University of California-Davis Top Questions

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

Amanda

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self I would say so much. I would tell myself to be as outgoing as I could first quarter, and not to worry too much about grades. I'd tell myself to try to study for chemistry more though, because it's much more difficult than I thought it would be. But, most importantly, I would tell myself to enjoy the experience completely. To not focus too much on grades or study too hard and to take some time for myself everyday to relax. I'd also tell myself to spend as much time with my family as possible before I left, because as hard as it is to believe I miss them much more than I ever thought was possible. I would probably tell myself to not room with my friend from high school as well, that way I could make new friends easier instead of always having them to hang out with.

Solomon

College is not easy, but it is not difficult, too. But it all depends on what was your attitude to education. If you hate it,k it means nothing to you even if you get all A's. But if there is a purpose in life, then everything you do will be a light to the world. Know this my dear past, what you do is to glorify God. And therefore, when you are discouraged, turn your eyes to the cross. For God knows your suffering and pain, He will guide you through. Trust in Him always, for it shall be sweet to your heart. Life is like an adventure., but you need to choose wisely. A small off-course can be detrimental. Treasure your family for they are always there for you. Know that your family will always love you even if you fail. Take heed to your father's instruction, for he will not live long around you to see you graduate from college. Give up the lust of this world, for things of the world will distract your focus from God and from school. Entertainment is not bad, but self-control is the core to success.

Valerie

Valerie, you have done an amazing job the past 11 years in school. You are almost there so remember how important it is to continue to push yourself and reach your goals. You have maintained a 4.67 GPA the last three years and your hard work is clearly reflected. College expenses are huge so apply, apply, apply for scholarships starting now and continue applying until you begin college. I know it is very time consuming but having the financial stress removed when you are awarded scholarships will help greatly allowing you to focus and concentrate fully on your studies.

Balladolid

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would insist that she take all the basic science and math courses. These courses are important for any major she might one day want to pursue. I would also tell my high school senior self to job shadow and apply for interships so that she might have a general idea of what to pursue once she was in college. I would also tell her to brace herself for the quarter system. The quarter system is a lot faster than the semester system and so she has to adopt a flexible time management system for herself so that she will not become overwhelmed.

Maranda

As a high school senior, I wish I had known just how hard and different college life is. During senior year, all I worried about was getting in a good college; I didn't think much about what would happen after I got in. I wish I knew what I wanted to major in at that time so that I could have selected a college based on what I wanted to do in the future. Everyone always says not to worry about your major and that it's normal to change your major several times in college. However, they don't really tell you the consequences of changing your major so many times. College goes by a lot faster than high school, so it really doesn't feel like you have a lot of time to decide your major. If you want to graduate in four years, it's best to decide your major as soon as possible and not waste money and time. As a college sophomore, I stressed and went through several breakdowns about deciding on a major which all could have been avoided had I defined my path earlier in high school.

Manal

There are those lucky few that know from very early on what they want to do in their lives, what careers and what they want to study. I was not one of those lucky people. Looking back now ,the major advice I would have given myself would be to take the time to explore who you are what you're really passionate about. Not that college isn't a good time to explore that, but having a passion makes it's easier. I love studying psychology and communications and I look forward to either teaching preschool or being a forensic psychologist. But my true passion was something I didn't discovered till my sophmore year of college: the culinary arts. If I had taken the time to explore my passion maybe I would have applied to culinary schools. Still overall, I don't regret the decision to come to UC Davis. I love and am passionate about what I'm studying and I want to make a difference with it. Being passionate about something is crucial for a fulfilling life and every student should take their time to explore their options; it's an important step in growing up.

Haley

"Do not freak out about your major!" As a high school senior, I would have loved to have faith in that phrase. I constantly worried about what major I would soon have to declare after high school in order to get a degree, graduate, and move on to the intimidating and unknown future. It was all happening too fast; I could not make up my mind with all the anxiety and pressure of college. I ended up entering UC Davis as an undeclared freshmen and the inevitable decision of my major became even more present in all of my thoughts and decisions. But now, almost half-way through the school year, I finally have reason to believe that a declared major is not necessary right away. Academic counselors and the general catalog of degree information became my best friends. I learned that I have time to explore my possibilities and by also seeing some of my fellow classmates change their majors for the nth time assured me that a major is not necessarily set in stone. I am slowly but confidently narrowing down my major choices but right now, general education credits are what matter.

