University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

I would tell myself to keep going and keep asking for help. When I was in high school I did not always get the help I needed and it really discouraged me, and after I left I did not want to go back to school again. But I was wrong and should have gone back sooner I should have just had more faith in myself that I could keep going. I wish I could have known that years ago and would give anything to tell my high school self that.

You may be enjoying your last year here at Skyline, but have you thought about what your going to do after you graduate? You think that your getting the help, you need to go to college, but the fact is that your not. They have not told you about the prerequisites that are needed to attend most universities. Your GPA may be okay for you, but its not going to help you in any way once you graduate. Despite what people around you have told you, college isn't much different from high school, with the exception that you will now be in charge of the classes you take and any paperwork that is needed to stay enrolled. My personal advice to you is that after you graduate, apply to college, specifically, the City College Of San Francisco and choose CNIT as your major. Don't think about it too much because the prices that are currently set in place are going to rise in the next few years.

Everyone is just as confused as you are. That’s what I would say to myself if time warp were possible. In high school, I had this foreboding concept ingrained in my head that everyone else knew how to navigate the college process and I was slowly falling behind. However, now that I have fully transitioned into college life, I’ve realized that it would be impossible for any senior in high school to understand what was to come. The only way to be prepared for the future would be to experience it. I’m not saying I should have accepted confusion, but rather that I should have stopped fighting it. Stress can cause a lot of problems and the last thing a person needs to feel alone in it.Additionally, I would tell myself that wherever I end up, I would be happy. The college experience is not a defined event. It is composed of what you make of it. So, I would tell myself that wherever I ended up getting in, as long as I focused on the positive aspects, happiness would be inevitable.

Hello, you. Yes, I know you think college is utterly, devastatingly important as the next big event coming up on the horizon. College is a big investment, but it does not encompass everything; you should treat this event as a means to achieve your future dreams and not as the ultimate goal. And, it is perfectly fine to feel confused and scared in making the transition from a sheltered child to an independant. Even so, you should not wallow away in your self-pity and succumb to your stressful fears. Success is achieved by facing your fears and overcoming your obstacles. If you are worried about the obnoxious price tag that is in your face reminding you about college expenses, apply for scholarships! Assure your parents and help out the financial situation by getting a job or applying for paid internships. If you are stressing over your father's chronic disease and declining health, spend more time with him. IF you are frustrated by the constant bickering in your household over inconsequential things, mediate the situation! Nothing will happen if you just passively stand on the sidelines and let things run their course. Your fate is in your hands.

In every campus tour and piece of college advertising, the emphasis is on the school's strengths and a smoke screen is thrown over its weaknesses. Therefore, be sure to talk to current students (preferably more than one from each school) to gain a more complete picture of that school. Do not be dazzled by high rankings, famous professors, or good sports statistics. The things that will make or break your college experience are class size, campus location, and the type of student that attends that school. Trust that you are intelligent and be confident in your ability to embark on a career path without the help of an extensive alumni network. Your worth is not in the college that you attend. On the contrary, the school obtains its worth from your attendance. It may seem important to attend a school with a famous, impressive name, but the question you should be asking instead of "What will others think?" is "Will I be happy here?".

Open your eyes - it's just the beginning Of a glorious time that you'll be winning. You're free to be YOU (more than ever before) So expand your sight beyond the shores; Horizons aren't limits, merely just there, The question is: Where will you go? Where? Spend time alone, spend time with friends, Share a story and learning never ends. New words are scary, new worlds alarming, But what may seem frightful is quite charming. And it is true - first steps are hard, But even inches make a yard. When inch by foot, and foot by mile You discover what's worthwhile, College is paradise, not a trial; A heaven filled with countless smiles.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Life as a college student does not get easier, and many of your friends won’t talk about the hardships that come with your studies. College requires you to step outside of your comfort zone, even if you don’t want to. However, if you allow yourself to fear the future and the possibility of failure you will never experience success. I’ll admit I have struggled with this a lot so far. Especially with the pressure of having to achieve high grades and succeed in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, which, by the way, is something I know that you can handle. For the first quarter of my college career I was ambitious, a little too ambitious. I enrolled in eighteen units, including a six unit general education cluster on top of my commitment to ROTC. During my cluster I struggled to maintain C’s on simple classwork and was close to giving up and utterly feared failing. Nonetheless, I put that fear aside and stuck with it and persevered. I got an A- in the class and A’s in the other classes. So don’t be afraid, anything is possible.

