University of Arizona Top Questions

If I could go back and tell myself an important piece of advice when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself that it is important to make and keep new friends. Although your friends that you have from high school that will be at college with you are important, this is your chance to branch out. Keep your morals and values in mind and be strong. Do not let anyone tell you you cannot or have to do something, especially yourself. Do not look for others approval. This is the time in your life where you need to start living for you. You have worked hard to get here, but this is a new adventure that you will also need to put time and effort into to get the most out of. Explore, embrase and challenge yourself. Your college experience will be what you make of it.

College is one of the most challenging, and most rewarding expiriences. I wish my high school self spent more time enjoying high school and less time worrying about everything. I've learned to do my best, and let the chips fall from there. Mostly I learned how diffucult living with another person can be, how it requires open and honest communication. Communication is difficult, the trick is to speek ones mind, but still walk a fine line and always take the other side into account. In College I've had to communicate with different people, and I would tell my high school self to always be open to conversation, I'm a shy person and college has taught me to be comfortable talking to all people. I would tell myself to be confident, and enjoy the diversity found on campus, it's one of college's greatest treasures.

School is not that hard! I don’t know why you think you can’t do well, but coming from your future self: You can! With just a little effort you could be getting B’s, and with a bit more time A’s are possible. You don’t need to know what you want to be when you grow up in order to succeed in high school. You will find your passion and when you do, you will wish you had spent more time learning and less time acting like you didn’t care. And respect Mom and Dad! They will always be there for you and believe it or not, the saying is true; “Friends come and go, but family is forever.”

Provided I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. I feel I would tell myself to relax. College is not the same for everyone. There are the straight A students in high school who look to be on the path of finishing college in four years and going right to graduate school that deviate. Then there are those who never shined in high school who find their footing in college. Take the time to tranisition. Yes, times will be hard but enjoy it, don't stress about it. You only have that transition once in life and if you are too busy worrying about your GPA, swimming, and who your friends will be their is no way you will enjoy the four years. If a there is a fork in the road take the less likely turn, as it could lead to amazing things that allow you to find your true interests and although you might change your major a few times in the end abroad experiences, internships and professors you meet will all be worth it.

Realize that I am worth trying for. Make myself believe and dream. do your homework!! Not to give up on myself so easily. Don't let people stand in my way. Faye, I know that you don't have a whole lot of self worth, or confidence. You can believe in the future and dream, it's ok!

If I could go back in time and prepare myself for college, I would tell myself to savor the little moments that shape our lives. Too many small things in life are ignored, yet these essential moments are what make us who we are. In all the bustle of school and grades, students may forget that they are also in college to gain a different perspective on life, to encounter new and different people, and to explore themselves and who they would like to be. Although schoolwork is essential to keep up on and to succeed in, I would remind my younger self to embrace every day and to engage in the world around me as much as possible. You only live once, and when small sparks in life are explored, they can lead to fireworks.

You know all of that stereotypical stuff you always hear about college? You know, about the opportunities, the workload, the lack of sleep, the parties, the workload, the need for balance, and the workload? Well, it’s all true. By the end of your first semester, you’ll be amazed at how oblivious you’ve been. First off, take your schoolwork seriously. Figure out how to manage your procrastination. Oh, and pro tip: don’t go to sleep unless all of the following day’s work is done. It will save you butt in so many situations. Also, do get to know your professors. Seriously. Within the first two or three weeks of class, drop in on them during office hours. Ask them for help on a difficult problem. Ask them about something they'd off-handedly mentioned in class the other day. Ask them about their favorite food. Just figure out how to make that connection, because it's important. In addition, go to class every single day. It doesn't matter if it's an 8am and it's raining. Just go. Most importantly, have fun. These actually will be some of the best years of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to enjoy my time with my family a lot more. As it was getting closer to the day where I had to leave my California home to come to my Arizona dorm I was more worried about hanging out with my friends rather than hanging out with my family. At the time I didn't think anything of it but as I spent more time away from them, I started to appreciate my family more. I didn't exactly get homesick but I just wished I had spent more time with them before being thousands of miles away for 6 months. As much as I wish I could go back and tell myself that, I'm glad it happened because I appreciate the things they do for me and I value the time I spend with them now.

