University of Arizona Top Questions

Live off campus, you'll save tons of money and the dorm life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Come prepared for all kinds of weather, even if the weather in your school's town is consistent, you don't want to be the one wearing flip-flops in the rain, and t-shirts in the cold. Pick a school you can afford; don't assume the financial aid office will work with you, because they most likely won't. Get a bike. Even if you haven't ridden one since you were 11, you'll appreciate it when you have find yourself with 10 minutes between 2 classes that are all the way across campus from each other. Appreciate your parents, learn how to do laundry, and maybe even cook. A Burger King on campus that takes your meal plan sounds awesome, but it gets old fast. Bring a camera. Learn some good study habbits. Come with an open mind; trust me when I say you don't know what you're in for. And, most of all, take yourself seriously. People may doubt you, but if you have faith in yourself, anything is possible.

If I were given the oppurtunity to go back, I would tell myself "you know how you've been dying for these days, well it's totally worth it." I would tell myself keep saving money, keep trying your best and great things will happen. No one thought we could get this far, but we have, everyone around us had their doubts, but we're proving them wrong. One day you will be something great, you've just got to keep pushing yourself. Don't let anyone bring you down. That's exactly what I have kept telling myself this entire semester, when I realized my financial aid might not cover my tuition fees, I've been telling myself I'll get through it, because I have to. I have to ensure myself a future.

Dear Self (circa 2009),College now appears as an opportunity to be everything you wanted to but couldn’t be in high school. College is this opportunity but you should know that merely being a college student won’t miraculously adapt who you are. You have the opportunity to make the most out of your education, but you have to take full advantage of the unique resources and opportunities at your disposal. Don’t expect these opportunities to come knocking on your dorm-room door. Seek out your professors. Ask them about opportunities to get involved. Your experience in college will be as extraordinary as you make it, and there’s no better time to start shaping the outcome this experience than right now. Don’t waste your senior year . Take classes eligible for university credit so you can spend time and money on classes that matter to you and to your education. What lies ahead is new and daunting. Take solace in the fact that everyone around you feels the same way, and that your professors, and even your parents have been there and are willing to help. Be proactive about your education. You will end up tremendously happy.

As an older, hopefully wiser person, I would tell my high school self to stay committed! College is a wonderful time of exploration and self-discovery, but getting caught up in a life-style of partying and putting school second. Grades matter, but learning matters more! Strive each day to acquire knowledge, a fresh perspective, and a love of learning. It is these skills that will carry you throughout your life, even after you forget how to solve the algebra equation you learned in college!

Make a concrete decision about the goals needed to be reached in order to finish a degree that is desirable to the job market. So many people graduate with degrees that don't carry a guarantee for a job. If I was back in high school, I would sit down and look at what I really wanted to do, and make a list of all the interesting careers. I would then research every career on that list, and come up with one or two careers that showed an increase for expansion in the future. I would then take my career choice and speak to a counselor. A counselor is there to help construct a timeline for your education. Use them, and get a detailed list of classes with exact semesters in which they need to be completed. Do not stray away from meeting your goals. Also, prepare yourself financially for your college experience. Apply for scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans. Try to avoid taking out unsubsidized loans, as these will accrue substantial amounts of interest while attending school. Lastly, be diligent in your education. Success comes from hard work and not being afraid to fail.

Knowing what I know now, I would have made my transition from a high school student to a college student much more different. I would have paid more attention to deadlines and the advice current college students had given me. I put off applications until the last minute. In college, I realized you need to follow deadlines and really stick to a schedule of your paperwork and submitting them on time or even weeks before the deadline. When you are able to submit paperwork earlier, the people receiving your paperwork may review it and send it back for corrections. Just being more professional about my work too would have been more efficient later in my future at my university. I was in a panic trying to gather up last minute funds so I would have been able to register for spring classes. Time management is very important to have your paperwork done earlier and not have the inconvenience of stressing over your paperwork at the end of a semester.

