University of Arizona Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Rebecca

If I could tell my high school self what I know now, it would be not to worry and stress so much! I was extremely stressed my senior year of college since I applied for eight different schools and had to audition for the dance program at each one in addition to the general application process. I would just let me senior self know that things will fall into place, and that I will be soon having some of the best years of my life.

Emily

I would remind myself to not be scared and to take every day as a new opportunity to show the world that I am ready and able to take it on. I would tell myself that I need to embrace every class and every challenge with a smile on my face and to just try my best, because through trying we learn the best, even if we fail. I would also tell myself to bite the bullet, to go and do something that I never thought I would enjoy, because by doing that I have found things that I love to do that I never would have expected that I would have liked. I would also remind myself to ignore people who talk bad about the school or the classes, because I know that I love it and that's all that matters, not what anyone else thinks or does.

Amber

As cheesy as it sounds, high school is not the last stop on your journey. In fact, I wouldn't even say it's the first. With that in mind, take a deeeeep breath. Right now, all you have to do is make the most of the time you have left with your friends and family. They got you where you are today so you should probably thank them and come to terms with the fact that they might not be a part of the next chapter in your life. All of this is okay, it's a part of growing up and every other senior is doing the exact same thing, so you're not alone. Now, college. Don't try to figure out what that means because the big picture stuff can be overwhelming. Just think about tomorrow. And when it gets here, think about the day after that. But don't get ahead of yourself. Your life is unpredictable right now, go ahead and let that be because I promise you, you're going to be okay.

Joshua

I would say to myself to make sure that the school you are going to is the one you like! Don't make the mistake of just choosing a school because it has the baic needs you want: major, close to home, and is a four year instution. Make sure that you expand your chocices, there are so many schools out there to choose from. Don't let youself push away great opportunities just because you are scared of a little change, don't be afrad to trade the good for the great. Make sure that you know exactly what you are looking for in colleges because you don't want to make the same mistake twice in a lifetime. Live and learn from your mistakes and that will make you a better person for it.

Liliana

To apply myself in school, it would be easier to finish school debt free. That I am a smart girl that can graduate from a university and be successful in life. Also not to believe friends and even family about not being able to complete college and not being smart, or even incapable of going to school.

Fernanda

Believe in yourself. Every day you grow and learn little by little, not day over night. People might give you negative feedback about their first year in college, but you do not see the facts of their journey, only the person’s benefit to the story. I am different; I stand out of a crowd because of my perseverance, positive character, and drive for school and it is acceptable to be different. I started to think this way as I wrapped up my first semester of college and had achieved to pass all my classes and little by little I unwrapped college life. There is absolutely nothing to fear about if you have faith, the willing to succeed, and have confidence in yourself. Those who have confidence make their plans happen and their dreams a reality.

Amanda

If I were to go back and give myself adivice it would be to take more chemistry, that is my hardest class here. I did take AP chemistry but still its very hard. The transition from high school to a university is much different. The classes are much bigger and you never really get to know your professor like in high school inless you get into a small class. Also I would tell myself to write better papers in high school becasue when they grade them here it is mych more strict. Overll I would tell myself to take advantage of the stuff I do learn in high school and bring it with me to college.

Bruce

Make the decision to go into the military and take time to decide what you really want to do for the rest of your life. Also invest in the GI bill it pays off big. Go to an accredited school and commit yourself completely to academics but also enjoy the experience and have fun. Apply for FAFSA, scholarships, and grants to make the process easier and less stressful. Join study groups and take advanage of any services that the campus provides to help you excel and be the very best. Stay connected with the people that have the same desire to exceed in life. A team can get further sometimes than a single person.

Alyson

I would have said to myself in high school: start at a community college before you go to a big university to get ready for college. It has small classes and you can get core classes out of the way, so when you go to the University of Arizona you can just focus on your career classes. Look for scholarships while your in highschool, try for as many as possible, you never know what may happen. Think about what you want to do for a living now, so you don't change your mind halfway through college, wasting time and money. Know that you will be making new friends in college so its ok to let go of your high school friends. Enjoy school and never get discouraged when the work load is tough. You will get far in school because you will continue on when you hit the road block of Biopolar Disorder. You may think science now, but let me tell you, the arts are calling you, do what comes natuarlly to you. At the University of Arizona you will get your chance to shine.

