The University of Texas at Dallas Top Questions

I would tell myself that I had everything in my life to look forward to. In high school I was absolutely miserable, I had few friends and thought school was pointless. College aspects for me seemed just as bleak. I thought that if I didn't get into a wonderful school in some ideal location that I would never be happy, but I've found that my happiness is not location based. I would definitely tell myself that college students are different than high school students, they're more open-minded, more mature, and easier to talk to. Most everybody starting out in college is in the same boat, with the same worries and anxieties, so don't stress it and have fun.

The major advice that I would give myself is to research everything that is expected of me so that I would be able to graduate. I naively believed that this college would look out for me. But how could they? They have thousands of other students to attend to. You have to be an informed student. Don?t leave a question answered. You have to know the expectations so that you can earn your degree in the correct time frame. In my opinion, planning ahead is a critical college skill. You have to have a clear path in mind so that you don?t stumble around in the dark trying to catch up when things go wrong. When you?re academics are in order, you can plan around it with extracurricular activities. Don?t over-schedule yourself?that?s why you have to think ahead! Taking part in too many classes and activities will only overwhelm you and the stress that you get from each will only snowball and ultimately affect your overall performance. You have to know your strengths and set limits for yourself. College can be scary, but not if you come prepared.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advice myself to focus more on my social life. I did not have trouble with school work and grades when I was in high school, but I did have a difficult time being sociable. I would advice myself to join as many clubs as possible, such as History club, Spanish club, Math club to make positive and smart friends. It is important to make excellent grades while going to high school or any kind of educational institution, but it is also important for one to easily approach others to have a conversation. During my two years in community college I learned that high school would have been the most fantastic four years of life if I was more sociable.

If I could go back and talk to my highschool senior self I would tell him, school only gets better when you enter college and its nothing to worry about, except for the cost of it. I would of liked to of applyed for more scholorships so that maybe I could of gone to an out of state college or attended SCAD one of the more well known art schools, but do to cost and living cost I wasn't able to attend. Another thing i would of told my old self would have been to join more social groups in college, because once highschools over most of my friends moved away to other college. Where then i was forced to make new friends and lost touch with all the old ones, so my suggestion might of been to stay in touch with my old highschool friends aswell.College seems to be a place for a new start, yet maybe we should keep intouch with a little of our pasts.

Try everything. Don't be afraid. Even if you think you might not like something or may not be good at it, try it. You might surprise yourself. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your life where you can do anything you want. Be more adventurous. Take an art class. Go to the library more. Play frisbee golf. Don't skip class. Appreciate your teachers.

Prepare yourself, my dear. There's a way ahead of you. It won't be easy, like you expect. You will have to work harder and longer than ever before. You may not make all A's like you're used to, but every grade will be well earned. Study and do your best, child. Once you pass through the doors of your university, you are no longer a normal girl. You are a grown university student, willing to learn, work hard, grow, and expand on all aspects of life. Choose your associations wisely. Not all those you see are friendly. Be yourself. Stay calm and relax every once in a while. University is not all school work; it is also about building life long relationships. Be sure to be courteous to your peers and professors. Give respect but don't always expect some in return. Keep your head held up and be proud of who you are. Know yourself and know your roots. Know who you aspire to be and what you aspire to do. Keep your goals in mind and focus well on them. Prepare yourself, my dear. You have quite a road ahead.

In my senior year of high school I had undertaken tons of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Despite doing so, however, "senioritis", a dangerous disease whose symptoms involve extreme laziness and a carefree nature regarding grades, had taken the better of me. By the end of the year all of my grades were in the low 70's and I did not pass even one AP exam I had taken. Due to my low grades I was unable to recieve adequate financial aid, because of which I have to commute to the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) every day. Needless to say, if I could rewind back into senior year I would advise myself to keep my grades as my top priority. Throughout my high school career I never seemed to understand the value my grades could have and the impact they could have towards my future until I reached college and regretted it.

I would have done nothing different. Joining the US Air Force out of HS was a great decision. It help me mature and become a better man and college student.

The best advice I could give you is to try to take this time to be independent and responsible, wherever you decide to go. Know there are consequences for everything you do, and try to not be too foolish. Grades are important, especially if you are striving for more than a bachelor's degree, but that shouldn't be hard if you have a good work ethic and focus on something you enjoy. Don't decide to do something just for the money, but actually have passion for the subject you are focusing on. If you don't know what you are planning to do with your life, it's okay. Just have an open mind and take those classes you think you may find interesting. It could turn out that your school actually has a good program for that subject. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to talk to a professor, because most of the time, they are excited about you visiting them. Also, find some friends that are willing to study late nights. This will come in handy when you have a big exam coming up and you need some company when pulling an all-nighter.

