University of Arizona Top Questions

If i could go back in time and give myself advice as a highschool senior, I would tell myself to plan better on how my family and I expect to pay for college expenses. With me being the first in my family to attend college, my mother and I are new to the many different expenses that come while being in college. I would do things such as, apply for more scholarships and grants that will help relieve stress on my mother and I. While I always knew that I wanted to go to college and be the first in my family to graduate, paying for college has been stressful and even though it can be difficult at times, I will continue to pay what ever the amount is in order to get my degree and make my family proud.

Dear Greg, This is me, 5 years in the future, telling you what to expect in college. I (you) blew it. During my freshman year I joined a fraternity, had a blast partying with my new brothers, and failed out of UA. Looking back, I regret the year I wasted. Instead of living the UA college life for the last 2 years I had to go to community college. I missed out on the entire college and fraternity experience I was looking forward to. After 2 years of community college and getting my AA, I'm back in UA and trying to catch up on all the required classes. If all goes well I'll graduate in 2016, 2 years past my planned date. I know you want to join a fraternity to make friends but know what your priorities are, be responsible for once. You can have it all, fraternity, passing your classes, and hold a job (yes, get a job) but prioritize your time. It will be hard and take a lot of dedication. Missing a frat party won't kill you. Hopefully you learned something from my mistakes. Your future depends on it. Make yourself proud. Greg

My senior year being at the Nogales High School was full of eccentric memories that I will never forget and cherish for the rest of my life. I may say I have made mistakes throughout my career as being a senior but they have impacted me in a way that showed me an essential reflection. Although with my academic view I would modify a few things that would make my life a whole lot simpler. The standards that I have faced with my academic achievements have been highly prioritized and I have undertaken the most vigorous and intricate classes. The first thing that I would change would be to apply for more scholarships throughout the procession of the school year. I was very busy with my other academic responsibilities that when I had free time I would not use my time efficiently in order to complete at least a few scholarships. The other thing I would do that most High School students do is procrastinate with important assignments which causes more stress and anxiety to a person. This would really help me do tasks with advancement and to do it by several steps that would help manage time.

Be yourself. High school is the ingrediant directly responsible for your transformation as a person. Do not associate yourself with people that make you feel uncomfortable and pressure you to do things you would not normally do. Life may get harder after high school, but your social struggles are the greatest now. You are under a lot of pressure and need to make many tough choices, but choose carefully. These choice will affect the rest of your life. So, focus on your academics, have fun with friends, and play a sport or two. When will you ever have the chance to competitvely play basketball or football on a team after you graduate? One more thing, stop being so shy and intimidated by girls. They are people too. If you are interested in a girl simply go for it. Throw yourself out there becasue if you don't you may never see her again. Who knows what kind of future you could have together.

If given the chance to go back to high school and give my senior self some advice, I would make sure that the word appreciation was dug deep into me. In high school, and even in college, many students lack appreciation due to a lack of application of the knolwedge they are learning, so I would go back and tell my senior self to appreciate education. I would give this advice to myself because, after being in college for a year, I now realize that alot of the information that was once repeated to me in high school year after year is no longer going to be repeated. Professors expect students to have gained the knowledge necessary in the previous course and will not stop or slow down the pace of their class to reiterate knowledge previously supplied. This came as a shock to me, and I instantly learned that appreciate education not only means to remember and pay attention, but to also convert education into knowledge. For the information that the professor relay's to a student will always remain education, unless appreciated and converted into knowledge.

College can be an amazing social and academic experience, it all depends on what you make of it. Choosing the "right" university is not nearly as important as utilizing the incredible resources your campus has to offer. Get involved in something; be it a club, sport, or greek life. Submerge yourself in the social opportunities that make your life rich. However, academics are equally important. My personal key to success is to always attend class, regardless of if it is mandatory, boring, an 8 am, or your favorite class. Critical information is presented in lectures, notable points for the tests, and interaction with the knowledge of your professor. College is truly what you make it, so make it an experience that will prepare your mind and body for the future.

