University of Iowa Top Questions

I would tell myself to make the most of my college experience. To start out finding a group that fits me best, one that enjoys social life but takes care of business in the classroom and libraries first. I knew attractive women that had fun but made sure their schoolwork was complete first. I look back and think about how if I had dated one of them, I would have had more motivation to do well. I would also suggest to myself to seek school sponsored tutoring departments so that if something came up, and I needed assistance with it, I would know where to go. The other issue for me was financial aid. I did work-study because my family could not afford to pay for my tuition. I would tell me now to work minimal hours but to keep in mind that if I increased my GPA, I could earn more money for school than working 20 hours a week at a dead-end job.

Do not hold back on your dreams or curiosities for your friends. Overall, going to college with or without your oldest friends will be an amazing and memorable experience. Plan ahead and apply for scholarships, work and save money, and be yourself. Be open-minded to learning and experiencing new things but do not forget who you are. Your individuality is what will create the strongest attractions and friendships in yoru life. Lastly, apply yourself and learn how to study before you get to college and give everything you do your best effort.

Trying to find alternate ways to pay for college I joined the Marines right after high school. Here I picked up many great time management skills and habits that helped me out on the day to day duties. But after inspections, deployments and training evolutions I had failed to use my time management skills for the one thing I had set out in mind to do with my time in the service. To get a head start on my education, and take online classes. Now after my transition from active duty military to student veteran I can see how easy it would have been to just take one class each semester and over a period of a 5 year enlistment it would of added up to a good amount of credits ahead of the game, farther than I would be where I am now in my third semester. So walking back home from the last day of high school next to my younger self I would tell myself to better occupy the spare time I will encounter, to start college as soon as possible because it can be done and would help me by being farther ahead in college.

Dear High School Me, Relax, have fun, and be yourself. You will never forget this time of your life. Going out of your way to fit with a crowd is not worth your time. Once college comes around, you will start to realize what kind of person you really are; you are independent, strong, and hard working. Remember that your family will always be there for you. The transition to college life will be hard but worth it. Keep in contact with those closest to you, and always tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life. You will need the shoulders to lean on. Always tell them how much they mean to you. Don’t forget that school work is important. That grade point really will help you in the future and so will those tests that you stressed about. Plain and simple, college is hard. The tests are hard. The homework is hard. But you can do it, I promise. Keep that goal of yours in mind, you will one day be that nurse that you’ve always dreamt of becoming. Enjoy every bit you have left. Have confidence in your future. Sincerely, College Me

My advice to myself would be to be more prepared for all the challenges that students are faced with; big or small. There are things that you will face in the future that will test you but no matter what there are people and friends there to help you. Also do not hold back on what you do in life. Never second guess yourself or worry what someone will think; its better to be yourself. Ask questions. If you want to know something speak up because you never know what you might be missing. Engage in as much as you can because it will open many doors for you and lead you to new things that you might enjoy. Most importantly think for yourself and do not let others tell you what you need to do or what you should be doing with your life; you have to be independant and make the decisions that are best for you.

College is not high school. I breezed by in high school without much effort and graduated with honors. I thought I could do that when I started school here and was sorely disappointed. My first semester freshman year wasn't bad because I took a few seminars (I highly recommend looking into first-year seminars. They are really fun and are only available to freshmen so take them while you can) and had lucked out with other relatively easy classes. I was able to keep a pretty good GPA without too much studying, but the next semester really kicked my butt. My GPA took a sizable hit and I almost lost a pretty big scholarship. The best way to approach college is to work hard and study hard so you know what it takes to get the grade you want (instead of going easy and then working your butt off at the end to make up lost points) and then adjust your study habits to what works best for you and what you need to do to get the GPA you want. Regardless of where you decide to go to school, the best way that you can get to know people is to keep your door open in the residence halls. It's impossible for people in the hallway not to look through an open doorway when they walk by and it's impossible for you not to look when you see someone walk past the open door. You will get to know the people on your floor and in your hall so much faster this way and a lot of these people will become your friends for the rest of college and life. Also, there are lots of Cambus routes and the most confusing ones are Blue Route and Red Route. Just remember that when you're at the Pentacrest (grassy area with 5 buildings, hence the name, including the Old Capitol) BLUE goes to BURGE and RED goes to RIENOW. Knowing that will help you more than you know in your first few weeks.

College is not high school. I breezed by in high school without much effort and graduated with honors. I thought I could do that when I started school here and was sorely disappointed. My first semester freshman year wasn't bad because I took a few seminars (I highly recommend looking into first-year seminars. They are really fun and are only available to freshmen so take them while you can) and had lucked out with other relatively easy classes. I was able to keep a pretty good GPA without too much studying, but the next semester really kicked my butt. My GPA took a sizable hit and I almost lost a pretty big scholarship. The best way to approach college is to work hard and study hard so you know what it takes to get the grade you want (instead of going easy and then working your butt off at the end to make up lost points) and then adjust your study habits to what works best for you and what you need to do to get the GPA you want. Also, there are lots of Cambus routes and the most confusing ones are Blue Route and Red Route. Just remember that when you're at the Pentacrest (grassy area with 5 buildings, hence the name, including the Old Capitol) BLUE goes to BURGE and RED goes to RIENOW. Knowing that will help you more than you know in your first few weeks.