The first piece of advice I would give myself is to definitely take AP Physics and Bio. That will stick with you for your entire college career. College wants to see if you push yourself out of your comfort zone, not if you just took another biology class. I would also tell myself that Spanish 4 would not have been the best option considering you have to start from basic level of Spanish in college. Another thing I would tell myself is that although extra-curricular activities are important, don’t stress as much. Have fun senior year, try hard, but it is your last year living at home, so make the most out of it. One more thing, sorority girls are not the girls you see on the movies such as Mean Girls, or on Syndey White. UCLA has a fantastic recruiting process and just trust the system; you will find the perfect house. Also, getting used to school will not be all that fun. Trust yourself, don’t try to force yourselves to make friends on your floor if it is not working, you will find friends. College will be one of the best experiences you ever have.

Try not to get to caught up with everyone else and focus on studying only.

Dear Brittany, As a high school senior, I know you are focused on work and academic life at school, but I believe it is essential to start creating a future by focusing on how the actions you are taking now will affect you down the road. Stop living in the past and present, and take steps to writing your future. In order to excell in your performance, make sure your actions line up with what you want to achieve. Instead of changing yourself, just rewrite your future; this will provide you with a framework filled with power to grow as an individual and influence others to follow in your footsteps. Also, I know you struggle with finding out who you are as an individual. I want you to know that you are looking in the light, rather than in the dark. Go outside of your securities and explore the unknown. In order to do this, let go of things holding you back.. kind of like emptying out your stuffed closet into your room. This will allow you to be more be organized in writing your future and creating yourself, rather than finding yourself. Best wishes, Brittany Soto

Study and work hard. Read and write more.

1. Most classes do not take attendance. This means that you do not need to call in sick or get a doctor's note when you miss class. This does not mean, however, that you should stay at home and browse the internet in your pajamas. Go to class! 2. College is a time to meet new people, learn new things, and grow as a person. Have fun, but not too much. 3. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Even though you don't have homework, you should still do work at home. Grab a textbook, your lecture notes, and a study buddy! 4. It's not called studying if you occasionally look at your notes while you browse Facebook. Get rid of all distractions and learn to efficiently study. 5. Pay off your loans ASAP! Yes, those clothes are nice and that phone is awesome. But you know what else is awesome? Graduating with little to no debt! 6. Learn how to cook. Otherwise, all you will be eating is sandwiches and bowls and bowls of cereal. 7. Make friends, even if they are in another grade level. Older students may have textbooks you can borrow. Younger students may have meal swipes.

Don't put it off. Enroll in college ASAP. Education means everything.

In highschool, I could not wait to be in a different environment. I yearned to be in a different place, with different people and in different surroundings. If I were able to talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to appreciate familiarity and the extent to which everyone wishes for your success. In a large college, to get help you must seek it. Help can be found but it is never handed to you like it was in highschool. As a senior, I thought college would not be a transition but a step. I believed when I arrived to college, my mind on my major would be set. I have learned college is the time to try new courses to see what subjects interest me. I still make mistakes in college and I learn from each mistake. Each mistake must be solved by yourself and if you do not fix the problem then the problem will not be fixed. If I could talk to my senior self, I would tell myself to continue to look forward to college but realize a lot of responsibility comes with leaving the safety of home and your hometown.

Time slips out of your fingers as rapidly as wheat grains you cup in your hands. If you don't start preparing and planning months in advance of all your deadlines and tests you will barely scrape the surface of what you want to achieve. Being a procrastinator will leave you depressed from lack of success. Therefore, start using a checklist for every day and make a set of goals to be accomplished no matter how small they may be. If you find yourself getting lazy and saving those items on your checklist for later, you will never be done with them the way you want to be. Relax, once you develop good work habits and shirk off the sluggishness you will feel better about yourself and future prospects.

