ADVICE FROM PARENTS
Here are some "words of advice" from the many, many
parents who have
attended "Great Beginnings" over the years. The question to the
parents
was this: "If you could say one thing to your sons/daughters before
leaving them today, what would those words be?"
I have arranged the comments into categories,
but these categories are more arbitrary than real...
"PRACTICAL ADVICE"
Be organized; take control of your education; work hard;
have a great time (not too great!).
Don't go places alone; go in groups.
Remember to be aware and be safe.
Don't trust most guys.
You are very intelligent - much more than I, but you are more naive
to the dangers of our society.
Please, please be careful. I love you.
Take care of yourself.
Remember to focus on academics first and foremost.
Remember that the only place that "success" comes before "work"
is in the dictionary!
Get assignments done early. Do some work every day - don't wait
until the last minute.
Math is not your forte, so ask for help. There is no failure -
only experience.
Don't forget to proof read.
When in doubt, look it up and use the library.
Forget about the boyfriend at home.
Don't forget to laugh.
Make sure you eat - not junk; and don't give your mother
your telephone number.
Take care of yourself physically, eat well, sleep well,
and exercise often.
Be active in on-campus activities...
[advice suggested by a number of parents. M.H.]
Study hard, work hard, but also have fun.
We're already proud of you. Now you enjoy yourself.
Whatever it takes, you must maintain a "B" average.
Work hard and prosper; may the force be with you.
Take one day at a time.
Take your past and put it with your vision of the future
and enjoy the present...
Keep your room clean.
Find a boyfriend who knows how to work on your car.
Don't forget to get up - remember the alarm clock!
Please remember to do your homework; there are shortcuts,
but not for everything.
Make sure this is the degree you really want to pursue.
If you are unsure, 'listen'!
It is always easier in the long run to do the right thing,
even when the wrong thing may seem easier
at the moment.
Do the right thing, use what you have already learned,
and don't waste my money!
Focus on what you really want to do, not on $$.
Yes, you have rights, but hold on to those rights by being responsible.
Please go to Campus Ministry or the counseling office for guidance,
direction, leadership, and - most of all - for friendship.
Remember that you still can call home and share everything with
mom and dad, but we won't be there
on a daily basis. Love you...
Talk with your advisor and "RA" if you need help - or your coach.
Remember, you can always ask for advice, but it is your choice
whether or not you decide to use it.
You have been taught right from wrong. Now it is your turn
to apply what you know, to make your
own choices, and to live
with the choices you made.
Listen to that little voice in your head and you'll know
the right thing to do.
Relax. Stay focused. Listen, listen, listen.
Try not to get flustered.
Remember: "Don't sweat the small stuff" &
"It's all small stuff."
It is sometimes difficult for a young person to think "long term..."
Today will pass; think of the big picture.
Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.
Get busy: if you want expensive toys, get a good education.
"Three-Oh [3.0] -- or you don't go."
Drink your milk; get enough sleep... Remember that no matter
what happens in your life,
you are not alone. God, mom and dad are always there.
Relax! Have fun; you'll do fine and your goodness will shine.
"RELIGIOUS ADVICE"
Volunteer in church functions, but don't spread yourself too thin.
Believe in God and His ways -- be honest, work hard,
and follow your heart (with help from your head!).
Ask God for the gift of faith; faith in God will be able to
conquer any situation.
Remember when you are standing alone - you never are.
When you let Him, God is always with you.
Keep your faith; it will always get you through. Hang in there;
it gets better, and it will be worth it.
God is always there for you, and so are we...
Put your heart and soul into all you do.
This is your time to spread your wings and soar like an eagle.
You are an overcomer in Christ.
Let the spirit of God lead you and guide you. We love you.
Rely upon your angels when you're days are full of struggles.
Smile. Be happy...
I love you, I'm proud of you, and I'm thankful for your love.
"Trust in the Lord with thine whole heart, and lean not unto thine
own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and he will
direct thy paths...(Proverbs 3:5-6). Always know that there are
people that God put in your path to help you become who you
are supposed to be.
"FULFILLMENT ADVICE"
If there is a question as to what to do, ask yourself: "will these actions
take me closer to my goals
and dreams"?
Remember that you shine inside and outside; show the college the real you!
Be yourself, you are lovely and wise. I am proud to be your mother...