College is not high school. I breezed by in high school without much effort and graduated with honors. I thought I could do that when I started school here and was sorely disappointed. My first semester freshman year wasn't bad because I took a few seminars (I highly recommend looking into first-year seminars. They are really fun and are only available to freshmen so take them while you can) and had lucked out with other relatively easy classes. I was able to keep a pretty good GPA without too much studying, but the next semester really kicked my butt. My GPA took a sizable hit and I almost lost a pretty big scholarship. The best way to approach college is to work hard and study hard so you know what it takes to get the grade you want (instead of going easy and then working your butt off at the end to make up lost points) and then adjust your study habits to what works best for you and what you need to do to get the GPA you want.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would give myself advice I had otherwise never been given. I would tell myself to take the time and choose the right college, instead of going to the cheaper one. I would tell myself that it's better to be happy where you attend school, because if you're not happy, you're less likely to attend class. I would tell myself that applying for scholarships before you even know if you're accepted to college is never a bad thing. If I could give myself advice when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself that I'm awesome. I would remind myself that I have succeeded in so many things- numerous musicals, the lead role in the senior musical, secretary of the drama club, high ratings at state vocal contests, national honor society, excellent grades, cheerleading captain- and that relaxing never killed anybody. If I could go back to my senior year and give myself advice, I would tell myself that all the effort I put into everything I was doing would pay off in the long-run.

I understand how hard it is to stay focused right now. In high school, it was more challenging to skip class and your parents got your report card. You'll find in college, they won't call your parents when you skip class or don't do your work. You fail. You're paying for these classes; and books are expensive. If you don't pass, you end up with nothing but a low GPA. If I could tell you anything, it is to stay focused. If you're schedule makes you feel so overwhelmed that you feel you must skip class, then one of the classes later, when you can be more focused. I know there is pressure to be full time, but it's not worth it if you can't give the class all you are worth. I know you don't know which direction to go, you'll find it. Those general education classes will help you figure out you'll be a nurse. You're determination will lead you to be a trauma nurse; and you're going to be a great one. Keep that GPA up; we need it where we are going.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise: "Do not take your education for granted!". Because I was in National Honor Society with many academic awards, I presumed I would get scholarships automatically. I did not research the process on how to be more marketable, so I only received one $2,000 scholarship to one school, which I really did not want to attend at the time. I should have asked my counselor why I was not recommended into AP classes and found out how to get into them which would have made me more marketable. Then in college, I should have gotten involved in school, intermural sports, and student clubs, and worked hard in my studies, instead of just barely getting by, lamenting where I was and wishing for more--but not doing anything to make that happen. I would have a very different foothold in life had I optimized my time in college right off the bat and completed in 4 years; aside from much money saved, that approach would have made me more mature and a better producer in life earlier on than it took otherwise.

I would give myself the same advice I would give myself as a freshman in High School if I could go back. It is so important that you take advantage of any opportunities you are give for they will shape the outcome of the rest of your life. Try your hardest, and make sure that everything you do has meaning to it. Appreciate what you have and strive for the best. You are lucky for the opportunities if any that come your way so don't you dare let any of them pass you up along the way. I would let myself know that my dreams are always reachable with continual hard work and not to et others discourage me from doing what I want to do, because it is will that powers your future not someone else telling you that you can do it. You need to believe in yourself and work for everything you want. You are on your own. You may have support, but your life is yours alone.

The advice that i would give myself as a senior would be: go to tutoring and get help right away and do not wait til its too late. Everything is easier when you ask for help. When you ask for help then it encourages others to ask for help as well.

I would tell myself to focus on getting an associates of arts degree and to start doing my homework the day its assigned and not the night before its due. I would also tell myself to spend more time with my high school friends because I would rarely see them after college has started. I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as soon as possible, as early as possible, and to spend 2 hours a week studying for each credit hour of class I took. Most importantly, I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy my time in college while I could, because I have the rest of my life to work.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to worry less, spend a lot of time filling out scholarships, and to take Spanish. As a senior, I was constantly stressed out about college; where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do, etc. I would tell myself to worry less because everything will all work out in the end. I'm having an amazing time at Iowa and really feel like I belong here. It's the perfect school that is far enough from home, yet still close enough if I need/want to go home. I have met so many amazing people and keep learning the campus is not as big as I thought it would be. College is not cheap, I would tell myself to spend more time than I did filling out scholarships. I would also tell myself to take more Spanish. It was so much easier in high school and learning it in college is a lot harder.

