University of Hawaii at Manoa Top Questions

Picking a University to attend is extremely difficult, and the process should be started very early on. If you haven't started yet, I would suggest taking a large chunk of time to consider what will work financially, and to dip your toes in the school's offerings before you get there. This means to consider what types of clubs, extra-curriculars, diversities, and social life you would to see and checking out school websites to figure that out. Starting too late means significantly less time to weigh the options. After choosing a school, start thinking about yourself the way you are now. Are there skills that you don't have that you would like? Use the summer to brush up on those things, and remember that college is a fresh start. It is unlikely that there will be more than 10 people who know who you were in high school, so you are free to start being the person that you want to be. Use the summer before college to figure out who that person is, and don't let anyone tell you that you aren't you. It will get easier with time! Good luck!

I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way, even if it means stepping outside of my comfort zone. This means not clinging to my boyfriend during the first few weeks of college so that it would be possible to meet the people around me and find a group of friends who can support me throughout college. This means attending the meetings for clubs that I am interested in even if I do not know anyone there. This means starting a conversation with the girl sitting by herself in class rather than letting us both sit alone. The only time when a person can grow is when they step outside of their comfort zone, and when they do so, they can accomplish and gain so much.

Cheyenne, Scholarships are nessecary to succeed. I realize that they seem like the far off future, but it's important that you start applying now! There are so many that are only available to you now. They will end up being the reason why you are able to attend school at all. Scholarships and letters of reccomendations. When it comes down to it, being a student at a university isn't enough to get you places, you must be able to have accredited academic letters of reccomendation. This might mean being an always exemplary student, or attending office hours to ask questions, or attending volunteering events. The more people know who you are and how hard you work the more likely you are to succeed. It's been hard work until this point, keep working hard. You can do it, you know you can. Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself. It's important to remember that despite grades or jobs your health and relative happiness is most important. Eat regularly, eat healthy (or try, I know that'll be a struggle with caf food), exercise, and get enough sleep. You can do it, Love, Cheyenne

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I can do anything. Just believe in yourself and have confidence. Some people will tell you that you can't do a lot of things because of your learning challenges. Don't believe them! Believe that you can do everything! You will be able to accomplish much and touch many lives. I have already experienced this. People told me that I couldn't go on a mission, but my parents and those that believed in me helped me get ready for my mission. I was able to serve a mission because I was able to know that I could do it.

Dive in! You have all this ambition and potential about going to Hawaii and going to college there, so just do it. Don't let anyone get in the way of your dream. Don't walk in on broken glass, sprint in like you're Usain Bolt. Get involved, join clubs and groups that look interesting, don't be afraid to make friends. You've got a good head on your shoulders, the brains to do it, and people to help guide you through the rough spots just go for it. Too many people in life wait around for the "most opportune time" don't wait, rush in now. Jump into the deep end and learn to swim. Be a leader. Remember what makes a great leader, refuse to be average. Rise above the masses and the peer pressure and show people you love them. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. So, love and lead people to something better, to a brighter more successful place. Raise people up to be leaders as well, so someday they can lead in their lives and in their work. Just be completely and utterly amazing!

Focus on the big picture. Take all the changes and new experiences that you are about to encounter in stride, do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by them. Four years down the road, you will look back at yourself and laugh at the little things you stressed out about, scold yourself for the big things you should have stressed out about, and be glad to know that it is all in the past. Remember that, although you may feel somewhat lost and confused right now, perhaps unsure about the future, you do indeed have a future to look forward to- if you focus on the big picture. Expect to feel like you are not really making any progress with your studies; expect to feel like you will not achieve your goal; expect to feel like giving up. However, if you focus on the big picture, you will see what a great success you already are, you will see your goal at a mere arms length away, and, soon enough, finally hold in your hands that which you have worked so hard for and be able to sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the view.

