University of Denver Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Matthew

I would tell myself right off that bat that this is your opportunity to grow and become independent, and that starting college in a new state is the perfect chance to transform yourself into the person you want to be in future. You will make new friends, you will lose some old friends, you will miss your family, and you will love your school. You will have to work hard, but you will also be able to do activities and experience things that you never thought imaginable. You will be able to go to Rockies games, Broncos games, ski in the winter, climb mountains in the fall and spring, and most importantly design your own education. You will be able to meet friends and professors that have your best interests in mind and provide you with amazing opportunities. You're human, you're supposed to be nervous. It means you care. But you can't be shy, you can't wait for oportunities to present themselves. You're parents aren't around to tell you what to do, so go out and make this life your own. It starts in college. Find yourself, find your passion, and find your purpose.

Nathaniel

If I could go back to high school and give myself advice, the first thing I would say would be to take a Pre-Calculus class, despite what the councelors say. I've told many of my friends still in high school to do so because it's an absolute necessity for anyone looking to get their prerequisites out of the way without paying for a class with 'Pre' in the name. Secondly, I would force myself to look deeper into scholarships so that when the time comes to register for second quarter, there isn't a surprise $5000 charge on the account, preventing me from registering that I can't pay. If I had dedicated myself more to the future and less to the present, back in high school, I wouldn't have to worry so much now. Back in high school, I was breezing through, year to year, but I would tell myself that it will, indeed, get harder and to keep up during the summer so that I would be very fresh going into college. There's so much more advice that I would give myself that I can't fit into 200 words.

Haley

Dear Haley, People always say going to college is about gaining new experiences, while this is absolutely true, that does not mean changing who you are. At first college is new and scary, no really knows you, but do not forget that all of your life experiences are uniquely yours. Your loves, your passions, your pain-they are all your own; do not let anyone take them from you, and if someone does not appreciate what you love, then maybe that person is not worth your love. Do not sacrifice who you are just to make "friends," because those "friends" will not be there for you when the world starts caving in. Stand strong to what you believe and do not be afraid to share it. Do not let anyone snuff out your sunshine, because it will be much harder to get it back then to maintain it. Be beautiful, be brave, be strong. Be crazy, have fun, be a part of your community, because that is when people will get to see the real you, and true friends will come into your life. Live in the moment. What people think is only temporary-shake up their world. Love, Haley

Allison

I should have appreciated the little things in high school. When I say the little things I mean when my mom use to hand me a good cup of coffee in the morning. When I say good cup of coffee I mean the liquid in the cup is actually stronger than water, and the creamer isn’t powder. When I say the little things I mean the random time spent with a good friend. I grew up in Montrose, Colorado where the San Juan Mountains were the main view driving to school every morning. I wish I had known to appreciate seeing that view. Going to college takes a lot of adjustment with the little things. There’s toleration of new people, and yes even some bad cups of coffee. I would stress the fact that the little things are everything. I would tell myself to not be afraid of hard work because it's just that hard work. No matter any location the people you love are most important. College life is a big difference from living at home, the big thing to remember is to be grateful, and to know a little thing when it comes your way.

Chau

Here it is Chau. Your SENIOR YEAR. I remember the struggles you are going through right now, the confusion, and stress. I remember those dangerous monsters haunting your mind and numbing your body: The feeling of not being good enough and being afraid to face the world so soon when everybody looked so ready. The word painful is an understatement to describe how I felt. So I'm here to tell you one thing you need to learn. Be selfish. I took the risk of taking a year off in secret and I can tell you I don't regret it one bit. It was hard to keep quiet and be alone for a whole year but I came to learn so much about myself and about you. If anything, that year made me do better in college than I would have if I went straight away. I know how fragile and broken you feel right now and it's okay. I'm here to tell you that it's going to work out. You survive. Oh, and Chau? What kind of advice would this be if I didn't tell you one solid thing: Stop procrastinating!

