University of Delaware Top Questions

Looking back at my senior year of high school, I realize that I was definitely on my way to becoming the confident and independent woman that I am today. Since my transition to college life, I have developed a new found assertiveness, abandoning my hesitation and coyness. If I could go back, I would tell myself not to be afraid to be outgoing and spontaneous. I would advise myself to talk to everyone and always be open to making new friends. In college, I?ve learned that if you need help, just ask. Organizing study groups and finding trusted peer-editors is always a great idea. I would tell myself to set goals and organize my time well. Getting school work done is important as well as having a healthy social life. I would remind myself that I made it through high school working a part time job while managing good grades. Working part time in college will be most helpful to purchase books and have a little extra spending money. Finally, I would tell myself that I have what it takes to succeed; I just need to apply myself and work to bring out the best in me.

You have attended the same school for fourteen years, you have lived in the same house your entire life, and you have had the same friends all throughout school. You are about to put yourself in an extremely different environment, and although you think you know everything you need to know, I am here to tell you that you are wrong! You will no longer be surrounded by Christian classmates and Christian teachers. Instead you will be surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who will challenge your beliefs. It is not only critical that you know exactly what you believe, but that you are strong in those beliefs. Also, be open-minded and respectful of what others believe. You have always been the one being a friend, but now you are the one making friends. You will be intimidated at first, but the best thing for you do to is be confident and be yourself. People will respect you for that. Some friends will pressure you into things such as sex and alcohol. You may make a few mistakes, but you will learn your boundaries as long as you remember who you are.

The advice I would give to myself as a high school senior would to be soak in the knowledge I learned in my high school courses. I would tell myself to really pay attention to the criteria I learned in high school. It is important to not just work merely for the grade on your transcript but for the basic knowledge college eventually will expand on. In college, the classes I learned in high school are studied more critically and in depth. If I could go back in time I would?ve taken every writing assignment as an opportunity to practice my analytical skills and test my critical thinking. In college I learned it is important to take every little thing as an opportunity to strengthen and enhance my skills.

If I were to talk to my young, inexperienced high school self, I would impart on him certain wisdoms that have been given to me by older college generations. To begin with, start the college diet a little easier. Easy-Mac in the morning, Ramen Soup in the afternoon, and a bit of both for a late night snack. These foods will be your staples for the next four years, and the sooner you get used to them, the better. Adjust your sleep cycle, from 3 AM to 11 AM. You do not want to miss out on anything important, so sleeping at the right time is essential. Invest in lots of pajama pants and sweatshirts, as they are the new style. Who wants to wake up and actually get ready in the morning? The college student surely does not. These are essential steps in becoming the model college student. Without taking these steps, transition is nearly impossible. My last piece of advice, however, would be to go into college with a blank slate. Try everything you can, and do not be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. However, this is optional, and Ramen is clearly more important.

If I could give myself advice about making the transition to college, I would first remind myself to not let time slip away. Your senior year goes by quickly, and before you know it, it's time to start looking ahead. Make sure all deadlines are met, and don't wait until the last minute and rush things. If everything is taken care of over time, the transition will not be stressful. That is the most important thing to remember. I would also tell myself to not worry so much. Many high school seniors worry about leaving friends and making new friends. College is a fresh start. You meet hundreds of new people, and everyone is "in the same boat." You will have plenty of time to see your old friends during breaks. Joining clubs and groups is also a great way to meet new people and see what your new school has to offer. Last, I would tell myself to welcome the transition to college, because it is a great experience and something to embrace instead of something to fear.

At first the whole college chift may be difficult but you will pull on through with flying colors. They say that, "whatever doesn't break you makes you stronger." Sometimes you just have to learn to roll with the punches. You will get through everything in college whether it be a ten page paper or some drama with a room mate or friend. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish, how independent you will get and how much you truly are going to grow up. At college you are going to realize a lot more dreams and you will even attain some even by the time you graduate. College is going to be the place that you will grow and shine . So get excited because your life starts now!