I would advise myself to maximize every opportunity to expand my knowledge and make connections with other students within the University. Attending college is a great privilege and as such, it is also important to find ways to reciprocate for all the knowledge gained and give back to the local community through a volunteer service that can help others. It is through serving others in our local communities that we will all rise as a community and ultimately as a nation. As a life long learner, I would also encourage myself to take time to digest what I am learning and share it with others in my family. Collaborative learning helps us to grow and enrich our awareness of concepts and ideas that can support the well-being of all of us. It is imperative to take time to enjoy the college experience and have fun while absorbing the valuable knowledge provided by the intructional faculty within the University of Hawaii. Finally, create space to integrate what is taught into my personal and professional life. While it is challenging to juggle all of the actions I have just mentioned, but doing so has great potential to benefit myself and others.

If I could go back in time and coach myself as a high school senior, I would tell my old self to sit down and write down the following notes which would be crucial to succeed in college. First, I would certainly have told myself to focus on my academics more than my social relationships, and understand that transitioning into college requires one to be more diligent and devoted to one's courses. In the same manner, I would encourage my old self to get in the habit of reading academic journals that cover topics in Psychology, PTSD, and other subjects regarding research in trauma, and get used to the nature and language of these challenging articles. Furthermore, I would share how important it is to become invovled in the campus community and join student-led organizations in order to gain and exercise my leadership skills, in addition to enhancing my communication skills. Lastly, I would tell myself how important it is to time manage effectively, create a detailed calendar, and get in the habit of planning out my "study times" and "course work times" every week to minimize the course work overload for my college courses each semester.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior... I would tell myself to try new things, to put myself out there and participate in everything that interests you. I would also tell myself to study hard because it pays off, don't goof off because it'll cost you money and time. I would also tell myself that you need to stay on top of the course work because no one will remind you are give you a second chance.

The academic path is made whily you are walking. Be prepared and willing to change your plan and take new directions. Yu might get new academic interests as you learn more within each subject. Also, be critical towards what you read and lern as different sources may have different angles. Total objectivity is almost impossible to achieve. At the same time, recognize that you are there to learn, so be humble towards those who have more experience then you.

If i could go back to my senior year in high school, i would tell myslef? i would tell me self to take spanish class. since i didnt take a language in high school, im more than likely gonna have to take language in college. I would also tell mself to apply for scholarships, becuase now im low on money. I would try to get a better G.P.A. in high school. Ill tell myself to study more, learn to make time for you,school, and family. Read more books in high school, now in college theres a lot of reading. Take more notes in highschool. Learn how to write the important things about the lecture given by the teacher. I would also tell my self dont eat a lot, becuase now i gained 15 pounds since my senior year. Mainly if i can talk to my self my senior year, i would tell my self keep up the good work. Wtih the hard work i put in high school, im doing great in school. Even tho i didnt study as much i do in college, my senior year helped me preapre for college.

I would tell my self to not take anything for granted, tell everyone just how important they are to me, and send quality time with the ones that I love. I know that I making it sound like I’m dying but in reality I am starting a new life, and at times I forget about my old life. I would appreciate the little things more, like my mothers amazing cooking, and being able to hug my boy friend. I would want to spend more time with my family because I miss spending quality time with my dad. However over all I feel good about how I prepared my self senior year for this transition to my new life.

If I could go back in time and give advice to my high school senior self about college and making the transition, I’d tell myself about things I’ve realized. In high school I was an International Baccalaureate diploma recipient and an Advanced Placement scholar, so I’d tell the worker-bee-me that all of the hard work she’s putting into school would pay off. College work is relatively easy since I developed good study habits during high school. I’d also tell her don’t be afraid of college courses because support is available. Despite the rumors about college professors not caring about their students, I’ve realized that professors are more than willing to work with you. As for living in the dorms, it has ups and downs. You gain a sense of independence and responsibility being away from parents, but it can get lonely at times; especially when I feel out of place because I can’t seem to find common ground with people. My last piece of advice to her is continue being herself and not to sweat the small stuff. I’ve come to the realization that things will fall into place.

