The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

Going to UT has helped me to gain the tools I need in order to become a competitive member of the future job market. IIt has provided me with numerous internship opportunities, specialized classes, and faculty members willing to help you achieve your goals. I have gotten a chance to discover and be myself in a way that I think is difficult to do without going to college. I have had a chance to delve deeper into my likes and dislikes, I have gotten to experience new things, and I have gotten to take these likes and find a future job.

If I could go back to my own self, I would tell myself to really push it to apply for more scholarships and grants because living on big campus gets expensive and its tough when I want to go shopping or eat out with my friends when I'm pinching pennies in my wallet. Another thing I would tell myself is to really check out the clubs and different organizations on campus because I'm having a hard time finding a group of people to fit into and I've learned through experience that the longest friendships lasts when you're on a sports team or in a volunteer group. Finally I would tell myself not to be afraid to get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there , because holding myself back can keep me away from all the good things I'm missing out on.

Despite my satisfaction with the University of Texas, I couldn't get in for free, like most of the students here. If I had realized the impact of college credit and AP exams, and how much less time I would have to spend here to retake certain classes, I would have done so without hesitation (and procrastination). And even though college is already paid for through financial aid, I wish I had also taken scholarships more seriously, especially considering how available they are and how much less I would have to pay out-of-pocket.

I would tell myself to apply for every scholarship possible and to also understand that college is nothing like high school in terms of studying. When it comes to money, I only have a little. I receive financial aid, but I still struggle for items such as groceries and gas. I have only received one scholarship my entire college career. I blame myself. My parents never went to college so naturally they did not know how to properly search for applications. The advisor at my high school did not help much either, so I was basically on my own to find scholarships. If I could I would tell myself to keep searching for applications and fill out as many as possible. Sooner or later I would get at least one. When I was in high school I could get away with minimal studying and do well. In college I have to study for hours. If I could go back I would tell myself to be aware of this on the first day school. I would notify myself to not get behind on work because it is quite difficult to catch up.

Hey,listen and listen good. What you are about to get into, what you chose to do,it is not high school. I'm not saying it's the hardest thing ever,but it is new, different, challenging, but if you believe in yourself,you will do great. It is a different world, which means things change. You are not a child, you are an adult and this means you must be responsible for your own actions, time, money and mess. It will be hard at first, but the more you work at it, and are able to learn from the mistakes that you will wake, you will be very proud of yourself and so will your family. Something else about your family,being away from them doesn't you can't talk to them everyday. They are proud and support you and love you, so don'tbe embarrassed to call on a down day. Same thing applies with friends, even though you are bound to makemore. Don't be afraid to get involved, or ask for help if you need it. Remember you chose this, you can do this, and you will be thankful. Good luck and Hook'em !

I would have to go way back in time, because I graduated in 91' and I would tell myself an abundance of things. I know now how important it is to find the school you are looking for. It is something that you do not take lightly and you do need to have a knowledge of what you want to know in life. Sure there are a lot of challenges on what we want to do and become, but a final decision is the best. So I would tell myself to follow the dreams that I inspire and never let them go. It is a challenge, but it does make up for it in the end. I would also make sure I know that you need to go out there and make a lot of friends and refrences along the way. They are indeed very important out there.

To really be myself and know who I am. Coming to college, you can pick your group of friends, what activities you want to become involved in, and what you want to do with your time. KNow who you are and don't change for other people. YOu will find a group who accepts you for who you are.

Life is unpredictable, don't try to control everything. Don't worry, but rather understand that anything can be accomplished with hard work and organization. Follow your heart, be kind to people, and smile.

I'd tell myself, "Study for the AP tests, even if it is the last 3 weeks of my senior year. Those 3 weeks could save you hours of time in college repeating classes you could already have credit for. Don't worry about the little details. Not having a limo for the prom does not ruin you life.' Whether you have a limo or not, you're going to have a good time. You couldn't have been blessed with a better life, so remember that your family is your strongest support group and they will always be there when you need them. The transition to college is a hard one, and you'll need to rely on your family for support. You're one of those kids who can study for 30 minutes and make a good grade on the test. In college, it's not like that. Be sure than when you do get to college, don't underestimate the test, overestimate it. That way, you're thoroughly prepared. Lastly, When something doesn't go your way, stay positive. Remember, you have the ability to achieve anything as long as you work hard for it."

