Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

I would never trade my college experience for anything in the world. I am currently headed into my sophomore year and I am hopeful that I will learn even more than I did in my freshman year. I learned so much in my first year of college about life, living with "random roomate selection" and about myself that I don't think would have been possible otherwise. As an out of state student attending college three states away from my family, it was tough. But I learned how to be more independent, learn more about what I want in my life and I have met some pretty incredible people. Getting involved on campus was the most important thing I could have done. I've met so many people, especially upperclassmen who have given me some pretty great tips for my future. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life, and the opportunities I have gained already are irreplaceable. College classes are tough, but so worth it. I am fully confident in my education and I feel like I am taking a step in the right direction toward an amazing future!

I learned a lot about time management and balancing work, school, and social life.

At the beginning of my college career, I had carried over my highschool mentality. Now after having transfered two times, going on three, and moving two different times to experience professors of all difficulty levels and each one having very different requirements, I have grown far beyond where I was when I began. This past year I had a particular epiphany I know I would have otherwise not had if I had decided to go straight into working. It had finally hit me, why go against the grain? Why not actually try to learn something opposed to just trying to get the grades to get the degree? It had been a long time coming and finally I completely understood what it would take to actually enjoy the college experience on a different level. My goals changed with this realization. They became far more realistic and in depth. I was finally inspired by a particular degree path. College has been far more valuable than I could have ever imagined. To be able to describe these experiences to others that have yet to go through them would be a challenge. Nothing explains it but the experience itself.

My college experience has provided me with opportunities to explore my chosen career field. I am an education major and for the last two years of my undergraduate years I spent the majority of my class time working with elementary and special education students. By doing this I have been able to practice learning techniques, learn how to build rapport with the students, and work on my much needed classroom management skills. After completing these last two years of school, I feel confident that I wll be able to enter the classroom as an effective teacher that can help students to reach their highest potential. Arizona State University has done an excellent job in getting students into their chosen field and providing them with the experience necessary to put themselves ahead of other graduates in the area.

Coming to ASU, I have grown up so much because of the fact that I am far away from home. I have also met so many great friends that I know I will keep in touch with in the future. I love all my classes even though they are extremely difficult. The staff at ASU are all very helpful and I have learned so much from them already even though I am still currently in my first year. There are also so many events going on whether it be sport related, concerts, or clubs. ASU is the one of the best decisions I have made in my life because not only am I getting a top education, but I can honestly say that I am having the time of my life here. The only thing that is hurting me is their out of state tuition.

My college experience most definitely has revolved around competitive forensics (speech and debate). Participation in this activity - both as coach and competitor - has been a quantum leap for my thought development in terms of creativity, research, and arrangement/composition. Further, through this activity and others, I have had a chance to see the world. While in school, I've traveled to thirty of the fifty states in the Union as well as multiple nations in Europe. College afforded me the opportunity to meet people I never would have come across in my hometown of Mesa, AZ. My college years have been invaluable for the growth of my confidence, planning, and world outlook. Year after year, employees look for individuals who can develop an idea or opinion and then express it clearly and validly. My exposure to various people and places, combined with an activity that demands the competitive development of ideas, helps make that exression possible for me. Even having no idea what I wanted to study or which career I was working toward, college was most certainly the best move I've ever made.

So far, out of my college experience, I have gained new knowledge that I know that I can apply to my life now as well as in my future. I have learned to be a more outspoken person, able to contribute my ideas to a class and know that it will be accepted no matter what it may be. Also, I have learned to be more independent. I have always been independent when it comes to school, but living on my own freshman year, I learned to be independent in the real world. I learned to do my best in everything that I do. College has been very valuable to mebecuase I feel that I have found myself along the way. I know that I have a few more years to go but that excites me knowing I have so much more to learn about myself and my life ahead. I have discovered my goals in life and have planned out the road to success. This means putting aside things that are considered part of the college life. Maybe instead of going out Saturday nights I will stay in to do extra work to stay focused.

I've made a lot of friends and gotten an education that I know is preparing me for future careers.

The most valuable thing that I have gotten out of my college career is mainly just the experience of being here. I have been exposed to so many new cultures, people, and ideas than ever before in my life. I have been able to learn so much about myself and how I function just from being here in this environment on this huge campus. I am from a small town so I was contained in my little sheltered bubble for the first 18 years of my life, and coming to ASU has helped me to expand my views and get out of my box. When I started college here, I sometimes wished that I had chosen to attend a smaller campus before coming to ASU, but my views quickly changed and I am proud that I came straight to thins university out of high school. It has opened my eyes to the world so much more than community colleges would have. I would not be the confident, proud, inspired human being that I am today if I did not decide to attend Arizona State University. It truly has changed my outlook on life, for the better.

