University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

So far, my college experience has taught me that school isn't all about studying. I work my tail off and still can't get in the top percentile in my classes. I always used to think that good grades equal happiness, but I have learned that I need to do things other than school work to really complete my life. It would drive me crazy if I just focused on school. I have to balance it with other things such as clubs, sports or art. Getting an education isn't just about doing your homework, it's about having as many experiences as you can that help you grow as a person. Grades don't define you, it's what you do with your knowledge that makes you who you are.

I believe so far college has really helped shaped me into a better person. I took a class titled Life Skills for College Students and it has really helped me understand the differences in perspectives among people and how to deal with people in a more efficient and successful way. I have also learned a lot about what is really important to me in life during my conversations with fellow students and this has really helped me understand more things about myself. I have also become more independent living on my own and more responsible. Additionally, it is up to me to grab the bull by the horns and I believe this has really helped me figure it out what it is I want to do.

My college experience has been priceless to me in that I have learned a lot about dealing and working with other people. From cooperating with two other roommates who have contrasting lifestyles than I do to learning how to endlessly remain positive and encourage my ultimate frisbee teammates regardless of the score, I feel that college has been a time of personal growth for me.

Going to college I have found myself. I have grown much more as a person since moving away from home. The college I attend is too far from my home to go back very often so I have become and independent and strong woman since I have to rely on myself for a lot of things. The classes have taught me so much and I actually apply the teachings to everyday life. I have even been given the chance to have great internships that have really helped with gaining experience in my field. Going to school at a great school like UCLA and being in LA has given me a great advantage since I have so many opportunities to explore and find what I enjoy doing.

As an Chinese Hispanic immigrant to this nation, I was fortunate enough to have access to free public education in middle and high school. My parents who were incapable of communicating in English were unable to help me in my academic coursework, but through their support of persevere, I entered one of the best universities in the world. Entering UCLA for college was a huge accomplishment but I was unprepared for the challenges ahead. While my classmates wrote eloquently, I struggled in my classes because I was never taught to write an outline for papers in high school and I was unable to write a cohesive paper. Through free writing tutoring sessions offered to UCLA students, I went twice a week to improve my writing. I wrote and wrote and wrote, even through tears of frustration and writer's block, I wrote. Now, I am in graduate school and I can say that UCLA has taught me how to express a cohesive argument non-verbally in an intelligent, professional, and insightful manner. This in itself was worth attending UCLA because today, I am not afraid to write. In fact, I can proudly express myself in the English language.

My college experience at UCLA has been much more than I expected. Having the opportunity to attend such a great institution has shaped me into the person I am today. I have had so many opportunities such as research, internship, and extracurricular, that I definitely consider myself a well-rounded student. Throughout my two years here at UCLA, I have learned to manage time so that I can participate in an internship, being in a sorority, and doing community service as well as being able to stay focused in school and work to support myself. Without a doubt I encourage those accepted to UCLA to attend because it is a school with countless opportunities. Everything you are taugh here is the most up to date information because the faculty is directly involved in the research that goes into the textbook that you read for class. The environment is one where everyone is accepting of you because the student body is so big and diverse. Although it is a huge university, it is very easy to find your nitch on campus that will make your time at UCLA unforgivable.

I have got a better educaion in areas that pretain more to my profession. I also have gained independence by living on my own.

Honestly, i felt like i did not fit in my first year. But getting used to the transition and opening up my second year, i have discovered many amazing things about my school. I'm part of the UCLA Rally Committee, which is such an honor as it is one of the oldest spirit groups on campus. Also the proximity of the Ronald Reagan hospital gave me the opportunity to volunteer at the hospital. And the classes themselves; Professors are amazing and you can totally sense their passion for what they are teaching. UCLA has been very valuable to me for knowledge and experience. I've never thought of going to an American 4-yr-college, as i lived in Belgium until i was 16, but i'm very gla i've gotten the opportunity to.