If I could travel back in time and visit my high school senior self, the first thing I'd say is, "Invest in Apple! Their stock is about to go through the roof!" Pardon the joke. Anyway, after I advised my younger self on the merits of fiscal responsibility, I'd probably impart the following: 1." Things will get better." I was not exactly an A+ student in high school (I had a bad attitude, and was not very good at conventional schooling), but the relaxed atmosphere, unorthodox teachers, and emphasis on learning over test taking in college really allowed me to shine. Contrary to popular belief, college is easier than high school. 2. "Stay focused." Though I excelled in college early on, I began to slack off once I got the hang of things. My sophomore year, in particular, was rather disappointing and definitely a waste. Had I been more focused, I could have accomplished more, saving myself from an unnecessary fifth year of school. 3. "Grades > Girls." Need I say more? Priorities, priorities, priorities. 4. "But seriously - invest in Apple." Hey, if I'm going to be a time traveler, I'd like to be a rich one!

I would tell myself that it's not as hard as it seems. Don't be intimidated by all the numbers, statistics, what people say you can or cannot do. Just strive to work hard. Work hard and don't waste time trying to fit in or be like everyone else. Everything that everybody else is drowning themselves in like partying isn't worth it. Your parents say that it won't be possible but remember that you decide what is possible. You define the possibility in your life. So define it now. Set your mind free, work hard, discover what you are capable of, and then share it with the world.

I would have made myself apply to a lot more universites. I was not sure what type of school I wanted to go to other than I wanted to be out of my home state (Oregon). I had all the time in the world to gather information about colleges and spend time applying, yet I only applied to about five schools when there are so many other options! Although it is harder to dwindle down to a selective few when you apply to more schools, I should have just gone for it and waited to see the financial aid each school would award me. Another thing I should have done in high school is prepare and practice more for the ACT and SAT tests. I am absolutely awful at test-taking, and I knew these two tests were important, but I did not realize how critical scores can be to gaining better financial aid. Even though I do not think my scores on those test indicate how good of a student I am, colleges do look at the test scores for an idea of one's general capabilties, which is frustrating.

I enjoy working and going to school at the same time but school is my first priority. With my experience working in a home improvement company, that helped me find out what I love to do. That's where I started looking for a construction management course and took the class last Fall 2013 and they all went great with a GPA of 3.25. I wisely choose my class schedules. On my free time every after class, I do my homework at the lounge or at the library and get ready for the next class by reading the topic on the book in advance. And with my daily routine in school and at work, I still have time to read my books while working and was actually talking to myself while understanding the chapters. I google a lot if I needed to and expand the definition of some topics I'm confused with. Now that I'm registered and already signed-up for 5 classes for Spring 2014 and like from previous semester's class schedule I chose them wisely . From monday through friday in the morning at school and work in the afternoon til closing.

Work hard. Play hard. Such a short an easy philosophy but also hard to live by. Studying hard is difficult to do when there are many distractions, but it pays off. It's not impossible to make the Dean's list but it takes determination and hard work. Balance your personal time, school time, and job if possible. It's hard to do it all but it will pay off in the end. I've experienced what it's like to hit your lowest point and still be able to bounce back. Don't give up and go to every class!

We both know how this works. High school is designed to prepare you for college, and in turn, college is designed to prepare you for the rest of your life. I don’t deny that the knowledge you gain in college will be immensely valuable to you, but the funny thing about this is that most of your education will not happen inside a classroom. College is much more than just the courses material. Don’t focus solely on earning that diploma. At the end of it all, it won’t be a piece of paper that defines who you are. Keep your mind open. Allow others to be a source of inspiration, but not of influence. Try new things, meet new people, and step out of your comfort zone. Your entire sense of self and what you believe in may be turned upside down, but trust me, it’ll be worth it. Keep working hard. In fact, don’t ever stop working hard! The idea that you can be anything you set your mind too will never be more applicable. Ultimately, it’s this epic journey through college that will truly prepare you for the rest of your life.

If I was able to go back in time and to talk to myself, I would say "you should start saving money, and to apply for many scholarships as you can. When you go to college, you will need a lot of money to pay for your tuition, board, books and personal needs. Right now, in the future I am stuggling. It is really hard to pay off all of these things. I even had to take loans out, and many of the loans is under our mother's name. I hated to do this to her, but she told me to take out the loans so that I am able to go to school. Now she is struggling to make money to pay off the loans. All of the scholarships that you are going to get will only be able to pay off for your freshman year, but after that...I do not know. I feel like that I should drop out of school so that I do not have to burden her anymore. Even though I know that I would not have to pay off the loans until after I graduate, I will still take out more loans.