Mattes

Dear Self, I know you love where you came from but it's time for you to go out of this world you have grown up in. You are scared, you think you won't make friends and you are nervous you won't fit in, but when you get to school it will be different. You will be a Pioneer at the University of Denver, and so will everyone else. Everyone is in the same boat. You will have more opportunities than you know what to do with. What I am really going to tell you is to branch out, take all of those opportunities. It sounds cliche, something that everyone says but you really need to take advantage of this opportunity. You are going to a new place with new faces and new things to offer. Not everyone gets this opportunity but you do. Take advantage of it everyday, do not forget where you came from, but remember where you're going, and be thankful for where you are. Time will pass and you will be sad when all that you were nervous for in the beginning is over.

Logan

Embrace yourself, and then brace yourself, for the upcoming year is going to be a whirlwind unlike any other. It will be a year of discovery beyond imaginable. Proceed with an open mind, for your views on all things life are bound to change, or at least be solidified. Manage the valuable time that you have in a way that you can feel comfortable dropping all of your work for the night and experiencing the other side of college. Let’s go back to embrace yourself for a moment and truly embrace who you are. You do not need to prove yourself to anyone. Live the way you want to live- you’ll figure out who you’re supposed to be and what you’re supposed to be doing in due time- don’t beat yourself up over it. Welcome the utter confusion. Additionally, when someone offers to grab a bite to eat- go along even if you’re not hungry. You’d be surprised at how meaningful of a friendship can develop over the best pizza you’ve ever put in your mouth. Lastly, do not under estimate the power of winter and negative fifteen temperatures

Matthew

The reason your're going to college is for the education, grades matter. Get involved in extra-curriculars, get involved socially; make friends, make an ass of yourself. Try to be someone else for a little while. Really learn who you are. Take classes that don't matter, just take them because they're interesting. Party a lot, you'll never have the opportunity again. Travel abroad, it will open your world. Always remember that grades matter.

Brooklyn

As a high school student I went to a school that was mostly upper-class Caucasian students. I beleived that since I attedned an un-diverse high school that I would not experience any culture shock at a university with similar demographics. However, this was not the case. I was overwhelemed by how different I was even though I had been the different one thorughout my previous education. I heard ignorant and disgusted comment I had never experienced and often found it difficult to assimulate with my counterparts. If I could go back and talk to my highschool self I would tell my self that high school truly is a bubble compared to the real world of college life. You will probably experience some type of culture shock no matter how similar an instituion is to high school. I would also tell myself to not let this stray you away from the college, allow it to be an experience to teach and learn. I can guarantee everyone feels different at some point while at college. The only way to become fully inclusive is to teach each other about our beautiful diverse backgrounds and cultures. Understanding will eventually overpower the shock.

Dion

If I was able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give advice on a career path and scholarships. At that time I was struggling to figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life. I was planning on becoming a civil engineer. In community college I quickly found out that this was not the career for me. I would tell myself to think about a career in law enforcement as I did when I was a child. I have always wanted to help people, and I should have stuck to my first interest. I would tell myself to switch majors before applying to four year colleges to give myself a chance to get accepted. I also got a late start in submitting my applications, so I would have told myself to always stay on top of deadlines and when applications opened up. Finally, I would have encouraged my past self to take time out of my schedule to apply for scholarships, because back then I was busy with sports. Even if I did not win any scholarships it would have been better for me to at least try.

Natalia

Dearest My Somewhat Naïve High School Senior Self, I appreciate how hard you worked through high school, obtaining a 3.9 GPA. Equally impressive was the leadership you took on from Day 1, freshman year. Researching colleges the way you did, preparing for the standardized tests. Good job! Here are a few things that if we could relive high school, we would both benefit from. •Learn how to function on very little sleep! •Don’t expect to get straight A’s in college – it’s a lot harder! •Learn to wake up by an alarm. Mom is nicer but she won’t be there. •Enjoy Mom’s cooking while you have it because dorm food just doesn’t taste as good. •Definitely don’t worry about taking all of your clothes because there just isn’t room in those tiny dorm closets. •Keep up the good study habits! •All the work you are putting into AP Language & Composition will pay off because there are a lot of papers to write in college! •Have some fun and don’t worry about getting into the most selective college in the country. Life is for living too.

