The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

Hi there. It's me, Gabe, from the future. You're probably staying up late working on your homework, and you're really competitive and believe that grades are the ultimate goal. I'm here to tell you that it's not. Grades are only part of the equation when it comes to making the transition into college life. It's hard changing your mindset from being purely academic in a public school environment to being selective and niche with your interests in college. You will get a B, and it will be okay. You don't have to stress yourself out because you can't learn everything. You're not supposed to be good at every subject. You're going to college to get a degree, so put your heart and your focus into what you love. You'll meet the best people, and you'll have the best times, but only after you let your guard down a little bit. Friendships are just as important as grades in college, and these friends will be the ones you move out to Los Angeles with, and you will share a common dream. Be a dreamer, and be a finisher.

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self, I would start by giving myself a hug, hoping that comforting feeling would umbrella over the next couple steps. Then, I would punch myself in the stomach, to prepare myself for the feeling of hugging your parents goodbye for the first time, not realizing until that moment how much you will truly miss them. Then, I would trip myself to teach myself that it's okay to fall as long as you get back up again, even if its one foot at a time. After watching myself stand back up, I would wipe the dirt off my shirt to teach myself that you need to surround yourself with good friends to get through some of the most unexpected moments to come. Next, I would repeat those four steps to all the other students around, to teach myself that almost every single freshman is going through the exact same thing you are, and it's okay to feel scared and out of place. And lastly, I would end by giving myself a campus map, because I know how handy that would have been the first day of classes.

You are capable of more. Instead of passively drifting through the traditional educational process, do more. Be an active participant in your education. Think critically about every aspect of what you are trying to learn. There are innumerable resources available to you, so when you find yourself confused, you know where to look for guidance. Ask questions. Ask your teacher. Look it up online. Ask a classmate to explain it to you. Do not be satisfied until you truly understand. When you become accustomed to this proactive approach to learning, you will find yourself to be a master of the material, rather than feeling attacked by it. This effect builds upon itself. Now you will be able to answer a given question from a classmate on something you may have previously struggled with, and by helping your classmate, you will further solidify the material in your mind. By applying this method to your education, by asking questions and not being satisfied with a fuzzy understanding, not only will you see the benefit of immediately becoming more proficient in your current classes, but you will become a better learner overall, and this will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Life is an experience, and every stage of your life is a stage to be enjoyed! Society has taken a fast paced route, focused on advancing to the next greatest thing or the next phase in life. Meanwhile, we rush through the most valuable commodity in existence -- our life's experiences. As you proceed through college, and the rest of your life, make sure to work towards goals because you genuinely enjoy what you are doing, and success will come. Remember to smell the roses, taking time to introspect and enjoy who you are, what you are doing, and the beautiful occasion that is life. By allowing yourself to genuinely experience a broad range of the facets of life, you will be able to find your passion and your niche, and grow to fulfill your potential and serve society, happily.

Get ready to grow intellectually, emotionally, and mentally! Know that it is okay to be forced out of your comfort zone and you will only succeed because you chose to venture out of it. Disregard any temporary problem, wheher it be romantically, financially, or otherwise, those problems are not forever and life will go on. Be sure to put yourself out there and make yourself vulnerable to any opportunities that will reign over you. If you keep your mouth open too much and not your eyes, you could definitely miss opportunities pass you by! Be persistent, go after what you want, and it is never over until you claim defeat. Creating opportunities despite circumstances, and you deserve to go after anything and everything you want. You can achieve and aspire to anything you want to do or be, but that is only possibl if you're willing to put in the work necessary to do so. Love yourself, love your family, and remember that there will only be good times ahead of you. Do not lose sleep over anyone or anything, because if one thing's certain about life: it goes on.

Upon entering college you have a unique and extraordinary opportunity to create yourself despite prior experience. If you crave adventure, let nothing hold you back! Study abroad, join outdoor clubs, and jump off canyons in Switzerland. You will never regret the weekend you went sea kayaking, or the spring break spent, not at the beach, but backpacking the Grand Canyon. This is your chance to truly live and you will never be as free to dare as you are at this crossroad. Do not fear the pursuit of curiosity or adventure. However, while discovering your passions, never forget that your ultimate goal is education. Learn how to think, how to question and how to empower yourself with knowledge. Do not forget to plan for the future. Think realistically about job opportunities, and the cost of graduate school. Do not take your professors or your classes for granted, for the wisdom they hold is invaluable and irretrievable if wasted. Do not skip class. Take part in paint wars, and blood drives, play intramurals, volunteer, sit on the grass, and stay up all night with friends to watch meteor showers. Enjoy every minute of college, for what starts here changes the world.