Be patient! It can take a while to determine what you want. Think of jobs that you may enjoy and work towards those. You don't need lofty goals or desires; just find something that you would be happy doing and settle for that.

If was able to go back in time and tell my past self one thing, I would tell myself to force myself to join clubs in college. My first year in college was boring an uneventful, simply because I focused too heavily on academics and my fear of making a fool of myself. I did not allow myself to break out of my shell and meet different people in situations I know I would have been unfamiliar with. I allowed myself to let fear of 'what if' control me and I never broke out of my comfort zone. So, I would tell myself to try and not let fear control you, that everyone in college is looking for friends just as much as you are, and that they won't bite -- even if you do something stupid. Enjoy your time in college, and that does not mean sitting in your dorm room watching Netflix, that means going on, meeting new people and expanding your horizons in ways that you will never expect.

Dear High School Me: Congratulations on finishing up high school! I'm very proud of you! However, there are a few things we need to talk about: 1. Please don't give in to senioritis, start looking for scholarships, fellowships, grants, anything! now! Maybe it looks as though you can slack off and let your parents cover the cost, but things can change, quickly. 2. Start investigating majors offered at your school, their ranking, and what they entail. The program of study you are about to begin is not the one you will ultimately choose. Picking wisely at this point will save you a lot of time and trouble in the future. 3. Regardless of whether or not your parents pay for your education, remember to thank them often. Without them you wouldn't be here. You are about to enter one of the most defining segments of your life. Thank your parents (or whoever was responsible for guiding you here) often, you won't be able to forever! So, stop playing the videogames and eating cheetos. Go start searching for scholarships, looking up majors, and thank your parents for helping you get where you are today. - Future You

Hey you, don't freak out. It's me. I mean, I'm you from the future. There's a few things that I want you to know and to take in consideration. First of all, you have to promise me that you will take math throughout our last year of high school. Believe me, you will regreat it if you don't do as I say. I know high school sucks for you now, and let me tell you that you will always think this way. I can't tell you a lot about the future because somethings are bound to change whenever you make a decision, but I just want you to encourage you about life itself. Things will get better and you'll meet people that will change your whole life. Take care of this people and let go of those who leave you behind. One more thing, START APPLYING TO SCHOLARSHIPS! Don't be negative and don't think that you are not skillfull enough in writting. Just have faith that you will get a scholarship and don't let them slip out of you hands. Good Luck and take care.

I would have known my priorites sooner and have put those before everything else.

Get out of your comfort zone more. It will come in handy when you get out into the real world. Staying in your comfort zone and not getting out enough or communicating with enough people with inhibit your personal growth later down the road. Learn to ask questions in class, care less about what others may think about you. There is a good posibility that someone else has the same question as you and they will be grateful you asked. Make sure that you make good connections with people that have influence in your area of interest. Those connections are what will get you places in life. It is true, it is not so much what you know as much as it is who you know that makes the difference.

Courtney, You may not believe this, but I am you three years into the future. I have traveled back in time to share with you some wisdom and knowledge about college and preparing for our future endeavors. The advice I have for you will help you succeed and grow as a student, as well as an individual. First thing's first, value your mistakes, do not dwell or regret them. Nothing in life is ever going to be perfect; face your mistakes and learn from them. View your failures as determination to get back up and achieve excellence. My second advice is to do your research. Make sure to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you. Life is too short to put chances aside; go after your dreams and goals. My third and last advice is enjoy college. This does not mean I am giving you permission to go wild; instead I am encouraging you to express your passion within your education. Go above and beyond and fall in love with your career dreams and make them your reality. This next chapter in your life will guide you to your bright future. Sincerely, Courtney

If I had the chance to advise my younger self, I would tell myself the truth, without sugar-coating the harsh realities. In a nutshell, I would say "Listen, Adana, things are going to be increasingly rough. You're going to go through things that will chnage your perspective on the world and those around you. This change may seem scary, but believe me, it's really not. This change is exciting, Embrace it! The best thing you can do for yourself is get involved. Make friends with people you may not normally talk to. Understand the thoughts of people you disagree with, and most importantly, have faith in your own abilities. The only hurdle that stands in your way is yourself. Dont trip over avoidable challenges; graciously leap over them. Be your own hero. And hey, when you feel down and out, remeber exactly who you are. You're unstoppable girl."

