The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

Attend your dream college even thought they just took the program your wanted to go into away. You will end up changing your major at the college you decided to attend instead to something your dream college has. You will struggle at your new college and deeply regret not going to your dream school.

Go to college about a year after you graduate, learn about your passions and then narrow them down to the one that you are truly interested in. When you enter college don't be afraid of the challenging courses, take them earlier because they will make you a better student for having done so. Get involved in clubs and earn your spot in an honor society, join community service projects because you will make a difference, no matter how small. Great grades are important, so learn how to study. You should always go into every course with a childlike sense of discovery, never begin with preconceived ideas of what you are walking into, that will ruin the experience, and you never know what might grab your attention until you have immersed yourself in the subject. If you follow my advice you should have a great college experience.

There is only one piece of advice that I feel I would need to give my younger self. Do not worry so much, everything will be fine. It was one of the most daunting experiences of my life the summer before, and the first few days of college, but only because I worried it would not go well. Fortunately I was very wrong about that. I would like to take back all the time that I wasted worrying and just enjoy where I was. I would tell myself that you WILL make friends, you WILL do great in all your classes, and you WILL have a great time. Seriously, just do not worry, because everything will be fine.

Dear Elise Nzubechukwu Anih, I am sure you’re terrified with the application process, SATs, ACTs. As the first in the family to go to college it can be overwhelming but it’s for the best. I am glad you learned everything by yourself, even got an interview with Princeton. I am so proud of you but you should have followed your big dreams further. Secondly, you have to get over being shy or lose opportunities because you didn't ask. You are not invincible in a class of 30 students don’t be surprised if your PSY 301 class is about 300 students. You seem very confident in the major that you have in mind- Biology. I must tell you that Biology in college is different from that of High school. I believe in what you can do. You will have challenges but do not shake in your confidence, just remember to take deep breaths those nights when you are cramming. Don’t worry about trying to figure out who you are, you have plenty of time in college to understand yourself. College will be four years of fun, stress, lack of sleep, and self-discovery.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get ready to study harder than I had ever had to study before. I would also tell myself that I should enjoy my time in college and take some time to date, but not get serious with anyone too soon. I would tell myself to focus more on my studies and less on my social life so that my GPA would not have suffered so much. I would also tell myself to trust my gut feelings about things. So many times I second guessed myself, and I should have just gone with what I felt was right the first time. I would have enjoyed college so much more if I had just stuck with what I knew was best for me.

Let the little things go. Don't let the people around you and their negativity bring you down even a notch. Keep the people around who will better you as a person. In the end, all that will matter will be your determination, hard work, and dedication to your craft. You won't always be able to make everyone around you happy, and that's okay, because that's not your job. Your job is to work hard and achieve what you want to achieve, put your heart and soul into it. Make friends! Don't be afraid to go out there and talk to people you don't know. Join as many clubs and activities that you can fit onto your plate, those will help you with resumes, scholarships, and job references. All in all, have fun, be careful, and stay focused on your goal. Don't get me wrong, it will be overwhelming, but you've gotten through plenty of years of schooling, the rest should be a piece of cake with the right attitude.

Dear Sarah, upon graduating from High School, do not be afraid of what is to come. Appreciate everything about your college experience, and do not let outside pressures take the joy out of the learning process. Learning is most important. Dedicate yourself to studying a little bit every day. Do not procrastinate, because it will make your life entirely too stressful. Also, be gracious, be yourself, and the friendships will follow. Just remember, college will seem daunting at first, but this feeling will shortly be replaced with comfort. You will begin to ease into the process, and all of your hangups regarding this new lifestyle will fall away. Oh yeah, and did I mention study? Do not assume that those books will read themselves. Also, take copious notes, and do not be afraid to ask for help from professors.