Now that I successfully have my first semester of college under my belt, there are a few pieces of advice that I would give to my high school self. I would tell myself to not stress about the smaller things whether that's a printing or dining hall problem. The stress does nothing to help the situation thus giving it completely worthless value. I'd also tell myself to be prepared to have professors like and dislike my writing style. I'd inform myself that I would need to be prepared to shift my writing to meet their needs. Lastly, I would tell myself to go out more with friends whether to dinner or a movie. I would try to tell myself to have a bit more of a balance between the school and social aspects of my life.

To my high school senior self, if there is anything I could share with you before you graduate, these would be my words of wisdom. Have fun. Enjoy the time you have with your friends and the parties you attend. Live in the moment and create memories for those will last a life time. College is a world of fun but it isnt enjoyable unless you learn how to enjoy your life in the moment. I pray you learn, that when college comes around, do not get stressed or anxious when it comes to grades. Yes, do your best and try your hardest, but realize your grades are not the end of the world. You are going to have classes challenge you. Stand up to them, but understand in the end you will be breathing and alive no matter the outcome. You are going to meet a lot of people witihin the next four years, make connections, build relationships, and enjoy life with them. Embrace the people you meet for those will become your bestfriends, and also help you out in the future. College is an era where you find yourself. Have an open mind and again, Enjoy your life.

DO NOT pull an all-nighter. It's just not worth it. You think that you can write a paper in 8 hours and you CAN, just not at 2AM when you haven't slept. Always read papers outloud. Your professors are 300 times more picky and sharp than your high school teachers. They know if you haven't read something over. Don't worry about meeting your best friends during Freshman orientation. I know it seems like they are cool, but your true friends come during Junior year when you fall and break your foot and they carry you to the hospital. They don't even make fun of the fact that you fell off a curb. Call your parents. It seems like they are happy that you moved all the way to Maryland but Mom misses you and Dad can't remember where he left all his tools that you guys used when you were fixing that bike. So call them. Don't eat fries in place of lunch every day. I know your roommate does and she's fine, but heart disease runs in this family and that is just tempting fate. Most importantly - have fun!

Get involved in organizations so that you can easily identify your talents and work on imporving them. Apply for as many scholarships as you can and save money while you still can. I would say, be realistic about what you want to do in life, and how you want to impact the world. Also identify your true passions, and make sure you're on track with the classes you need to take in order to graduate on time. Read as much as you can to get used to the reading load, and work on studying effectively. Time management is crucial.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would voice the importance of applying for as many scholarships as possible and to study hard for the SAT. College life has been quite the transition for me, and I would tell myself to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead. I would also encourage myself to keep to a schedule when it comes to studying and get in the habit of going to sleep at a decent hour and waking up early.

Rosendo, Transitioning to college, believe it or not, is not something you're emotionally or academically prepared for. Once in college, you cannot afford not to plan ahead. Be organized and build a flexible but uncompromising schedule: Record deadlines for tests, projects, scholarships, volunteering, meetings, etc. Most importantly, hit the books and be proactive in asking questions about anything you are unsure about. Your biggest challenge, however, will be keeping yourself disciplined and motivated. Do not give in to anxiety and remember who you owe your successes to: everyone and yourself. It's ok to get stressed and feel lonely and think you're a failure. Let those sentiments flow through you but don't let them engulf you. Remember who you are and what you can be. Remember that college is but one step on the road towards personal fulfillment and that by assaulting through its many challenges, you and others will be better off in the future. Last but not least: Smile and laugh. Go out and have fun. Learn from people. Enjoy the moment and don't take life too seriously. Every now and then, take a moment to pause and reflect. Celebrate yourself. Breath.

