University at Buffalo Top Questions

I 've learned how to a responsible individual who now knows that I have to study more to acheive my goals. College is totally different than high school. I have never had to study to keep my grades up so this is a big change for me. College is expensive and to assure I get the degree I want I must be dedicated to my studies. I come from a one parent household and know that my mother works hard to send me to college. I want to show her my appreciation by doing my best to graduate with honors. Living on campus away from my family is a first for me. Being independent is great & sometimes lonely. I dont have many friends here and my studies take up most of my time. It's like I made a 360 degree change me studying? Wow I'am even amazing myself. Being the first of my silbling to attend college I want to become the man they can look up to. Attending the University At Buffalo has made me more focused and helped me see where I would like to see myself in the next two to three years.

I actually recently graduated from high school; however I am very excited for when I start college. I intend of going to a local community college first then transferring to a two year college after. I've always dreamed of becoming a doctor since I was a young child and I promised myself that I would pursue my dream no matter what. During college, I expect to learn all that I can while helping my family financially. I was also actively involved in high school, and plan to continue making that difference in my community from tutoring elementary school children to visiting the elderly, I always try to let everyone know who they are makes a difference.

I may not have always liked school, but college was something different I find college enjoyable and if I could I would love to stay in school for the rest of my life. It was my love of art that pushed me to got to college. I took one art class in High School, but wanted to know more. College has exposed me to the different things I could do with Art. I was able to make things I have never made before. I sculpted, painted, used mediums beyond my pencils such as pastels, charcoals, and so on. I never realized I could draw people in realism instead of my abstract characters. It exposed to the history of Art beyond the common names of Michaelangelo and Di Vinci. I improved my skills and found myself more passionate about Art. I learned more from College than from High School. I hope that the Speech class I enrolled in I will improve my communication skills. In College, I improved my skills and gained more knowledge about myself and the world. This is what I've gotten out of the College experience and this is why it has been so valuable to attend.

A whole new family. I was nervous about going to school 1000+ miles from home, but it ended up being one of the best things I've done. The people I've met are completely amazing, friendly, and unforgettbale. The Marching Band is one big family that accepts everybody. No doubt that marching and joining the band fraternity are the best decisions I've made at UB.

College has given me the experience of being around some amazing professors, meeting new friends, and giving me the chance of a better future. The past two quarters I found myself excited to go to classes. Even classes that in the past I may have dreaded to attend became classes that I wanted to be at. I had a goal to raise my G.P.A. of 1.7 and wanted to do so in two quarters. I signed up for 2 classes in the Winter and then 5 classes in the Spring. By the time the Spring quarter ended I had made the Deans List both times with one B and the rest A's and I raised my G.P.A. to a 3.0! With hard work and a focused vision, I was able to achieve my goal. College gave me the experience of turning things around for the better.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. I learned that I do not want to study into research. I learned that I like the personal experience with my professors way more then being in a lecture hall of 500 people. The personal experience better suites my learning style, and I feel like I take away more from the class in that situation. i have also learned to be a much more independent person. I cannot rely on someone else to do things for me. I can only rely on what I do, which has given me a much greater sense of responsibility and self pride. I have developed a work habit and determination so that I never fall behind and can accomplish all of my tasks at the best of my ability. Self confidence and personal pride have been dramatically increased since attending college, and when I achieve something, I really feel good about myself, knowing I worked hard to do so. My college experience has prepared my transition to enter into the real world as a responsible adult.

I have received a wonderful education in such a variety of facinating subjects. I have been able to evaluate different subjects and have begun see my strengths and weaknesses as an individual and as a teammate. Even more, I have been able to find my passion through my psychology classes and through the people I have met during my time at school. As much as I have learned about evaluating peoples' mental health and which neurotransmitters send what messages to the brain, I have learned so much more about how to look past every imperfection and love others for their hearts rather than their actions. I have learned to have compassion for a person when they make foolish decisions, simply because they don't know better. It's through interaction that I have learned these things, but it's through my schooling that I have learned how to help those troubled people to make the right choices and to love themselves even after they have made poor ones. My time at college has given me great knowledge, but more than anything, it has given me insight and wisdom to the human condition. It has instilled a loving spirit.

