On this episode of Dave by the Bell, Dave once again interviews recent graduates at Commencement 2015 at the George M. Holmes Convocation Center in Boone. This time he asks them, "If you could travel back through time to deliver one piece of advice to yourself at the beginning of this journey...what would that piece of advice be?"

Transcript

Dave: Hi folks it’s me Dave Blanks back with another Dave by the Bell a podcast during which I wander about interviewing unsuspecting App State students and attempting to have them answer one question per episode. I’m once again at the George M. Holmes convocation center here in Boone for Appalachian State University Commencement 2015. These people made it through college...what's their secret? I try to figure that out by posing this question. If you could travel back through time to deliver one piece of advice to yourself at the beginning of this journey...what would that piece of advice be? Let’s find out what they have to say.

Voice 1: Study alot.

Dave: Did you study?

Voice 1: Uhhh eventually.

Voice 2: Have a recorder to help with teachers who ramble. That way you can listen back to a lecture later on.

Voice 3: Don't stress so much.

Voice 4: Take five classes a semester and definitely go to grad school.

Voice 5: uhhhh Study hard? I don't know!

Voice 6: Join a lot of clubs, meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends.

Voice 7: Twenty page papers are not as hard as they sound.

Voice 8: I think that piece of advice would probably be persevere. Keep going because it gets better and it's worth it.

Voice 9: I guess just to have a better idea of what you're going to do when you get there.

Voice 10: Follow your dreams. Follow your heart and go for it.

Voice 11: Oh now I remember. The library has graduate desks. Get one of those at the very beginning of the semester because they are awesome. They're on the third floor. Graduate research desks. Get one of them because they are awesome.

Voice 12: To breathe and to not be hard on myself. Every now and then just take moments to breathe.

Voice 13: That one piece of advice? Kick the procrastination habit early because it will stay with you for a while.

Voice 14: Don't stress. It will wear you out.

Voice 15: Just be more open to new things and experience new things here. I came from a different country so just experienceing a different culture and getting to know people here has been amazing.

Voice 16: Keep going don't be afraid and overthink things. Just do your thing. You are doing the right thing right now.

Voice 17: Be more social. I was really shy when I first came here I didn't like talking to people.

Dave: So you're totally over it?

Voice 17: Yeah! No! Mostly! Hahaha

Dave: Thanks Again to the class of 2015 for allowing me to interrupt your celebrations and answering my question. Congratulations to the class of 2015. It was fun. Best of luck to you all.

Dave: This podcast is a produced by Appalachian Media Productions a division of University Communications at Appalachian State University. Discover more of our podcasts videos and other cool App related content at appalachianmagazine.org and subscribe to us on iTunes. Just search for Appalachian State under podcasts. I look forward to talking to you folks next time. I’m Dave Blanks and this has been Dave by the Bell.

Special Thanks to: Daneille, Selena, Adam, Lauren, Megan, Grayson, Susan, Branson, Justin, Christian, Sandra, Earle, Katrina, Nkem, Allison, Linwood, Brian, Nathalie and Jennifer

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About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.