The University of Texas at Arlington Top Questions

First and foremost, get focused! Find out precisely what it is that you are good at, where your talents lie and what your passions are. Obtain advice from parents, roll models and high school guidance counselors. Indulge in introspection and listen to your heart. But be practical too and know that college life involves being an adult, albeit a young one. This is the rest of your life you are talking about! Don't be afraid to follow your dreams but be aware that a successful college career requires maturity, courage and concentration. Do what is best for yourself, knowing that your future depends on it. As far as transitions go, life is full of them and they don't necessarily have to be bad changes. You can always make your life full and complete by knowing that you are capable, smart and talented. You just have to make sure that you stay positive and that you don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. You are the only one who can beat yourself down and you are the only one who can lift yourself up to your hightest potential. It can be done!

If I could go back and advice myself, I would of liked to have search for scholarships to help me pay for all my schooling because now as my third year of college I regret not getting scholarships, grants or anything to have help me to pay for college. I would of also tooken the time to look for a university that I could of lived at and experience the college life. Because I believe it's not the same going to college and living there because once you live there you become more aware of all the school activities, programs, and you get to network more with others. Therefore, my advice is to make sure you have an idea of what you want to do in life and what best works for you.

The biggest advice I could give myself in high school about college life would be to ignore all the temptations that living on your own present. It is easy to get lost in the moment of a party but the true fun and sense of fulfillment will occur when you recieve your first test grades back. It is okay to pass on the parties and spend your time studying, it will much more fun to work hard in college than to work harder after you graduate. Do not feel like a shut-out, or a nerd. You are doing what you need to get ahead in life and that is something to be proud of.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in my senior year of high school I would tell myself to go straight to college and do not wait. Waiting and taking that break might seem like a good idea at the time, but it will take 12 years to get myself into college. By waiting those 12 years, college hasn't been as easy as it would have been had I gone straight in after high school because I have forgotten many of the things I learned. Once again I would say, "Don't wait..Do it now!!! You will wish you had!!!"

It is extremely important to have good study habits. Also, if you have financial aid, make sure you keep your grades up in order to keep it. If you are fairly intelligent or study hard, it is easy to make a 4.0, but you do have to be dilligent and do your work.

I would have to tell myself that study skills might not be needed in high school but it is good to know what type of learner I am so that it makes it easier to study in the future. I would say that although sometimes waking up early for the less crowded classes seems annoying, but it makes a big difference and allows more time later in the day to do fun stuff while everyone is in class. Being friendly pays off in the long run becuase you meet all kinds of people and they may be able to help you and/or you can help them. Although universities are much larger than high school, getting lost in the numbers is not a great idea, getting involved makes things a lot more fun and easier. Use the resources you have BEFORE it is too late in the semesters so you can do better in class.

Mary, you may have always been a very good student, but college is a different ballgame. On time does NOT cut it when it comes to higher education. Financial aid should be sought after BEFORE trying to be accepted in college. Asking upperclass students to recommend professors should be done BEFORE registering for classes. Buy books BEFORE the first day of classes or the book store may be sold out, and you have to wait a few weeks for the new stock to come in. Make use of your professor's office hours period, but especially BEFORE you start having problems. Start on assignments the moment they are given, you may think you have time, but work tends to group together during a semester. See academic advisors BEFORE registration opens for a new semester or you'll wait on appointments. But, and don't forget this Mary, the most important thing is to not overextend yourself. Don't take a max load, and if you have to drop or do badly in a course, don't feel horrible. No one is perfect. College is meant to be both a fun and learning experience. Don't let one consume the other.

Try harder. If someone had mentioned these two words to me during my senior year in high school, college life just might be a bit easier now. In high school my grades were exceptional, I had a positive attitude and I received tons of awards and honors but in retrospect, I did not try. Unlike most of my peers these things came easily to me, therefore there was really no need to try. However, now that I am living the future I could only dream about during my senior year in high school, I wish I had tried harder in planning my future. Three years ago, I would have told myself, ?Volunteer, get involved and mostly importantly apply for dozens of scholarships!? As I now deal with the burden of paying for college, those words of advice are just as important now as they would have been three years ago.