This is a difficult question to answer, as it seems that blossoming into a fully developed adult does not come without its twinges of regret that "I didn't do something", or "if I had only known". I regard college, however trying, as one of my greatest decisions as it has pushed me into ways of thinking never before considered. There are many things I would love to be able to tell my seventeen-year-old self. I would tell her to be calm, and never doubt herself. Things rarely go according to plan, and however difficult at times, this spontaneity is in itself a wonder of life, and if you just keep your head, solutions tend to present themselves. I would tell her that she does have the tools to succeed, she just need apply them. Most importantly, I would tell her that distractions from your goals are okay, because you learn. But these distractions cannot become your life, and all in all, you must stay focused. Now, knowing my seventeen-year-old self, I would have no part in listening to this advice, but luckily, that child grew up, and is continuing to thrive in her adult life.

I would tell my high school self to take advantage of every single opportunity I recieve. That life flies by, and in order to live the life I want for myself the biggest rule is simply to show up. Be present in your own life. Know that there will indeed be set-backs, but even the prettiest, funniest, or most successful people you will meet have set-backs too. My other piece of advice would be to meet at least one new person everyday. What my dad said when I graduated from high school has proven nothing but true, 'it's not always what you know, but who you know.' Being friendly and optimistic will always prove better then being rude and pessimistic. And lastly, please, please, please don't get hung up on that one bad test you had. In the end, it really and honestly will not matter. Life will go on, and yes, you will still get a job even if you do not have a 4.0 GPA. College is about more then the grades, it's about the people and experiences you meet and have along the way. Have fun, smile, it goes fast.

My biggest advice to myself would be-BE OPEN MINDED. As a high school senior, I had expectations on how college life was going to be. I thought I would instantly find a group of friends, go out every weekend, and have my nose in the books during the week. Well I am a semester in and these expectations had gotten me no where. When I first started college I wish I would have been more open minded about joining clubs and getting envolved, instead of letting other peoples opinions and experiences affect my own.

If I were to meet the 17-year old me, I would tell myself to, "Cool it!" As a young adult, I desperately wanted to be self-sufficient. Going into college all the way acoss the country, I assumed all the responsibilities at once and as a result, it made my college experience stifled and lonely. My father offered to help me pay for my tuition, but I chose the independent route to work and try to take full time classes. As you can guess, I burned out within two years, failed out of two whole semesters, then realized the mistake I had made. For an incomming freshman (like or unlike my former self), I would advise to take the generosity of your family with all enthusiams. Take advantage of your new school's social and academic programs and make THAT into your new priority. Make sure to combine your academics with your social life, and get to know others within your program well, for they will come to be a dual asset in both aspects of your life. And lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help. It is humbling, but it will save you in the end.

follow your dreams and never limit yourself. Always ask for help if need to and dont be shy. The the reseach on anything you plan to do and make sure you review all your options before making a decision. Focus more in school and not so much on what others plan to do that might push you off road.And most of all, Think your your future and plan a head. If you stay back and think of what others are doing you might not succeed on the way you wanted.

Well, if I know what I know about college and making the transition, I would tell myself to stay focus, have a strong and positive attitude towards a better education. Also I would tell myself that I will need a college degree instead of relying on just a high school dipolma. I think my advice would have made me a much better student and it would have driven me to push myself a little harder. I really think if I have use my advice back in high school; I really would be still in school, but almost finish with my degree. My advice would have taken me very far, not only to benefit myself and my family, but I want my career to help others.

I would tell myself to learn to study and not procrastinate! I think that's the biggest problem I have, is that I flew by high school with no problems, hardly studying, all my teachers bugging me about getting things done and wanting to know who I am. In college, you have to make the effort to know your teachers and make them notice you, or you'll just slide through. Then, you have to motivate yourself to get work done since you don't have parents or teachers encouraging it. You also have to worry about deadlines because college is less forgiving; if you forget then there's generally not late work accepted or extra credit opportunities. In highschool, the teachers know eachother and know when eachother's tests/homework are so they can plan around eachother and you're not as stressed out. In college, you could have a 2 midterms and a ten page paper due all in one week, and you have to plan ahead and not procrastinate studying or doing homework. I'm learning how to adapt to college still as a sophomore, so motivate yourself and don't get in the habit of procrastinating!

Why did you not clean your room and do your own laundry when mom told you to do so? Why did you avoid the dishes at all causes and not help with dinner? The transition to college life encompasses white shirts that are now pink, mounds of clothes that get mixed in with your roommates, ice cream for dinner, and piles of dirty dishes that are endless. The hardest thing about the transition to college life is learning to do everything myself. Mom is not there anymore to pack my lunch, do my laundry, or tell me to clean my room. In college it is all about self motivation. Without motivation the piles of dirty dishes only stack up and your diet only keeps adding pounds. Without motivation you sleep through your classes or choose to watch the new season of Glee rather than go to math class. College is all about wanting to be here and learning to take on the responsibilities of everyday life. If I listened to my mom when she told me to do my own laundry or do the dishes I may not have to face discolored shirts or dirty dishes in my room.

