Brigham Young University-Provo Top Questions

Take your education seriously. Don't just do the homework and study for tests, but understand the things you're learning about. Take time to do outside readings and research, and don't be afraid to talk to the teachers and TAs. They can help you out a lot. Also, get involved in different clubs around campus and enjoy the time you have at college. You won't always have all these resources available to you, so take advantage of them while you can. Reach out to people around you and get to know them. This is a wonderful time to make friends for life, so sit by someone new and talk. Don't neglect the social and physical aspects of your life, but get out and exercise and play games with people. Just have a great time, because now is the time to do the things that you want to do.

Dear Former Self, I know that you've been making some big plans and you have lots of potential, but I want to send you a little message. I know that you've always dreamed of going to college, of getting doctorate degrees, of changing the world; but I'll just let you know what you're getting yourself into. Prepare to be stressed out of your mind as you struggle to balance work, school, social life, volunteer work, etc. Prepare to lose sleep on assignments, projects, and tests because there aren't enough hours in a waking day to finish everything. Prepare to focus on your priorities, even when things go dead wrong. With the stress, depression, and anxiety that come from college, you'll need to be determined and tough. You will experience desparate situations. Everything you you ever knew, or naievely believed, is about to be thrown into the trying furnace; you'll find out what you're really made of. Brace yourself. And finally, you'll get bad grades if you have to work and do all your schoolwork at the same time, so apply for lots of scholarships right now. Love, Your Future Self

Go to bed. Yes, you may be able to function on three hours of sleep a night, but you'll be happier and do better if you actually sleep eight hours a night. Also, don't be shy. Branch out- everyone else wants to make new friends as well. Don't be afraid.

Stay focused from day one. Have a great time and lots of fun, but work hard from the beginning. It is harder to make up a bad GPA from the first semester than it is to just do well the whole time.

If given the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have advised myself to look for more scholarships. I was not fully prepared for the expenses of college. If able to do it again, I would have spent more of my time looking for more financial aid. Also, I would have encouraged myself to develop better study habits, as I had to give myself a crash course in studying during my first term as a college freshman. Overall, I believe that I would tell myself to not slack off as much as many of my friends were doing during their last few months in high school. Those last months still require effort in order to be ready for the college life. I would also, of course, told myself who the good professors were, and perhaps avoided having a professor or two that I didn't really like. Small and simple pieces of advice such as this are equally as important as the larger, more important issues. Knowing simple facts such as this would have allowed me to have an easier transition into college. I would then have had more time to put effort into school.

Fear is in the root of the world's problems. Fear debilitates, sucks confidence, and weakens. I would advise myself not to hesitate to do what is right, despite what others watching might feel or think. Fear is opposed to faith. Faith is a positive motivator, where as fear is a more negative motivator. People will do a lot of things out of fear but when the fear factor is eliminated, what are they left with to motivate them? Faith is also a motivator, believing in something you have not yet seen. It is an abiding hope and trust which causes you to act on a level higher than you thought you could. When I acted by faith and not fear I was more sucessful or atleast I was happier. I say this because the majority of my failure at BYU was a result of hesitation rooted in fear. For instance, I did poorly on exams because I did not trust my initial answers. I had a season ending injury in rugby due to hesitation/fear. Fear and hesistation cost me strength in my relationships with people who were very important to me. I have learned, overcome fear with faith.

I would tell myself that it is imperative to apply for as many scholarships as possible. If I made one mistake my senior year it is that i neglected my scholarship abilities and didn't try near hard enough to get funding. It is also important to realize how expensive college books are as well as other seemingly harmless supplies. It is also extremely important to focus and do your absolute best the first semester. I ended up failing a class my first semester as well as receiving two C's. You don't want to end up repeating a class and wasting the money to get average grades.