I would tell my past self how happy I am of our accomplishments and reassure her that the hard work she’s done in school is well worth it; it leads to a 4.0 in college. I’d explain that our health issue is manageable. The pain from our condition will never go away, but it’ll not interfere with attending school, so don't give up because of fear. Secondly I’d explain about financial aid and how it will help, since it’s her main reason for thinking she can’t go to college. I would advise her to start at a community college. I’d explain that life will have many ups and downs, but in the end she’ll be a better person for it all. I’d tell her to try and look on the bright side of all things and follow her heart. My parting words to her would be to not put off going to college. The biggest let down she’ll ever face (if she puts off going to college) is realizing that she could have been done with half of her college career and working in her field by now.

Spend more time talking and understanding your friends. You have been with them for four or even seven years! Good friends are hard to come by so stay by them. Also work harder on those college applications but don't stress yourself to death. I hope that you cherish every moment and try to get to know everyone a little better.

Be courageous. Don’t be intimidated by your senior class president, your taekwondo competitor who won last year’s nationals, or your own doubts of failure. Motivation inspires hard work and along the process you create a passion that becomes contagious. The type to push you past your limits, show everyone how special you are, and prove to yourself that with focused determination you can reach the stars. Remember to smile and let your inner personality shine, but it’s okay if you’re not happy every hour of every day. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings. You don’t want to be perceived as being fake; simultaneously, if you’re mad, don’t hold it in. In the long run, the problem will only grow bigger. Keeping working hard to reach your dreams, because you will only go higher in life.

Sweet girl, if you do not get into your dream university go to the local community college and transfer in as a junior. If a class you need is closed merely crash the course. Do not get up from your seat on the first day of class. This may seem intimidating and a bit scary but do not give up that seat! Wait until everyone has left the room and plead your case privately to the professor. Also, once you are in your classes take the time to get to know your professors. This could benefit you if you’re bordering an A or B grade. Allow your professors to truly know you. If you have difficulty with a subject organize study groups and associate with students who are excelling. Join organizations that can help you reach your goals. Take honors courses and apply for the honors programs, these open many doors. Also read everything about the requirements for your major. Ask lots of questions of the different individuals in the counseling, admissions and transfer centers. Be overly prepared rather than under prepared. Study hard because a C can wreck your GPA and keep you from obtaining certain scholarships.

Study very very hard.

I've thought a lot about this question recently, having just finished my first year of college. In retrospect, I realized that I have grown significantly since graduating high school. As such, the advice I would give my high school is the course of action that I took this past year. I would characterize my high school self as being afraid of taking charge of a situation. Beginning college in a new environment, I wanted to make the most of every chance to experience as much of the university culture as possible. In order to do this, I quite literally said yes to everything that came my way during my first year. As a result, I was able to find internships, learn from incredible mentors, meet hardworking, passionate individuals, and learn more about myself than ever before. In just one year, I believe I developed more as an individual than I had in my entire fours years in high school. The biggest piece of advice I would offer my senior self would be to make the most of your undergraduate experience. You're only there for four years, and you want to graduate with absolutely no missed opportunities or regrets!

If I could go back and talk to my senior self, I'd tell myself to spend more time with my family. I never realized how homesick I would be!!! I would have told myself to get a job so I wouldn't have to resort to Ramen meals! I would've told myself to apply for scholarships much earlier on, because the deadline for most scholarships currently is next year. Oh man, I would've told my senior self to NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!! Do what you can today, so it won't all add up tomorrow and you won't end up feeling discouraged!

My advice to myself would be to more avidly pursue ways to pay for college on my own-- in other words, to seek scholarships and part-time jobs. College is expensive, and any psychological maturation we experienced during high school seems meaningless if, as soon as we exit, we need to begin asking our parents for such exorbitant sums of money, which is something we (hopefully) hadn’t been doing previously. To me, it feels like a step backwards. During adolescence, we become socially and emotionally independent but remain financially dependent, and this "gap" eventually becomes difficult to rationalize. I hadn't realized any of this by the time I graduated, nor did I anticipate how much it would sting to still be dependent on my parents. By letting them shoulder the burden of paying for college, I’m maintaining (or even heightening) my reliance on them at a point in my life where I should be lessening it. I think that my younger self would understand the grim implications of that. Also, I would tell myself to ask out a girl I liked who came to UCLA with me. She went to winter formal by herself, after all.

Do research for scholarships, make sure you socialize more and involve yourself with organizations and other students. Live on campus rather than commuting and make sure to choose a major that you can see yourself building a successful career in.

