University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Not being supported by my family, I would have told myself not to attend UC Irvine because of the costly tuition and housing. Thinking back, however, it would be difficult to think something like that because I would not have the opportunity in knowing so many great people involved in my life. In spite of that, I'd have to be realistic and tell myself that I have to face my circumstances and not think about the awesome college life I am living today. I would also tell myself to try and find a college community where I would be accepted and not be left out among the crowd. I would encourage myself to make every chance count, that is whether it is a matter of academics, social life, and clubs. Because it is easy to forget your purpose in college, I would have to constantly remind myself to stay motivated. To live a life with no regrets is an easy saying we often fail to apply to our lives and college is that very moment we need to grasp the opportunity and live it!

"Don't trip--it's just school." There are many more things in life to deal with other than grades.

I would tell myself to join more community so that I gain more experience. I would also tell myself to join intership.

Thinking back to my high school days, there are so many things I would have done differently. For example, I would have taken the ACT as many times as possible, as well as strive to keep 3.5 or above GPA my entire high school career. However, when you are young you don't seem to realize just how simple decisions could affect you. I for one should have pushed myself a lot more than I did. I would have been more efficient academically, experienced more extra- cirricular activities than just the few I was in, and finally would have excelled as high as possible. The past is the past and something in which I cannot change, but I will strive to be more properous and successful in the future

You are about to enter a whole new experience in life. This is not a continuation of highschool, it is time to grow up. You have to take college seriously, you are one step away from entering your career. Do not mess aroun first quarter, it is so easy to get caught up in making new friends and having those fun college experiences, but do not foget why you are going to college. You are first and foremost here to learn, to develop as a person. Also, do not be afraid to be yourself, if you stay true to yourself you will find yourself surrounded by friends and activities that reflect who you are. You are no longer in high school, the drama and irresponsibility is over. Welcome to your next journey. Work your hardest in everything you do so that when you graduate you will have nothing to regret.

To strengthen my study habits! I was definitely not prepared for the work load in college and I got by through high school and I was not as determined as I am now. I was pretty lazy and did not try to reach my fullest potential. I just wanted to graduate from high school. But now, I regret not building up my study habits.

one thing that I think every freshman needs to get through head is that College is NOTHING like High School. Ya you probably hear so many people say that, but when you transition from high school to college, your introduce to a totally new world.

To talk to myself as a high school senior applying for college and giving myself advice to do the best possible in college is one of the things I always think about. To start off, I would advise myself to be thoroughly prepared for more difficult courses and to get into the habit of making a study plan. It is hard to transition into college life academically since it is very different from high school. Another thing I would recommend myself is to be more outgoing and make a lot of friends once I get into college. I've never been much of a social butterfly, but getting into college has definitely opened up my eyes to how important networking is. One of the biggest things I would advise myself is to just have fun and enjoy college, while being safe and goal-oriented. There are so many things I have yet to experience in college because I've been constantly stressed with academics, but I think living life as a college student shouldn't just be about academics, but rather learning from experiencing the world as an independent individual.

AP classes are a privilege. Even though you may think that you can take it all in college and do not put in effort in high school, they save up a lot of money if you receive credit for them. So take as many AP classes AS YOU CAN MANAGE. Do not waste time with an easy schedule. In addition, doing the readings and developing good study habits in high school is important, because in college, you have to digest the information on your own. Learning to read fast and looking for the main points is an advantage because there is so much reading with each lecture, and not all the information is on the exams. Although going out of state or far from home may seem like "finally freedom" and an adventure, you can get home sick or lonely pretty fast. A driving distance of maximum two hours is good because you can come home over the weekends as often as you want, but at the same time, your parents won't be showing up unexpectedly because of the long distance. Finally, take all the roommate surveys you can. A roommate can either make or break your college life.

I would really have put more effort in learning how to type as fast as I could. "You will need to be able take notes on a computer or you'll be sure to fall behind." Also, don't expect anyone to help you, you must look for help..... STUDY smart AND hard!