“Hook ‘em Horns”. This famous saying never gets old for generations of longhorns including myself, who feel tremendous pride for our undergraduate experience at the University of Texas at Austin. Now, I’m not a native Texan, and when I decided to attend this institution, my choice stemmed from desires to explore the unknown and challenge myself to experience new things. My story begins as a first-generation Latina child of immigrant parents who grew up in a small town in the Northeast. My parents fled their country in a time of economic, political and social collapse, and fought barriers to provide the best opportunities for their family. However, our upbringing as children of immigrants highlighted our differences by income, race, and the way we valued life and other people. We grew up feeling out of place. But college is a completely different ball game. You will find a niche with other students who come from all walks of life, who share your interests and passions. These students will inspire you to become a better person and contribute to a greater cause beyond yourself. This is your time to define your identity and your future. Make the most of it!

College is nothing like high school. You won't be able to just slack off and expect those A's to fall into your lap like before. You will be competing alongside the best of the best from across the country and if you want to succeed you will have to stand up to the challenge. That said, these are going to be the best years of your life! Now more than ever you need to break out of that shell of yours and open up to meeting new people and having new experiences. College is part education and part networking. If you build up a solid network of friends and professionals you will a step ahead when you graduate and start searching for your career. Good luck!

If I could go back and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take as many concurrent enrollment classes as possible. Not only are the concurrent classes cheaper, but it makes the transition into college life much easier because you know more about the work load that is expected in college. I would also tell myself to not procrastinate or wait to do things until the last minute. Life is so much easier and stress free when I allow a lot of time to accomplish things, not to mention, the work I do is much better and thought out better as well. The transition to college life is much different than high school life. Although there can be much required work in high school, the work required in college is much greater, as it should be. It is a time in our lives where we should be thinking about our career that we will have forever, so it is something that we should take seriously, so I would also tell myself to work hard, and not take things lightly. It may be more work, but it will be worth it in the end.

There are so many things I would go back and tell myself. First, I would tell myself to not stress so much over the little things. Then I would tell myself to prepare to study more than I ever did in highschool. I would also tell myself to not get too serious in my dating life so quickly. You are only young once, so enjoy being young. Enjoy dating and getting to know people. Have some fun, don't take yourself so seriously. Also, don't second guess yourself. You have good intuition, so go with that. Take your studies seriously and your dating life less seriously. Enjoy being young. Don't spend more than you make, skip the credit card offers! Most importantly, just take time to enjoy your college years.

Ellen, get over yourself, and go up to the HSM building where a gang of kids who call themselves, "Down to Film Productions" will greet you. There, you will find the answer to "How do I make movies?" more than any college class can teach. Go, -- go quick! You'd be surprised how much faster the years go by in college, so don't miss out! Take in each brilliant college day with a seething, undying passion for your study --- for, the moment you step foot in college, you begin life, now live it! Don't wait for those film classes to start, start making films now! Gain experience right away and I assure you, your bright colleages will be waiting for you happily to join them. Don't disappoint them.

First of all, in my own opinion, there are some things that are better left not advising. A lot of the college experience is finding yourself and learning everything yourself--it'd be a shame for the future you to tell you what to do and what not to do, as everything should be your own decision. It seems scary at first; suddenly, you're held responsible for yourself. If you happen to have nice parents that will pay for everything, good. But the vice versa can be the same, and though that's unfortunate, life goes on. But if one thing remains true, the most important thing is that you take from it what you put in. If anything, I would first reassure my high school senior self that life does get much better from here on out. College is a rewarding experience, especially if you put your all into it. My only advice would be to improve my habits in all aspects of life. Be more studious, put yourself out there, and be open minded. Though my past self may have many questions on what to do specifically, my answer would be to figure it out yourself!

