University of Houston Top Questions

Knowing what I know know the best advice I coould offer myself as a High School senior would be to get involved in academic groups and not to be afraid to ask for help.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self some advice, I would tell myself to stay completely focused throughout the entire process of undergrad and not let time constraints push me to do too much. When I was in college, I pushed myself to take too many classes at once, or classes that were very difficult at the same time so that I could graduate "on-time." What I know now is that that led to a lower GPA which caused great anxiety when I was applying for law school. Thankfully, I was accepted into my first choice law school, but the time it took for me to graduate undergrad does not matter at all to graduate schools or even professional jobs, what matters is your GPA. I would tell myself to stay focused, work hard, do not slack, but pace yourself and make sure your grades are high.

If i could go back in time and talk to the high school me, the one thing i would make sure to say to myself is to work hard no matter what. At first when you get to college it might be a bit overwhelming. In high school you were used to getting things handed to you but now in college its mainly up to you whether you succeed or not. Make sure to put in the time and effort needed to get the results you hope for. Sometimes it may mean not going out much or stay stuck studying while theres other fun things you can do, but you have to keep your end goal in sight and realize what you're doing now will pay off in the long run. College may be stressing or difficult, but its a beautiful struggle and when its all said and done and you'll be able to look back at the great things you accomplished by always working hard.

As you're ending you're senior year really think about how the community college will be the basic start to a life changing decision. Do NOT fool around, start and do the best you can make sure to give it your all so you can finish as fast as you can. Don't get too comfortable there because the university life is way better. Go in do your basics and get out. Also don't think its like high school where if you miss a day you have 5 days to finish anything you missed. If you miss something you will not be able to make it up. Always go to class. Apply for the scholarships you can because when you get to the university it will cost you way more and those loans are pretty stressful. Make the best of your college days and make your mom proud.

College is not about coming out on top. Sure, there are competitive elements - like the admissions process or that quest for scholarship money. But, despite what the world will tell you, college is not about competition - it's about so much more. There will be a day when your roommate's whole world is crumbling around her. In the back of your mind, you'll be thinking about that paper due at 8 AM and the 4.0 you'd hoped to maintain. You can't afford to spend the night as a shoulder to cry on, but college is not only about getting the grade. It's about learning to be a well-rounded person - someone who can balance her own goals with compassion for others. So, when the time comes, be that shoulder to cry on. One day, you'll be proud you did. The ultimate goal is not a 4.0; the ultimate goal is to be prepared for life. And life is not about success, but about learning to make decisions about what you will prioritize. It's those decisions - much more than your GPA - that will determine the person you become.

I would give myself the advice to seek for help when needed. I know that I am not going to understand everything that is going to be thrown at me, but I am the type of person that is too prideful to seek help. I would ell myself in highschool to not be afraid because that is the only way that I am going to move on to to seek help in those around me. I need to break out of my zone and do things that I would not likely do. If I had started this in highschool maybe I would not be so resiliant to it now. I do not want to be underminded by anyone just because I can not do something. I have realized that this is okay because that how I will grow as a person and be succesful.

Definitely do your research when it comes to making a descision. Pick a school were people like to get involved, don't just go where they gave you the best deal, trust me you'll regret it. Going far away from home is'nt that bad, but only if your school can feel like a home away from home, this one doesn't. Be smart when making your descison.

If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would advise that when deciding what to do after high school, I'll be commencing a journey that will last not only the next few years, but the rest of my life. Therefore, rather than choosing a field of study simply because it seems practical, or acceptable to family or peers, I should determine what I truly enjoy and feel passionate about. Then, I should incorporate those interests into my educational and career goals, and devote every effort to excelling at them. Fortunately, even if I make mistakes along the way, I can still change course later; but nevertheless, the earlier I make the right decisions, the easier my path will ultimately be. Additionally, while studying and work are essential components of college life, I shouldn't forget to enjoy my college years. A university campus is a lively and intellectually stimulating environment -- one unlikely to be matched by most other places I'll encounter in life -- so I should strive to avail myself of all the opportunities it affords.

