University of Arizona Top Questions

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

jessica

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself the honest reality of college. College is where you need to be focused, determined, and always know the answers. In college the truth is, you can depend on no one other than yourself. If you want to get a decent score on a test than you need to put in the study time and review you notes carefully. You need to kepp in mind that every little homework, quiz, test and project has a huge impact on your grade. You should never rely on the huge point projects to increase your grade because they will be a reality check. No professor is a like. Just because you get a decent grade on a writing assignment from one professor does not ensure you a decent grade on all your writing assignments. College almost requires you to go one day at a time, so never rush through homework and keep track of everything through a daily planner to ensure all your tasks are accounted for.

Michelle

Do not expect praise for being smart, earn praise for working hard. It is better to have a strong worth ethic than to be a born genious. If you want something, work for it. Do not sit back and lie to yourself that talent and smarts is something you're born with, because talents and smarts are developed by focused- hard work and determination. You can compete with anyone if you put your mind and mostly your muscle to work. Remember, the brain is a muscle and must be constantly excercised to grow!

Janelle

If I could go back and have a conversation with myself as a high school senior, I'd have plenty to say about making the transition to a full time university. First, I'd tell myself to relax. After already going through it, I can say that I made myself much more panicked about starting college than was necessary. College is supposed to be one of the best times in a person's life. That doesn't need to be marred with inordinate amounts of stress. I'd also like to tell my younger self that no matter how busy I am in college, I should make time to join a club or go out with friends. Next, I'd tell myself to get into a study schedule and good habits. College is easier when you're writing down your assignments and not forgetting them. A syllabus quiz isn't worth many points if you don't do it, but at the end of the semester, you will want every single easy point you can get. Finally, I'd tell myself to work hard, do my best, and accept the grades I earn. College is what you make of it.

Jordan

Dear High School Senior Jordan, A year from now, you will be packing up your life and moving on to more exciting adventures. While you have already completed 12 years of schooling, you have one more to finish. Now is not the time to slack off, but rather work harder than you ever have before. You have yet to take your SAT, even though it’s already time to apply to schools. Do the practice books that your mom and dad bought you because you’ll need all the help you can get. Now that it’s so late in the year, you only have one chance to achieve a decent score. Additionally, apply to colleges weeks or months before the deadline. You don’t want to be making last minute decisions. Be sure to look at scholarship websites and apply to those, too. You can never get too much scholarship money. Finally, have fun. This is your last year of high school and it is your time to build up friendships before parting ways and going off to college. The year will be difficult but if you work hard, it will all pay off eventually. Sincerely, College Freshman Jordan

Becky

As a senior in high school, I was worried about what obstacles would occur in my life during college. Paranoid is a better word to describe how I felt. In school I was a bit of an outcast, as being a highly introverted individual can hinder one's ability to make a large amount of friends. I was also worried about my career goals in life, because I felt like the only one who wasn't sure what I wanted after high school. Being a big fish in a small pond didn't help matters much, either. But when I finally got to college and experienced the transition I had dreaded so fervently, I wanted to go back and tell myself that it really is not that bad, and stressing so much is unnecessary. In college, there are countless opportunities to grow, personally and professionally. I learned to see college not as a means to "get a better future job" (as many people see it, and that's fine), but rather as a place to develop my character and skills. I would probably tell my past self, "Don't worry so much. College will make you a better person."

Harmony

I would tell myself, "Harmony, the drama, the tears, and fears, that you feel in high school will go away in college. Yes, there will be fear and regret and triumph after high school, but it will be different. It will be better because the choices you make and the things you feel will all be yours. You'll feel independant and free, you'll feel smart and brave. So try not to get caught up in the moments where you feel like the world will end. There's a life after high school and it is so lovely."

Kaylyn

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to continue to work hard, study hard, and have fun. When I was in high school, I was focused on school but rarely did anything other than school related activites, and this has carried into my college life. I think that if I had established some ways to have fun outside of school related activites, I would have learned how to enjoy my college years more. I would also tell myself to not be intimidated by the professors in college. It took me over two semesters in college to ever attend office hours or approach a professor. After I did approach the professors, I noticed that I was more succcessful in my studies and ultimately saw an increase in the quality of my work and my grades. Office hours are a great way to get the one-on-one attention that a student may need for certain aspects of the class materials, especially in larger classes.