Malinda

Make a list of what you wish you could see happen in your lifetime, whether or not you believe it is possible. Then make a list of what you think you can contribute toward making those wishes come true. A good college education will be the bridge between those two lists. All you have to do is push yourself, and seek out the schools and the teachers who will push you when you think you have reached your limit.

Samantha

If I were somehow able to defy the limits of space-time and appear to my high school self, because of my younger counterpart’s probable state of shock, I’d boil my advice down to three simple points. Firstly: get close and personal with the public transportation system. As a commuter student, I’ve squandered away countless nightmarish hours in traffic when I could have been kicking back and doing—tht's right—homework on the bus or the train. Second, I’d tell myself to get out of my own head and just talk to people. My freshman year I was so involved trying to be the best that I kept my head down when I could have been meeting a multitude of wonderful people. I’d also tell myself to get involved on campus. Now, I’m not really a “club person.” I joined class council freshman year and didn’t have too spectacular of a time. So “get involved” by starting your own club, nay, a society! I’m in the midst of making an art society that makes collaborative public works for campus. I only wish that I had started this venture two years sooner.

Katie

If I could go back and give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself to not be afraid of anything! College is a great time to try new things and meet new people. While these things can be scary and intimidating, they also provide chances to grow as a person. When I first arrived at college, I was understandably scared and nervous, but now that I have had great experiences trying new things and meeting new people, I wish I had done them sooner!

miriam

If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior what wouln't I tell myself. The first things would be to not put off from going to college 3 years. To go right out of high school. Not to put it of for later because to get in the habit of doing homework and studying for test is hard. That's is something that Im having trouble of doing. I was so used to just working part time and going ou with friends. Now that Im back in school I have to sacrafice not going as much cause I have homework or study for test. Woking and attending college is very stressful. So I definately would tell myself to go straight out of high school. Becasue you would be done with everything faster and the benefits of having a well paying and stable job will be worth it. Another thing would be to attend class! Missing class to much can reflex badlly on your grade. You can miss so much information that later on you can find on a mid-term or final! That's what I tell myself.

Andrew

The strongest will is nothing beside the companionship of others. The will must be tempered with the lives of others. Never forget the lives are worth the price of time and treasure.

Sueraine

I would tell myself that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. I never thought I would be able to attend a private college, and it took me years to pursue the education I always wanted. I think when you first finish high school, there is so much anxiety and fear to apply to where you really want to go. It is why after high school, I attend a community college first, and then a local public univeristy afterwards. I was afraid of applying somewhere and getting rejected. As long as you tried hard in school and try to make a difference in this world. Even people you never met, the committee accepting your application for college will believe in you just as much as you believe in yourself.

Joy

Study harder, you moron! I mean, really. Why did you let yourself slack off so much? Just because it was your senior year and you thought it would be a piece of cake to just skate by and get by on your "good looks" now you have to study harder in college and now you tend to quit when things get tough. You never applied yourself so now you pay for it by stuggling to write an essay and not knowing how to manage your time so you are not stretched thin. I pay for it now and I wish you had realized that a few years of hard work is nothing if it means a better life in the future. And quit eating all that junk food because now I have to struggle to keep the weight off after losing it because you loved potato chips and Twinkies! Geez. A little self love wouldn't hurt! And stop taking everything so seriously. Life is short. Lighten up and learn to enjoy yourself a little.