Dear Aimee, It's okay to struggle during your first year-- you will. It is going to be a change. You won't be meeting a best friend every day and the work will be much harder. Don't give up and make sure to have some fun as well. It's important not to take life too seriously. Join more clubs! You will eventually join the Liberal Arts Council which will be a fantastic experience for you. I know going to office hours sounds a little terrifying, but it's worth it. Your professors are incredibly nice and are there to help you. Remember that this is college. You don't need to focus on your grades-- you need to focus on what you are learning from each of your classes. Choose classes based on how much you might enjoy them as opposed to which ones might make you have a higher GPA. Figuring out what you want to do right now is not as important as you think. Keep looking for opportunities and you will be successful. -Aimee

Dear younger me,Try not to stress your self so much right now because you will have a lot to deal with once you begin your college nightmare. Enroll in AP and dual enrollment classes throughout your years in high school. If you fail to gain credit for the course you will at least get a sense of what the subject has to offer. Try to learn and pass the AP test so you can have one less class to worry about. This means one less final exam, summer course, time spent studying, or payment for a class that you won't have to do. Talk to your teachers, counselors, or college students about what you want to major in and take advantage of having some one help you make decisions about your education. In college you will become independent and will have to make your own choices. Enjoy spending time with your friends and family because you might not see them a lot if you leave the city for college. If you feel like you don’t know what you want out of life, don’t worry! You have time to figure things out once you experience different things.

The first and most important thing I would tell myself is not to procrastinate and make sure that I made time to fill out scholarships. I believe that by investing a lot of time and effort into filling out scholarships and doing scholarship essays can come a long way. Also the most key thing is not to get distracted by anything. By becoming distracted, you are pushed away from doing that can be actually beneficial for you in the future. Also, I would tell myself to be more determined in school to do better and actually take school seriously.

Getting ready for college during high school years can be a big help once attending college. For example, I would advise myself to try different study methods during high school, so that once I got to college, I can be successful in studying. Effective study methods can be very helpful to being successful in college. Also, I never used a planner during high school, which really affected me in college. I would tell my high school self to get used to having a planner because time management is critical for college, especially in a course intensive college. Having good time management in college can be very beneficial to not getting stressed and feel like you are dying in college with so much homework and projects.

Emily, You are getting ready to open a new, exciting chapter in your life. Be proactive. There are many opportunites offered to high school students that are simply taken for granted. You have a great opportunity already guaranteed to you. Research the junior college that offered you a full ride scholarship to play basketball. That is a great way to get involved in an extracurricular activity, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and balance the monotony of school work. If after researching that college, you decide you do not want to attend college there, find another institution that offers a degree program that will benefit you. Once you have found colleges that you are interested in, look for scholarships to help you pay for tuition. That is an easy way to take the burden of paying for school on your own off your shoulders. Ultimately, you are the only person who can take charge of your life. Don't let ease entice you into settling for a college. Challenge yourself and take pride in the accomplishments that will come from challenging yourself. Lastly, never look back. Always focus on your future and always progress.

First thing is first, the most important advice I would tell my past self would be, "slacking offi s not an option". Back when i was in high school I use to tell myself that college life was full of joy and partying and everything will go my way if I stick to the daily routine of finishing my assignments in the last minute. In my first weeks of college i soon learned that procastinating is absoulte no for a student who wants to succeed. To succeed i must be constantly responsible for assingments that are given to me and nt wait intil the last minute to finish those assignments because an assignment that is hurried and not well thought of over time will not be receiving a good grade. Another very crucial advice would be to be more organized and responsible with school, pay more attention in class and to take more innitiative in applying for scholarships and being more involoved with community service which can highly help in having an advantage to pay for college . To take innitiative in school, be more involved in groups and organizations and be responsible is key for having a succesful school year.

If I was given the opportunity to talk to high school Laney, I would tell her to calm down. College is so much more fun and interesting than I feared it would be! All I remember hearing from my teachers and counselors in high school is how difficult life at a university would be. What they left out is that, at a university, you are given the opportunities to grow and flourish on your own. Joining social groups and clubs really helps to find other students who enjoy the same things that you do and they make great study partners! High school me practically had a panic attack every other day about going off to college. I was absolutely positive that I was going to fail at everything once I got there. I was and still am proven wrong every day!

High school and college are completely differnt and you need to know that time management is key to your success and well as having fun and experiencing all that college has to offer you. Also do not get caught up in a relationship with someone who is going to make you focus on them and not school because you will never accomplish what you want if you do that. Have fun adn live life to the fullest, but learn every day you wake up.