Senior Year! Congrats! Start preparing for college now by:1) Save as much money as you can! Hopefully you have already been doing this!2) Get as high a GPA, ACT/SAT, as you can.3) Participate in several activities. Schools (and scholarships) like well-rounded people.4) Meet with a good guidance counselor. Ask for a list of scholarship opportunities. Prepare financial and personal background information ahead of time, as well as potential schools and programs you are interested in.5) Apply for FAFSA and scholarships earlier than later. Search the internet for scholarships and grants. Contact community organizations and civic groups. Treat your activities and interests as scholarship leads. Inquire with the officers or advisors of such organization about available scholarship funds.6) Visit potential schools well in-advance. Talk with the counselors over each program you are interested in about school requirements, program requirements, scholarship opportunities, etc. Look into housing options, insurance options, student life, etc. The more you find out and the earlier you find it out, the better!7) Apply for several schools and several programs. The more options you give yourself the better.8) Get involved and enjoy college life!

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self to prepare myself for the future, the change, and the transition, I would have alot to say. I would probably start by telling myself that it IS important to stay on top of school work, and that just because I don't like a subject, that is no reason to give up; it only gets harder in high school. I would tell my high school self to get involved in as many extra carricular activities, because college is hard to pay for and if you're good enough at a sport, you can get scholarships. To prepare for the move to college, I would let myself know to not make plans last minute- that it isn't hard on just me, but everyone I live with. I would tell myself that its alright if I'm going to school far away where I don't know anyone, it's okay to meet new people and make new friends. These are just a few things I would tell my self if I could go back to high school, and there is plenty more.

Kevin, so you are about to enter college. This will be a great time in your life so enjoy every opportunity that comes to you. I have three pieces of advise to give you. One, choose you major carefully and love that choice. I take every opportunity to get all that you can out of it. Do all the extracurricular activities that your major provides. Participate as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and a tutor. These positions will help you learn more. Two, get to know each of your professors a little better. Go out of your way to introduce yourself in class or by visiting their offices. You will enjoy the classes more when your professor knows you and you can connect with them. And three, spend some time doing other things than academics. Make lots of friends. Take advantage of all the things that the area has to offer. You will only be there four years and then it is over. You cannot return and relive this part of life. Lastly, do your very best and enjoy the journey.

Begin getting involved in activities that college offers earlier. Investing more than academics in your college experience will make your it more fulfilling. Becoming part of a club or college council not only provides opportunities to make more lasting friends and memories, but it will introduce you to faculty and students who can help with with future goals in academics or even internships. Connections around campus are a genuine way to feel connected and welcomed at your school.

Have lots of fun your last year of high school. If you feel like you need to take some college level classes, check with the college(s) you've been accepted to to see if what you're taking will help you. If not, take them for fun or not at all. You will get all you need in college, and you've worked hard enough that it's okay to take a little break. Don't take more than one hard general credit your first semester. Work up to taking more hard classes at a time. Even though you may know what you want to go into, take a lot of introductory classes in other areas that are interesting to see if there is something else that you'd enjoy. Talk to a lot of people. Make new friends everywhere you can. It's always nice to see familiar faces walking around campus. Take advantage of all the university has to offer you. Try new things. You won't regret a minute of it.

High school was a fun experience, but I worried too much about popularity and social standing. High schoolers would be better off if they could realize that life is not all about them. There is so much more joy in serving others than there is in wearing the latest fashion or having the newest phone. Material possessions don't matter. People matter. True friendships and family relationships are far more valuable than anything you could ever buy or own. Also, school is important. Finding joy in knowledge is one of the best things one can learn early on in life. Advanced Placement classes are good for colleges and scholarships, but they are not everything. If a student can learn to love what they are learning while being challenged by the new knowledge, they will gain far more than what an Advanced Placement class can teach them. Having credit while going into college is nice, but there is no need to rush the college experience. Live life to the fullest. Be the best you can be. Working your hardest is good enough. Serve often and love everyone. That is the key to happiness and success.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college, although it is fun, is about getting an education. It is so important to take your college education seriously. It isn't like high school, you can't just glide through it. College takes a lot of discipline, dedication, and most importantly a lot of hard work.

I never got to make it as a college senior. After sophomore year, I dropped out of high school and received my GED. If I could go back in time, I would tell 16-year-old Anna that she is good enough and smart enough to make it to graduation. I would tell her that in college, she could achieve the goals she never thought possible. I would tell her that she can get really good grades and be in the top of her class, she just needs confidence in herself. I would make sure she knew she could be just as good, if not better, than her competition. I would assure her that honors programs and president’s lists are possible for her if she puts forth the effort. I would tell 16-year-old Anna, that in college, she will realize how beautiful, intelligent, and smart she really is; that she can and will do everything she sets her mind to, because she’s good enough. I would tell her not to be afraid, that school is the most important tool of her life, and that everything is going to be okay.