Tonja

The easiest way to transition is to be prepared. Rather than wait for classes to start to make sure your financial aid, special learning needs, etc. are met, take time over the summer months to meet with financial aid advisors, your curriculum advisor, and the disability services navigator if necessary to introduce yourself and make connections. The more people you know on campus who are in positions to help you, the easier your time on campus will be as you learn and grow. People often have information that can help you in ways you haven't even thought about yet, so taking the time to make yourself known before you get into the stress of coursework can often open doors for you to amazing things, and to the brilliant future you desire.

Jennifer

The advice I would give myself would be find as mean scholarships and grants as you can find and feel them out. Apply to them even if you don't belive that you will get it because it never hurts to try. I would also tell myself that try to stay in the military as long as possible so you can get your gibill.

Heather

Don't hold back. It's 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} worth it to put yourself out there, everyday. Try new things, talk to everyone you meet, and really listen to what they have to say. One of the best things about college is living with and learning from people from so many different backgrounds. Try something new every chance you get. Also, balance your life: grades, work, extracurriculars, and friends. Don't ever forget to have fun! And get off campus and into the mountains as often as possible. Finally, and most importantly, pursue what you are passionate about. Find something that interests you and just GO FOR IT. Learn, ask questions, think critically, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It will make your college experience unforgettable.

Danielle

Dear You, It's you writing...or me writing I guess. There are some things you need to be aware of for the future. For one thing, learn to ask for help. Asking for help shows a willingness to learn and explore while being stubborn is a sign of weakness. Do not worry about attending college right out of high school. I know people have their own opinions about the opportunities you're giving up by not going back to school immediatley but you need to understand there are obstacles you will face before you turn 20 years old that are going to change your life forever and school will suffer - do not be ashamed for doing what's right for you. You need to learn to budget. This is not only going to help you in college with paying back loans but with purchases you will have to make in the future. The economy I live in is not the same as the one you live in during high school. Finally as a first generation college student cherish your support system. They were there before college and they are still here now but won't be forever. Sincerely, You

Kelsey

The best thing that I could tell myself, or anyone in high school would be to seize every opportunity they offer. There are so many options in high school to get involved and to talk to different people and there are even more of those opportunities in college. It would have been more useful to seek out different opportunities in high school so that by the time I reached college talking to various people who have different backgrounds would be easier. In high school, it seems that everythign is so segregated by what people like to do and what people are involved in, if one were to be involved in more groups then the understanding of different people would be easier and it would help with the integration of people and ideas.

Margot

When applying to college, interviewers often asked me what I thought about the importance of diversity and, at the time, I thought the question trivial. I am an Asian American woman from Hawaii and learned at an early age that I lived in a “melting pot”. Interviewers would reliably add a disclaimer to the question such as “I know this doesn’t really apply to you,” but I never realized the full extent of this statement until I left my island and settled down on the mainland. Going to college has taught me a new appreciation for the concept of diversity. If I were to give my high school-self one piece of advice about college, it would be to understand the importance of diversity on a school campus. Diversity is more than the ethnicity of the faces surrounding you; it is also the varying experiences and opinions of people who come from different backgrounds. After a year at college I realized that diversity of mind is correlated to diversity in ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would tell my high school-self to deeply consider a college that sincerely values diversity on campus and not just in their marketing brochures.

Rodolfo

You will struggle and there will be setbacks, many, many setbacks. You will feel like you want to quit. You will have many obstacles in your path that you have to find a way to get through. You wont have the same experience as most. Your life will go in several directions and you will be more confused about yourself and life than ever. But, it is all worth it because you will also, succeed no matter what. The amount of friends you will make on the way will help you get through those obstacles and struggles. You may not have been able to experience a typical college life but that wont matter to you. The direction you choose to go in will be the most rewarding; no matter what path you choose to take. Most importantly, do not forget about how much you are loved and how far you have come.

