University of California-San Diego Top Questions

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would advise myself to study for all my classes and make sure that I can retain the information and not just glance at the information. I would also advise myself to take advantage of all my resources because in college, you have to make the effort to get all your questions answered. There is no one there pushing you and reminding you to get things done. You must take the initiative.

Make sure you study more, college is not as easy as high school. You have to spend alot of time on your studies or else you will not suceed as well as you did in high school. Don't spend as much money either. You are given money for school and you can save the rest for future quarters. Be safe and don't drink unless you know you are with good people.

I would definately look at more college choices , even if it meant going out-of-state. I would make sure to enroll in a college-transition program, so that I'd be well prepared at the beginning of school. I would try to sit through a lecture to get a sense of what I was going to get into. Search the school for their extra-curricular activities they offer. What sports are offered there? Is their carreer center helpful/convenient? Talk to students already enrolled and get some honest answers from them; ask if they enjoy that campus. Make sure you like the location. For ex: Are you into cold/hot weather. Do you like the beach or the snow? Do you see yourself graduating from that college in particular? Do you know what you want to major/minor in? Check out the dorm-living life. Are there convenient ways of getting thorugh and out of campus? Do you like the fast-food places on campus? What type of work-study jobs are available for students? Is the college aiming to GO-GREEN? How are the students giving back to the community in general? What kind of attractions are around?

I wouldn't tell myself anything because what I know now isn't because someone told me something. I went out and learned it for myself and now my knowledge and views are broadened because I have had these experiences. Not having those experiences would have made me into a different person than what I am today and I wouldn't want to change the person I am today, Sure, I am flawed but those flaws are what builds character and makes me, well, me. I guess if I could tell myself anything though, it would be to be grateful for who you are and everything you have because in college you become vastly aware of those around you and the different lots those people have been thrown in life and how long it has taken them to get to that point. The transition from high school to college can be hard but it was a learning experience that I will never forget.

It is okay to go to community college. At first I was ashamed that even though I had exceptional grades in high school, I had to go to community college because of financial stress. I would get those puzzled looks from people when I told them I was going to community college, followed by the response, "But I thought you were smart?". Overall, it was the best choice for me because I was able to keep my mom from going into a huge amount of debt over the past two years. I got a nearly equivalent education, as I was taking my general education requirements, for a fraction of the usual cost. In addition, when I transferred I felt like I was finally ready to be on my own, as compared to the maturity and independence I had coming out of high school. It may not be the decision you want, but it is the smart choice, and it will make you appreciate your dream school even more when you finally get to transfer.

Be prepared as much as possible. When you find yourself going to bed at 3 in the morning more than twice a week, you need to change your routine during the day. College life may seem difficult, but if you really look at it, you will catch yourself wasting unnecessary hours taking naps, eating, or browsing the internet. When you count the hours, the amount of time you spend in class during college is nothing compared to the number of hours that you use by being at school. Also, try to plan out your days a week at a time so that you are able to stay focused on your current situation instead of being distracted by the upcoming break. While everything that I have just said is important, I have to say that the best piece of advice that I can give you is to get to know your classmates and make friends. Having friends in college is vital to keeping you active and focused on your schoolwork and on your social life. In addition, these friends become one of the biggest motivators that keep you going to class--which helps tremendously towards doing well in the course.

I would tell myself to start college focused. People get to college and realize that they are so free they start to have too much fun. This leads to slacking in school and it will hit you hard. People usually have their worst quarters the first quarter of their college career. An incoming student should be focused and commit to doing well early on in their college career.

It's not always the case where a student is accepted to his/her first choice college. If a student ends up somewhere else than where he/she expected to be, the student must make the most out of his/her time there. Never underestimate the school in any way, may it be, the quality of education, facilities, and faculty. Every school has something to offer the student as long as the student is responsiveand open-minded.

I would advice myself to take more AP classes and actually try to pass the test. A few extra units would come in handy. I would also say that I should try to learn better study skills. That college is hard, and good study skills would really come in handy.

I would definitely tell myself to try harder and put forth all my effort, no matter what. In high school I was a relaxed student who was able to score well on tests without really studying. This, on several occasions, led to satisfaction with getting a B+ on an assignment over the A if it meant getting by without an additional hour of studying. I also didn't become interested in what college I wanted to attend until junior year, so current students should definitely do some research in that area early on. When reception letters came, I was rejected by my top 2 schools and had to settle with my 3rd choice. I was seriously not happy for a couple of months, but after attending this school I now know it was the right choice for me. Students should do extensive research on what their top choices are like and even talk to current students to get a better idea. Visits are highly recommended as well. All in all, college is a highly important 4 years of your life. You want to do a good job of deciding where you spend them.