The thing that I have gotten the most out of my college experience is a sense of belonging. Before I came to this school, I had been to 11 other grade schools. For me, this was a place to just go and be for an extended amount of time. I found a place where I could study, work, and spend time with friends without traveling a far distance. It is valuable for me to attend because I'm the first person in my family to attend college. Not only is it important for me to set an example for future students in my family, it is also a way to further my education so that I can help my family.

The most significant thing I've gotten from choosing to attend college is definitely the freedom. There are so many things to do, and now that I have the time to do it, it really all depends on myself whether or not I will push my comfort zone and get out there and get involved. I've taken up a martial arts, something I've never done before, and that is only one thing that I've gotten the chance to do so far. With this much freedom, all the choices I make have a heavier weight, and it really helps me grow and develop as a person to be able to be responsible for all of my decisions. I'm also learning to manage my time.

College isn't just about the education--it is an experience; it is the best investment I have made thus far. The immense amount of knowledge I have gained is one out of numerous gains my college experience has provided. Among these gains are lifelong friends and a deeper appreciation for my family and my upbringing. The unique environment that living on-campus offers has allowed me to experience college as an individual fully capable of living independently, making my own decisions, and dealing with those consequences by myself. It has also given me the opportunity to have “me” time, which allows me to discover and create who I am simultaneously. My grasp of myself and of the world is stronger now than it has ever been, and it will only continue to grow. I would have missed out on all of this if I didn’t go to college. That is why my college experience is so valuable to me.

What I have gotten out of my college experience has been exploring the many majors and minors UCLA has to offered. I switched majors twice from Environmental Science to Political Science and I have decided to stay a Political Science major for good. I have really enjoyed taking GE classes from this major which I have enjoyed and longed to be part of for my career. As a college student I have been more involved in activities than I ever was in high school. I have participated with thousands of other students in Relay for Life which is a walk in which we collect donations for Cancer research and patients. I have been part of UCLA Volunteer Day in which we help around LA repainting schools and cleaning the beach. I have organized philanthropy events like Clothes Drive and now I'm organizing a benefit show. I really have enjoyed my time as a college student and this is pretty much what I have done in a year and a half I can't wait to see what it is to come in more years and what I will be accomplishing.

I've learned so much from my current graduate school experience. From high school I was unmotivated with no direction. My academic path has now lead me towards pursuing a Doctorate and I feel excited and passionate about what I am studying. I plan to make a significant difference in our society through the education system. I am currently building a strong foundation of knowledge so I may become and inspiring leader. I am working full-time as a community college counselor while attending school full-time. Managing both is painful but motivating. I am constantly inspired by both environments and I would really appreciate your consideration to award me this scholarship.

My undergraduate coursework in neurobiology and psychology has given me a unique perspective. I am forever considering the intricacies of brain circuitry and neural activity. I constantly see behaviors in equilibrium state responding to fluctuations in physiological function. Most importantly, my education has taught me to think critically, problem solve, and approach complex analyses confidently. Supplementing my coursework, I also pursued the opportunity to work as the primary research assistant on a large retrospective study at UCLA Medical Center. This experience gave me insight into how clinical research is conducted, and increased ability to critically examine and understand other medical research. Additionally, I have already had the privilege of working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams in multiple settings. As the coordinator of a yearly summer diabetes camp and in the UCLA emergency department, I have seen teams of physicians, nurses, EMTs, technicians, nutritionists and social workers come together to provide comprehensive patient care and education. I have come to have a great appreciation for the importance of a well-functioning interprofessional work and educational environment. These skills and insights gained during my experience at UCLA have been invaluable contribution to my life long skill sets.