Be yourself and do not cave into any peer pressure at college - though it is a time to experience new things, make sure to experience them when you are ready and not just because everybody else is doing it. Also, to make tests less stressful on yourself, set aside some time each week to study what you've gone over in class so that by the time you have a test you'll already be fairly comfortable with the material.

Looking back at myself as a high school senior has made me realize that hindsight is really 20/20. If I could go back in time I would definetly advise myself in a few areas regarding college life. First I would tell myself that college is all about having the endurance to finish. So there is no need to be worried or scared just simply have the ambition to achieve your goals. I also would tell myself to take some higher level classes that would better prepare me for college. I also would take as many college credit courses in high school as I could to save money and to graduate sooner. Finally I would encourage myself to not get discouraged and to keep pressing toward the goal of earning a degree.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the main advice I would have to offer is to be more confident in myself and in everything I do. I would advise myself not to be so shy and to open myself up to new experiences and new people. I would instruct myself to enjoy and maximize every moment because the four years will fly by. I would convey the importance and being whole heartedly involved in two or three organizations. But remind myself to remember the purpose of my college attendance?to get an education. Therefore my class performance is of utmost importance. I would tell myself to embrace every heartbreak and failure. As William J. H. Boetcker says, ?The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow.? But the most important piece of knowledge I could give would have been to remain true to myself and my values. Enduring such an environment shift is difficult. However, if you allow yourself to be lost and consumed in unhealthy behaviors, success will not be the ultimate result.

If allowed the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a college senior, I would tell myself not to be so stressed out. My school has allowed me the opportunity to pursue a successful career in nursing. The instructors are always available to answer questions regarding the class and homework. You will make friends in your field of study that will have a great impact on your experience at UT Arlington. Try not to worry about finances. Opportunities will present themselves and work in your favor. You will maintain a GPA higher than 3.0, which will help you in the long run. You're an amazing student and don't need to worry so much about what your future holds.

Now that I am a college senior I definitely know college was nothing to be nervous about in high school. The biggest advice I have is get involved in volunteer and school activities to better understand what your career interests are. That might have avoided my two major changes. I started college wanting to do one field of study then changed my mind, all because I just wasn't familiar with career details. So getting as much career details as possible is key to minimizing college classes confusion. I strongly advice getting involved with different experiences even though you think it won't make a difference. Also remember the times you just wanted to hang out and not study, well grades matter. More importantly study habits go a long way, all the way through college. My study habits now are great but I should have studied more in high school than I did. Lastly, don't be nervous about the new college life change! Sure college is new, different and means more independence but it is fun! The activities and new friends in your new college life will help overcome the nervousness. Remember to stay focused on your goals!

If I could go back in time to when I was in highschool I think I would of greater prepared myself for college and the cost of college and textbooks and what not. I would of taken high school more seriously taken AP classes and tried harder, because it would have saved me much more time. If I was a senior in high school the best thing I would have remembered from my college experience is make friends with people who do well in school that way you won't have a problem getting to the top.

I would tell my high school self, enjoy life! Honestly, you won't have to start worrying much until you get into college! Save the stress for when you actually get into college. Yes, you may have wanted to get into this one particular college but honestly, it doesn't matter where you end up, it matters what you do when you get in. So sit back after you've sent those applications in and relax a little enjoy the little bit of youth you have left. Once you get into college, it'll just be another step in your life so don't stress. Oh, and don't slack on the scholarships and financial aid things also. You will most definitely be needing those in the future.

If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to reach out of my comfort zone and not take myself so seriously all the time. In college, it is up to you to reach out to others in order to make friends. This is almost, if not impossible, to do if you are unwilling or scared to take a chance and reach out to someone you do not know simply because of the fear of rejection. I would also advise myself to get involved in school activities whether it is sports, a sorority/fraternity or a club. Being in any of these activities helps you be more connected to the school; it also helps you feel like you belong. Finally, I would advise myself to fully apply myself to everything I engage in and to be a well rounded student. While it is important to do well in school it is also important to have a social life as well.