I would tell myself that life is too short to let it pass you by. The only way to have an amazing college experience is to be organized. Study early and often so that way when the weekend comes you will have some free time to have fun.

Hello you. Don't worry about school too much anymore. I mean, you still have to care, but chill out a little bit. Go and make plans with your friends. Try to keep yourself busy with that instead of sitting at home in front of the computer. After senior year, your friends are going to separate from you. We are all going to go our different paths, different collages. When you get to college, you are not going to have that pillar of support anymore. You are going to have to build that back up with new friends. You might feel lonely sometimes without your close friends at home or elsewhere not being able to experience the same environment. They are going to get distracted; you are going to get distracted. Next thing you know, you are talking only when you come home from breaks. So for now, hang out more. Don't fret too much about the gas bill. If it's too much either way, go outside and walk around. You can practice before you get to college. Just be with your friends and fortify your bonds before you have to part with them. Good luck! ~Diana

I would have taken the opportunity to visit more schools and be more open minded about larger schools without assuming they are all party schools. I would have studied harder for the SAT and taken more honors courses. I also would have put more research into what I needed for school until waiting until the last minute most especially trying to find books on line to save money.

As a current second semester freshman at the University of Texas, there are countless things I wish I would have known before begining the year. However, I would not have urged myself to work harder or edit my work more closely, no. Rather, I deeply regret making potentially life altering decisions so blindly. No one can tell you what your college experience is going to be like before you get there and start living it for yourself. I love where I go to school, but being an out-of-state student has confronted me with many more challenges than I could have ever anticipated. So, the advice I would tell myself is as follows: Don't be afraid to feel confused. You might go into school thinking you know what you will be doing for the rest of your life - you don't. Don't ever pretend to be something you're not. Only follow your own interests. And lastly, and perhaps, most importantly, attempt to prepare yourself financially. Start early. If you think you'll be set - you won't. Money makes the world go round.

As a college student, I am constantly reminding myself to let go of the trivial things and focus on what is truly important: my education. My problem in high school was planning and focusing, but I was never willing to change that. Procrastination had always been at the top of my list but as a "top ten" student, I hadn't thought much of it. If I could talk to Carol as a high school senior, I would explain the need to do assignments on time. By doing so, more thought and craft could have been introduced. Not to mention, stress levels would be at an all-time-low. I would tell myself that stress isn't worth it when things come so easily as long as dedication and time are applied. I would erase the mentality of "I'll get to it tomorrow" and replace it with the idea of school as a primary necessity. I would remind myself that there will always be a tomorrow, not in the sense of procrastination but that the world keeps moving no matter what. Life is too short to never reach your full potential, don't let it pass by unexpectedly.

Advanced Placement courses and honors courses are not even close to upper-division department courses. Once you're past the basics, you need to step up. "Studying" is not reading over your notes twice the night before a test, it isn't knowing the material ahead of time and getting lucky or being a prodigy. Studying takes more time than any other assignments you may have because when you only meet with your class every other day, you're bound to forget things, and when you only have two tests in a semester, you're definitely going to forget what was important at the beginning of the school year. College professors don't expect you to think, they expect you to reason, to take what they tell you and turn it every which way until you understand every part of it, and then they expect you to tell them why it's wrong and what you would change to make it right.

I would tell my high school self that dedication to your studies and being responsible with time is a major component in succeeding in college. In college life, it's all about being responsible. There are so much temptations and distractions in college that I'd tell myself that it's great to have fun and to enjoy yourself, but education must always be the first priority. You'll going to college to improve your education and earn a degree in order to better succeed in the future. A's and a 4.0 GPA don't happen if you don't strive for them - just trying to pass the class won't do anything for you if you want to attend medical school.

I would tell myself that the next four years would be some of the hardests years I had ever experienced in my life but the reward would be so much sweeter than I had imagined. But I would remind myself that in order to succeed I would have to sometimes make sacrifices with my time. Instead of making the mistake of choosing tons of social time I should instead choose to study and persue more academic persuits more often. (I would tell myself that so that I wouldn't waste anytime having to learn that truth the hard way.) I would remind myself to stay open to new ideas because the moments I am experiencing now will shape the way I view people and the world around me for the rest of my life.