C

There are a lot of things I would like to tell myself about college if I could go back. First of all, I'd say to stop worrying. High school seniors are so nervous about coming to college and it's really not that difficult or confusing. I'd also tell myself to stop thinking that I need to follow the major I chose senior year of high school. Instead, I'd tell myself to take classes that sounded interesting to me and make my decision on a major from there. I'd let myself know that I should probably work a bit more on time management just to prepare for all the independent planning I'll have to do in college.

Taylor

I would tell myself to change my study habbits becuase I will need to study a lot in college. Some other advise would be to be open to new things and to take it one day at a time. Also, don;t slack off.

Alexandra

If I could go back in time and tell give myself advice as a high school senior I would tell myself to make sure I stayed on top of my advisors when they were making my schedule because they may not know exactly what counts for which credits or what you need for your specific degree. I would tell myself to not spend all my loan money and to try to save money the summer before I left so that I didn't have to spend as much. I would explain how living off campus is so much cheaper and that paying 1000 dollars a semester for the gross cafeteria food is crazy and to just move out and get a house. I would make sure I knew that grades are 10 times more important than in high school so focus more, and online classes suck just take it in class. The last thing I would tell myself is that I would be fine moving away from home and no matter what my family will be there so not to worry about being on my own and to just enjoy getting to make my own rules and have fun.

Olivia

Hello high school senior self. You will be graduating high school soon which means you will be moving on to greater and better things in life. Have no fear of not knowing what you want to be when you grow up. The university offers many different degrees. There are endless oportunities for you to learn. There will be many more people in your classes at the university. Don't freak out! You will make some great friends in these classes. Stay in touch with old friends and peers even though they are not at the unversity with you. They can help you network. Don't worry too much. There are many resources at the univeristy. Just keep smiling, enjoying your time and look ahead to the future. Sincerely, You

JULIAN

I am a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Journalism with years of experience in academics, social interactions, and currently active in school clubs. Currently I am a member of the Pre-Law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, treasurer officer for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists student chapter, and reporter for UA-TV. Don't overload yourself with course work by taking too many credits or by creating new responsibilities during your first semester of college. I have scene people drop, fail, or transfer to a community college because they overwhelmed themselves. Once your first semester is over, it's pretty much the same with the exception of adding responsibilities such as joining academic and social clubs, internships, and job responsibilities. I would instill my younger self to go further, take some risks, and work extremely hard to prepare for an uncertain future. In this world of facebook, complex world politics, and international job markets, it is extremely difficult to figure out what will truly happen after graduation. All I am trying to say, is to live life to the fullest and enjoy your college experience because the future is in the now.

Stephanie

As a high school senior, I was very well prepared with my future plans and goals. I knew that I wanted to be a buyer and move to New York City, as I do still today. However, I did not apply to the University of Arizona right away. I spent my first year at Northern Arizona University, which was not a mistake, however I would suggest to myself that I apply to the other in state Universities. This would have been more valuable knowing back then, because I am behind in my major program.

Caitlin

If I could go back to my last year in highschool, I would tell myself that college is so radically different from the pampering you receive in K-12 so don't slack off, not even for a single day. I would tell myself to buckle down and learn thorough study techniques as many college courses require massive amounts of out of class work and I would tell myself not to underestimate the power of my ability to work hard. I am currently taking 20 credit hours of classes and the class load I can handle now would make me crumble like a pillar of salt if I had tried it in highschool. Overall, I would tell myself to believe in myself because anyone, if they apply themselves, can survive college.