The things I wished I knew when I was a high school senior are plentiful. I would have loved to be given the advice of actually learning how to take notes back in high school. I had taken AP courses, which admittedly did help me with my note-taking, but in university, you have to go the extra mile. That extra push is what I lacked in high school. I feel as if I have never studied in my life as hard as I did for my midterms and finals last quarter. College gives you a drive that high school doesn't; it makes you work harder knowing that this will lead you to happiness in the real world. I wish I had learned these skills perviously, in high school, to have a smoother adaptation. Additionally, I think all high schoolers should take as many AP's as they can. They really do help in the transition. If I hadn't had those, I'm not sure how difficult it would have been take in all the information given to me. Starting early is a huge benefit, to everyone, not just those who want to be doctors or engineers.

i would change where i went to school because i was always the one picked on in school. i would study harder as well

Reapply to UCI and confirm once accepted. Stay true to yourself and work hard once you get here. Do not get too caught up in extra curriculars at first because if your grades slip, you will spend your entire college career trying to make it up. Surround yourself with productive people. People that spend time not just studying, but people who get out of bed and take advantage of each day that goes by. Also, take advantage of all the resources and benefits of going to such a spectacular school. The beach is only a five minute drive away, campus recreation center offers hundreds of interesting exercise/karate/cooking classes. Make sure to get your work done on time and take advantage and enjoy the free time you get. Do not pick a major where you will struggle because it is competative and someone who is good at the subject naturally or has more experience will set the curve too high for you to succeed. You do not need to be in the Greek system to socialize, just be involved and dont stay in your room too much.

The advice that I would give myself is to stay focused and adjust to the fast-paced environment. I was schocked with the fast pace of instruction when I first started at UC Irvine. Midterms and finals were always around the corner, and I didn't always feel ready. Furthermore, college seniors must learn to understand and evaluate their priorities. Once at a university, partying, hanging out with friends, and wasting time is tempting; however, an individual willing to learn must sort through these distractions in order to achieve higher education.

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to live in the moment, and do not take anything for granted. I would make sure that I understood the importance of studying and making friends with people in every class. Besides education I would make sure I knew the importance of working hard for everything in life, whether it is on the baseball field, or in the classroom, or in the back yard; every little thing that you do can have an effect on the way that others see you and how you see yourself. The most important thing is to find a college that you enjoy attending, thus no longer making it a burden to be there, but a place that you wake up for and look forward to going too.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself that life is not a game. I would ask, "Do you remember what our teacher once told us? How that one should live life as though there was nothing to lose? Well, that was wrong; you see, there is so much to lose. In fact, when you finally see the truth, everything is at stake here. It is time to man up, do what needs to be done, and see the world of knowledge as a gift."

Well this question I have asked myself many times, and have thought it through, and if I were to be able to travel back in time to my senior year, knowing how life in college is, I would have definitely told myself to not only get out of the habit of procrastinating, but to join many clubs in order to be more involved, not only in my school, but within my community as well. The idea of not procrastinating is because high school in comparison to college is like learning how to add for the first time, all though it wasn’t difficult because we could use our fingers we were still vulnerable to making minor mistakes. Also the reason I would tell myself to join clubs is because I think I would have enhanced my abilities to be more social and not wait until college to take advantage of the opportunities out there for me as a student. Overall my experience in high school allowed me to be where I am at today so therefore I’m still thankful and continue to learn as I experience.

Choose a campus not for its prestige but rather its worth. What goal do you have, what do you want to do with your life etc. You don't necessarily need to be a doctor to be successful, but you need to explore and find colleges that fit you and search opportunities that can make you successful. Always ask people when you need advice on applications because no one knows everything. There is no stupid question, and the only regret you can have is the regret of never trying, if anything always continue and move on. Remember your regrets, but use them to motivate you to actually accomplish something else because that's how you can be successful.

No matter what, stay true to who you are. You're going to be confronted with different people, different ideas, and placed in different (and sometimes uncomfortable) situations that may make you question the kind of person you are and the kind of person you want to be--but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. College is definitely a time for exploration and finding out more about yourself. Take classes that aren't required for your major and go out of your way to meet people you wouldn't normally talk to. People are going to constantly tell you about their college experience but it doesn't mean that you're going to have, or have to have, the same experience they had. Take these four years and make it your own. Ultimately, use this time to find your passion. This may take some time, and there may be some obstacles in your way, but don't let them stop you from realizing what you truly want to do. College could be "the best four years of your life"--but it also may not be. It's really up to you how you decide to live it.