Why, hello there past Daniel Pak. This is you, from the future. Well you must be freaking out right now, correct? Well stop acting like a fool and listen to what I'm saying. This is your senior year, and even though this is your last year of high school, do not make a habit of procrastinating and being lazy! I'm warning you, this is serious business; we're talking about college here! College work will be substantially more time consuming and sometimes difficult, so you need to make a good habit of paying attention to your teachers currently so you can understand what's going on! Second, study, study, and study. You might think you're a hot shot right now, but trust me, once you step foot on to UT, you'll feel like an idiot compared to the others. Studying is key in both high school and college, so make another habit of studying your notes extensively when preparing for quizzes or test, no matter how "easy" it may seem; you'll never know when an easy question will trip you up and cause you to fail because of one simple mistake.

If I were to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first reassure her that she is making the right decision in choosing to attend the University of Texas over the other schools that offered her admission. I would tell her to get ready because college is not high school and the classes will be difficult, but definitely worth it because they would teach her not only about the subject matter, but a lot about herself as a person. The most important advice I would offer is to not be too hard on herself. To enjoy being a college student and not worry about having a job, a car, or any other self imposed goal she sets out so that in her mind she continues to be a high achiever. I would suggest that she stays in the dorms and that she meets and networks with different groups and people. That she is open to all experiences and that she accepts all the help that is offered because she doesn't have to tackle this on her own. More than anything, to relax and enjoy that part of her life.

I would tell myself to make sure that I establish effecrive study habits. Every grade you make in high school can effect your admissions into college and being in the top of your class may be the only chance of getting into the university of your dreams.

I would absolutely emphasize the fact that you can't just slide on by in life. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice are all absolutely necessary in order to obtain real, sustainable success. You cannot simply rely on luck or the kindness of others and hope for the best.

Take a look at all the things you have rushed. Slow down for awhile. There is no need to skip all the information or skim lightly. You need to always take advantage of the all the help people are willing to give to you. You may see it all as a wasted effort and time, but try to read between the lines and do everything twice. Give everything opprotunity a chance. The things you are learning and experiencing now will come in handy at a later date. Things may seem like a joke, but really focus on becoming successful. The career and lifestyle you want for yourself won't just magically appear, you have to work hard. A life full of quick glances and minimal effort won't get you far. You need to dream big and go forward knowing that you will become all that you want to be. All that you need is to push yourself, because things don't get easier, but they do get more interesting.

Dear Caroline, As you embark on this new journey, here are a few things to remember. First, cherish the times you get with your friends always, but always make sure you are balancing your social life with your academic life. Social opportunities are everywhere at UT and it is easy for your social life to take over. On the topic of social activites, make sure you join social groups your Freshman year. Don't wait, this is a key place to make friends and memories! In addition, remember to always put your health above all else. It's inevitably difficult to balance a hectic schedule with maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise regime, but you have to do your best to do such things. Sleep enough, eat right, and work out! You and your grades will benefit from a healthy body and mind! Finally, never lose yourself. It's easy in college to be persuaded by the values and ideas of those around you. But always stay true to you and to your own values and ideals that you have cultivated. Never compromise who you are for anything! Good luck Caroline! Sincerely, You in four years

I would remind my self that life costs money. It's easy to romantisize college as this wonderful place where you can learn and socialize to your heart's content. While this is true, it all comes with a price, and a hefty one at that. Perhaps it is an exaggeration to say that I had forgotten the saying of "nothing is free," but it would be correct for me to say that I never really grasped the true meaning of that statement, though I thought I had by paying for things like gas and food. Ah, sweet high school ignorance. It truly was bliss. Since the first day of the 2014 New Year I've been continuously slapped in the face with unexpected financial obligations to the point where my motivation to continue was serverely damaged. Hospital bills, school bills, and unemployment made for a rude awakening to one of the common sturggles of everyday adulthood that I thought I already knew all about. It's funny. I heared all the time that money runs the world and I thought, "OK, I understand," but I really had no idea. So, high school me, make sure you get a job!

Yes, it is important to socialize with your friends. Yes, it is hard to concentrate while studying. And yes, the AP exam does not take place until the final month of school, but please understand that these classes will help you in the long run. Not only are you building basic study habits for college, but you are also potentially earning college credit! College is expensive and you want to avoid wasting any opportunities for saving money. If you have a chance to get basic, required classes out of the way for college in order to focus more on your major, you would be crazy to not take advantage of this. Basically, what I am trying to tell you is to put effort in your studies!