To the girl about to enter the "real world," You've been through so much these past years, and now it's time to show what you've got, even to tight-pant professors and frat boys/sorority babes who may misjudge you. If anything, know that your education comes first, not partying or popularity-leave that for high school! Make a homework schedule to manage your courseload, and do NOT pull an all-nighter. Pick a major fitting YOUR interests, not your parents' And, if you ever doubt yourself, DONOT GIVE UP. PS, french fries are not vegetables!

Here's some advice: Be proactive, and don't settle. Take initiative in everything: join and then PARTICIPATE IN clubs, don't wait until you're settled in. Do the work to get the grades you want. Be prepared to to the work. But don't think college will be all work and no play for you. Make some play time early on, go out and have fun so you can put in the effort when things need to be done. HAVE FUN, because I know you will do your work either way.

The most important advice I would giv e myself as a high school senior is to apply to an out-of-state college. I was forced to stay in-state by my parents, and the drama living at home has caused has definitely negatively affected my school work. Also, I would have never chosen to participate in the connected degree program, where you are a University of Delaware student, but you attend a Delaware Tech campus for classes. Delaware high schools build this program up to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, as it offers two years of University of Delaware education for no cost to the student. However, they do not tell you that you are only allowed to choose classes from the front and back of a sheet of computer paper, not the entire UD catalog. Also, most classes are arts classes. As a chemistry major, I will be at least a full year behind in my degree if I continue on to the main campus. I feel robbed of two years of my life.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have many things to say. The first, and biggest piece of advice I would give myself is to practice good study skills. It can be really difficult away from your parents to force yourself to practice good study habits. This leads to a lot of stress and sometimes, poor grades- which only add to your stress levels. The next piece of advice I would give myself would be to practice time management. This ties into good study skills. Having good time management skills is beneficial in college because it will increase the amount of time you have to study, so you will not feel rushed to study. Good time management will also prevent you from cramming too close to exam time. The final piece of advice I would give myself is probably the most important advice ever: have fun! College is a time to find yourself and to learn your limits and boundries. If you hole yourself up in your dorm room and don't get out and meet people and make friends college is going to be the worst experience of your life.

I would first and foremost make use of my academic advisor and a planner. Time management is key to success. I would definitely interact and rely on my advisor more often and set a plan for my four years. Setting goals and achieving them are also great. Balancing school work and social life is probably the main issue many college face. I would definitely put more hours into studying, join study groups and request a tutor if I find myself struggling in a class. There will always be another party but you only have one chance to pass a class and to keep your gpa up. Also, once you fall short it is hard to bring up your gpa so I would definitely maintain a 3.0 and above. And lastly, I would keep in mind that I am paying for these classes, so I would not miss class and I would take advantage of professors office hours. They are there to help you so make use of their willingness and time.

I could have been more prepared for college financially, academically, and even socially. If I were able to go back in time I would advise myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible and take as many classes as I can at a community college. This would cut costs significantly and possibly allow me to graduate early. I would also make sure I knew to buy my textbooks at amazon.com or other discount websites. Being ?green? saves money too. I would suggest refilling a water bottle and printing notes on the front and back of paper. I would recommend interacting with and getting to know the people on my floor. Don?t shy away from them. I would also recommend joining any clubs or teams that seem interesting. College is remarkably different from high school. I would encourage myself to allow ample time to study before each test and to read the chapters before each class in order to get the most out of each lecture. I would also inform myself how easy it is to gain the ?freshmen fifteen.? I would advise myself to eat healthy and go to the gym frequently.