In all honesty, I would tell myself to learn how to cook because eating the same chicken sandwich everyday at the union gets old after the first month. I would tell myself to read over my notes after every class because studying the night before the exam doesn't get any easier after the fifth time you do it. I would remind myself to stay motivated and stay hungry; college is the best decision you have made thus far in your career, so grab every opportunity thrown your way. I would tell myself to not be afraid. Everyone here is making the same transition you are- ask for help if you need it. I would tell myself to make sure to call mom. She's having a hard time without you and just a phonecall every once in a while goes a long way. Call dad too, he's more proud of you then you will ever comprehend. Lastly, if a friend invites you somewhere- GO. No one remembers the times they sat at home and got a full eight hours of sleep. Good luck wildcat.

I would tell myself to study harder and stop lacking off. That I should make better decisions in regards to my future ,that it isn`t easy. I made too many mistakes and that should be changed for the better, for me and for my family. Wise up, If you don`t start making some changes you`ll regret most of you life.

Advice I would give to myself would to be self-confident in making my decsion. It can be stressful but where ever I were to choose to go would be the right choice for me; do not let others make you feel like the school you choose isn't right or a good school. I would also tell myself to seriously consider if I want to move away from home. I know that moving away from home can be hard when you are very close to your family but it is worth it becasue it makes you grow up. The transition can be difficult but just know that it gets better and everyday you miss home a little less. I would tell myself that you may not have many friends at first but you just have to put yourself out there and start talking to people and friendships and bonds will start to form. College is a time to reinvent yourself and figure out who you really are. No one knows you at the college yet, so you can become who you truely want to be and can form friendships that will last a life time.

Make the absolute most of all four years in high school, not just senior year. Focus on your studies but also focus on making memories while you get to be surrounded everyday by your closest friends. During the summer before college, spend time with your family and friends that aren't coming with you. This time is precious. Get to know your roommate, if you get one before you start. A bad roommate is not the end of the world, but a good one that becomes a great friend can be very special and can make the transition a lot easier. When you get to college make your dorm room more homey. It can be depressingly boring if you don't make it your own. And finally make the most out of being away from home. It is hard and you will be very homesick, but this opportunity is a once in a lifetime one, and so make memories while you are here, and don't just get through it.

I would tell myself that time managment is way more important than the latest fashions. College is fun and there is so much more to do, but if you dont have any time management then you'll get sucked away in the parties and forget about the work. I would stress to myself not to take high school so lightly. I would also tell myself you may think your good at this subject now, but education never ends.

I would more then likely force her to focus on filling out for scholorships, improving her studying, and trying to get her to learn how to not procrastinate. I would tell her about the late nights I have to go through, because I did not learn how to study at a younger age, or I did not learn how to manage my time very well. Emphasize how difficult papers in college get compared to what she has to do now. The depressing emotions invovled if she doesn't prepare for being an adult in High School. I would express to her how much the pressure weighs down on you to be good at things you have never done well before. I would tell her how hard it will be if she doesn't fix herself now and learn how to do better in school. I would hug her and say I understand that she doesn't know how to stop being so anti-proactive in life, but that it is an emotional and mental battle she has to fight vehemently. I'd then procide to comfort her and we would cry and study together, until I would need to leave.

Dear highschool me, Don't give up on nursing. Don't let the social outings get in the way of your intelligence and ability to exceed. You will accomplish great things at The University of Arizona, but make it easier on yourself and stay on track. You are very bright and your will to excell in life and to help others will be put to use. Do not fret the hard times, you will make it through and you will do better than you could have imagined. Just Breathe and carry on.

Do not be afraid to be yourself and get to know as many people as you can but never change the person that you are. Also to stay stress free and take care of assignments the day they are assigned and do not wait until the last minute to complete an assignment.