As a high schooler I was not exactly "academically focused". I wasn't getting into trouble or anything, but I just didn't care too much about doing well...even though I still DID do well. However, if I could turn back the clock to those weart, wayward days, I would tell myself to buckle down and LEARN HOW TO STUDY. We were never really taught that in school, how to study effectively that is, and it really would have helped us out to be honest. But, I learned it the hard way and once I did, my grades improved. I would have also told myself to not give up hope for that perfect man, but that's another story. The bottome line is, college is tough but can be very rewarding if you apply yourself in the right places, and I'm glad I finally rose to the challenge.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would start off by saying, "make sure you take the time and apply for scholarships, grants, and any other finances that are available to college students." I have found that my main concern when it comes to college has been finances. I began college in 2003 and decided that I wanted to pursue a degree in Business Administration and work in the Medical Field. I found that I sturggled trememdously with the eligibility of alot of scholarships and financial aid. I pay for my own college, but my beginning years of school I was always told that , "my parents make too much money for me to recieve financial aid." This held me back alot. If I had the opportunity to get financial aid or other scholarships I feel like I would of been able to go through a 4 year University within 4 years and already be in my career helping others. If I could go back in time, I feel like not only would this information of saved me time, but it also would of saved me money!

College is a great time to really discover yourself and your future career aspirations. There are so many tools available and so many different ways to get to where you want to go so really take a step back and think through your options and don't get overwhelmed. Also, as fun as it can be remember to start your first year really well because whatever damages you make to your GPA the first semester especially, will take you years to undo and even then it won't let you reach as high of a GPA as you first wanted. The transition is also a little overwhelming with so many different people and opportunities available on campus and off so take in the experience but make wise decisions to make the most of your time there. Sometimes things won't go your way or how you planned but that's ok. It really is a wonderful and life changing time so grab the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride! But make sure you also have a safety mat next to you to break the falls and then get back up and try again!

It costs more than you think and it's fun but also alot of hard work. The cost for little things adds up and be sure to plan and stick to a budget.

i would advice my self to be carefull of a lots of things performed in college. College is a place i saw a new life and that new life was decsive for my future life since i am feeling independt now. When i feel like independet i start thinking about my future and i feel like being very strong striving to be famous in doing good things for the whole people of the world so i would advice my self not to forget my goals and future plans going back to highschool senior level. Wow it brings a difference i as a highschool senior student should bring somechange in this world so that life can be a little bit easy to those in problem .if i were a highschool senior student by this time i would really advice my self those things i mentioned above.

If were given the chance to go back to be able to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say to apply for scholarships and grants. When you graduate from college you will $50,000 in debt, so help from grants and scholarship aid will help relieve some of the stress when paying back your loans or federal aid and even your parents who have helped along the way. I would have also told myself to talk to an advisor at the intended university that I would transfer to, to make sure that the classes I would be taking at the community college would transfer. I wasted a lot of money and time on classes that didn't transfer, so the tuition and the books I paid for were useless.

I think out of all the practical advice I could give, I would ask myself why I wanted to go to college in the first place. I had a fuzzy idea of course, but college is a long and challenging trek, and not having a solid goal to work towards gives you a very rocky foundation. It's better to start out knowing what you want than wandering around lost in your own head for a year. I think it's important for any upcoming college student to keep the end in mind, and to be honest with themselves as to why they are going to college. I could talk all about having a good work ethic, or staying focused, or not cramming and all that. But if one has a lofty goal in the first place, then they would be willing to give their all to achieve their dream anyway. They say college is the place to discover yourself, and it's true. But the future won't wait for you to finish that journey. The best thing to do is to have that light at the end of the tunnel that will sustain you during the college marathon.

Going back to talk to myself as a high school senior, there are a couple of important things I would like to let myself know. First I would tell myself to not lose my focus and desire to work hard. Often times, I feel overwhelmed with the idea that what I do in college is meant to determine the rest of my life and instead of working harder, as I used to, I just mentally shut down. Second, I would like to tell myself to enjoy my faith that my life will work out and try not to lose it. Frequently, things do not go according to plan, and I begin to panic and think that nothing I want is going to work out. In high school, I always had a faith that things would happen for the best, and it would be nice to enjoy that feeling again.

