University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

The following was found under my bed while packing. Hi! You know me, but to make things short, here's a list of things you must know before transitioning into college: Dorms: 1. When you meet new people during your first week, remember their names! It's awkward to ask them again three weeks later. 2. DO NOT leave your water filter by the window unless you want green scum to grow. 3. When you get stuck in the elevator, don't panic: pull open the door, kick it while it's closing, voila. School: 1. DO NOT think enrolling into chemistry your first quarter is a good idea. Not only are you competing against engineers, but also the unfortunate kids who thought taking chemistry their first quarter was also a good idea. 2. You do not need to raise your hand to go to the restroom. 3. Look at a map and the dining schedule BEFORE picking your classes; you'll resent running across campus twice a day. I know this will help you. Don't stress. Life is more than grades, and I know you will realize that soon. Love, Well let's just say, a dear friend.

The study habits you create now will follow you through college, so work harder. You have always just gotten by with learning in class, but college is different. You have to go above and beyond what you think you need just to reach proficiency; so much more outside studying is necessary. There are a lot of other people as smart or smarter than you and you will be fine just as long as you are not just smart but also hard-working. All the little plans you make in your head about studying before college, about preparing yourself, do it. Make them activities not just plans. Balance yourself out. Study hard, exercise, eat, sleep, have fun, make friends, participate. I promise you that by managing your time, you will have the most fun. This sounds clich?, but I would not be telling you if it really does not help. Adjusting is hard, and I do not want you to find out when it is too late and you have made the wrong decisions. Surround yourself with people that care about school and want to live a wholesome life like you and you will stay grounded and accomplish everything you want.

Hey Cathryne, I'm your future Cathryne who is attending UCLA. I want to advise you on some things I wish I would have known before going to college. I was you a year ago and your study habits are a little off. No cramming. In college, intrustors give cummulative finals which cover everything you've learned. Crammed information usually leaves the second you're done taking a test, then when finals come around, you're stuck struggling to cram. You may have told yourself that you would not party much because it would get in the ways of your studies, but as your future Cathryne, you did it and your future grades can witness it. Party, but prioritize. Just because you're ranked at the top of your class now, it doesn't mean you will be in college. Don't let those who you are competing with intimidate you. Oh, you may have your mind set on Biology now, but keep an open mind because you might feel a change of heart in college. Don't let our family tell you that you need to be a doctor. Oh, Kappa Delta is awesome! Sincerely, Cathryne Chao ( of 2010)

?Go Bruins! Beat the Bears!? We chanted at the Rose Bowl. As an incoming freshman, I did not think school spirit would be as strong on such a large campus. However, I realized becoming a Bruin meant we always stand together, and gain the intrinsic disdain towards the Trojans from across town. The days following my becoming a Bruin were like an adventure, moving on to campus, first day of class, meeting new friends, each day more exciting than the previous one, until reality caught up, the week of November 18th. UC President announced the fee hike, as an out of state, loans were already overwhelming, but with this increment education was becoming unaffordable. Having fully comprehended beforehand about the financial hardship college was, I would have prepared a better financial plan, applied for scholarships and researched other financial resources. Not alone with this unavoidable stress, we all came together protesting against the increase, our former rivals from Berkeley became our allies standing alongside us, together against the system. However, the UC system is not solely responsible for my financial situation; I could have been more prepared. If I could do it again, this time I would definitely plan ahead.

Dear high school self, Captain Jack Sparrow once said (and you once repeated as your yearbook quote), "Bring me that horizon,? as if you stood on the periphery of some grand adventure. I suppose that?s one way of summating your senior year. It's hard to believe that you juggled yearbook, Scouts, piano, AP courses - and all within an 11 p.m. curfew? Now that's impressive. Yet for everything you did, you lived in a bubble constructed within the confines of high school. Coming to UCLA will be bewildering and surreal, but it can be sensational, too. On the cusp of entering college, you merely looked to the horizon, but wishful thinking won't bring it to you. No, you must approach it yourself. Let UCLA deluge you, even overwhelm you with its m?lange of choices. It might be difficult to find a niche, but just relax. Try it all. Do kickboxing instead of tennis, study Greek classics as well as linguistics, attend frisbee tournaments along with football games ? and yes, even venture out past 11 p.m. to indulge a craving for frozen yogurt and therein find fulfillment in your pursuit of that horizon. Cheers, Katherine