Honestly, I would yell at myself saying, "Get more involved in the community and school!" In high school, I completely lacked on getting involved with my school and also helping the community. I was an honor student and I focused on the academia part and trying to get perfect grades. I never thought about getting involved with clubs or groups in my school. However, being in college has taught me that grades do play an important part in school but that education is supposed to aid in helping the community and creating networking within the campus to prepare myself for the real world. I looked at school at a very simplistic point of view. I thought that getting good grades would advance me further and get me a job. Grades do matter but it is very important to interact with the community and my academic peers to get the best experience that college can offer. I think it is imporatant to tell myself that school is not all about the tests and textbooks. The true meaning of education and learning is to make an impact on the society that I live in.

AP Classes were the gifts of colegiate gods. If I had known better, I would have taken more AP and Honors courses to prepare me for the workload college requires. Although I am a smart student, focusing on the transition stressed me out.

The best advice I would give my high school self would be not to drop out. I dropped out my senior year in high school with a GPA of 3.8 because I didn't know what career I wanted to pursue and finding a college that was right seemed like an insurmountable task. Even though I didn't completely give up and got my diploma through correspondence classes a year later I would yell at myself for giving up when I did and for the reasons. I would tell myself that college is about discovery and independence as well as learning what you need for a career. I would also tell myself that I didn't need to have everything figured out right away but to begin with learning from others in college who are there to help with that.

I would tell myself that even if something seems easy, it can be the most complex. Always ask questions and restudy the information learned in class that night. Its better to do a little work everyday than to try and cram two days before.

I would let myself know what classes to take when. I now know what classes are the most diffucult and time consuming, so it would be worthy advice.

Advice to my high-school self: Be prepared for insanity. The first day of college you will walk into a place that is not only huge, scary, and new, but also will challenge everything you know. There will be so many different ways of thinking and acting that you won’t even be able to wrap your mind around it. College is about finding what you like, what you want to do, and who you want to be. Take some time to absorb all the craziness, because only then can you start to become who you were meant to be. Give it time. You will come in to college with these giant expectations, but just relax. The best friends will come, classes will fall into place, and everything will begin to work itself out, but it takes time. Enjoy every last bite of mom’s home-cooking. Easy Mac and frozen dinners will drain your bank account faster than you could even imagine, and they are nothing compared to Mom’s meatloaf and veggies. Spend every free second you get with your pets. You will miss their love more than anything, and dorms have strict no-pet policies.

I would make sure to tell my high school senior self to cherish each moment. There is no need to rush and pass everything up. When you take care of your business and live as a great prioritizer everything else will take care of itself.

I did not attend college right after high school, but worked for several years afterward. If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to stay in school while I worked. I garnered much experience from working, from being a lead technician at the hospital, to my experience in the hospitality industry; my life has been enriched from my work endeavors. When I returned to school I found my maturity was allowed me to truly appreciate my education, and I found that many of my peers would be drawn to me to for my insight and organizational ability. The reason I would tell my younger self to attend even one course at a time while working. I felt that be not studying for several years, I was at a disadvantage when I returned to school. I felt that my mind had a hard time processing information, mostly, from being out of practice from the scholastic process.I would not want to give up my experiences, but I feel that I would have benefited from continuing on to college.

I would tell myself to not underestimate college courses. Back in high school, I thought college would be easy and I would not have to study alot in order to get good grades. Also, I would have told myself to learn how to approach people and make friends. I can talk to people, but I have trust issues so that holds me back from hanging out with people. Lastly, I would have told my younger self to just have fun and not care what other people think of me. Shyness and insecurities about myself have been holding me back from having the best time in college, so I want to tell myself that no one cares and that I should act however I want to act.

The longer you wait the harder it gets. The longer you wait the more expensive it gets. The longer you wait the less time you will have. Think about how much it will "cost" you, not neccessarily in monetary terms but how much time, money and effort you will put out now versus later in life. School is tough with a family and a full time job. You can definately do it but it is tough. Think about where you are now. I know that you are sick of school and just want a little time off but delayed gratification is a sign of maturity. Put some time into thinking about where you want to be in life and go make the right decision.