If possible, I would go back in time to tell high school AshLee to be more active amongst the student body. I would have joined more clubs, such as Associated Student Body programs and the science clubs. I would also tell myself to study more and learn more study habits, rather than 30 minute study nights. Lastly, I would have told myself to be more confident in my answers and learnings, and be more confident in myself in general. I would encourage myself to be more outgoing and positive, instead of being negative and realistic. This type of attitude would have made my high school experience less depressing for myself, and more happier knowing I have confidence in what I do.

Always plan ahead and figure out what your graduation requirements and what the degree requirements are needed to graduate. In college, not everyone knows what they want to do and thus it is always good to experiment. Depending on the type of degree, there are going to be some that take longer if you didn't enroll in the program right at the beginning. As long as you live at home and are not required to pay any fees, take advantage in saving all money that is possible.

Don't be afraid that you will disappoint your parents. It's your biggest fear, but your path is no where near the path that mom has dreamt out for you. In the end mom and dad will be amazed at what you've done and maybe even a little jealous. You have no idea what you want to do with your life right now, but that's not a bad thing. You will find your calling. It will take awhile, but it will be a lot of fun trying to find out what that calling is. Take classes from different subject fields and work differnet jobs to gain as much experience as possible. That will help you find the path that you are meant to be on. You'll learn about and raise your own limits. Be patient and don't let your temper get the better of you. Most of all remember to be thankful to everyone that has helped you during your college career. They will always be there for you to lean on and will continue to be there for you even after college. You'll survive. Just don't take Chemisty 163 again.

If I could go back in time I would tell my high school senior self that I need to just relax. Once the college applications are sent off, the work is done and no more time needs to be spent worrying about where I'm going to go to school or if I'll get enough scholarship money to be able to attend the school. I would also tell myself that when I get to college I should work hard, but I should also make time to have fun. Who wants to graduate from school with the majority of their memories taking place in the library? Finally, I would tell myself to step out of my comfort zone and do something a little crazy like go cliff diving into the Pacific Ocean or join in with the students attempting to walk on a tight rope in the courtyard.

Advice I would have given myself as a high school senior would be to keep my head up; be confident. Also I would tell myself that taking the initiative now will save me from learning how to do it later. Making deadlines and making sure that I do things way in advance would be advice I would give myself to so that I would learn before going to college and make it a habit. It's been tough trying to get into the flow of doing things on my own without my parents always in my ear reminding me, I have to do it on my own. As a senior I think that advice would have made me a little more commited to making deadlines and taking risks, by not being afraid of failing.

Well, I would tell myself that going to college, even if you don't know what you're going for, is the best decision you can make. I've never met anybody that has gone and found it a waste of time. This is a place to not only gain knowledge, but to aquire experiences, friends, and to find out your true self. Join as many clubs as you can to gain as much experiences as possible. Keep close to your teachers, they are not only here to educate you, but to encourage, guide and even write you letters of recommendations for future careers and scholarships. They can open closed doors. Apply for scholarships and financial aide. There are people out there that you have never met that have money to support you and your dreams...it's just a matter of putting yourself out there and asking for financial help. The worst you can get is a no, which is no different if you were not to apply at all. If your job is on campus, you save on gas money, time and you work directly for the people that work with businesses and coorporations of interest to you.

Going to college was a good choice for me because I develop into more educated human being. I took a lot of college classes that broaded my horizon in life. Since I majored in liberal arts, I'm aware of the history, religion, math and science that deeply gave me insight about reality. My college professors very nice and professional. They care about education and they do make difference in students life. I also met students that are friendly. So, I'm happy that I went to college. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schoo senior, I would tell myself to work hard in school, get As in your classeses, go college and get a bachelor's degree. With hindsight, this is what I to tell myself because college is where you can get a bachelor's degree and graduate degree. But also you met a professors who care and are willing to help. You will become scholar that learns about aspects of society. College is where you find your path. So, I would tell myself that the college is the right choice. It is for your future and career in life.