The only think i regret is not getting my GE classes out of the way. Take all those AP course while you can and get the tutoring you need. Tak even community college classes if need be. Especially if you are set in the field of study you would like to enter, get those taken care of because right now thats the only thing holding you back. Delevop and keep good study habits and stay self-disciplined. You have great freedom to do awesome things but do not get side track. Stay FOCUSED on what you want and need to do and then build on your expierience with extras.

I took a trip to the future and there is a little advice that I want you to know. First things first, don’t be so afraid to be adventurous. College is truly all about finding your true self. That cannot happen if you choose to remain in a shell. Try new things. Speak to different kinds of people. Learn to be comfortable expressing your authentic self. When you are one hundred percent acceptant of yourself, others around you do not have a choice but to accept you as well. Honestly, the transformation from high school to college is nothing less than frightening. However, when you learn to accept the fact that change is inevitable, you can accomplish anything. College is all about change. Change in scenery. Change in academic style. Change of self. Do not fret when you experience this constant change. View it as an opportunity to learn another life taught lesson. Wisdom is attached at the end of each lesson. It is important to realize that wisdom, by far, is the best gift that you can obtain. With that being said, welcome to the “Real World.” Open your eyes to its remarkable and indescribable beauty.

I would tell myself so many things, but there are a few that stand out. I would tell myself to really prepare yourself. College classes in high school are way different from high school classes. You can’t slack off just because you don't have class every day. I would also tell myself that college is very important and not to take the opportunity of granted. I would also to tell myself not to take to set a goal and become very goal oriented. Some friends may leave you but your education is more important than your parties and your friendships. Another thing I would tell myself is to not over load myself with classes and work. It gets very stressful and you can't do both and succeed at both. Something is going to suffer & you don't want school to be it. Those are a couple of things I would tell myself if I had the oppurtunity to do so.

As a high school senior I would tell myself to prioritize the improvement of your study skills. Entering college was a difficult transition because I had to improve my study habits. I would also mention to make more time EVERYDAY to get some studying and reviewing done, because unlike high school, college requires you to constantly review the covered subject material. Establishing a functioning study routine that caters to your personal needs will be key to achieving academic success in college. As far as writing essays, don’t be afraid to think for yourself and have your own interpretations of readings, lessons, etc. In college all you will be writing about will require that you develop your own arguments and ideas. By starting to feel comfortable with your own thoughts and ideas, college essays will be an easier task to complete. Overall college requires you to be self-efficient and complete tasks INDEPENDENTLY. Don not count on anyone to do your thinking for you. I know this sounds a bit obvious, but it is easy to simply agree with other people’s ideas without fully analyzing it for yourself.

There are many things I want to tell to my high school self. College life is unrestricted, flexible, and a great place to make friends. It is unrestricted because the student can feel free. Instructors do not order students around because it is the student’s responsibility. The stress I have experienced in high school does not exist in college. The college life is flexible because a student can create their own schedule. If a student wants a longer lunch break or nap time, a student can fill in a space. I always wished for a longer lunch time or an hour of a nap, but I can do this in college. Finally, college is a great place to make friends. People from different background and age attend a college. For some reason, I only made a few friends in high school. However, when I started attending college, I am able to be friends with people of many ages, especially people who are two decades older than me. They match my thoughts, so conversations are very enjoyable. I want to tell my high school self that college life is not intimidating as the rumors say, but it is very worthwhile.

Knowing about the complexity of college life, I will encourage myself to be open and learn from all the opportunities. Learning pathway comes from everywhere. Going to college will make me grow; as a human being and the future professional. I am now responsible of myself, about where I am, and how I can take advantage of all the tools offered to help me reach my academic goals. I have a plan for my future, and I am determined to reach the other end of the path. I know this is just the beginning of my journey in pursuing a higher education. My new life as a college student will really depend on me. I do not think it will change who I am because my parents had taught me along the years good values, how to manage my time, be responsible and proactive. I know there will be academic changes, different homework workload, and class schedule; as well a whole new environment that probably will make me feel alone or perhaps scared which is and will be a fundamental part of my personal growth. I am ready to face new challenges that will be worthy in the long run.

Study hard to keep a good grade and invole many activities at highschool will preprare you to be a successful student at college. Talk with college students to figure out the pro and cons of the life at campus so you can choose yourself to live at in or out campus.

