The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

If I could go back a year, I would advise myself to save more money. Being an out-of-state student has proven to be terribly expensive. I am hopeful I will be able to return next year. I was involved in high school sports, so a part-time job was not possible. Working as a lifeguard each summer allowed me to save some money, which I did, but opportunities for teenagers in our depressed economy are slim. I would also tell myself to take an additional math class in high school. That may have helped me earn a higher SAT score, which, in turn, may have allowed me to qualify for scholarships.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to always stay focused on what I want most out of life but always stay open to new experiences. In my opinion, it is impossible to completely prepare for the tough transition from high school to college. College is where you begin to truly find out who your are and who you want to be. For most people, it is the first time being on their own and as hard as it can be to stay focused, it is definitely worth it in the long run. Entering college you are instantly put in an environment unlike any other. I am a junior and can honestly say that these have been and will continue to be the best years of my life. I have grown so much as a person and continue to grow everyday, making memories I will never forget. I can not stress enough how important I believe it is to always take chances and always be open to learning and understanding what you do not know, while staying focused on what you want for your future.

The only advice I would have for myself would be to stay focused and choose the right dorm! If I had been focused the transition would have been much easier because I would have always been prepared. By prepared I mean, knowing where i needed to be, when I needed to be there, and what I needed to have with me there. Those 3 simple things would have made just about every aspect of coming to a large university abundantly easier. I was also surprised at the effect being in the wrong dorm could have. If I had been in a place where I was really happy and knew everyone I wouldn't have gotten much work done. But, being in a place where I was unhappy had pretty much the same affect since I always left to be with my friends. I would have told myself to find a place where I was happy but, also somewhere I'd be productive.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I know high school was easy, but get ready for a whole new world once you start college. College is much more demanding and takes a while to get used to because you don't know anybody and the environment is very different. But once you get used to it, it turns into one of the best experiences of your life. I would also tell myself that making friends is very important when you first get on campus. The friends you make in your first year could last you the rest of your college experience. Lastly, I would tell myself to not hold back and to get involved in on-campus activities as much as possible, and to enjoy every minute of it.

As a college senior, I did not know what to expect for college. The entire atmosphere is very different from high school. If I were to return to my senior year, I would encourage the decision I made to attend the University of Tennessee, but I would also warn myself of the large atmosphere. I would encourage looking into groups and clubs from the very beginning of my college career. I have joined several groups now, but I wish I would have made finding a place to 'fit in' a priority from day one. I would also try to prepare myself for the stress that college can bring. Although I was always very busy in high school as a straight-A student and an athlete, the types of 'stress' that stem from grades that will affect your livelihood after college have had an entirely different affect on my body. Mostly, I would tell myself to relax and 'enjoy the ride,' to borrow a popular cliche, because college has been the best and most quickly-moving time of my life!

I would tell myself that I needed to study more in high school beyond what I had to to succeed because many students coming from other school systems will have a more advanced education than the one that I had. I would also tell myself to be very involved in school organizations and on campus. That would be the best way to meet new people and make new friends. I would tell myself that it is okay to have a social life becuase if you don't then your college experience would be very hard, but that you have to learn to balance the social life with your education. I would tell myself that I will need to be assertive in planning my own education path because the guidance that I get from counselors will not be as helpful as it should be. I would tell myself to always try as hard as I could in all of classes, even when I get frustrated. I would also say that it is okay to talk to your professors when you are having problems because many times they can be a great help and very understanding.

Do not take your family for granted. I know you feel you do not need them and can't wait to get away, once you are on your own, you will realize how much you miss them and being part of the family. Spend more time with your brothers and parents. Go watch your baby brother play his flag football, stay home for a family dinner, or take that extra time to go shopping with your mom instead of your friends. Your life doesn't revolve around your friends. When you get into college you will realize that friends come and go, but your family is always there for you. All those times you found excuses not to be part of the family, you will come to regret. At college it will be your mom you call for advice on the breaking up of your boyfriend and the one you cry tears too. She will be patient with you but encourage you to move on. It will be your dad you call for advice on college classes and helping you the night before your big chemistry class. Remember to take time for your family when in High School.