Enjoy college to the fullest --
this is your time.
Remember to be true to yourself. It is ok to make mistakes.
Don't be afraid to try something new.
Believe in yourself, because we believe in you.
Stay as great and caring as you now are.
Stay true to yourself and to those wonderful values and ideas
you grew with and shared with us.
Remember, most freshmen are just as nervous, shy and scared as you are.
These are precious years; use them wisely. What you learn today
will be your future tomorrow.
I hope that over the next four years you don't lose sight of who you are
and what you believe in. These beliefs
will grow and change, but they should not disappear.
Whatever you learn, whoever you become, remember where
and who you came from.
Be yourself; do not change for anyone.
This is the start of your life as an adult.
Make it a good one for yourself, not for your parents or peers.
Remember to follow your dreams; be a leader, not a follower.
Believe in yourself and reach for the stars... I'm so happy for you
and I'll be praying for you
every day...Please stop by to see me...
and keep your dirty laundry out of my car. Love you!
Test yourself. Your expectations may have to be modified,
and your limitations may be expanded.
Making mistakes is only human; that's how we learn.
Tomorrow is there for repair and change.
Be open-minded and take responsible risks during your next four years.
There are so many things to learn
and experience that you would
totally miss if you are set in your ways.
The three keys to success and happiness are Character, Integrity,
and Motivation. Maintain these,
and everything else will fall in place.
Reach for the sky; be all that you can be...
[advice suggested by a number of parents. M.H.]
The old saying, "college is the best time of your life" is really true -
don't make the same mistakes that
I made. Take advantage of
every opportunity; do it right now -
it's harder to do it later.
Never give up; keep trying.
The word "can't" isn't in your vocabulary.
Everything will work out if you let it.
Honey, you possess many God-given talents... your decisions and choices
will determine your
destiny. Consider consequences prior to
decision-making and if you fall, get up and try again.
I love you!
Be the person you are today, not the person you aspire to be.
I am always proud of you and I want you to get everything out of this
experience you can - enjoy it. I love you with all my heart.
Believe in yourself - trust your heart, your intuition,
your life-learning so far. Don't become someone
you think others
would like you to be; become who you were created to be -
with your gifts,
your intelligence, your spirit.
Use the next four years to grow spiritually, academically and physically.
This will allow you
to "know thyself."
Remember that beauty comes from within...keep on being yourself.
Don't get frustrated if you aren't the best at everything, because you'll
always be
the best in the hearts
of those who know and love you.
College is for you. It is not something that your parents made you do.
It is for your career and your happiness on life's pathways.
"INTERPERSONAL ADVICE"
Think first! Respect yourself and others.
The best friends you make will be those who share a common interest. Don't become just a
bookworm; get involved in campus activities...
Be same and happy. Be considerate of yourself and all others...
Be polit e to others.
Make room for new relationships and get involved in college life.
Be yourself. Enjoy the company of others, but do not be persuaded to change from the high road
you have always traveled.
Be kind to your fellow students and faculty; enjoy your first year
as a college student.
Remember that to help yourself is to help others. It's something
you have to do -
and I don't know why.
Treat everyone the same way you would like to be treated; all people
are equal.
Blend with others; work with others; but be yourself inside.
Be yourself, respect others -- and "don't forget your name."
"SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM HOME"
Call home or use e-mail. Stay connected to us at home. We miss you!
No matter what happens - good or bad - I'm here to share and will always
be here for you
[a sentiment shared by many parents: MH.].
Your mother and I will miss you a lot, but our thoughts will be with you.
We will always be proud of you and of your many achievements.
Remember that we love you, and you will always be in our thoughts
and our prayers.
Don't worry about mom and dad; they will be fine at home...
We will think of you
during our vacation.
No matter how terrible it seems, you can confide in your parents.
Call dad if you're in trouble.
If you need something, call your mother.
Don't call after 11:00pm unless it's an emergency -- only kidding!!
Please remember how important you are to your family, and how proud
of you we have been.
We have been blessed by the grace of God with your
presence in our lives.
Remember - we are only a phone call away.
[a sentiment shared by many parents: MH.]
You are not leaving our family - your family just got a whole lot bigger!
Just remember that although you are leaving home on your journey
through life, you take with you all
our love and support -
along with our confidence that you will continue to be successful.
We love you, no matter what!
Goodbye; I love you.