I remember being a high school senior and being overwhelmed by the idea of going off to college. Back then, I felt that I had to be on a singular track: graduate high school, go directly to a 4-year college, finish college and get a job. The truth is, it doesn?t have to be that way. Not having any parental financial support, it was a hard concept to grasp that it was possible to pay for my college education by myself. Luckily, with some research into other options, I found that junior college was a cheaper alternative and that I could transfer to a University after two years. After enrolling in junior college, I was able to work full-time while taking classes in the evenings and on weekends and saved up some money. It took me three years total to finish my general education requirements, but I was able to transfer to a top-tier school with money in my pocket. Looking back on it, I wish I would have explored my alternative sooner and saved myself a lot of worry and stress during my senior year of high school.

Don't worry about having a date to dances, because if it makes you happy, then nothing else should matter. Don't be afraid to act crazier with your friends; remember that time you danced in the rain with your friends in the school parking lot? Those are the memories that will make your high school years what they were. Don?t be afraid to wear that crazy pair of red jeans you found at the thrift store to school. Don't forget to thank mom and dad for driving you around to all your track meets, leadership events, and birthday parties. Don't be ashamed of eating in the yearbook classroom during lunch. You were always too busy feeling ashamed about where you sat rather than who you were with that you couldn't fully appreciate the time you spent with your best friends. So most importantly, do love the time you spend with your friends and family, and let them know they are loved.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself how important it is to stay organized with school work and prioratize time. I would advise myself to find people to carpool to school with, which would help save me time and money. I would remind myself not to become discouraged. I am currently in a Nursing Program that takes about 101{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of our time. It is really very easy to becommed overstressed and discouraged. I would remind myself to not get discouraged and perservere with my education, because in the end it will all be worth it.

This is a tough question because I believe that everything happens for a reason and changing the past, despite how small the change may be, will definitely affect the future. Who knows if the advice I would give myself would change who I was; thus, losing that spark UCLA found in me. I know I made many mistakes in my high school years, especially as a senior, but these mistakes contributed to my present; never having made them would have led me to a different path. I would advice myself to read every day so that by the time I reached college I would be use to it because there is A LOT of reading in college. Reading is key here, so if you are not use to it, it becomes a great obstacle you must overcome. But, what would happen if I took this advice and became a "book-worm"? I may have scored higher in the SATs, but would I have participated in so many extracurricular activities? No one will ever know the answer to this question; what matters are not the "what if" questions, but rather the "what did" facts. Honestly, I would not advice myself anything.

I am satisfied with my college career thus far and belive that I have made all the right turns in life to get where I am today. I needed to hit those high speed bumbs, and curvy roads to see the staight path to my success. From my own standpoint, if I could tell myself one thing, it would be to "Listen to your heart. Follow your dreams and don't let anyone or anything stop you. Nobody can create your future better that yourself. Be open to new ideas and challenge everything you can". I would say this to myself because it would have made my educational experience, in the begining, a better learning experience. It is important for the individual to observe, learn, and react. To do all three makes for a great academic career, any one left out can leave one wondering what they got from their college years.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to learn the importance of balance. In college life, no one is there telling you what to do, where to go, when to wake up, when to go to class, what to eat, who you are allowed to befriend, etc. Everything is essentially up to you. Having the ability to prioritize has already proved vital during my few months as a college freshmen. On a nightly basis with the option of going out to countless college parties, I have had to make the conscience decision sometimes to stay in and get a term paper done or study for an upcoming midterm or final. If I could talk to myself as a senior, I would also tell myself to research the countless clubs and organizations that UCLA has to offer prior to enrollment so that I would have a heads up on things I am interested in joining and when such meetings are and where they take place. Though I have now settled into and gotten used to the college life, with this advice, the seemingly overwhelming transition would have been much smoother.

I would tell myself as a high school senior to be more open towards people when discussing about college and to be more willing to take risks. College is a time to take risks, but you have to be practical at the same time. You have to work hard not in the classroom, but also outside. I'll tell myself straight that college doesn't teach you anything new that you can read from a book or discover on the internet, but the purpose of college is to teach you to think in different ways. You have to be welcoming to opportunities presented by others, and you need to take advantage of those opportunities when they arise. You have to strive to work in the now. Many of your peers will focus on the future as if it is promised to them. You realize soon that nothing is promised and everything is earned. Be a good friend to others and definitely take the high road when you see others do less unethical things. Take the time to speak with your parents or loved ones when you feel down, and always submit your best work regardless of other distractions.