I think the one thing I regret the most about my senior year is that I let it go by too fast. Once that last year comes, the stress of finding the right college and the anticipation of the year to come overshadow everything else that is going on. I would tell myself to really take in everything that comes my way. I wish that I would have savored the last months with my friends since most of them left the state for school. Also, even though I know I made the right choice in the University of Tennessee, I wish I would have looked at other schools. My family isn't the most wealthy, which really turned me off of most schools, but I should have just gone for it and found the right financial aid. Most importantly, I would tell myself to realize how blessed I really am to even have the opportunities to go to college. I would really appreciate a good education and supportive family that I have, and not dwell on any set backs, but only on things I can to to put me ahead in life.

1) No matter what, be yoursef. Break away from cliques - the world has enough bland personalities. 2) You have dreams. Never let others keep them down, but also never expect them to happen without an endangered aspect called effort. 3) A simple act of kindness goes a long way for anyone who has had a bad day. 4) Dating is normal, but don't rush into a relationship just for the sake of wanting a relationship. You still have college ahead. 5) The classes you take in High School will be the hardest you have yet to taake. If you have no good study habits, get some! 6) Have confidence in yourself. Remember that God has given you raw potential and possibilities to go beyond the restrictions of the world's standards.

If i could go back in time i would tell my self that everthing is going to be all right. Going off to college was always a stressfull topic for me in high school because i was leaving my family and many of my friends behind. I left my whole life behind. College was a new start and i was honestly scared of the future that college would have for me. In the end however, everthing was fine. Sure you have more responsibilities and the classes are more difficult but thats what makes the college life more fun and exciting. It is a whole new challenge. Also you build new friendships with new people and you are able to find out what your true self is. So in the end, I would go back and tell myself to breathe. Take one day at a time. Do the best you can and the future will be ok.

I would make sure that I took as many A.P classes as possible. First off, it would help me to get more credits so I wouldn't have to take 100 level classes that were over crowded and meant to weed you out. Also, the subjects that I had taken A.P in highschool were so much easier when I got to college. They helped me to have an idea of the amount of studying that I would be required to do in college. Highschool provides an environment with more individual attention, so use that time to talk to the teachers and really figure out what subjects interest you. Once you get in college things sometimes seem overwhelming and you have a lot going on with new friends and new places and new experiences. Therefore, if you really take the time to figure out the things that you want to do in your life, or at least narrow down what subjects you like, it won't seem as overwhelming when you are trying to transition to this new life experience AND then try to figure out your major on top of that.

Senior me: ?Holy guacamole! You are me from the future?!?? College me: ?Indeed. Now listen closely, I have advice to give you?I mean, myself. Here are your 10 College Commandments: ONE: You shall have no other goods between meals. TWO: You shall not make for yourself a cookie indulgence. THREE: You shall not take the name of the DEAN your leader in vain. FOUR: Remember the Saturday, to keep yourself sane. FIVE: Honor your French and math books. SIX: You shall not mistake the Asian on the elevator in your all-girls dormitory for a boy. SEVEN: You shall not commit acts of procrastination. EIGHT: You shall not stalk Eric Berry on Facebook. NINE: You shall not bear false witness against your teacher; dogs don?t eat homework these days. TEN: You shall not covet your neighbor?s dorm room; you shall not covet your neighbor?s wide-screen TV, nor her male seduction, nor her fashion sense, nor her oxygen purifier, nor her Dell laptop, nor anything that is your neighbor?s.? Senior me: ?Who?s Eric Berry?? College me: ?Just don?t grab for the football player?s ankles when you?re volunteering in the haunted house!?

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to find out all information possible about my degree and to try and take as many classes as possible. I would be persistent with my work and try as hard as I can. I would also tell myself that saving money is very important because things can come up unexpectedly. I also would like to have done more volunteer work because time constraints make it so hard in college. Most of all I would tell myself to keep doing as well as I was doing and realize that school is the most important thing I can do, and even though classes and college are difficult that this is what my destiny is and that it will definitely be worth it in the end.