I would tell myself to make friends in the first semester, especially in classes related to my major.

I would tell myself to NEVER take a 8am class, ever! I would tell myself to never get discouraged, keep at it, and work hard. Always pack food in your backpack, you never know when you'll get hungry. Be efficient, don't procrastinate, and always take time to do something relaxing. Smile, talk to people, don't let anything pass you by. Go to events, join a club, get into study groups. Mostly importantly, college is stressful, challenging, and one the best experiences you'll ever have. You'll grow as a person, have new experiences, meet new people, and try new, different things you'd never think you'd do.

If I were to go back to high school and talk to myself, I would tell myself to learn how to study! Often times in high school, and emphasis on study and research is neglected, so students are able to pass by just doing worksheets. College was a slap in the face compared to all of that. If I had a good study ethic going into college it would have made things a lot easier on myself and there would not have been such a big adjustment.

For those that receive full rides to a certain college, go for it. For the rest of us, life is not that easy. First of all, actually step foot on campus and get a feel of what the school has to offer; catalogs are not good enough. It's hard to find good reasons to stay loyal to a college, so look for the don'ts. Do not pick a school that offers your major because chances are, you're probably going to change it. Do not pick a school because your best friend or boy friend goes there because if you two mean the world to each other, distance should not be a factor. Do not pick a school with nothing surrounding it because you'll eventually lose your mind from boredom. Do not pick a school with too much surrounding it because you won't stay focus. Mainly, pick a school that you know you will feel comfortable staying for four years because the education is pretty much equivalent all around. Do not force yourself to like a school that does not feel like it's "the one." Like marriage, you can't fake, force, or abuse it.

Parents and students really need to look into what they want in a college. If you know going in that you are a hard-working student, look for a college that offers research opportunities and has acclaimed professors. If you want to go to college for atheltics, look for a school with strong athletic organizations and winning records. College is different for every person, but with enough investigating, you can find the perfect fit for you. Don't choose a college just because of the reward letter, or becuase it is the common school that all your fellow high school graduates will enter. You don't get much of a choice for high school, but college is where you will find exactly where you fit in and can join the groups and participate in the activities that define who you are and what you want to do with your life. Whatever type of student you are, don't take college life for granted, you never get another opportunity. Participate in the events around campus, study hard, and enjoy the time you have in college.

It's a good idea to visit the campus and get a feel of the campus life. Another thing that will help to determine whether or not the campus is right for you is talk with the current students enrolled there. Getting feedback from the students will give you insight on the what you'll be expecting.

Honestly, just look around, and go to the school that is best for you and only you. Make sure you don't let too many outside influences alter your choice of college, because in the end it is your life.

I would advise the student to take a walk on the campus while school is in session. A ten-minute walk around campus, watching the students interact, getting a feel for the area, seeing if you can picture yourself sitting under a particular tree; these little things will make all the difference. When you come across the campus that is right for you, you will feel at home there. You will be able to imagine classes, and friends, and free time. If you walk onto a campus and you feel completely uncomfortable there...go with your gut instinct. Mine did not steer me wrong.

When considering a college, it is integral to do the right amount of research based upon a variety of factors. These factors include: location, financial aid, scholarships, and student life. I would like to take this opportunity to elaborate on the importance of each of these factors. Location is a critical factor when selecting a college. During my undergraduate degree, I lived at home and attended The University of Texas at Dallas. The university was close to my home, hence, I saved a significant amount of money on rent and utility expenses, which I would have been paying if I lived on-campus. Financial aid and scholarships are equally important. I encourage all students to apply early for the FAFSA to ensure they receive government aid. I strongly believe, "Since the money is available, you might as well apply for it." As far as scholarships are concerned, there are many scholarship search engines on the internet. In order to make the most of one's college experience, parents and students must consider a college's student life. Therefore, I strongly suggest doing a campus visit to discover a college's campus facilities, extracurricular activities, and diversity amongst the student body.

I would suggest that they visit the campus to make sure they will be comfortable there. Visit some classrooms to see if large or small classes best fit their learning style. I think the cost is important but should not be the be all end all of the decision. A university's reputation is more important than anything !

I think visits to the campus are important especially at different times of day and even different times of year. Research is important also, be certain that the school offers the degree plan that you are really looking for, do your homwork on financial aid, professors, campus facilities and/or activities. The more you know will result in a netter decision. College education is should be taken seriously because it can make or break a future.