Flashing back to senior year in high school, I would first say to myself, "GET A BETTER JOB." I wish I had been making more money in high school in order to help pay for books, food, rent, utilities and all the other things that I was not aware costed so much. College is expensive and I'm starting to realize that the "real-world" is also very expensive. I would also like to tell myself that I should have gone to the library more, and practiced better study habits, you learn quickly in college what study habits work and what ones don't. College is a learning experience inside and outside the classroom, I was not aware how different life at college would be. As a high school senior, one acts as though they are on top of the world, but once you arrive at college you realize that you are back at the bottom of the world and have to work yourself right back up again.

If I could travel back to the year 2007 and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are quite a few things I would tell my younger self. I would tell myself all the normal things first; relax, enjoy life, do not worry about that one zit on your forehead, but I would also give myself advice about college life and making the transition. The first thing I would advise about the transition is to give it time. Transitioning is always difficult, but join a team or club. Meeting people with common interests definitely helped me through my freshman year. The next thing I would tell myself is what I consider to be the most important advice I did not understand. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. A week's worth of good night sleep not only helped me pass classes, it made me much friendlier. With sleep I made the effort to make and keep friends which is important because friends help you through all of the hard times in college. College is not just about parties and having a great time, there are plenty of downs to go with those ups. So join a club and get your sleep!

The advice that my 17 year old self desperately needed was to "look before you leap." Coming from one of the top schools in my state, it was assumed that I would immediately attend a four-year institution. I was thrust into a furry of SAT scores and application deadlines, without taking the time to decide what I wanted. I didn't know what type of school I was interested in. I'm not one to shy away from hard work, so the application process was not difficult. However, picking a school was. I had no preferences so I ended up making my decision based on money. I attended the least expensive school that I had been accepted to. It turned out to be a horrible experience. The campus life and the education level were not fulfilling my needs at all. Luckily I was eventually able to transfer to a school that was able to do that. I would tell my senior-self to take a deep breath and think before I make any decisions. I would tell myself to ignore the pressure, that it was okay to take a while and decide which school was right for me.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that college is not as overwhelming as it all may seem. I was anxious and remember wondering if I would be able to keep up with the fast pace in college classes and all the hard work and time that is needed in order to do well. I found that with time management right from the start, it was definitely manageable. Also, I found that working ahead makes it a lot easier to follow along with the professor in class, and getting ahead can relieve some extra stress that will catch up with you later on. With good time management, college has been a lot less stressful than I had imagined it to be.

I am currently a freshman in college and I find it remarkable how much of a difference one year can make. Throughout high school I always went out of my way trying to please people, no matter what efforts it took. By doing that I forgot to think about myself: What do I need? How can I help myself? I felt like I was losing my identity. I would find myself agreeing with others for the sole purpose of making them happy. A lot has changed since being in college. I have come to realize that I need to do what I believe is right and make myself happy. It is very important to maintain strong relationships with others, but one should never have to sacrifice what they believe in: their values and their morals.

Now a transfer student at a different University of Delaware campus, I look back at my time spent at the Newark, Delaware UD campus as more like a trip to an alien planet than a milestone of long-awaited independence and freedom. This unfortunate memory, though beneficial in having experienced it, is irrefutably attributed to my improper and incomprehensive college search during my senior year of high school. Urged by a long history of family attendance and the realism of financial constraints, I handicapped my chances at happiness and diversity by applying to only one school: the University of Delaware. What hampered my spirits most at the Newark, DE campus was the bizarre and alien atmosphere. I have always relatively been in the social majority; however, in Newark, I was undeniably cast into the social minority. The wild behavior and academic disregard of many of the out-of-state students bewildered me. If any advice could be given to my high school senior self, it would emphatically stress the importance of careful and thorough college searching, and as far as regarding college options, stress the revision of my previous mindset of limitation to a mindset of infinite possibilities and opportunities.