If I were able to go back as a high school student I would start getting college credits as soon as possible in high school ,and really hone and define my major early. I would also get more assistance from my teachers about the process of college and steps to take to maximize preparations, in addition to visiting colleges to get a real time assessment and feel of what's to come. I would spend more time reading books on my major, volunteer more to experience the joys of giving more and giving back. I would ask current students of the best ways to cut down on the costs of books, and of the programs on campus that they found most useful and beneficial. I would also inquire about the best professors they have experienced and why. I would get started early on scholarships and use the internet to find the best scholarship for high school students. In so doing, I would hone my essay writing skills and really articulate my goals,committment and ambiition. Getting an internship with a company in the field of my major would be a top priority to experience real time what the parameter are.

Dear Me, You are about to turn a huge corner in your life. You will be on your own making all the decisions. Since I want future-you (namely, me) to be successful, here are Five Commandments to follow for life: 1.Get ahead with a head start. Good things may come to those who wait, but great things come to those who start early. (Patience is a virtue: Procrastination is not. Don’t get those confused.) 2.Finish what you start, even if you don’t like it. It is not being first that is winning; it’s crossing the finish line. 3.Sleep. I don’t care how many awesome activities take place late at night. I can guarantee that there is something equally awesome during the day, and you’ll be more productive. 4.A penny/minute is a penny/minute earned. You aren’t just spending money, but also time and energy. Make it worthwhile. 5.And finally, most importantly: Think! Everything starts with an ACTIVE thought, not a dream or a wish. Choose the thoughts that will make you a better person and act on them. See you when you get here! With love, Myself

Bringing out homemade video's from High School felt like a facepalm. My past self cringed with awkwardness and her hair malfunction resurfaced the horror of frizz. Her face consumed a cheese burger. Family ridicule came my way. I was determined to change their minds. "She was going through a phase—bottling up all those butterflies inside. Eventually she grows up. Those insecurities transform into something beautiful and productive." "She's producing laughs at a high capacity." My family giggles. "You've missed the point. She always had a heart of sunshine. Intelligence and dedication. Well-defined morals. You should be proud." As I spoke, a revelation came. "All that unnaturalness about her...she got through it. Who she was, is what makes me successful. I wouldn't change those embarrassing years. For anything. She helped me find my identity: I'm Tiasha. I owe her a thanks." "What?" My TV self asks the camera. Confused for a second, she said: "Is someone talking to me? I heard my name and something about...owing a thanks? I think." She shrugs it off and gets lost in food again. My relatives drop jaws. I smile. "Be yourself. Thats all you need."

You know everyone says college is the best four years of your life but it’s true. College means more freedom and development of who you are going to be as an adult. Although it is going to be overwhelming at times, and the stress is going to get you, it will be worth it. Right now, focus on being the best student and person you can be. Apply for scholarships, take classes that spark your interest instead of the ones that will get you and easy A, start thinking about what you want to be doing for the rest of your life. Put yourself out of your comfort zone once in a while, it’s good for you. Make solid friendships with people you actually enjoy being around rather than desperately trying to fit in with the cool kids and quit stressing about what you are going to wear to school the next day. Because here’s a little secret…that doesn’t matter. Two years from now, nobody will remember what you wore or who you were with. Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to pay attention. I would tell myself to start doing everything as soon as possible. That includes applying to the schools that I wanted to go to and loans, scholarships and anything else that could help. I would also tell myself to plan ahead and make sure that when going through the process of enolling in a college pay attention.