I have often Looked back at the decisions I've made since high school until now and I believe that I could have more actively and efficiently prepared myself for further education. In highschool I didn't have many aspirations for my future and the only goal I had in mind was graduating. Having parents who did not graduate from college I did not recieve the support and guidance I feel I needed. If I could talk to my past self I would stress the importance of putting more effort into working hard and seeking guidance from other sources sooner. Instead I allowed myself to be ill prepared and ended up attending a community college for 3 years before transfering to a higher institution. I regret the amount of time I have waisted soley due to my lack of planning. It would be the greatest gift to go back and advise myself of this importance. I would strongly advise my past self and any other high school student to take initiative and follow through with their dreams.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that perseverance and hope is key to a successful college life. I would tell myself that even though circumstances become tough where everything seems lost there is always the opportunity to continue and reach sought goals. Although there are a lot of students pursuing the same goals, you must always continue working hard and never give up. For everything you do will be worth it in the long run. Nothing in life is free or easy, everything is an obstacle. There are a lot of people who support you, who will guide you, and encourage you. However, you must learn to become independent. You must realize that you have it in you to succeed and you dont need to be dependent on your family for they will always be there with you. There are times where you will fee inferior to others in college but you must realize that you belong there along with them. You worked hard and got there with your efforts. College life will be difficult but it will be an experience you will always cherish.

College is a medium and one might say a transport to a place of freedom devoid of parental supervision. In my experience, such freedom without many of the boundaries present in high school many times leads to a loss of morality and loss of innocence. Therefore, it is all the more important with whom I associate myself with in my university. It is definitely not about popularity here, they university is quite large and the numbers of students enrolled more massive; one must seek out close friends with whom to associate. The most important thing I would tell myself of the past is that such freedom also tests one's own self-control and motivations. One such example is completing homework or waking up to take an exam; the question is whether one had the will to and self-control to stop watching movies or surfing the Web late at night and get rested for such an exam. On the same note, nobody will nor can force me to go to sleep or do my homework so the question of why I do things, the motivation, plays out.

Don't be afraid. College is all about figuring out who you are, what you want to do and who you want to be. You don't need to know in a day, in a week, or even in a year. You don't need to declare a major freshman year. You don't need to join a million clubs. You don't need to stress about making friends. All that will fall into place. Instead of worrying, talk to your roommate. Explore the campus. Pick your classes. Study abroad. Check out the newspaper. Maybe write for it. Join an intramural sports team. Use the gym (you're paying for it). Go off-campus. Find your favorite place to just sit and read. Be open to everything. If the dorms make you claustrophobic, get outside of your head. Focus on meeting people. Take different classes. Hang out with your favorite professor. (Remember that you're equals, at least in academia.) Attend parties. Throw a party. Make connections. Call your mom. And above all, don't be afraid to have a different college experience -- it's just as valid as anyone else's. This is your time. Enjoy it!

1. Go to bed early. You'll thank yourself in the morning! 2. Absolutely no procrastinating. Sure, it might be ok in high school, but there will be no time in college. 3. Be social and join many clubs. It's all about networking! 4. Study, study, study! [Don't cram.] 5. Be an avid listener! 6. Build a resume. 7. Exercise! You'll be running from class to class in college. 8. Be flexible. 9. Look for scholarships. Tuition is not static! 10. Stress is inevitable, be sure you have a stress reliever. 11. If you are dorming, bring lots of photographs to remind yourself of who you are and where you've been. 12. Look for scholarships! And stay on top of the FAFSA!

I would tell myself to stay on top of my school work and balance my social life. I know while in high school it was easier to procrastinate and I could get away with it, but now that I have attended college on the quarter system I would have prepaired myself for the fast pase of UCLA education. In high school, social life was easier to balance so I would of told myself to be ready for the transition of having harder work and social life becasue it is different from high school and being able to have social life all the time. I would also tell myself to be ready for living on my own and making decisions for myself. Going to college I am living on my own with no one to tell me what to do or when to do it so I would prepare for making good decisions throughout my college career.