From my college experience I have received an understanding and a sense of place in the world that I couldn't have fathomed prior to. Initally studying photography, the faculty at my school facilitated learning that forced me to consider wider possibilities than I was initially aware of. I have now chosen a path in Anthropology and feel I have found a path to my life's work, studying human culture and utilizing the universal communication of images as a vehicle of that study. I have received the priceless understanding of community and the knowledge that we are all engaged in a communal and global struggle, for which we are all responsible. My college has been valuable to attend because it has changed me; it has taught me to be a better and more engaged person and has shown me that we have just a limited amount of time to leave a positive footprint on humanity. Through my college, I have met people, students and faculty, that I have the greatest respect for, people to whom I partially owe my current life. They have taught me more about being a successful person than being a successful student.

I have not attented college yet, waiting to go, and to get my education. All i have behind me is military.

I have always wanted a career where I help people. When I visited the college i plan on attending, i knew that i could help people. I plan on becoming a medical assistant then furthering my career to become an RN. It is valuable for me to attend because I am learning new tasks on helping people.

I have decided to attend a two year community college due to the smaller classes and help available by teachers. I planned to get a hands on learning experience to better prepare me for my career. Due to the constant hands on learning environment i realized engineering wasnt my field. Although, by the end of december i will recieve an Associates of general science. Due to the hands on learning environment it helped me to decide what my true passion is. For fall semester i have chosen to pursue a digital media degree and plan to continue it at a four year university. With the help of a community college it has helped me to find my innerself and better prepare me for a university. Im grateful for the opportunity to have experienced the engineering field which will help me to understand the engineering prospective of things. Hopefully those skills are not lost and i can eventually apply them to the digital perspective. Not only did i find my passion but it showed me how to network, communicate and never give up on my goal. Pima Community college has definately taught me valuable life lessons mentally and spiritually.

When I started at Fullerton College in 2009, I was naive, and stubborn. I didn't realize the long hours I had to work, nor did I care. I admit I didn't complete work to the best of my ability, or use all my free time preparing for tests. After the first semester, I realized that I'd have to make changes in my habits. Unfortunately, I went back to my old ways. When the year was finished and I finally saw my grades, I knew this wasn't the way to succeed. Afterwards, I reconsidered other colleges, and decided to attend a school that would fit my educational desires. I then made an appointment with the admissions officer at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Now, I'm a first year student majoring in Visual Communications. From my previous college experience I learned that nothing in life comes easy. In order to get the education desired, you need to go above and beyond your professor's expectations. You need to prove you're willing to work hard, and succeed. It's definitely not easy, but in the end, a career doing what you love is worth it.

As I lingered at the intersection, I couldn’t remember what the volunteer coordinator meant by “take the bus in front of the Guitar Center”, so after taking the wrong one again and listening to very misleading advice from a stranger, I was standing rain-soaked at a remote location. As random as that sounds, learning to take the bus to the clinic where I worked the resource desk was valuable to my college experience. The idea of dragging myself to class, cramming material, and surviving exam week was no different than in high school; yet, college took learning and juggling extracurricular activities to another level. College continues outside of the lecture hall and reading rooms, and I tried to understand that while tangoing with a club by the coffeehouse, exploring corners of the city with friends, and directing clients at the local clinic to resources in their community. I needed to attend college to comprehend independence, find balance, and discover my place in a much larger world because, as silly as it seems, the process of elimination does not apply to determining the right bus route that will take me where I want to go.

I spent most of my undergraduate career involved in student organizations dedicated to advocating for and increasing awareness of issues affecting the my cultural community that I had not found growing up. It laid the foundation for my understanding of community and my understanding of the needs of that community. My involvements have developed me into a socially conscious individual regarding immigrant issues, youth issues, education issues, and health issues. I canme from an extremely small high school and UCLA's environment taught me to be independent, passionate, persistent, motivated, and self sufficient in making my UCLA experience the best it could be. The experiences outside of the classroom were equally if not more important to me than my classes themselves. It gave me a holistic outlook on current national and global issues. Ultimately, of any college that I could have been able to attend, UCLA was the best decision for me, so much so that I will continue my masters degree at the same school and can only hope to remain here to finish my doctorate when the time comes.