My senior year, I felt apprehensive about college. All my life, I had been socially awkward, and the thought of the overwhelming task of finding my place in this sea of strangers scared me to tears. I had only ever fit in with my small group of friends, and they were all moving away. After weeks of staring at the ceiling 'till 3 am, I finally decided: by being friendly, dressing simply, and giving each person a chance, I would be everyone's friend. This worked for about three months, but it wasn't long before I couldn't keep up the ruse. There were certain conversations that I simply could not contribute to, and I began avoiding people entirely. I became severely depressed, withdrawn, and anxious. I had no self esteem, began smoking, and would harm myself, physically and psychologically. I was suffocating. Sometime during Spring semester, I took a hard look at my life and asked: why do you care so much about what other people think of you? It is impossible to thrive while living in fear. Be yourself, accept it, and be grateful. This realization saved my life, and continues to do so every day.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to look for a lot more volunteer work because colleges definitely look for that in a student's application. Another thing that I would tell myself is to take at least one AP course so that I would be able to experience how the college class setting would be like. Overall, I would tell myself to practice on improving my study skills because knowing the material for courses is very crucial and for most students in college, it's difficult to bring up your GPA. These are the things that I would tell myself if I had the opportunity to go back in time.

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be outgoing and flexible when making the transition to college. College is an entirely new environment, and making friends is important. Get to know the people in your dorm and the people in your classes...someone who's a "stranger" one day could become your new best friend! It's also important to be outoing to take advantage of "professional" opportunities such as TA positions, internships, etc. Opportunities like these are there for the taking, but you have to be bold enough to go after them! It's also important to be flexible; you shouldn't expect your life to be the same as it was when you were in high school. Staying up late, eating at weird hours, and taking random naps all seem to be part of a college student's "schedule," so these are changes that you'll have to adapt to. Lastly, have fun! It's easy to hole up in the library and study all the time, but that's not much fun. It's important to make friends that you'll remember forever.

Going back in time to talk to myself would probably be a pretty difficult thing to do knowing that I'm not very good at taking other people's advice. However, given the opportunity to do so, there are plenty of things I would tell myself. I would warn myself that you really do have to learn how to be independent and know how to do things on your own. Growing up in a single parent family, my mom was my backbone for everything. I'm not going to lie, I cried every night for a week straight when I first got to college. Being on my own was one of the scariest things I had to learn to deal with, but it was also a great experience. I would also tell myself not to worry about so much stuff. When you get to college, you realize how much time you have to sit and think and worry. Being someone who often stresses about nonsensical things, I would warn myself not to do so. Overall, I do feel that I made the best decision by choosing University of Delaware and that is something I would never change.

If I went back 2 years ago I would tell myself: Be confident in your decisions, and don't always second-guess yourself. You are a talented young lady and you have the ability to succeed anywhere. College life may be scary at first, but relax because eventually you will meet great friends and form strong bonds. Don't be afraid to join clubs and get involved with the school because you have nothing to lose and joining in these activities is rewarding. Also, don't feel like you need to know exactly what you want to do with your life because taking college courses gives you a chance to experiment with possible future career paths. Appreciate all the diverse people you will meet because you will benefit from being open minded and understanding, and don't be scared to socialize with people that are different from you. At the same time, be aware that not everyone is worth of your trust, but you can determine which people are truly genuine. Overall, enjoy college because it will go by fast and take time to appreciate even the smallest positive experiences while you can.

The transition from high school to college is a crucial step in every teenager's life. I can still remember worrying myself sick over this magical place called college. "Where will I go? What will I study? Who will I meet?" All of these questions raced through my mind as a senior. I had a vague picture of what to expect, but no one is ever really prepared for it until they are thrust into it's grip. Numerous seniors enter applications involving religion, school size, major, location, and various other feel good checkmarks that are supposed to ensure a comfortable college experience. The truth is, however, college is an experience above and beyond that of sizes and shapes. If I had to go back and give advice, I would say that college is an experience of friendships, knowledge, and self discovery, but most importantly, a time where reality and education intersect. I'd say, "Don't worry. College is everything that you make of it. You can learn, have fun, and meet amazing people. Be bold, even step outside of your comfort level. No matter what it boils down to, college is an experience, and the future is yours."