There should be no shame in attending a community college after graduating high school! Do you and your parents a favor and take your core classes at the local community college. You?ll save a lot of money, and you will be able to transfer them to the 4-year university of your choice later on. Also, don?t think the only means of success as an artist is to attend an overpriced art school. You?ll come to find that it?s the simple things in life that inspire you as an artist (IE: family, friends), so don?t take them for granted! Go with your first instinct, because nine times out of ten it?s the right decision for you. Follow your heart, work your legs out more to avoid knee surgery, and let your dog outside no matter how many times he begs or he WILL leave you a surprise in your bed.

Dont get easily distracted by others. Even though they are your friends your studies are more important. They might be able to handle all the distraction but your focus should be one. Think about not disapointing your parenths. do as much as you can fun will come in time and there will be hard deccisions. but think about it. Dont easily become a procastinator. It will hurt your grades. If friends seem to not leave when you are studying you must leave and study by yourself and concentrated. Make sure you review through your early high school notes they will be the base for some material in college. Good luck and remember to follow this principles. Your mission becomes first. Do not accept defeat. Never quit. and specially if you see someone struggling dont leave them behing because that might be you in sometime.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have so much advice to give. First thing would be to become more involved in high school and college. I moved around a lot because my father was in the military and I was shy when it came to becoming involved. Just do not let those insecurities get in the way of doing what you want. Volunteering and participating will open up so many doors and really help in the process of applying for college and scholarships. Those experiences will be the best thing you can do for yourself. The next thing I would tell myself is to relax and breathe. School is going to be hard and it is going to get stressful but as long as you try things will work out. Enjoy this time because you will never get it back. Focus on grades but do not get sick over them. Try for every scholarship you can so you do not have to worry about paying for school. More than anything I would tell myself that I am still learning and when I know all the answers I will come back.

If I was allowed to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would slap myself in the face for being as shy as I was. Since I've made the transition to college, I've met many different people from all parts of the world. One of my new friends just moved from Bangladesh to the United States in august '09. There was simply no excuse for me being shy or timid in high school, being in college has caused me to open up and meet new people, if I never overcame my shyness I wouldn't have any friends. Another thing I would mention to myself is the importance of not wasting money on pizza or Mcdonalds. If I would have saved more in High School I would be in a much better financial position than I am now. I've truly learned a lot from being in college, I really am a much different person than I was when I graduated High School

First and foremost?I would tell myself to calm down because college will not be as scary as it seems! I would also like to advise myself not to worry about attending a new college because the students at UTA, where I will tell myself I am going, are very nice and helpful to new students. I will tell myself that college is everything you make it, so study hard but let yourself have a little fun. I would advise myself to join extracurricular activities and meet other students.

Little former-high-school-senior self, I begin by giving you kudos. Kudos to you for starting the college frenzy early. The applications, the financial aid, and campus visits all made you proficient and helped to you to not freak out and give up the dream of continuing your education. One thing you failed to realize was the actual academic aspect to college life! Yes, the cleanliness of the dorms and how much sodium is in the cafeteria food is indeed important, but forgetting the whole purpose of this experience is tragic! I know that so much is on your mind right now, but remember that you will be taking classes with intellectual masterminds being taught by premier instructors. Do not underestimate that. It is so easy to become overwhelmed, but be sure to surround yourself with focused individuals so that you all can work together and achieve your goals! Always be a sponge, absorbing all the study tips and tricks that you can because they will be your floating devices when stuck out in the middle of the sea of homework and final exams. The work is not over in high school. It is just beginning, young grasshopper.

First and foremost, I would ask myself what I TRULY would what to do with my life after college. I finally had the courage to change my major after my 3rd year in college and now I have to make up for it and be in school for an extra year. Second, I would do more research on the school I want to attend. I have transferred 3 times and have finally settled down. There is a lot of work and stress because of GPA and transferrable coursework. I have been through a lot , but I'm hoping that I can help someone else or comfort others who are going through/have gone through the same situation. It isn't easy, but choices must be thought out thoroughly and wisely. Also, on a side note I would tell myself that no one but YOUR OWN SELF cares about your future. Peers, acquaintences , and even friends(sometimes) will want you to attend the latest party and not care if you have an exam the next day. Priorities must be set!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not give up and work harder. That even though high school seems hard and college might be harder and it is a lot more responsibilities, everything is worth it at the end of the journey. All of the hard work will eventually pay off.