If I had the ability to go back, I will tell myself eight things. First, enroll yourself into community college courses, such as writing, sciences, arts, and other courses so you can experiment and do not waste time and money while you are college. Secondly, I will tell myself, to research all the possible majors, and see if you can double major. Thirdly, pick the same major with double minors, but add a major. Fourth, do not mess up in your AP classes. Fifth, school is going to be crazy the first quarter, don't get a job right away, get use to the pace of the classes, then you can add your job. Sixth, use your resources, such as free printing, psychologist, and secret libraries. Seventh, take any GE requirements during the summer at a community college, so you do not have to pay for cost at a UC. Eighth, you will be ok, be proud of yourself, do not question why you are in UCLA, they (admissions) did pick right. You will find people that you will relate to, even though you thought they did not exist in high school. Be proud of yourself.

There are so many things I would tell my high school senior self. I think the most important piece of information I would give would be to step back from your possible college preferences and to let go of the pressure. I don't mean the pressure you get from your parents, college advisors or other people in your life, but the pressure that you put on yourself. I would tell high school senior Vanessa to realize that going to college does not mean you have to pack up your life and completely remove yourself from your home. So many people say that to really experience college you have to move away and be completely independent. Because of this, I put the pressure on myself to move across the country, far away from everyone and everything I knew. Now, I want more than anything else to transfer home. I would tell my high school senior self to let go of all the pressure and simply decide based on what would truly make me happy, not what I think is expected of me. I would tell myself to not focus on the expectations but on simply, what I want.

"Don't procrastinate!" "Don't party every night!" "Go to class!" These are some of the phrases high school seniors hear upon entering college. While many of them should be done, I would have different advice for myself after graduating high school. Even though most teenagers think they are ready for the challenges and independence college brings, they are unaware of the adjustment college life brings. I would let my younger, more naive self know that there are too many events going on in college to simply do them all; in fact, one shouldn't get involved in any campus activities at first. I would also encourage myself to live out the high school experience! Too many people are overwhelmed by college because they didn't do enough activities or have enough fun in high school. If I were to have gone to more parties and joined more clubs in high school, I think the college transition would have been easier.

First and foremost, nothing can give or take away your happiness: happiness is your birthright. Remember this, and you will always be true to yourself in the choices you make. You may want to rely on what you knew about life before college, but college is about learning things you don't know, and relearning the things you thought you knew. You were a big fish in a small pond in high school, and that will all change when you get to Los Angeles. Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't get discouraged. Regognize that the challenges are there because you are being prepared to live a life with a higher purpose, and it's time to break out of your old comfort zone and spread your wings. Your whole sense of who you are and what you're here to do will change: embrace the dissolution of the old because it is the first step in the formation of the new. Choose friends that promote excellence, elegance and grace in you. Choose habits that make every day better than the day before. Remember that opinions get in the way of observations. Live to learn every day.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would warn my high school self about the level of competition I was about to face. Here at UCLA the academic levels are extremely high and even higher as a Computer Science major. I felt like I was able to coast through high school and get an A in every class. My study habits were not very good and I figured that college would be the same. If I was able to go back I would tell my high school self that I need to get used to putting in several hours a day preparing for classes and develop study habits that would prepare me for UCLA. It is definitely not easy here but I worked through my struggles freshman year and have survived to this point. Of course hind sight is always 20/20 and I wish I could have known half of what I know now about the transition to a major University. In the end however, I have become the person that I am because of the challenges that I have faced and I am a better person for it.

I would tell myself to rely on these three words when approaching a college mentality. The three words are focus, responsiblility, and goals. As a college student, you are for the most part independent. You are responsible for yourself. Take care of yourself and be responsible for your own work, and actions. Focus goes hand in hand with being responsible. Focus on your work. Remember that you are a student first. You must have the right mind-set and focus to complete your work and succeed. Lastly, to make this a complete triangle, set goals for yourself. If you set goals for yourself , then it should make it easier to focus and be responsible because you are constantly working to attain your goals. In doing this, however, be realistic and don't beat yourself up if you do not complete your goals. If you do not complete your goals, then you know you must work harder to attain them the next time around. This is what I would tell myself as a high school senior because in high school I lacked these three components. High school was much easier. I did not realize what being a college student fully entailed.

As a senior in high school I knew going to college would be a big change, but I was not aware of how challenging it would be. In the first few months at UCLA, my romanticized vision of college was replaced by the reality of its difficulties. I always viewed college as "the next step in life", but failed to understand it as a total upheaval of everything I grew accustomed to in my eighteen years of existence. The nightly dinners with my family, the peace and quiet of my bedroom, and the proximity of my close friends disappeared overnight. I was suddenly alone in the giant metropolis of Los Angeles. If I could send a message to myself as a high school senior, I would explain that the college transition may turn out to be one of the most turbulent experiences of my life so far. However, I would remind myself that over time I will learn to make the most of my new circumstances. After all, it's the difficult periods in life that make us stronger individuals. It's important for all high school seniors to understand this and to not be discouraged.