Nicole

I would help myself decide my career goal faster and work harder to complete it at an earlier age. But my biggest thing is I’d work harder at saving money for college. My parents are unable to help me financially, even though they support my decision to go. I would tell myself to ignore the negative talk from my extended family who doubted I’d ever go to college and complete any type of degree. I’d tell myself the feeling of accomplishment at completing my AA a year ago would be worth it, to be a first generation college degree holder. Most importantly I’d make sure I know what I know now, that I can do anything when I put my mind to it and not to let any one’s negative feelings about me get me down.

Brian

I would tell myself to study harder in math. I would also tell myself that I need to practice personal responsibility skills better. I would tell myself to learn the basics of taking care of a dorm room like basic cooking, cleaning, etc.

Bethany

I would tell myself to try new things the summer before college so that I can go into college with more life experience. I would tell myself to go through sorority rush my freshman year. To be more open to making friends. To be more relaxed and go with the flow but still know who you are. I would tell myself to seriously look into clubs on campus. To go to all of the sporting events. You must live in the dorms your freshman year! That is how you meet everyone! Just be open to meeting people and having fun. The first week is easy so concentrate on that the first week of school and then after that you can worry about the actual school work. When it gets to that point, try to make a schedule but still be flexible. Go to the gym! Be yourself! If you aren't good enough for someone, they don't deserve to be your friend.

Daniel

I would tell myself that highschool is a joke compared to college. The highschool workload is nothing compared to a college one. Effort is the most important thing, so you cannot become lazy or else you will not do good in college. I would tell myself to try and study for the ACT and SAT because those scores ultimately decide how much scholarship money you will get. I would also tell myself the importance of applying for scholarships. You really do not realize how expencive college is untill you are at college spending money and taking out loans. The final peice of advice I would give to myself is try. Sometimes things will become stressful, but you need to work hard and get through it. The effort you put in now will save you time and energy later and it will make you feel better knowing you accomplished something hard. It is better to try your best and fail than to not try your hardest and fail. People will see the effort you put forth and respect you for it regardless of your grade in the class.

Claire

If I could go back in time to senior year, there would be many things I would change, but the two major things I would change would be to try harder and to make the most of my relationships. Though it is very broad to say I would "try harder" and not be specific towards what, I would want to try harder in a broad variety of things. One being school, and caring more about the grades and education I was recieving. Also I would try harder in soccer, and just making the most out of life. Another would be to make the most out of relationships; I say this because you only realize how valuable the people in your life are until you start new in a different place and they are not there with you. There are many times I look back and wish I would have spent more quality time with those special people that made my hometown the place it is to me.

Sydney

I would start with congratulating myself in taking the steps to make a decision to broaden my scholastic experience. I would then tell myself to make better study habits. Procrastination has always been a challenge I have with myself and I have had to develop them very quickly while being a student in school. I would also tell myself to be open to changes and new choices, but to also be mature and responsible about the things that I choose to do.

Marsha

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, the one piece of advice that I would give my self would be, to relax! I spent my senior year working harder than I had ever had in high school, and sometimes I wish I could go back and change that. I’m not say that I would tell my self to slack off but I would tell my self to go out and enjoy my self with my friends or go to the Friday night football games. Ultimately, I spent my senior year working so hard because I had finally realized how important school was. I was never a slacker in any way. I had always maintained A’s and B’s but it wasn’t until my senior year that I realized that in order for me to achieve my college goals I needed to start NOW and start acting like a college student. At this point in my life, being in my second semester of college I've realized that college is everything right now, and I wish I would have relaxed and enjoyed my last year of high school just a little bit more.

johana

First of all, I would give myself the advice of applying for all the scholarships necessary because college is expensive, but it is worth it at the end. I would also advice myself in preparing more with essays and college search, because it is vital and essential to look for the college that gives you the most opportunities to finish your career.