I would tell myself to not worry about the cost of one college as opposed to the other. Go to the school that you feel suits you best and worry about money-issues later. Most schools have some sort of financial aid to offer, especially if you ask for it. Get off to a good start right away and on the first day of moving in, go say hello to everyone on your floor so you make friends early. Most freshman are just as afraid they're first day as you will be and would really appreciate a friendly hello. Also, get involved with some sort of group, sport, or organization; this will also help you make new friends (and study partners come the finals cram!). Don't sweat coming to school, its not as terrible or intimidating as anyone makes it out to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to look harder for what I want. When searching for colleges, I did not try very hard to find a school that had exactly what I wanted. I ended up switiching the major I wanted in order to go to a school nearby. I had only applied to 2 schools, neither of which had the major I truely wanted. Knowing what I know now, if I could go back to high school, I would do everything all over again. I wouldn't settle. I would try harder to find the school that fit me the best.

Dear Paul Ojewoye, College is more intense compare to high school. There is a lot more work and stress. To be success you have to be more persistent, focus and discipline. Do not let all the circumstances in life and college put you down. Just constantly work hard using a time table to manage so much work in so little time. It?s also important to have a little fun by going to the gym, playing ball and pool, but do not get carried away, it will put you off track. Having fun helps relief stress and breaks the routine of just lectures and studying all the time. Another important thing is find a tutor for all your classes. Even though, you may think you do not need tutoring it helps to have something to fall back on if the class does go smoothly. Try to study with people who have good study habits and work hard. It is kind of contagious to study if you are around people who are very focus. They will inspire you to study. Finally, stay with RISE and SSSP. The programs give you many advices that are advantageous to follow. Sincerely, College Paul Ojewoye

If presented with the opportunity to return to my high school self. I would seize more opportunities. I would ask more questions, in my current courses I realize that asking the proper questions is essential to gaining knowledge. In high school I never told people my problems and concerns, but since being in college and having been encouraged to talk to my professors and mentors, I have received great advice, so that I can excel, without going through the same challenges they went through. Currently, I am still learning how not to procrastinate. The times that I do not procrastinate I love it, I have more time on my hands, I feel more productive, and my work is of better quality because I have time to review it. Last semester I did not receive the dean?s list, and was disappointed. I gathered myself, and reviewed what I did well and could do better, and improved my study skills and time management in order to do better next semester. I wished I would have applied myself with such diligence in high school, in that way I would have better study habits and could have made the dean?s list earlier.

I'd say, Jessica, you have to put forth your best effort in your classes and get the best GPA you can while you are in high school. Study and read everything so you can increase your general knowledge and score higher on your SAT's. Don't let boyfriends and dating get in the way of your long term goals. Have fun but remember that bad relationships are obstacles to your success. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who will get you ahead in life. You know right from wrong, so choose "right".

If it was possible to talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be a lot I would say. Back in high school, I would always study for all of my tests but my studying habits weren't necessarily the best. That would be the main point I would tell my high school self. In college, I found that the tests are a lot different and I need to study for multiple days before the test, not just the night or two nights before. I would also tell myself not to rely heavily on homework and class participation to keep up my grade. I was used to receiving credit for tests and quizzes besides homework, etc. in my high school classes. I would always give my best and aim for an A on all tests and quizzes, but if one test was a B, I never stressed. In college, if one test is a B, it is hard to bring that up to get a higher final grade since the final grade is based only on tests. These two key points I wish I knew as a high school senior, but I'm glad that I know now.