Thinh

My advice to myself as a high school senior would include: Always start on assignement the day the are assigned and work on them until the due date. Use cell phone to make a calendar with classes for each day and other events with alarm reminders. Make a schedule on what needs to done and learn to prioritize activities. Always study for a test at least five days before. Always be the one to take the initiativae when in need of something whether it is academic help or othr type of support.

Shannon

Get excited! College will be such a great and rewarding experience for you. Even if you are not sure what direction you want to take, persevere in everything you do; it will be worth it. Getting involved never hurt anyone and its a good way to make new friends. Just because there are no parents around to tell you to do your homework and chores doesn't mean you should get carried away. Managing time will be the hardest part for you but eventually you'll get the hang of it. Remember the primary reason why you're here, for school! Take random classes that may not interest you at first, you never know what you're going to like. Once you find that one thing that inspires you.. go for it, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. One of my favorite quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt is "No one can ever make you feel inferior without your consent" (which you already knew, since you ARE me). But don't let anything or anyone get in the way of your goals, it makes the journey that much better!

Amanda

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be many things I would tell myself. I would tell myself to be as friendly as possible and try to make friends with all the people on your dorm floor, even if it feels like you are back in kindergarten making friends for the first time. Also to get involved in something such as sports, clubs, etc to network and meet new people. I would tell myself that though the transition to living in a dorm and not living at home may seem scary, you will be alright and will actually mature as a person. Another thing I would advise would be that to stay caught up with reading and schoolwork because it is easy to fall behind. The university is not even close to your high school experience and it?s a whole new level of learning. Lastly I would tell myself that you are going to be happy with your choice of school and there are many opportunities for you to take advantage of in the next chapter of your life.

Kristina

I would tell myself, do something outrageous. Do something that will put your face in the paper... or milk cartons. Do something that will make a big impact on the community and the world. Make your life interesting.

Amanda

College is a lot different than high school. Most of the time, you'll need to teach yourself the material. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for help from professors or TAs. You don't want to fall behind in class because if you do, you'll be behind most of the time. Always study everyday for each class because it'll help when it comes to taking midterms and finals. Don't wait until the last day to study; you'll most likely fail if you do that.

Sum

"Don't Worry." If a time machine were ever invented, I would go back and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would relieve myself of my worries and hope that I would be able to have a more enjoyable stress-free senior year. "Life goes on wherever you choose to go and it is possible to obtain happiness there, but the choice that I made in my senior year allowed me to achieve what I believe is the happiest I would ever be in college."

Diana

Understand that the workload is not hard. The classes are more demanding of your attention but you gain so much more. Take advantage of all of your college's student services. Do not limit yourself to your comfort zone and make conversation with people to build a nice network and an enjoyable college experience.

Ricardo

I would tell myself to prepare for every test and class thouroughly and take every class seriously. Dont be shy, meet new people and make new friends. Live every day to the fullest and dont hold anything back. and To have fun.

Olympia

I would tell myself that school is more about learning the material and being able to appy it in life than it is about memorizing to get good grades. I would also tell myself that i need to pick a school based on my person needs than its reputation, because you learn who you are in college and it needs to fit you and your personal needs to be succesfull.

Justin

The advice I would give myself is really quite simple: do not be afraid to let your personallity show. To often my freshmen year was I uncharacteristically timid or softspoken just because I did not feel like people would enjoy my charismatic and flamboyant actual personallity. I was afraid that people would find it overbearing or simply to over the top; in effect I feared it would be a limit on the friendships I could make. Alas, I was wrong and when I did be myself I made stronger friendships more easily. I would tell my high school senior self to not be afraid of my ecentricities and to embrace my personallity and reassure myself that people will enjoy the true me. I could not give myself any greater advice than that which forms strong friendships.

Adam

Although skepticism and careful deliberation are important skills, your time at college is very limited so don't spend it in a state of doubt. UC Davis is a very large campus, take advantage of everything that it has to offer. Rather than being intimidated by this campus and the people in it, you must embrace them; they are why you are here. once you move on to that campus, forget fear, forget nostalgia, and forget regret. Remember that you would not have gotten accepted if you did not belong here and that you are exactly who you need to be. To be clear, I am describing a state of mind and in order to experience these things you must be confident, hungry, and foolish. Anything and everything that is relevant to your interests is what you should be doing because ultimately all that matters is that you do what you love, so that you may not only enjoy your work, but also do great work. Always remember that the best inspirations start with love. Take my advise, but also take responsibility. Bad things can only happen to you when you abdicate responsibility.