College is full of opportunities, both good and bad. It is very important to have self-descipline because unlike high school, it is full of a lot more peer pressure. Without self-descipline you won't be able to avoid distractions and you'll have a lot of regrets making bad descisions. Be ready as well to be assigned homework and having to motivate yourself to do it with the knowledge that homework counts for nothing; not directly at least. If you don't do your homework, prepare to fail. No matter how far away from home you go, as long as you are in the dorms or staying away from your house, a lot more responsibility is thrown on your shoulders than you expect. Mom and dad aren't there anymore to make your appointments and take care of you when you are sick (especially when you get kidney stones). The best advice I can give though is to plan on having fun in college and not to stress about going somewhere different than all your friends. It all works out great.

I really wish I could go back in time, I have had an awesome time at the University but I have committed various mistakes and during my undecided times I was not guided the way I would have liked to have been guided by my advisors. This caused me a great deal of pain and eventually depression to which I have fought over the past 2 years; because of that If I had the chance to go back in time, I would have followed my heart and had started school pursuing the degree I am currently working on, Graphic Design. Instead I stubbornly tried to become an Aerospace Engineer and as I was discovering, the hard way, that I was not cut out for it my grades were affected and together with some misfortunate life events I slowly plumed into depression. Now in my new Major I’m doing fantastic, my GPA and grades have drastically improved and I have the desire to eventually graduate and create a career for myself. In summary, like I mentioned, my best advice would be to follow my heart because doing what you love really pays off.

I thought my transition would be easy since I've lived in Tucson my whole life, but I was wrong once I stepped foot on campus. I felt like a complete stranger. I would tell my high school self to get involved from the beginning. There is no better way to feel like a part of the campus community as belonging to clubs, sports, or organizations. Since I lived off campus, I let a long time pass before I took the initiative to join clubs and regret not doing it sooner. I would also tell myself to not be afraid of getitng help. I wish I would have used the extensive amount of tutoring hours, professors’ office time, and study groups instead of being stubborn and trying to figure it out myself. Nonetheless, the most important thing is to be more independent, self sufficient, and not expect things to be handed easily. If you need help, look for it. If you want friends, make an effort. If you want an A, put in the time for it. High school and college are two different worlds, but what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.

Knowing what I know now I would tell myself to taking more community college classes to see what I enjoy. I was accepted into my university as an English major, then changed to Pre-Vet, Latin American Studies and the list goes on and on. I didn't have a focus and I loved to many majors to choose. As a result I have delayed my graduation a semester or more. Organization and seeking out opportunities that interest you should have been a priority when I was in high school, and not just having a haunch. Also, I starte working at 16 years old to help my single mother out, but if I could have saved some extra money that would have helped, or possibly searching for more scholarships to apply for. Additionally, in regards to community college, I would have told myself to take as many general education classes at the community college level and transer them, that way I could focus on my major more and start studying what I adore.

Dear High School Me, Stop stressing out so much about college! If you are open to new experiences, college will be a blast. Don't be afraid to go out and meet new people! Be prepared to be completely in charge of yourself. You, and only you, are going to determine how well you do in school, how you spend your time, how involved you get. It's a huge transition from being at home, but the independence is so worth it. Be organized, plan out how you will manage your time, and put a lot of effor into your classes at the beginning of your semesters so you will not stress out so much towards the end. Leave your door open, say hi to people in your hallway, and spend time getting to know people better. Find clubs you can get involved in, that suit your interests. Stop worrying about what you'll major in, you will find something you like with SO many different choices. You're going to have the time of your life! Best wishes, Future you

Knowing what I know now, I would advise my high school senior self to be realistic in many aspects of life. First, I would say be realistic on which school you can afford. I assumed my parents would figure out the funds in order to send me to college, but now I have realised that the money is not going to just appear. Money is important these days, especially in this economy, therefore it is very important to be realistic on which type of university my family can pay for. Secondly, I would say be realistic on where you want to spend the next four years of your life. Leaving California did not seem like a drastic change, but it was. Coming to Arizona I was forced to adjust to a new enviornment without friends or any family near. Lastly, I would tell myself to always go forth with the best effort possible; the most important thing to do is make a decision on what you want, not what others are telling you they think is the best thing for you.