Hey there Gabby, you have really grown down considering I've grown up a lot (haha). I know your mind set right now is to please Dad a lot and he is constantly on your back and making you harass other people for information about the ROTC scholarship and UT (haha I know it's annoying). I know from experience you are not going to like ROTC and you are going to quit. It's not for you and you will find out to late that trying to make decisions for yourself and your own happiness won't mean a thing to him anyways. You'll be told it's the worst decision of your life and you'll be drowning in loans before you know it becoming depressed and full of anxiety. Go to OU, be HAPPY, stay focused and never let anyone bring you down, even if they love you, even if they are older, even if it seems like your whole world is crashing down, just remember this is your life, live it to the fullest because despite the pressures that drown you, being happy and focused will guide you to the surface.

As many times as I was told that "college years are the best years of your life," I was still nowhere near prepared for what was to come. Each college student has a college experience that is unique to them based on their upbringings. If I was to give myself advice as a highschool senior, the only thing I could possible say is "expect the unexpected" because it has definitely been a wild ride. The academic aspect of college is definitely a shock because we are forced to manage our own time with no parents urging us to get homework done and get a good night's rest. Although a college education is crucial, I think it is the social aspect that has affected me the most in the few months that I have been on my own. Putting myself in an environment where I knew nobody and was forced to step out of my comfort zone was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made becaus I know that it will lead to many new discoveries and adventures in personal and busines life in the future.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would challenge myself to wait on a university and attend community college for at least a year. Not only would it have saved money and allowed me to acclimate to college level coursework, but most importantly it would have given me time to mature. I strongly believe that 17 and 18-year olds straight out of high school are not mentally prepared for the rigors of university life. Many young students become distracted and lost in the excitement of new experiences. As a result, they don't get the full benefit of what a university has to offer. Additionally, taking time after high school would have let me better figure out what to do with my life. I've seen too many peers drop out, lose hours from switching majors, or graduate confused about the future. To my 17-year old self: Be patient. Focus. College is not High School, Part II. It's a precious time to prepare yourself for the rest of your life.

The most important lesson you'll learn: Don't be afraid of the unknown or changing your mind. College isn't about knowing exactly what you'll do when you graduate, it's about knowing who you are. People in college are the most happy when they make decisions for themselves. Don't worry about what your parents, teachers or even friends expect. Figure out what your passions are and then pursue them! This may mean doing things you never thought you'd do, and that's ok because these 4 years are an adventure. You may have to change programs and majors-- that's ok too. The average grad changes at least 3 times. You may still have no idea what you'll do after its all over, but you will have discovered your strengths and weaknesses. You'll know exactly what makes life satisfying. That's more than most adults can say. If you know you, then you can do anything. That's what you'll learn in college. Then when you get out, it'll be time to show everyone what you're made of.

I would convince myself that no matter how bad high school seems and no matter how much it seems like the thought of any more schooling would be hell, nothing is worse than wasting twenty years of your life only to end up going back to school anyway. You must go to school within 5 years after high school because going 20 years later is a lot harder and there is nothing you gain in those 20 years that you would not already possess if you had just gone to college right out of high school.

my best advice would be to spend as much time as possible with your family and friends, because its only when you've left them and are alone at a university that you really realize how important they truely are to you. i would tell myself to not only spend time with them physically, but emotionally and to really cherish the fleeting amount of time you have left with them. once you've gone off to college, you'll really wish you had, because it isn't only hard for you, its hard for all those who care about you as well. it would hep them so much if you spent more time with them before you left and let them really know how dear they are to you and how much you will miss them.

Concerning the application and selection process, I would first tell myself to calm down. The required essays were not truly so agonizing, and it was actually fun to have the change to visit some of the top universities of the country, even if they didn't accept me. I'd say not to be so distraught about not getting accepted to a certain college--if they don't want me, they don't deserve me. And, maybe I'd convince myself not to apply to so many of those "far reach" schools. Also, I should take joy and pleasure in the fact that I did get into many of the schools to which I applied. For the transition and college life, I'd tell myself to first appreciate everything that resides at home. Be it much relaxation, a free laundry and food service in the form of parents, or just being in a comfort zone, home offers a lot to be desired. Most importantly, appreciate family. Friends go off, change, and sometimes forget about the past. However, family is what remains when other people do not. Take advantage of times to go to the grocery with Mom or Dad.