Brandy

If I could go back to look myself in the eyes on the eve of my high school graduation, I would tell myself that I wasn’t stupid and college was not just for the elite. I know now that my disability is what made high school tough and never consider attending a university. I would tell myself, “Take the SAT and the ACT! You just might be surprised.” While it all seemed so terrifying back then, I would like to soothe my own fears about being “too dumb for college” and dispel the negative myths that only the cool kids get to go off to school. I would also tell myself that making the transition into college was going to be difficult and even scary…but apply to schools out of town and in other states. While there is a certain amount of ease in a “homegrown” education, I have always been a little jealous of my friends who lived in the dorms. Most of all, I would tell myself not to wait. While there is a world out there that needs to be seen…education needs to come first. Besides, there are always study abroad programs.

akram

hello Akram, this is you from the future, DO NOT SNEER at community college. It turns out that some of those classes are exactly the same as the one's in a four year university but cheaper. you are going to end up taking them again when you get to Arizona. another thing is, that first job you get when you arrive on campus, you better keep it! because you are not going to be a freshman forever and once you loose it, you will have hundreds of other students to contend with for a simple job. Third thing is apply for as many scholarships as you can while your GPA is still high, trust me on this because every poor score you get is going to significantly lower your GPA, and it is easier to lower it than to raise it! so take note and avoid D's and C's as much as possibe because it only takes a couple of those to drop your hard earned GPA to below a 3.0. Finally make a plan, and stick to it, otherwise you may end up wasting a lot of time studying what you don't enjoy.

Emma

If I had the chance to travel back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I am not sure that I would take it. I am not saying this because I feel that I knew everything a year ago, rather, I simply feel that I transitioned from high school to university extremely well. Of course there were some mistakes that I made, but I ultimately learned vital lessons from this mistakes and grew as an individual. I, just like everyone else, am a human, and making mistakes is a large factor that makes us human. If I were to take the opportunity to talk to my younger self though, I would tell myself to enjoy life and to continue living the way in which I already was.

Angela

Try to find clubs you like as early in the year as you can. Keep better track of when certain assignments are due. Work on projects and long assignments by doing a small parts of it each day, it's easier to do than finishing it all at once in a night or two.

Hayley

It is interesting how people can have phobias in certain situations and not others. Take me for example. When a scratch drips or a bloody nose runs I am the first one to call my husband for ‘doctor duty.’ We negotiate one doctor duty for three diaper duties, which I am happy to oblige. Hemophobia can be an incredulous situation, especially in a house of kids. Nevertheless, I work in a dental office as an assistant, and each time the gum bleeds or a tooth is extracted it never troubles me. Funny how that can be. Maybe this is one of the reasons why I choose Dental Hygiene for my career? Never forget where you came from. Never forget who you are. Always be ready for who you will become.

Stephanie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself some encouraging advice because during high school I often felt that I would never prosper at a university level. I would tell myself that course work at a university level is achievable, so I would say "you can do it and believe in yourself." All throughout high school, I was also a victim of bullying, which created anxious feelings about transitioning into college life and meeting new people. I would say, "There will always be mean people, but college students are open to others opinions and often accept you for who you are instead of judging you based on material objects or clothing. Start college on a new foot and show your true colors. Whoever doesn't like you is certainly missing out on a great person." Lastly, I would give myself some advice regarding majors because I was very concerned during senior year because I was enterting college as an undecided student. I would say, "Do not worry, you have plenty of time to figure out what you love doing. Slow down and enjoy exploring what makes you happy."

Emily

If I could go back to senior year I would tell myself how much effort really needs to be put into the work in college. I would tell myself I can't slack off like I did in high school. Professors in college don't care about the excuses as to why work isn't done. You either do the work or you don't. There is no middle section. I wish I knew that I had to take work more seriously, because I can't get away with using stupid excuses in college as I did in high school. I wish I could tell myself to take my academics more seriously because they do matter in college. What I do will effect all four years I am at the University of Arizona.

Tori

If I could go back in time and advise myself as a high school senior, there would a key point I would say to myself. High school prepares you academically and socially for college but the main diffrence separateing the two is independence. In college you are extremly independent, your success depends on your drive and no one elses. Teachers are there to teach, not hold your hand throughout the semester. No one will be there to tell you to go to class or to do your homework. College will be what you make of it and the quality of decisions you make. My advice to the highschool me, would be to not take an easy last year as I will be in for a rude awakening come the beginning of college. Seniors should maintain a fairly regular schuduele and try and take on more independent responsibility. The college transition will be an adjustment but far from impossible. Structurly and content wise college is not much different than high school. College will be an adjustment but take it one step at a time. It will be a new chapter in your life so make the most of it.