I would've pushed my chemistry, biology and physics teachers to prepare us for college science courses. I don't think I got the proper training for my science courses in high school even though I made high A's.

Collegiate metamorphosis (n.): a time of growth, change, and evolution of thoughts, motives, and ideals. School has always been a haven of development, turning sprightly five-year-olds into responsible kindergarteners, fifteen-year-olds into less-awkward, versisons of themselves. But college, wow... This is the true time for growth. Now instead of learning behaviors or fitting into our bodies, this change is more than surface-level, it is truly a collegiate metamorphosis. The person who goes in comes out a wholly changed individual, different in purpose and mind. While what occurs in the classroom is the crux of the collegiate experience, what happens beyond much more directly defines the change that happens on the inside. Know this: you will be challenged and tempted, tested and pushed, but what results is someone who is bountifully more confident, sure of himself. Be excited: what lies ahead will truly turn you from a dependent passenger into the driver of your own future. There is so much promise for a next stage; every action prepares you for what lies ahead. Everyone says that college is the best time of your life, and it is. Get ready for the next stage of being.

You're going to be faced with a choice. Take out loans and live on campus, or stay debt-free and live at home. Go for the debt. Your grades and social life are going to suffer by living thirty minutes away. And, while we're on regrets, make the most of your last year in high school, because, believe it or not, next year you're going to miss it. Although, you're going to really enjoy the next part of your life. But I can't tell you why, spoilers! Another important thing: get a job over summer (maybe in retail, it'll help, trust me), and spend a bit, but save most of it. Another bit. It's boring and cliche, but you better listen. College is not like high school. No one holds your hand, and you're not going to get good grades if you don't take initiative. Do your homework, go to office hours, and get to know your professors and fellow students. There's plenty of people willing to help you, and if you don't take advantage of that, you'll end up with a 2.83 GPA (oh dear, spoilers!).

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would not have much to say to myself. This may sound arrogant, but the reason is because I attended the Mathematics and Science Academy (MSA) at the University of Texas at Brownsville. It is a program where high school students take college courses for both high school and college credit. I graduated with an Associate's Degree along with a high school diploma. I had to cross counties to attend MSA. To do this, I had to live away from home for the first time. Though the time constraints were demanding, my youth gave me the strength to carry through and apply for a job at school. I was a mathematics Teacher’s Assistant at the university. I helped professors grade papers and tutored college students. This position helped pay for rent, school supplies, and enabled me to build up savings for college. I am currently studying and pursuing a Bachelors of Sciences in Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin.

Taylor, I know that life is confusing and situations get rough but please focus on school. I know it seems like there are more important things but honestly for yourself and your future there is nothing more important. You need to apply yourself, start looking in to colleges and scholarships. Start studying for your act and your sat. Quit putting other people's needs and wants before your own because in the end those people won't be by yourside 3 years from now. Listen to your mom more, she may nag at you but I promise her intentions are good and her advice is truth. I can tell you that if I had followed the advice that I am giving you now I would probably be almost finished with or finished with a bachelors degree. Instead I am just now starting to work towards my associates while also working full time. The juggle of everything is definitely not easy but I know that more than anything it is worth it. I am worth it and so are you! Don't let anyone tell you anything different! So don't be afraid to dream big and achieve your goals.

Choose your college carefully. Don't just go to a college because it is close to home or because your friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend is going. Attending a college that meets your individual needs and interests can lead to a lifechanging four years, that leaves you well prepared to enter the professional world. Connections and friends that you meet in college will help you throughout the rest of your life. Once you choose a college and start attending, be involved. Get involved in every organization that sparks an interest. Don't just sit in the back and take everything in, be a leader. Run for officers in the organizations your passionate about and make a differance. College is the time for you to make your mark and build your reputation before you enter the vastly competative working population.