My college experience was rewarding in many ways. I went back to college as a non-traditional student to learn and possibly change careers. What I ended up with was meeting lots of interesting people, getting involved in things I never imagined and having my academic abilities constantly challenged and pushed to the limit. When it comes to science and technology, many of the teachers are also practicing scientists and researchers who are still publishing cutting edge papers and making new discoveries. Now that I finished my undergraduate education I wished I would have gottern to UB quicker, you not only learn but it's fun to learn here. Finally the advising staff helped me work through scheduling classes around my work schedule, pitfalls, problems, getting loans, and I ended up getting accepted to medical school; which I could never have done without their help!

I have grown from my college experience, and have become more independent. I attended UB in the Fall of 2009 and for the Spring of 2010 I attended Onondaga Community College. I did this because I needed to be home with my family. In the Fall of 2010 I will be attending Le Moyne College, and I cannot wait. I have also learned that you may not know right away what school or major is for you. You shouldn't be afraid to switch majors or transfer schools if you aren't happy. It is much easier to enjoy getting your education when you are comfortable where you are.

Although my college years were spent studying Biology, life lessons are what I learned at UB. I learned independence, how to deal with issues, relationships and roommates. The University of Buffalo was eight hours from home. Going away to college for the ?college ideal? is something I would recommend to anyone. Friends that stayed close to home never seemed to grow up. They stayed home rent free and always had money to go out from their parents. In this tough economy with so many things that are changing we need to be grown up and not rely so much on others. We can?t go crying to family and friends with our problems. What these commuters lacked is a sense of responsibility and accountability. Instead of waiting around for things to improve I?ve learned to take initiative and go back to school for a masters degree. I?ve switched industries and taken a significant pay cut. I understand how this will be better for my family and me. Handling real life situations at school prepared me for the real world. My education at UB has been invaluable and I don?t regret graduating from there.

Out of my college experience I have recieved further education that will assist me with future jobs I apply for. It is valuable to attend college so that you can further yourself in your career and further educate yourself in many different areas of study. I am glad that I attended.

So far my college experience has allowed me to further my writing skills and pursue a career in literature. I cannot say I entered college ready to be enlightened, but I have gained something very valuable in my own self awareness. Through working and attending school full time, I have learned my own limitaitons and how to cope with my priorities. I haven't got everything figured out yet, but really who can say that I ever will? I have found pride in my accomplishments, and caring in my relationships. College has greatly differed from my previous education in that it nurtured and reinvigerated my passion for the written word. I have gained more knowledge and fullfillment in my two years of college than I have in all of my education. I am lucky to have that opportunity and I strive to encourage others to obtain it.

My name is Alexa Tebeau and am I applying for your scholarship. I am 26 years old and decided to go back to school about a year ago. When I graduated LaSalle Academy in Rhode Island I was excited to be accepted into my first choice of schools. I attended Suffolk University in Boston. The only problem was that I only attended for one semester. I realized that I was not going to be able to pay for my school and I had no help from my parents. That year I was so upset about not being able to go to school that I completely broke down. I ended up staying in Boston and working as a waitress. I tried to attend school at Umass Boston but work and school did not work for me. It had been about 4 years since I had been in school. A year ago I enrolled in Bristol Community College and have been there ever since. I work as a Caregiver now which allows me to do work and school at the same time. I am so proud to be back in school and now look forward to the future.

College was a great experience for me. I found out many great things about myself and the world during my five years. I learned that I am leader and really like to take charge of things to ensure they run smoothly. My college experience gave me the ability to be non-judgemental and proactive when dealing with life situations. The most valuable lesson I learned from college is that people are not always going to be there to hold my hand. College made me grow into the independent driven woman that I am. College was a rocky road but the value of each lesson that I learned is priceless.