Run. Run more. Run faster. Run efficiently. College is the time to interact and develop yourself into an adult, the person you are going to be for the rest of your life. Run. This includes being more social. No more of those shy standoffs. Run more. Get into shape! You're going to be so active, walking to the store, running to class, and who knows what else you decide to do. Run faster. Competition is more rigorous in college. You have to pick up your pace in academics if you want to stay in the race. Don't fall behind on work and pull those all-nighters like you did your last year in high school. Those won't work too well in the future. Run efficiently. You're going to be busy some days, and you're going to be idle other days. Make sure you use your time efficiently. Don't slack off just because you don't have anything to do. There are so many opportunities out there. Explore. Find yourself. Succeed.

I would tell myself to take more standardized tests to ensure I get the maximum score that I am capable of. I would also tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible, and to start applying for school earlier than I did. This would reduce stress and open me up to more choices in colleges.

Thus far, I have adored my experience with my classes except for the sizes of my classes. Due to the class size, I have had a harder time speaking up in class and making my impression on professors. For example in my freshman year Statistics class, a class of about 120 students, I was able to speak up more easily than any other of my classes which have had an average of about 350 students in each class. Due to being able to speak up in my Stats class, I was actually able to meet with my Statistics professor to request a Recommendation Letter, something that a student always wishes to get out of a class. On one hand, I have loved the big community and support that my university provides me with its large population of students. But on the other hand, the class size seemed to limit how I was able to express myself in class which affects the professors’ view of me. In my preference, if my university provided smaller class sizes different variety of class sizes then it could help to learn in their own way.

College is never going to be what you expect. No amount of words from anyone can prepare you for the individualized experience that you will have; yet there are a few words of advice that will get you far during your freshman year. Firstly, do not define yourself based upon numbers. Grades in college fluctuate like your heart rate during and after a workout-you may be making grades that are much higher than you could have ever dreamed, but then suddenly plummet down into 70's and 60's as the semesters go on. Don't worry; life goes on if you don't make A's and B's. Often, you will bond with your friends over your failures and work together to do better in the future. Brush off any failures, because you yourself are not one. Secondly, let yourself be the person you've always wanted to be. In college, life can be what you make it. Find strength in friends that are similar to you and who support your goals and dreams, because a strong support group can make a tremendous difference in your sanity. Stay sane and live life like a dream.

In order to make the transition easier I would tell myself to listen to my body and to stay organized. I feel like I had so many days freshman year when I would stay up too late and then be very inefficient the next day. Now I know how much sleep and exercise I need to be productive. I would also tell myself to fail early and to fail often. I would want to give myself the opportunity to try out new study methods before my classes become too rigorous. I would also remind myself that I am here to learn ad that it takes effort to learn. In high school I could get away with doing things the night before, but in college things are different. If I don’t learn something I’m the one who misses out. I’d tell myself to do some research and find out what I’m passionate about so I can begin to join clubs that interest me and work towards an officer position. Finally, I’d tell myself that staying ahead in my schoolwork means I can have more fun.

My main advice to myself is be realistic about who YOU are and what YOUR expectations of college are. Don't go to a school just because your family wants you to or because you think it's your only choice financially. If you go to a huge university, you're going to have a lot of trouble making friends and feeling like you belong. If you go to a school that's obsessed with sports, you're going to be disappointed that all of the people you meet want to go to football games when you would rather go to the theatre. You've always had this desire to go to college on the east coast. I know you think you can't, but you should really respect yourself and your dreams a little but more. There are scholarships available and you will be so much happier at a small, liberal arts school than you would be in Austin. You'll meet more people like you, you'll have a better chance of meeting professors you click with and creating academic connections for the future. You have options! Never let anymore make you believe otherwise.

High school is nothing like college. You're going to be challenged like never before, and experience things you've only dreamed of. Freedom is intoxicating. For the first time, you're away from your small town and parental supervision, and it's easy to lose sight of your responsibilities. Take charge of your studies and don't wait until the last minute. Help is everywhere for you; take advantage of it, and use it for your success. That said, Austin is an incredible city and you should go out and experience everything it has to offer. The music and the culture are second-to-none, and these are the best years of your life. Don't be afraid of adventure, this is the beginning of the rest of your life.