Learn to accept who are as a student, friend, and human being. Be comfortable with yourself, and you'll find the perfect crowd to spend wine and cheese or movie nights with. Go for that drive up to San Francisco for the day and forget about the paper due two weeks from now. You work better under a bit of deadline pressure anyway. Don't force yourself to be a morning person; you'll waste more time napping than feeling rejuvenated. Read Vonnegut instead of Eliot. You'll enjoy and appreciate "The Wasteland" more when it's not on a syllabus. Most of all have confidence in your decisions, and stand up for what you want every once in a while. Speaking out about what you believe in doesn't always mean you're being insensitive, and it definitely doesn't mean you're not growing or changing. It gives you a chance to question society, and with each discussion you'll learn more. Having confidence means you'll know when it's better to hold your tongue or stay home for crunch time; when you make a mistake say sorry and move on. Mistakes are human, you are human.

To be honest, College is a lot harder than what they say. It is a lot harder than what you think, but it is fun. It's stressful, but always know that if you put work to it, in the end, everything will be worth it. College is one of the most important years of your life because this is where you transition from staying home with your family to being out in the world. You might not literally be alone, but sometimes it feels that way because of how overwhelming it may feel. Knowing that you have became an adult and came into the real world can be pretty scary. Always keep your head up though. There will be obstacles in your life and if you are determined enough, you will get through them. Always know that in the end, everything is worth it. Through the stress and maybe even homesickness, never forget why you are at college and keep yourself motivated. Never give up faith no matter how bad a situation feels. Good luck and remember, always be happy, that helps you become the person you were set ot be.

I had a child when I was in high school and that made things a little harder for me. I don't regret having my son. I just would have made much more wiser choices. The one good thing I can say about having my kid is that it made me work a little harder. I should have took more time to listen to others advice. I also would have made myself more available to school rather then trying to fit in with others. School is the best thing that anyone could ask for. I just want to be able to have a career instead of a job that I don't like waking up to every morning. I want to be successful and I know I won't be able to do that without a good education. I would give anything to have another chance to get on the right track. So that being said I can't tell my son to do something I have never done. I'm a very young ambitious single mother looking to get ahead in life and I will make it happen by any means. I have a made it this long way.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to enjoy school more and not be so concerned with good grades. Grades are important, but spending time with friends and family and enjoying the close knit community of high school is even more important. I would tell myself not to stress about leaving my family and home because college has too many exciting things to offer to be homesick often.

Dear High School Nickta, Please stop worrying. Stop agonizing over your college applications that you think are not perfect and trust yourself. Enjoy the last moments you have with your high school friends. The times you spend with them seem like no big deal right now, but in just a few months, you will barely see them. You will miss all the times driving in the car, blasting music and singing along, and want to go back to the good times just messing around and doing nothing. Stop worrying about what schools you are going to get in. No need to stay up late in your bed in anticipation for the ominous college letters. Let go and patiently wait because there is nothing left for you to do. You do not need to figure out your future right now because everyone is asking where you are going, what are majoring in, and what your career will be. You have plenty of time and the answers will come to you, so do not give into the pressure of others. Instead, focus on all your accomplishments and realize that everything happens for a reason. Just relax and enjoy your senior year.

"Stop thinking you’re so great!! Turns out the teachers aren’t crazy; they’re actually leading you in the right direction." is what I would desperately urge my senior self to realize if I could. In this first semester of college, I’ve given myself the biggest reality check of my life. Understand, in high school, I was fortunate enough to have an adequate amount of smarts to be able to “breeze” through without much effort. That’s how my mother was, as well as my little sister; we simply don’t need as much instruction as others tend to need. Thanks to the mentality I’ve had virtually my entire life, senior me had the outlook: “I won’t need much effort to make it through college.”…INCORRECT! In reality, I should’ve tried harder then so I could’ve been one of the best of the best, and I certainly need to try harder now in college. I would require the old me to understand before I left that the teachers’ lectures about being “prepared for college” isn't babbling, and if she’d hoped for the faintest inkling of success, “better get ready while you can.”