As a high school senior, I was a more introverted individual than I was an extrovert. If I could go back in time, I would stress the importance of getting involved at the collegiate level. As a current member of Colleges Against Cancer, the American Red Cross Club, Invisible Children, and the American Medical Students Association, I appreciate the value in being a part of so many dedicated and influential organizations. I would warn my high school senior self against intimidation, and encourage myself to realize the value in being involved and to confront my insecurity and introversion early. My personality has changed drastically from the inhibitions that governed me in high school, but if it were possible for me to go back in time, I would willfully accelerate this process to allow myself the least delayed and most rewarding freshman year of college.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to cherish my home- my family, my friends, and my state. I never thought that I would miss Texas when I left, but leaving the Lone Star State was incredibly difficult. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that, while college life in California is fantastic, my life in Texas was fabulous as well. I would tell myself to arrive on the first day of school with an open mind and open heart, ready to accept anything and anyone that came my way. Additionally, I would advise my high-school-senior self to get involved in as many activities as I wanted to- a 15 unit schedule proved to not demand all of my time, as I initially thought. Above all, I would say to prepare for the most awesome and unbelievable journey of your life thus far.

Go with your heart. apply to the school you always wanted to go to. Dont listen to anyones advice but your own. everyone has alterier motives, even your parents and well meaning other people. go to the school you want. even if everyone tellsyou that another school is "better" because its your decision, your life, and you are the one that has to spend four or more years there. if i had done what i had wanted, i wouldnt have transferred twice and i would have already graduated by now.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to work hard, stay focused, and reach high. I wish I would have come into college knowing this advice. Dedication and discipline is the difference between a goal and an accomplishment.

The most important advice I could give myself if I could go back in time would be to never forget who I am: a first-generation college student driven to make a difference. Since college is a place where countless perspectives meet, it can be easy to get lost when it comes to identifying yourself. For example, I have learned that coming from a different ethnic and socio-economic background, it may be challenging to fit in with new friends unless we approach each other with open minds. Meeting new people is a very valuable experience because it is then that one can begin to understand more about ourselves. After a year and a half of being enrolled as a full-time student while working a part-time job, I would advise myself that although it is a challenge to achieve a high G.P.A. and be involved with extracurricular activities while working, it is just another opportunity to prove that I can overcome more obstacles than I did during high school. Finally, I would tell myself to always study what I am passionate about and learn that material well so that one day I could enlighten future minds.

If I could go back and talk to myself when I am a senior high school I would tell myself that this moment is the beginning of my future. That college is a place where I will overachieve in order to reach my career goal of going to medical school. I would tell myself to stay open-minded and learn from others, to get involved in community campus life as much as I can. I would give myself some positive encouragements knowing that the road is going to be hard but possible to get through. I would say that it is okay to have fun as long as it does not compromise academic performances, that college education is a gift so I should take my education seriously and practice it with passion. I would tell myself that I am very fortunate to be able to attend such a great university. Finally, knowing the tremendous cost of my education as I am not a California resident I would strongly encourage myself to apply for all possible scholarships and make sure to be on top of the paperwork with the financial aid office.

In high school I was on track to be where I am today. One thing I would make sure to warn myself about is how the failing economy would affect tuition and enrolment. I would warn myself to save as much as I could so I wouldn't be as reliant on loans as I have been thus far. I would tell myself to work hard so that I could concentrarte more completely on my studies. Working part-time too much during my time at UCLA has affected my G.P.A. negativly because of my heavy course load while obtaining two B.A.s. This would be the hardest transition, moving far from home and being financially independent without ever having been so before. I would tell myself that I could succeed with hardwork and by remaining focused and studious.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about college know what i know now, I would tell myself that what matters most is taht you pick a career that you can be happy with. Study hard and do the best you can with all the resources that are available because when you get older it only gets harder. College is a wonderful experience and is one of the funnest times in a person's life but it also makes a big difference when you set your mind to getting good grades and learning all you can instead of wasting that knowledge. You can go as far as you could imagine but you have to apply yourself and disipline yourself. There is always going to be a time in your life when you can rest but while you are young you should study and work hard to be abe to get into a good college where the opportunites are endless. You can be anything you want to in life, but it is much easier to figure that out while you are young.

pay closly attention to your surrounding. Make sure you know what you are studying for. Make sure you know what classes your taking.