In my opinion, knowing what I know now, I would set my priorities and goals as would a high school student and that would be making sure am present for every class am registered for, try as much as possible to study each topic to have a knowledge of what is all about before is being treated in class because that would help me comprehend the instructor more and faster, time management, get closer to people that would inspire me positively and make smart and intelligent friends who can tutor me if I encounter any difficulties in any of my classes. I would also engage in community services to tutor people in courses am very good at and help them make good grades just like I want for myself. I try as much as possible to scan & go through my lecture notes & text books everyday getting ready for quiz anytime it would be mentioned than crame or memorize few hours to the quiz, thus, having text anxiety and not pass, I also would encourage my fellow students to do same as that does help alot. I enjoy networking too.

I would actually go back to Junior year and decide to take a unit of math in my senior year. Though I allready had four units at the end of junior year, I feel I would have been better off had I taken a math class senior year. I am however gald I still had the maxmum possible number of units durring my senior year.

Be open to making new friends, but don't be taken advantage of, either. You can learn a lot at college, and have a good time too. By following the middle path, no excess or extremes, you can perceive the world as it is. Life is a challenge, always be rising to meet it.

What I would do is tell myself that every single class, every assignment, every test/quiz effects your college selection. Do not slack off in any class and make sure you make good study habits early on in high school that way you can perfect these habits into the college life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be so nervous for college! It has been a great experience and I should never have benn worried about it. I would also tell myself to apply for more scholarships. I did not apply for enough, and so I struggled a bit financially this year. But above all, I would tell myself that I can do anything that I set my mind to.

Every one wishes they had an opportunity to go back in time at one point or another. If I figured out the complexity time travel I would make sure my senior self listened up and followed a few rules to make my freshman year better than all four years of high school combined. Rule number one is get involved. The best way this can be achieved is by joining clubs or other activities. My senior self had a few pals but I never fully realized that once college started those friends would all be gone. Joining a club with people that shared my interests would definitely have benefited me. The scholarship and networking opportunities are always a plus as well. Rule number two is, if it is free than take it. Usually on campus there is free food to attract hungry students and taking advantage of those meals could have saved my wallet from becoming empty. Also free seminars for resume building and interview techniques are a great learning experience. Lastly rule number three. Do not be afraid to make friends! I have current friends now that I never expected to be this close with. It is worth the risk.

David, go tell your family how much you love them. Embrace them with an open heart because August 19, 2011 (departure) will be the hardest day of your life. You will regret every unspoken word and every untouched feeling. Look at your girlfriend in the eyes, and tell her you love her. You will not get to see the people you love for long periods of time, so in that time you will need to be ready to take on a new world. You will be facing many obstacles, David. Be ready for them, be prepared to spend your friday nights with your text books, and not with your loved ones. Be prepared to attend mass without your family by your side. Be prepared to be poor. Be prepared to cry your eyes out when you realize you don't have money to go home and celebrate your little sisters birthday. Be prepared to receive a million phone calls from your mother. Be prepared to find happiness in places you never considered. Be prepared to meet the most intelligent individuals the US has to offer. Be prepared to compete with thousands of others just like you. Be prepared David.

If I had the opportunity to go back and talk to my senior self about college life, I would have much to talk about. First, I would say apply to more scholarships and try to get a full ride because student loans will leave you broke. Second, start working right away to save up and be able to afford some sort of insurance because if you don’t then you wont have health insurance for college. Third, hit the books now and lose the habit of procrastination because it won’t help anyone if you procrastinate during your last year of high school. And last but not least, open up and don’t be afraid to talk to new people and take some chances on internships and volunteering. That is what I would tell my High school senior self ahead of time to prepare myself for such a huge shift in my social surrounding.

As much as you say you will not miss home, it will happen. You will get homesick. Seeing Dad on the occassional weekend will be a treat, and nothing will satisfy your craving for his cooking until you get it. The small dorm bed will make you appreciate the queen sized one at home, and the moment you see your dog you will break down and cry, since she is the one thing that you cannot get a dose of at school. You can talk to you friends and family, there will be care packages with food in them, but you cannot get your dog. You cannot talk to her on the phone, or have her shipped to your dorm. Homesickness will happen, and your dog will be the thing you miss most.

Prepare for a completely new lifestly. Enter the college scene with an open mind and prepare to work. You will meet new people, discover new lifestyles, and meet people from every social class. Enjoy your time in college, but remember to think twice before every decision that you make, because you will be living with that decision for the rest of your life. Never forget your family and how much they have done for you. They should be number one in every aspect of your life. Do not drift away from your religion in school, because you are not on a religious vacation. Take each step in stride and make the best of your life in college.