Audrey

If I could talk to a younger me, I would encourage myself to get involved more at school. I would make sure to tell myself to not worry so much about finances, or having a job, but to enjoy the people around me at school and on my sports teams. I would tell myself to join clubs so that I would have the feeling of belonging to something at the place that I spent most of my teenage years at. I also would have told myself to read the books that were assigned in my classes more in detail, so that I would have more classic books under my belt as I made my way to college. This would have been helpful in my endevours at university for references and understanding about the culture of knowledge that I am surrounded by. The most important thing, despite everything else, would be involvement with my fellow classmates. This kind of involvement would have help me become a better communicator in class settings. Being able to articulare your opinions and thoughts in the academic world is key to making your education worthwhile, and setting you on the path to success in the world.

Leah

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to apply to and attend UC Davis because it is the best fit for me. Davis is a college town with a very wholesome, safe atmosphere, as opposed to universities located in bigger cities. Also, UCD offers a fantastic pre-vet program in which I am very interested. The courses offered for the Animal Science undergraduate major are very comprehensive and interesting. I came to UC Davis with a few of my very closest friends from high school which I have both regretted and relished. I would advise my high school self to embrace the new people I would meet in college while trying to stay close to my old friends. It is very difficult to let go of the known and accept the unknown, but not accepting the known means not accepting new opportunities to meet people.

Elizabeth

Being a senior in high school, most students do not know what to expect once they begin college. It can be a scary experience at the beginning since everything is unknown. If i could go back and talk to myself during my senior year of high school I would tell myself so stop slacking off and procrastinating. This can kill you in college. In college, nobody cares if you go to class or not; it is all upon yourself to be independent and make your own choices. You are treated like an adult and should act as such. In order to pass classes and get good grades, you have to study really hard and do all of your work. Find a quiet place to study on a regular basis. Make study groups and DEFINITELY get to know your professors. If you think it will be like high school, you will not do very good. So study hard, do your work, get plenty of sleep, and make connections.

Mironda

I would, most importantly, tell myself to take advantage of the close interaction available with my teachers in high school, as such a priviledge is difficult to earn here in college. I would advise frequent meetings with my academic counselor to ask as many questions about financial aid and the loan and grant process as possible. I would encourage myself to apply to far more scholarships because when you live on your own, you find that life is a lot more expensive than you had imagined. I'd also encourage myself to look for a job in fall quarter, when the college experience is first beginning and the stress hasn't begun to really pile on yet, that way I could get used to balancing a work and school schedule. I would tell myself to appreciate all of my mother's hard work and cooking now, because once I flew from the nest, I would really miss it. And I would remind myself to just breathe, to have faith and trust in God's plan for me, and to not get too hung up on today's problems, because I would have a brighter, more amazing future coming my way.

Rain

As much as one can support themselves in life, there is one experience that needs to be completed for life to feel fulfilled. A college degree is that experience. I have found that an AA degree is not as much as a benefit as a Bachelors Degree these days. College is not that much different from High School. Even some of the classes are the same. But I do not see how High School prepares you for what you want to do for the rest of your life. I would advise myself as a High School Senior to go to Community College and take some classes of interest to see what may be of interest long term. I have worked in many fields and it is College classes that seem to help in deciding about a long term career. As in High School, hard work brings many benefits and good grades equal long term knowledge and success that feels good, as well as, looks good to others.

Matt

Having short and long-term goals and an organized to-do list is essential for getting the most out of college academically. Planning ahead and getting prepared for the long road of college will not only improve performance, but will also make for a smoother transition from high school life. Setting up schedules and other logistical components in high school was the work of the counselors, but in college, this is done all by the student (with optional academic advising). You are ultimately the one who must take care of business. Another piece of the puzzle is social life. Knowing a large group of people and being involved with extra curricular activities can not only make for a fun time, but can also help out with school. Whether it be for old study material, study groups, or just someone to talk to when stress becomes a factor, most of the students you come in contact with are there for the same reason: to get an education. As a high school senior, I had no clue what to expect, but if I could do it all again, I would better prepare myself and be more active with extra-curriculars.