Cooper

If I could go back and talk to the high schoool version of myself, there's a couple things I would say. Some major advice would be to tell myself to not choose a major so quickly and experience some other classes. I would say to keep an open mind and experience a variety of things and not put all of my eggs in one basket. Doing this, I would hope to find an area of study that I am truly passionate about, since I will be doing it the rest of my life. I wouldn't want to spread myself too thin, but I would want to keep my options open. The second piece of advice I would give would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The most stressful part about college is finding ways to pay for it and by applying for more scholarships, it could relieve some of this stress. By getting more scholarships, this would help pay for my undergraduate degree so I could save money for medical school. These two pieces of advice would have changed my thought process and helped me along the way.

Autumn

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I needed to re-prioritize my criteria for choosing a college. When I was applying to and picking colleges, I had all the wrong reasons for my decisions: I was obsessed with leaving my home state of Colorado for a warmer climate, going to a big school with Division I athletics, etc. I thought that these things were what made the 'college experience.' Well, I was wrong. I ended up close to home at the University of Denver, a small private school that doesn't even have a football team- and I couldn't be happier. You can have the college experience ANYWHERE- be it California or Iowa. The important qualities in a school are that it has a good program for your major, will give you the most financial aid, and will set you up the best for your future. Beyond that, it's all up to you to make it what you want it to be. Get involved with campus organizations, study hard, and have fun- THAT's the college experience, no matter where you are.

Quinn

One piece of advice I would give myself is to look hard at the financial aid that one school is presenting over another. I had a choice between going to a school in which I had a free ride or the University of Denver in which I thought would give me a better chance to go into my field. I would not necesssarily change my mind completely, but I would have given it some more thought. With my financials being in trouble, I would think that getting a degree from anywhere would be wiser than making sure that my degree came from a more prestigious university. With an economy that is shaky at best, going into a lot of debt does not make sense. Students come out of college with a prestigious degree and cannot get a job. Therefore, they cannot pay their loans and their credit scores take a massive hit. I would tell myself that although fits work great in college, as long as you can finish and get the degree, it's more important than anything else.

Meghan

My biggest advice would be: trust yourself. At the beginning of college, there is sometimes a temptation to reinvent oneself - start spending time with a new crowd of people, change the way you dress or act, or try new things you've never done before. Exploration is an important part of the college process, yes, but it is also important to adhere to your core beliefs and values. There's no need to change who you are or what you believe in just so that you are well-liked or more appealing to your classmates. So yes, in college it is essential to make the time to try new things and discover new things about ourselves. Join a club or two! Go to that psychology lecture! Say hi to someone you've never seen before! Join an intramural sports team! Just make sure you don't lose yourself along the way.

Lissa

The advice i would give to myself would be to study more and work harder. i went into college with a 2.7 GPA and it was a lot of work but i maintained a 3.5 GPA my first semester and i am so proud of myself. i know if i would of worked this hard in high school i would of done better but i just didnt care. knowing what i know now i definietly would of applied myself more and prepared myself for the overwhelming college stuff.

James

Always remember that college is an investment in yourself and you only get to do it once. Make the most out of the experience - both the social AND educational experience. Dedicate plenty of time to learning on a deep level but also take the time for some fun. Your professors will be full of knowledge and expertise, learn all that you can from them and take the time to chat with them outside of class. Learn from your classmates and respect their opinions, try to understand their viewpoint. Sleep. Get involved with activities on campus but don't stretch yourself too thing. Time is a valuable commodity. Know when to ask for help. Work together on group projects, don't be a dictator but don't let everyone else do the work for you. Relax. Keep a schedule book with assignments, meetings, and deadlines. This isn't high school anymore, "accepted late work" does not exist in the college world. If you're sick, don't go to class; then we all suffer. Finally, take a step back once in awhile and let it all soak in. Have fun.

Eric

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college life I would tell myself to make sure I choose a major I love, not like, and to work harder than anyone else. Going to college opened my eyes on how many students are out there with the same goals and dreams that I have. You really have to love what you’re learning, or you will lack the dedication it takes to succeed at the college level. There is really no point to go to college if you’re not going to take it seriously and plan on using what you have learned to move on in life. The first time I went to college I was right out of high school and had no goals or any idea of what I wanted to do with my life. As a result my grades were not good and I ended up not going back for my sophomore year. Come fifteen years later, I have fallen in love with architecture and have flourished with my grades and am at the top of my class.

