition, don't let an opportunity slip by, one essay isn't going to make your college career but an internship would. Don't worry about being a perfectionist and even if something comes by at the last minute, don't let it blow by. Don't be shy or nervouse becuase everyone is going through the same thing. In regards to studying abroad, think it through because it really is a scary venture on your own, this is one of the things you should NOT be impulsive on. I would tell myself to take everything with stride and research as much as possible before making a final commitment, because in college it can really mean alot for the future.

"Live day by day." I am a very organized person and I like to know what's happening, when it's happening, where it's happening, etc. I think ahead a lot. This can be a good thing, but it can also put a lot of stress on someone. If I could give myself advice, I would say to take everything in stride, live for the moment. Pre-planning and failure of others to pre-plan made my freshman year a bit stressful. Some things are better to plan ahead on, but don't stress because you planned a 5:30 pm dinner and no one shows up until 7:00! Not everything can be expected. So just live and enjoy.

I have always lived my life with no regrets, everything that we do and everything that happens is what allows us to become who we are today. If I could go back I would not tell my-self to change anything or do anything differently. I would simply try to make sure that I go into college with my life in order. I would tell myself that sometimes things will come up that will cause you to choose between what you want to do and what you know you should do. Sometimes doing what you should do isnt always going to be the easiest or most fun choice to make but in the long run it will be the most benifical. Keep you head up, your grades high and enjoy everyday because it slips be so fast.

Having completed my first year in college I have realized that gettting good grades are not as hard as they may seem. If you study you get good grades it is a simple formula. If I could go back in time to when I was in high school I would tell myself to study and stop sleeping in class, that track isnt everything, and to do as much as I can to get my GPA up and study for the sat and act harder, and to also put in an appeal for my admission to utsa.