"Be open to opportunities, and go headstrong into things that spark your interest. As you venture into the real world, you have to fight for what you want. Don't be afraid of change, because it is inevitable. Savor the spontaneity in life. Listen to mom, because everything she taught you will help in the process of difficult transition and growing up. Be kind to your twin sister, because she won't always be around anymore. Sometimes you might feel alone, but you can always depend on the values you were taught, your friends who experience the same struggles, and the comfort of home. Remember the beauty of Guam, the ocean, and its people. You'll discover people who will discourage you, so appreciate those who are there for you now, and keep reminding them that they are valuable to you. Stop being a worry wart, and don't let your busyness get in the way of spending quality time with friends and family. You'll wish you had more time with them. Banish doubts. Never stop believing in your abilities, because they will take you to places you would have never imagined. "

Eileen! WAKE UP! You're not always going to be the smartest and top of the class! You need to prepare yourself as much as you can. Believe me, it's not fun, but those teachers and counselors at Anaheim High School did NOT do their job! Eat, Breath and dream Calculus! If Mr. Logan is not teaching you, learn on your own! As it stands, UCLA will be 50 times harder for you than for your fellow Bruins! If you can't handle math your first two years, just DROP it and follow your true passion: FRENCH! Study Abroad early in your undergraduate career and for whole year instead of waiting until your last year to try to gain that experience in France! Apply for as many scholarships as you can, preferably renewable ones! Most importantly, seek help from counselors early on, don't feel intimitated by your race and economic background, you deserve to be at UCLA just as much as your neighboor! Also, got to your professors' office hours, they want to see you there! Last, but certainly not least: get involved in clubs and organizations early or you will feel like you missed out!

I would tell myself to take more risks socially my first semester. I would encourage myself to venture out and get involved in social activities instead of concentrating solely on academics. I would also tell myself not to get mad at myself for not getting the perfect grade. I would remind myself that college is a lot different than high school and it is not as easy to get an A than it was in high school classes. In addition, I would encourage myself to put aside time for myself. I would tell myself to remember that college is stressful and UCLA especially is very competitive, but that everyone deserves to have a little time to themselves to maintain their sanity.

All of my experiences and struggles that I have gone through have made me grow as a person. In many ways I do wish I could go back to being a high school student and know the things I know now. When I applied to colleges, like most first-generation students, I didn?t know what I was getting myself into. I didn?t know what to look for in schools. When I chose to go to UCLA, I had never visited the school or knew what made it different to other schools. The only thing I knew is that it was one the prestigious school where I was accepted. With what I know now, I wish I could have saved more money so that I would be financially stable, I wish I could have had ideas about what I wanted to major in. I also wish I could have taken the opportunity to go to the freshmen summer program to know how to get around college, have support, and know the school better at an earlier stage.

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, it would be to express myself more. I was a always a shy kid, mainly because I had grown up in two different languages and cultures, in Germany and America, and felt that I did not completely belong to one or the other. Expression through music and writing has greatly helped me overcome these feelings since then. To write an authentic song or piece of literature, to hear those striking bells of inspiration and record their sound onto a piece of paper and move people in all directions with that resonance is, for me, the greatest feeling in the world. Whether it is music, writing, or a combination of the two into songwriting, I know I can always look to these mediums not for wealth in the pocket, but for wealth in words, music and mind. These outlets show the beauty that comes from chaos, the art that is scraped from the bottom of life?s cup; the core of human beings and being human brought into creative light. With a little financial help, I can help share this with the world. Money should not limit learning.

As a high school senior one is filled with the excitement of finishing a chapter of life and moving on to the next. However, this excitement is also accompanied by stress and fear. You are worried about passing the AP exams to receive college credit and getting the best grades you can. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to get rid of that fear and stress. While in college I have come to realize that what you did in high school does not matter anymore. Those AP exams that drove me crazy did not matter as much as I thought they did. Also, during senior year one is infected by a disease known as Senioritis (a disease which cause a student to be lazy and procrastinate in school). I would tell myself to get rid of this disease and to begin to create study habits. I have come to realize in college that it is study habits that affect how you do in class. It is the creation of good study habits that will allow for a smooth transition into college.