I would advise myself to study harder to get into the college I want to attend. I would spend most of my time trying to think of some tactics of how to become a successful learner. During my senior year in high school, I would try my best to read books as much as I can. I want reading to become a hobby and a habit for me. Going to college, I would have to read more than two or three different textbooks for different classes. Not only trying to get familiar with the in-class work, I would go out and talk with some families and friends about their experiences when they first attend college. From their experiences, I would learn what I need to prepare and expect in going to another step in life. I should not get afraid but excited to learn more of the things of the world but to have more friends and have a great experience in life.

Don't haphazardly choose a school because it has a late application deadline, even if you're fortunate enough to find a wonderful fit. Honestly, it's unnecessary to find a school where you find yourself meshing well with everyone. A niche can be found at any university. Use the first semester to survey different fields of interest. Research the professors your taking classes with before signing on. A professor that teaches well can make the most intolerable subjects more than bearable.

My most important piece of advice to myself about college would be to develop discipline and time management. Your parents aren't going to be waking you up every morning with breakfast ready and your lunch packed. It’s up to you now to get out of bed and make it to class on time every day. Most of your professors aren’t going to care whether you show up or not. So don’t waste time and money by skipping classes. Unfortunately, you will actually have to study. There won’t be any more bird courses where you can complete all the homework, score C’s on exams and still expect to get A’s. Schedule ample time to study & find buddies in your classes you can study with to make things a bit easier and more fun. A set study schedule is so important, because in many classes you may have to teach yourself most of the class material. Many professors can be more helpful at teaching the material, so take huge advantage of office hours when possible. Last but not least, maintain a healthy balance between classes and partying.

I would say that college is not like how it is on TV. Yes, there are crazy parties, yes there are drugs, yes some of the classes are really difficult and yes, some of these professors really act like they are out to destroy your GPA. In reality though, those things make up a fraction of what college is really like. Prepare yourself to be thrown in an adult world where you as a young adult will struggle to push yourself past any and all limits you have ever had. Know that you are not the only one going through a tough transition from dependent to (almost) independent (let's be real, you are not paying for college COMPLETELY by yourself, so you aren't as independent as you think you are). Finally, you know nothing. By this I mean, there will NEVER come a time where you have learned all that you need to learn. So, do yourself a favor and do NOT act like you know it all. You will save yourself a lot of embarrasing moments. Other than that, take a chance with certain things. Step outside of your box, and you will love yourself for it.

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior about transitioning into college, I would tell myself do not be afraid. I am from the island of O’ahu. Although it is the busiest of the Hawaiian Islands it has always felt like a small place. I even attended a very small all-girls school where my graduating class was only 46 girls. So when it was time to apply for college, I was afraid. Afraid of going to a school that was much bigger than my previous one, afraid of not knowing anyone, afraid of living somewhere other than where I grew up, and afraid of new experiences. I let those fears take over my next step in life. I ended up attending the university on O’ahu. Although it was larger than my last school, I attached myself to friends and took the same classes as them. In time though, I took the time to meet new people, learn from new experiences, and gain my independence. Fear held me back. Now I know I should have taken the fear of unknowing and pushed to be brave and confident in myself.

JOIN AN ACE CLUSTER!!!! As nerdy as you may think it is, I met all of my best college friends through my ACE cluster. They're people who are interested in the same major as you and will be your support system in your core classes your first semester. Few other things you should learn: How to do laundry. I can't even begin to count how many people I've taught how to wash their own clothes. How to cook. Top Ramen, Hot Pockets, and the number to the local pizza place, should not be the extent of your menu, learn to make basic food and it'll save you on that freshmen 15. If you're going to drink, learn your limit and drink water. It's not fun or funny watching a freshmen learn their limit at the first tailgate party of the year.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell them to apply for more scholarships. I would tell them how important each scholarship is whether it's $100 or $1,000. Every little bit will help. I would also tell them to apply for student loans because it will help build your credit as you pay it off. If someone were to enforce this on me when I was in high school my school financial situation would be much easier!