If I could go back and give my self advice as a high school senior I would tell myself to not procrastinate. I would let my self know that it is not the best when you stay up till two o'clock in the morning finishing a paper that is due at eight. Getting homework and projects done in a timely manner will keep myself from being overstressed. If I could go back and tell myself somthing as a senior I would tell myself to not procrastinate.

When everyone tells you that high school is the best time of your life trust them. The second it ends you’ll want it back. Have fun, and don’t be so serious. The real world begins when you graduate and life revolves so much more about school and work. Realize that no one opinions matters beside your own of course. Your happiness needs to come before anyone else’s, so live a little. Don’t spend all of your time absorbed in your books. Allow time to be a teenager and just enjoy life. Soon there will be no more Friday night football games or homecoming dances. Your grades are important since they’ll get you into the college of your choice. But the memories made in high school can never be recreated once its done so take the time to make those memories you’ll never forget with the people who were with you for the whole journey.

College is what you make it. It really doesn't matter where you go. If you have a positive outlook on life, a bright future to reach for, and a dedication to 2 very important goals, you will succeed; and you will love it. What are the 2 "very important goals" you ask? They are: #1-learn, and #2-have fun. Strive to gain all the understanding you can. Learn to love learning. Get excited. Be passionate. Soak it in. You can never acquire enough knowledge...and I don't just mean academically. Learn about yourself. Find out who you are, what you believe in, what, where, and who you love. Always seek to find more than is given. Never be satisfied with "good enough"... and have fun doing it all! Spend time studying, and enjoy it! Be done studying at some point; breaks are vital. Meet new people. Try new things. Help others. Be social , but be comfortable spending time with yourself...that is an essential life skill. Take advantage of quiet moments. Smile! As one of my professors says, "There is no boring subject, just boring writing". So don't hold back, make your life a masterpiece.

Be confident in yourself and have fun. I would tell myself that I should be more outgoing, more friendly, and give myself more credit for all of my talents and accomplishments. I have always been a perfectionist, and now that I'm older, I can see how that led to stress and a lack of self-esteem. Instead of getting down on myself for not being perfect in every aspect of life, I would tell that 14 to 18 year old girl to lighten up, work hard, and have fun. High school is about growing up, getting ready for college, and being a teenager. I would tell myself to take the pressure off! Looking back, I was filled with stress, pressure, and fear that I wouldn't get good enough grades, do well enough in sports, be a good enough friend, or do enough in my community and church. I would tell myself that I'm great! There is no need to worry about things I can't control.

Tip #1: Do you have absolutely no idea what your major will be? Or are you completely positive that you know exactly which career you plan on having for the rest of your life? Either way: make sure that you job shadow! Job shadow, job shadow, job shadow - and don't just job shadow in the career you're planning on. Try job shadowing in a few different careers that you might never have thought of. Trust me, it will either cement your knowledge that you actually want that career (giving you strength to get through those rough classes ahead), or it will give you the time to look elsewhere. Tip #2: Get out there and do more! As a freshman, you have the opportunity to be anything you want to be. College is a time to re-create yourself for the better. Think about it: you get a completely fresh start. Be the person that you want to be. Get involved and do something new and different. Keep yourself busy; but not overly stressed. The best way to do well in school is if you balance it with a fun and wholesome social life. Remember to volunteer!

I would tell myself that college requires a lot of hard work and that although the reward for your hard work is less than what it was in high school, you should still put in the effort. Also I would tell myself that I am not quite ready for Chem105 and to start taking some math courses.

Dear high school senior, Prepare to be up all night, in class all day, and living off of cafe food for the next nine months. Distractions will be everywhere, but this time it's up to you to make the right decisions. You'll have to make new friends and form a new circle. Some of the people you encounter will be there for you and possibly become lifetime friends, others will be around temporarily. The best thing to do is talk to people before you get there and establish some type of relationship the summer before school starts. Pay attention in class because these professors won't care if you make it to class or not. Time management is key to succeeding in college. If you let your assignments build up you'll be staying awake for 30 hours at a time. Enjoy the experience, and learn things inside and outside of the classroom. These should be the best days of your life.