Take your time and be consistent. You need to do your research on programs at the university you plan to go to and find all scholarships that are available to you. Take advantage of these opportunities. Instead of focusing on senior year, focus on your transition into a university that will come sooner than you expect it to. Apply to any scholarships you can, school is more expensive than you anticipate it to be. Appreciate your teachers, faculty and staff for the person that they have shaped you into today. Thank them for helping you prepare for the transition into adulthood. Go to your parents and hug them for all of their support and be grateful that they were able to handle you all of these years. Be ready to be on your own, in a new place with strange faces. Be open minded and determine what your hopes and dreams are. Shoot for what will make you happy and what will benefit others. Go to the University of Texas at Austin and be the best you can be. Have faith. What starts here changes the world.

Hello my past self! You are probably really stressed about college applications and Advanced Placement tests coming up, but don't worry. I promise that you will be fine! This is your college self speaking and I would like to make a few things clear. College is completely different from high school. No matter how much you try to prepare for it, you will not understand until you get here. First of all, be yourself. College is where you find out who you truly are and what you want to do. No more hiding behind others or watching others go forward. You must take the lead. The transition will be hard, but I assure you that it will be worth it. Don't give up on what you believe and there will always be people to guide you. Some of your friends may go to different colleges, but those friendships will never end. Everyone going into college is just like you, so don't stress so much! You will do great things in the future. I know it. Best of luck and let yourself grow.

I have thought about this question numerous times. I have numerous pieces of advice to give. First, I would tell myself to apply to more scholarships. Right now, I have accumulated so much debt and if I would have applied to and received more scholarships, it would help to ease the burden. Second, I would also tell myself to apply and select Business as my major instead. While taking Business courses here, I realized that I enjoy those courses more. However, the Business school is near impossible to transfer into while you're here. It's easier coming in as a Business major and switching to another major if you do not enjoy it. Finally, I would also tell myself to take some community college courses before attending the University. By taking courses there, I would have gotten a feel for what college courses are like and would not struggle as much academically. Even though I took numerous AP courses, college courses were still very challenging. Being exposed to college courses would have helped immensly.

Laura, you are on the right track. Take yourself the next level and believe in yourself. Follow those inklings from your gut and grow your knowledge. During the next few years you will have many chances to experience life. Keep on track but don't worry about wandering once in a while. Those times spent off the beaten path will influence thought and provide context for knowledge. Spend a little more time hitting the books!

I would say - just do it!

If I could go back and give my high school senior self advice about college, I would have a few things to say. First, put yourself out there. I went to a huge university coming from a small high school and initially had difficulty making close friends because I wasn't used to such a big environment. Secondly, join lots of organizations. At the beginning of each semester, there are always lots of organizations trying to get new members. I didn't go to many meetings, but I wish that I had because that would have opened up many more pathways to friendships or possibly new activities that I would love. You don't have to stick with all of them, but just try them out to find out what is a good fit for you. Finally, find a good balance between fun and school. It's easy to get caught up in the new freedom that college provides, so make sure to make time for all the important parts of life: academics, social life, health, etc. Also, definitely study abroad!

As the cliche goes, hindsight is always 20/20, and my life so far is no exception. When I think back to my senior year in high school—how scared I was to go away to college, how unprepared I was to move out of my parents’ home—I wish I could scream back through time and give myself a firm talking-to. The last two years have been more eventful than my first eighteen combined. I’ve grown up; I’ve learned who I am and who I want to be. The journey has effected me so much, I don’t think I would want to go back and give myself all of the answers. Instead, I would remind myself that everything truly does happen for a reason, every failure is an opportunity to get up stronger, and, when in doubt, the best option is always the one Grandmother Willow gave Pocahontas: “Listen with your heart, you will understand.” Forgive yourself, I would say, and give everyone you meet the benefit of the doubt. And, most importantly, this journey will be difficult, but it’ll be okay, and you will come out on the other side so much happier.

If I were able to go back in time to my senior year of high school, with the knowledge I have about my college experience now, I would do many things differently. I first and foremost, would have applied for many more scholarships through my high school. I learned that students are more likely to attain local scholarships than national ones that have thousands of applicants. I would have also taken more AP and dual credit classes to help me meet the core curriculum prior to attending college. Prior to attending college I came in with 21 credit hours, however, I wish I had attained 30. Last, but not least, I would have volunteered or done an internship that would give me experience in my field rather than working a part-time job throughout high school, which only benefited me financially. During the summer of 2013 I did an 8-week internship at Children’s Medical Center, which helped me realize that I did not want to pursue a career in the medical field. However, I wish I had done at least one Communications internship before graduating.