I would tell myself to be aware that being a science major at UCLA is very cut throat and difficult. I would either go to a different school or just start as an art history major and minor in something. UCLA is very competitive compared to high school and I need to be aware of that before jumping into everything.

Be sure to set a list of goals for each quarter, including things involving both my academic and personal life. Don't be afraid to try new things by yourself. Go to a club meeting or a movie screening alone and introduce yourself to new people. Decide on my personal policy regarding drug and alcohol use and stick to it! Even though it may seem like everyone is drinking or smoking, there is always at least one other person who isn?t. Chances are, you will be better friends with them because of the commonalities you share.

The advice I would give is to prepare yourself academically. More specifically, build strong writing skills and develop good study habits. What sets university apart from high school is that you have to be self-motivated. Everything rests on you. There are no teachers to constantly watch over you or regular deadlines and assignments to make sure that you are on task. Attendence is also not mandatory for many classes. Therefore, YOU have to keep up with the readings and work on your own. If you fail to do so, your grades will suffer.

College is the time to truly explore and relish in the academic insights expressed by your professors and classmates. Now, more than any other time in your life, can you explore the opportunities given to you. In a university where everyone seems to want to become a doctor or lawyer, you need to be able to go against the grain and find what you are truly passionate about. Take classes that interest you and you will become more academically stimulated and driven. College is about preparing you for the future but that statement is not rarified to a career alone-you must be mentally at ease when you leave college and feel that the experience you had in terms of the classes you took, the clubs you were involved in, or the connections you made with other students and teachers were meaningful in your development as a person. Entering college can be daunting, especially at a large-scale institution such as UCLA; however, it can be as big or as small as you want it to be. As long as you are passionate about what you do and who you are, the opportunities to succeed can become a tangible reality.

I would tell myself to apply for anything and everything you are interested in because you never know who will accept you. Dont doubt yourself...you have every right to be there just like the other students who are accepted. Lastly, dont let money determine your choices, and dont let anyone else make your choices for you.

Don't sweat applying to other colleges. You'll get into UCLA just like you wanted to. Just be wise about what you do there. Do plays and movies no matter what. And find a way to stay in touch with nature in that big, smog filled city. You know you won't be going out partying much, but you expected that. Just keep focused. UCLA is definately the place for you.

I would say Kelley, the world is much bigger than you could ever dream, I understand it was difficult to support your mom and yourself through high school, but you better get ready to experience life. Be ready for dealing with heart break, striving for academic excellence, working with fortitude, and remaining focused on what you want. Some times you will fail, you may become distracted or loose your course, so the most important thing to maintain is a positive and focused outlook on life. Try new things and do your best to stay open to others perspectives, do not judge others while remembering that you are your own worst critic. Stay active, play and intermural sport or try hiking or surfing! Study abroad as much as you can and see the world, discover new cultures and people, because that is what ultimately allows you to find your identity. Actively learn instead of just cramming for the exams, make life long friends, and try to find peace within yourself. Do not worry about being successful or conquering the world, because all you have is the day before you to do your best to make your dreams come true.

College will be probably one of the most extraordinary steps in life that can either be a good experience or a poor memory. One of the things you must realize is that now you have control over all of your time and time is the key for succeeding. The material in college is difficult but all of the work that you have done in high school pays off because now you have a background so bring out the high school notes and refresh because it will help. Manage your time carefully. Friends and people all around will want to hang out but you have to know when to say yes and when to thank the offer but concentrate on homework. Partying if done safely can be awesome, and a word to the wise no drug or alcoholic beverage will make it better. People end up in pretty nasty situations due to that stuff so stay away. Join clubs, try new things and exercise because a healthy body is an active mind. Enjoy the independence and demonstrate to yourself that you can be responsible and that you're ready to make this the best time of your life.

If I could go back, I would tell my senior self to enjoy high school and my family while they were still around. I would tell myself to look more intently at the different options for degrees and also to look into as many scholarships and grants as possible. I would tell myself to get excited for the experience of college and tell myself to stop worrying about my roommate and whether or not I will make new friends.

I would give myself this advice: Keep working hard and you will do well in college. Keep reading too so that you can keep up with the daily assignments. It will be hard to make new friends at such a large school, but don?t be afraid to reach out to new people and talk to them. College can be a lot of fun, so get involved in as many activities as you can so that you can have fun and meet new people. Just remember that you can do anything you put your mind to with a little hard work and a lot of perseverance. Don?t let the obstacles in your life get in the way of your success. Go out into the world and follow your dreams.