It’s ridiculous to say that I hardly remember what it’s like to be a high school senior, but that’s true. Today I’m a sophomore, nearly halfway through my second year in college, at a completely different place in my life. I can hardly remember what being a senior felt like. Being away from home and venturing out on your own has a way of forcing you to grow up, and I can barely reconcile that person I was then with the person I am today. To my senior self, I would suggest perseverance and hope! Making the transition into college is truly difficult, one of the most difficult times of my life. There’s the homesickness, the struggle to make new friends from strangers; not to mention rigorous college courses, and they all hit you at once. However difficult, it was profoundly rewarding! Being away has made me realize how much I love my family, and made me grateful. Being responsible for myself and living on my own has given me confidence. I have found friends here from all over the world! So, hang in there, senior, it will be so worth it in the end.

I would tell myself to budget my money better and apply for even more scholarships. Because I am in dire need of them now and I don't have parents that will help me like my other friends here at UT. I am relying completely on financial aid from the government, scholarships, and loans. The loans, however, are something I would rather stay away from.

Dear high -school Shereen, First of all, the preconceptions you made about college through rumors, television shows, movies, and books were absolutely correct. Students really do party all night and take advantage of the lack of parental supervision. In other words, pick a university with a small student population set in a suburban area for your comfort and convenience; the noise level and "party-zones" should relatively be low. Second of all, in order to make friends you have to put in the effort. You can't just sit in class and expect to be best friends with the kid sitting next to you. You need to join clubs, organizations, sports, (something!) so you can immerse yourself in the student population and interact with all sorts of people. As the old saying goes, "for every 100 people you meet, one friend is made." Last, but not least, leaving home will be a challenge. You need to mentally prepare yourself for the "tear" in your "safety-net" and understand that you will be on your own -whether you're ready or not. I hope my advice can be considered helpful, if not comforting. Sincerely, College-experienced Shereen

There would be a lot I would tell myself. When it comes to academics in college, I would have wanted my highschool self to know how important it is to make a relationship with your professors, as well as the students in your classes. Sometimes in college, I would feel lost in my classes and would not understand the coursework or the assignment. At first I did nothing about it, and my grades would reflect that. However, later in my college career I began to talk with my professors, meet with them during office hours, and emailing them often. I found my professors to be very accomodating and helpful, and often they would give me tips for the class and higher grades on my assignments. Creating relationships with other students in your classes is just as helpful. It is extremely important to have someone you can talk to about the class work. Knowing a few students in your class provides many opportunities, such as study groups, help with assignments, note sharing, and just being able to ask them questions is a huge help. I performed much better in classes where I knew someone or created a relationship with my professors.

I had a childhood dream of attending Kilgore College and becoming a World Famous Rangerette (college dance team that performs all over the world). I went on to become exactly that and had a fabulous experience. I had developed that dream so early on that I never considered where I would attend college after Kilgore until my sophomore year of college, so I had 9 months to decide where my next destination would become. I was jumping all over the place from schools all the way in Indiana to about five different schools in Texas. It took me the entire year plus a month into summer to finally decide on becoming a University of Texas Longhorn! I know that I made the right choice now, but I was up many nights stressing about my next step, so if I could rewind time to go back to high school, I would tell myself to go to UT AUSTIN!

I would tell my seventeen year old self to start applying for scholarship as early as possible and to not slack off during my freshman year because it does matter. I would also tell myself not to let the death of my father hold me back and keep me depressed.

School as you know is your numbre one pirority but take a step back and look at the life around you and listen to yourself and no one else. Do not let those around you make decisions based on their best interest, use your judgement it will serve you best and have trust in yourself. Believe that you can continue to make a difference in your life and that you will be fine through these rough years ahead. Follow through with your degree and grow into the professional you dream of, their is no bigger drive then your own ambition and it will serve you well into the business world.

Don't give up. Don't be scared. Life will change but your more than ready. You are ready for the time of your life. You have been the same all your life .... YOU (and that will make all the difference). Anyone can convince you of what to do, but you are you, theres nothing new. So stay tough, chin up. College is just another window, for you to look out. The scenery might change, but thats what life is about. You are ready. This is it. Smile. Get ready. This will be rough.