I would advise myself to never get "slack". The first few semesters may seem easy, I would tell myself, but it only gets harder as you progress. I would warn the high school me to never get too proud about acheivements and accolades. Be satisfied with the progress you make. First and foremost, I would like to tell myself that I can always be proud of myself if I always give my best. I might also tell the younger Kelley to pick someone in my life (such as my parents) and work at making them proud as well. I would like to tell myself to make sure the things I do would honor that person... because sometimes you don't care what happens to yourself. It's good for people to have a hero, someone that inspires them, someone they're accountable to, or just someone that you care for a great deal. I often find now that it is difficult to sacrifice for yourself, but sacrificing for someone you greatly esteem is very satisfying.

I would tell myself to be less afraid and to be open to all the new people I would meet. The friends I would make would go on to be the best I ever had. I'd also tell myself to manage time more effectively and to seek help if I ever needed it in any area. Mostly, I would tell myself to be ready for challenges and to be ready to make those years count because they were the greatest I've experienced. I'd want to tell myself to take everything in and enjoy it but not too much because I'm there to learn and to become a better person. I would tell myself to get more involved in the student life to be a bigger part of the college community and volunteer more.

I would tell myseld to apply yourself and stop slacking off you are way to smart for that. College is a fun but challenging part of life that you will never regret doing.

If I could go back in time to tell myself a few things about college, I would start with how serious college should be taken. I take my education very seriously but in high school, I did not. I would tell myself that I should give everything I have to improving my GPA and learning so that I could attend a better college and start on the right path to a career. I would also inform myself about exactly how financial aid works, and that I don’t need to put off college, I need to take advantage of my parents’ ability to pay for my education. I would take the time to make myself understand that all choices have consequences and that while I was 17, I will wake up one day and realize that was almost 20 years ago and you should have done so much more with your life. I would tell myself, “Be serious about your education and your career, or you might find one day that you have very few of the things you wanted in life.” I would make myself understand the choices I was about to make, and change them.

Gloria, I know the pressure of college applications is immense and unbearable, but please do not give up. You may be breaking down by the thought that all the hard work through college now seems useless because you have nothing outstanding to write about for your personal statements, but that is wrong. You have done a great job thus far, and you just need a great way to end those four years. In order to do that, give your all on those college applications. Start early to stay on top of the pressure. Perfect them so you don't regret anything. But if your dream school denies you even with a perfect application, just dust it off. It's their loss for not accepting a jewel like you. Be confident in your applications as well as your love life. Don't trust that boy with your first kiss. He is broken and has nothing good to offer you. And stop thinking that you can change him; you are not ready. I hope you take these advices by heart and end your high school symphony with a boom. Love, Gloria

I have to be very honest about the transition from high school to a university, it has not been an easy one. If I could go back and give advice to myself, I would tell myself to take as many AP courses as possible and pass all the AP exams. I would go back and be enthusiastic about every class, because in a university level, you are on your own. Your teachers are not telling you what is due when, you simply get a syllabus. I would advice myself to begin being independent, and taking my education seriously, because in the end, I am the only one who will benefit from it. Lastly, I would find ways to deal with stress and time management, because in a university, these two things are what either make you a great student, or they bring you down.

Relax. Breathe. Enjoy this moment. Leaving the comfort zone of home can be daunting, but don’t let that keep you from appreciating every moment of this new time and new environment. Be fully present wherever you are, because your most life-changing moments may come from the most unexpected experiences. In fact, many probably will. Most importantly though—don’t underestimate yourself or be afraid to fail. Don’t worry about the courses you are going to take, major you are going to declare, or taking GAP-boosting classes. Instead, set the bar high and commit yourself to truly getting the most you possibly can out of college. Take every opportunity to get involved with new things and discover who you are and what you’re passionate about, because once you know what you’re passionate about you’ll discover classes that will expose you to concepts you never knew existed. Focus on the bigger picture and the effect the experiences you have will have on your aspirations and overall impact on the world. Study smarter, not harder. And if things ever get difficult or overwhelming, remember how you felt the moment you opened that acceptance letter.