I have learned that no matter how hard the class is I can make it, if I give it all i got. I have felt successful when I finish a class. I feel like i can do it, and make a better life for myself and my daughter. Before i started college I couldn't tell you where i would be in five years. Now I see myself owning my own car buying a house. i learned stuff i never new before at college and I believe it will take me far in life and it had changed my life and additude forever.

I have feel like I have received ample amounts of knowledge from my college experience. I have learned how to communicate better overall with and to people. I have also learned how to better express my thoughts and myself. While attending college I have learned how to work with people (all types) to get things done and have made friendships that I will cherish. I have also learned that college is nothing like high school, you get out only what you put in. I have found that it is ok to ask for help or utilize services as well as ask questions. Throughout these last few years I have learned to be confident with myself and have realized I am capable of more thing than I give myself credit for. I believe that it was valuable for me to attend college because this experience has given me a chance to grow and succeed. As well as make something of myself and begin a career.

I have learned that there is much more to life that simply an education. The life experiences and people you meet come first. Although earning a high GPA is important, the relationships you form and people you help are the most important things in life. I have learned to strive towards goals and make more of my life than an income and a GPA.

I was able to learn how to strive in such a large-diverse environment. This is a useful technique to have in life, both in a personal-social environment, and most especially in a work environment. I learned how to seek out whatever I needed from the school and my professors. You had to learn how to mingle with perfect strangers on such a large scale. These techniques will put me above competition when I start my career, and more importantly will allow me to seek out and help others. In the same sense, I learned that I prefer a more intimate-small setting. Now that I am applying to graduate programs I know what to look for. It is especially important with graduate school since what you are learning is so specific to what you will be doing with your degree. So, although I valued the skills I obtained from the University at Buffalo, I look forward to learning in a different environment while pursuing my Master's Degree.

If I could go back and give advice to my high school senior self, I would tell her to be outgoing. Most people you will meet will be other freshmen, and they will be just as nervous and anxious to make friends as you, though they may not show it. Join a club- it is a great way to meet people who have similar interests as you, and the weekly meetings ensure that you will keep in contact with them. Another big piece of advice is to find the balance between school work and friends. School comes first, so be sure to get your work done and study hard. However, make sure you always have time for friends. When you are exhausted after just finishing a big test, the best remedy is hanging out with friends!

You know that small town your living in, the town which you fear has nothing to offer you? You're about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life that will change everything. College is beyond anything you could imagine: the diversity, the opportunities, the excitement, the freedom, the stars...they're all there for you to grasp. Open your mind to new experiences and challenge yourself to become who you truly want to be. Find who that is. College is nothing to fear. The work is hard, but it is nothing you aren't prepared to take on. You've dreamt of mountains, of expanding your horizons, and here is your chance. Find the will inside to take on with full confidence the steps to becoming the independent, intellectual and prosperous person you've always wanted to become. Know that in college, friends may come and go, but it is your responsibility to hold on to the ones that matter. Know that with all the responsibilities that will seem to pile upon you quickly, taking them on with determination will undoubtedly pay off towards your future and your future endeavors. Make all of it worth your while.

If I could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school, I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships and colleges. The mistake I made as a senior was focusing so much on what was going on in school and not on what I was going to do after I graduated. Looking back now I would have started the application process so that I would not be struggling so hard to get into a school now. I would convince myself that the most important reason to apply for scholarships while you are in high school is because after you graduate, you are not eligible for as many. Also, by focusing on getting into a school, it puts you on your way to a good degree and job instead of being stuck without a job at all. A big thing that I think every high school student (especially seniors) need to realize is that it is ok to focus on the present and the future to make it easier to stay on track and get where you want to be.

I would tell myself to keep volunteering althroughout the summer before college and into college. To also, be thankful for my parents who've encouraged me to futher my education and to persue my career. I would tell myself that it isn't going to be easy, especially that Fall semester of Freshman year, but to keep going and keep giving it all my effort. To remember that something that is this important is worth the time, money, and effort put into it. I would also tell my self to be proud of what I have accomplished in the past, and be proud to be such a well rounded student. To keep up the effort and remember that I always have people who love me and are willing to back me up 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, and to use them for support if i need to.