If I could talk to my younger self, I would say “please do the research.” Don’t take unnecessary classes in college. Have a vision of what you want and be true to yourself. I began my college career as a nurse, a dream that only parents had for me. At the end, I enrolled in University of Houston studying what I always wanted to be, an Anthropologist. Don’t be afraid to go against the crowd, enjoy being single and spend more time with true friends.

1) Be selfish. You're in school for yourself. Try your hardest. Keep the end goal in mind. 2) Ask stupid questions. You are paying for this. Raise your hand. Go to tutoring. 3) Eat, sleep, shower. You will not be able to concentrate if your body is exhausted or starving. 4) Your bed is a temptress. Remember that time passes, whether you work or not. 5) Walk around in your PJ's. Don't fear judgment. No one cares, and everybody understands. 6) Eat as many cookies as you want. Do what makes you happy. 7) Talk to people in the elevator. Make friends. Introduce yourself. Make the first move. Do not underestimate the power of the study group. 8) Ice cream is the best pick-me-up. Don't be ashamed to cry or to take a moment to just breathe. 9) Mommy and Daddy love you. They want you to do well. They understand that you have to study. Don't feel guilty. 10) Always remember to buy toilet paper... Someone will always forget.

Knowing what I know now, I would have told my high school self to try harder. I would've told myself to not make excuses. Just because I grew up poor does not mean that I have to be poor forever. I would have told myself to start early, to get a head start in finding financial help for school and to not depend on loans to pay off school. I would have told myself to study more and think less on what it could have been if I was living in a middle class family. It all made no difference pondering on such things. It just extended my time and reach for success. I would have told myself to work less in high school and spend more time being more active in school activities, creating broader networks that could be useful in the long run. Knowing what I know now, transitioning to college life would have been much more easy had there been someone to guide me through the process.

The advice that I would give myself would be to take your school work seriously. I would tell myself that you need to focus more on school because 'we' tend to get stressed out when we procrastonate until the last second. I would let myself know that not doing your work on time or letting things snow ball out of control will only hurt you later, when you realize what happened and try to put the pieces back together when it is already too late. Although most of the things I would tell myself are academic, I would also tell myself to branch out more socially. Join more clubs, thats how you will make life long friends. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to be myself, there are people who really like you for who you are, nerdyness and all. Don't sweat the little things, everything will fall into place eventually, don't worry.

When I was a high school senior, I was forced to transition to a lower standard high school after going to fairly prestigious high school in my city. That had physically and mentally crushed me, I felt that the future I planeed out was ruin and it took away all my motivation to do well. I ended up doing everything half-assed. If I was to go back, I would slap my younger self and tell her, "you're an idiot". Because of the stupid decisions I made when I was younger, I'm suffering the consequences now. If I really could go back in time, I'll tell her to look at the bright side of the bad situation. I'll tell her that even if she is going to a lower standard school it doesn't mean the world ended it just means things just changed a little! I'll tell her to strive to the top, look at all her opportunties, and not to only what is in front of her. That way I would probably be happier than I am now.

I would tell myself to actually study for the SAT’s. I couldn’t stress enough how important it is to get into a good college or land a full ride scholarship. Get involved in organizations and do volunteer work. Fill out as many scholarships as you can, even the ones that require essays. Enroll in different colleges even if you’re already planning to attend a specific one. Don’t let yourself procrastinate and stay on task. I would say sign up for your college classes early each semester and don’t be afraid to try new things. Do your homework ahead of time, not on the due date you’ll get swamped with work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and take advantage of college opportunities such as tutoring. Most of all don’t be afraid to be yourself, to have fun, and to let your guard down every once in a while.

Well, the best advice I could give myself as a college senior on my first day would be to find yourself. The sooner a man finds himself, the more fulfilling life can be from there on out. Find something you love, find something you're passionate about, find out more about yourself as James. People always talk about how important the future is, and I agree the future is important. But take time out of your day every day to focus on the present. Focus on the now. Sit back, relax, and reflect on the world around you. As far as college applications, and other pressures about college, just don't procrastinate. It's that simple. The less you procrastinate the more time you'll have to focus on yourself. Enjoy your senior year, it'll be the best of your life thus far.