I would tell myself to work as hard as I can because college is amazing and you learn so many new things and meet so many interesting people. Work hard because all of your hard work will pay off in College.

Go build your credit. I know the recession is already present, but you won't believe how much this economic climate is going to affect you. The fact that you don't have any credit could halt your dreams of getting an education. Try your hardest to manage that job, because you're going to have a lot worse jobs than that one. You're gonna go through a lot, Bryan, but I know you'll manage. One day, things are gonna seem really dark, but just remember that you need to struggle to survive. You want that education, that dream never died. So don't waste your time enjoying the summer, go out and save up some money, because you're going to feel the backlash of the housing crisis in a few years. Mom and Dad are going to suffer, and all you're going to be able to do is watch. So help them while you're still there, and tell mom you love her more often. You're really gonna miss her when you're going off into the world alone. It'll get lonely, but you'll still have the faith to carry on. Peace.

You should be proud, continue your path to success. I know you love reading, but expand your views and read some academic articles. Find an author and read some of his/her work. Keep practicing in the subject areas you like the most. They will be of great importance in the future. Look for art contests you will do great. Squeeze into your extracurricular activities a part time job. Keep a copy of the recommendation letters. Thank you for your hard work. Create more memories with your high school friends. Never forget that you have potential, use it.

As an undergraduate graduate, I have lived the four years of the college experience. If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a senior in high school, it would be - learn how to study. All throughout my high school life I did not study, I would do my homework, but that would usually be it. I never had to study, so I never learned how, it hit me hard. I did the homework and readings, but when that first test came around, I realized I did not know how to study. I did the best I could, I redid the homework and readings, but that was not enough. I received a D on that first college test. I told myself, I knew college was not going to be breeze; I walked into college with my eyes open, unlike most freshman, but my first D in my life, things had to change. I asked for more help, did extra problems and eventually, in my junior year of college, I finally learned how to study. If I had know how to study, that first day of college my GPA could have been a little higher.

Go into the first year with no expectations, join clubs, meet people, live on campus, maybe take some bizarre general education classes. The first year is critical to figure out where you are headed, and the best way to figure that out is to explore. At the same time, come into freshman year with a goal oriented attitude; college can be a blast but if you run off having too much fun you will wind up paying for it later. Don't spread yourself too thin; explore to find the things that matter to you and pursue them. Too many people get caught up with the haze of college that they loose sight of their true goals. Those As and Bs are not as easily obtained and they are so important for future opportunities. That first year is the foundation to the rest of your college experience. Set yourself on the right track so that your next three years aren't spent cleaning up the mess of freshman year. Come into college strong with a an open-mind and a sense of what you you want from college, because time is precious and those four years will fly by.

When I was a high school senior, I was actually already attending college through a dual credit program and it was a great deal of work in order to maintain favorable grades. I had taken high school courses along with college honors courses and the stress was overwhelming. After that first year’s experience, I went through a downward spiral and my GPA suffered. To this day, I am still working strenuously to restore it. If I could go back and give myself any advice, I would tell myself not become over worked and burnt out. I would suggest methods of simple stress relief, better eating habits and efficient time management so that unnecessary stress could be avoided.

I would tell my younger self to go to a community college first that offered undergraduate transfer credits for general education requirements. This would help with the transition from my public high school learning into a university setting. It would have been more gradual and less of a shock. It would also give me the opportunity to mature in a setting that is not costing me thousands of dollars in school loans. This would prevent making any adolescent mistakes that would have ended up in me losing scholarships and feeling depressed. College is just a bit more serious than high school and learning a few things about being on your own and going to school will go a long way in developing into a university level graduate.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior and give myself advice, there would be so many things I could say! I think the most important would be to get involved in clubs and organizations. That is something I never really did in high school, but have been a big part of in college. I feel that it is an incredible thing, and a great way to meet new people. It also looks great on scholarship and college applications. When I applied to college, it was sad to see that the emptiest section of my application was the section for clubs and activities. I know I made a mistake by not joining clubs in high school, but I feel that I have gotten over that, and started new in college, which is something that I am very proud of! Now, I even encourage my younger siblings to make sure they stay involved in school.