ADRIANNA

Stop being so dumb, look at your future and what you have in front of you. Education is important, its the key to success, now that you have done everything backwards in life, correct yourself now and be smart. You have kids, set the example for them, don't let them make the same errors you did. NOWS THE TIME FOR CHANGE!!!

Michael

There is not a whole lot that I could tell myself. I was one of the lucky ones who was rather prepared for everything that college had in-store for me. However, I am not perfect and have a few things. One of the most important things to have figured out is that you need to make sure you have your financial situation figured out before you get to school. Don't be foolish and wait until the last minute to apply for private loans, because you are going to have a rough time if you do. Refresh yourself on your people skills is the next thing I would inform my past self. It is really strange to go from having your set group of friends then having to create a whole new group of friends. Lastly I would advise myself to prepare to get out of your comfort zone, as you are bound to get out of it anyway, it is best you ease into the situation instead of jumping right into it.

Lisa

Hey Lisa, I want to talk to you about your college future. There's a few things that I really want you to slow down and think and pray about, that could really help you benefit in the future. #1: Plan on going to college: Deep down inside, you want to be a highschool teacher, and you need a college degree for this, so start planning now. #2: Take college courses in High School: Go to the community college and get some courses done this year. They're free your senior year and you will save time later on. #3: Get rid of the "College is too expensive" mentality: Your family WILL support you; stop feeling guilty and don't let money stop you. #4: Take your ACT/SAT: Don't miss the test dates, take the tests seriously, study, and GO! #5: Apply for different colleges: Work with a counselor to help you apply; you have what it takes! Send aplications to CSU, UC, even private colleges like Standford and Juliart; give youself a chance. #6: Major in Music: this is your ONLY chance; don't let it pass. #7: Believe in yourself: You totally got this girl!!!!!

Veronica

The only advice I would give myself would be to not be as nervous as I was. Since I am from Rhode Island and the usual path to follow is attending University of Rhode Island, it was hard to make my own path. Many of my friends ended up staying in Rhode Island or at most an hour away. I decided to take the leap and come out to DU which I knew was the perfect school for me. Having faith and knowing everything will work out would've helped me when I felt like I'd be so far from home. I could not have made a better decision coming to the University of Denver. Although I am far away I have made really great friends who I can consider as new family members. The environment here is much different than at home. I feel reinforced with positive energy when I wake up to the clear skies and sunshine. Also, I am completely prepared for the academics here on campus. Although it is a challenge, I know the work I put in will pay off.

Courtney

Listen up Courtney, this is you speaking to you from seventeen years in the future. You’re about to graduate high school. And, you knows it was no regular high school either. You’ve been trapped at a Baptist boarding school, listening to some preacher froth at the mouth, day in and day out, about how you’re going to burn in hell for all of eternity. While most kids were getting their first jobs, first cars, and having their first semi-serious relationship experiences, you read a bible and went to church and bible study. It’s time to say bye to that bull. Let it go. Let go of your anger toward your parents. You hold onto this and you will mess up your life in a major way. However, there is good news. Even if you do not listen to you, you eventually figure it out. You changed your mind. Keep being you. You are pretty happy with your life, You don’t finish your AA until your thirty-five, but, guess what? You got into the University of Denver! Now, figure out how to afford a BA by the time you’re thirty seven. Gotta run!