I spent my four years of high school trying to become someone I was not. My group of friends were the type of friends that settled for average. These type of people had no motivation to become someone better. For that reason, the influence they had on me led me to not be involved in any sports or much extracurricular activities. I took a few AP classes here and there but I know I could’ve pushed myself harder if I only would’ve tried. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself the following: once you accept that high school diploma, social status, the parties, who dated who, drugs, and trying to “fit in” will no longer matter. All these things are temporary and unimportant. I’ve learned that becoming someone whom your parents and your family will be proud of something to strive for. I would tell my past self to worry about who YOU want to become and not to blend in with the crowd. If someone tells you you can’t do something, do it and shove it in their face. Be original, be yourself, don’t be afraid to try something new.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself the following: In order to be successful, you need to plan ahead and practice good habits because that's part of having good discipline. Get involved in the community and volunteer a little more. Do not worry about finding a job now because you will always have a job after you're done with school if you go to school. Time does not wait for anyone nor will it wait for you so make sure that you use your time wisely. I promise that you will have plenty of time to have fun, but first focus on your studies in college and do your best. By completing school, you will be able to show and lead a good example to your family members. Others will look up to you and you will be able to guide them through school because of your experience. Education will never be taken from you, enjoy and remember that knowledge is power.

I would have pushed myself harder to study more for my classes. I would have payed more attention to my school books than the boys in high school.

I would give myself a perspective of how working just a tad harder and putting out a little more effort in all my classes may have helped me recieve more scholarships. Also, telling myself to stay in Football past my sophmore year because I have the potential to be something special, but was scared I wouldn't be able to balance schoolwork and sports. Furthermore, I would tell myself to open up to more people rather than just talk to the same people everyday. I would definitely tell myself to smile more and not listen to my music in the hallways. Last of all, tell myself to stop worrying so much what other may think of me and be more confident in my own skin.

You need to e really focus and stop waiting to the last mintue to do something. Trust me, thingd will be a lot easier on you when buckle down and get serious.

If I were to go back in time to give myself advice, it probably would sound something like this: "Irene. Listen very carefully. I'm you from the future. Don't worry about how I got here. But... College is going to be very complicated. Take as many AP courses and tests as you can. Even if you can't take the course, try your hand at one of the tests. You might do well and get a good score. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, and apply for financial aid as soon as possible. Start saving as much as you can right now. Classes are really expensive, and you'll need the extra money if you want to buy gas and eat in the same day. Remember that you don't have the same structure as high school, so keep track of all the due dates and online homework. Stay in band because you'll make a lot of friends. Reserve your spot in the testing center as soon as possible. And get to class early. You'll really want that good parking spot."

"Quickly. Not enought time, find yourself." "Where would I be? Oh there I am. Wait! No! Stop!" Thud. "It's ok, I'm you, from the future. Before you say anything, I can't stay long, so we have to make this quick. There's some advice I want to give you about college before I leave." Nods. "Here it goes: Instead of taking 18 hour classes per semester in order to graduate early, take summer classes at a community college; it's cheaper, and less stressful for you during the school year. Don't buy textbooks, unless you're certain you're going to need them; some classes are based solely on lectures. Apply to any and all scholarships; you can never have too much money for college. Try not to be on campus 5 days a week; gas is expensive, and the commute is an hour long. Don't be intimidated by your professors, they are actually quite helpful and will make time to talk to you after class. Make use of campus resources such as the Writing Center and the library. Form study groups, and don't forget to meet new people and have a little fun.

You know that job you hate? Keep it. Money is vitally important when entering college. You will be able to do so much more when you have money. I know it's not enough for you to be able to escape your home situation, but saving will help. Once you live on your own, it will open worlds up to you. It's all possible through college and saving money. Save.