I would tell myself to work harder at the beginning of the semesters, because no matter how busy you are at the start of the semester, you are going to be bussier at the end. It is nice to have a cushion at the end of the semester for the unexpected.

I would tell myself to enjoy college, to take advantage of all that there is to take. Not just to enjoy the academics but also attend more events, join more clubs, try joining a team sport and try to volunteer more.

I would tell my high school senior self to start seriously applying for scholarships because out of state tuition at the University of Arizona is over twelve-thousand a semester. My family and other scholarships will not be enough to pay for anything. You will have to take out a lot of loans to even pay off some of the tuition. I will be starving in college right now. If you want to eat, apply for more scholarships. Apply for scholarships or you will starve.

The biggest piece of advice I would give myself, based on my experience my freshman year, make sure you visit all the dorms on campus and learn as much as you possibly can about them! Don't get a single, it generally inhibits you from making friends your first year, and you're alone most of the time. Do all you can to make friends, meet new people. Learn as much as you can about social events and things to do around the area. Just do all that you possibly can to meet lots of new people.

"Money doesn't grow on trees." As a senior in high school, filling out college applications and scholarship forms, you feel like you have your entire life ahead of you. And when you finally get that letter of acceptance from the school of your dreams, nothing will stop you from attending that institution. But, as you will find out the most important part of the college application process isn't just about knowing a school's credentials, it is also about knowing just how much you are going to be paying for your four year endeavor. Apply for as many scholarships as you feel are sufficient, and then apply for several more after that. Think about this decision in terms of finance as well as practicality instead of basing decisions off of whimsical notions of why you should chose a certain school. Don't regret the decisions you've made, deal with the cards you have been dealt and everything else will fall into place. Never stop being greatful for what you have been given, you can't say thank you enough.

As a freshman entering college, I wish I had known how demanding my classes would be. In high school, I was able to "coast" through all my classes and get good grades without any real effort. I struggled in a couple classes in college because I attempted to use the same tactics there. I also wish someone had explained to me what chemical engineering was truly about; this was my first major, and I found that it had little to do with chemistry and much to do with pipes, tanks, flow-rates, and facilities. If I had known this beforehand, I would have majored in chemistry in the beginning. Despite my struggles earlier on, I have been successful in college thus far. In general, I was prepared, and easily adapted to the new environment. I now know what is expected of me, and I have no regrets about my past mistakes in my last two years of college.

If I were given the chance to go back and talk to my high school self, the most important thing I would tell myself about college life is to enjoy it but also to 'work first play later'. It is easy to get caught up in the 'college lifestyle'. Meeting new friends and having this new found sense of freedom can sometimes get in the way of why your really going to school, to get a degree and a career. After college is over, you'll forget the parties, but your grades and accomplishments while in college will forever benefit you in whereever you go in life. I would also want to make sure I told myself that I don't have to live up to anyone's standards but my own. Everyone in college is there for different reasons, some because they were forced and others because they have goals. I'd tell myself to stick to MY goals no matter what, your going to make mistakes, and your going to do great things, so worry more about the great things you've accomplished and instead of giving up, learn from the mistakes. So, "work first play later".

If I could return to my senior year and talk to myself about college life, I would tell myself that it's tougher to earn good grades in college than in high school, and to maintain high grades requires doing more than just attending class and taking notes. I have learned that professors sometimes test students on reading material not covered in class, and that there is no such thing as extra credit in college! Understanding the syllabus and grading system for each class is critical to success. Along with academics, it's also important to reach out to other students and make friends in your dorm and your classes. Good friends can help you through the tough times (and there will be tough times!). Also you should look for clubs and extra-curriculars to help balance out your academics because you can find great friends and faculty through those activities. I would remind myself to get involved in as many ways as possible on my campus, because the more involved I can be, the more I will gain from college. And I would tell myself to have fun along the way, because you're only a freshman once!

I would tell myself to get better grades, take more AP and honors classes, be more involved in school clubs/organizations, and work harder.