Sitting with friends senior year. These are girls who know exactly what they want to do, who know exactly where they are heading, and who know that they will achieve success because unlike me, they have a plan. My plan? Well, it was "under construction", until I was accepted into UDel. I've spent my entire life being different. I'm independent, a trait that has been hard to acquire but a blessing to hold, whereas most people I've encountered have had a wealth of parental financial support to keep their plans afloat. This independence was the deciding factor in my pursuit of college, because I knew I'd be on my own in financing it. I've been working since I was 14, and if I could give myself advice about the college transition, it would be this: Save money. Not exactly philosophical, but the best advice I can conjure. I face financial hardship every semester, and I know that if I had saved more and spent less, I might not face such difficulties. Most people will respond to this question with something profound, but in the face of reality, my advice would be to save, save, save.

Honestly, I am not a very social person and although I can be very fun, it takes me a while to open up. I chose a college in which I knew almost no one attending. If I could tell myself what to do, I would have recommended that I attend a college in which I have friends who could keep me motivated to make even more. I would also consider rooming with someone I knew. Although rooming with your best friend sometimes causes problems, I would feel much more comfortable with someone closer in likeness to myself. I would also tell myself to go in-state, because I am already up to my ears in loans and I have not even finished my first year. College can be scary, but one just has to be confident and put effort into making his or her experience genuinely special.

Looking back, there are several pieces of advice that I would provide to myself as a high school senior. First and foremost, I would have told myself to stay calm, composed, collected, and not to worry as much as I did about the college experience. While college is a difficult endeavor and as a senior in high school, or even a freshman in college, the experience seems quite daunting, it is not impossible and it is quite feasible to thrive and succeed in this type of environment. Secondly, I would tell myself to never doubt my capabilities. At orientation for college, I began to feel as though I was unprepared for the college experience, which only heightened my sense of anxiety. I think that if I had told myself as a senior in high school that I was perfectly capable and as ready as ever for college, it would have calmed me down a little bit more. Next, I would tell myself to be more outgoing than I was in high school and to make as much of the experience as possible. Having good friends really makes the college experience much better. Finally, I would tell myself to work hard.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would, first, tell myself to relax. I was always stressed as a senior because I was afraid of the changes that college would bring, but I am proud to say that college has brought me nothing but happiness and prosperity. I thought the changes would ruin my life, but I was wrong. These changes help me grow both internally and externally every day. I would also tell myself to not be afraid of leaving home. Living two hours away from my family and friends has made my relationships with them so much stronger and meaningful. I, now, appreciate everyone so much more, and I value each relationship I have genuinely. I would tell myself that although I would lose some friends in the near future, I would also be making new ones. I would tell myself to never take anyone or anything for granted. Lastly, I would myself to take advantage of every second and opportunity I am offered in life because tomorrow is not promised, and I do not want to miss out on anything.

Time: it passes quickly and cannot be recaptured. Senior year is an unforgettable time. It is so hectic and yet so wonderful all at once. Yet, your entire future hinges on the choices that you make in those short ten months and how you manage your time. Even though you are seventeen or eighteen, you have to make very adult decisions. How effectively do you work at the SAT books and online questions? How many times do you take the SAT? How much time do you devote to school work? How much time for parties and sports? I learned that managing your time is the most important path to success. I had to learn it the hard way. While I was a good student that maintained a 3.4 GPA, I know now that working just a little harder, would have opened opportunities to me that I did not get because I did not achieve a 3.8 or 4.0. Sure, parties and sports are important to a well rounded personality, but so is classwork and preparing for college. It is your future.

Travel the world and experience new cultures because you will not regret it. Go out the night before an exam because the best way to learn is from personal experience. Spend a full twenty-four hours with your roommate because she will probably be one of your bridesmaids. Don't skip class and stay in on a Friday night to study more because you will be satisfied with your grades. Kiss the cute fraternity boy because he might be your first love. Be super involved throughout college and try different clubs because you might find a new hobby or calling. Stay busy all the time because you have plenty of time after college to lounge around. Get on a personal level with your professors because they are extremely wise and are there to help you. Part if college is preparing yourself to be constantly stressed, emotional, and broke. An education is an extraordinary opportunity, but it is certainly not cheap. Do everything and anything. Use your time at college to find out who you are and what you want from life. Make the absolute, one hundred percent most of your college years because they won't last forever.