"Hey Kev, this is your future self speaking." "Nice to meet you future me. Your looking good man!" "Yeah, better than when I was your age. Listen, the only real advice that I know you need is that your going to need to learn from day one that it is 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} not ok to put your workload off untill the last minute. Now I know that high school is a complete joke, and everything can be done the night before..." "You got that right! But, I am still able to keep my grades up?" "Yeah man I know, but college is a whole new level of responsibility. You really need to apply your self, and learn to use your critical thinking skills early on. Start practicing being responsible now, and good luck with the rest of your senior year." I gaurantee that is exactly how I would sound talking to myself in this situation.

My first words of advice would be, "Brace yourself." I think a lot of people who come into college have no idea what to expect. I would tell myself to stay as organized as possible and to apply to anything and everything. Also, to keep my mind open, meet new people, and learn as much as possible. I would tell myself to challenge myself by entering courses where I know the teachers will not only teach me information but help me learn it and apply to life. College is all about the experience, but unless it includes a dedicated student who is willing to learn, college isn't doing its job. The more open-minded you are, the more you're going to learn about yourself and the more you're going to mature and grow. I'd tell myself that college is where you meet your best friends so don't be nervous about doing it alone. College is all about creating yourself. You choose who your are, what you do, and where you go. Whatever you do, don't lose your faith or beliefs. Take college on as a challenge not just another step in life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself before graduating high school, I would most likely tell myself to consider smaller schools as well as large schools. Instead of being so focused on attending a large school, consider the benefits of a smaller university.

Don't get discouraged. It may seem like it will terrifying, but don't let it get to you. It isn't that bad. Don't take everything so seriously when you get there because if you do, it will make you go crazy. Be outgoing and just have fun!

Work hard over the summer so that you can raise money to do fun activities on and around campus. Also, be ready for people to not see things how you see them and they will not tell you if they don't understand what you are saying, so you have to ask. People are more apt to talk to others about what you are doing wrong rather than tell you to your face, and they will be quick to turn on you if they do not agree with you. But you cannot let that worry you, you have to fix it, but then let it slide right off your back and move on and have fun!

Don't look too much into the social aspects of a school, or the academic aspects. When you look at the possible schools, see how comfortable you feel and see how you fit into the surroundings. If you feel comfortable, then consider it but see what they have to offer and how easy/hard it is to get help if you change your major or if need help with classes. ASK QUESTIONS! If you're unsure about something, ask. Don't be afraid because this is a big step in your life! If you don't feel 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, then that's probably how you'll feel when you actually attend there (if that's where you choose to go). The college you choose should be somewhere you love and somewhere where you feel like you're at home and accepted. Also check out the extras, like the clubs and groups they have, things that will make you love it even more and be able to form friendships that will last way past graduation.

First, the most important advice is never let anyone dictate who you are or what you can accomplish. Trust the decisions you make, always believe in yourself. Don?t let people?s opinions affect how you view yourself and never change yourself because someone told you to. We all want something different and have different roads to get there. Everybody has something to contribute to humanity and can make a difference in many ways. College is a step in your life which will greatly impact the path you?re on. It will help you achieve the things you want to accomplish throughout your life. Don?t give up your dreams, always hold them close to your heart and in your mind. If you don?t make your life what you want now, it will be harder later and maybe never. You will travel down many roads, some will lead you to where you think ?could this get any worse?; don?t quit, things do get better. Have faith in school, your grandparents, and yourself. Know you will impact many people in a positive manner and you?ll have a lot of love and support from the people in your future.

I would tell myself not to worry. Enjoy your senior year and don't wish it away. Spend more time with your family while you have them close. I would tell myself to start studying now, because it will pay off big-time in the future. Lastly, I would tell myself to smile more.

The first thing I would tell myself is to come in with an open mind. Aside from learning; college is about exploring new things, meeting new people, self discovery, and gainig independence. To do all of these things you have to have an open mind and be willing to accept things and people as they are. Try new things, meet new friends, and be agressive. You shouldn't limit yourself on the what college life has to offer. To be a successful student, learn to talk to the professors and build relationships with them, they are always willing to help but only if you ask for it. DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST! Friends, new things, and learning new things are the great perks to school, but it won't last long if you don't stay focused academically.