I would tell myself to stay focused on academics. Start off the first semester very organized and have a plan for studying and completing school work. Attend class every day and take good notes. Prepare for tests and make sure that all papers submitted are proof read. Put school first and get my work done before doing anything social. Time managment is so important and setting priorities is a must. Don't hesitate to contact and meet my instructors with any questions or concerns.

I regret so much about high school, simply becaue I know how much better I could have done, and how important it was. If I could go back in time, I would have taken both honors and AP credit classes senior year. This would have gave me more oppertunites for scholaraships, and I wouldn't have to take some of the classes I am taking now! I didn't realize how important it really was for me to do well in high school, but I am glad I ended up where I did. I also would have done even more volunteer work, and joined many more clubs and participated in more sports and clubs. This would have allowed me to make more connections for my future, which I beleive is very important. My school would have also gave me more money, which would have helped so much both on my mother, and on myself. I know I could have worked harder my senior year, so I am making up for it now by working as hard as possible!

If I could go back to my senior year I would have started planning my time more effciently so I would be more prepared in college. Time management skills are key in being successful in college and if I would started working on those skills earlier then I would have been more organized and prepared during my first semester. It is important to find a balance between school, studying, and peronal time. All are necessary to succeed in school however, my first semester I judged my time poorly and struggled with completing work and getting enough sleep. The lack of given sturcture in college compare to highschool was a large challenge for me. I should have taken more initiative with planning my time in highschool so that when the time came for college I would already have a set routine.

I wish I really could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. If this were possible, I would have three very important things to say. First, I would remind myself what a big commitment choosing a college is. Although I was aware of this at the time, I did not give it the full time and attention it deserved. I made my decision quickly and without fully understanding what I was getting into to. Second, I would tell myself that the town/area the school is in is VERY important. Previously to actually attending college, I had no idea that the location would really matter- as long as the weather was nice. I was wrong. I never explored Tucson, where the Univeristy of Arizona is located, and I regret it. My dislike for the down has negatively impacted my college experience. Third, I would ask myself if I was actually comfortable with being far away from my family. I am from California and thought the distance would be easy, but I miss my home and my family everyday. I didn't understand how I would feel because I didn't give it sufficiant thought.

Stay ambitous and anxious about pursing a career worth your interest. Follow that goal even through the boring and uneventful times and you will be rewarded for it.

I would tell myself to be more prepared. You cannot wait around for something to happen, you have to make it happen. Life is what you make of it. Things are not going to be handed to you, you must fight for them. And fighting for what we want is not just a matter of being tough and smart, you also have to plan ahead. You have to ask yourself, "what do I want out of life? What do I want to do? And how do I get there?" Follow the steps, not just your dreams.

I would give myself the advice of quickly getting a handle on my classes, and making a schedule that included time for exercise and office hours and stick to it. The college life can become stressful and overwhelming so by having a schedule to follow you are bound to stay on top of your work and not get behind in your classes or allow your grades to slip. Office hours are a great asset to students; it gives them one-on-one attention from professors and personal help with difficult assignments. Although the transition is difficult, it is advantageous to embrace the new freedom and prove to all naysayers and your parents that you can grow up, mature, and manage all these new aspects of life on your own. I want you to work especially hard on getting involved and staying involved, this will aid you in making friends, avoiding spending all your time on homework, and is a great resume builder for jobs.

I would reassess my study habit and change the way I think about college. I would take high school as the turning point of life because what I learn in high school plays a pivotal role in how I perform at college. There's an old proverb, "morning shows the day". The success that I achieve at high school lays out a strong foundation of achieving the same success at college. However, this success is only achievable through hard work. I would do what it takes for me to perform strongly at college. I would use time consciously so it would not set me back to achieve my goals.

In highschool, I was the type of student that just did what I needed to do to get by. I was never very ambitious. This played a huge part in my decision to join the Air Force. The only thing that the AF required from me was a diploma, and that was easily attainable. I think if I were to go back and give myself advice, I wouldn't change a thing. My military experince truly shaped who I am today, and was the best decision I made. I would, however, tell myself to study harder, learn more. I feel that I recieved a great education, but it could've been an even better one had I applied myself more. I can honestly say that I now understand the value of an education. I understand the work that is needed and the time that needs to be set aside for my studies. I am a completely different man now at 25 than when I was a young 18 year old boy. I credit that to the path I chose, and wouldn't change it.