I attended Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI. , from May 2006 until Graduation in May 2008. Within that 2-year period of time I managed to achieve a 3.818 GPA, on both of my Associate of Applied Science Degrees. Never before have I tried to do so well academically, before attending college, I would settle for average results academically. I previously worked as a machinist for an automotive manufacturing company in Michigan, from May 1989 until December 2005. The company lost most of its bids on the products it produced to foreign competitors, then I was permanently laid-off. I was given the option to attend an undergraduate college, under the North American Free Trade Act (N.A.F.T.A.), because my job was sent to Mexico. I have been awakened by this change in my life that seemed to be out of my control. Since I attended an undergraduate college I have undertaken a new outlook on life, "Employment comes and it goes, but an education will follow you wherever you go and is life-long." Thank you, Jeff Campbell

I have been diligent and privileged in my pursuit of medical science as a career goal because I am convinced that it presents me the great opportunity to live a fulfilling and rewarding life dedicated to aid my fellow human beings. This is perhaps an inner motive that persuades me forward to increase my academic knowledge. Once I realized what goal I wanted to pursue in life, I worked hard to succeed. One school of thought states that academic education is the foundation of all professions. Thus, I have begun to cultivating my chosen path by taking undergraduate course works. It was not easy to be a full time student and simultaneously the head of household with the responsibilities those positions entail. Yet, I feel privileged to have been able to further my education and establish an essential scholastic foundation at Arizona State University. I believe that my education at this university enabled me to expand and excel my knowledge through academic experience, improving my critical thinking and investigative potentials, skills essential for excellence in clinical practice. And, I am eager to apply these learned lessons to wander off beyond the boundaries of what I have already learned.

College is a whole new planet compared to highschool. i've grown as a student and as a person. i've come in contact with many different people and learned of many different cultures. college allows more freedom then ever before, which helps you become more independent. from my college experience i have learned that people have come from all different backgounds which makes the world a wonderful diverse place. in one of my classes i met a man from south africa. He spoke little english but was in the united states to better himself and his family. he was in this country all by himself just so he could help others back home. his story truly showed me that everyone is different so don't judge them till you've listened to them for awhile. i've grown so much this past year from graduating high school with 108 people, to finishing up my two years a semester early and becoming a more independent diverse person. college has taught me that if you want to talk to someone you have to go first because everyone in the room feels as uncomfortable as you, so why not break the ice?

I have learned so much in my first year of college. Personally I love attending a community college because my classes are between 20 and 40 people, rather then 500 at a University. I have become much more responsible this year. In high school I procrastinated a lot but this year I know I cant do that. Failing a class is not an option. Even getting a C is unacceptable. I want to finish with mostly A's and some B's. I have learned how to manage my time better. Between school full-time and a part-time job, all my extra time is put towards studying.

College showed me new possibilities, both in myself and for my life. It taught me how to appreciate diverse opinions and ideas and histories, how to cope with frustration, how to schedule my time and how to survive when I thought I'd never make it. I am well past average college age, but college showed me that I have potential, and that there is no age limit on learning and growing. College introduced me to new career choices I had never considered and introduced me to new friends I otherwise never would have met. College also introduced me to graduate school -- a place I thought I would never be. College gave me options when my job folded up due to the recession, and the incredible thinking and research going on here gives me hope, not only for my future, but for the future of this country and this world. College renewed my faith in myself, and hope in others. Attending college changed my life forever, and my horizons are limitless. College has shown me that my reach does indeed exceed my grasp...and this is delightful knowledge, indeed.

I will be getting a degree that is needed for me to accomplish my goals. I have also gotten high quality field experience, and cultivated relationships with people respected in their field.

I have gotten many experiences out of college life. I have learned about how to go out into the unknown and be confident in making friends and connections. It has been a valued experience because I have been able to experience college life to the fullest with the classes and teachers and peers. I have been able to attend a school that fits with what I want to do in life and not just what everyone else is doing. I am able to be in a classroom full of people who are learning the same thing because they want to and not because they have to. My time here is more valuable because I have worked so hard to be here and to pay my way through. I have many experiences of support for what I'm doing and where I want to go and I have learned that I truly do love school and am even more excited now in extending my education and learning all I can in the time I am allowed.