Sareena

Over the years as the excitement builds up for college, one tends to picture what the ideal college experience will be like; however, be very open-minded. Make sure to do your research of all majors and opportunities at the school of choice, because you never know what you could end up enjoying and sticking to!

Melissa

I would tell myself to work as hard as I possibly can, even though in the end it may not be all that I thought it would. It was the experience that mattered, the experience that helped make me who I am today. Meeting the people that I did, learning everything they taught me there in that little holistic school, and the knowledge I've been able to pass on to my family and friends who really needed it was worth all of the hardships I went through. The thought that this knowledge could someday save their lives is more than enough to make it all worth it to me.

Mary

I would tell myself to try as many new things as possible when you get to college. Join clubs and take classes that sound interesting even if they are not in your major. You may discover something you really enjoy. In general, just be open to new experiences. I would also tell myself to ask questions if you don't understand something. The professor will be happy to answer your questions because you are probably not the only person who doesn't understand. I wish I had known these things the first time I went to college.

Aaron

The most important advise for both success and happiness for students choosing a college is looking for something for which you have a passion. This does not imply the classic "follow your dream's advice," for this dream is not always that which you wish you could do more than anything else. It only means that one must look deep inside and deside what they find important. If that thing that is more important than anything else is art, become an art major, but if you love art, but want money too, become a buisiness major with an art minor. Choosing a school and a focus of study requires that you are willing to work hard for success in that field and at that school. Without passion behind your work, you will not success at the college level. Thus, pick something you both love and desire, two very seperate terms. Love is about happiness and beauty while desire has a pragmatic edge; it includes the things you want out of life, the parts of life you wish to avoid, and those things that must occur for you to be content. So follow your gut, but also yoru needs.

Karen

?First, figure out what you love. The rest is easy." ? Hana Alberts Countless times teachers repeated to you to do what you love, and to turn it into a career. This may sound prospective at the best of times, but then reality hits your face with a cold, hard brick, and you turn what you love into an act of labor. Your passion for learning suddenly turns into a cloud of bleak streaks, where bar graphs comparing your grade point average, extracurricular activities, and SAT scores to your fellow friends and classmates become the axis of this world and keeps it spinning in an efficiently well-mannered way. The question of how much you learned does not apply, but rather, how you did compared to the other top, elite students in your year, keeps all the lights of your bleak world at check, and GPA well-polished and clean. Among all the things I have learned in college, the best advice to give would be to remember that you study because you are interested and curious, not because you want a shiny letter grade, A, on a piece of paper, or a sharp 4.0 to emblazon on your application.

Angelica

I believe there is a big difference between high school and college, so preparation is key. If I were to have the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself some advice. For one, I would tell myself to acquire optimum time management. I find that having a good balance between a social life and a study life helps the students. This is because the students can enjoy their life outside of the classroom by finding activities to join while still being able to handle the amount of coursework. Calendars are also extremely helpful for those that need to keep track of assignments, exams, and other events. Another point I would make is priorities. I have noticed many students find themselves so caught up in social lives that it interferres with their grades. Students can still enjoy a social life, but they need to decide what is more important if there is a conflict between an event and an assignment. Personally, I find the coursework demanding, so I make time for when I need to study for a class. I would tell myself that fun is good, but good grades pay off.

Jenna

As I was making my college decision, I thought I needed to pick the "right" school. I wanted to feel something click between me and the school to let me know, "this is it." But I never had that feeling, and I eventually just picked a school. I now believe this feeling can actually become dangerous if it alone determines the campus you select. College is less about the school, and more about what you make of wherever you are. Of course you want a good education, but you could attend the top school in the world and gain nothing. So do not worry about picking the "right" school. Rather concern yourself with finding a good school, and then work to make your experience what you desire. Reach outside of yourself to make new friends, keeping in mind you can forge lifelong relationships. Focus on your classes, and give your academics your best, for they are incredibly important, but remember they comprise only part of your experience. Involve yourself in clubs and activities where you can meet people you share interests with. Your choices at school, not the college itself, determine the quality and character of your experience.