I would tell myself to apply, apply, apply for scholarships and then apply some more. I hardly applied for any scholarships during my entire high school career, let alone my senior year, and I ended up having to take a semester off because my dad got laid off the summer after I graduated and I couldn't afford to go. I don't know how much my dad having a job would have helped, though, because there were a lot of things besides my education on their plate and there still are even though my dad recently got a job. Taking a smester off did a lot of damage. I lost out on a good amount of scholarship opportunities, I became ineligible for certain honors programs, and I got behind in my courses, which is especially difficult on me considering that I am now in an honors program and studying pre-med. Had I just applied for scholarships sooner and been able to pay for my college, I wouldn't have missed out on some great opportunities and I wouldn't still be worrying about whether I'll be able to afford to finish college or not.

I would tell myself not to be stressed out. My teachers in high school made college sound much scarier than it is. When I was preparing to move, I bought and packed mu more than I needed and ended up having a hard time fitting everything into my tiny apartment. I was also afraid that it would be difficult to make new friends, but it wasn’t at all. My roommates were great, and I met a lot of people through them. I met some great people in my classes as well. My first year of school was a blast, and I wish I would have known that a year ago.

If you are constantly worried about school and what grade you have, you will never be able to gain the real benefit from life which is happieness. High school is very petty, don't get too caught up in things that don't matter and friends that don't treat you right; JUST BE YOURSELF. Once you get to college, almost everyone is their own person anyways and no one really cares about whos hair looks the best or who has the highest grades. If you just open you mind, and really engage yourself in everything you come by and do not look at it as a matter of getting a "A" or a way to gain attention, you will enjoy your life so much more. Open your mind and your heart to new people, ideas and experiences. This part of your life is literally a once in a lifetime experience so just live it to the fullest, make smart decisions but still have fun and enjoy life!!

The classes in college are a lot more demanding than the classes in high school. For one, you must actually read the text book for all of your classses, something high school classes rarely required. Another thing, in many classes you are presented information from the professors, but it is mainly up to you to figure it all out and be able to understand it. The professors aren't able to come over to your desk in college like the teachers do in high school. As for having classes full of people you've known and loved for years, that all goes out the window. You won't know anyone in your classes and you can feel quite alone at points, so you're just going to have to get used to that. Studying for a test the night before isn't going to cut it anymore like in high school, you have to start studying days in advance in order to score well on your exams, which, by the way, count more than tests in high school do. You're rarely have homework grades to balance out low test scores, you put in the work on your exams.

I would advice myself to step up and take every single options and opportunities given to me. I have focused only on one goal, one path, and one direction. I never cared to look at anything else, so when the day that I found out that I wanted to have a career in actuarial science, I stumbled across many struggles. It is always the best to look around and search for oneself in regardless.

If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to try harder and keep my grades up. I would also encourage myself to practice good study habits. Studying in high school and studying in college are two completely different aspects. In high school, we are given what to study for and are asked to simply "memorize" what we have learned. In college, we are given the information during lectures and we are expected to know what are on the exams and what to study for. I would tell myself to take education more seriously and think more about the future than just slacking off on the senior year of high school. I would definitely tell myself to study hard and try to pass the Advanced Placement exams. Looking back, I wished I would have actually cared about what my results will be. I would also tell myself that college is not easy and it is nothing like high school.

I would tell myself to get involved in many different organizations. Getting to know new people and gaining friendships is a valuable part of a college experience. Friends help you grow personally and become lifelong support systems. Gaining friendships with different kinds of people and among different groups helps you expand your mind and attitude about the world and increases your knowledge and opportunities. Sharing experiences and ideas makes you a more well-rounded person because you become more open to a different way of doing things and in turn can become more creative and forward thinking. Joining groups also helps you transition to a new environment away from the previous family environment you have been accustomed to. Friends can become your local family and help you through rough moments and be there to laugh and enjoy good moments together. Being a part of different organizations will impact the rest of your life.

I would tell myself to not worry so much about the things going on around me and really enjoy my last year of high school. Also make a few more lasting friends and don't worry so much about your grade here or in college so far you have made all A's. Good luck on life and remember not a lot changes at once so take one step at a time and enjoy the ride.