If I had the chance to go back in time and better prepare myself for college, I would tell myself to focus my time on scholarships. The amount of stress centered around finances for school is overwhelming. I would tell myself to apply for scholarships and financial aid early and for evert scholarship out there. There are so many different scholarships that it is easy to acquire of the time and effort is put into them. I would also tell myself not to slack off my senior year. Take hard courses and stay focused the entire time. This would of helped my transitions from a relaxed senior year to a hard working freshman year.

As you go into College not everything will be given to you or easy. You may hit rocks along the road but part of this new journey is for you to learn to control you wheel and continue going on. Family and friends are there to support you through thick and thin. Never think you are alone on your new career. Finish everything and do not ever give up. You are the first in your family to graduate now go out there and study hard because in the end it will all pay off. Make schedules and time for all your class work so you do not forget or lose track of anything. Now go and do you absolute best.

If I could go back in time and advice my myself as a high school senior I would tell my old self that I should deciede to go straight to college instead of putting it off for a few years as I did. I would tell her that she doesn't feel ready for college because public schools didn't prepare her for college, so she should go to community college, and to get the most out of it as she can. I would advise the importance of attending class in college. Not only physically being in the classroom; but giving her full attention, listening mindfully, taking notes, and interacting in class conversations. I would get her ready for the reality that she will be paying her way for college. I would tell her how to save up money now, because she won't learn how to for about another 4 years. The most imporant advise for the making the transition into college I would give to my high school senior self would be; if it's 3 a.m. go to sleep, the paper will be better if you write it in the morning.

Being sure about the major that you want to pursue should be one of the top priorities. No student wants to waste their time paying for a course that won't do any good if you decide to change your major. So making sure that that major is the one major that you want to see yourself doing for a while should come before anything else. Also, entering a university fr the first time can be really scary. Adjusting may be hard, especially if you're new to the state and everything around it. I suggest that you take everything easy in the beginning so you won't have to undergo a very dramatic change for your freshman year at a university.

I would tell myself that the transition, socially, isn't going to be as difficult as I thought it would be. However, I would tell myself that the workload in college will be as much as the teachers have warned us. I would say that the work isn't necessarily difficult, but rather it is time consuming and it is a necessity for a good grade. There will still be the people who don't care about class and their grades, but these people will not last long in college. Also, you should try to avoid these people because they can be toxic to your college career. You should surround yourself with people who care about grades as much as you do. Final words of advice, the transition will make itself over time. You will be stressed and distraught over grades, because the tests aren't like they were in college. However, you will need to remain strong and persevere through the hard times. The gratification for getting a good grade in the class will outmatch any of the work that you put into the class.

As a college student time management and getting involved with your school is in my opinion the most important factors to succeeding in college. The work load is tremendously different from that of highschool and community college so I would stress the importance of getting every assignment and task done early in addition to keeping up with a planner because it will definitely free up time to socialize with friends and go off campus to distress from the work load without worrying about any assignments. Time management is a key component to making your college experience much easier because it helps you avoid the struggles and consequences of procrastination that will ruin your college education, thus, your entire life. Getting involved helps students get the full ambiance of the college experience because through different clubs and activities there will be a lot of socializing and getting to know other students with different backgrounds. When you get involved through clubs such as SAE, a baja racing and building club, then you get to experience first hand what it is like to be an engineer and the all around work ethic needed to succeed in such a prestigious major.

Dear Sydney, First off, I would just like to say college is not as scary as you think. Yes, traveling across country, by yourself, starting a new school with thousands of strangers does seem a bit intimidating, however, just remember that every other freshman is walking in your very same shoes. Secondly, stress is apart of daily life, and don't you forget that! Stress will find you no matter what, there's no hiding from it, but do NOT allow it to overpower you; take control. Last but certainly not least, the best piece of advice I could possibly give you is to follow your heart; you know what's best for you. Procrastination will be your biggest enemy throughout your college years, but it doesn't have to be. Go for it! :-) Syd

I would definitely search and try to obtain scholarships as many as I could.

I would tell myself that I made things harder then they were. To keep away from distractions of my goals and to focus. I took to long to graduate and felt as though i wasted alot of time. I would have love to be given a second opportunity to push myself and believe in myself as well. Have confidence.

Do not slack off during your senior year. Take the highest level of classes you can take, and make good grades. Also, go straight to a four-year institution from high school to avoid missing out on the experience of the college life. If you go to a community college for two years, it keeps you from growing up and experiencing things that everyone should experience at some point. Community colleges are just like high school. However, if you do go to a community college, get to know your professors. Talk to them like they are real people, and they will tell you some interesting things. They really are there to help you become your best self, so take advantage of all of their knowledge.