From my college experience, I have received a debt that cannot be valued in any currency. Although there are those few that have discouraged others from pursuing their dreams of infinite wisdom, it was the voices of the past that fill the shelves in the libraries that encouraged me to overlook those who only teach not for the sake of the student but for the paycheck. Aside from this great injustice, there were those who propelled my furthur investigation in the amelioration of man. To know that there are societies far from here where the common person treats another with dignity and respect, even though their education level is equivalent to that of primary schooling, is beyond love. It is because of this that I will leave and see the cultures that I have read about, and after my experiences, I will only return and apply the same sentiments to my community. Hence why I have decided to procure a career with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in order to help those who are humble enough to create and better our country because every person has "the unalienable Rights" which include "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I have gain more knowledge. I believe that attending college is valuable because i gain more knowledge that i can you in the Human Services field.

I had experiance so many things, and learned so many things. At my time here at Arizona State University I had many different instructors and they had their own personal way of teaching their own students enrolled in the class. I have many instructors who had impacted my schooling here at ASU, and I remember even though its been two semesters ago I have a distint memory of how they thought the class. Also I have many friends here that have very different opinions and reasons why they are in school. I learn also from my fellow students about life, school, and issues in the world today.

I have received a tough college experience because I have not received any financial assitstance since I have been enrolled at Arizona State University. I have payed out of my own pocket to pay for school. This is valuable because it shows what hard work will do to you career wise.

Don't over do yourself your senior year. Don't procrastinate and push everything your last 2 years of high school. Do your best throughout high school and finish strong. AP biology is harder than you think so study hard. Remeber to always do your best and study, but also relax and have fun as well. Senior year is stressful when applying to college, but just know it's all worth it in the end. Start strong and finish stronger! As long as you apply yourself and do the best you can you will get into college. It doesnt matter where you go to college, ivy league or not, a university is a university and you got into college so be proud!

Think. Think about what you really want to do in the future. I know you find the future to be full of mysteries and most of all daunting. But it will come sooner than you think; sooner than you want. However frustrating it may seem, you need to start thinking about what kind of career you would like to pursue. I am not asking you to pick a specific major or plan out your whole life but simply contemplating the future will help you cope with the fact that you will indeed age, become an adult and be faced with many choices. These choices will encompass a variety of issues such as which major to choose, where to live, who to befriend, who to date, and countless other choices. If you don?t do as I ask, then you will start college, jumping from major to major never really confident that you are making the right choices, afraid you will make a wrong one, and disappoint those closest to you. So please, consider what I have said and remember to make your decisions based on what you want and not on someone else?s expectations.

Going back to senior year and giving advice to yourself, what an opportunity that would be. The most important advice I would give to myself is to follow my heart and stay true to who I am. Your head can tell you what it believes to be right, however, going with the passion of your heart can never fail you. Do not let anyone hold you back from the dreams you have planned for your future. Make sure that you do plan your future, but accept the change as it comes along. I would also advise myself to go out of state and not be afraid. The transition will be difficult, but fight through it with a high head and let yourself open up to the new life ahead of you. Open your mind to possiblities and they will come if you keep your heart open. However, do not forget about school. School is going to be difficult, but keep your outlook positive. School will take you where you need to go for your future. You will succeed if you keep a smile on your face and a loving heart to lead your life. Be who you know you are.

Be outgoing. Everyone is anxious to make friends and do fun activities so just go out there and have fun. But not too much that your grades suffer. If you still have the opportunity do AP classes. They help you get out of general education classes that do not usually pertain to your intended major. That way you can dive right into your required classes. In addition, go out and join at least one club and get really involved. It helps you network which is necessary for finding an intership or job in the future. And the sooner you make those connections the better off you will be. Just be yourself, or a little more outgoing then you usually are if you are shy. This is your chance to explore the world and yourself so have an adventure.

You want something go after it. Find something that you have a passion for, because passion over rides a paycheck. The sacrifices you make now continuing onto college , will pay off later. Do not let people, funding, family, and peers deter you from acomplishing what you want to do. Stay focused. Your career path and potential collegic career is not a race, but a intense training program that will prepare you for the real world and your entire life. It does not matter who graduated first or last , it's about how you finish. Learn to encourage yourself because everybody does not share and value what you do. Learn to seek out others who you confide in and who share the same path, and who can also serve as a support system. Do not be afraid to ask for help, the only questions that are uneccessary are the ones that are not asked. Do not be afraid to reach out and help others. Dreams are attainable it's just a matter of how far and how much work are you willing to put into your dream to make it become a reality. Most of all have fun while doing it!