If I was to go back in time to visit myself as a senior in high school I would give myself the most excellent advice. I would tell myself not to give up on yourself. I would want myself to know that you can't trust everyone because they smile in your face and act friendly towards you, however, talking behind yourself. Also, I would want to tell myself when tragedy strikes in your life don't forget the people that has been there through it all, my family. I want myself to know that you can do so much if you can just believe yourself and don't let people effect yourself in anyway. I want myself to know that I am not alone and to remember that God is on my side, with God with me I can do anything.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to study for my SAT and ACT tests, since I got a low score for both and it cost me additional scholarship money that I could of had as an incoming freshmen to UT Arlington. Furthermore I would warn myself to apply for scholarships that I have enough time to complete, since as a senior I wasted too much time applying for scholarships that I couldn?t finish. But most importantly I would recommend myself to find a balance between social life and homework in order for a quicker transition to college life.

Try out for the softball team. Take one or two more classes a semester.

The advice would be just do it.

Although college is right around the corner, don't throw down the towel just yet! Apply for financial aid EARLY and don't apply to a college just because all of your friends want to go there. You'll make new ones in college. Also, save up as much money as you can. Lunch at the university's cafeteria is not cheap! Plus, there's gas, books, scantrons...you get the idea. The life of a college student isn't glamorous, easy, or cheap, but just keep in mind that one day it will pay off. Another important thing to remember is: don't be afraid to go out and meet and greet! There are tons of people out there who will accept your quirky habits and sarcasm. Don't forget to work hard and keep up with university deadlines. But above all, never forget to save time for play later. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about college life and making the transition I would advice myself not to be so worried about financial issues. I use to worry about financial issues during my senior year because I grew up in a single parent home, and my mother use to struggle to take care of my sister and me. During that time I wasn't aware that there was grants, financial aid, and other types of assistance available for students who didn't have the money to pay their way through school or buy their supplies. I knew about scholarships though. And even though I maintained a 2.9 gpa for my core classes, I knew that wouldn't be enough to earn me an academic scholarship especially since most of my time was being spent trying to work after school. Instead of trying to study and pull my grades up to try to earn that academic scholarship, I was working trying to save money to hopefully help get me in school. The Fall 2009 at Tarrant County College I earned a 4.0 gpa because I know what I went through my senior year.

If I could go back into time before I started college, I would tell myself NOT to get a boyfriend especially the first semester. I still managed to make all A's, but being in a relationship when starting a new school added more stress than I thought I could bare. I would tell myself to focus more on school and friends and enjoying the college life. It may seem like the days go by slow now, but as you look back on all the fun and activities you missed out on becuase you wanted to be with your boyfriend, you will be so upset that you wasted away the social part of your college years.

Take all AP classes, forget about girls, and focus on getting good grades. If I effectively took AP classes (which aren't that hard in the first place) and passed all the tests, I could have saved thousands of dollars. Also, don't be lazy and apply for all the scholorships you can, even if you don't have a shot, you might be surpised.

The advice I would give myself is to make sure I apply to all of the scholarships that I could. To make the transition easier you should joing different clubs and organizations to make friends with different people and eb well orientated. Don't take any classes that are too early and don't take any classes too late in the day. Don't buy your books from the school bookstore because they are very expensive and when you sell them back you only get one fourth of the money you spent to buy them.

If I were to travel back in time to meet myself before college, the one piece of advice that would help me the most would be to remember that college is not about the grades, it is about the knowledge. I would have reinforced the fact that I am useless as a graduate, employee or professional if I don?t hold the knowledge that my degree says that I do. Knowledge is power, not honor rolls or good grades. Honor rolls and good grades should come if you have the knowledge. If all you seek is a good grade you could forget everything you have crammed for that test , and even worse others might succumb to cheating. Seek to truly understand and master the material. It will enable you to excel not only in work, but in all aspects of your life. I still regret some freshmen classes that I took and got A's but didn?t REALLY learn.

