Western Washington University Top Questions

My experience senior year was slightly different from that of your typical student. I attended Running Start, a program allowing me to attend a local community college, and earned credit for both my HS Diploma and AA Degree via college courses. Because of this, were I to return and speak to myself the conversation would not be centered on striving to do my best in college, or what not to eat in the dinning hall. Rather, the focus of my talk would be to urge myself onward, to encourage the forward progress of all aspects of my life. I would press upon myself the importance of never slowing down, of doing more with my time, of learning and advancing both during times of study and leisure. I would warn my younger self that soon the opportunity to immerse myself in a wide variety of interests, both scholastic and non-academic, will narrow into the chosen discipline of my major. And I would demand that I prepare for that major, and that I channel all of my efforts into not only its successful completion, but also into the full realization of life such as only college will bring.

Some treat highschool like it's the most important part of your life. The drama going on between friends, the teacher that gave you a poor grade, and the bad lunches are all of dire importance to some people. Before i started college, i was one of those people. I went to a school with a graduating class of thirty kids, that's all i knew. I haven?t been in college that long, but in the short time I?ve been here, I?ve learned that highschool is such a small part of your life in the grand scheme of things, and i wish someone would have told me that it wasn?t the most important part. Maybe college isn?t either, but my world has opened up in vast amounts, and i have discovered that there is so much out there to discover. If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself to try as a much as i possibly can, have fun, and go on adventures. Make your time in college an opportunity for change, don?t be afraid of it, and open your world to new possibilities.

Wow, I would have loved to have the enlightened and growing new me sit down and have a conversation with my high school senior self. Before getting to college, most of my preformed notions about what college life would be like derived from my older brother telling me horror stories just to make me more anxious than I already was. I would tell myself that you really need to enjoy your senior year of high school and not waste your time trying to be "popular" or in the "cool group" because once you get to college, no one cares who you were in high school. They don?t know where you came from, your past?the people you meet virtually know nothing about you. Once you get to college it's a chance for you to essentially reinvent yourself or improve on the person you're already becoming. So treat your last year living at home with mom and dad and going to high school as the best time of your life because once you get to college a whole new world of opportunities awaits you; it?s the beginning to the rest of your life.

It's hard to know exactly what I would tell myself, but I know there would be a million things I'd want to say. I would tell myself not to be afraid to live life, have experiences and make new friends. Even if you mess up or make mistakes that's what makes you the person that you will become. Don't fear failure because nobody ever became extraordinary by sitting on the sidelines. Take risks and enjoy yourself while doing it. Be inspired to love others unconditionally and never judge them. Don't fear doing those things you're afraid of doing, because if you spend your life trying to avoid something the best you will have achieved is nothing. Don't waste any time when you get to school meeting people, because everyone else is just as nervous and confused as you. Don't stop with just textbooks but learn about other people's backgrounds and experiences to help expand your own worldview. But most importantly get out of bed every morning expecting to see something beautiful, and then look for it. It will always be there if you just open your eyes enough to see it.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go the extra mile, even when i think that it won't make a difference, because it does make a huge difference. Spending that little extra time it takes to read the assigned chapter again or do the extra math review problems really makes a huge difference in your performance and your self-esteem as a student. Also, I would tell myself that my high shool career is coming to an end and don't start to slack off! I know it's hard not too when you have you own car and you wake up tired and unmotivated but STICK IT OUT! In the whole scheme of things, senior year goes by so fast so use it to the best of your advantage!

I imagine this conversation would be a rather weird one, and I am positive my past self would be extremely confused at first. However, upon going back in time and figuring out where I was at that given moment, I would probably assure myself of the fact that there is absolutely nothing to worry about and that I shall become a very happy person. Worrying was something I was doing quite a lot of at that time so hearing someone besides my parents tell me not to worry probably would have been great. I would also tell myself not to work in the dining halls as the pay does not measure up to the amount of effort the job requires and some other job would probably be better.

I would tell myself to not worry about the future and focus on my passions and what i enjoy most in life. From there the path to a happy future will slowly path it's way down the road. Life isn't always about money, it's about doing what you love most and making money on the side will just be an added bonus.

As a high school senior I was much too excited to begin my journey through college. Although I knew my family was wonderful and the farm where I lived was charming, I did not realize the immense value I placed on either of these aspects until I left home. My first week of college was exciting yet foriegn. I missed home, but not enough to want to visit. It was not until after my first month of school that everything sunk in. I was a college student, my career was now in my hands. The thought was intimidating, but it made me appreciate my family and those who raised me more than I could describe. If I could go back and inform myself of these realizations, I would warn myself to take each day as it comes and be thankful for what I have. Instead of constantly arguing with my younger sisters I would caution myself to be patient, for they love and respect me more than I know. I would tell myself that my future success is truly dependent on the effort I put into school. Never shall I take my future lightly.

Making the transition is relatively easy if you prepared accordingly. When I was in high school, I took the honors classes available to me. Although it seems cliche, taking the harder classes is what truly made the transition to college the smoothest. Having dealt with a full load of work in high school, college course work seemed easy. Instead of being in school for 6 hours, in college school only lasts for 2 or 3 which means you have a lot more time to control. Since I knew what the school work would take, I have been able to balance school work with social activities. It is not hard to balance as long as you plan. Even being in the Honors program at Western, I still have plenty of time to do what I want so I don't get stressed. The only thing that I was not exactly prepared for was dorm life. Going from having my own bathroom at home to sharing with three other girls definately took some getting used to, but with time it became normal. Now being home is the weird part. Bottom line: prepare for what you can, expect things you did not.

Free education is coming to an end, my friend, and cause for celebration due, Radiate your cheer and gather near, those who deserve a warm thank you. Now prepare yourself for the changes, of college life away from home, while holding dear 3 simple rules, no matter where you roam. The first is thirst, yes thirst, for what? For knowledge of the world and you, on how they work and all their quirks; the funny, strange, enthused and skewed. Never quenched this rule should be, for once you claim the truth as yours, the sea churns up your order; oh, how little can wash upon your shores. Secondly, to the full degree, search for yourself in others, because if you see that spark of life, you'll treat them as your brothers. Connections and compassion, are the consequence, The smartest man with clenched hands will lack all influence. The third rule is just a tool, to get you through those distressing nights, when the research and inquiry brings forth the worry and ignites anxieties on society, and nature seems upon the brink, remember that life on Earth is not as serious as you think.