I would let myself know that college classes unlike the ones i took in high school are actually a challenge meaning that i need to actually do all the work, show up to class, pay attention, take notes, and study. I would also remind myself that in college my parent would not be there to set my alarm in the morning, clean my room or do my laundry. Most importantly i would tell myself not to waste all food points in the first month and end up with only single meal per day.

When I graduated high school there were many things that I took for granted. I expected to be done fast, party hard all the time and that since high school was a breeze then college couldn't be that much harder. Knowing what I know now I need to let myself know how much harder things can actually be. The most important thing that I would need to tell myself is that to get what you want out of the experience you need to focus and dedicate the proper time necessary. Really think about what you enjoy doing and take time to pick your future. Just because you're good at something doesn't always make it the best thing to do. Think about what I actually enjoy doing that wont make everyday a nightmare for myself. I made choices for a girl and in the end i have taken longer to get where i need to be while she made the choices for herself and she is further along than I am. So in a nutshell I think I would tell myself to not worry about what everyone else wants and to do what is right for me.

I know a lot of people would go back and tell themselves to pay attention in school and stop partying, but for me I would tell myself the opposite. I lived at home with my parents to save money, and so missed out on a lot of opportunities such as making new friends and joining clubs and things like that. I would go back and tell myself to go ahead and live on campus, but warn myself to study just as hard as I did when I lived with my parents. I think having a balanced college life of studying and fun is important, and I simply missed out on that the first time around. Now that I am a little bit older and getting a second degree, I understand that.

The most important advice I would give myself would be to have faith in yourself. When the school workload hits you that first semester, when you get your first bad grade, when you need to sacrifice your social life; it all can combine into one giant stress ball that makes you loose confidence and loose track of what is really important in life. If you believe in yourself, work hard, and keep your priorities straight (for example, one bad grade does not mean you should give up), you'll go far. Breathe, and don't panic. It'll all work out in the long run.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to work as hard as possible in everything I did, from a little homework assignment to big projects. Doing this would have put less strain on me when I got to college, as I could have gotten a scholarship if my grades had been higher. Also, I would have told myself to seriously consider my chosen major and if it was the right one for me because I haven't been happy in my major. Any advice I would want to give myself would be to correct the mistakes I've made to make my first semester of college easier.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as high school senior I would definitely give myself the advice of time management. College is all about time management because everything you do is all up to you there are no teachers or parents holding your hand telling you what to do or when to do it. My first semester at the University of Delaware as a freshman was extremely stressful for me because I would do all of my studying a week before an exam or complete homework assignments the night before they were due. I found myself loosing sleep and also not eating as healthy because I couldn?t seem to mange my time. This semester taught me that college is extremely tough but I have the ability to accomplish my dream. Making a planner or a schedule is very helpful when attending college so you know exactly what you need to accomplish each day. Also studying an hour every night for each class can also be helpful instead of cramming a few days before an exam. Professors also suggest studying the material as soon as you learn it helps you retain the information much better.

So you made it through high-school, had a great summer and now its time to have some fun away from the family! That is the first thought that a majority of freshmen coming in have. Freedom from Mom and Dad, having the freedom to do all they want for the first time. ?Discovering yourself,? as they say is a piece of the college puzzle, one that cannot become the keystone, holding everything else together. It is very easy to get distracted by the flashing lights and booming sounds of the extracurricular bench, the Frats on the row, or that Art History major?s room with smoke coming out of it from down the hall. The keystone should be what brought you this far, your intelligence, and hard work. There will be an innumerable (English 101) amount of distractions that will come your way, some that you should partake, most you should avoid. Never forget your purpose at the university, to graduate and get that great job you always wanted. Participate in school activities, become president of club, but always remember your true goal during your time at this school.