Rebecca

Time only seems to go faster. College at the UA becomes even more the amazing experience you thought it would be but not without some heartbreaking hiccups. Mom dies on January 3rd, 2011 after fighting a GBM brain tumor. Hug her, kiss her, and talk to her everyday! This will be the hardest thing you face but focus on the memories you're creating. Use your grief to motivate you – you love the cognitive sciences so stop feeling like medical school is your only option (choose happiness instead!) You go deaf in your left ear while sitting in Introduction Biology but learn to laugh and ‘turn a deaf ear’ to defeat! You fall in love with an amazing guy, who helps you through everything. You love hiking, start exploring the Catalina Mountains now, they’re amazing! Call grandma and grandpa! Go see a therapist; she becomes your introduction to Psychology. Don’t be so shy freshman year – Yavapai is the best dorm. You love to paint so start now! You make it through Organic Chem. and Vector Calc while taking care of mom – you’re doing amazing and I love you! You’re beautiful; stop worrying about what others think.

Amelia

I would choose a harder degree, and be more competative. Always talk to professors because they are there to help you, and if you have questions it is important to get them answered. Make friends in your classes because classmates can be very helpful.

Celeste

If I knew in high school what I know now this would be my advice to myself: Pursue your dreams, whatever they are! Listen to your critics, but not so much that they deter or discourage you from your dreams. Don't give up your education for anything, no matter what it is. Give of yourself and volunteer, but not so much that it affects your grades negatively. College is a short time in your life and you will be able to give more and volunteer as much of your time as you desire after you graduate. Get involved in campus life and make sure you take care of yourself. Exercise to alleviate stress, schedule play time to keep you from becoming too serious and maintain a balanced diet so that you can fuel your success adequately. Learn from other students, learn from the mistakes of other students as well as your own mistakes, but don't take them so seriously that it discourages you from your path. Create a Dream and Inspiration board, something that you can look at when you feel down that reminds you of who you are, what you want, and encourages you to move forward!

Taylor

I would tell myself to study more and take my senior year more serious. I didn't graduate with some grades that I wanted and I wish I could have worried a little more about school and a little less about my social life. Now that I have gotten through my first semester of college, I would tell myself not to stress so much first semester. I made it through and I'm still alive. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and school isn't going to be my downfall.

bryce

You're on the right track. You do not know what you want to do, and it is necessary that you continue what you are doing. The math placement test is important, so take it seriously. Sustainable agriculture may appeal to you in the future, and you should have the math foundation to back up your goals in environmental science and agriculture. Do not take the easy route past math.

Maria

I would say to myself, " Be prepared to manage your time wisely. Learn to balance demanding classes in terms of readings and assignments and do not forget to make friends. Try to stay involved int he causes you support now or develop new ones but continue to be active in the community. The more you give, the more you will get. And finally, enjoy each and evey minute because it goes by faster than you think."

Julie

During the last year of high school, students are constantly encouraged to focus on one topic: their future. It is expected that they decide on a college, a field of study, and a career. Although this planning is necessary for success during the next phase of life, it is also important to be prepared for the unexpected. If I could tell my high school self one thing, it would be this: Developing a cohesive plan for your future is important, but knowing how to react when events do not go as anticipated is just as critical. As high school seniors, there is pressure to have a sound plan for how we are going to utilize our newfound independence. One of the most difficult experiences to cope with is disappointing yourself and others when your original plan proves fragile or unrealistic. It is important to keep in mind that these are only temporary setbacks. There is no single, correct path we must follow to achieve our goals, and the side roads we find ourselves on may be just as valuable as our original navigation. As thoughtfully stated by Albert Einstein, “In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.”

Shelby

If I were able to give advice to myself two years ago, I would emphasize the fact that it is not so important to go to a prestigious school as it is to make sure the school you go to offers great programs for what you want to study. At the time, I was very caught up in the idea of attending a well-known unversity on the east coast, yet disregarded information about specific programs that these schools offered. When I decided to go to an instate college, The UA, in May of my senior year, I realized that I could have saved a lot of time, money, and worry had I simply focused on the education aspect rather than the prestige of a name.

Andrea

I would tell myself that I do stand a chance of attending a university, and I am so much smarter than I thought. Really trying to apply myself, with homework, family, and social life, will help and would allow me the extra step in the right direction. I would need to pay attetion and actually do the homework because teachers and professers can tell when it's half done or not much thought is put in. I would really have to work for what I want, it won't just be handed to me.

aman

Never give up! Keep applying scholarship programs, and you will get your dream career.