Mateo

Mateo, get your stuff together man! Learn to be organized! You had papers everywhere during high school. Plus, you need to be neat for your roommate! Also, learn how to study! You got by just fine with barely any studying in high school. That does not work in college. You need to study your butt off if you want to maintain good grades! Also, stop with the procrastination man! Get your work done, then you can play if you have free time. Do not do it the other way around. Finally Mateo, search and apply for scholarships more often! It's basically free money for school! School is expensive man! Do not pass up free money!

Tera

Make sure you know what you want out of life before you make your college decision. Don't let money or parents or anything else sway you in one direction. The college you choose is ultimately the place you will become the person YOU want to be. Be sure to pick a college that will do whatever they can to treat you well. But when you get there, don't slack off. It sounds redundant, but it's a simple concept many people overlook. If you want the results, you have to put in the effort- it's that simple. Take time to enjoy your college experience, meet new people, explore new things, but never lose focus on why you're there: your education. College is everything you make it to be. Don't ever tell yourself you can't do something you're dreaming of doing, because in college, there's almost always a way to make it happen.

Maryam

College is not like high school. The fears, the friends, the fun. It is all different. Instead of worrying about gossip, you worry about whether your professor will like you, whether you will get the research opportunity you desire, or whether you can finish all your papers on time. Your friends are not all from the same town anymore. They are from anywhere and any place, coming from across the nation, across the border, or across the ocean. You do not consider whether you will finish your work, but when you will. The bootstraps of seriousness come down in college and it takes patience, charisma, and courage to hold on and hold out. Instead of trying to jump in right away, baby steps are important. Making new friends slowly, acting oneself, rather than acting as someone else, and exploring new places and things on campus are important. If rushed one will definitely miss things, but staying blunt and ignorant to everything will only hurt you. Instead, join a club and see how you like things. Do not start working right away, and definitely keep your relationships with professionals and professors, well, professional.

Jessica

In retrospect, college life is definitely not like it is portrayed in the movies. Courses require a lot of time and devotion in order to succeed. As a high school student I recieved nearly straight A's, and was involved in clubs, sports and student council. When I began at the University of Arizona, it took nearly all of my time to get the grades I wanted in school. There is constant distraction from other students and pressure to go out on week nights. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of things that "everyone else" was doing. However, I worked hard and allowed myself to opt out on a lot of things other students seemed to be doing. Knowing what I know now, I would advise myself to stay true to my work ethic, and the 4.0 I recieved at the end of the semester made missing out on some events well worth it.

Rebecca

"Stay calm and do not stress out over labs, homework, or tests. You will be just fine." Those would be the words my current college self would tell the high school senior me. I did an awful lot of worrying throughout my first semester of college, and just as the many professors I discussed my concerns with predicted, I did very well. I now feel that I am able to strive in any class I take during my college career, but I wish I could have saved myself from worrying my way through the stressful first semester.

Andrea

Hello there, previous self! I know you're freaking out right now about moving away, about making friends, about classes and meal plans, about roommates and classmates, about majors and minors, but just relax. No, it's not going to be easy. You are really going to have to go out of your comfort zone to meet people and find that group of friends that fit. Don't get discouraged, don't get frustrated, and don't give up! Just remember to stay true to yourself, love your family and look to them for support, and to enjoy! These are the upcoming times of your life that you'll look back on and smile. Try new things, be bold, meet new people, go out on a limb, listen to your gut, and get out there and live this new college life of yours!

Akane

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life and making the transition, the advice that I would give to myself would be find the right roommate. It seems like many students have had at least one fight or conflict between roommates and finding the right person to live is the most important thing in college. Speaking from my personal experience, I found my roommate through an online roommate matching site called RoomSurf, and it end up she was not the person I wanted to live with. She is nice and cares about me, but sometimes she does things that bothers me a lot and I have a difficult time telling her to stop doing whatever is bugging me. Residence Assistance are there to help students who are having trouble with their roommates, but some students are shy and not aggressive enough to express their opinion because they are scared that their roommate might get mad or threat them. I am one of those people who are afraid to spek out, so I have not been able to tell my roommate about her issues.