I would tell myself to get involved more and don't procarstinate.

When I first began college I will admit I was not prepared. High school was a breeze to me! In high school I was one of the top students of my class and I felt on top of the world. When I got to college, I was in a room full of students that were just like me and probably wiser too. I will admit that as a freshmen I didn't take school seriously. I was free, living on my own, and not really thinking about the future; basically I was young and stupid. While I am still young, I am much wiser now! If I had the opportunity of going back in time and talking to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself three simple words, "Do NOT procrastinate!" Beleive me it really does make your life easier. I would have told myself to be diligent and effective with my time. I would have told myself to press forward even when you feel like you are about to collapse just keep climbing until you reach the top because the view from the top is magnificent and well worth the climb!

I would tell myself not to stress out so much because it just gets in the way of having to do what you need to do (especially when it comes to taking tests and studying).

If I could go back in time and tell my 18-year-old-self something worthwhile, I would tell her to not be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. I would tell her to try new things, to grab each opportunity as it comes her way, because life is too short to do otherwise. When I was eighteen, I was afraid of failure. I was sure that if I did everything properly and according to plan, everything in life would go perfectly. Life, however is not like that! I found out about this firsthand when I sustained a brutal injury to my face one seemingly normal day, and my life changed forever. It taught me that life, no matter what we do, is unpredictable, and that we must do everything in our power to live it as if there were no tomorrow. It is too precious to live any other way. Now, I seek not to exist, but to live. The passion to make my mark on the world and make every second count is what really keeps me going, and I would not have it any other way.

The first piece of advice I would give myself is to let go of any hesitation or anxiety when it comes to making new friends. Everyone you meet is feeling exactly as nervous about starting college and there is no need to be shy. Also, do not take every single thing that you own, there will not be enough room for it; that means take only the clothes you plan on wearing, the books you plan on actually reading, and only a few pairs of shoes. Get all of your books after classes start because some professors decide not to use the textbooks and you do not want to waste money on expensive textbooks that you do not need and can barely afford. Make sure not to spend all of your money the first week because you will end up getting really hugnry by the tenth week of school, and nobody wants to go into finals starving. Don't stress out, college is the best time of your life.

Fear nothing, except losing an opportunity. It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of college and become overwhelmed, and that's fine. It's okay to take risks, to try new things, and to have a multitude of options surrounding every decision that comes your way. But to be honest, college requires a lot of balance. And that is something you will not need to master during your four (or possibly 5) years of undergraduate education, but a life skill that will keep you happy and healthy and adventurous. You will always face challenges beyond academia, however just try to be bold and strong. Never be afraid to ask a question as long as you can take "no" for an answer. Always love, and always have faith in those around you. But more importantly have faith in yourself. You are here for one reason, and that is to learn everything you can about who you are and what you are capable of doing. Be forgiving, be mature, be silly, but be real. Once college is over, don't dwell. Take life by the reins and ride off as far as you can go.

I would have probably preffered to have gone to a community college for two years to figure out what I wanted to pursue a career in. It took me almost two years to figure it out and given the tuition difference, a community college would have been much more affordable. As a High School senior, I would have searched for some sort of summer activity that would help guide me into possibly choosing my definitive major sooner.

I would tell myself to go straight to a 4 year university, instead of going to a community college first. I would also tell myself not to worry so much, because their are people who will help make the transition easier.

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would most certainly tell myself to have a solid educational plan. Before I transferred to the University of California, Irvine, I was not career-focused; I did not have an idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated. If only I knew that piece of information when I was a high school senior. I would have been able to get a head start on the required classes for my major.