If I had the ability to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give myself is to not take things lightly and to never sell your-self short. College can be intimidating but if you get to the point when you feel completely overwhelmed take a deep breath and calm down, you can do this. You just cannot give up like that because you have worked so hard for this. You can avoid a whole lot of problems and stress if you just keep up with class due dates. Keeping your planner updated will help you keep track of assignments so you will not feel the need to rush over an assignment and risk getting a low grade. Just in case you get sick or miss a class day make friends with people in your class so they can share their notes with you. As a final note, talk to your professors, they are there to help. If they see you trying to succeed in their class they will give you as much help as you need.

If I could go back I would advise my old self to relax and be confident. I have learned that by working hard I can accomplish anything. I was really afraid going into my freshman year of college because I thought I would not be smart enough to get through it but I was wrong. I am only a sophomore in college but I have grown so much. I feel independent and happy with my life. Another big thing that I would advise myself is to never wait until tomorrow to do something. Always try your hardest now so life will be easier in the future. Also, apply for as many scholarships as possible.

If I could give advice to my high school self I would just say that it is important to stay involved and stay focused, but also use the time in high school to do research on careers and majors I would like to pursue. I think high school is a time to have fun and build a good foundation academically, but it is never to early to begin researching careers. One very important piece of advice would be to learn what studying methods work for you because knowing that before you enter college will definitely help your grades. Lastly, I would just say to have fun and make good relationships with your high school teachers because they can act as resources even when you enter college.

First of all, apply for as many scholarships as possible. Moving on, you need to know that you don't have to be so worried about college. It will be rough at first, but you'll meet some of the best people once you're there. Don't be afraid to speak your mind or talk to new people, or to even speak up in class. Take deep breaths. Remember why you're here. Be thankful. Never forget the sacrifices your parents are making for you to take this chance. Go forward and remember that you're going to be okay. Even if orientation freaks you out, remember that it just takes time. Most importantly, remember that you can do it. I'm living proof of it.

"Do not be afraid," is the first thing I would tell my senior self if I could. The thought of "going off to college" was panic-inducing at the time, because I kept imagining the course work to be beyond my scope of understanding. And I thought that I was going to struggle not just in the classroom, but in all of the other ways that matter, too. Socially. Mentally. Emotionally. The looming thought of failure kept hanging over me. But if I could go back, I would probably laugh a little and tell myself that what I'm feeling is normal. That it's okay to be nervous, but there is no reason to think I'm going to fail. The best advice I've received about college to date is that no one ever has all of the right answers. We simply must put our best foot forward. And I think I would turn to myself and relay the same message. I would tell that scared version of myself to seek out what inspires me. You see, my University's motto is "What Starts Here Changes The World." I'd tell myself to be the change.

Be prepared to be annoyed with more people-you'll enjoy it, but fair warned- you choose this. Also there won't be many people that accept your sarcasm. You remember when you were told that you were going to have to learn how to shut your mouth in certain situations? Yeah, that time is your freshman year when there isn't a person that finds your humorous, snarky jokes funny anymore, don't worry you'll get your time. Just so you know now, there is more stdying involved, especially since you are changing your major from math to anthropology. granted you will LOVE it, but still you need to study more. Get out of your room-sleep is hazardous, especially when that is what you don't get enough of. ROTC is not easy. Yes, you know many of the things in it, but it's nothing like JROTC. Be prepared to work your body to death-literal death. Everything will be fine in the end- just be sure to study too much, sweat and cry blood. It'll be okay in the end. The Navy and Forensic Anthropolgy is worth it in the end. Good Luck, Annie.

While it's not the end of the world if you do not know what you want to major in, having an idea does give you a headstart. As a high school senior, I still did not know what I wanted to major in. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to look into the majors UT offers to get some ideas. If I had done that, I would have applied to get into either the Business School or the School of Communications. Because I did not do that, I have to wait a certain amount of semesters to apply to get into either one of those.

I would definetly tell my high school self to get better study habits as well as read more, because that is all you do in college. I would tell him that it easy to get off track in college because there isn't the routine schedule of weekly assignments and homework, so definetly to be preparied for a change.