"Senoiritis" does not just last your senior year! Take that last year of high school to really prepare for the college world. Practice good study habits and make sure you are organized. Partying is fun, but there is a time a place for everything. Stay focused kid!

High school is only the beginning; when you enter college you are open to so many new choices. You discover yourself and are opened to so many possibilities. Let yourself be open to anything and everything (edcationally speaking). If you dont have a major in mind that's ok. Start small with your basic courses and maybe something will spark your interest. Not everyone starts off college knowing what they want to work towards. College is completely different from high school and everyone adjust different at different rates. As long as you're enrolled in a college and taking classes it doesnt matter where. Don't get discouraged your friends are off at 4 year universities and you are attending a community or junior college; chances are your getting the same quality of education. Involve yourself in your community and extra-curricular activies, not only does it look good on applications and scholarships but it gives you a sense of purpose. Last, apply for every scholarship or promotion possible, you never know what can happen.

If I had the opportunity to go back I would tell myself that all the high school drama isn't worth all the energy. Because in college if you surround yourself with people who are concerned with completing their degree and finding a good job you won't have any drama, you will have people in your life that will keep you motivated. So instead of focusing on the latest gossip or what boy you like today learn all you can, and develop good study habits. No one is going to force you to read your book or show up to class you've got to put in the effort. Your a smart girl but you've got to learn how to manage your time and really focus.

Stay focused. Play fewer gigs. Save the partying for later. Add a minor in Theatre. Don't break up with Terry.

If I could go back to talk to the 18 year old Jacqueline about the college experience, one of the first things would be, to take advantage of the time and opportunities that are presented to you. I was fortunate enough to have parents that were supportive and knowledgeable on how important my education is. Looking back on it, I am sure my life would be drastically different today if I did not continue my education. School was something I struggled with in my life, being labeled with learning disabilities didn?t stop me either. In a way furthering my education made me realize how I was not educated well in our public schools. This is one of the reasons why I chose to become a teacher in hopes to encourage children that were like myself. Overall my past is what brought me here and made me who I am today, so the best thing I would tell my 18 year old self is not to give up and try my best.

I would tell myself that you may think you know what you want by just getting a job as a CNA, and that would be good enough but honestly you should think again cause things happen that are out of your control and you need more of an education to make it in this world. You should start right out of high school so you can enjoy your life before you get to old to go to college. I know that you enjoy the finer things in life and getting a education will give you those things like a nice car, nice home and most important a nice job that you enjoy. Don't wait around until your 30 years old like me to wonder what you are going to do with your life and be a single mom and a bad income to think about it act now and you will be a happier person for it . I hope you take this talk to heart and really listen to what i am saying because i know you better then anyone in the world.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would say, " Good job. Sure there are things you could have done better like studied harder, focused more; but overall you have done good." As far as the transition from high school to college I would tell myself, " Relax, it's not as hard as people are tellin you. Maintain the focus and drive that you have and you will be fine. Don't be afraid to step out your box and make friends. Have fun!"

High school was a pipedream for me. A vision of tests and quizzes that would one day lift me to the ranks of the greatest minds of man kind. With every conquered test proudly displayed to my fellow peers i felt better about myself. I used my academic life as a shield against the world. In only associating myself with one group of people i lost the chance at living life the way i should have. Yes academics will eventually be the key to my future success as a nurse, but if I continued on the path that I once traveled on then I would have wasted my time in vain. A career may fullfill my own personal goals, but unless i have others to relish my accomplishments in then what is the point? So to my former high school self i only have to say, "Live life, when God gives you the opportunity to make a chance then take it. It is only when we let ourselves go do we find out who we are, and hey sometimes miracles happen in the most unforseen situations."