If I could go back in time and counsel myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I had a future to look forward to and not to lose hope. I would tell myself that I was strong enough and capable enough to leave home in order to explore the world on my own. I would have reminded myself to save more money from my employment. I would encourage myself to complete my senior classes so that I could graduate with the rest of my senior class, instead of having to obtain a G.E.D. afterwards. I would advise myself to continue my passion in philosophy, attend community college, and transfer to an out of state college. I would have told myself that it was possible for me to use a philosophy degree by continuing to graduate school and/or law school. I would have encouraged myself to take Women's Studies courses early on as well. Most importantly, I would have told myself that I did not have to self-destruct just because I was opposed to mainstream society's limitations or become its victim. Education is positive power and gateway to a brighter future.

Don't come here expecting an East-Coast or California party school in a tropical location. Don't expect UH to resemble any type of mainland college where your friends are going. Hawaii is its own place. You will get culture shocked at some point. You will be dissatisfied with some academic programs and other aspects of life here. You will be correct in thinking that mainland schools, including your in-state college probably, are superior in a lot of ways. But if you get past those thoughts, you will realize that you're living in a tropical paradise with a completely unique culture and atmosphere. The academics will be surprisingly awesome in some situations. And you'll probably chill out a lot and lose your mainland edge. You'll realize that UH is a completely unique experience and you can learn a lot outside of the classroom about the world in general. Be open-minded and don't panic

Although the UH campus is not as big as many public universities in the Continental U.S., you should know where all of the buildings are before the first day of school. A good chance may be when you need to purchase textbooks...and I would definitely recommend to buy them BEFORE the first day of class...and this also goes for getting your student ID. The lines in the first week for the bookstore and ticket ID office may even take up to an hour before you can reach the cash register...

Dont be afraid to pile on the classes or try new things. Just not when those new things can mess with your GPA

If it was possible for me to go back in time to speak to myself in high school, I'd give myself and others the advice to be persistent, have endurance and never underestimate your capabilites. As I reflect upon high school, I've learned that what others accentuate will hurt you unless you don't believe in it. Their remarks will only hurt you emotionally and mentally and in whatever negative things they speak of don't ever believe in it. Instead, prove them wrong. There are times when you want to be like others, but you shouldn't. It's your originality that makes you extremely amazing. Instead, smile and learn because someday you'll use the application of knowledge to it's finest to impact and help an individual or the world for good in any way. Your heart and mind is pure and don't ever let anyone define who you are because you only know yourself the best.

I didn't go to highschool and I started college at 16. If I could go back to my 15 year old self, I'd tell myself to never mention Hawaii. I thought about going to Hawaii, but the bear mention caused my crazy parents to move there to establish residency. I didn't want to let them down and with residency, it was actually pretty affordable to go there. I still feel like my potential is wasted at Hawaii and that it won't impress any employers. I find a lot of people from the north east can't adjust to the Hawaii lifestyle. I love the Northeast and the only good thing I find about school in Hawaii is studying abroad (away from Hawaii). The study abroad program is good and I loved that experience. I'd tell my younger self that I could do better and find a place where I would be appreciated for my mind and not scolded for my pale skin.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to take school more seriously. I have had a hard time keeping my GPA up in college because I did not gain a good study ethic in high school. I used to breeze through classes and only do what was required of me. I see not that it makes school a lot harder if you don't really try in school and work hard. My first few years of school my GPA dropped significantly because I was not focused and cared more about my social life than my school work. I have been paying for that mistake for two years now. You don't realize how hard it is to get your GPA back up until it drops. I also see now that the harder you try in school the more opportunities you have in life, whether is it financial help with school costs, internships you are really interested in, or a dream job that you are working towards. I would tell myself to remember that the hard work will all pay off in the end and not to forget that throughout college.

I would tell myself to be confident and not to fear the future. Life may seem uncertain and daunting but with the help of family and friends you can do it. In addition, stop comparing yourself to your classmates who are on a different path. Everyone has a path to follow and there will be choices that are to be made at crossroads and intersections. Follow your own path because it is unique and make wise choices so in the long run you can be happy. Take advantage of the college experience because you will learn far beyond your dreams and will meet people that will help you get there.

