Clemson University Top Questions

Do not be afraid to put yourslef out there. Yes, grades do matter, but if you let yourself get too wrapped up in making straight A's you're going to miss all the beautiful things that are around you. Talk to people. I know you think you and your roommate are polar opposites, but you're going to become best friends. Reach out to peope. But do not let these people get in the way of your academic sucess. It's okay to stay in and study so you can do well on that test. You have 4 years here, and plenty of time to do all the things you want to do. The transition will be hard, but make friends who you can talk to about it, and things will be so much easier. Don't go home all the time, you'll miss out on so much and it will make things harder. You can do it, and you will succeed at it.

Knowing what I know now, what would I say to the highschool senior version of myself? I would tell him to be clever as well as being intelligent and strong. I would tell him that no matter how hopeless and/or difficult a class or objective may seem, there is always a solution to solve the issue. I would also tell him to be careful, and not to let minor distractions become obsticals of his main objectives, as back then he was rather absent minded, something I still strive to improve on to this day. Most importantly of all, I would tell him to stay on the path he's currently on, that while it may be difficult and stressed, it is worth it, not only in terms of recieving an education, but also in building him as an individual.

I would tell myself that you don't need to try to go into a major where you know you'll make a lot of money when you get a job after you graduate, but you also know you don't really want to do that for your life. I would tell myself to go into something that is a mix of the two. Choose a major that sounds interesting and piques your curiosity but also has classes in subjects that you like and/or you're good at. I would tell myself to avoid random roommate matching and to study every day in the library, even if it's only an hour. Bring headphones to keep yourself focused on your task. I would tell myself to not be afraid to have a conversation with a stranger, you may just end up with a great friend. I would tell myself to go to bed early and wake up early because if you don't you'll more than likely be late. The main thing I would stress to myself though, is to enjoy having the opportunity to learn more. You may not always like it but it'll pay off.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my high school self to be true to myself. Make friends with people that you actually want to spend your time with—these friends will soon know everything about you and be with you all of the time. Don’t make decisions based off of your friends’ future intentions; if you want to do something, DO IT. Whether it’s studying abroad, interning, or going out for an organization, don’t let them hold you back. You only have a few years at college and you don’t want to miss out on what it has to offer. Just like in the real world, you will meet people that you don’t necessarily get along with—that’s okay. Be courteous and kill them with kindness. However, the great thing about college is that you don’t actually have to be friends with them! You will also learn that friendships will come and go and if they truly mean that much to you, MAKE TIME FOR THEM. No one said college would be easy, but boy, is it fun and rewarding.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would start by telling myself to forget considering that degree that I am not really interested in and pursue what I love. At the end of these four years of college, I have to go out in the world and if I spent four years in misery studying something I do not care for, those years were wasted. Also, I would tell myself to get more involved. Senior Year goes by fast and it can be hectic with International Baccalaureate classes and extracurriculars, but you have to enjoy yourself and get involved to make it count. Another thing I would stress is the importance of applying for scholarships. As a student from a low-income family that is paying my own way through university, money is the key to everything. Scholarships can make or break you and cause you endless amounts of stress when you have to worry about where the next payment from school will come from or how much you will owe in loans afterwards. Overall, I would tell myself to do what I love, get involved, and focus on scholarships now rather than later.

There are two types of colleges you will encounter, Diana-- liberal arts colleges and public universities. The two can be compared to a diner and a downtown restaurant area. Since you chose Clemson, you chose a downtown restaurant area. With diners, you have all the choices given to you and you can make decisions at a leisure pace whereas with downtown restaurant areas, you must find the place you want to eat and go after the choices on your own. I want you to say yes and go on a whim at times even if you have that doubt creeping in the back of your mind. After all, if you don't move out of your comfort zone and shell, how do you expect to grow as an individual? Of the utmost importance, release all resentment and bitterness because that will hold you back. If you were to think over every mistake and play out the what if scenarios, you will regress into a cycle of loathing and emptiness. Go after what your gut tells you and seek help when you need it. One final lesson you should keep in mind is that you are here for yourself.

Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Do things on your own timing and don't try to rush the most important memories of your life just because everyone else has already done it. Learn to embrace who you are as a person, and don't change to make others like you more. The best friends you'll meet, will be the ones that accept every quirk and supposed flaw that you have. But most importantly, enjoy your time in college and take every chance to seek new opportunities. You may make some mistakes, but thrive off of those mistakes, and learn to appreciate them. Maybe they weren't mistakes at all, and will lead you to the path you were always meant to follow.

I would tell myself to study more, I never had to in high school and I wish I had tried more during my freshman year. I also wish I had participated in certain clubs from freshman year onwards, and maybe broken out of my shell a little more.

Learn how to study. Despite what high school teachers and administrators may tell you, they do a poor job at preparing you for college. Not having to study in high school does not mean you will get by as easy in college. In fact, a study at Clemson shows that if you put in only as much work in college as you did in high school, you can expect your GPA to drop by a factor of 1.7. Studying daily will improve your chances for success and will enable you to thrive in the collegiate setting.

Be outgoing, college is not as scary as people make it out to be. Don't stress, have fun and enjoy the moment.