With the experience that I've gained this semester, I would tell myself to come in with a tremendous ambition of getting things done. Attitude is everything. I would advise myself to go the extra mile in my studying, to go to all my office hours, as well as getting to know my professor more better. The more your teacher knows you, the better off you may be in the end of the semester. Along with that I would advise myself to not slack off at all, keep caught up with my readings and dedicate every free minute that I have to studying. To start doing my homework once it was assigned, so I can go to my teacher's office hours or go to a tutor to get help on any question I may need help on, for it will more than likely come out on the test. Another thing I would advise myself to do is to get to know my teacher better. To never procrastinate, because nine times out of ten it doesn't work. I would also advise myself to take alot of pictures of my family to help aid with homesickness.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to take advantages of all the AP exams I missed when I was in high school. I would also tell myself that even though the transition can be emotional since it will be the first time I'll be away from my parents everything will be okay since I will be able to seem them every other weekend. Some other advice I would give myself is college is a great place to make new friends and there is no high school drama. Another thing I would tell myself is do not forget my toothbrush and toothpaste I would have to start my day off fresh. College is a new start for everyone who goes, and a great way to expand horizons and figure out what to do in the future.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to study harder and not to be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming and you may not know what to do, but there are many people here who want to help you succeed. Do not be afraid to talk to your professors if you have any questions. Be sure that you know where to get help and make sure you are aware of all the sorces that are available to you. Never skip class because you will not pass that way. This is what I would tell myself and I hope that I will listen to me.

Sydney, Get ready for a wild ride! It is time for college and you are about to open one of the best chapters in the book that is your life. It is ok to be nervous because this is the biggest change you have had to deal with thus far. No matter how worried you are, know that you are going to be just fine. Always stay grounded and remember who you are. Do not change to what you think society wants you to be. You have the personality to succeed anywhere and you should be excited to be at one of the top schools in the nation that is opening doors daily for you. Go through as many of those doors as you can because the years will fly by. One semester came and went in the blink of an eye. As you make the transition to college, stay close to the friends that changed your life in high school and do not be afraid to make new ones. Keep your mind open, you never know what might be there to discover. Best wishes, Sydney

If I were able to have a conversation with my high school senior self, I would stress the importance of studying and wisely managing my time. College is much more difficult than high school. There is an amazing increase in the amount of required readings, homework, and projects. Knowing what I know, I would have studied harder and practiced time management in high school in order to make the transition into college much easier. I also would have stressed the importance of applying for financial aid. Being a film major is costly. Students are responsible for buying their own film, software, and presentation mediums (portfolio's, DVDs, etc). Students are also responsible for renting out filming locations and paying crew members when necessary. Although FASFA and other initial financial aid may cover the cost of tuition and housing, these supplies may not be covered. Scholarships would have been very helpful in the production courses.

I can honestly say that as a high school senior my head was not on straight. I was occupied into my dancing and my boyfriend at the time and not so much into finding scholarships. To me everything seemed to come so easy and studying was not needed to pass exams. Once I came to college all of these things changed. These are the words I wish someone had told me, ?You think this is tough? Just wait until you walk into your first college class and you are late so your professor makes a comment about being late knowing that it was geared towards you. High school work is nothing compared to the college work. You actually need to study and not just the night before because there are some tests that require two weeks of studying prior to your exam in order to at least get a ?C?. Do not worry about boys because only you can make yourself successful not him. Look for scholarships they are not hard to find. I overlooked so many great opportunities and now I am struggling to find money to even return to college next year. Do not take anything for granted.?

Engineering is harder than you think

If I were to go back in time and have a conversation with myself, I would realize I was very naive and not ready for the real world. I can honestly say, I learned everything the hard way. I am a first generation college student, at a very prestigious university, and I wish I would have had a great mentor and someone to help push me in the right direction. My parents are divorced, and my mother is a single mother working three jobs just to make ends meet. She definitely never had time to help me with my homework. As for my father, he is a paralyzed brain cancer patient who is disabled and cannot help me financially or with my homework. Both of my parents, only received high school diplomas. I would go back and tell myself to utilize all my resources and go to counselor more and seek all the help I can get for studying strategies. I hit a wall with study habits, and didn't know how to study, but with my drive and determination I can accomplish anything or any challenge life throws at me.