William

Not many people will ever care about the obscure piece of information I memorized for my Japanese Art and Culture test. That is because college is not about the knowledge you retain, it is about the skills you obtain. It is vitally important that you learn how to learn, and that it what I am being taught daily. If you acquire the ability to approach situations with an open mind, while simultaneously engaging in critical thinking and analysis, you will be far happier and more valuable than if you could recall every fact you have ever crammed into your brain. Start honing these skill now, because you will utilize them regularly. Another significant change in college is that your professors are not as invested in your success as they were in high school. You have to take the initiative to sharpen your mind and gain value from your education. So go to office hours, attend the non-mandatory meetings, never be afraid to ask questions, and most importantly, don't take yourself too seriously. College has the potential to be the best time of your life, so make sure you take time to simply enjoy the ride.

Alyssa

If I could back in time to last year when I was a high school senior, I would have known already where I wanted to go to school and what I wanted to study. I now know I want to attend The Catholic University of America and study Choral/General Music Education. Last year I had not made up my mind so in order to save money I began attending Germanna Community College, where I am currently enrolled. If I had known this last year, I would have applied to The Catholic University of America as a high school senior and probably would have been eligible for more scholarships. I would have also applied for and researched many more scholarships, since I am responsible for paying for my own education, without the help of my parents who have four other children.

Paulina

If I could go back in time and talk to my myself as a high school senior I would of said, "STOP complaining!" When I was in high school I was in the top five of my class and always on honor roll, but that doesn't mean I loved school. I remember when I was in high school I was always complaing about the amount of homework and classwork the teacher would assign. I didn't do much reading thats why I didn't do well on exams. But now that I'm a freshman in college I started to realize that it may not be easy, but it is not impossible. What I would of said to my self is to never give up easily, work as hard as you can because someday all the hard work will pay off, don't be a slacker, always think of your future, just do the work and good things will come out of it, and don't complain because sooner or later in life you will face things you may not like, but you have to do it in order to get to the place you want to be.

Liza

The advice that I would give myself is that in college many students situations vary. For example, in high school i was an A student, but when I came to college I chose an extremely hard major (pre-med) so getting those A's are not going to be easy. I would also tell myself that when teachers set rules they abide by them and do not make as many personal connections as in high school because in college I can feel like just another number at times.

Jacquelyn

Jackie, I know you have been through a lot during high school. But college is going to give you a fresh start and I can promise you that you are going to love the University of Arizona. It is exactly what you need to grow as a confident and intelligent woman. Be yourself and even though you may face adversity persevere. Going out of state seems scary to you right now but in the long run it will make you more independent. I know coming from a prodominately Asian community you are scared if people will judge you at the University of Arizona, where most students are white. But there is nothing to fear, most people will welcome you in open arms and they will see you for you and not by your appearance. Attending the University of Arizona will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Take a deep breath and go for it! Great memories and experiences await you at the University of Arizona. Work hard, learn and don't forget to have fun. Go Wildcats!!

Brenda

Having fun is school is fine as long as you dream and dream big for the future. It is important to consider the advice from teacher in the class room environment. Often we think we know what is best for us without underderstanding getting a college education is very important to succeeding today's work environment. Too often high school seniors fail to realize the importance of further their education to become successful. Developing great study habits and participating in class discussions while is school will help make the transition to college easy.

Sydney

If i could go back and give my highschool self advice about college i would first of all say make your school work your top priority going into your first semester. The first semester of college is a culture shock. There is that sense of freedom being away from your parents for the first time and you can easily get distracted by the social atmosphere and fall off track. But there can be a balance between the two worlds of social life and school, so i would tell myself to make sure i had done all my homework and double check that i had submitted a paper before hanging out with friends. The whole reason I am at school and paying $30,000 a year is for my education so i would definitly tell myself to always keep that in mind.