Visit your prosepective colleges and talk to the students. Plan for the future, you might have the money to go to school, but something could happen and it could all go away in the blink of an eye. This is what happened to me. The school I go to now was not my first choice, I would not even apply here because it is not right for me. However, because of finicial hardships, I am stuck here. If you look at financing options, work and save your money, you could avoid the heaping amounts of debt I will graduate with, circumvent transfering schools, and save yourself a lot of worry. Pick the school that feels right to you. Make sure its an envrionment you love, or the entire experience will not be worth it. If my school was in a different environment, I would probably enjoy going to school here. And remember, you're only in college once, live it up and savor it, because it will be the best years of your life.

For each person, college is what he or she makes of it. It is an individualized experience. Because of this, it is important to take your specific interests and personality into account when deciding where you will attend college. Whether or not the school is a good match for you has the potential to make receiving your college education either a great experience or a horrible one. When researching a college, talk to students who already go there! This will give you the best feel for what it is really like to be a student there. Try to get your information from a variety of people, and take most into consideration the opinions of those who are similar to yourself. Most importantly, get involved once you are there. There are a variety of ways to do this no matter where you go. If you put in the effort to find your niche, you will be rewarded with a sense of fulfillment and with the opportunity to make meaningful friendships.

The best advice i would give to anybody is to visit the campus, and take a look at the environment that the student will be in. Getting that feeling will help to decide wheter it is the right college or not. If the student feels comfortable on campus, his or her college experience will be enjoyable.

Get to know the school you are applying to. I moved schools after my freshman year because I went not really knowing what the first school was all about. Tours and what's put on the school's website really isn't enough, and they only tell you what they want you to hear. Try to talk to someone who goes to the school and will be candid enough to tell you about the good things as well as the bad aspects of the school. If the school doesn't sound interesting to you in high school, don't assume that you are going to change drastically when you enter into that college, the school will still seem uninteresting to you when you get there, but then you're sort of stuck.

The students should just choose a school that he or she really wants to go to. I have nothing to say to the parents except for support their child's decisions.

Do your homework. Start early, especially with lining up funding. Try to get a sense of what field or career the prospective student will enjoy the most.

I think that it is extremely important to keep an open mind when looking at colleges. Students should go and look at different types of schools, whether they be rural or urban, large or small, in state or out of state. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. Students and faculty are happy to share information about their school with you. Look at the extracurricular activities, clubs, and group sports the school offers and be open to the idea of joining them. This is your chance to branch out and try something different. Another thing to consider is that college may be the only time that you get to experience living in a different state, so be brave and consider out of state schools. There are so many scholarships and financial aid possibilities available that you shouldn't limit yourself based on finances. Ultimately, I think that you will feel it inside of you when you find the right school. It's a feeling of belonging. It's a feeling of home. It's the feeling that you're making the right choice for you.

Find a college where you feel at home. Make friends, and join Student Organizations. Don't believe all the sterotypes about Greek Life, you will find they are all wrong.

My advice to students is to know enough about what you want to do to not have to change majors. If you are not sure, go in as undecided. If you have to change majors, you may end up paying for a lot of classes you do not need, and end up spending a lot more time in college. Yeah, college is fun, but not so much fun that you want to spend more than four years here.

If students have the luxury of attending the college of their choice, I would tell them to chooseto a larger university that is firmly established in all aspects. UTD was formly a communiting graduate school. Most local students here older adults who work full time and are trying to finish up their degree. Finding the right college that suits your needs socially, emotionally, and mentally will help you adjust accordingly and feel a more community spirit.

When choosing a college, I believe campus visits are extremely important. If an overnight stay is possible, then the student should take advantage of it because it gives you a true sense for what the feel of the campus is. It also is important to not only consider the campus life, but also the surrounding area. In Dallas, for example, there is so much to do around campus that if you are a person who likes to be on the go constantly, then the city life accomodates that. For parents, I would say the most important thing is to listen to your student's wants. Pushing your student into going to a college they do not want to go to can lead to rebellion, and if they fail their classes, a lot of money can be wasted. However, do not be a pushover either. Encourage your student to try something new and to choose a university for the school, not because they have friends going there. College life can be the best time of your life, and a joint decision between parents and students makes the time even better because both groups are content.

The best advice is to go to family/student orientations because as a family you can learn about the school and all the different programs offered in each college/university.