The first thing I would tell myself would be to not let the simple stresses of high school get to you. A lot of high school students tend to get worked up over many things, which, at the time, seem like they are very important when they are not. College can get really stressful, so it is better to prepare yourself with activities to relax you and an at-ease mind. The drama and chaos that follow high school students will no longer be important when you are in college. The next thing I would tell myself would be to make sure you spend a lot of time with your family because you are going to miss them when you are on your own. Sometimes college can get a little lonely so it is good to have a good family to be behind you in full support. The last thing would be to remember your morals and values in everything you do. Inappropriate behavior can start young and follow you forever. Try to remember who you are and all of the things that you want to accomplish!

I would tell myself to keep an open mind about my future and not to be so dogmatic about going in to one certain field because there are opportunities to explore. I would encourage myself to take the recommended classes, but to also explore, through my electives, other classes that may open up fields that I had not even considered. During high school, I would recommend going to the college campus on my choice more than just the one time so I can get a feel of the atmosphere of the campus. Go for lunch, drive there at night, attend a football game, walk through the halls of the building, and talk with some of the professors. Read as much as you can about the campus on their website and on others. Finally, I would suggest that once you get on campus, to join a group with which you have an interest. It will help you feel more bonded if you meet others who have similar interests or goals. You would be able to make new friends who you can go and do things with.

Take your time in this transition. Even though it may not seem like it, this transition from high school to college is quite a life-changer. Take time to hang out with your high school friends because if they aren't going to the same school as you, chances are, you will rarely see them anymore. (But don't worry, you'll make plenty of amazing new friends in college) Definitely try and stay in touch with high school friends you think will be there for you in the long run, but if you get busy, or they get busy, don't worry, you'll still have those high school memories. Also, take time with your family, especially younger siblings. Even though you aren't going to a school that's very far from home, you all still have different lives, and the summer before you head out is probably the last time you'll really get to hang out with your family until winter break. Mostly, don't worry about anything. You're in the same place as all these other freshmen here, lost, confused, and maybe lonely. But it's so easy to get involved!

My advice to myself as a high school student would be to get involved with your university or college. That is truly the best way to transition, because getting involved draws you closer to others. This includes people that have the same interests as yourself that you can relate to, and those that may have different opinions, beliefs, experiences, and/or advice that you can learn from, which makes you grow even more intellectually. Yes, college is about taking your courses that you need in order to succeed in your desired major and eventually future career, but sometimes people get too carried away with just classwork and forget about fellow peers and teachers. Mingling with other types of people makes you grow and learn even more as a person, which is something else you need for your future career in any field, yet it cannot really be learned in class, but learned through experience. In the end, it is not just all about one or the other, but learning how to have a well balanced college life experience to where it gives you the best possible outcome for your future.

As a high school senior I feel I did not reach my full potential as a student. Now that I am in college I have realized that I could have done some things in high school that would have helped me now. I should have taken more AP classes so that I do not have to take those classes now as a college freshman. For example, in college you are required to take two semesters of english; I could have taken AP english my junior and senior year in high school and I would not have to take them now. Instead I could be taking classes that deal particularly with my major. I also would have devoted more of my time to studying, because in college if you do not study you will not succeed. In high school I could get by without studying for tests and that is not the case in college. I would have also devoted more time focusing on my passion of field hockey and softball to try to pursue an athletic scholarship, because I believe being involved in more than just academics is an important part of your education.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? As I am in my second semester as a freshman at the University of Tennessee, I feel very qualified to give advice about transition. I would warn myself first that while move-in day would be the worst day of my life recruitment would distract me from all my sadness. Recruitment ended up being a wonderful outlet for me; I would recommend any girl at least try it. College life can be very shocking, and it is not easy to adjust to lack of structure. There is only as much structure as desired. Slowly but surely, I learned the art of missing classes and no one caring. I quickly learned that you only hurt yourself by not attending class. I did not find my place as quickly as I would have liked, but I learned that it is ok to stick to your morals. People have respect for people that respect themselves. Finally, patience is key when adjusting to dorm life. Roommates can be a pain, but sometimes the best way to handle it is to grin and bear it. Pick your battles carefully. Enjoy yourself but be responsible.