Kristina. I know you are an introvert, but it is time to break out of your shell. You picked a large school for the anonymity it afforded you; however, you are approaching life backwards. Remember your dreams? You want to make a difference in the world; you aspire to ignite a cultural shift towards environmental friendliness. Do not hide in the campus crowd; rather, summon your voice and influence it! Think of all the people you will meet, the perspectives you will gain, and the opportunities you will have! Now is the time to redefine yourself as the outspoken go-getter you have always wanted to be. When you get to campus, seek out an environmental club and revel in the discovery of like-minded people. Work with them to reach out to the other students. You will get braver each day, and soon approaching a group of strangers will no longer arouse butterflies in your stomach. College is a chance to find yourself; away from home and your family, you will realize who you truly are. Do not be afraid to embody her.

Always goto class. Try more things. Don't be afraid to go out. Study as hard as you can. You can only do this once so don't blow it.

If I could go back I would primarily warn myself about my first choice in a major. I would tell myself about genetics and to major in Biology instead of Pharmacy which I would in the future abandon. I would tell myself not to be so worried about leaving home or being alone because there are so many wonderful people I was able to meet at school. Most importantly I would warn against not just getting Organic Chemistry 2 out of the way and to just suck it up and take it.

Too long ago to answer this question. Graduated in 1998.

If i could tell myself anything about college life, I think one of the most important things is learning to balance the academic and social aspects of college. There will always be another party. Don't be upset if you miss one night or one story, get your work done and stay on top of everything and you will be happier. Just because you don't make 100 friends your first semester doesnt mean you won't make friends. Eventually you'll meet a good group of friends that you can rely on and will be your true friends. It may not happen until your senior year, be patient. Get involved, its the best way to meet people with mutual interests and make friends. Most importantly don't forget who you are and where you came from. Your expiences in life make you a unique person, be proud of that and don't let anyone tell you different. Don't worry if you're scared or just want to cry, its just a part of growing up. When times get tough (and they will), look in the mirror and remember your roots and that you're a good person.

I would definitely tell myself to explore my options thoroughly. I still felt so young when I was a senior in high school, and the idea of going to college was so surreal. I only had two universities in mind, and only applied to one (which was a horribly foolish thing to do - I was lucky I got accepted). I love the university I'm at now, but I really wish I would have put the time in to think about this huge decision. I probably would have decided to dorm somewhere instead, to get a more comprehensive college experience. It's really hard to meet people and get involved with school activities as a commuter. I've also realized that college is really a time to become your own person, to grow out of your shell and experience the world in a new way. I feel like it's hard to do that under the still-constant scrutiny of my parents.

I would research more schools and not follow your friends just so you know somebody there it is fun meeting new friends . I would apply for as many grants and scholarships as I could so you dont have to borrow or take out too many loans that you have to pay back later. Fill out for your financial aide as early as possible . visit as many schools as possible so you can make an educated decision and always keep your family in the loop they are your biggest support group. Ask questions of other students attending the college stay in touch with the schools financial aide office so there are no surprizes like you did not get a grant that you applied for so you owe money and cannot register for classes until it is paid and you end up not being able to get alot of the classes you need to take and if you have to commute look int taking online courses. Most of all study hard make new friends one that will last all through life and have fun these will be the best years of your life.

Learn to be able to open up to your closest friends and family because they will be the ones to help you with your transition to a totally different environment of college. Don't let your insecurities let you down because, although it may not seem like it, everyone out there holds an insecurity. Learn to study with friends because having a study group with students that are into doing well academically will help increase your chances on doing well in your exams. NEVER procrastinate. You lose precious time that way. Getting homework and projects done before the due date will give you much more time to pick up your guitar and record those songs you've written and couldn't wait to share with all your friends. Last but not least, never give up on yourself. Although there will be others that are a bit smarter than you are, you still need to be strong and say to yourself that no matter how hard the challenge is, you can accomplish it. Don't allow yourself to keep in pessimistic thoughts. Keep your mind open to optimistic views. It's the way to get by in college and life.