Relax. There are many responsibilities that come with getting older and many roads in which you can take and create your life. The point of all of it is to have fun and learn as much as possible. Take each day one at a time a live in the moment. When looking back it seems that the time just flew by, but during each transition of your life it felt like forever. Just be grateful for everything and everyone you have. Thank all of your professors and peers for helping and supporting you to get where you are. Never forget the medicinal part of life. Escape from expectations and make your own. You will do fine as long as you keep believing in yourself. Way to go. Katy

Dear Emerald, Yes you're going through tough times with your car accident from your senior year which, thankfully it wasn?t fatal for your best friends. You'll gain yourself confidence back; the scar on your face won?t be the focus in a couple of years once you?re in school. Regardless, you need to apply to all of the schools that you dreamed of, not only ASU since it was convenient. Yes, you'll get accepted and fortunately receive enough tuition money but transportation will be difficult freshmen year since you have no car and live two hours away on city bus. This will negatively affect your gpa and stress levels, so please apply to out of state schools even those across state, to get away for your comfort zone. You'll drop friends, pick up new ones, meet guys that are interesting but not good enough to stay around long. All of these are blessings in disguise, so make time for things more than high school friends; try the cheer squad club, soccer or even volunteer more. Do more than just the minimum if teaching is your passion work with kids on your free time.

The advice I would have given myself as a high school senior would be to work harder in school aiming for the highest A that I can recieve because I did not know that in college there is a plus and minus scale that can potentially decrease my GPA. I would also, would have research potential college majors to know what types of classes that I would need to take to fulfill college requirements; therefore I would have a better understanding on what classes in high school could assist me for outstounding performance in college, thus taking them more seriously. Lastly, I would have applied for more scholarships so I would not be barely making it off of financial aid, scholarships, and other resources for college since I come from a household under a single mother who raises my brothers and I.

Work harder. Don't slack off in school and try to look for scholarships and financial aid as early in the year as you can. Don't become content with your grades. Strive to do better. You should also join some clubs so that you can socialize and experience more.

First things first, you're going to miss home, family and friends, but that doesn't mean you have to text or sit on facebook all day, especially in class. Second, be wise with your money, you won't have alot, and neither do your parents. Third, eat healthy, exercise, and get plenty of rest, otherwise you'll get fat and lazy. Fourth, go to each and every class and lecture, take notes and ask questions, why else are you going to college? And last but not least, KIDS CAN WAIT!

I have no regrets, I was blessed to have a mother and counsler who supported me 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} through the process. I suggest , while in high school, long before senior year , one starts to think about and research their future. Really check into what you want to do for the rest of your life, research the field, the work force, everything about what you think you want to be, write a report, you may find that this is not want you truly want, I did. Make list of what is important to you, even the climate that you wish to live in, remember you will be there for years. Talk to people who recently have been or are in college now, visit the schools and not just during open campus visits, even try the food. Get on line, it's a great resource...keep making that list, pretty soon the pro's will out weigh the con's and your dream will be right in front of you. There will be challanges, adjustments, and hurdles to cross, but keep an open mind, don't let anyone or anything discourage you, look at me , beyond all obsticles I am living my dream.

I would tell my high school self not to worry about sharing my opinion, first of all. I'd say that I should use all that the university has to offer me sooner and more effectively. There is so much I could have gotten done faster and better if I'd simply asked the questions that I was afraid to from the beginning. I would tell myself to study anthropology as soon as I got into college and to take more creative writing classes in the beginning as well. I'd talk to by high school self about all the things I've learned about the real world and what I should expect from it, such as the terrors of job hunting and how the school has much to offer to help me with that if I just push forward and move a little faster.

If I had the chance to go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior the decisions I would have made would be not nearly as drastic. During my college selection period I was going through some serious changes within my life and really was not thinkingabout what was best for me. I would have told myself that my family needed me to be there for them and that my mental stability wouldbe greater near home. I kick myself everyday thinking about how I chose to go so far from home for school when truthfully I need my family now more than ever. If I had the chance to go back in time I would have made the decision to stayin Minnesota.