Katie

I would say, don't put school off. Take full advantage of the time and opportuinites available to you and apply yourself to getting your degree. Never stop learning, reading, exploring, and experiencing new things. Love and accept people for who they are and learn to listen. Love others and encourage them to never give up.

Jordan

I would tell myself to grow up and realize that the possibility of flunking out of college is a grim possibility. There are many other Native students that I came into freshman year with, and now they are either at a community college or at home. I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity presented, whether that be scholarship, internship or networking opportunities. There are many people at the U of A who are dedicated to making sure you succeed, so make sure to connect with them and ask for help whenever necessary. There are going to be classes that seem impossible to pass, but remember that hundreds of people have taken the class on campus so make sure to ask them for help. Never let your pride get in the way because with pride comes humilation in terms of recieving a failing grade. Also, make sure to not make your life all about school. College is a time for self discovery and without social interaction it will seem lonely, especially at a big school like the U of A. Remember to pursue a major that makes you happy, and not because of the potential salary.

Karina

Karina, Although you were an excellent student, all the hard work will amount to nothing unless you put more work into not only getting accepted to your dream school, but being prepared financially. With academics alone you will be able to get into eight of the ten schools that you applied to, but with out applying for some scholarships your parent's college fund and financial aid will only allow you to attend one college (of course the one on the bottom of your list because they don't even have your major). The best advice I can give you is to make connections, talk to people, and apply for as many scholarships as you can handle with out compromising your GPA. You should also spend the time to maximize your SAT or ACT scores and possibly take a prep class. I would hate to see you continuing to live in the desert dissapointed, when you could be living your dream studying animals and the ocean. Lastly when your dad offers you the opportunity to live on campus as a freshman say yes because the freshman experience of emerssing yourself into your education would be worth the price.

Lydia

If I could go back in time an give myself a piece advice I would tell myself to work as hard I could and to never give up. I would tell myself that things will at times seem difficult but that I have to keep going no mater what. I would also mention that going into the university at first might seem scary and big but that slowly I will learn where everything is and that my priority should be to make need friends, find interesting clubs to help me a long the way but most importantly to make these four years memorable.

Katie

College is about having a fulfilling experience—academically and socially. The academics are easy enough to figure out, but bonding with people can be frightening. In high school, you saw the same people everyday for years, making it difficult to not make friends. In college, though, you begin to interact with more people—you are just one sunflower seed in a field of flowers. My best advice to help you take full advantage of the opportunities to meet new people is to live with someone you don’t know, or don’t know very well. It’s easy to hide behind the safety blanket of your roommate friend, detrimentally affecting your ability to fearlessly put yourself out there. Living with a friend means you wouldn’t be forced to make friends, which would actually mean a fairly lonely freshman year. As a senior in high school, you may have a good idea of what type of job would make you happy. But college is about much more than that—it is about what kind of life would make you happy. Making new friends is an important part of that, and something important to consider as you transition into college life.

Erica

If I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself the importance of taking my parent's advice. I would tell myself that parnets definitely know more about becoming a responsible adult and earning success than would I. I might tell myself to stay close to my family in my heart and communicate to them my struggles, so that they can help me when I feel unsure of myself. I would also stress the importance of finding positive support groups on campus and keeping in touch with the advisors who are there to help me along the way. I would explain the importance of being dedicated to my purpose for going to college and I would tell myself to hang on to that pupose for dear life and to never let anything distact me from my vision. I would tell myself that college is not a place for young adults to get wild and party, but rather a once in a lifetime opportunity to make your wildest dreams come true. Most of all, I would encourage myself to pray everyday for strength, wisdom, protection, and guidance as I begin the greatest journey of my life.

JoSette

If I could turn back the hands of time, I would sit myself down and tell her that it is going to be hard, but at 17 you have the whole world ahead of you. Don’t be in a rush to move out, stay with family until you’re done with school because going to school is a full time job, even working part time can have a negative effect on your grades. Yes, it can be done. But it is much easier to focus and give your all to your education. You're going to have to be in control of learning because the professors aren’t like your high school teachers. They aren’t going to call home or lecture you about your grades. Set aside at least 2 or 3 hours for each class to work on projects and just take notes to help you. If you keep a nice calendar of all your classes, test or quiz dates and when assignments are due, you will never have surprises. Keep an open dialog with your professors. Most of all do your best and have fun. If you put your mind to it, you can do it.