Don't do anything different. UT at Arlington is a great school. You'll love the campus, it has plenty of trees, squirrels, places to just sit and enjoy yourself... although they are making it a smoke free campus, you probably need to quit smoking anyways. There are a lot of interesting people at UTA, it's very culturally diverse and it's good to get to know people from other parts of the world. You can meet plenty of new people, and make a lot of friends. It's that fresh start you always wanted. They have an AMAZING activity center, so you can take kick boxing like you've always wanted. The architecture program is an enjoyable place, and you'll love going and learning there. There are many teachers that you will find to be great teachers. You will love attending this college. It has WAY more things to do than silly Georgetown, and it's right by Dallas and Ft. Worth. Not too far from home, but far enough so the parents can't be popping in on the time. Overall: it's a great institute.

There are many things that high school just doesn't prepare you for, no matter how much it is emphasized to you by people that have experienced and made the transition from high school to college. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the main advice I would give myself is to truly manage my time positively and to realize that no matter how much fun college is and how much there is to do, remember that the reason I'm in college is to get a degree. These 2 things in my opinion are the most important things that cause failure for students entering college. Learning to manage time is vital to success because everything is on your own time and nobody will be on your back making you do assignments and there will be so much happening. Remembering the reason you are in college will keep you focused and remind you that no matter how much you want to have fun and put your work aside, school is the most important thing above everything. This advice would have been very helpful to me if I could've gave advice to myself.

I would tell myself to choose a degree and stick with it, but make sure it's as techinical and specialized as possible. And I would choose the best school possible and worry about the money later, because the name on that piece of paper really does matter. I would also tell myself to join as many clubs and organizations as possible to get a taste of what other people are thinking and doing in life other than being selfish and worrying about their own teenage lives. But lastly, I would join a sports team. I always loved Softball but never thought I was good enough to play college. I think that being an athlete, especially in your younger years, teaches you to be more competative (which seems to disappear with kids today) and learn how to be a better team player. All of these skills are crucial to be able to lead a sucessful, and more importantly, happy life. We have one life to live and college prepares us much more than people think. It's a stepping stone to the rest of your life.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would gently remind myself that high school is not the end of the world, athletics aren?t going to pay for school, and that my education is the most important thing. I would tell myself not to get wrapped up in boys, or drama, and that being compassionate, honest, and determined will pay off in the end. One of the most important things I would tell myself is that my family is always going to be there for me, no matter what good/bad decisions I may make in the future. There are many things I wouldn?t tell myself as well, because if I knew that I was going to make it through okay I wouldn?t have tried so hard to do well, and I wouldn?t have kept going. Mostly, I would just want myself to know that it truly is all going to be okay as long as I work hard and be persistent.

Try out for the softball team. It is your sport and you know that you are good enough to make the team. And don't be afraid to go out for different clubs and organizations on campus. It's a great way to meet people and make lifelong friends.

Well, I first I like to find out what I want wanna be and find the college and apply it. Also I would make sure that my goal is to be a success in life in order to ger something. I would take some advise from teachers, friends, and family.

Well first I would tell myself that life is never easy and it never gets easier without hard work. I would also then tell myself to take as many dual credit classes as I could instead of being lazy (because its much cheaper). Next, I would tell myself to take college classes as seriously as possible because once your school money (from the parents) is gone you have to start taking out loans and its very expensive. I would most definitely tell myself to have as much fun as possible while still being responsible because you only live one life and you can never go back. Finally, I would tell myself to remind myself as much as possible that the journey is hard, and it will keep getting harder, but in the end you can and you will come out on top.

If I had the oppurtunity to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior to give myself some good advice it would have to be first and for most, soak in all the knowledge you possibly can and do not take your education so lightly! As a high school senior I was still in "high school" mode and took my education for granted. When college came 'round and I was footing the bill it was all a different story. I valued my education and was interested and eager to take in all that I could. Having a genuine love for knowledge and truly understanding the importance it was/is and will always be making in my life has been something I learned with age and maturity. So I would honestly have to say the most important advice I would have given myself (or maybe just gave myself) was and is to never take education lighlty or for granted... Education is the foundation for a prospering world! Education is a progressive discovery of our ignorance. ~Will Durant (1885-1981) U.S. author and historian Thanks for your time. Ashleigh M. Keiser