If I could go back in time, and advise myself when I was a high school senior, I would advise myself to strengthen all my friendships. Having lots of support is very important to help pick you up when college makes you want to give up. After highschool, all your friends all go seperate ways, and it is very easy to find yourself alone, just as I became. The close friends made in highschool share a very big part of your life, they have been with you as you mature into a young adult. Many great memories have been created, and if you make sure to keep all those relationships alive, there will be many more memories to come. College was very hard for me to adapt to because I realized that I knew no one, I was so busy with school work that I neglected my friends and found myself getting very lonely and depressed. Over winter break, I did my best to recover my social life, and realized how silly I was for alienating myself. Your bestfriends will always be there for you to support you and help you back up when you fall.

If I were able to go back in time to talk to myself about college life and making the transition, I would have to say the most important piece of advice I could give would be to not stress and have great time management. Having experience a semester in college, I have learned the different methods in which colleges use. A lot of the work given is the student's own responsibility. Actually, almost everything in college is the student's own responsibility; whether I go to class or not, how much effort I put in to my classes, how I connect to the university all play a significant role in how my college experience will turn out. Learning not to stress is a key factor that goes along with time management. One of the hardest things I had to learn was how to prioritize my schedule and make sure I gave enough time to school work. In the beginning, I did not know what to expect of the workload and I often found myself stressing come deadlines. Once mastered, this becomes essential in order to succeed while in college and it is something I am glad I quickly learned.

The first matter that I would attend to is applying for scholarships. Money can either be an issue or not. Personally, money was a big worrisome, so I would tell myself to apply for as many as I could no matter how much they are because little amounts add up. Buying books can be very expensive and I would explain to purchase them online or at a local college bookstore because they are definitely cheaper. Time management is exceedingly important in college. I would advise myself to purchase a daily planner and keep everything structured and tidy. There is a lot of free time in college even if you are taking rigid courses. I would make it a point to notify my high school self to join clubs or volunteer with the time that is free because most of your friends are in class when you are off. Social life in college can be fun but also can lead to unwise behavior. Being responsible when you go out and remembering that school is priority will help you avoid temptations that are just real in college. Just be safe and freshman year will be pleasurable and a great experience.

"Michelle, you are a very smart girl. College is scary but very exciting. There are going to be a lot of temptations but you have always known what the right decision is. People will ask you to go out on a weeknight when you have a paper due the next morning, you know this is a bad idea but you will do the right thing. You need to do everything the professors ask you to do, and do it on time. The little points make a difference and should not be taken advantage of. You will need to study and do homework every night but it will all pay off in the end. Be excited, college is tough but a very fun and fulfilling few years. Be yourself and enjoy it!"

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to go beyond expectations. Get the best grades, apply for scholorships, and apply to alots of colleges. I would tell myself that college can only be earned through hard work. College is such an amazing experience and worth your time. Without a college degree I could never have the things and knowledge i desire for my future. The last thing I would tell myself is that if you don't try hard now you won't be happy where you are now, strugglying to pay for college.

If i knew then what i know now, i would definately be prepared. I would definately have known not to stress out about the first semester so much. The adjustment is only as big as you make it. I would get more involved in school activities, join more clubs, maybe rush for a sorority. putting yourself out there is a big part of the adjustment process. The people that are having the most fun and returning next year are the one's who are involved and comfortable with the transition. i would advise myself to relax, and make as many friends as popular. To really test the waters out in what classes interest me more than others. I would advise myself to really stay focused and take advantage of the education given. College is about finding yourself, and learning about your morals as a person, If I could go back and start all over, I would definately be mentally emotionally and physically ready for this huge transition.

As a High School Senior I would have gotten all of the advice and counseling I could get! I would have sat more with my guidance counselor and asked specific questions on what I need to take to get credit for college credits. I would have asked how to score high on SAT and ACT scores in order to get into a very good University for my future. I would have worked harder to try to achieve a Basketball scholarship for a 4 year college.

Good walking shoes are worth the cost, because blisters hurt and campus is enormous. Learn to budget for emergencies and buy toilet paper in bulk. Save emails to and from professors, because without proof, you lose any dispute.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would suggest to myself to take everything one day at a time and understand that everything will come in its own time. Now when I look back on everything, I remember that I had this mind set that "I have to do everything by a deadline." With community college, I had to graduate within two years or I had failed. Really the most important thing is to understand that it's not a "do or die" situation when you haven't decided on a career. In fact, the first two years are for students to discover what is interesting them - enough to major in. I also would have actually taken the time to be patient with money and be sure not to stress out about the affordability of college. If one cannot afford one full class-load semester, then take half. Life is about finding a nice balance and trusting your own abilities as well as knowing what one is capable of to succeed.