College is not a breeze. You WILL hit the ground running. The quarter system is SHORT, and you’ll feel the pressure pile on as the weeks go by. Religiously visit T.A.’s office hours – your essay grades depend on them. KNOW YOUR TEST AND ESSAY DUE DATES. That way you can easily schedule Testbank (place to get past midterms and finals) and Essay Writing Help Program appointments. Get involved! Don’t just go to meetings; find ways to get immersed in the clubs you decide to join. Actively search for scholarships for the following year. Don’t get carried away with the excitement of college life and schoolwork, and forget that you have to be able to pay for school next year as well. And lastly, make sure to make the most of your college experience! UCLA is at the heart of Los Angeles. Don’t miss out on not taking the opportunity to get to know the area to its fullest. College is only four years. There are many decisions to be made and more work than you think you’ll be able to handle, but so many memories to enjoy and look back on. Carpe diem!

Were I given the opportunity to return to the time when I was completing my college applications, I would not advise myself to do anything differently. My only advice to myself would be, "do what feels right." This reasoning does not stem from total satiscaction with the way I got to college, but from appreciation of the growth I experienced while getting there. I was deeply humbled by the college application experience. The stress was at times too much for my high school mind, and I became self-critical and moody. However, when I received my results I saw there was no reason to be harsh with myself. That realization prepared me for many of the mental challenges of college. Were I to speak with the stressed-out Senior version of myself today, I would resist tempation to console him or tell him not to worry. I would tell him that no matter what the situation, it's important to do what feels right, because I know that every feeling carries potential for growth, and if one thing is essential to college life, it is the ability to adapt.

[Miraculously, a time machine is invented in 2013.] One year ago: Are you really me in the future? Now: Yes. When I was you I had many questions but couldn’t find the answers so I came back for you. One year ago: How do I know if choosing a college will be THE best for me? Now: Your decision will shape your life for sure, but it’s about how you shape your life at a college than about which college you attend. As long as you live the way you want to, your experiences will automatically shape the best for you. Believe in yourself. One year ago: Really? I really don’t have to use the random generator on the graphing calculator to choose a college? [Now smiled and thought, “Yes you really don’t. I did that and now I can only laugh at my past self.”] One year ago: Is there one piece of advice you’d wish you had when you were me? Now: Yes, that is why I came here. I want to tell you, “Live the life you have imagined.” Be self-confident. Just be you and believe that everything will be okay.

I would slap my past self silly and demand that he become more involved in campus life when he got to college. Aversion to unfamiliarity was always a major vice of mine; I hated trying new things, whether it be music, hobbies, or clubs (in high school). I enthusiastically participated in the clubs that I DID like, but straying from my comfort zone tended to rub my fur the wrong way. As I mentioned earlier, diversity in UCLA is unparalleled; there are countless clubs where everyone is capable and willing to accept and understand you. All this would be a terrible waste if I stuck to the same old clubs I did in high school. UCLA has a gym that admits free of charge and hosts a variety of dance, martial arts, and fitness classes; take advantage of that! UCLA has associations and clubs for every ethnicity known to man; make that of use to you! There are countless advantages of becoming more involved. Connections will be made and not only will that result in a better college experience, it would also open up opportunities for jobs and internships later. The importance of grades pales in comparison to getting involved.

Christina, when you begin college, remember to let all the people you know that you've wronged in some way or feel indebted to that you care and that you are sorry for your actions, because sadly, all the high school melodrama that you thought that you could avoid will come back and haunt you for a while. Tie up all those loose knots before starting afresh, because there is no new when the supposed new has already been tainted by the past. Along with making amends with people, please take care to be less aloof with your fellow first-year students, because a first year of loneliness is a first year of boredom, resentment, and unhappiness. I know it's hard to admit that you need people too, like a normal human, but give up your pride and your 1-foot thick walls and allow yourself to connect with people for a change. Don't be afraid to get people's numbers and contact them for a random lunch or a dinner; who knows, maybe that person could become one of your best friends. And lastly, learn to let go of the past. I wish you luck.

High school was full of embarressing moments, heartbreaks, and mistakes; however, I believe that is what high school is for. If I could talk to my senior-self, I'd just say,"You just need to relax, it's okay to mess up, and everything is going to work out how it should." Graduating is utterly terrifying, and it's hard to know what comes next. What comes next is something different. It's a combination of everything wonderful and terrible at the same time. School is so much more important than prom or who has the nicest car. Find who you are and don't hide it. The growing apart from people that you shared so much love with, the new feeling of independence, and the scary feeling of growing up makes life worth while. Don't try to hold on to people or memories that are trying to leave. Imbrace the new life that you're building, try hard, make new friends, and don't ever be afraid.