I would tell myself to apply to more colleges, get organized, and apply for more grants and scholarships. I should have applied to more colleges so that I would have more choices to choose from because I hindered myself by applying to just two colleges. I didn’t know what I wanted to do out of high school so, if there would have been more options then that would have opened my eyes to other majors. Second, if I could have learned how to organize in high school I would have been better prepared in college because if you are organized you can plan your whole week In advance. This also helps when you are studying because you will have everything in front of you and in order. Lastly, I would have applied for more grants and scholarships because I owe around sixteen thousand right now and I haven’t gotten my bachelor’s degree yet. Scholarships or grants would have reduced my tuition and help my parents with paying for my school. Ultimately, I would tell myself to stay on school, get organized and apply for more financial aid because you don’t realize how much it really cost.

I would tell myself to brace for the economic challenges that I will face. It is hard living in a single parent household, so i need to do whatever I can to save money but still get a good education. I need to learn to be an adult and not depend on everyone to save me when I get into a little sticky situtaiton. Be an independent woman that will succeed and stand on her own two feet! It's the basis of starting your career. It is also important to network. Talk and connect to as many people as you can. Smile and greet the professors that you come across because you never know what they might have in store for you.

Going back in time to my highschool self, I would tell myself to take heart. In highschool, I suffered from a serious 9 month concussion, which set me behind in my academic ablities. Before my concussion, I was an all AB student, my grades were great and they got better constantly, but after my injury some of my grades became Cs and focusing in a simple class turned into a dozen hammers pounding on my head. Depression set in, and I couldn't encourage myself to go on some days. If I had the chance to go talk to myself i would say: "Joyce, what are you doing? Moping around letting this injury get the best of you. Ignore the pain, Ignore the people telling you that you can't do anything with your life, and move forward! And remember to 'Forget the things that are behind and reach out for the things that are ahead,' (Philippians 3:13). God has such great things coming for you at the University of Houston, but you need to reach out and take hold of the blessings that lie ahead."

What's that sound? I look around the parking lot, but there's only one person there, just an older girl. She looks like...me. "Who are you?" I ask, "I think you already know the answer to that" is the response I receive. I open my mouth to say something, but the person cuts me off. "Stop. Just listen." I'm not sure if this is a dream or not, but I close my mouth and stand there in nervous expectation. She tells me of flaws in my character, flaws only I know of. She tells me about the need for confidence, the need for unshakeable determination, the need for no procrastination. She tells me I need to be able to balance school and a social life, that I need to know it's okay to take a break when I feel stressed out. She looks back at the building I just walked out of, my high school. It's my last day. I'm remembering all the good times I had there when she finally looks back at me with a smile, and whispers "Congratulations. Never let fear hold you back." Then she turns and walks away.

Dear high school self, I know you are counting down the days until graduation, but it is very important to know that college is a very different world from high school. Most campuses are like small cities. You must know how to navigate the campus to get around effectively or you will miss out on valuable resources! The better you know your campus, the more likely you’ll survive your first year. I think it is wise for you to make as many campus visits as possible before you choose a school to attend. Since you’ve decided to attend a school miles away from home you’ll have to come out of your shell a little. Students come from all over the world to attend this campus because it is awesome. Be prepared to make a lot of new friends; you’ll have many opportunities to network with those who have similar educational and career interests and make connections with people you would have never met in your hometown. One last tip: course work isn’t so bad if you study. Research your major thoroughly and then connect with an advisor for future career prospects in that field.

DO VOLUNTEER WORK!

There's absolutely nothing to worry about!

To stop running and wasting time; if I knew then what I know now, I would make some very different decisions. I regret nothing, but I wasted a lot of time.

It is not often that one can speak of the future with the knowledge of experience, but today I would like to advise you with what I know. I have come back to tell you that college is the stepping-stone to a better life, and high school is no joke. You need to focus now and put in effort because in college much more of that is required. The professors are invested in your education and they care for your grades, but they will not be holding your hand every step of the way. Prepare now for what is to come in the future, because only then can you fully experience the greatness of college. You must become responsible, because only you are the one that holds the key to your future. Make sure you have great time management skills in order to take full advantage of both the academic and social aspect of college. Develop successful study habits and take advantage of all resources available. It is extremely important to learn how to balance school with fun. College will definitely be different but it is not impossible to get through. Remember this and you can achieve your goals.