I was homeschooled through high school so my transition to college life was different from a lot of my fellow students. Not only did I have to deal with the increased work load, and make decisions for myself for the first time, but I had to begin understanding my fellow classmates, professors, and how their personalities would mesh with mine. If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to not care about whose cool or popular, don't right off anyone because their different from you and accept people for who they are. I quickly found in college that the best friends are often not the kids with 1200 friends on facebook but the kids who appreciate me for who I am and respect me for doing the same.

I was told by my mother that being a nurse was an amazing job, so without second thought I spent high school balancing classes, phlebotomy school, and CNA training to begin my life as a nurse. Once I applied to college as a pre-nursing student I had my entire life planned out. One problem, I didn’t truly want to be a nurse. I was passionate about another career but I had already made a plan, and in my mind once a plan was made… it was made for good. If I had the chance to talk to “high school senior me” I would tell myself that passion is more important then any plan I could possibly make. I would tell myself to not be so afraid of change, that college is a time to find who you are and what you want to be; a place of a million possibilities. It’s a place to create your own path, not follow someone else’s. I would tell myself to be confident that everything is going to be ok, even though it might not seem like it at the moment. That is what I would want myself to know.

If I were able to go back in time, the thing I would change is my studying habbits. After my first year of college I learned that procrastination is my worst enemy. I believe that if I worked harder senior year and learned to study weeks prior to a test I would not have had such problems. Highschool did not get me ready for this new adjustment of studying twice as hard, and more often. So if I had to choose to change one thing it would be to teach my self that waiting till last minute to study will not get you far in college.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to be more active. I think there are too many things I missed out because I was too scared to step out of the box. It wasn’t until my junior year that I started doing new things. I wish that I would have done more my freshman and sophomore year. I also wish that I worked harder. Sophomore year I slacked off at school and my grades suffered. I wish I had stayed on track because then I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to bring my grades back up.

If I were to go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would let myself know that you should take you time to decide what you really want. Others cannot make the decision for you. My greatest downfall was accepting a school for everyone else and not for myself. That is the major piece of advice I have for myself: Do what makes you happy. You cannot please anyone unless you can first please yourself.

You cannot always control what happens in your life but you can control how you overcome each obstacle. You may struggle with late night studying, cramming for exams, paying for tuition, balancing your time, and even a broken heart. You will make mistakes and you will feel overwhelmed; but don’t be afraid to take risks by branching out of your personal and academic comfort zones. Just don’t lose sight of your dreams because in the end you will be the first college graduate in your family. Stand by who you are and do not change for anyone but rather embrace and stand by what you believe in without compromising your judgment of character. Smile everyday and allow this phase in your life to be the stepping stone towards becoming a better you. Remember to breathe because it will all be worth it in the end. I promise.

First, I would have to yell at myself for not taking the SAT's or ACT. I got accepted into the University of Arizona before taking either test so I figured I shouldn’t take the test because I have already been accepted. That was one of the dumbest choices I have ever made, not taking the tests cost me AZ Assurance which would have paid for my tuition. That combined with my FAFSA would have also given me a nice little extra amount of money on the side. As for advice on college life the most important thing I can say is "STOP PROCRASTINATING!". I got fantastic grades in high school even though I had bad habits but I learned the hard way that these bad habits will get you nowhere in college. Still, learning the hard way is better than not learning at all. Second, there is a very popular website called Ratemyprofessors.com where students can look up their potential professor to see what the class is like. I would tell my high school self not to rely on this website because the information is inaccurate too often to be reliable.

If you are serious about going to college and enriching your life. I wouldn't get to caught up in the "little things". Such as, drama, friends, or miniscual issues. The "little things" will fade away and become nothing at all and the "little things" that legitimately mattered will stick with you, such as, old friends. I say this, because life is never permanent, which is why it is important to go to college and secure a stable life for yourself. Not to mention that on your college journey you will discover new friends, memories, and experiences. All of which are worth while and I'd never change it for anything. College helped me transition into responsible adulthood and I believe it is a crucial step that should be taken in everyone's life. Be sure to follow a career that you will enjoy being apart of. If you are unsure about your career choice, I can tell you that it is a start and to persue it anyway. Time will only tell if it is ment for you and you can always alter your choices until you have found the right one. College is a blast! Go for it!