If I could go back I would tell myself to leave my shyness at home. Not to be afraid to talk to the advisors or someone when I need help. To keep in mind that this journey is not going to be easy but the outcome will be worth it. There are going to be times when I might feel lonely and even feel like I can't go on but to always keep in mind that I'm doing this for mom and dad. I want to be able to offer my parents a better life style, helping them pay off their debts because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.

If I could step back those twenty years to my days as a high school senior, just imagine all the advice I could give myself. I could give myself an array of helpful information that would benefit my future. First and foremost, I would tell myself not to wait twenty years to attend college. Although I feel that I’m a better student now than I would have been twenty years ago, college life would have been so much simpler back then. I wouldn’t have had the distraction of a family and a career twenty years ago to rob time from my studies. Of course, I’m sure I would have found some reason to waste time then instead of studying. However, that would lead me to my second piece of advice, which would’ve been to focus on school and not the distractions of the world. I would tell myself to devote as much time to studies as humanly possible in preparation for the future. And last but not least, without a doubt, I would make sure that I was heavily invested in companies like Microsoft, and Apple, which were merely a blip on the radar in 1992.

Given the chance to go back in time, I would tell myself not to judge a person by the first impression. Sometimes, people can come off a certain way, but I would say to always give them the benefit of the doubt, because you never know if that person could later become your best friend! In my personal experience, I joined an on-campus spirit group the year I transferred to UT-Austin. One girl that joined with me was so forward and blunt, I almost became completely turned off by her personality. Thankfully, I didn't completely judge her and toss her out the window, because the more we worked and spent time together, the more and more I began to see a different, calmer, smarter, and nicer side to her. Today, she is one of the closest friends I have at school. I guess the saying holds true- "don't judge a book by its cover!"

I would say the transition is harder than you think. However, it can be a very fun and significant part in your life. College is very different from high school. It comes with a lot more responsibility, but it also comes with more freedom. The best thing you can do to make your college experience a good one is to be prepared for any situation. It is always good to be open-minded to new things, become involved in campus activities, and make new friends. Class lectures are very fun and interesting. The harder you work, the more it will pay off for you. College is the most exciting time of your life!

If I were given the opportunity to go back to being a high school senior, I would have advised myself to take more college, and dual-credit courses. I had already completed all of my english requirements coming into UT, however my high did not offer many dual-credit courses. I had only wished I could have driven down to my local community college, so that I could have completed more of my basic requirements that I am now having to fulfill now during my freshman year. The cost for courses taken at a community college falls far below the prices I now have to pay at a large 4-year university. This upcoming summer, I will most likely complete my last couple of courses back at home at a community college, so that I could return to my university in the fall focusing on the courses required for my desired major.

You are not expected to know what you want in the future now. College is your playground to explore new passions and interests. A smile is one of your greatest tools. Your smile will let you get your points across to those who you want to listen. Never underestimate yourself or the people around you. Competition thrives there and you need to bring your game. However, do not fear a loss in something means a gain in another. There is always someone you can turn to for help. Remember that you're family will miss you and you will miss them, so give them a call. They are the people who are always on your side. Do not be afraid to take risks and make mistakes because you do not know what wonderful things will become of them. Live in the moment and accept that you may have regrets. Acceptance is the key to change.

Have you ever thought about going back in time and giving yourself words of wisdom - things that you know now but didn't know then? I have. If I could talk to myself, as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax. Making the transition from high school to college can be stressful. There's so many things that need to be done such as filing applications, getting teacher recommendations, and researching which colleges to apply to. The list seems to go on and on. Then, there's the anxious thought lingering in the back of your mind - you're leaving home for the first time ever and it may be the last time you'll ever live with your parents again. What will happen between you and your closest high school friends as you leave for different colleges? A recurring theme I've seen in my life is that we all face obstacles. Sometimes we can bypass them, and sometimes we can't do anything at all. But life will go on, and we will stand up stronger. We will find the courage within ourselves to fight another day, so remember to relax and enjoy the ride.