I would tell myself to be open to try many different things and in meeting new people. Do not be quick to judge because people have much more depth to them and they only need to be given a chance. Most people here are fairly friendly so all you should do is be brave, make the first move, and introduce yourself. Do not be shy! Being shy and quiet never got anyone anywhere, therefore be loud and friendly so you can attract many different people. Making new friends is wonderful, but do not forget your old friends. Old friends are not like old toys that get thrown away as soon as you grow out of them. Try to understand that if you change, or want to change as soon as you get into college, that true friends will keep on being your friend because they understand you. If they do not understand you then maybe they are not your true friends. Treasure the friendships you make in college because the people you associate yourself with in college are probably the ones that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

If I were to go back to talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself that you are about to start a new chapter in your life. You're going to meet new friends and go to a new school out of state. Don't be nervous or scared about starting a new school because it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Also I would tell myself that school will be amazing and everything that I hoped it would be.

Do not procastinate. You are a really smart student but by putting everything to the very last minute, you are hurting yourself of succeeding.

The best advice I could give is to research what type of universities you're applying to. Don't just apply to the all the well-known schools because just cause they're well-known doesn't mean it's the best choice for you. Though, don't take the reputation of the schools you're applying to out of the equation either. If you are interested in the biological field, you should research schools with reputable biological programs. Also, since that university is known for it's biology program, you would find lots of other students with similar educational goals, which will help you start relationships with people. Another way to gain new friends is to live on-campus. Most people hang out with their roomates or suitemates so living off-campus your first few years makes it harder since you're out of the loop right off the bat. However, most universities have large commuter populations too so it won't be impossible to make friends, just more work.

Don't take it as seriously as you did. The beginning of college life is merely to get acquainted, make new friends, and begin a new chapter in life. Don't think that it's the beginning of the rest of your life. Rather, think of it as a new adventure. Go out, take the time to meet new people and make new friends. Don't have the mentality that you need to be so focused on school work that you can't go out. Instead, find that right balance between school work and your social life so that you can make friends for life and still handle your course work. The transition between high school and college is only made harder by a lack of new friends to soften the blow. Go out! Make those friends.

First and foremost, if I can go back to high school, I would take advantage of all the AP classes they offered. But as a senior, I would tell myself to work on time management. College life is busy especially if you have a job, and the old high school habits, such as procrastination, can get you in serious academic trouble. Also, I would tell myself to practice my note taking skills. In a big college, the professors constantly lecture and you don't want to write down everything they say because your notes will be more difficult to read later. Therefore, learn to summarize important facts in your head then write them down. And last but not least, don't be afraid to speak up if you have a question. In high school the average class size may be around 30; however, in college it is around 300, and that is one of the reasons why people are intimated and afraid to ask questions. Bu t if you practice speaking up in front of 30 people, sooner or later, 300 would be just as easy! With these tips, you'll be one successful student.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior and had known about college life beforehand, there are a few things I wish I could give myself advice on. First and foremost, I probably would have taken high school classes more seriously. Although Los Angeles doesn't have a good public school system, I found ways to get A's in classes without doing too much work. However, I do wish I challenged myself a bit more by taking harder classes a lot earlier. I do regret not working enough to pass my AP Calculus test. If I had passed then, I'd be very far in my studies in college considering my major is economics. Perhaps I could have been in the process of double majoring. Secondly, I wish the money I had saved up from jobs was spent more wisely. I could have helped my parents more now.

Hello James. It's your senior year and you could definitely use some advice in terms of transitioning to college. You are in the football team, volleyball team, wrestling team, key club, christian club, symphonic band, and the drumline. Your schedule is tightly packed. You are busy. This is a good thing. In college, classes are bigger and there are fewer of them. Amazing? Not really. I know you think its awesome right now, but you will have so much extra time in your hands that procrastination and boredom will become a daily habit. My number one advice to you is to get involved immediately. This will help you feel productive and even your grades will benefit. How do you get involved? There are tons of different options. You love sports. Play some imtramural football or volleyball. Go check out some clubs. You will probably like Intervaristy. Try some new things. You've always wanted to surf. Take lessons. In the end, college is really what you make out of it. Stay proactive and study hard. Oh and don't forget to call your mom once in a while, because you will get an earful. Your you, James Jun

I would advise you not to be in a rush to decide on a major or a school. It is best to take your time, and discover what you are most interested in and what you really want to learn about. Also, study habits in high school and curriculum are so much easier. At the university you need be more self directed and self motivated about your education. You should start to save up money now, as much as possible and not spend it on things you do not need, because then you will have to be working a lot during school and not have as much time to focus on school work. The ideal situation would be to work as little as possible while attending the university so that you will be able to take more classes at one time, and also have time to just be on campus more and really get the whole "college experience."