I would tell myself to try and meet more people and be more social. In addition, I would tell myself to manage my time better and do work ahead of time.

I would tell myself to take a year or two off from school, gain some work experience, get a really good idea of what you enjoy doing in life. Once you find that career direction you would like to take, then begin to plan which educational path to take.

If I could go back and give my old self advice it would be to practice my time managment. Coming into college after high school was like a whirlwind. In high school there was time for everything including friends, homework, and family. College is the opposite, you are constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off. There is not time for all the work, fun, and dutys possible to fit into one day. This is where prioritizing comes in. Going back to my old self I would say, "college is a lot of fun, BUT also a lot of work. If you can prioritize yourself then you can have the best of both worlds."

If I could give advice to myself it would be not to give up. There is too much at stake to be lazy or not care about my own future. Having a college education is the most important thing to have to get a decent job these days. I have a 7 month old son that I need to provide for, and I cannot do that with out the college education. I need to be an adult and not a child and do what I have to do to take care of my son. Please do not give up on yourself, you can do this.

There is a phrase that you must become aware of once you enter college, and try your best to stay away from it and others who utter to utter such a heinous thing...and actually mean it! "I'm dropping out!" Not only will you hear it on a daily basis from those students who jokingly throw the term around when met with the many struggles of college life, but you will probably someday utter the words yourself; when you do please try to remember that even though it gets you a laugh for the moment, it is never a real option. College will present new pressures and stress that you've never dealt with before, more than I could ever mention in a few words, but once you overcome them it will all be worth it. Let the knowledge that you would have completed this final chapter in your life and moved on to accomplish great things be what keeps you holding strong. Remember that you have some many more people in your corner rooting for you than you do people rooting against your success. Make sure you work hard and take advantage of all you have around you.

I wish I knew more about what sort of Gen Ed classes colleges typically require, so I could take the appropriate AP equivalant sand save money and time. Despite all the time I spent preparing for college, I didn't know what Gen Eds were until my senior year. I understand that advisors and teachers are mostly concerned with getting a student to their college of choice in the first place, but teaching us taking advantage of every opportunity to save money and time while in high school would have been nice too. I also wish that someone could have taught me how to find cheap textbooks, instead of having to learn through the mistakes of my first semester and my roommates.

Dear Ian, In this alternate universe of co-existing in two time periods, I would like to now share some thoughts from the future Ian back to the high school senior Ian that may assist you in completing a seemless transition to college life. On the homefront,; learn the value of a clean bedroom because it won't ever be clean once you get roommates. Instead of placing headphones on your ears when your parents engage in nagging you about responsibilities for the 1000th time, listen every once in a while as you will find that alot of what they are saying becomes true when you are on your own. In your academic life, try to perfect the science of organization in your note taking, and in your long range project planning. Multi-tasking becomes ever more pressing once you enter the college realm. But the biggest advise I can give you High school Ian is to define the priorities in your life, and then hone in on those without allowing the ever increasing distractions of young life to deter you. Good luck, I know you will do it!

At this time last year, I would have never guessed that I would be attending the University at Buffalo. I live about six hours away from school and distance like that can be challening. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that distance can really have an impact on the transition of going from high school to college. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for attending UB because I love it here, however, it took me some time to get used to the fact that I was so far from home. I was homesick for the first couple of weeks that I was in Buffalo. I have a very solid relationship with my parents and brother and sister, so being far away from them was difficult at first. Since being away at school is a big enough expense in itself, I do not have a car here so transportation from home to school can become very costly. Knowing what I known now, I would go back and tellmyself that being away at school means that home is a lot more than a phone call away!

If I could go back and give myself advice I would start by telling myself not to wait. Get started while you are young because it will prosper you beyond what you know. Being a more intelligent human being will make you succeed far above anything else. And second of all I would tell my self that there isn't anything that you can't achieve. As long as you put your mind to it and remain dilligent, you can and will succeed. And in the process, you will come to find that you actually can enjoy school.