Melanie

Melanie, You are both better than your worst fear and humbler than your grandest dream. Do not overshoot and never undersell. Your life is branching in a new direction and you cannot mistake this as a minute experience. College is not a vacation; it is returning to work or even starting work. If you can do one thing, it is to do everything. You are a woman; and in the words of Sojourner Truth, "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, then these women ought to be able to turn it back and get it right side up again!" Are you not a woman? Are you not one of half the world who works, cares for, and speaks? That you are not a man is irrelevant; the relevance is that you are a human and you are the greatest product of this world's progression. Whatever you choose to do will be groundbreaking; it will be glorious. You are leaving your parents' home, but you are not leaving them behind. The love you have recieved must be equal to the love you will give. Love well. -You

Katy

I would say "just make a decision! It doesn't have to be the right one, but stand up for yourself and choose what you want." I had a really hard time choosing a school because I felt that I was just trying to please my parents and go to the school they wanted me to go to. I would tell myself that it is MY choice. Do what I feel is right. I love DU now and I am glad I went, but I know I would have loved a different school as well. It will be hard freshman year no matter where you go, but you will adjust. I would tell myself that it is ok to be scared, but you WILL adjust and be ok. It took me until my second year to find my niche and as soon as I did I felt like I was par of a community. I had friends and I became very close with my department and professors. So it may take a while to adjust, but use your freshman year to just have fun! The rest will fall into place.

Jenny

Going back, I would tell myself that its ok to be who you are in college and you don’t need to change to impress others. When I got to school I had a hard time making close friends. I decided I would settle for the people I had met and would adjust to who they were. However, as time went on I found it to be exhausting. Among other things they liked to party while I had no desire to go, so I spent a lot of time justifying who I was and why I chose to or not to do things. As classes continued, I met people who had the same values and did the same things I did. We grew closer together and I found myself enjoying life more. I was able to do the things I like with people who also liked to do the same things while trying new things with them. Now instead of spending Friday nights explaining why I didn’t want to go out and party, I had movie nights with close friends. Then we were able to spend Saturdays going out and exploring a new city with new friends.

Corinne

Dear 18 year old high school self, You are not the only one to not be going startight to a university after graduation. Do not beat yourself up over it. Getting a job is great but please take community college seriously. Really buckle down and think about what you want to do. Take classes that matter in community college and make sure everything you take is transferable. Nothing is quite as heart breaking in a school sense to learn that only eleven out of the 30 units you have is transferable. Juggling full-time work and full-time school is difficult, but you can do it. But, take advantage of the support your parents are giving you. You may not think so now, but life really does get in the way, with rents, bils, and etc. Do not take your parents support for granted. Life will be much easier for you if you buckle down now and get the education out of the way before you are forced to work to live. Life as an adult does not stop, but it will become difficult with unneeded stress if you do not take care of your eduation now. Believe in yourself.

Whitney

Dear Whitney, Although you are very nervous about leaving the nest and finding yourself in college, have faith in your abilities for making friends, knowing what is best for you, and following your true passions. There will be a lot of possibilities that will open up for you in college. For example, you wil sign up for seven different clubs during orientation- make sure you go to the meetings!! Also, you will not know what you want to do for a few years but make sure you start by building a foundation that is practical. You may choose psychology because you think that is the best route to help people, but don't forget to search programs with international emphasis (business and international studies). These programs are nationally recognized and will serve you well in your search to find a way to sytemically change the world, as you will soon learn is your calling. Regardless of which path you choose, understand that DU is the perfect launch pad to make you successful and find yourself. Have faith in yourself and be authentic to who you are and the world will make sure you succeed. DU is only the first step.

Chad

I would say start early as possible! Start trying to narrow down what you're really interested in. With that in mind, start looking at schools that fit what you want out of a college experience and make sure they offer your interests. I wish I would have started much earlier in looking into schools that offer what I wanted to do. Also, utilize every single scholarships possibility there is out there. Also, use your schools career center and couselors to help you find out what is best for you and help with the apllication process>

Mia

Hey there, high school senior. I understand how you feel. You're walking around with that "senioritis" attitude, saying you don't care anymore--not about the drama, not about your classes--you're ready to move on. But on the inside? You're scared. You've realized that you're leaving behind everything familiar about your life--the friends you've grown up with, the house you've lived in, and the town you call home. More than anything, you're afraid you'll disappoint people. You're afraid of failure. Well, hey--it's okay! What you don't know now is that college is different than high school, in a good way. You're going to make new friends and find new familiarity on campus, and pretty soon you'll call the university your home. But more importantly, you will succeed--you've made it this far already! There's a reason you were accepted into this school, so don't worry about failure. You just have to be willing to ask for help, be open to new possibilities and opportunities, and be true to yourself, and you'll carry yourself farther than you ever imagined.