Dear Zoe, Right now, I know you are busy and stressed and overwhelmed. You are doing a fantasic job as Student Body President, I am so proud of you for working so hard in everything you do. I am you. I am you two years later, about to be a sophomore at the University of Arizona. You did not get into Stanford, I'm sorry to say. But, you want to know something? You would not have been happy there- you love it in Tucson, you have wonderful friends, you have done very well in your classes, and you are growing into a woman. It is scary, but exciting. Listen to me very carefully, now. There is a very important scholarship determined from the state's standardized text that you need to try your hardest for because it will give you full tuition to college. I missed the opportunity by less than one percent and that was terrible because I am now struggling to pay for college, books, food, and rent. But if you are reading this and have yet to take the test, please do this for us because it would make life so much easier. Much love, Zoe

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college life and making the transition, I would start off by telling myself that college brings on a whole different level of academic requirements. College is not as easy as high school, where teachers are lenient and allow students to retake tests. In college, studying is the key essential to success in every class. You must be ambitious and want to learn new material, otherwise you will gain nothing and will have trouble studying for something that you have little to no interest in. Seek tutors as needed; don’t be embarrassed because the extra help will greatly impact your grades. Along with that, do not be shy to socialize and make friends in your classes. By making friends, you now have people to form study groups with. Study groups are supportive because everyone has different input that is helpful. With this being said, you must be willing to take different approaches to learning. Most importantly, never doubt yourself and your potential. Things may start off rough, but slowly and surely things will fall into place. Furthermore, make sure to control your stress levels in a healthy manner.

I would advice myself to pay attention to all subjects and absorb every learning as possible. Learning about the fundamentals from high school is a key to success in college life. College is a very fast-paced learning environment and professors expect you to know the basics already. It becomes very challenging when you stumble upon a topic, that you should have known , but did not pay attention to back in high school. In other words, I would tell myself to embrace all the knowledge from high school and apply it in college to avoid regrets in the future. Do not waste high school, because it is the key to being successful in college.

Dear Gaby, You are beginning to discover the person it is you truly want to be, and quite frankly it is a bit terrifying. However, don’t let these worrisome feelings consume your thoughts, remember to appreciate the present. If there’s anything that I hope you take away from your Senior year it’s this; be genuine with every action you make, and never be afraid to ask for help. You may feel that you have to act or think a certain way, but know that you don’t. Be genuine with everything you do, and you will be greeted with many opportunities, and welcomed by those who truly love and accept you. It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something, and you should never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. No matter how hard you try, there are some things that you simply cannot do alone. Humility is a beautiful thing; embrace it. Continue to be open-mined, creative, and aware. Perhaps we can meet for coffee sometime, since I know it’s your favorite. Sincerely, Your future self Spoiler alert : Things in your life work out (the way they are meant to).

Be Yourself. There is an opportunity for everyone in college. If you are looking to join an inner tube water polo team, then free your Saturdays so you’ll never miss a game. If you want to join a Harry Potter fan club, then break out those old costumes and brush up your jargon. No matter who you want to become in life, college is the place to do it. College goes beyond the classes that determine your career path. College can shape all aspects of your life, so it is best to show who you are beyond the textbooks. Find out who you are and then become involved. Find others that share similar values and traits. Your involvement throughout college will not only solidify the adult you’ve become, but it may also open up unexpected doors along your journey through life.

Knowing what I know now about college life, the advice I would give to myself is this: try harder and take more interest in my future. I've done alright so far, but there are a lot of opportunities I've missed because I simply didn't care or didn't try hard enough. I feel that I am capable of quite a lot more, and yet I've always tended to do the bare minimum to get by. If I tried harder and took more interest in my future earlier, I think I would be far better off now than I am and probably far more successful. I'm still trying to fight those old tendencies, but these days I'm much better about it. It's common sense now, but I wish I could tell myself to plan and work for your future. It's far more important than you realize, and will be here far sooner than you think.

First I would not wait till I graduated to decide what career field I wanted to go into. The ealier you know what you want to do, the more time you have to make important decisions and to do research on different colleges. Then you can decide which college is best for you. The expense of college can be very costly, so if your parents are not prepared to pay for it you can start applying for schorlarships, grants or loans. Which all take time and have dead lines to meet. I would talk to my parents or a guidance counselor for advice. Definitely apply for the all the scholarships and grants first, that is money you do not have to pay back. Student loans accure interest and can become hard to pay off. I graduated from cosmetology school and could not find a job in that field, but I still had to pay the loan. College is very different than high school. You have a lot more responsibilities because you are an adult now. Make sure you are determined to do well, and are prepared to study a lot. If you want it you can achieve it!!