As I prepare to go into my junior year at the University of California Los Angeles, it is hard to believe that I am already halfway through my undergraduate education. These past two years at UCLA have been the most fun and fulfilling years I have experienced thus far. The great friends I have made and the fun times I have had are enough to have made my time at UCLA valuable. However, of course, I view what I have learned academically to be very valuable as well. I often find myself challenged, and, although sometimes stressed, I believe that all the hard work and effort I put into my schoolwork at UCLA is worth it. When I finish an academic quarter I feel a sense of accomplishment wash over me. I am proud to be able to receive a degree from such an academically prestigious school, but it is not just the name of the university on my diploma that has made my college experience valuable. UCLA is a well-rounded school with an inviting atmosphere and a proud school-spirited student body of which I am thankful to be a part of.

Having almost finished my freshman year, I would have to say that what I've gotten most out of my college experience so far would have to be the relationships I've made. In winter quarter, I joined Sigma AEPi, a Jewish sorority on campus, and they have all helped me get through this tough freshman year. Despite the fact that I'm one of two freshman in the group, the older girls have served as mentors for me and have offered advice that I know I will use when I become an upperclassmen. In addition, I have made connections with my professors this year that I didn't think I would have if you would have asked me over ther summer. Coming into UCLA, I was shy when talking to teachers/TAs, but this quarter I really connected with my English professor. She truly showed me the meaning of the phrase "professors don't bite" and offered me advice/help you in her classes. That English professor showed me that the possibilities are limitless at UCLA and if I apply myself, I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.

It has been better than I expected coming into college. College has provided me with an amazing and unique experience inside and outside the classroom. Students are generally mature and are able to hold engaging conversations that delve into both practical and abstract concepts alike. College classes are also applicable to life after college and often overlap with other classes that I am taking to create a complete learning experience.

UCLA has given me the opportunity to grow personally and intellectually throughout my college years. I have grown personally through my interactions with people from different cultures and gained new perspectives on issues I never considered to discuss. Living away from home has allowed me to grow more independent and responsible. I had to take care of my bills and bought groceries, which was something I took for granted when I lived with my parents. In addition to my personal growth, I have also grown intellectually as I majored in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Statistics. One of the reasons for my attending UCLA is the fact that it is a large research university that holds knowledgeable professors who excel in their field of research. Attending UCLA has been valuable because I not only learned life lessons but I am also able to apply the concepts learned in my field of study to my line of work. I utilize the programming and analytical skills I learned as a student to apply it to my job as an Associate Economist, where I assist in labor practice audits and perform statistical analyses.

The college experience is very scary and fast paced. At the same time it can be enriching. I learned that not everyone is working against you. They want you to succeed. The professors have been throught what we are learning. They tell stories of the hospitals and let us know what to prepare for. When we prepare for clinicals they give us real life examples and what toe expect in the hospita. I've learned a lot being in college and I find something new everyday. I enjoy being in school and learning my trade. I've learned how to take care of my body as well as my future patients. Being in college has been valuable to me because I almost didn't have this chance. I had a brain tumor my senior year and I wasn't sure of graduating, let alone, college. School has changed my life. Since I've been in school it has motivated me to push forward and continue my education at a 4-year university. If I didn't attend college life would be hard, especially in this economy. Being in school is helping me to find my self and my purpose.

At UCLA, I have learned so much about myself. I moved away from home to go to UCLA in hopes that I would find my niche and my own identity. It is through the various opportunities that was open to me such as tutoring and mentoring students from the under-served communities that I found my passion to be a social worker. I used to have low self-esteem and was confused about what I wanted to do career wise. I would find that my source of unhappiness was built from expectations I had from family and friends. I learned that what was making me unhappy and confused was the feeling of being torn from what I wanted to do and what my family and friends had hoped for me. Instead, I would find happiness and fulfillment with my involvement as a camp counselor, tutor and mentor. Being at UCLA even helped me realize that being a doctor was not meant for me. Thanks to my experiences at UCLA, I learned to challenge that self image I had of myself and become more positive and I plan to send the message to students who doubt themselves to follow their dreams.