If I was able to go back in time, I would take more advanced courses so that I would be able to take the AP tests and earn credits for college. I would participate in more clubs to have a mindset of what clubs I would like to associate with in college. Another thing that I would do is apply for more scholarships because tuition is expensive and especially coming from a low-income and single parent family it was difficult to meet ends need for college, and even financial aid does not cover enough for my tuition. Many college students have difficulty in deciding their majors and classes are often stuck in between. Last but not least, if I was able to be a high school senior once again then I would have done more research about what classes that I should take and read more about each major so that I would come in prepared.

First of all, girl you need to get your act together. Highschool has been a breeze for you, there is absolutely no doubt about that. No one has really prepared you for what you are about to enter. Moving away from home and all you know is a lot more difficult than it sounds. College is hard. There are no exceptions or excuses. Mom and Dad won't be there to bail you out every time you screw up, you're going to be on your own making your own adult decisions. You got to sleep your way through highschool, and your GPA shows it all, but college cannot be the same. There is nothing you can do about anything now, all you can do is promise yourself to do better in everything you do from here on out. If you survived the cruel world of highschool, you can survive college. It won't be easy, at times you are going to want to give up, but in the end it will be worth it! So, go get that diploma and enjoy your last bit of relaxation. Essays, projects, due dates and long lectures are waiting for your arival.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry so much. I would say that, although I would be at a new place without knowing that many people there, so would many of the other freshmen there. It wouldn't be too difficult to meet new people, and I'd make some great friends there too. Also, I would tell myself to sign up for one of the summer sessions. UCI had a program called Summer Bridge. I visited a friend of mine there, and the program seemed to be absolutely wonderful. You earned a few units, made friends, and got to know some of the staff. Getting early registration for the next quarter (which is very good) was just icing on the cake.

Take more time to get help for college.

You should spend more time to study English to get a high score in SAT. You also need to practice pronouciation.

Don't try to plan everything out! Be willing to be put in new situations and try everything, even the things you weren't sure you'd like. Those are the things that turn out to be the most interesting and enjoyable. Have fun, don't stress about making friends -- They come with time! Study hard and play hard, but don't let them interfere with each other.

don't be bitter about other schools not accepting you, be outgoing

I would tell myself to start planning early. For so many years, my counselors and my friends always told me I had plenty of time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Although that advice was extremely comforting, I internalized it and used it as an excuse to slack off or be lazy. I always thought I had so much time and I never bothered to plan everything out or try different things. Four years may seem like a long time however, it really isn’t. Everything moves by so quickly and I would have definitely benefited if I developed a plan or a specific goal before I entered. I would have told myself to ask current UCI students about the clubs they were involved in and the courses they were taking and/or took so that I could have a better idea of what classes to apply for in the future. For a majority of my time in high school, I felt afraid to talk to counselors and teachers. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve told myself to face my fears early on so that it won’t debilitate me in the future.

Be prepared for the change.

I would tell myself to work harder and take the time to complete my homework. Apply to local universities instead of all out of state schools. Try to go into a 4 year school straight out of high school instead of a community college. The transition for people who transition from high school to a 4-year have a true college experience and make lasting friendships much faster than transfer students. Get involved in student life and take all research opportunities. Keep a high GPA.

Hey Henry, you've done a great job in high school and regardless of all the regrets you have about not doing as well as you should have or how much more you could have matured, you did well, and you shouldn't be so hard on yourself about it too much. College will be a new beginning, and only you can choose whether you want to bring along the high school "baggage" or not is up to you. The opportunities are really more than you can fathom in just 4 years; there is too much to explore to hold yourself back with things of old. Go out, try new things, meet new people, regardless of how cliche that sounds. It WILL benefit you, and it will be a new experience. Heck, it might even change the path of life you were planning to go down. You'll never know and that's what makes college that much more amazing of an experience.

To go to college which also means getting old means that I have a heavy sense of responsibility. Do anything what you can do and want to. Time just goes by. It never come back.

When you get to college everyone's in the same position as you. You'll feel really alone at first and miss your family and think that this was probably the worst decision you've ever made, but it passes. You'll learn that everyone wants the same thing as you, which is to enjoy college and discover the person they're supposed to be. Put yourself out there, don't be scared that people won't like you or that you'll embarass yourself because you're great and people want to get to know you, just give them the opportunity. Don't assume that people don't like you just because they're not talking to you, everyone is scared and nervous and you never know which person is going to turn into your very best friend.