As a high school senior, I had a lot of fear about the unknown. I was not sure which college to attend and I was afraid of making the wrong decision. There was also the guilt of knowing that there would be a lot of stress put on my family regarding financial arrangements to attend college. Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself that you have to let yourself have more confidence in your ability to make these life changing choices. While there will always be those nerves about doing something new in life, you cannot let fear stop you. College is the time to learn and explore your world. If you fear life, you will never be able to grow. I know that I did everything I could by working to hard to help with any finances. I would tell myself that I did the best I could. Any mistakes that I have lived through has only made me stronger. Believe in yourself because you made the right decision.

My first piece of advice would be to relax! Life definitely changes in college, but not as dramatically as I know I imagined when I was a high school senior. College life greatly depends on the kind of person you are before you enter. Yet, numerous opportunities are made available to grow and gain a variety of new interests. As a college student, you are able to make your own decisions about things which may have seemed insignificant at home, but become extremely important when you are independent. You must remember to do the laundry, figure out where and with whom to eat, what is the best time to study and where, as well as choosing in what you would like to devote your time and energy. Creating schedules is extremely useful not only for classes, but in coordinating what to do in your spare time. The wide range of people you get to meet and befriend makes college life absolutely wonderful and overwhelming, but once you find a good niche you will discover a second home that offers a similar security and comfort as the home you left.

I thought I was a pretty organized person in high school but then when I got to college I realized that I may not have the skills I thought I had. I would tell my high school self to pay attention to how things are done at home so when I got to college I would be more prepared for all the many different things I would need to be responsible for in my college life. I would also tell me not to spend so much on frivolous things because college is much more expensive than I thought, particularly when I am responsible for my own personal expenses. I would tell my senior self to make sure and deal with the bad roommate problem from the very beginning of the year because letting things go never solves the problem and it just tends to go on and on so by the end of the year, you have wasted all that time dealing with annoying people. I would tell myself that my college choice ended up the best choice even though it wasn't my first choice. I could have worried a lot less if I knew that bit of advice.

I would tell my high school senior self that college really is not as terrible and as challenging as you would think. I would tell myself not to worry so much about the small details in life and to just enjoy the teenage years while you can. College is actually much better suited to my personailty, so I would tell my younger self that it's going to be a blast and to have fun with the whole experience!

I would tell you, younger me, to not hesitate in signing up for the marching band. That has been the one constant in your life since middle school, don't even think about letting it go! You're going to school 3000 miles away from home, you need the support system of friends who you can count on no matter what, and you know that the marching band will provide just that. You will have the best time of your life in the UD Marching Band, and it will not only make it easier being so far away from your friends and family from home, but will also bring out the best in you, and help reveal who you want to be. Also: buy your books online. The bookstore's a rip-off.

I feel I applied to a good variety of colleges and universities. However, when I first decided to attend the University of Delaware, I don't think I really considered the financial aspect of my decision. One or two other schools I had gotten into had offered me a decent financial aid package, but neither of those schools were as appealing to me as UD was. Now, almost two full years into my collegiate career, and already thousands of dollars indebt, I worry about my future; will I be able to find a secure job in order to pay off my loans? Academically and socially, I certainly do not regret my decision of attending UD. Financial speaking however, I wish I would have weighed out my options better. I think it is crucial for students to realize the amount of debt they are getting themselves into when attending an undergraduate university. I hope by the time I graduate in 2012 that the economy will be more stimulated and I am able to find myself a decent job. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have picked school which offered me more financial aid.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take the time to learn how to study. I was always in honors and advanced placement classes and the information came easily to me, I never really had to study. Once I started my classes in college I learned that these classes were a lot harder and moved at a much faster pace. I had to teach myself how to study because in high school I really did not need to study so I never really bothered to learn how to do it. Although I have successfully taught myself what I need to do to learn the information and be prepared for whatever my professors throw at me on tests, quizzes, and assignments, my first semester would have ben much less stressful if I had taken the time to learn how to study before I got to campus.