College is about receiving an education and new experiences. If you ever have an opportunity to do something great, take it! If you want to see the world then go study abroad and see the world before you enter it. College is where you learn about what you want, don't let your friends or family influence your choice of major, it's your life do what you want and you'll be happy. Also don't worry college is FUN just make sure to get your priorities straight and get help when you need it. Always aim for an A and if you do get a C it not the end of the world just keep trying and you’ll do fine. Remember the parties will always be there, so instead do your homework procrastination is NOT your friend. Enjoy college and take time to plan out your future and embrace your opportunities even if it changes your plan. Have fun and study hard!

Going back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior would perhaps be one of the most fruitful things I could possibly ever do. If confronted with my past self I would tell him to to apply himself and to look ahead to the future now and not later. Being motivated in high school was a tremendous struggle for me and I certainly did not apply myself nearly as much as I should have. The transitition to college has been difficult as a result of that and it took me a few years in community college to finally get motivated to work hard. Going back I would tell myself that college is indeed a big deal and slacking off now in high school will make it diffuclt for me to bounce back when it really matters. Applying myself then would have shown me the importance of making eduacted decisions on which paths to take concerning my future as well as learning the diligence in doing everything necessary to pursue scholarships and financial aid. A nice and purposeful converstation with myself from high school would most certainly be one that would change the course of my future.

If I went back in time to my senior year, I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible and to not get distracted while in college. In college you can party as much as you want but at least do all of your homework right and make sure it is correct. Also, I would tell myself not to spend money on every single thing I see. I would say to at least save one hundred dollars a week from my debit card and to try to get a job if possible so I can have some extra money in my pocket. I would also tell my self to make sure I always attend class. The absences can really catch up to you if you don't pay attention to them and don't attend your classes. Last, I would tell myself to get to know the professors. The professors can really help you in tough situations and communication is the key with them.

One thing I would change is to have lived on campus the first year. I did not understand the importance of this. I now see why most schools require students to live in the dorms for their first year. This is so they can see the activities available and be able to meet students in their same classes and struggling through their same problems. I did not live in a dorm my first year but I luckily had some friends that did so I could get the same experience by hanging out in the dorms with them. Another major thing I would tell myself is that it is okay to have fun and be able to balance it with school. First semester I did not do anything but sit in my apartment alone most of the time and it was miserable. But second semester was way better because I actually participated in school events and activates with friends.

I would tell myself to seriously consider going to school, especially of you are young. I would tell myself not to follow a group that turned out to be a religious cult when I was young. I am from a small town and there were no cults there and it was better that way. I would tell myself not to get hooked up with any weirdos, such as religious fanatics and to be myself. I would tell myself to live a normal life and go swimming, play sports, or go to school. I would tell myself to lead my own life, because in a religious cult it is hard to do that, because you are taught from the Holy Book to literally give up your life. I would tell myself that in the real world there are many wolves in sheep's clothing. I would tell myself to stay home where it is safe and go to school, because it would be better that way.

College is a big task that some people can't complete but by redefiing your high school mentailty with a college mentality that consists of being able to make decisions, being aware of time, and being always informed of information, you can be a sucessful college student. First, you have to make your own decisions because once you step in that collegiate classroom, your stuck by yourself with no guidance from anyone. The decisions you make in college will either make or break you in life. Secondly, time management is a critical skill, so it shouldn't be taken lightly because its not a luxary and every minute counts in college. Lastly, when you have a question regarding an assignment, please don't hesistate to ask because there's no second chances in college to make up for failure. Therefore, I'm advising you that college is a test because it divides the losers and winners, so you always need to be on high alert to prevent failure. Thus, going to college can be a growing pain but overcoming this pain will help you become a successful college student and by learning from me, you can avoid these mistakes.