If I had the opportunity to go back to my senior year and give myself advice, the advice i would give would be to get organized and learn better time management before attending school in the fall. I am not as organized as I should be and my time management skills are also not what they should be. I have realized that without any help from my parents, learning how to manage my time has been a challenge. I would definitely tell my high school senior self to work on this prior to attending school. I have also learned that it is very important to be organized in college. This is something I would have liked to have realized was so important before attending college and would definitely give my self organizationa advice.

Time travel. Probably everyone?s biggest wish, to go back and tell yourself what you know now. Well, if I had that chance to do so I would. When it comes to the transition from high school to college, it can be tough. Luckily, I went to a large high school so being surrounded by a huge campus wasn?t too frightening. However, it was the people around me that were the hardest part to adjust to. People change, and it is a part of life. I thought when I went to college, I was going to be with the same people, doing the same things, and having the same schedule, but it doesn?t work that way. Therefore, I think I would just warn myself of that, and that we take away good people in life to make room for the great ones.

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior year self there are a lot of things that I would tell myself. I would start off by explaining how important it is to stay organized. By keeping everything organized you know exactly where things are and it?s much easier to keep track of assignments. Making sure that I knew how important it is to also not slack off. Always taking time to start and finish assignments in a timely fashion will probably earn you a better grade. I would really vocalize how important it is to manage all of your time the best way that you can. My senior year self should also know how important it is to not only be studious, but to also know how to have fun and enjoy college. Taking advantage of all available scholarships is also something I would make sure that I knew. By doing everything that I can to get all the financial aid possible will make paying for college significantly easier. I think that if my senior year self knew all of this that it would have made everything so much easier and less stressful.

Looking back as a senior in high school one of the first things I would tell myself about the future would be to look at all my options which may not only be schools. In this way I know what options I have ahead of me while seeing the different possibilites. In this case I may have identified that school is not the first option I would want to take. Although for myself even as a senior in high school I knew I wanted to go on to college. Eventhough I knew college was what I wanted I wish I would have applied at more colleges and taken more campus visits than I had, in this way I would have been able to get the actual feel of what college life would be like. As for the transition into the college life I would prepare myself that college and being on your own will not always be easy but to keep your head up at all times. Also to formulate a strong support group for myself. This support will help as I have learned in college that we grow and change immensly in our college years.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say one thing: scholarships. College is so expensive. Books alone can be a few hundred dollars each semester. I did get a scholarship to ASU, but it still does not cover all the expenses. There are so many scholarships available to high school seniors. Many of them go unnoticed to the majority of seniors, so the ones that do apply have a higher chance of recieving the award. I did not apply for very many scholarships because I was lazy. I regret it now. I could have gotten more, which would have helped me to finish my college education. Now I'll just have to get off my booty and get a job. Nice going, Amber.

The best advice I would give to my senior high school self is to be extremely active. In order to evade depression, making friends actually helps you get your work done. Feeling lonely in such a large complex does things to yourself and work will seem harder. When I mean active, I mean introduce yourself to classmates, people that live in your dorm, and especially be friendly with your roommate(s). Joining clubs is another effective method. It takes weeks or even months for your new true friends to be revealled. It is nothing to be scared about, it will happen eventually. Also, always do your work, try to motivate yourself to get it done, no matter how much there is. If you are active and get the work done, college will be the best time of your life!

I would advise myself to work harder and prepare financially and emotionally for all the changes that would happen. I would have applied for more scholorships and taken more free or less expensive learning opportunities that were presented to me.

To my high school senior self, I would say: "Do not waste money living on-campus freshman year. Find a cheaper apartment nearby. It may seem more difficult or complicated to find a place off-campus, but it's worth it. A few minutes of extra walking between classes and home will do you no harm. Not to mention, you won't have to share a community bathroom with too many dirty girls (and boys who sneak in). Their obnoxious ceaseless noise will not bother you, and your schedule and focus will be much better without their distractions. Although it seems contradictory to the previous advice, socialize more. You spent high school doing nothing but homework, and now it's time to change that. Finally you will have time to breathe and relax. The workload will be much more manageable, and you will for once get to live on your own schedule, more or less. That said, don't take any classes before 10 AM, because you've known your whole life that you're not a morning person, and this will become more true than ever in college. Finally, enjoy the time of your life, and always look ahead."