"Never give up hope. You're going to do great things, you just don't know it yet. Don't worry, ever. There's never a good time to worry, you always need to keep your head and heart steady in every situation so that you can make the best decisions; worry gets in the way of making the right choice. Everything happens in its own time, don't feel sad or upset, it's just not time yet. Life is good and is a gift, take in each day and love it. Give charity and accept it when it's offered; people can't be nice or giving if you don't accept their kindness. Never, ever deny your faith, morals, or family. I'm not going to tell you too much, because I'm happy with the way things have turned out, but you'll find your place in this world. I don't have all of the facts, but I'm not worried. We'll be just fine".

My advice would be to go right out of high school while you are in the attitude of doing school. Work first, play later and study hard, get good grades and always do the best you can. One step at a time and you will go far, keep your hard up and hold high standards!!!

Don't be afraid to take hard classes and pick a difficult major. Work hard to do well in school, but don't worry too much about the grades you get. The learning you actually take away from a class is worth so much more than the grade you got. Don't be afraid to try a lot of different classes out to see what you like. Don't be in a rush to graduate, college is such a fun, and exciting time of your life. Lastly, make sure you take time to have fun. It is important to do well in school, but that isn't the only think that is important in life. It is important to make sure you take time for people and to enjoy yourself.

Invest in the stock market. Don't get focused on minor things. Apply to as many scholarships as you can.

Before attending college, I knew about the world around me. I learned from my classes, from my friends, and from my family. But after attending a university for three years, I've learned about myself. I've discovered my strengths and weaknesses, my unique gifts, my likes and my dislikes. I've discovered more fully how I interact with people, how I learn to love others. Because of college, I've discovered that I have an immense love for learning. In high school, I enjoyed doing well in class--I enjoyed doing what it took in order to recieve good marks. In college, I've been given the option of whether or not to go to class--attendance isn't mandatory anymore. And I've found that I love learning about new things. I soak up the information presented to me like a sponge. And as I receive knowledge here at BYU, I thirst for more. As I've focused on myself and my interests here, I've also learned to direct my attentions to those around me. Almost everyone I know here is service-oriented, which makes me want to serve as well. College is wonderful.

A good education and tools to start a good career not a job.

Through my college experience, I have learned to buckle down and work hard. I have also learned that it is okay to be smart. When I first came to college, I was embarrassed about knowing answers and understanding ideas quickly. Now I understand that knowledge is power. I've also learned that adults aren't as unapproachable as I used to think they were. In fact, I suppose I could be classified as an adult myself. I have also learned that is is okay to love learning. I am absolutely fascinated by my major and all of the research I have completed with it. I get excited thinking about going to the library and reading my next book sometimes. It's an invigorating experience, and I love it.

To whom it may concern; I have gotten many things from my college experience these things include: independence, social skills and study habits. After attending college my independance has grown. For example, college has made me more independent from my parents and made me make my own decisions when it comes to how long I should study and making sure my rent is paid along with any other bills. Next is social skills, my college experience has made me go out and make new friends, along with taking the first step in meeting someone new which is usually out of my comfort zone. Lastly, would be my studying habits. Now that I attend college I have a lot more homework so my studying habits have improved and is more efficient. I believe it is valuable to attend college because it has helped me to grow. It has also made me realize some things about me along with being able to attend college I am insuring a great future for myself.

What my experience over the last year and a half has taught me is that I have the ability to take who I am, and where I came from, and decide what to do with that person. I can take the good, improve upon it, develop new strengths, and discard the things that hold me back from being and doing what I know I'm capable of. I can acheive excellence if I have the courage to do so. I've also learned that people are good, and surrounding yourself with those very good people allows you to know yourself better and create who you want to be. And, I've learned humility - and that our greatest strength and progress comes when we focus on being a learner, rather than pretending we know anything. My goal is to be always learning.

We had a forum with Condoleezza Rice a couple of weeks ago where she said that we "are fortunate that you are in a place here at Brigham Young University that believes that faith and reason go together, that does not see your intellect and your faith as enemies of each other, but sees them as integrally related in what you are." My faith and my beliefs are inseparable from each other, so studying here allows me to amplify my knowledge in areas both spiritual and secular. It's good to be at a place where I am not surrounded by alcohol or drugs, a place where I can do what I came here for, learn, and have fun and make long-lasting friendships in a good, safe environment.