In terms of college, I'd suggest that you use online searches to get an idea of which schools offer programs that interest you. (If you don't know, Mathematics is an effective door-opener or any career.) Once you have an idea of the program that is best for you, select a set of schools which offer said program (and make sure the program truly exists there), email professors or deans and set up appointments to meet them. A parent should travel with you to the school as a reality check; you will be awed by every school and facts take precedence over "vibes" which dissappear after the "honeymoon phase". Also, take pictures. Imagine campus in extreme weather. Once at school, doing well is a lifestyle, not a classroom ability. Try setting rewards ("I'll hang out with my friends after I finish this chapter.") or goals ("If I plan with my syllabi, I can always be a week ahead on my homework, I'll be under less daily stress." -- yes, college includes homework), but you must be consistent. And if you don't enjoy it enough to do it every day, that's your cue to change majors.

Plan early, make sure you get all your paperwork in on time, visit the school, ask questions.

I would suggest that first of all, don't worry for both sides. For parents, it's finally time for your children to be able to move away, so dont try to smother them, because that will only make them want to move further away and be more crazy during their first semester. Be there for them, and give them a guiding hand, but let them learn their own mistakes and let them be who they will be. For the student, college is super crazy, however it is also the period in your life that will determine the rest of your life. The first semester will make or break you, so take it seriously. However there is also that desire to go wild like in the movies. My advice is to go for it, skip that first test, go to the party, and have all the fun you want. When you see your grade though, remember that you and or your parents are paying for college, and that you would dissappoint many people if you flunk out. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Learn how to properly time manage and find a balance that keeps you happy.

The most important aspect of choosing a college is the atmosphere -- how the environment impacts you personally. Some campuses may inspire you intellectually, some may encourage you socially, and some may just make you feel like a part of the family. I firmly believe that any accredited University in America can provide you with a great education, if you are willing to work hard and take ownership of your education. Granted, some are better than others, and some faculty make it much easier to learn and love learning. But in the end, you can choose to be happy pretty much anywhere. What matters is whether or not the school you choose is going to challenge you, and in what areas. If you want the most rigorous academic experience possible, choose a University that emphasizes that, by all means -- but don't neglect the social and extracurricular leadership experiences that will shape you as an intellectual being as surely as Intro to Philsophy or Organic Chemistry. Choose a school that listens to students, that encourages students to take leadership, that provides students with opportunities for internships and laboratory research. It takes both thinking AND doing to figure out who you are.

To parents, I would advise you to educate yourself and your child on the college experience. Have your child mentally prepared for what is to come and what to expect once they begin college. To students, I would advise to always be prepared and stay ahead. Have your books and supplies ready at the beginning of the semester, study for tests and begin papers long before the deadlines, and remember that in most cases, your education should come first, before work, friends, or socializing. Also, it is important to participate in campus activities. Whether it be fraternities, sororities, intramural sports, or any club, these organizations make it easier to meet people who share similar interests. In your classes, it is important to your learning to participate and also get to know some students in each class and exchange emails should you ever have questions. Also, pick courses that will interest you and research teachers before you enroll. An interesting class with an exciting teacher can make a world of difference and now most colleges provide student reviews of teachers. If you follow this advice, I can guarantee a more fun and rewarding college experience.

First and foremost think about the career path you plan to take, I think you should make decisions that involve your life with heavy deliberation and you should find something that fits your economic means and your own personal goals. Its never bad to "shoot for the starts" but you may be able to get the same quality of education elsewhere than your first choice. Use your head as well as your heart to find a school that you think is suitable for you and has an environment that you believe you can immerse yourself in.

As a freshman i attended Valparaiso University, which is about 800 miles away from my family and friends. The worst mistake of my life was transferring back to Dallas my sophmore year to attend the University of Texas at Dallas. I learned that going to college is the time in your life when you learn the most about the world and yourself. Although it is hard being away from loved ones and close friends, in the long run it will be much better to find a college that focuses on academics rather than partying. If possible look for a college that you think will help you most in helping you academically rather than worrying about leaving friends and family behind.

Meet the professors and make friends with them. I wish someone had told me how important it is to make lasting relationships with your teachers. You need their recommendation to get into grad school, for scholarships, and to get jobs after school. So, I would say, meet them before while you are trying to decide which school to attend and then make it a point to go to office hours and participate in projects so as to cultivate a relationship. They may end up being some of the best allies you have starting off in your career.

Spend a single day at your potential college choice.

Make sure to make a strong prescence on campus with all professors and students. Don't try too hard to make friends, they will appear to you in time once the semester starts. Take your time in choosing the right for you. If it does not feel right when you visit a campus, it is ok to not go ith that school. Overall, have fun in your decision making. Remember college is supposed to be fun and a great learning environment!