Joanie

Approach people! Chances are, your friend of six years may not be going to the same college as you will be attending. Perhaps not even a third of your friends will be seeing you ever again. So what are your options? Sit in your dorm room going online all day and ruining your eyesight or going out and meeting new people who may potentially be your best man or woman at your wedding a few years down the road. This is not to say that you should cut off connections with old friends, but to say that this is college and you will need someone to spend time with; whether it is studying for the next midterm or working out at the gym. Try to meet as many people as possible; get their phone numbers and invite them to lunch or even dinner. Do not be scared of being friendly and asking for phone numbers because they know that while you are a stranger, you are a stranger attending the same college. No one will think you are out of the ordinary because deep down, they, too, have the same goal; to avoid being lonely on their upcoming birthday.

Leslie

Take risks, apply to schools with full knowledge of your capability and to which locales you feel comfortable with. Do you like the city or the small college town experience? Ask yourself if you will be motivated in a comeptitive environment or learn better in a less stressed student body.

Blair

The first piece of major advice I would give to myself would be to know that the school that I attend will not be leaving so it is important for me to take my time and do things effectively not just doing to rush and be out. I also would take into consideration of majoring in what most interest me, even if it were music and knowing that no matter what major you major in you can still successfully get yourself into a great Medical School. Another very important piece of advice I would give myself would be to maximize all campus opportunities and help around you. There are so mnay different campus resources that people do not know about, but it would be important to set myself up with a mentor to help guide me through my steps at least for my first 2 years in college. The last piece of advice I would give myself would be to never doubt myself and realize that I am not going through college alone and have family that fully supports me so it is very important to talk about things and never go through anything alone!

Kelly

If I went back in time to give myself advice about college life and making the transistion, I would first tell myself that community college is a great decision, but that I should go straight into a four year college instead. I did a couple years at a community college and I liked it a lot, but I feel that the transition into a four year college was a lot more difficult from a community college.

Jocelyn

?Education? at the University level is unlike any prior conceptual connotation of the term. Sure, there are still Mathematics and Literature, History and Social Sciences, but the purpose of ?Education? in college evolves from the universals of high school to focusing on individual development and understanding. This is where you will discover who you are; this is where the identity you will carry for the rest of your life is formed and perfected. Don?t hold yourself back. Don?t anticipate or assume you already know who you are and most importantly, be open to change. Pursue any and all trades you deem worthy, allow your passions to develop, and allow new interests entry into your ever-growing identity. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable, be ready to learn, jump over boundaries and meet as many people as you can. Each and every experience you partake in will become a part of you ? don?t be scared of the bad and make sure to embrace the good. These are the years in which you will learn to define who you are as an individual and determine your role in the society around you.

Rachel

The first thing I would tell myself is to not worry about what other people think. Everyone makes mistakes, and no matter how hard one tries, they're still going to happen. It's all a matter of getting back up and carrying on. Having the confidence to take actions, even if some are embarassing, is something people won't ague with. I would also suggest to get out there and get plugged into the community, to engage with people and not be afraid but be bold.

Genie

Study more and actually learn the material. Actually read the books.

Thanh

If I could go back to high school and give advice to myself I would tell myself to work harder and do more activities after school. Since I did not try hard enough during high school and did not enjoy my high school years so much; I had many regrets when I went to college. I would tell myself to have better time management. I have many troubles with time management during college, if I start practice it during high school, that will helps me a lot during college. I would tell myself to study and pay attention in class during high school, because I did not study or pay attention in class so when I went to college, there are many things that I supposed to know but I did not have any clue. There are many more advices that I could do to help the transition to college life easier for me and for everyone.

Catrina

I would have told myself to look into all scholarship options. I felt that there wasn't enough time to look into scholarship information. Now I understand how financially straining university life is especially since my parents were not able to help fund my education. I would have also taken resume seminars to help ensure career employment after graduation.

Shun-Zu

Dear Alice, This is a letter from the cuture you. Now you are a high school senior, and you are uncertain about your future. Choose UC Davis, you will make a lot of friends and find yourself becoming mature there. Do not worry about the acne problem and your weight; your face will clear up in sophomore year in college, and you will lose weight next summer. You might gain a little bit weight again, but it is okay, you will lose weight again. If you meet guys named Daniel and David, do not date them.Both are hearbreakers. Date the guy named Norman, he is the love of your life. You will have an amazing experience with him. Study. That is what makes you success in the future. Actually, study a lot even though you might not want to sometime. At the end, it will be rewarding. Future Alice.