I've found college to very valuable and a great place to learn and achieve. I've really enjoy the experiences I had in Kingsborough Community College. As a high school student, I remembered saying to myself "I would never want to go college, what is college good for anyway?" "What is college really going to do for my life?" Well, my perspectives now are far different after attending a 2-year college. I started as a Liberal Arts major and then switched to Biology, I ultimately want to become a Radiologist Physician. I've learn many things in college that I found quite interesting and also valuable at the same time. The materials I've learned in college were nothing compared to High School. I found High School boring because I never used to understand what the instructors are trying to convey. College is a different atmosphere, I find learning a lot more comprehensive and fascinating. I've matured throughout these years in Kingsborough, I?ve learned morals, concepts, and values in life that have changed me, but yet will always stay with me as I move on. I truly want to take my education to a higher level.

Academics and culture have always been two areas I excelled in. I was good at everything, but didn't know what to do. My experiences at UCLA, however, both in and out of the classroom, have helped me to discover my true passions while simultaneously expanding the breadth and depth of my knowledge. English literature and theatre have always been my primary interests, and what I learned in my Shakespeare classes, my acting classes, and as President of Shakespeare at UCLA helped me to realize where these allied fields diverge. Because I was able to get practical experience with both academic research and theatrical productions, I was inspired to develop a new approach to theatre that preserves the intellectual integrity of the text while remaining theatrical and entertaining. Too often literary scholars analyze Shakespeare into oblivion, and too often directors and actors ignore the basic meanings of his words. As I begin my post-graduate career and studies, I tingle with anticipation of uniting the two to create theatre that is all it can be. Thanks, UCLA!

My college experience has definately been eye opening. I knew there was hard work ahead of me, but I had no idea of the intense work load that I would now have. My first couple of months at UCLA have been unbelieveable, I have learned more about myself than I did the four years in high school. It is so easy to fall in to a routine in high school, but that is impossible here because there is always something new going on. There aren't parents and teachers behind your back constantly reminding you of what you have to do and how you have to do it. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING has to be done completely on your own now, if you want to be the best, you have to fight to be the best. I've learned the true meaning of devotion and time management, without it I couldn't survive here!

The one main thing I have received from attending UCLA was the ability to multi-task. Being at UCLA is fast-paced, and it allows students to be involved in as little or as much as she wants. This could be a little daunting as it is ran in a quarter system instead of the traditional semester system, making the workload much faster. However, this proves helpful as one learns to manage their time wisely as they balance school, work, friends, clubs, meetings, and free time. Furthermore, with UCLA's large campus, it provdes resources such as buildings for studying or meeting and many people who are supportive to your cause. Finally, as UCLA is a research-based school, the academic faculty are heavily involved in research, which is again helpful as they are very knowledgeable and served a good mentors.

The degree I earned after high school helped me to excel in my military career. Now that I am leaving the Marine Corps, I am going back to school to become a helicopter pilot. I have been applying for scholarships to help cover living expenses since I have a family to support. I hope that you can use my survey answers for your research and I ask that you please consider me for the $5,000 scholarship. Thank you.

Throughout my first year of college, I have the opportunity to experience freedom, independence, community, and diversity. Before going to college, I was always bounded to home; I did not have any say once my parents? decision was final. On the other hand, while in college, I have the authority and final judgment in everything I choose, but freedom also comes with responsibility. Consequently, I taught myself to be responsible. Independence became a huge part of my college growth as well. Because my parents' constant involvement in my life, I became a very dependent child; thus, after going to college, I had to learn how to live on my own and wisely manage my own time. It was difficult at first, but I managed to pull through. Furthermore, living in the dorms promotes community; I discovered that instead of individual lifestyle, everyone lives together as a whole big family and helps each other out. Lastly, since colleges are composed of students from all over the world, I have many opportunities to interact with various students who came with different culture backgrounds. Those consequential aspects I attained in college are the reasons why I perceived it is valuable to attend college.