"Me, I know you're tweaking a little about the whole college thing, but relax. You are going to get into an amazing school, you're going to have an amazing roommate, and you are going to love every single thing about your campus. Even the food. Just remember, keep an open mind to new experiences, because if I told you right now that you would be a coxswain for the NCAA rowing team, you would not believe me. You don't even know what a coxswain is right now! But you're going to be one, you're going to have the greatest teammates on campus, and you're going to love it. Crazy, right? "Also, don't you dare procrastinate. Just don't do it. It is good for niether your health nor your grades. Speaking of health, the dreaded Freshman Fifteen? Don't even worry about it. You will eat better at school than you do at home, no joke. I know you're nervous about moving to an entirely different state, but don't worry. You're going to thrive off of the diversity, the life, the energy, and the knowledge. You'll love it!!"

Ignorance is not bliss if the outcome is struggle and I have three things to tell you that will prepare you for college. One, take the practice SAT seriously. You can get scholarships such as the Merit Award based on your score. This will help deduct some of your loan debt and even if you didn?t have to take out a loan, girl, who would pass up free money? Two, research professions and decide what kind of career you want to have. You can either look online, intern, or just ask people in different fields about their careers and how they got there. This will help you to better decide what career, college, and classes are best for you. And lastly, I would like to tell you to get out and socialize. You love high school so much now because you have several friends that you have known since elementary school. Well, in college, your days can be just as happy and fulfilled only you have to open up, put yourself out there, and get to know people. Trust me; soon enough, they will be your best friends for life or at least an interesting memory.

If i could go back as a high school senior I would tell myself that the next four years of your life will determine alot about your future and only you can make it what you want it to be. The next four years will help you grow up and learn to do things on your own and be more independent. I would warn myself though, that college is not just a time to go out because you don't have your parents around to tell you what to do. I need to find a good balance of fun and work. Work hard, play hard!

Given the chance to tell my high school senior self what I know now, I would enlighten her about the many myths talked about and the many simple pleasures one finds in college. First of all, I would inform my senior self that looks and a thin body are not all that important. Your fellow peers are intelligent, and care more about what you think than how you look. Self-discipline is a very important skill! Knowing when to stop, a trait that can be used for social AND studious situations, is extremely important and will help you succeed and make you happy at the same time! Also, that you will discover new ideas and interests that you would never have imagined you would enjoy! You will find independence. Finally, you will discover who you are, so don't be afraid of it when you make the discovery!

Study, Study. Study. Stay focus. People are going to convince you to do some many things to get you unfocused because of all the fun the social life has to offer, always remember school first play later. There are going to be a lot of new boys, it?s ok to socialize, just do not get caught up, MAJOR DISTRACTION. In college you are on your own and have a lot of freedom, Stay responsible and ask for help when needed. Don?t be afraid to step out of the box. The University is very challenging and might seem tough at times, don?t give up, remember the reason you are there, that is because everybody thought you wouldn?t make it. Believe it or not going to college is very expensive, not only because of tuition and books, but because of the extra activity that might go on around campus, if you work, please manage your time. ALWAYS apply for scholarships, what?s the worst that can happen. And ALWAYS PRAY.

To still go to UT. I have no regrets about my decision to attend this university. However, I would tell myself to put a little more effort into studying my freshman year. I would also tell myself to look into Kinesiology so that I changed my major earlier.

If I could give myself advice, I would tell myself to start becoming more responsible and independent. High school is easier than college will ever be. One thing is true, in high school teachers were on you about turning in work or reminding you about your grades. Now in college there is no one there. No one really cares except yourself. I would tell myself to start preparing to be independent and responsible without anyone reminding me. This would have saved me the trouble of procrastination and always putting things off because teachers were going to tell me how and when to do it. Now a kick to my behind I have learned to take responsibility for everything that pertains to myself. If I could have given myself this advice in high school, my life would have been a lot less stressful my first year in college.

Think about college as the key to your future. College is only a small portion of your life that determines the rest of your life, so it is important not to throw it away partying. Instead, it is important to successfully learn about the tools that will guide you through your career. Furthermore, education and social life should create a healthy balance.

Work hard. Keep on top of projects and start days in advance. Don't try to cram in one night. You'll be too tired to even remember what you studied. Participate in something. Sports, games, groups, whatever, just be a part of your school. Don't pick a school just because that is what you and your friends think you all want to do. Pick it because it is a good fit for you and you will be happy. Your friends will be there, even if they are at another school. Do this for you.

You're doing a good job. You'll find out that you like college a lot more because no one is telling you what you have to do when you already know that. As long as you do all your work, be responsible, and have a balance in your life you'll be fine. Please take more AP classes and get more credits out of the way so you can take more classes that actually count towards your major. With so many goals, you really just want to focus and do the best at what you're passionate about, no matter what people say. As long as you have a sense of direction and you try your hardest, everything will be great.

