Willamette University Top Questions

Be prepared for any and everything. Being on your own is not what college is about because you always need a support system. Do not refuse help, you are not in this along. College will not be an easy transition unless you have a good support system and are ready. Also, it is okay to give up sometimes. If you can't do something, it is fine. Remember, to smile and think happy thoughts. P.S. if you are easily offended, do not use a certain annonymous social media site that starts with "y".

The most important change I made this past year was setting goals. Before school started I sat down and I wrote 3 goals for the year; 1) To recieve a 3.5 GPA, 2) Be all-conference in golf, 3) Make friends that will push me to be a better all-around person. Even though I recieved a 3.4 and didn't make all-conferene, I did make a close group of friends. These friends and I compete in the classroom and on the course, we push eachother to become better students and better golfers. We compete to see who can get the A and we compete to shoot the lowest score. My friends have made me a better student and helped me in the pursuit of my first two goals. All year long, I had something in the back of my mind that I was striving for, and that alone helped me succeed. So for next year, I know what I need to do to accomplish my goals, and I was lucky enough to meet some great friends to enjoy college with along the way. I would tell myself, "Set goals and you will succeed."

College is a completely different world than high school. It will be necessary to study more and harder than you ever have before. It will be hard and you will miss home, but you can get through it with the help of the friends you will make along the way. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. College will change you, but you don't have to be afraid of that change. Welcome new people, including the new person you will become. Most importantly, have fun. College is more than just preparation for medical school.

Seek to achieve, to encourage, and to lead by example. Success as a freshman is guaranteed to those who are willing to apply themselves academically. Hard work and dedication reap rewards. You alone are responsible for your grade point average, not your Teacher. Knowledge is the fulcrum to your future, use it wisely. Have integrity; portray a positive demeanor, and a willingness to learn. Step outside your comfort zone often, who we become is magnified by our experiences. Be a person of sound moral character, a compass for peers to follow. Accept criticism graciously, everybody makes mistakes. Meet deadlines, attend review classes, and always do extra credit work when it is available. Learn that time management is not updating your Facebook profile while doing homework. Choose to be a frontrunner rather than follower, you gain confidence and garner the respect of others when you risk doing what is right over that which you know to be wrong. Persistence pays off! And Try, Try Again! Are motto’s to live by as you forge ahead as a sophomore, a junior and ultimately graduate. Lastly, and of equal importance, make great friends, laugh lots, and keep curfews!

Letter to the high school me: Hey there! It's me, your college-aged self. Not to scare you about what's to come, but I have a few words of wisdom that might save you later on. Here they are; pay attention! BE FRUGAL. Your biggest struggle by far in college will be money. You know mom and dad don't have money to contribute. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THINGS YOU DON'T NEED. At one point in your future you will simultaneously be working 4 part-time jobs to make ends meet. SAVE NOW. LEARN TO FOCUS. I know you're a procrastinator, but trust me, once you learn to just "get-er-done", life will be so much easier. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. Seek out people that have the information you're looking for. Overcome your shyness and realize that you're not bothering people. Most people actually like being helpful. Most of all, STAY POSITIVE. Know that there is always a way if you just put your mind to it. Just a few words to the wise. Use them as you see fit. Sincerely, the college-aged you.

Although my college life has only lasted one year, I feel like I have learned a plethora since those last days I walked out of high school. The person I am today would change who I was back in high school in a great way. To start, a piece of advice I'd give to my younger self would to really make more of an effort with my fellow students. I realize now that in high school, I had a little bit of an ego to me. An ego that made part of me think I was better than any single person at the school. I was deeply wrong about that because I went to school with some incredible people that I never talked to because of how I thought. Those very people are now doing amazing things with their lives and I regret never getting to know them. Also, I regret not appreciating my parents as much for all they did and do for me. I didn;t realize it in high school, but I now realize they are the reason I am the person I am today and I thank them dearly for everythng they have done.

As a driven high school senior, I made some mistakes in my college selection process. My expectations of college have not matched reality. I have been disappointed in the lack of academic rigor that Willamette University has provided me. The students are not focused, and have no drive to succeed and avoid moving back in with their parents after college. When I originally chose Willamette, I had not realized that this would be such a large factor in my happiness in college. I should have examined the culture of the school more closely. I should have looked for a more academically rigorous university, where I would not have stood out for being driven, but would meet many more people who could motivate me further. In addition, I would tell myself to consider a school that is stronger in the sciences, specifically Physics. I had not decided on a major when I decided to attend Willamette, and now am regretting my choice to attend a liberal arts school as a Physics major. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to remember how much I love science, and to choose a school with a strong Physics department.

I would tell myself to not get overwhelmed. College is a big change and no matter how well you believe you are prepared for it the truth is you're never prepared enough. College can be a wonderful experience if you make it one. I would tell myself to get involved in the different programs at the school but don't put too much on your plate at once. I would say to leave room to make mistakes and don't strive for perfection as it is impossible. It's important to keep a social life outside of college because everyone needs to be reminded that there is life besides work and school. Another important thing is to use the resources available. There are friends, teachers, advisors, and programs to use at the school whenever help is needed. I would tell myself that no matter what you're not alone. I would say overall college is a great experience and it should be memorable not something to regret.

Don't stick your head in the sand and let this decision make itself. It's your life and it's your responsibility to get where you need to be. Don't waste your time worrying what your family or friends are going to think about your decision. In a few months, they won't be there. You need to learn to stand on your own, and you can't do that standing on a foundation that you played no part in laying. Try everything, waste nothing, and reinvent yourself a few dozen times while you're at it. Now get to it. You said tomorrow yesterday.

If I could go back in time, the advice I would give myself is keep up the work and don't slack off. I feel that in my senior year I slacked off a little bit and that because of that the jump to college was even bigger than it should have been. If I would've stayted ontop of my school work ethic I think that my first year of college would have been a little bit easier. Also, I would tel myself that altough I have been a procrastiantor my whole life, collge is the time to stop.