I think the better questions is what have I not gotten out of my college experience? I have not only gained knowledge while attending school, but I have made life-long friends, gained valuable life experience, and become a more independent and vibrant person. I have realized that I have potential and that with a little hard work and ambition, I can accomplish anything. I don't know where I would be without having attended college and I have an increase of self-worth because I know that I am of worth. I am not just a little girl that doesn't know anything anymore, but I am a smart, talented, and important woman. I am also happier because I have hope for the future. I am not going to be bound down by ignorance, but I will reach my potential with wisdom. I can also better help those around me with service. What a great thing colleges provide for students!

I have learned a lot in all my classes and met a bunch of great new people, as well as experiencing life without my family.

I have made a lot of new friends here at BYU. I've taken fun classes that hold my interest, and also some really hard ones, but that's understandable Being away from home I've learned the value of having my family near by when I was in High School. It has been valuable to attend BYU because there is the religous atmosphere that at times can be helpful. There is no swearing and modest dress. It takes away from a lot of distractions and it helps me concentrate on school work. I think it is a blessing to be able to go to BYU at such a low tuition.

I have made some truly inspiring and unforgettable friends here and have found an environment where I can explore everything I love about the arts without having my moral standards challenged on every side. I love being in an environment where people laugh long and hard without relying on substances to provide the party.

My college experience was the springborad for professional development for the rest of my life. I was able to leve BYU straight for the University of Oxford in England to read for a Masters, and I feel that I could have never had the oportunity without the careful and organized academic develpoment I received at BYU.

I have gotten hands on training during my college experience and it have taught me what to expext in the future and in my career.

The first and most important facet I've gained at college thus far is an increased knowledge. I am only in my third semester but I have learned so much in my GE classes and also in my major classes. I learn a lot more than I ever did in high school. That is the reason I am in college is to gain a higher education so I am pleased that I am accomplishing that. Secondly I am gaining a lot of experience in the Illustration field. I am not yet working in the field yet but I am given many opportunities that are preparing me for the Illustration Industry. Next I have made lifelong friends here at BYU that have made my college so much fun. I also have gained a stronger testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have become more independent living out on my own. I am beginning to know exactly the direction I want to take in my career as I'm getting farther into my program. BYU has been a great transition for me from high school to knowing what I want to do with my education and career.

I have learned so much from college so far. I'm only in my second semester and already I feel light-years ahead of where I was when I graduated from high school. I find myself talking with my friends and making an analogy to the chemical bonds in a covalently bonded molecule, or comparing the nature of the life as we see it to the Himba tribe in Africa. Not that these things are what makes a college education valuable--it's the chemical bonds we make with our classmates, professors, and texts, and the nature of life experiences we have as we grow up away from home. It's discovering who we are in this world--how our experienced past pushes us, and limitless future pulls us. Every class, lecture, and lab gives me another piece to the ever-expanding jigsaw puzzle that is my life. Living with no parents here to hold my hand has truly taught me to live. College has taught me how to solve a problem on my own--but also taught me that parents aren't the losers I once thought they were. They actually know quite a lot!

I have gotten out my college experience is respect and honesty, loyalty to other and I learn resposabilty. It has a great very attend I learn to lean on other for help when I need it and think before I do something because their are answers and action for you do in life itself and always respect the people and god up above who help threw life.

There are not words enough to describe the life changing experience my education at Brigham Young University has been for me. When I arrived at BYU I was young, insecure, and uncertain of what field of study I wanted to pursue. My time at the University taught me much about myself and has provided me with the education I need to do what I now know I was meant to do in this life. It has been challenging yet the difficult times have shaped my character and the benefits far outweigh the costs. I would not trade my time at BYU for anything, for it has truly helped me become the kind of person I needed and wanted to become.