Codi

I would tell my elf that college is important. Apply to any where and everywhere because you never know how far you can go. Applying to a school because your sure you can get in is fine but it is also important to apply to schools you might not get into because you never know wherether or not your capable of going to ivy league until you try. Aslo college transition is very hard sometimes. but making friends helps make college that much eaiser. The best way to make friend is to get involed!!! Join a sport, club, sority etc. And last but not least if you have a challaging class find help before its time for finals. There are resources around campus you just have to reach out and find them. There is nothing wrong with getting help and it can make your life a whole lot easier :)

Jessica

The advice I would give myself would be not to get myself stuck in a major that I did not enjoy. I spent two year in a major where the faculty and the classes were not supportive or stimulating, and this caused me to become totally unmotivated for socializing and classes. This turned around when I found the right major for me in the business school, and I regret not listening to my common sense and that I should have left my other major earlier. It's always wise to explore your options and to not settle.

Elizabeth

If I could go back I would tell my younger inexperienced self that keeping your head in the books is cool but remember to come up every once in awhile to have some good old fun in the sun. Also to remember that mistakes are prime opportune moments to learn. They're no biggie! Just own it! But the most important thing I would tell myself is do what you love. Find that one thing that makes everyday worth getting up for, worth breathing for and go for it! There's no sense in wasting your precious life minutes on something that will only satisfy you for a day. Go for something that satisfies and keeps you full for a lifetime. Chances are if you're enjoying what you do others will to. It'll be an endless cycle of positive energy and who doesn't want that!?

Madeliene

I wish I could go back and give my high school senior self a pat on the back. I wish I could sit her down and tell her I am proud of her. I wish I could concoct some magic liquid that would give her the confidence she deserves. Knowing what I know now, I would tell her that she needs to take a few deep breaths, because she is working harder than a great deal of her classmates and thankfully, it will all pay off. Because the greatest thing about college is that what you put into college is what you will take out of it. My high school self worked very hard to get into a school everyone told her she couldn’t and in return, I received what has so far been the best experience of my life. Transitioning between high school and college was rewarding because I made the effort to take extra AP classes and do all of the extra-curricular activities. Doing all of that gave me experience of becoming an individual, which is essential in college. And as for that magic confidence? I am working on earning the real kind before the degree.

Rhonda

When I attended DU, I went through a program that only had 3 degrees available. I really thought that any degree would be helpful to me, but that was a falsehood - because I still had no connections and finding work was very difficult. I might have told myself not to participate with the Women's College and to go to another school where I would be able to really utilize my degree. I would have also forced myself to find out if TWC had numbers on how many women they had helped find work following their participation in the program. It all sounded so wonderful in the beginning. I really believed in what was sold to me - and I feel like I was sold a product that I can't return or get the years back from. I would tell my former not to be so despirate to get out of my financial situation that I grab at anything. I might be able to say I graduated from DU, but I can't say that my degree got me into any doors. I would tell myself to look elsewhere - and it bothers me feel like I need to say that.

Lauren

If I could go back and tell my high school self something about the future it would be to dedicate more time in finding funding aside from loans. During high school I was more focused on getting done and which colleges to apply too. I guess I assumed that funding was just going to happen. After getting my associates and then my bachelors, I have learned that funding is hard to come by unless it is a loan. Now that I am moving onto my Masters I have found that there is even less funding.