If I knew what I know now, I would go back and tell myself to study harder the first time around, because sometimes when you get to the point you realize that this matters it is a longer struggle to get back to that place. I would also say that make sure that you create a good group around you that can understand what you are going through, and you can support each other. And last make money when you can, everything is expensive.

I would tell myself not to worry so much. For me, the transition from high school to college was smooth, and looking back on it now, I didn't need to stress as much as I did. My high school prepared me well for life at college, and at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, kids are friendly and laidback. Making friends was easy. It is a beautiful place, and the best advice I could give would be to stay focused at all costs! Not having a parent or teacher constantly reminding you to go to class or do your homework, especially when the beach is down the road, can make concentration nearly impossible.

I would have given myself the advice to learn different ways of studying other than memorizing. I would have told myself to learn my critical thinking skills more in depth, I'd tell myself that waiting till the last minute isn't a good option. I would given myself the advice of paying more attention in classes and to never throw away essays or math homework, because it would help me in the long run. This is what I would tell myself if I was a highschool senior once again.

My experiences as an undergraduate have made me a better person. Had I known of the personal, academic and professional challenges that awaited me, I may have done things very differently. However, hardships allowed me to truly appreciate the opportunity that was in front of me, and along the way I met some amazing people who helped guide me to success. Now as I prepare for graduate study at a new university, I am facing many of the same uncertainties as when I was a wide-eyed high school senior. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would emphasize the importance of focusing on the process and not on end results. Constantly looking for shortcuts will lead to an unfulfilling college experience, leaving you with no more than a piece of paper and a handshake. Business school offers countless opportunities for career sampling, internships, student organizations, networking events, and curriculums that target all careers. Despite working fifty hours per week as a parking attendant, I was active in clubs, completed an internship, and attended every school function available. I ended up meeting an important contact, who recruited me for my first post-college position.

What I have gotten out of college is disiplin, the ability to try new things, and I've learned people skills. The reason why it valuable for me to attend this college is because of those three skills. While attending college I have learned disipline by desiding, when I can or can not have a particual luxary simply because I dont have money. Two I have learned people skills by being an RA and by being part of our students activities board. The reason learning this has been so valuable is because it made me come out of my shell and put myself out there to try new things I normaly wouldn't do. This college, or college just in general is important to me, because I wish not only to further my education, but to also further myself.

Being so far away from home has been challenging. I came here not knowing a single person, and I have made so many friends so far. It has been a huge learning experience being able to balance life socially and academically, and during that process I have learned a lot about myself. Sometimes I need to remind myself how hard I have worked to get here, and what I need to do to continue my success. I am really following something that I love, and I have learned so much academically as well as emotionally about myself through this first semester in college. I am looking forward to getting my degree and finally being able to be the successful person I have worked all my life to be. College is a big step, but it is worth it. An education can take you a long way.

My college experience has given me a variety of opportunities to take responsibility for myself. It took me longer than I expected to fully adjust to college life, especially when it came to walking around campus, and the large classroom sizes. Once I became accustomed to everything, things were a lot better. I found it challenging that most, if not all, of my classes do not assign homework, just the exams. This was a challenge because it meant that I had to review my notes regularly to ensure that I retained the material. I found that this was a valuable experience because it has prepared me for classes that I will take in the future. Additionally, I joined the Residence Hall Association (RHA), which is a Registered Independent Organization of the university. RHA is similar to student council in high school, except we plan activities for the students living on campus. RHA has allowed me to meet new people and get involved with the campus community furthering my college experience. I can't wait to see what else will come from my college experience.

I have learned to be more appreciative of the simple things I had at home, for example: a working water heater, less bugs (mainly roaches), easily accessible food. But I have definitely met people who I can call true friends that I would have never met if I never took the courage to attend a college out of state. If I stayed in California, I feel like my circle of friends would remain the same and I would not be able to learn anything new about people and society as a whole. Attending college has opened my eyes to what the world has to offer, whether that might be a different culture I have never heard of, meeting new people, learning about cloning animals in class, many things that I would have never learned if I just sat around at home staring at the computer. College is an experience that is completely worth it because it is the beginning of the many life lessons one will learn.