I have gained many things because of my college experience at the University of California Los Angeles. First and foremost, I have received an excellent program of academics. The material learned in my lectures and discussions have been not only been relevant to the career I want to pursue, but to life itself. I have accumulated countless facts, equations, and processes, all of which I will be able to apply to the sciences of life. Additionally, the number of people I have met has opened my eyes to the many different paths that stem from the world, and I have my college experience to thank. Those from different backgrounds and walks of life have allowed me grow as a person and understand why people do the things they do and think way they think. My college experience has taught me how to grow and find myeslf and place in the world, and by what process I must go through to achieve this. It has allowed meet people I will never forget, and experience things one can only do when their young. It has given me the opportunity to live.

College for me was a huge wake up call from high school. High school was about getting good grades, going to a good school and going far. But with college, its different because its more hands-on. College is still hard since I struggle with speaking aloud since I stuttter all the time, but I'm learning to speak out more. I am very lucky to have been accepted last year, since I have heard that College of San Mateo, for the first time ever, has rejected people due to budget cuts all over the state. College has given me more freedom to explore what I will or could be doing for the rest of my life. All the different classes, teachers and activities, are so different then high school. Im not sure as to what I want to major in, but thats why I'm attending a community college. Its smaller, more one-on-one and way less expenive then a 4-year school. What I've learned about the "college experience" is to have fun, meet new people and get as far ahead as you can in your short years in school.

I am a first generation college student, and coming to UCLA has awakened my senses to a whole other world. I have never been in a more diverse and exciting atmosphere with such intelligent people. I have gained so much life experience and such a wealth of knowledge by attending. I have been in classrooms with fantastic professors and students learning about such fascinating things. I have grown as a person and I look forward to continuing my education in graduate school. UCLA has provided me with such an excellent education, I would have never dreamed of having the experiences I have had in their classrooms. I will always carry with me the values that my school has instilled in me.

I have learned to be indepent from my parents. At UCLA I have my own room and dont have to answer to anyone if I dont want to. There I find the time to study and focus on my education.

Being at UCLA, I have gotten a look at real-life situations. Being a pre-med student, I must deal with the competition against thousands of students who want to enter medical school even though my particular school only accepts less than 150 students per year. Not only that, but I have dealt with people who are not concerned for others because they have too. These experiences have exposed me to the realities of how the work force is because though a work environment may be inviting, to be able to participate in that environment is difficult when there are so many highly qualified candidates. But the best thing about attending UCLA is that students are able to "practice" here by trying out different ways to become successful in highly competitive environments.

To me, my family is paying an incredible amount of money just for me to put the words "UCLA" on my resume. In terms of my educational experience, it isn't spectacular as the teachers aren't all that great and the classes aren't all that "hands-on." However, the real value that I've gotten the past couple of years in college is the improvement of my social skills and independence. There is a wide variety of interest groups and clubs, but it in the end it was still up to me to be proactive in pursuing these interest groups. I learned to utilize my resources, instead of being too shy or too intimidated to inquire. Socially, I've matured, especially having to deal with a large, dense student population in the dorms. I've learned to deal with and adapt to many different personalities that often clash with my own. But I've also met some incredibly awesome people with incredible talents and ambitions and life stories. There are people here with limitless ambitions, a zest for life, and an awe inspiring friendliness. The wonderful people I've met here have made the heft price tag bearable.