Bichvan

I would advice myself to get more help from my counselors because I entered college without the right preparation. Signing up the last minute was definitely a pain, and I didn't really understand the aspects of college until my first month. I would also advise myself to get my school paperwork and applications done early, rather than scrambling to get everything done the last minute.

Michael

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, one of the many words of advice that I would give myself is to stay on top of all assignments and materials covered prior to test time once the school semester starts. What I realized from my experience from last year in college is that it is important to study the material covered in class and seek help if a certain topic is unclear. It is best to do this from the get-go because the mistake that some students make, including myself, is to assume that you will recover easily after a poor first test score or poor assignment grades early in the semester. In reality, it takes ample effort to recover after this, so I would advise myself to study the material immediately after it is taught. Another word of advice I would give myself is to take advantage of my professors' office hours as much as possible. Meeting up with them personally to cover class material often helps me understand the material more, and another way to succeed in class is to participate in voluntary discussion questions the professor might ask.

Erik

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be to really focus on doing well on the standerized tests (ACT, SAT, etc.) as those are often the biggest difference makers in getting into a school and really help you to get the most amount of money from the school. As far as classes go, I would tell myself as I did at the time that taking AP classes is the best way to get ahead and to be prepared for the course load of college. I credit those kinds of classes in high school with making me feel very prepared for my classes in college. The course load is not really harder, it is just what makes up the grade in college that makes it harder. Tests are weighted more into your grade and homework is worth a lot less. There are not as many "freebee" points in college. As far as college life outside the classroom goes, I would tell myself not to worry, it is not as scary as you think. Getting inovled in some kind of orginization (club, greek life, etc.) makes the transition that much smoother and enjoyable.

Laisa

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be minor adjustments I would take into consideration. First, I would advise myself to appreciate advanced classes, such as an advanced writing class, as they truly prepare for a college-level assignment. The hard work I put in my senior year in High School definitely paid off in College. The second advise would be to do your absolute best in the SAT and ACT tests, which can facilitate the acceptance to many colleges. I also regret not applying to numerous different colleges which lead me to many closed doors. The third advice is to save money, and to spend it wisely. If it were not for my savings throughout High School, I would have been forced to work in college, which does not facilitate the transition, as you have another task on your plate at first.

Grace

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself to take life more seriously, to enjoy the moments that count and to keep fighting for my dreams and aspirations. I would tell myself about the struggles of moving cities and leaving my family behind, but I would also tell myself about all the new places I would discover, and all the new friends I would make. I would tell myself about my major, how hard it is to transition into something new, but to keep going, because in the end it will all work out. I would remind myself of the little girl in elementary school who always wanted to be an architect, and encourage her to listen to her dreams, that I am one step closer to achieving everything I ever wanted and to not give up on those goals. At the end day the only thing that matters is your happiness and I would remind myself that everything else can wait, because what really matters is how you feel about yourself, and your future.

vance

If I could travel back in time and give my high school self some good advice for the future, this is what I would say. First I would tell him that fitting in a crowd is much easier when you get to college. People are much more open and friendly once they get to college. Second I would tell him to enjoy your life whenever possible and do not take life so seriously. Time flies by and if you spend it worrying or being angry, then you will miss out on the true joys life has to offer. Lastly I would tell myself that staying focused on your school work is very important, now and in the future because it does not last forever and what you learn during this short time will stick with you for a long time. Life is fragile so surround yourself with loving and caring people that are ambitious and happy as you are. Oh and when Ricky asked you to go with him to the party at Jeff’s house on New Years’ Eve 2009….tell him you have other plans, you will thank me later!

McKenna

I would tell myself to take all general education classes besides math, because the transition is hard enough without throwing yourself into more work than needed. I would also tell high school me to try harder on the placement tests because they matter, but focus less on getting people to like you because that will happen naturally. I would advise wearing good walking shoes and not my usual heels because college is a lot of walking(mainly from getting lost). Lastly I would advise living at home the first year because it's so easy to get caught up in all the "typical" college stuff like partying, but freshman year is important and by living at home you have to do homework and focus more than you would living on campus.

Gavriela

Dear High School self, Do not be afraid, do not be afraid of rejections, everyone ends up where there suppose to be. Everything happens for a reason! Be excited for the new adventure that awaits, and never take your parents financial sacrifices for granted. When you get to college everyone is on the same playing field, and everyone will want to make friends and try new things. College will be hard, but if you continue to try and work hard you will do amazing things! The transition will be scary at first, but you will get used to it. You will realize how structured your life was in High School and begin to enjoy the freedoms of adulthood. Enjoy your final days of High School, and get excited for the future, college is truly amazing.

