What I wish I knew in 12th grade—

Don't close any doors; you never know what subject might attract you once you begin college

During my senior year of high school, I based many decisions upon the fact that I would be in college the following year. This frame of mind was helpful in many situations (“I want to spend more time with my close friends because we might be in different states next year…). In other situations, however, my college-bound thinking was a little too closed-minded. Let me give an example.

I have known since my sophomore year of high school that I would be an English major. My strengths are languages and literature, with my weaknesses lying in the math and science realm. Senior year of high school, I didn't take my math or science classes very seriously. I frequently told myself, “You’ll never have to take classes like this in college, so don’t worry about it.” I assumed that since I wouldn't major in Biology or Chemistry, I could essentially forget about those subjects after graduation.

I have since realized that college is not about solely focusing on one area of study. Choosing a major is obviously important, but college is also about exploration. I have never loved history, yet found myself fascinated by my Greek history course last semester. My roommate was determined to major in Chemistry until she took her first Psychology class.

So this is my advice: do not close any doors. You never know what subject might attract you once you begin college. Colleges offer such a wide array of courses that you could fall in love with a subject you now know nothing about.

And a smaller piece of advice: save important notes that you think could come into use. If a teacher gives you a great outline of The Canterbury Tales, don’t toss it when you have taken your final exam senior year. Some of the material that you have learned in high school could reappear, and having a handout or study guide can certainly be helpful. I am kicking myself for not having saved a few of my notes from British Literature!