<p>So I know I was pretty lazy throughout high school. I didn't really put in the effort that I could have and didn't achieve a stellar GPA or anything too impressive. The thing is, I'm going to college in a few months and I'm really nervous that I'm not going to be able to turn myself around and do everything that I intend to achieve. </p>
<p>Lately, I've set my heart on some really tough goals. I want to flourish as an undergrad, land an awesome job (probably IB), and attend a Top 3 MBA program. I'm afraid that I won't be able to change my attitude and become serious about achieving these milestones.</p>
<p>Maybe college was an eye-opening experience for some of you where an overwhelming need to succeed. Any help?</p>
<p>I think success in high school is a strong indicator that you’ve learned how to study and how to sacrifice fun with friends when you’ve got an important exam coming up, etc. I guess discipline is the word that comes to mind. That said, I think there are a lot of late bloomers out there who turn things around in college. I was a pretty lazy high school student with very average grades but managed to stay on the dean’s list in college. I think it helps that at most colleges you can shop for the best teachers and for courses that you’re really interested in. Try to sit in the front row, connect with the teachers and the best students, and get your studying done before you go out to play. I bet you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I was really lazy in high school. Despite being lazy, I think I still had a relatively okay GPA (3.7). I’ve been pretty lazy throughout my undergraduate career as well and only have a GPA of around ~3.2. Would I use high school as a barometer of how well you’ll do in college? Not really. </p>
<p>Your profile picture says Claremont McKenna. That’s like right down the street from where I live. You’re in good hands. Just get good grades and internships. Adjust yourself to the rigor of your college. Get in the groove. You should be fine. </p>
<p>I was a lazy high school student as well. My high school GPA was around a 3.4. I often surfed the web on my phone during class and did all of my minutes before it was due. I rarely did homework at home unless I found it interesting.</p>
<p>Then I went to a community college for a year, increased my work ethic, and easily got a 4.0.</p>
<p>My first semester at the University of Michigan, I got a 3.7. And this semester, it looks like I’ll get a 3.9 - 4.0 (depending on if I get an A- or an A in one of my classes). By paying attention in class, reading the textbook, doing homework, etc., I’m doing better than most students, even those with much better backgrounds myself (such as those who took tons of AP courses - which is pretty much everyone at this school).</p>
<p>Sometimes yes and sometimes no. There are so many variables.</p>
<p>Sometimes a kid brings her excellent work ethic to college, and continues to excel.</p>
<p>Sometimes a student works to his or her maximum effort in high school. Studies really hard all the time. Does every assignment. Pursues every opportunity for extra credit. Etc.</p>
<p>This kid can sometimes get to college and hits the wall. The kid was already working at maximum capacity, and can’t kick in to a higher gear. And in college, grades are usually determined by just a few assignments–a lower grade on an exam can’t be made up for with a lot of extra points from a zillion pointless little assignments, and professors do not offer extra credit opportunities.</p>
<p>Sometimes a kid screws off in high school, having the native smarts but not the maturity or desire to excel. This kid can turn over a new leaf in college and will do just fine. This often happens because college classes can be so much more interesting, and also just because the student is more mature.</p>
<p>And of course there are kids who screwed off in high school and continue to do that in college. But that doesn’t last for too long. Colleges are not shy about asking immature students to take time off and come back when they are ready to study. And, as college is expensive, most kids might fool around the first semester–ten reality hits and they get a lot more serious.</p>