I have learned more about myself in college than I ever could have in another setting. Going to school at UCLA was challenging academically and liberating socially. It was the first time I had been away from home for longer than a week, and on the first day of classes, I made friends I know I will keep for life. I struggled many times through my studies, but the classmates who challenged me and the teachers who encouraged me picked me up when I thought I could never get through it. In the end, I survived and learned not only how to challenge myself, but also what I wanted out of life and an idea of who I wanted to be. My volunteer activities taught me that I wanted to help people, my classes taught me that I needed to be mentally challenged, and my relationships taught me how important it is to have a supportive network. Now I get to incorporate all these things while I study for my Master's Degree in Public Health: I will help people, be mentally stimulated by global health challenges, and help build a community network focused on healthcare around the world.

I came to UCLA with naive aspirations of enjoying all kinds of different experiences, but my experience here at UCLA has really pushed me towards excellence. With pursuing my education, my aspirations have changed and have become more focused. UCLA and the many connections I have made here have given me more than I have ever fathomed to experience through internships, hands on work in communities that need the most help, and through opportunities that professors and alumni offer for students to experience. Not only has the education I have acquired here at UCLA secured a future for me, but the experience of a fast-paced, competitive, unforgiving atmosphere afforded me the experience to become not just an asset to what ever company I may work for in the future but to fill a more innovative and skillfull leadership role.

When I entered high school, I believed colleges were merely a stepping stone on the way to a nice job. As I progressed through school, however, I realized there is more to college than academic excellence. I chose UCLA as my undergraduate college because it resonated with my personality: a stable balance between academics and recreation. While I have only been in college for a few months, I feel as though UCLA has become my second home. My friends often say we adapt to our college until we can longer see ourselves going anywhere else. For me, I could see myself as a student at UCLA the moment I stepped foot on campus. In just my first year, this college has presented me with an array of opportunities: making new friends while keeping in touch with old ones, joining student organizations that further my interest in medicine, and exploring the diverse communities around me. But these experiences are only the beginning. In the next three years, I will ultimately learn and encounter so much more. I believe that this is the true value of college: the experiences it presents you with and the lessons you learn outside the classroom.

Hey Angela, are you listening? Dad?s right: still got blinders on your head. I?m proud you?re studious, but don?t be so intense! I know the last two years haven?t cultured this idea, but remarkably the world isn?t ?shelter-stringent.? Soon, you?ll finally have a home to return to on the weekends and holidays. Yes, you?re going to dorm, but this is different commune living; these are people your age, no night staff will tell you it?s too late to study, and you won?t sit in a closet afterhours to peacefully finish your AP homework or scholarship applications. Also, I applaud your diligence with this year?s scholarships! With the UC tuition hikes, every bit counts. One more scholarship means more time invested in studies and mentoring, in inspiring a new group of sixth-graders to build their foundations. When you go fulltime into that profession, I doubt you?ll find better gratification. Angela, stay focused, but don?t forget there?s a world beyond those blinders and it?s not so terrifying once you can get out into it.

As a high school senior, I would say I was completely driven to attend the best college, no matter the distance or cost. Looking back on my old self, I would say that persepctive is inherently erroneous. The truth is, what college you go to has little bearing on where you will end up in life. Attending college is an achievement in itself, and once again, the age-old ideal of working hard to help yourself pulls through. College is just another phase in life, and as such, it simply amounts to what you invest in it. One may encounter all the distasteful aspects like surly professors, horrible hangovers, and back-stabbing peers, but in the end, like life in general, one can choose to charge through all the problems and only focus on those that can be resolved. In short, my advice would be to enjoy myself, to work hard at things that merit my attention, and everything will logically fall into place. In theory, everything happens for a reason, and what little exception that pops up can be defeated by a little sweat and struggle.

Being at UCLA for almost two quarters now has given me an incredible experience that has allowed me to grow so much. Knowing what I know now, if I had the opportunity to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are a couple tokens of advice that I would give to myself. First and foremost, I would tell myself to make a concerted effort to introduce myself to EVERYONE living on my floor. I have met many people who live in my community and have become good friends with quite a few of them, but I have not met every single one, which is something that I regret. I am sure I will meet them all eventually at some point or another, but getting to know the people you live with early on is very important in my eyes. The other important piece of advice I would tell myself would be to budget my time better. If I knew from the very beginning how to organize an effective study schedule, then my first quarter would have run much smoother and would not have been quite as stressful.