Knowing what I know now, I would have chosen a different major. While I love what I studied, is is not the path I have chosen to follow and am now looking at going back to school. Had I realized earleir on what I wanted to do as a career I could have saved myself both time and money. However, I am looking forward to these upcoming challeneges and really think what I learned while getting my bachelors degree shaped me as a person. I would also tell myself not to worry as much, becasue things have a way of working themselves out in the end.

"Over the next few years, and even in the next few months, you will be rejected. You will be rejected by colleges; you will be rejected by scholarships; you will be rejected by friends; you will be rejected from programs and positions; you will be rejected. But you are not weak becuase life beat you down. You are strong because you always eventually find a way to pick yourself back up and turn your experiences into something that you can use to help others in addition to improving yourself. You are strong because you don't give up. You are going to miss your family more than you can imagine right now. You will come to realize that they are the most important people that will ever be in your life, and, after 19 years, you'll finally learn how lucky you are to have them. Scary, dark things are going to happen, and you're going to feel lost and confused and hopeless and very, very sad. But never forget that you have the best support system behind you, that you are strong, and that you can and will overcome."

I would tell my senior self that the things that seem important are not going to matter a year after graduation. Education should be the most important thing to focus on after high school. It is ok to take a little break after high school, but after never lose sight of the goals that were set before you. As a high school senior, you have completed something that many people have not had the opportunity to do. This goal of graduation was reached throught dedication, commitment, and diligence. Take this attitude to college with you and pursue what you want to do with happiness and that same determination, commitment, and diligence that got you to this graduation. These same values will take you to your next graduation and the next if desired. College is a transition from high school. Your teachers are not going to keep telling you that assignments are due. College is a new and important responsibility. You have to push youself to get things done and turn them in ON TIME! College is going to help mold you into who you are meant to be. Good luck and your hard work is going to pay off!!!

You are a great student. I would advise you to keep up the hard work. There are so many opportunities ahead of you, and with your discipline and determinitation I know you are going to succeed. Attending The University of Texas may seem very scary, but it is where you are meant to be. Don't listen to the voices in your head telling you how hard and scary it will be. You are an amazing student that has already prepared himself for this great big step into your future.

Dear High School Self, I know you're nervous about going to college because you're afraid you won't make friends as easily as you would like. Here's my advice: live on campus for the first year and get a part-time, on-campus job. It will keep you on a schedule and give you an outlet to make friends. Also try to get involved in a volunteer organization or recreational activity- something to give your week structure. You'll have a lot of free time in college and it's better not to waste it in your dorm room missing your boyfriend back home. After your first year, you should have a good friend base so you can move off campus and use the bus system to make it into campus (DO NOT buy a parking pass--it's a waste of money and the bus system is a better option since it's free with your student card). Overall, enjoy yourself and have a little fun, but make sure to take academics seriously. You have to learn how to study in a different way than you did in high school.

I would tell my high school self to calm down and stop worrying! "College is challenging, but it is also a lot of fun. It's a whole new world, filled with daily struggles and obstacles that you will have to face on your own, but you will overcome them. Your greatest enemy is yourself. Don't overthink situations, and don't bring yourself down. You are going to make mistakes, change your major several times, and get completely lost, but that's the beauty of college. It's where you'll find yourself, make tons of new friends, and actually learn to be independent. Get involved with clubs and activities on campus, visit your advisor more than you should, and don't be afraid to get on the 40 Acres bus...it'll save you a lot of walking. Go to the football games; they are the best!! Study, study, study, and not like you did in high school, you're going to have to step up your game! Study for hours and hours and days...weeks if possible! Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. Most importantly smile, because you have the privilege of attending UT!"

Going back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to research the major of my choice. It is not just about knowing what major you want to major in, it is important to know every detail of what the major entails. I would tell myself to look into the classes that needs to be taken in the major. I would advise myself to look into the different career path and the culture of the careers available. This is important because, it would give a better understanding of if I want to work in the field in the long run. Also the during senior year find people in the university of choice and in the major chosen and talk to them, make friends with them, in order for the transition to be easier. In the summer Practice introduction level classes, so that the coursework will not come as a surprise. Lastly know the ranking of the major in the university. It is important to know if the school and its faculty have the standards to teach the coursework in the way that it would help me reach my full potential.