If I could talk to myself last year as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be more self sufficient and less reliable on my academic counselors. Transitioning from a small, private, Catholic high school to a large, public university made me realize how much everything was basically given to me instead of me working for it. What I realized when coming to UC Irvine was that a lot of the things I did as a senior were because I was guided in that path or was told it was the correct or best thing for me to do. Now, being able to experience learning in a larger community, I had to learn that there are many opportunities available that I will not be notified of, but I must find out information about them, by myself. It was hard for me to adjust to not being told where I should go or what I should do, but I quickly found that if I needed or wanted something, I had to put in the effort and figure it out on my own. The advice I would give myself is to be more independent and don't settle for less!

Being a first generation immigrant, I did not have a lot of choices back in High School. I could not apply to a good university with my little knowledge of the language; however, I would advise myself to have a clear vision of what I want in life. I was not quite sure what to major in which resulted in changing my major twice in community college. Fortunately, I got into a good school with a major a love and appreciate.

I was a transfer from community college. I would have definitely started taking college classes throughout my high school summers. I would have taken more AP courses. However, I believe I have always kept myself aware of updates around campus. I immediately joined a sorority my first quarter at UCI and believe I am taking every opportunity I can here. It has been the best decision I have made.

Never to procrastinate, it is deadly in college life. Time is always against you, so manage it. Start making friends, or you will be left behind. College students have enough experiences, problems, and values in common that they are capable of becoming friends. Participate in most activites, go to meetings related to your major, read all sorts of soronities and decide which is best for you. Start planning to study abroad, and learn at least 1 another language. You won't get far in life without being able to communicate with different kinds of people. Respect people despite of what they're thinking about you. Acceptance and adaptation is key to success; never let down yourself, and work everything out smoothly.

College life is very different with high school life. Students are treated like adults in college. If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would push myself to go to every single class, go to the teachers' office hours, and prepare myself better to overcome what awaits me in college. Taking four classes in college is harder than taking seven classes in high school. If I had known this, I would warn myself to study harder and to learn English more. Lastly, I would push myself to ask the teachers if I do not understand certain materials because in college, we, the students have to choose our decisions to go to the professors' office hours, which is really crucial to succeed in college.

I would tell myself to explore new classes during high school, so that I can have a better sense of what I want to major in during college. It would help to take a few classes at a local community college to explore my interests before going to a university. Also, take AP classes, but don't over do it. The extra college credits are very beneficial and prepare you for college classes, but over extending yourself is not worth it. Enjoy college life and get involved right away during your first year. The people you meet during your first year will be your lifelong friends.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would sit him down and have a very meaningful talk about life . I would tell him about my first quarter of college. My acheivements, my mistakes, and my experiences will all be told over a cup of jasmine milk tea. I would tell myself to uninstall all the games from my computer because playing games hindered my academics. I would then tell myself to start working out because, yes, freshman fifteen does exist and it WILL happen to me. The most important thing I would tell myself is to get active! Don't stay in the dorm all day. Rush for campus clubs or fraternities. Have the guts to go out and show UCI who Johnny Lei is! I would smile after telling myself all this, stand up, give myself a pat on the head and walk out into the future.

The most important piece of advice I could give myself would be two simple words: do something. I am in my senior year and am coming to terms with what life will be like outside of college. I won't see my friends as regularly, I won't have a common bond with the people I meet, and I will have to make an effort to keep in touch with some friends. My college life was filled with absolutely unforgettable moments that I only wish I had more of, so I can say that I had an amazing time at school. I thought somewhat recently, and concluded that some of my time was spent going online or playing video games, but those are not the experiences I will remember. UCI helped me mature as a person in a way I couldn't comprehend as a high school student, and I know now that the best years of my life can be spent studying aggressively, playing games, or being with friends and doing something. It is only that last option that cements memories for decades to come, and will make me smile in my later years.

I would tell myself to take the remaining classes more seriously and actually think about college more. I would also tell myself to work on more scholarships and to be more outgoing. The last thing I would tell myself would be to be sure to be more active in college when I got there.