My college experience has been a rollercoaster of challenges that have helped my character grow and expand. I've learned that moving away from home can be difficult, not only because I am transitioning, but because my parents also have to learn to let me live on my own. I've learned balance and time management -- how to keep on track of what seems like ten thousand different things happening every day: assignments, classes, workshops, devotionals, social and networking opportunities, etc. I'm learning to take care not only of my mind, but of my body. Every day I learn a little bit more about what my body needs, about what I should be eating and doing to maintain optimal health. In short, college has been a learning experience of so much more than just my studies -- college is a crash course in life skills.

Never will you be thrown across the path of a more diverse group of people than at college, particularly during the first year: rich kids room with poor kids, whites with African-Americans, etc. College is a cross-section of international experiences and backgrounds, and students are left to navigate this new world on their own, which is crucial to life: whether you know it or not, college represents the greatest single opportunity to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships. I am still in contact with people from my freshman year of college, while dozens of friends from high school have been ignored or forgotten. That is what college is about; the study itself is secondary to this coming-of-age environment, where one is encouraged to look and reach beyond his box of reality.

I don't even know where to begin. College has given me so much and enriched my life in innumerable ways. I have grown immensely as a person, becoming more comfortable with myself, who I am, including all my inperfections and quirks. I have learned more about human behavior, history, science, and what it means to work than I ever did in high school. I have made life-long friends because people aren't caught up in the juvenile nature that drowns high school. I have learned to become self-sufficient as I make my own decisions from budgeting food, rent, and tuition money to what classes I will take that not only fulfill the requirements for my major, but also enrich my life. All of the experiences that college has offered me and my ability to choose the best options for myself has made me a more rounded and curious individual. In high school I never really enjoyed all my classes and there will always be some general credits that I don't absolutely love but college has truly made me excited to learn!

My college experience, thus far, has been very nerve-racking as I am returning to college after a 17 year hiatus! The staff at the University of St. Francis has made returning to school almost effortless and have been very patient and understanding of my ignorance and needs. I have been wanting to return to school to get my degree for some time but I believe what pushed my desire was when I recieved a pay cut during the summer and when a friend asked my preteen daughter if she wanted to attend college her response was, "Oh yes, I want to get a degree and not end up in a situation like my mommy!" So I have finally resumed my persuit of a degree and hopefully will set an example for my daughter!

It feels so good to be putting my mind to use. I love taking classes I am passionate about, and knowing my work with progress me towards ultimate goals of success for the future. The social aspect of my college experience has also been unforgettable. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with such a variety of personalities and learning more about myself along the way.

I have had the opportunity of developing critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate more effectively while I have attended Brigham Young University. This university has been valuable to attend because I have been frequently challenged to defend my ideas and devise research to analyze observaitons in the real world. I have had the opportunity to be a part of a religious community that, for the most part, sharees the same religious views as I do. This has helped me become stronger in my faith. Also being surrounding by ambitious and driven students has given me the oppotunity to synergize with their work ethics and push myself to levels previously unknown to me. I also appreciate the passion and devotion that the professors have for the university for it shows in their lectures.

Thus far I have realized that an education is the most important part of a ones personal wealth. Along the path of earning a degree one will acquire the necessary knowledge as well as gain professional strenght from your professors and classsmates to mold the individual I will become. A degree will place me in the position to vie for a supervisory positions which will allow me to provide my family with the means to live comfortably in today's ecomony. I feel that knowledge is power and those who posess this power will make the decicisions that drive our great country and I want to be a part of the direction our country is moving. I love to learn and the challenges that are to come my way. I attend college part time due to my full time job and my bachelors degree will take me at least 3 more years to acquire. I intend on improving my GPA.

I've always had a passion for learning, and attending this university has allowed me to expand my interests. I came to the university with a narrow view of what careers were available and the ways in which we can help the world become a better place. I originally thought that the only people that truly were able to help people were doctors and social workers, but I eventually became an economics major because I saw how mathematical and analytic tools are helpful in helping under-developed countries improve their standard of living. I've also developed a network of friends that will be important to me for the rest of my life. It's been useful to develop my own vision for what I feel I can accomplish academically and in my career, but simultaneously fulfilling my desire to have a family and a peaceful and loving home environment. College life has been a balancing act for me like it is for many students, but I feel much more well-rounded after participating in music groups, dance teams, athletic organizations and in service projects. A life of faith, even in a chaotic world, can help us find true happiness.