Wheelock College Top Questions

While I was applying to colleges and recieves acceptance letters, I was so stressed out about where I would go and to make the right decision. Since I have been in college, I have realized that most decisions are not perminant and that I have control over where I want my life to go. So, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to relax and go with what feels right, but if I find that I didn't make the right choice, then I could do something else. It is hard to feel that way during someone's senior year while everyone is asking them, "What do you want to do?" because frankly, not a lot of high schoolers know what they want to do, for me especially.

I would tell myself not to pretend like it's not happening. I just did not want to think about college so I put it all off. Also, apply for scholarships! I did not think they mattered my first year of college so I just did not try, but when my parents got my first bill I realized how serious it truly was. You need to apply yourself in order to make the expierence less stressful. Now I scramble looking for scholarships and it gets tough when billing periods come up. I would also tell myself to do more campus tours, because as much as I like my school it is always good to see a school before you go. Fall in love with your school before you attend it truly changes your outlook on everything. Just be smarter and know college is an important step in life and running away from it really is not an option. It is all worth it, stop stessint you'll fall in love with it all eventually and see how worth it the epierence is.

My biggest piece of advice to myself would be that it is OKAY to be afraid. I felt so much pressure as senior in high school to know exactly what I wanted in life. I made my initial decision about school (I am a second year transfer student) based on insecurity. The only solid I had was that I wanted to study education. Choosing schools is a terrifying experience; it is also one that I think is nearly impossible for a 17-year old to make. I had no idea what I wanted for the next four years of my life. It is a huge, overwhelming decision. A year into my time at school in Maine, I realized that I just didn't belong. So, I took a leap of faith and applied to an education school in Massachusetts. After I was accepted, again, I was scared. I was moving to a foreign city. But I trusted my instincts and soon learned that sometimes it is the raw, unnerving sensation of fear that leads us to our truest potential. My fear led me to my first year of college and then ultimately drove me to pursuing my dream.

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not hold on so tightly to my own expectations. I would tell myself to go into everything with an open mind, because the second I start to do that, life improves so much. I would tell myself that, no matter what I think, I will miss my mom and my hometown. I'd tell myself to cherish the time I have there, because although better times are coming, times at home defined me too. I would tell myself, to prepare for a radical change of mindset. I always cared about helping people, but it will become my life. I will tell myself stories about social justice and how my old friends may not quite understand how I can be so passionate about things that don't touch me directly. Above all, I think I would tell myself to let go of my anxieties. I would say, “You are about to start an incredible and remarkable adventure. You will make new friends and have the time of your life learning eye opening lessons. Enjoy it.”

Hey Carina, College is many things and freedom is one thing that will help you accomplish anything you want, if you use it wisely. So much time in day, week, and month. You may not know what to do with yourself in the beginning with all the time you have, but be patience because things will happen and you full figure out what to do. Don't force yourself to be in a group of friends when they will find you. Never let anyone bring down your self-esteem and rememeber home will always be home and it's not going anywhere, but you are. College is about the next chapter of your life, being independent and figuring out what career or occupation you want to do. Friends come and go, learn to accept that not everyone you meet is going to have your back or be by your side. Never ever stop believing in yourself and don't let others run your life for you.

I would stop and appreciate what I had as a high school senior, rather than wishing time away because I wanted to be done with high school. I think that a lot of times people are so focussed on what they want next in their lives that they forget to stop and appreciate what they have. The transition into college made me realize that I should not have take my senior year for granted.

On move in day on my first day at Wheelock College, I was terrified. High school was over, yet I still felt so young and like I didn't belong in the big city for college. When I was a senior, I often thought about this day and how it would go. I figured that I would feel exactly like I did: a nervous, homesick wreck. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have known to never feel that way. I now feel more at home at school than I do at my actual home. I think that the biggest piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be: "Don't worry and be nervous about college, because it is going to be the best experience of your life! I know you will be homesick at first, but it gets so much better. There will come a time when you can't even imagine being anywhere else but Wheelock College." I wish I had known this as a senior, because it would have relieved so much anxiety that I had about whether or not I would enjoy college!

Allow your passion and your goals to be your motivator. At times college can be overwhelming, and what you give is what you will get. Nothing in life comes easy, you must work hard for it. You cannot afford to be like everybody else, have to work twice as hard. Allow your passion to be drive.

Transitioning from High school to college can be a very stressful and exciting experience. Though you still have classes and teachers, the environment is very different. I can't lie and say that the transition will be easy and simple, but there are things that can make it a easier smoother transition. One thing to makes the transition easier is doing an overnight college visit to a college that you are interested in. It helps you experince what a college campus actually feels like. You are allowed to speak with students and see what both the social and academic culture looks like. Another things that makes the transition easier is keeping and open mind. We all go into college with certain expectations and assumptions, but keeping an open mind allows for you to try new things and become active. Join an organization and make friends who have similar interest as you. Having someone to go through the transition with you will make it easier.

Do not settle in regards to the choice of college you want to attend. It is hard knowing now what life will be like for the next four years as you attend college, but let me tell you this- you only go to college once, so make the next four years worth it by choosing the school you want to attend the most. Life passes you by so quickly, and before you know it you will be a senior in college getting ready to graduate. Therefore, you need to do what is going to be best for you and what will make you the happiest. Try not to worry about your future too much, and do what you need to do in order to enjoy yourself while still receiving the education you know you want and deserve. Do not settle in your life journey. Do not settle for anything less than amazing. You deserve the best, so do not doubt yourself and your future; make it happen!