STUDY AND THEN HAVE FUN

Don't major in something you think is going to make you the most money because in the end, it's not going to make you happy. Do what you love and find significance in the classes you take and the groups you are apart of. Focus on a couple things instead of trying to do everything because that is what is going to make you stand out. Be still every so often so you can realize how truly great your life is and don't take anything too seriously. Just be happy and do your best and you will go far.

First of all I believe my high school did not prepare me for college and for that reason I have a lot of advice I wish someone would have given me as a senior. The most important thing I would have told myself is to study every day and practice each assignment more than once. I would also give myself the advice of always trying hard and not giving up because as a college student your work will not always receive a perfect score. The most important advice I would have given myself would have been to not be lazy and to turn in every work that has been assigned even if it is only worth one point. Being in college has been a great struggle since I have learned every aspect of college life on my own but I know that with my desire to become a nurse in labor and delivery it will push me to not give up and make my dream a reality of receiving my bachelor’s degree as a first generation college student.

If I could travel back in time to speak to myself as a high school senior regarding college, I would have a great deal to say. Most importantly, I would stress the importance of graduating. My point of departure would be to explain that roughly eighty percent of Americans have some education beyond a high school diploma. However, only about twenty percent of Americans have a Bachelors Degree. Simply by graduating, one delineates themselves from the masses. I would argue that college graduates almost always have more financially successful lives than non-college graduates. I would also argue that while money can not buy ones happiness, it can often facilitate the pursuit of happiness. One point of emphasis would be that this college can be seen as the path of least resistance to a “better life”. While there are a myriad of ways in which one might wish to be contented, graduating college might be the one thing that can bring this contention to fruition. Lastly, I would tell my past self that college transcripts are the most important testament of personal character and they can often define ones life.

Honestly, the high school I attended prepared me so well for the academic side of college that I have no problem balancing school, work, and a social life. However, if I knew in high school what I know now, I would have started selling my handmade crafts earlier in order to raise money for college, gotten a bank account earlier in high school, and really pushed my parents to teach me to drive as soon as I turne 16.

Set your morals and keep your integrity. Throughout the first months of college you will be challenged to change yourself; changing to fit into the social norm of society. Don’t give in. Although it may be more difficult, it is your personal and moral worth that will keep you sane. Never shortchange your standards. When it comes to relationships and goals you cannot settle. Do not quit and take the easy way out simply because you refuse to challenge yourself to be different. Exploit other’s apathetic attitude towards college. Take advantage of this opportunity you have and seize every day. Find what you love and go after it. Once you find what you love, follow it.When you are faced with obstacles, you must confront them. There is no "slip it under the rug” here. You must take responsibility and be the bigger man. Here in college you cannot escape hardship, stress, or barriers. They are all part of college, and are here for you to grow, not to shy away from them and walk the other way. It’s a journey in itself, but never lose sight of your goals. And always remember where you’re from.

I would tell myself to really focus on applying for financial aid and scholarships. No one really told me to do that and coming to college and seeing all the expenses that I have, I wish I had more money to pay for everything. Money isn't everything in life but it sure does make things stressful sometimes when you don't have it. I would also tell myself to not worry so much about the transition. It wasn't as stressful as I thought it was going to be and I wish I could have saved myself some of the anxiety that I had in high school about the transition to college.

The transition from my mediocre high school to a highly accredited university was very difficult for me. That being the case, if I were able to go back in time and give myself some useful advice I would stress the fact that attending class, taking thorough notes, and completing all the assigned readings are very important for achieving success in each class. I seemed to get by without much studying in high school and yet I was still able to achieve a 3.9 GPA. Being used to a system such as this, I enrolled as a full time student at the University of Arizona being very confident in the fact that I could easily obtain my bachelors degree in engineering. After the three semesters I have completed thus far, I have progressively improved. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have saved myself a lot of stressful moments.

Looking back on the past, there are so many things that I would tell my high school self. The first advice I would give is to participate in more extracurricular activities. While I loved Drama Club, it took up the majority of my time. If I had not joined Drama Club, I could have joined more clubs which would have looked better on my college applications. I would also have told myself to focus more. I slacked off in my senior year and I ended up with a 3.6 GPA, which was not enough for me to get the scholarships that I needed for school. I ended up without the money that I needed to go to college. If I had focused on college, I would have gotten a higher GPA and hopefully would be starting my senior year, rather than my sophomore.