Alex

Alex, adjusting to college will be difficult. I know you've been shy most of your life and that will make it hard unless you try to grow. You have great hopes and fantasies about the possibilities but don’t let your imagination replace modest actions. Don't live at the dorm Coronado, it is a party dorm and you will feel out of place. Check out the others and find one with studious people, some of them will know how to have fun too. Yes class is important and you can't just skip them and expect to do well. Also maybe therapy would be good for you, it is difficult meeting new people and some perspective would do you good. You’re not going to become popular all at once but by starting with baby steps, making friends and learning to express yourself comfortably you will bring progress. You will worry about making changes and meeting people but just ask yourself what the worst that could happen would be. Then think what good could come of it and you’ll find that if you take the risk it will probably be inbetween. Only do take some risks.

Oliver

If I had the opportunity to go back in time to my early-self in high school, I would tell myself to try and enjoy your last year as much as possible, but at the same time and more importantly, work harder in your school work and avoid slacking off. College definitely caught me by surprise, because I wasn't prepared for it nor I even knew what I wanted to become. The amount of work we put in is nothing compared to high school. There is a lot more work then you can possibly think of, and some of the classes that you take are not as easy as you think. It would be wise for you to make time and focus on actually knowing what you want out of life before marching right in. I did not expect how difficult and different it was going to be from our previous school years. So just trust me on this, if you put the time and effort in you school work now, rather then later, you will get accustomed to it and be better off in the long run for when college comes. College will seem like an easy breeze.

James

Math and English are the most important things you can learn. A large vocabulary and an developed essay writing ability will allow you to better apply for jobs and scholarships and lend credence to your scientific ideas in your term papers. Mathematical analysis is a tool that is useful even if you never take a science class. If you're entering college without a firm grasp of calculus you're already behind! Believe me, the foreign exchange students with whom will compete for graduate school slots will have had a superior high school math education. Learn to teach yourself and how to maximize study time to accomplish goals. Look for practical experience opportunities early, such as research and internships. This type of experience will be more valuable than any fraternity or club. Expect to go to graduate school and take every course seriously. Consider using community college as a springboard to success. You can complete electives early on and improve your chances of acceptance to a better university. Look for mentors in you program of study as well. A good reference from your first year of college might get you the research job you need to succeed.

Megan

Knowing what I know now, looking back on high school, I would have done a lot differently. I took a lot of AP classes in high school that I do not feel helped me in my transition to college. These AP classes were detrimental to my high school GPA and had I not taken these classes, I believe I would have been accepted to more schools, and would have been able to participate in things on the University of Arizona campus that I was not able to do, because of my high school grades. But as far as making the transition into a college student, I would tell myself to be extremely open to people, to make as many new friends as possible, to get involved with something on campus so that the student population would feel a little bit smaller, and to enjoy the four years that I have at the most beautiful university on the west coast of the United States. I believe that I have taken the advice I would have given myself already, because I am involved, I love my school, and I would not change my experience for the world.

Charles

I grew up in an excellent environment. Unlike some students, I did not struggle financially. In addition to this, I had friends and family I could talk to about my problems. If I could give my senior self a piece of advice, it would be to respect and to understand other's situations. Early in my high school career, I developed a bad habit of judging other students. Instead of talking to them and trying to understand what they were going through, I would avoid them because of their problems. Instead of being part of the solution for these individuals, I avoided the situation. Looking back, I had an opportunity to help solve problems, but I didn't. So much of high school is based off of cliques and stereotypes. Now that I'm in college, I've realized that cliques and stereotypes don't matter and never did. Instead of judging a student for smoking weed, I could've helped him/her by listening and trying to understand their situation. Instead of not intervening when a bully attacked, I could've helped pick the victim up. Understanding is something all students should strive for.

Samantha

The advice I would give my high school senior self is simple. Do not be afraid of what is to come from leaving home. Meeting new people is easier than it may seem. College is nothing to fear, in fact it is the opposite. I should not be afraid to go on adventures, talk to new people, and explore new things. All of these will make me a stronger person. Though I was not accepted to any of the schools I wanted to go to, the University of Arizona will be better than I expect. So senior self, hold your head up high and study long and hard. Great things are to come and you should embrace your path.