I would tell myself to be ready to experience many new cultures and people. I would tell myself that college allows you to submerge yourself in so much diversity, more than high school can allow. I have lived in the same area (Lake Highlands) my entire life. I have not to school in the same district, have had the same friends since grade school, and I have always known my neighbors and those who live around me. Where I live and where I went to school, there isnt too much diversity all around you. Nearly everyone wore the same things, hung out at the same places, did the same thing every weekend and acted the same, and fell into their own "clicks" and groups of friends. I assumed that this trend would just carry on into college, but that was not the case at all. All of my friends in college come from completely different walks of life. Some have parents who are doctors, others have parents who didnt attend college, and some whose parents are in the military, which is completely different than high school. I wish I could go back and tell myself to be prepared!

I would advise myself not to stress out so much and be so worried about how other people got in. Simply relax and find YOUR OWN way to get accepted into college. Don't give a damn about the opinions of others, or be pressured in to believing it's their way or no way. There are always different ways to solve the puzzle, don't get discouraged and just follow the path that is most comfortable to you.

Listen when your teachers say "Preparation is the key to success". If you procrastinate it will only make things harder on you in the long run. Be prepared to face your challenges head on and make yourself a name wherever you go.

The first thing that I would tell myself would be to not take the jump from high school to college lightly. Being in high school, have the one on one attention in classes, the atmosphere, the people, and the time management are all different when you are in college. The workload in highschool may seem easy to some, and they may be able to pass by giving only half effort in certain things. College is different. You do not have the luxury of being able to study material for 20 minutes and then go and takie a test on it and expect to do well. You MUST put in the time. In highschool you have your parents reminding you daily to get your works done, but in college you have to be self motivated. You have to want to do well and succeed. There are so many distractions in college to keep you from your goal. Never lose sight of the dreams and goals that you have for yourself. College is not by any stretch easy, but if you have the ability to remain focused and keep your priorities in check you will in time be able to succeed.

As you approach the end of your senior year, make sure that you have everything taken care as far as your books purchased, classes secured, and have a positive attitude when you arrive at your new home. If you want to make the most out of your college experience make sure that you make new friends and ask for help if you need it. It's okay to feel like your lonely sometimes. It is all part of the college experience. Also, the way that you used to study in high school and the way you used to do work will not work out as well in college. You will soon find that you will have alot of free time, which you need to use wisely in order to stay on top of things in school, but not have to sacrifice your social life either. College is a whole new experience and you will make mistakes and that's okay because it is all part of the learning process. You might find it difficult at times, but just remember there are others like you going through the same situations. It's important to stay positive and never give up.

I would tell myself that applying to more than five colleges is not the best thing to do, because it wastes money, time, and the quality of an admission application. Instead, the college process would be easier and more efficient with a more narrow range of colleges. This method allows the student to place more effort and focus on fewer essays; thus, the chances of being accepted to the desired school increases. I would also advice myself to apply to more scholarships, because the cost of school can become overwhelming. The costs of books, food, clothing, and transportion are usually forgotten when considering how expensive college life will be. I would also recommend living on campus in order to establish a solid circle of friends. In addition, involvement in volunteer opportunities and clubs is essential for future medical and graduate students.

I would ask myself to be more open to opporunities and be more easy easy going. I would tell myself no to stress out, figure out a way to manage my time better, do not drown yourself in work, do not procrastinate, get more in touch with my professors, and try to get research jobs earlier. My main thing I would say is just have fun.

My advice for myself would have been first off get involved in student groups. They can be a big help and you can meet a lot of interesting people. Another big thing is to not slack off and study for every test. Don't waste your time partying, you can hang out with friends and have fun but balance the time wisely. If you don't balance it then you are stuck studying til 4 in the morning and making a C on a test. Focus in your classes and set deadlines for yourself so you aren't doing projects and research papers the night before they are due. You can scrape by if you do this but it is not beneficial for your academic career. Make friends in your classes and always attend study groups for major exams and finals. It is important to always stay focus and to get your degree. You can always have fun, good fun that is. Hang out with friends to relieve stress and relax. It's a big help to have people that are there to take your mind off things. I would tell myself, finally, that college is a blast. Enjoy it!