Wheaton College-Norton Top Questions

Dear Past Self: It's me. Or, rather, it's you. Time has graced me with both insight and hindsight, both of which I'd love to share with you. Remember those daily writing exercises that you have to do in English class? They appeared to be the most annoying timewasters known to mankind, but I now thank my teachers every day for asking me to put pencil to paper. Not only have I become a strong essay writer, I am also composing material for comedy blogs as well as my own monologues. I was even able to perform my poetry for local high schoolers, the faces in the audience not so different from myself two years ago. I anticipate this skill will be useful; I do not expect by any means to write the next great American novel yet, but written communication is a powerful force that only one species has been able to master so far, thus to be able to take the reins on such a versatile medium is a true gift. Keep writing. Keep telling stories. Sincerely, Future Self

If I knew what I know now as a senior in high school, the advice I would give myself would be so much different. I would tell myself that attending a christian based university would become very important to me and would've encouraged myself to find the one that fits me. I would've also encouraged myself to apply to more schools and look at all my options, instead of just attend the one that offers me the opportunity to play volleyball. I would've also told myself to attend a cheaper school because I don't believe the curriculum offered at Wheaton are worth the extremely costly tuition. One piece of advise I would never change would be to not be afraid to attend school out of state. I'm from California and attend a school in Massachusetts and the experience I've had is priceless. The environment and society is way different and I'm happy I've got to experience that.

I would tell my high school self not to be so worried about what other people think. I attended a pretty small high school and in order to have a social life you needed to be well liked by a majority of your peers. I had gotten so used to that mentality that it was hard to give up when I got to college. The first few months I agonized over what I should wear and how I was presenting myself. I didn't join clubs that interested me because I was scared of what other people would think. I didn't take advantage of on campus events because at my high school it wasn't cool to take attend the school sponsored events. But I soon learned that my college didn't operate like my high school; that is why I chose my college in the first place! At my school everyone took advantage of the events and I soon realized why: they were fun! I joined clubs that interested me and found a really supportive community! College is a time for independence, so take the classes you are passionate about and make new friends that have similar interests!

Looking back on my undergraduate experience, I would tell myself to relax. Often we approach an experience with a preconceived notion of how it will play out. This not only ruins the experience but also our potential to grow as human beings. Life becomes a lot more fun when you realize that you can only control what's in your power. There's no need to stress out about planning every aspect of your life. When you plan, you limit yourself to only that option. By relaxing and taking one step at a time more options appear, some even better than you originally planned. Understand that even though I'm advising you to relax, there will be times when you're stressed or mad or sad. Those emotions are part of the human experience and you're entitled to feel that way. What will give you solace in those situations is if you can find one positive thing to latch onto; because, even if it's only the sun shining, it's a positive in a sea of negatives. College flys by, why spend your time upset when you have the potential to be the happiest you can be?

You are going to be faced with a very diverse community, both students and teachers alike. It won't be like how you grew up, with everyone the same. Embrace the change. College is not only about the education received in a classroom, but also the one from learning about the experiences of others. You will learn more about yourself from interacting with people who at first don't seem to have anything in common with you. You'll experience new opportunities and obstacles, and they are some of the best parts of college. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone; this is the best time to explore who you are and where you want to fit in the world. Who you were raised to be doesn't mean that's who you have to be.

I was about a hundred words into an answer to this question, when I realized it wasn't very sincere. I was giving an answer I thought you would want to hear, as apposed to my real answer. The truth is that while I have learned from my college experience, I wouldn't go back and give myself any advice. I feel people learn better from personal experience, rather than just words. Sure I could tell my self not to procrastinate, to join the student government, or to spend more time with other extracurricular activites, but the fact is, those lessons will stick with me longer, because they were more than just words. And let's be honest, if I could travel through time, going back to visit myself would be a complete waste. That time would be better spent learning from our founding fathers, or seeing what being alive during the great depression was like. So, while I have learned from my college experience, I feel it best to let past me learn those lessons on his (my?) own.

Erica, although you have no clue of what you want to achieve after you graduate, but I suggest that you knuckle down on finishing your last year of high school with a bang. Focus on finishing school with excellent grades and also by playing an active role in your community. Volenteer for the city of Fallon, Banner Churchill Community Hospital, assisted living facilites, just stay busy by being of service to those around you, you will later realize this is what you enjoy. In the midst of your busy schedule, apply to colleges around the globe. You have always wanted to travel. Spark an interest in the idea of opportunity and roll with it. No one in your immediate family had encouraged you to further your education and with you being so naive to the world around you, you do not know what to expect after high school. But I can tell you this, that you are consistantly growing and evolving. The key to success is education, and by furthering yours, you're already ahead of the curve. Just never stop learning and always give your best.

The Great and Wonderful Great events in life come from odd places and occur at odd times. It's okay if you can't see what's coming next and if there are disappointments at college, at least you're experiencing it in a different way than anyone else. Good and bad experiences can empower you to change, which is great! You will be awashed with shock of what you learn about the subjects, the people and yourself. What you learn may have never entered your imagination; those assumed impossibilities, ugly or fantastic or devastating, will drive you to realize there are few impossibilities and limitiations. One of those limitations will be you: you and your imagination. You will find that the ugly and bad in the world is inequivicollay reliant on the mind rather than the face and color of a person. Let that change you, and the way you touch people, for the better because the bad and ugly is only one part of a very large universe. What am I saying? You can fail, you are unique, you are the only person stopping you, you are learning, and you matter. And all of that is wonderful.

Don't worry about missing your mother. She won't disappear. You're more ready for this than you think you are. You'll find friends quickly, but don't fall into the same traps you did in high school. Be honest about yourself from the start. If you do, you'll finally be surrounded by people who love you for every part of yourself, no hiding. Challenge yourself. That's why you're here. Don't take the easy classes; take the interesting ones. Make time for your old friends, but don't get stuck in the past. Living in a dorm is easy. Bad feelings pass. People are good.

I would tell myself to be open minded and search diligently for schools because there are so many schools out there and there is one for everyone. I would tell myself to also look at school that are 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} need blind and offer scholarships to fill costs where my EFC is lacking that way I do not end up with so much student debt. I would also tell myself to apply to schools that are out of the New England region and look beyond my backyard to see what other schools around the United States have to offer.