Taryn

Dear past self, I know you want to go into Architecture because it seems more practical than Scenic Design but it is not. Also the program will nearly kill you. You sleep 2-4 hours a night usually, hell weeks, more like 15 minutes. You will also not eat because you are so busy. You can stick it out but you realize there is no reason to torture yourself for an unsure future. Also, the students who get As are the ones who’s designs would never stand, while your practical designs get Cs. However, you should take architecture for the first year as you learn far more about hand drafting and model making craft then you do in theater. Instead of continuing the professional phase, take an AutoCAD class. Those skills help you in the theater world. The important thing is to sleep. Your motor skills go out the window if you don’t. Sleep makes you efficient. I know you would rather just get it done then sleep but it is much less stressful and you do much better work when you give yourself a break. Sincerely,Current Self P.S. Start looking for internships the first summer

Christine

Complete college right out of high school. I did not and have really had a hard time with keeping up with the ever changing requirements. I know I would have done a lot better in my courses had I completed them while the information was still fresh.

Maci

There are a few pieces of important advice I would give myself as a high school senior if I could go back in time. I would start by acknowledging the fact that attending college is by far the best decision I have ever made. I became very unmotivated my senior year and I was getting very bored with school. I wanted to take the easy way out by going to beauty school instead of college. At the very last minute, I changed my mind and decided to continue my education and start college. I say that in today's society, education is everything. Being an educated individual is truly a rewarding experience, not only to myself, but to the world and society around me. I was smart and received outstanding grades in high school. Therefore, to waste such a great gift and discontinue my education would be foolish. I would continuously reiterate this to myself during my entire senior year, in hopes to not lose focus or sight of what was important. It is a privilege to learn, as well as an opportunity. It is not an obligation and it will be the most beneficial decision for a successful future.

Stephanie

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself about the importance of time management. I would remind myself that I have eight semesters to do everything I aspire to do and that I don’t need to take on everything at once. I would leave more time open for hanging out with friends and just enjoying the new experience before submerging myself into a million activities like I have always done. I would tell myself to” work” before I “play” because the “play” is so much better when I am not worrying about the work I have yet to finish. I would tell myself to begin taking full advantage of the resources available to me on campus, including recreational centers and tutoring centers. I would begin setting myself up for a successful remainder of my time here and begin to form relationships with the adults I come in contact with, such as my advisors and professors. Some day I might need a letter of recommendation from them and a strong relationship will be essential. I would tell myself to enjoy every second and savor the new experience. College is an amazing place and it should be enjoyable.

Elizabeth

I would tell myself to practice time management skills more efficiently. i would tell myself to dedicate more time and energy to my studies because of what the outcome in the end will be. i would tell myself to be more greatful and appreciative to the support system/resources you have in college and to tap into them when you need them. i would tell myself to think positive and remind myself of my goals and what im working for. i would remind myself that i am my strongest support system but the biggest weapon against it as well, i have to truly want to succeed to be able to succeed.

Ivy

Now that you are in high school it is time to focus and do your best. Make sure you talk to your advisor and let her know what you want to study when you go to college and what college you want to go to so she can enroll you in the adequate classes. Get yourself involve in clubs and do community service because it will help you be more social and involved in college activities. Start learning good study skills and make sure if there is something you do not understand to ask for help; do not be embarassed to ask for help. Become responsible and make your own decisons because once you are in college your parents might not be next to you telling you what to do. Most importantly make sure you learn how to manage your school time and social time because being in college you have to study and work hard but you need some you time and friends time to not stress and be able to have a healthy and successfull experience in college and accomplish your educational goals. If you do these things you will transition to college without a problem.

Katelyn

Hey Kate! This is your college self coming back to you to give you a little advice on college and all that it has to offer. First thing is first, keep active! College is super stressful, and exercising is a great way to relieve some of that stress. Plus, you'll look great too! Second, make as many new friends as possible. Put yourself out there, and show others all that you have to offer. You have a wonderful personality, and it will be greatly used if you show it off to your other classmates. Also, don't sweat the small stuff. Work hard and study, but do not only allow yourself to study. You need to make connections and join clubs. Enjoy your college experience. It is something that goes by so quickly, and it cannot ever be done again. Live your life to the fullest, and affect as many lives as you possibly can. Push yourself, and always know that you have a purpose in this world, and college will help you to get there! Good luck!