If I could advise myself as a senior, I would simply say "Relax." I have had a very untraditional college experience, changing majors, colleges, going to night school, and spending time away in my industry, and upon looking back I realize that I have been continuing on the same journey the entire time. It would be very easy to become downtrodden with my scholastic progress, but this would be folly. The diverse experiences I had in and out of college have all accumulated into the understanding of education that I currently enjoy. Everytime I have felt like something was a waste of time, I simply think about what I have gotten out of it. While taking graphic design courses doesn't seem like it would help someone in horticulture, it gave me an understanding of aesthetics that is very useful in landscape design. My year and a half spent as an English major served to better my professional communication skills. There is no wasted time in college as long as you can see the eventual benefit. So, upon talking to myself in the past, I would simply say to be diligent, but relaxed, and really take in an "education."

There are so many random little lessons that I have learned since senior year of high school, it would be hard to summarize them for myself. Mostly, I have learned about relationships with those close to me. Everyone knows that family dynamics change once one leaves for college, but I was never quite ready for how different it would be. I would tell myself to treasure the moments I had with my family, but also to start gaining independence to make ?weaning? easier. Friendships were the main aspect of my life that changed the most. I would tell myself to enjoy the high school friendships, but to also rememeber that I will be making multitudes of new friends. I would tell myself to be more open-minded about rushing a sorority, as well as being confident in joining campus organizations I was too scared to even attempt. The best decisions I have made so far were the ones I never saw coming, so I would tell myself to be open to anything that comes my way. The decisions one makes outside of the classroom are a major factor in success at college, and it?s important to start off right.

Younger self, Please go to class! I know it is easy to sleep in when you?re teachers say you don?t have an attendance policy, but this will lead to your demise. Participation points are worth 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} and your notes really help. Also, when you don?t know what to do, ask questions - and if you don?t know who to ask, look online first to see if you can find a department head or your advisor. One day these people will be very valuable to you, and will help you develop a roadmap for your academic endeavors. If your need assistance making friends, try to talk to one person from each of your classes and get their numbers too in case you do miss class (for an emergency) so you can copy their notes. If you want more than four friends, try a club that looks interesting, maybe the foreign language you?re taking has one (Hint: Italian will be your favorite in the future). Take advantage of the services provided on campus and participate in athletic events, you?ll create lots of memories to look back on and laugh at for years to come. Your inner monologue

Freshman year of high school. Now it really counts. These grades from freshman year through your senior year are what is going to get you into any college you desire. If you start strong, you will finish strong. If you start roughly, then pulling grades up is a whole lot of more work. Get to know the people who will be necessary into the progression into your future. Get involve in many different activities so you will be able to express yourself on several different levels. High school might be a lot of work and a little intimidating, but you can handle it. Stay positive about any and all situation and bumps in the road that might come your way.

I've thought about this before, what I wish I had known when I left the security of high school and entered my freshman yeah at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. One thing really comes to mind, it's not as easy as the teachers keep saying. The high school I went to convinced my classmates and I that college would be a piece of cake compared to CSAS (my high school) so going in I wasn't ready for the challenge. I'd tell myself that studying really does make a difference and I'd tell myself that making connections in class really does help and to never underestimate your professors, getting to know them does wonders. Also, the last thing I'd tell myself would be to never underestimate yourself, believing in yourself and believing that you can do whatever you set your mind to can and will help you succeed.

Looking back to high school, there isn't too much I would have done differently. I earned good grades, was successful both in and out of school, and made the most of my time there. However, now that I'm in college, I have found that I could have and should have put more time into seeking financial aid. It really is difficult to put yourself in the mindset of a college student while in high school, and my failures in searching for the neccesary funds, especially through third-party scholarships, have begun to make me doubt my financial stability into the future. Already as a freshman I am beginning to feel the pressure of constant fees and expenses, not to mention anything unexpected. I just recently realized to the full extent just how limited I am when, during my previous semester, right before finals, I broke my leg and spent three days in the hospital, resulting in somewhere around 15,000 dollars in medical bills. Luckily, my family has insurance and I was able to scrape by, but even still, I was out of work for two months. Extra financial aid could really have set me at ease.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not get caught up in trying so hard to have a social life. A social life is not the most important thing while in college. The time you allow yourself to get distracted with parties and other random activities is the time that could have been used to study. I would tell myself that the freedom is easy to get used to and to work on time management. Most importantly I would tell myself to not lower my standards just because my friends aren't raising theirs. You learn who true friends are when they try to convince you to study or play.