kate

Appon revisiting my senior year of high school, I would be adivising myself to get involved and enjoy the last few months of my youth. College is so full of life that it is unfortunate to waste, which is why I would have thrown myself into more activities that carry into college. My transition into college was smooth none the less, but if I could go back to high school I would simply enthuse myself more, becasue I was rather humble about going to a university at first due to the fact that some of my friends were not. Furthermore, some advice I would give my old self would be to apply for more housing scholarships, which is what I am in need of. I wish I would have applied to a more varied selection of scholarships since I was already recieving a tutition waiver. The financial aspect hit me when I came to college and the cost of living was a new budget for me. Since I am doing my undergrad without any loans, I need more assistance for these housing costs. Law School will be impossible without loans, whcih is why I am postponing them until my acceptance.

John

Time management seems to be one of the biggest issues in college. I would establish a good time management skill while I was in high school. This way when college life comes, I wouldn't get overwhelmed by schoolwork, jobs, or social activities. College is very different from high school because almost all the work are serious so it requires time dedication in order to succeed. Thus having a good time management skill will be an advantage for dealing with college. Another advice I would give myself is to apply as many scholarships as possible. The more I applied, the better chance I would get more money to afford for college. Worrying about financing for college would definitely make it harder to focus on school. So with scholarships that I won, I would be more relief about financial situation; therefore, I would concentrate better on schoolwork and optimisticly do better in college.

Shane

Dear Shane, I am contacting you to inform you that it is very important to plan for the future! If you continue to ignore scholarships, you will not have money to go to collage next year. I want you to apply to more universities, and complete scholarships so that you have a plan for next fall. I also advise that you get a second job when you graduate high school so you can save money for tuition and fees. I hope you consider these tasks. Sincerely, Shane Geving

Nick

Dear Nick, I know your senior year is winding down, and you must be excited about graduating and entering the next stage of your life. You have always known that you wanted to come to the University of Arizona, and I just wanted to let you know that you will make one of the best choices in your life. The experience you will have here in the desert will be life changing, so be sure to enjoy every minute of it. Study hard and take advantage of all that this University's academic programs has to offer, but don't forget to spend time with friends, go to all the sporting events, and most importantly, enjoy that beautiful weather! Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, in addition to adjusting from high school to college life, may seem like quite the challange, but do not doubt yourself. Your family has raised you well and you have worked hard throughout your life, so move forward with confidence. You can succeed, you will succeed, and you will have four incredible years here in Tucson at the University of Arizona. Sincerely, Yourself, Sophomore Year at the University of Arizona

Shana

I would tell myself to slow down the first few years and explore more. I took 40 credits my freshman year and overwhelmed myself. Sure, I had a decent GPA, but I was stressed beyond belief and didn't really know who I was. I would encourage myself to take classes outside my major, travel abroad, join social groups and programs, volunteer and basically just GET OUT THERE and determine who I was and what I liked. It might not have taken me so long to find myself and my niche!

Bernard

I would tell myself that going to a smaller school would most likely help me in the long run. I would also tell myself that i should of played football somewhere instead of only doing school.

Emanuel

Take your education while in college more seriously. It's important to have fun but the real reason you're here is to learn and get an education, do not waste this oppertunity. There will be time to have fun but school needs to come first.

Lea

If I could go back to senior year, boy would I make several changes! First of all I would tell that senior version of myself to take that math class even though it's not required to graduate, it will help her do better on the placement test. I would tell her to apply for more scholarships, because college simply isn't cheap. I would tell her to volunteer more in things that interest her. This will give her experience that looks good on a resume, and lastly I would tell her to cherish those last moments with friends and WRITE THEM DOWN, because going across the country is going to be a difficult transition. New experiences, new friends, and loads of fun is waiting ahead, but the farther away we are from our past, the more we will cherish those precious moments we had during senior year. I have gone back through journals so many times when I needed a laugh and I wish I had written more. Senior year is the ending of one phase of life, and now I'm beginning something new! Senior version of me, remember this and get ready!

Lida

Going back I would give my self advice to have started my applications earlier. I also would have toured more schools if I could have. I love where I am at today that is why I choose the school I did.