I would tell myself not to get too stressed and to prepare a get-well kit and immunity kits for myself.

Take summer classes before entering classes if you have time. Do research; some schools are cheaper and still offering you money, go for those. If you plan on going onto graduate school, your undergraduate does not matter at all. Make sure you also look into the place where the university is at. City = best.

Assuming that I went back in time as a high school senior, the advice that I would give myself would be to think of my life long career and take it more seriously. I didn't know what major I was going into until my second year in community college. I would go on assist.com and check out majors in advance. This would have prepared me better in the classes that I selected. I could have had more of my math requirements fullfilled prior to transferring to my four year college. I would probably try to apply to the four year college than going to a community college first since they have you take additional writing classes and ethic diversity classes, which was a repeat from the community college.

Don't be a music major. You go to college for the experience/job options; you don't go to college to learn. In fact, save your money and go to a community college for the first two years. With the way the job market has been the past few years, the less debt you have as a college graduate, the better. Lose your inhibitions. Drink alcohol. Make friends. Haqve sex. Do what you want to do, because these 4 years in college will never be replicated again. Take your time in deciding whether to go to graduate school. Do not jump into it just becuase you haven't figured out what to do with your life. Law school is mind numbingly painful and the debt associated with it is crippling. Get involved in the community. Those who are responsible in the community find themselves ahead of the curve in job applications and also in maturity among their peers.

Make sure you do well on your Ap tests so you can get rid of the general stuff, be ready for a whole new ball game

Find a place you like, and find something you're truly interested in to study, because you're about to embark on a journey that requires hard work and commitment. However, if you're in a place you love, studying something you love, you'll be willing to work hard because you're interested in what you're doing. And when you have time off, you can enjoy it in the place you love, which adds up to a great college experience. Make sure you know where you're going, and make sure you don't study something that you loathe. Study something that interests you, all while having a blast. Remember, college is more than studying, it's an experience. A once in a life time ordeal, one that you should cherish and never forget. Don't waste your time. Take it seriously, but have some fun. Make it worthwhile.

Prepare to be more independent on a day to day basis. Now is the time to see what your strengths and weaknesses are so keep that in mind. Do not try to bring a high school relationship to college, it will backfire miserably. Expect to have to go out of your way to make friends and have fun. The schoolwork is challenging but less time consuming than high school, so make sure you stay on top of your studies. The quarter system goes by really fast, if you get behind youre in bad shape. The school in general is does not care about its students and will nickel and dime you until you graduate, so learn how to manipulate the system as best you can. Professors know their material and are friendly and helpful, get to know them as best you can.

Study a LOT harder; and for heaven's sake! do something about your godawful social skills! Also, stop worrying about random stuff too much; it annoys people and makes them feel awkward. Oh and don't worry; you're not weird.

I would have told myself to focus on the SATalot more and worked harder for a higher SAT score because that score would have opened more options for me to receive an athletic scholarship in summer to a better school. I would say definitely take summer school and get ahead on units because they affect your registration time and they also help ease your course load during the year. Also get a summer job too save up money because it is expensive and its hard on parents who are already paying tuition to give you money. I wish I would not have kept my high school girlfriend because its pretty difficult maintaining that relationship. I wish I would have spent more time with my family and friends and really relaxed before school started. Also I wish I would have loved every minute of senior year and really talk to everyone in my class and make as many memories as possible.

Stay on top of school work!

Don?t freak out. College may seem daunting, but don?t worry about it too much. It?s supposed to be a wonderful experience, so enjoy yourself when you go. It?s a fresh start, a new beginning. So when you get there, don?t be afraid try out new things. Be sure to explore and take a wide range of classes. Learn more about yourself and what you like to do. Grades are not as important as it was in high school. Instead, college is more of a learning experience. You don?t just learn from the classes you take, but also from the students and professors. This is the beginning of your adulthood. You are placed with more responsibility and freedom. Learn to manage your time wisely. It may seem difficult at first, and you may get homesick, but don?t worry. You?ll manage through. Remember to go to all of your classes, and keep up with the reading. Find good people who you can trust. Your friends really do influence you, either in a positive way or in a negative way. I wish you the best of luck. Don't stress and have fun.