Amanda

I would advise myself that the workload is a lot more challenging and heavy; so, be ready to study extra hard. If you want to make friends and get connected, then you have to get out there. You can't just sit around waiting for someone to come to you or wait on someone else to take you. If you want to do something such as go to a football game or other event, then go! If you need help with school work or you don't understand something, then go ask. Go to office hours no matter what; they really help! Be persistent in finding answers, especially when it comes to classes and the way the system works. Get out there and get involved. Follow your own heart. Don't let someone elses dreams get in the way or take over your own dreams. You should-no-need to do what makes you happy. Only then will you enjoy life and be truely happy. And always remember, things are never as bad as they seem. You will get bad grades, but that doesn't signify the end of the world. Enjoy and remember the good times and have fun!

Michiko

Hey there! Let me tell you something to make your college experience even better than it was. First off, you may want to invest in some good elbow pads and better bike lock. Your classmates are extremely intellegent and very kind, but when in the middle of a bike loop, they like to throw elbows and not use turn signals. Oh, and squirrels think its funny to play "dodge your bike tires" so watch out! You are going to love the smell of Davis, the cow manure reminds you of your own hometown. But most importantly, some big diferences that you need to work on is that college is heavily based on midterms and finals. I know in high school you didn't do so well on tests and relied on your homework grade a lot, but now you need to learn how to test better. Also, there are tons of tutoring so don't be shy to ask for help, and best part is, its free! It's really helpful since tuition is so high (expect to take out a lot of loans, and work on paying them off when you can). You will love your roommate too!

Jonathan

College will be fun, but it will also be a lot of work. There are certain goals you have in mind for your social life during your first year, like getting a girlfriend. The girlfriend can wait. Make sure you have a secure circle of friends you can trust in before you try dating. Those friends will be with you for the rest of college. Also, make sure you always have time for yourself, and although jobs may be enticing, think about them before you get hired. Think about the people you will be working with, and whether you would get along with them, even if the job is amazing. Always take care of yourself first; there are plenty of situations where you can be happy and still get what you want. It just takes patience and some looking around. There's no rush to experience college; it will come as you grow. For now, though, just focus on your last year and that high school diploma. You've earned it.

nick

would tell myself that college is a time to really discover yourself. Its a phase of your life that you truly are the master of. previously life has felt like it has been run by the adults, but now it runs at your will. If you don't attend lecture no one will care, if you, go out partying all night your parents don't have to know, if you take a leisurely light workload it will be you that takes the consequences of it latter on. That's what college is: a time in your life that you have absolute freedom and you learn how your time management decision can really build you to become the great person your college wants to sculpt you into, or a time that will be consumed with cramming for finals in all nighters and an alcoholl dipped social life. Its a time for you to really take charge of your life.

Suzzanne

Don't try and fit in with what you take to be the college's image, find those aspects of the school that suit you, and take advantage of them. Broaden your horizons by taking up the school on all of the opportunities provided, but stay true to yourself.

Kyle

Even if you go to a community college at first, still try as hard as you can and take some classes that require you to be creative or for you to use your hands. Having those classes will give your mind a break from all the research you will have to do.

Trang

Explore more extracurricular activities. Don't study so much, but don't procrastinate. Take time to enjoy each day. Buy books online, don't live in the dormitory, hang out with friends more. Do my best.

Lucas

Relax. There's nothing to be nervous about. Just keep an open mind, be friendly and have fun.

Nicole

I would tell myself to become more involved in school activities and clubs just because it looks better on a graduate school application. I've been able to stay focused and do well in school without stressing out too much. I'd say that's one of the main things I'd do again, not take classes too seriously and enjoy my college life because it goes by quickly. Grades and going well in class is important but not if you're sanity has to be sacrificed to accomplish it. I would tell myself also to be a little more organized with deciding my major. However, few people really know what they want their major to be and what they want to do in life. It just would have been nice to have figured it out sooner than I did. And one more thing, use the resources that are available. There's a lot that can be learned by simply having a conversation with a professor or a graduate student, or even an upper classman and most are more than willing to help out someone struggling to find their way.