I firmly believe that life is a learning process. At every level of education, new challenges are presented and you are expected to rise to the occasion. If I were to turn back the clock to my senior year in high school, I would teach myself disciplined study habits. Instead of waiting until the night before an exam, I would get myself in the routine of studying the material daily and getting a firm grasp of it. In high school, tests were based mostly on facts that you were presented in class. Whereas in college you are expected to know the material inside and out without any excuses. I would tell myself to take my studies seriously no matter what the subject and maybe explore myself further to get a deep understanding of what I want not only out of today, but for my future.

If I were to go back in time and give myself advice, the most important thing that I would focus on is opening up to people. People don't want to get to know you if you don't seem like you want to get to know them. You should be outgoing and fun, and you shouldn't be afraid to take risks. It may be scary to open up to people, but in the end it will be worth it. The purpose of college is to obtain a higher education, but it is also for making memories that last a lifetime. Once you open up, you won't regret it. You will have friends that will be there for years, as well as memories that you would have never gotten if you hadn't met people and made friends. College should be an unforgettable experience.

I wish everyday that I could go back and warn myself of the college hardships. I've realized here that it's okay to study and "be a book worm," that you shouldn't judge others who put effort towards succeeding in high school. College is a true eye-opener. I tell my younger brother to begin studying hard while in high school; don't let others opinions influence your study habits because once you get to college, it's too late to learn and develop good study habits. Being away from home can get extremely exciting at times with this new-found freedom, but stay focused on the reason why you attended college in the first place., to get an education. This is the beginning of the rest of your life, take it seriously and enjoy every minute of it.

I would tell myselft that my determination and ambition are the keys to my success. With the experience of college, I will master my abilities to analyze, interpet, and iterate my learned knowledge. I would tell myself never to give up, never to limit myself, and never forget what I have accomplished to arrive at this point. I would tell myself college would be difficult but the reward is worth the struggle. I would tell myself of the fun I would have being a college student and before I ended this unique encounter, I would remind myself to save money for grocerys; a healthy body ensures a healthy mind.

Be open to new possibilities and take as much from each class as possible. College has no limits and everyone's potential is limitless. Make the most of the experience, academically and socially.

Keep in mind a few things when you start to go and visit colleges. Firstly, think about what you prefer in terms of class size. Second, make sure to contemplate whether you would prefer a school focusing on the arts (music, art, literature) or science (math, chemistry, physics). Its very important to decide on which of these two different types of colleges because tranferring and changing your major can be time-consuming and expensive. Finally, I'd advise the student to keep in mind their finances (how much money they are willing to spend, how many scholarships they are willing to apply for, and the quality of education they are getting for their dollar). Its very important for high school graduates to understand the responsibility of taking out a loan and the reality of paying it back for years following your college graduation. I'd advise students to make sure they figure out how much it will cost for four years tuition and expenses. A good thing to do when looking at colleges is to go online and take a look at their website. There you can find all sorts of information that will help you make your decision.

Don't be so uptight your first year. Focus on having fun and being open.

Make sure you study, and work hard, its not as easy as high school. Stay organized

I would tell my high school self that I made the best decision. I decided to take a year off between high school and college to volunteer and live in another country. Learning to live on my own without also having to worry about grades and what I want to be, was the greatest process. I would tell myself that the transition is not as hard as I expected. I can handle the work and the social aspect of college life will just happen for you as soon as you put yourself out there. Though 300 people lecture hall classrooms seem overwhelming, they are just as good or bad as the small classes, it all really depends on if you like the topic and teacher. College is good, just give it time, everything will be fine.

I would tell myself that college sports aren't the most important thing in the world, and if I had to do it again I would make sure that I picked colleges based on other things before college sports. I was lucky and fell into a great situation at my school, and fortunately it has worked out so well that I am now in professional school. I am a fortunate guy.

Remember why you came to college in the first place. Dont get distracted with all the fun things (clubs, parties, and hanging out). If you put the right amount of study time in you WILL it reflected in your grades!!!