During the month of May, you would do well to study for one more hour. A.P. Physics may bore your artistic mind with talks of energy and power, But know this: pass this A.P. test, two college science classes you don't have to take. You, wanting to major in English, will want to do it, for your future G.P.A.'s sake You really don't have to go to that birthday party, Where all your school friends are drinking full and hearty Cups of alcho... You'll overhear something and ask, "What did you say?" And later you'll loudly exclaim, "There's a test in that class, the NEXT DAY?!" Sad as it is, you can't really stop the passage of time. Graduation will end, senior summer will pass, and soon you'll be driving Down to San Diego, leaving all that is familiar, so this I'll say: Do well to remember all that you've learned in high school, And be prepared to have the most awesome freshman year, okay?

College is an extremely personal thing, its really important to allow the student to make their own decision, because ultimately it is four years of their life, and you should want them to be happy. Don't allow anything to overshawdow your gut feeling about a university, especially not its reputations, if you don't think you can be happy at a given school, don't go there. College has been the best years of my life so far and I think its because I was so open to everything and everyone, I finally feel truly free, despite the workload of my studies which many see as a burden in college. It's important to remember that even though college will probably be the best experience of your life, that you are going there for an education. Surely the education often happens outside of the classroom, just remember to have a lot of fun, but also stay on top of your studies or you might regret it the rest of your life. Just try and keep the best balance between school and your social life that you can, it's definitely do able, it just takes a little practice.

The decision on which college to attend should be based not only on location and cost, take in to consideration the environment you'll be in. A large school is not the best choice who prefers/needs close student-teacher interaction. The first two years of college are the years where you will meet the most people, especially if you live on campus. I recommend living on campus if possible, its not only convient, but you will have the best experiences/memories of your life. College is a great experience, but chose what is best for you!

Research your options thoroughly and visit each college you are interested in before and after applying. Talk to the students who are attending the colleges that you are considering before making a decision. Get involved on your campus in any way you can: join a club, a fraternity/sorority, a sport's team, or a campus leadership organization. By doing so, not only will you enjoy your college experience even more, you will also discover more career paths and connections.

Follow your damn heart, because honey, it's a once in a lifetime experience where you will make your truest friends and have the best moments of your life.

My piece of advice to parents and students would be to not limit the student to schools based on cost of attendance. If an expensive school grants admission to you or your child, and the student desires to go there, let them. Finances will work themselves out. It won't be easy, but scholarships, grants, and loans are out there; you must be willing to look for them, write essays and keep your grades up. The process is difficult, but if it truly is the right school, the extra cost is worth it.

I would tell high school seniors to really research and look into all aspects of a school before picking it. I also think it is helpful to visit the campus and talk to current students attending the university. It is most helpful to talk to students on campus that have similar interests as you do, so if you are interested in sports or a specific club or major talk to students affiliated with that specific activity. They will be able to tell you the most about what your college experience will most likely be like. Another piece of advise is be open minded and enjoy college for all its worth. Every school is going to have its down falls, but just do your best and make the most of it because you only get to do it once.

When finding the right college, the most important thing to look for is the environment and the people that are there. Although academics, distance from home, class sizes are all very important factors to keep in mind, it is the people who really defines your whole college experience. College is about having fun while working hard for a degree, and one will do better in school if one is happier. Also if you can fit in with people better, it is easier to create not only connections for future jobs, but to make lifelong friends.

Take college tours before picking which college to attend, that way you get a feel for each campus before applying.

The setting is one of the most important features in choosing the right college. The setting includes the location, the weather, and the size of the campus. Also, one must already have an idea of what field they want to focus on. For example, I knew I wanted to go into the science field, but wasn't sure what major exactly, so I chose a school that is widely known for research in the sciences. I knew there would be a lot of opportunities for me there with Scripps Institute of Oceanography next door. I also knew I really didn't want to get distracted easily with all the parties and overwhelming social events, so I picked a school that was known for not having as many social events. I also love the ocean and use it to destress so I chose a university that was situated next to the ocean. There is also a good number of students who also went to my high school who now attend UCSD. This allows me to feel like I belong, or to feel "familiarized" in some way to the campus because there are people I know who can somewhat guide me.

Visit the college that you would like to go to and meet the people there. The environment around the school is not important as the people who go there since social life in college is a whole different atmosphere from what is off campus. Being at college can somewhat seclude you from the outside world sometimes and because of this, you want to be in a socialble atmosphere where things are always happening. However, a community that is too happening can sometimes distract your studies and so you want to find the right balance for you. Work hard, Play Hard.