Life transitions are always difficult, but college is a wonderful experience. Be overly friendly with everyone you meet, since any stranger on the campus might very well become your new best friend. Remember that everyone around you is feeling just as nervous and out-of-place as you are, which is part of the reason that you will all bond so well! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Professors honestly always want you to come to their office hours, even if you don't have a specific question to ask. And remember to sign up for the classes that look the most interesting, rather than the ones you feel obligated to take. These are the classes that will ignite your passions for learning and inspire you to bring your newfound knowledge to the outside world. Get involved with as many extra-curriculars as you can sanely handle, and participate! By becoming as involved as possible, you will ensure that you encounter both people and activities that you love.

If I were able to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely inform myself about the complexity of college life. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm not living with my parents and a home, but with fellow students and in a community, but it has to do with the fact that in order to benefit the most from college is to have a plan. I want to go into the medical field, but I had no idea what the requirements for medical school were nor majors. I was confused how to join organizations and what general education classes were. If I had known, which would be what I would tell myself as a high school senior, is to prepare for college near the end of senior year or the summer after graduation. Know what majors are best suited for me and how I can maximize the benefits from college in order to relieve stress. Before college, I would have loved to research several interesting majors and minors and plan a schedule of possible classes I would take each quarter. If I had done that, I would have greatly facilitated myself now.

If I could go back to high school, I would choose to take classes at a community college to better prepare myself for UCLA. The high school I attended didn?t offer many AP classes, so I was denied the opportunities to receive a higher education. It would have been more intelligent to broaden my horizons and not expect these opportunities to be handed to me. I could have gone to a community college and begin classes, so I could be at the same level, if not higher, as the other students attending this prodigious university. The advice I would give myself would be enjoy the time I have with my friends and sporting events because once you enter college, it is gone and things change. I would tell myself to laugh everyday and not to worry about working every weekend because soon in the future, my weekends will be consisting of constant studying. The main thing I would tell myself would be, do not be afraid of which school because I will get into because I will have opportunities no matter what university I are accepted into, so enjoy being a kid and live life to the fullest.

First and foremost , I would give myself a pep talk, I would tell myself that I did a really great job and that my diligence and hard work would pay off. I would assure myself that even though college can seem intimidating at first, everything will fall into place as soon as you get into the rythym of things. I would encourage myself to stay focused , set clear goals and then fight like hell to achive them. College is definitely not High School, and as such, different ways of approaching each unique situation will need to be implemented in order to suceed. It's not hard, it is just of matter of putting in the time and effort; ask questions and use every bit of information to your advantage. The most important advice I could give is that even though a huge sense of relief in graduating is felt, don't procrastinate. Though a much deserved break is in order, time is ticking and before you know it, opportunities have been missed. I would tell myself to breathe, enjoy the sastifation in knowing you're done with High School then refocus; chart out goals, stick to them and thrive.

The world is both more and less overwhelming than you think. It's more overwhelming because what you've begun to suspect is true: no one here is certain and everyone is very often afraid. It's less overwhelming because there is a place for you in all the confusion. It's scary, but there are things you can do. They're not as grand as you'd like--I remember well the shy romance of your soul!--but they're more satisfying because they're hard earned. You're going to find out that you can't know everything and the things you choose to study will be more precious to you. You're going to learn more and more what it is to love and how hurt always comes with loving. Realize that everything exacts its price, so you should choose to do the things that you believe are worth paying for out of yourself. Find the things you can put your heart into, and go after them. Never forget why they meant so much to you. Don't let uncertainty make you forget. It's okay to fail, as long as you remember why to try again.