As an Orientation Leader, I go back to this question day and night of what I would do differently in order to be more successful as a freshman. The best advice, among many, would be I need to be open and be able to adapt quickly. The reason that I say to be open was for the fact that I only thought college was about the parties and the education. I forgot to open myself to new opportunities and explore different organizations in order to network and learn my strengths. I did not start doing this until the end of my freshman year and it is extremely important to do something beside go to your classes. Also, I wish I knew that studying for my high school exams was not going to make the cut for my college exams. I should have adapted quicker in order to make better grades for my first exams and understand that the material would be harder. Overall, the transition at my university was very easy due to the leadership of the Orientation Leaders and my Resident Assistant. The staff helps you as much as possible and wants the students to succeed.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax. I was so worried about college, thinking that I might have a hard time making new friends or that I wouldn't like my roomate, but I now know that everyone else feels that exact same way. I would tell myself to join one club and stay involved in it, because I feel that I spread myself too thin, trying to do too many things at once. It doesn't matter how many clubs you are in, it matters what you do in those clubs. I would also adivse myself to study hard even for classes that I thought would be easy because tests can often surprise you. Finally, I would make sure to say that getting to know your teachers is very important, because each one grades differently and at the end of the semesester your teacher might bump your grade one point to a B- if he knows you've been working hard, but if you never come to class, you're stuck with that C+.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in highschool I would highlight to myself that organization and depending on yourself are the two biggest things to deal with. It is all up to you to get your classes, books, and work all organized. If there is anything needed to be done you have to take care of it. Also moving to a different enviorment has a big effect on you. Your not used to the people and the way of life. The last thing I would emphasize is that be prepared to study more than you ever have. College classes are different than high school and you need to be aware that you may have to change your study habits.

Dear High School Alex, You are in for the greatest adventure of your life! As you begin your journey don't lose sight of what you set out to do. As an architecture major you will learn more than you ever thought possible and spend more time in studio than you ever imagined. But in all your hard working, don't forget to have fun! You will meet some incredible people and make life long friends. Some friends will surprise you and some will only be around for a short period of time but everyone you come across will in some way help you along your journey. They will make your experience memorable and will get you through the difficult times. And yes, at times architecture, school, and life will be extremely challenging and get the best of you. You will question everything you set out to do but all of that is temporary, you will get past it with more drive and determination than you thought possible. Stay true to yourself through it all and you will succeed beyond all expectaions. Sincerely, College Alex P.S. You will be a master of the stick-shift and parallel parking!

I would give myself the advice to take the hardest classes that I could because those really help when you get to college to prepare you for the class work and subjects.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stay focused and not let friends and boyfriend girlfriend relationships distract me from my goals. I would surround myself with positive, encouraging, determined individuals. I would tell myself to wait before becoming sexually active or be more cautious regarding sexual activity. I would tell myself that the twenties is the time you discover who you are, what you want, and how you want to go about getting it. Seeking advice from someone who I see is accomplishing the same goals I want to accomplish is the road model I should follow. I would also, tell myself to apply myself more, develope better study habits and work hard for the best GPA I can muster. When I don't excel in any area, don't beat myself up about it, but learn from it and keep it moving. I would tell myself to take advantage of every oppourtunity that comes my way to get me where I want to be because oppourtunity leads to possibities. Everything happens in due season, just get ready and be ready your change will come.

If and when time travel is invented, I would share so much with my former self. The college application process was crazy for me, changing my college possibilities from west coast to east coast a month before applications were due threw a huge wrench in all of my college plans. I was devestated, but I found and ended up at the University of Tennessee. While the transition was rough...it made me realize how much I love my friends. As a high school senior, there's more to life than college applications. Yes, they should be important, and you should try your best, but the truth is...it will work out. You ended up where you are meant to be and you'll find your place. I ended up at UT and have grown to love it more and more every day. The beginning was hard and I hated it, I wanted my old friends and my old town, but time goes on and you adjust, you find your place. I guess what I'm trying to say is relax senior year, just breath and know it will be ok, and just let life and your heart guide you.