As you prepare to enter college feel free to jump into the field that you think will suit your personality and skills best, but remember that there are a million things that you have not tried or been exposed to yet. College should be as much about experiencing new things as it is about studying and learning, so put yourself out there. Take chances to try new things that you wouldn't normally try. Make friends with people who you might not normally hang out with. The life experiences and the friends that you make in college could completely change your course in a new direction that you never dreamed of.

Given the opportunity, I would most definitely not go back and give advice to my high school self. I wouldn't want to know what was to come. The growth and change entering college is part of the process. However, I can share some lessons I've learned with you. First off, learn how to balance work and play, and learn quick. Part of what makes the transition hard is the responsiblity on yourself as an independent student to make sure your life is balanced. Second, don't let the disappointments get to you. You WILL fail tests and you WILL lose things that you thought made you who you are, but these things are made to make you grow and learn so you can move on in your life. Lastly, once your work is done, don't forget to have fun!

The main piece of advice that I would give to my high school self would be to not lose focus throughout high school in order to keep my grades up. By doing this, I would have had the opportunity to be considered for more scholarships which would have helped in paying for college.

Besides education and knowledge, the network I have formed and friends I have made are invaluable. These are people I would not have met if it was not in college, and these relationships can help me in my future career as well as personal life.

Last year I walked into the University of Arizona as an undeclared freshman. I was overwhelmed with the thought that as an 18 year old, I was supposed to know exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. What was even more overwhelming was the fact that I was surrounded by students that seemed to have their lives completely mapped out. It took time, but during the first two semesters of college, I slowly began to realize my love and enthusiasm for art. I had always known that I liked art, but it took attending college to realize that creating art is what I'm truly passionate about. I've realized that the most valuable thing I've gotten out of my college experience thus far is a sense of what I want to do once I graduate. Knowing what I want to do and being able to set goals for myself to accomplish in the future makes going to school even more rewarding. I have found that I have more drive and ambition to be the best I can be now, so that I can be even better in the future.

I saved money for college throughout my childhood and always knew that it would be a part of my life. I came to my university to pursue a degree in Physiology, but I realized that the education I am receiving extends far beyond academia. I have gleaned a necessity to be open minded, to recognize that challenges should be considered an opportunity for growth, to respect the importance of communication, and sometimes even accept disagreement. Living on my own, I have learned the value of independence and maturity. Immersed in the university environment, I have found the importance of actively seeking to learn both in and out of the classroom. Values I have taken away from my experience thus far will certainly be kept with me for a lifetime. At my university, I have gained the pride of hard work and self-discipline, I have been given the honor of learning from respectable professionals, I have seen the rewards of integrity, and above all, I have been inspired with a chance to develop my own passion in life—to learn about who I am, what I want, and how I can best leave my mark on the world.

My school provided me with the best things in life. I found my wife there, I became an Officer in the Air Force there, and I got a very valuable education there that is second to none. I grew so much while I was there and became a better person because of going to school there. I miss all the campus life now that I am at work but I am thankful for all the great memories that I made there. I have great friends from the UofA now and for life that I always call and I know I could ask them for help if I needed it and I know they would be there. If I could do it all over again I would do it in a heartbeat. The people there are friendly the food is good and the activities to keep you busy/involved are never ending. I recommend this school for anyone.

First My bachelors was 25 years ago, and for me going to collage and getting a degree was never a choice. I knew I had to do it and that was it. I do not understand why kids today think that collage is an option, when it should be an obligation. Today in my late 40's I am in my masters degree at the University of Arizona, and I really enjoy every part of it.

Coming to the University of Arizona from Wisconsin, I have grown as a student, a community member, and an overall person. I’ve learned how to challenge myself academically by taking courses that don’t come easy for me and forcing myself to study for hours just to pass a test. I’ve allowed myself to open up to new people, coming from a high school where I had known everyone since elementary school to a university where I knew no one. I’ve grown as a member of the community; joining Chi Omega sorority and participating in local philanthropic events, such as Habitat for Humanity and working at local food banks. College is a once in a life time experience, and I knew that the University of Arizona was my dream. People questioned the distance, and doubted my ability to be so far from family and friends. But the distance has only made me stronger, and I have not replaced, but found a second family and home here in Tucson - my sisters of Chi Omega. I had always dreamed that this is where I’d be for college, and I’m proud to finally be where I belong.