I would tell them do to extensive research on the college the student is considering, such as financial aid availablity, extra curricular activities, programs for his/her major, etc. This is imperative because finding the right college is not just about the name of the college, or what it is really known for. Potential students have to really look into the college and make sure that once he/she gets there, the student will not regret it, which is the most important thing.

Most parents fret incessantly about finding the "right" college for their children. There is a great deal of concern about how the college fits the student, along with an extensive focus on what the college's duties are in the "student-college" relationship. I disagree wholeheartedly with this way of thinking. The best piece of advice that I ever received was written on my Brown University rejection letter. I do not remember what the message said verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, "Your place of undergraduate education is irrelevent; rather, it is what you do with the education at the place you matriculate that counts." I took this advice to heart, and I have used to to thrive at my current institution. My university is not the most prestigious school in the world, it is far from it. I was originally crushed that I did not get into my "first choice" schools, and was concerned that my current school was not "right" for me. However, using the advice I received, I applied myself, and had a college experience that I would not trade for anything. Ultimately, it is the student, not the college, that makes the experience.

When choosing the perfect school, you need to also take into account the school's environment. Even though I was accepted into UCLA, my first choice was still UCSD. The city of La Jolla is very strict about alcohol consumption; which is why there are no fraternity/soronity houses on campus. Aside from studying, I also enjoy my nightlife at school. If fraternities/soronities held fun events that are walking distance from my on-campus housing, I feel that I would get very distracted. Academically, I feel that I do not have to complete as hard with other students in my major, which makes its easier for me because it motivates me more to work hard and keep up with other students.

Do not be name obsessed when deciding on a college. As a well-performing student, I decided to only apply to schools that I felt "deserved" me. I was a college snob. Because of this mentality, I don't feel I chose the right school for me as a person. I have found an academic community that I adore, but some things are more important than academics. Don't let school rankings or reputation cloud your vision from considering all the options. Remember that the student's major, affiliations, desire to be part of a community, and personality are all key parts of the college search -- not just academics. A high-ranking school could be just the place for you, but don't be too quick to rule other schools out based on their names.

Parents, college will serve as a special moment for your children, please allow them to flourish and grow into the persons they wish to be. Your children will be faced with many decisions and hardships, just be there for them and encourage them along the way. Your children will make mistakes may even struggle to find friends or determine a major, so be flexible, forgiving and patient with them. Students, college is a prime time to explore your options and to learn about the world and how you can contribute to it. Take advantage of the resources at your school, research and visit campusues to find the right college for you and make the most of your college experience by being open to changes and challenges. Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Your college years go by really quickly, so enjoy this moment! Education is a gift :D

Certainly, one advice I would give is to be sure to do research on the colleges to which you are applying. Be sure to know what their strengths and weaknesess are and what they are known for (i.e. research, great biology program, etc). Choosing the right college really depends on what your focus is. Even if you do not have an idea of what you want to study, it would be best to look for an affordable college that offers degrees in any subjects that might catch your interest. Attending the right college does not have to be the most famous one, but the one to which will accomodate you the most. The best college experiences definitely come from the type of relationships you make with people. Friends you make in college, I believe, will stay with you for life. Just be sure to be true to yourself and find people you feel comfortable with. Do not be shy.

Don't focus on the prestige of a school - focus on where you will fit right in, and focus on what suits your personality. Choosing the right college cannot be stressed enough. It's true what they say - you experience the best 4 years of your life in college! It is also the time of your life to step out of your comfort zone and make the most out of everything. You can truly thrive anywhere if you set your mind to it; college comes with so much stress along with amazing memories and experiences.

Prior to enrolling in any college, prospective students should really take the time to either visit the campus, or find a way to get in contact with a current student or alumni. As a student, think about what type of environment you thrive in. For example, if you have been raised in a very warm climate really consider if you are going to be comfortable in a city where it often rains. Think about whether or not you would prefer to attend a small or large university. There are pros and cons to both. It may be much easier to form personal relationships with faculty at a small school, but then you might not have the diversity of classes and extra-curricular to choose from. In the end, any experience in life is what you make of it. If you truely want to enjoy college, put yourself out there and become involved. Be sure and find a field of study that truely interests and inspires you. After all, if you love what you are studying, then you are going to be a much happier and stronger student.

Before applying and accepting colleges, go to the campus to look around. Get a feel for the college and for the atmosphere. Imagine being a student at the campus being visited. To make the most of the college experience, make friends. Go to orientation. Join clubs. Form study groups. Try new things.