I would tell myself to realize that true friends will take some time to find, so you shouldn't be discouraged. That's a big thing that is important to remember because it's easy to get lost in big universities. You also need to find those friends because they will be the people who stick by you when hard times come. I would also encourage myself to do well academically and to study hard and strive for excellence, but also have fun and know that all that is expected of you is to do you best, whatever the outcome may be. A lot of pressure is put on students, especially in my major and I think it's so important to remember that your personal best is all that you should strive for. Classes are hard and being in college is hard, so added pressure is not helpful. I was pretty well prepared for college, but not necessarily for the twists that life brings. I think keeping your head on straight and your eye on whatever goal you have is important during this time.

I would tell myself to learn to be an independent learner. High school was easy for me, so I didn't have to study as much. But now in college, 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time, you have to do a lot of reading and learning on your own. There is more responsibility to being a student. Also, I would have tried to take more college credit classes. Although my high school did not offer a lot of AP courses, I only took a few, and was only enrolled in a couple of dual credit courses. I would have taken more so that it would have prepared me better for college. Also, I would have probably tried to be a little more closer to my friends instead of being in every club or sport possible, just so that I could be closer to them now and have an easier transition into making new friends around campus.

Take your ACT before your senior year begins. Use your last year to pad your GPA as much as possible; it may get you some scholarships. Pay attention to every bit of university mail that comes in.

"You must learn that despite your strongest attempts to make plans and follow them, life will get in the way. When you get to school it will be easy to make plans, but it will be impossible to follow every one. College is about being flexible, and it?s about taking the opportunity to learn in the meantime. Furthermore, do not ever get down on yourself when things do not go your way, because sometimes they won?t. Instead, always hold your head high and learn from your mistakes. In the next year you will be put through more trials and tribulations than you have every faced in your life. Simply remember to be true to yourself and your morals, and most importantly, never let anyone belittle you or make you feel small. You are the only person who can feel self conscious about yourself, and only you can take pride in yourself and your accomplishments. Be the strong person your family has raised you to be and be the great Christian your faith has led you to be. Most of all, use your head when making decisions, but follow your heart because it is there that your passion lies. "

keep reaching for your goals and keep your head up at all times. dont let any one tell you cant make it because you will be always be able to make it if you keep your head up and keep telling yourself you can do it.

I would explain to "past" me that it is very important to finish school, to apply to any school I had interest in because who knows you could get accepted, and try any opportunity that arises in school activities, jobs, classes, what ever seemed interesting. It is also not important to have everything planned out and have fun with school. I would go into the fact I am going back to school with responsibilities in a full time job, two kids, and a husband which I realize will make it harder to attend school but will make the effort to try my best. I would also say it's alright if you are a little unsure of the future, everything will work out as long as you are completely honest with yourself and follow what you believe is right and I have no regrets but hope this advice will make it easier for "past" me.

I would go back and tell the young me not to give up on his college plans. I would tell him to look araound and talk to his guidance counselor about ways to pay for school and scholarships. Finally I would tell him that though the Marines seem like a good choice, full of excitement and adventure that in the end he should go to school instead and work on a career and a life. I would further explain that though the Marines will turn him into a man that after eight years of adventure all he will have to show is a pack of good stories and fond memories but little else that translates into a workable career field as a civilian.

Overbooked and under-planned, my first semester of college was miserable at best. Three honors classes juxtaposed with a 300-level course and a premedical requirement served as both culprit to my anguish and backbone to my nineteen hours-per-week schedule. Somehow, this truly liberal arts amalgamation of Spanish, math, science, and theatre was not at all daunting to my proud and audacious eighteen-year-old self. If I could reach into the past, grab myself by the neck, and show that overconfident high schooler the distress in my eyes, I would tell her this: you don't have to prove anything. At that age, I was the class valedictorian with dreams of the Ivy League. After being thrown a post-graduation curve ball by financial aid offices, I found myself joining the public school system, adapting an "I'll show them!" attitude, building an impossible schedule, and hoping to prove my ability to peers and medical schools. As expected, I struggled with time management, watched my GPA sink, spent no time cultivating a social life, and sank into depression. So, to that valedictorian with a vendetta: know your limits and consider life's letdowns as possibility for limelight.