I would tell myself to work harder and to apply to as many scholarships as possible. I would also tell myself to begin taking college courses right after highschool, such as summer school and mini sessions. Knowing that time is of the essence I would tell myself to manage my time wisely and to use every opportunity I can to make the best of every situation. Struggling makes you the person you will be tomorrow, so don't quit when things get tough. Always, always, always study and do not procrastinate. When you push things to the last minute you panic and don't do as well as you could have done. Most importantly, try your hardest. No matter what.

If I were to travel back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to keep studying and do the best I can because although the first year of college will be easy, the rest of your years are going to be tough and you should never give up on your work. I would tell myself that if I want to be successful when I graduate, then I should do everything I can to graduate with high grades and show dedication throughout my college years. I would tel myself that once I get to engineering school, it will only get harder from there, but I should not worry about a thing because I will do great as long as I study hard and put long hours in all of my work. I would tell myself to never give up, and to be the very best in order to move forward and strive for success.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, would tell myself to work on better study habits and get use to studying more often for tests. I would also tell myself to get more involved outside of school and work on being less shy and more comfortable talking to new people. Another thing I would say is to look for scholarships early and work really hard to make sure that you have enough finacial aid because time goes by quick. I would also tell myself to work on my procrastination. I would say to start on essays and projects early. Along with that i would say to push myself in my writing. I'd say to try to go beyond the minium on my essays so that I will be prepared to write longer essays in college. The last and probably most important thing I would say is to get myself back organized. I would say to get use to using some type of planner or calendar again. This would be not only for school activities, but anything going on in my daily life.

Soon you will start college at University of Houston. College is challenging academically, mentally and physically, but you can handle it! Manage your free time wisely. Turn all of your assignments in on time. Read all of your assigned readings. Highlight key words in your textbook. Make flash cards while reviewing for an exam. If you don't understand something, go to tutoring, or contact your professor or TA. They are helpful resources. If you are not feeling tired after studying for the day, then you are taking the easy road and must push yourself harder. Of course, you must also make time for a fun break from your studies. I suggest taking a night off from studying one day a week...Friday night, or Saturday night. For fun, only go to school-sponsored events, such as movie nights, hanging out at the Recreation center, or cheering on the Cougars at a game! Trust God, work hard, never give up on yourself, and read, read, read! If you follow my advice, you will do well.

Give yourself time to decide what direction you want to take. I know you don't want to be in college forever and so you want to know exactly what direction you're going in when you begin, but let yourself breathe a little bit. Get those core courses in at the beginning and take a few other courses that sound interesting to you. Find something you love and pursue that. Don't worry about how long it's going to take you, focus instead on doing something you love and doing it well.

The one advice that I would give myself is that college is not high school, and to have a new mindset about school, in general, when entering college.

Stay strong and confident in your own abilities. It's easy to forget all the good traits about yourself when confronted with a big, wide world of the unknown. You'll soon discover in the coming years that you thrive under pressure, can create amazing works of art from nothing, have a knack for communication and that you can create lasting friendships that you'll cherish for years to come. You'll discover a nation full of natural wonders and unique people with warm hearts. High school is supposed to be filled with difficulties, but don't let that deter you. Sometimes the paths we take with the most obstacles lead us to the best rewards.

The most important advice I would give myself is to be persistent, consistent, and insistent. Work, especially in college, is not going to be neither easy nor moderate. College is a privilege that not may have the option of doing nor have the drive to complete. Be persistent in the work as well as learning the concepts. Being consistent with the teacher and work will be definitely help with prioritizing the work so it doesn't seem as much. Finally, be insistent in the concepts and tutoring opportunities. Continuously ask questions and wonder how this can apply differently.

Work hard and think ahead about your future, then plan all that out financially and timely. Surely, it may not be a problem for someone who had no faced it, but it is very stressful to go through financial problems and frustration of wasting time that was not spent correctly.

Knowing what I know about college and life I would advice myself to develop stronger ties with the faculty at the institution attended. After surfing through life both in the corporate world and amongst personal relationships, I have come to learn the importance of owning strong allies and the benefits of leveraging them to help create succint, strategic plans. The lack of guidance and knowledge throughout my college years resulted in alot of frustration and a sense of loneliness; I feel that owning a strategy would have helped me to more easily maneuver and carve a smoother path to success.

You are a senior now, the most crucial time of the whole high school career. Do not procrastinate, do not worry about money problems that your parents are facing, and just focus on how to improve yourself regardless of the cost. Just remember, classes in high school will be a lot less expensive compared to classes in university. They cover the same topics, but high school is just a fraction of the cost. Another point is to not be late and apply to colleges late, else you will have a difficult time applying to scholarships after you begin your fall semester. Be early on everything, and challenge yourself.

I graduated high school in 1986 got married and had two kids. I recently started back to college expecting it to be like high school. Since high school was the only education I had experienced, I thought I knew how college would be,the good and the bad points. Since I am an older student I believe that I more focused and driven then I was when in high school. I have learned several good lessons since starting my college education. First, you are your own strength. Teacher are only there to guide you and you need to be sure to make a schedule for you own needs. You have the freedom to be your own boss so you must make the most of your time. Second, money is always tight when you are in school. I am a dependent student and must work during school help with the household bills. Social work is my desired degree and my passion. I am a foster parent and truly can for and want to help people. I have enjoyed my time in college and hope to be able to complete my degree.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in high I school I would tell myself to apply to as many schoalrships as possible and to not leave it until the last minute. I would also tell myself to apply to colleges and to take time to do some research on each university I am interested. I would advice myself to take dual credit classes so that once I am in a university I will be ahead of most of the students. I would also tell myself to practice time management and to not procrastinate because once in college any choice you chose will affect you one way or another.

Words from College Me to Highschool Me: Where to start? I think the most important piece of advice I would give myself is pick a club or student organization and get involved ASAP - not something academically demanding or highly socially oriented, but something fun, such as a book club or paintballing team. Avoid Rush Week and stay away from Sororities - if that's not the sort of thing you're dying to participate in, don't let anyone try to convince you that it's a decision you won't regret, because you will. Find people who are in your major or college, and get to know them well! These are the people you'll be working and competing with in the near future when you graduate! And most importantly, stay on target: ACADEMICS FIRST. Don't let yourself get distracted by dates or bite off more than you can chew, socially - keep your grades up, and not just "passing". Always give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, but don't kill yourself with stress over a 'B' or 'B-'. And remember: your "college experience" is just that - YOUR college experience! Don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong!

Do not slack off, attend a University not a community college if you have the grades.

The first thing I would tell myself is to work really hard on getting my scholarships. College does not pay for itself and it is less stressful when you recieve scgolarships and you are able to take care of your financial situation. I would also tell myself that procrastination is not an option. Life would be much easier if you can get everything in a little at a time then having to stay up all night getting work done. Even though I work well under pressure, it is still less stressful.

Stay focused and don't get distracted from your purpose of earning your degree. Think about your future in the beginning of your college career and what you want to do so that you know what path you are following. Often times, students come into college without any idea of what they want to do. Know your interests and goals and pursue them wholeheartedly.

I would advise myself to prepare for college a lot sooner because my studying skills were no where near what they needed to be before I enrolled in college but I learned the hard was the first few semesters in college and learned how to study and cram in information a few minutes before quizzes and test. Having bad study habits going into college is not the greatest thing in the world to go into college with but being able to learn from your mistakes is what makes a world of difference, if you can't learn from mistakes in college then what are you doing in college? without knowing what I know now in college, if I could go back to the beginning and restart all over again I would just to change the way that I studied for classes, quizzes and test. plus being able to learn when to sleep was the second thing I had to learn between being social, learning to study and going to class five days a week and working six days a week. a word to the wise of those students going into college... Time Management Required!