I have gotten quite a lot out of my college experience. First, I received a world-class education and was able to do so in an environment that creates excellence. This education has opened doorways for me to countless opportunities. However, I also benefited from my college experience by growing, not only as a scholar, but as a person. The hard truths that come with the first years of adulthood have lasting impressions on us all. Navigating those years at the University of Iowa came with benefits and unique challenges all at the same time. The maturity I gained during that time, often in the form of lessons learned the hard way, instilled an enduring sense of discipline and integrity. These are not things that can be learned only in the classroom. However, it is my experience that the University of Iowa is committed to making its graduates better people, not just better students.

Sometimes, I still can't believe I'm in college. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was counting down the days till graduation, or getting ready for prom. It seems so distant that that's the next step, but after being here for a semester, it feels so natural. I feel like being here at Iowa, I have changed so much. I'm finally able to manage my time, get work done at reasonable hours, and have enough focus and motivation to study for an exam that will make or break my grade. I have learned how to be independent, yet know when I need to go to someone for help. I've learned how to break out of my shell, and be more outgoing, and put myself out there. Iowa has been extremly valuable to me due to everything it has to to offer me. I know that as long as I am here, I will challenge myself to succeed, and fulfill my dream of becoming a first grade teacher. It seems to be the common trend that everyone hates classes, but I find myself excited to attend, and ready to learn.

Iowa has been challenging and rough at times, but also rewarding and bright. It's taken me a long time to realize the fact that I'm in college now and things are different. To be honest, I'm still getting used to it. I've met many people with different personalities and similar tastes and I've learned so much about myself by being around them. Sometimes I think I made the wrong choice in choosing Iowa, but then I think about all the fun times I've had, all the amazing people I've met, the friends I never intend on losing touch with, and the professors who helped me finally decide what I wanted to do in life and I realize that I made no mistake. Iowa wasn't my first choice, but I'm thankful that I made the decision to attend.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience at the University of Iowa. I used to live in a small town that was mainly Caucasian, and when I moved up to Iowa City my world was flipped upside down. There are so many different people from different cultures and backgrounds. It's fascinating to me to see so how people have come to work together in a community, not caring about skin color, sexual orientation, or beliefs. Everyone here seems to be very welcoming, as it receives thousands of students each year. I have also found that living up at college has helped me grow up and away from home. Yes, I still love my family dearly, but I also have created a life up in Iowa City, which I call my home. The people I live with have definitely had a huge impact on me and I am so thankful that I have gotten the chance to meet people from any town you could possibly think of. It is nice to be able to have someone who is always there for you even though you have only spent a semester with them. That's my College Experience.

My college experience thus far has given me the initiative and inspiration to become passionate about my future. This is due to the amount of people I have met that are willing to help me reach my goals and show me how to succeed. Of all that I have learned so far in college, the most important is that students must have initiative to succeed. From my college experience,I have gained the inspiration and goal-oriented mindset to find the initiative to use my resources. For example, when I was considering my major (theatre), it was so easy for me not only to find the right person to contact about my interests in theatre, but also to get involved in theatre productions with people who truly want to see me suceed. It has been valuable for me to attend the University of Iowa because of all the connections that so easily form between students and their teachers, advisors, and other community members, who all have the same goal- to help students reach their goals.

I started my college experience living at home and attending a community college. After attending the University of Iowa, I was forced to re-learn study habits, independence, and how to live on my own. I have gone from virtually never opening a textbook at my community college to studying at least 6 hours a night on weeknights at U of Iowa. I've realized that if I want to do well and attend medical school, I must dedicate the majority of my time to my schoolwork and less towards having the college social life. My grades are incredibly important to me, so I've had no problem setting my priorities in college. I've also learned while attending U of Iowa how to be a truly independent person. I've learned how to budget my time and money and to buy things that are only necessary. I can tell that I have made an extreme change in lifestyle since I started attending the University of Iowa.

I went into college in August nervous and anxious for the unknown adventure on which I was about to embark. I did not know anyone and was afraid I would fail. Soon, though, I began making friends, studying, living on my own, and realizing that I might be able to "make it." I had a hard time making friends in high school, so it was refreshing to come to college and meet so many people with whom I got along. Another aspect of college that made me nervous was the thought of living on my own. I had never lived without my parents for more than the occasional week-long summer camp, so staying in a dorm room for three months without seeing them gave me anxiety. Luckily, I have had a great experience with my roommates and living on my own thus far. Classes themselves have also already taught me an immense amount about myself - my learning style, my interests, ways I can improve, and more. Overall, all of the above have worked out for me and taught me because of my school and the people I have met here. I cannot imagine beginning my studies anywhere else.

I have gained a new found dedication in education and all aspects of life. My freshman year as a unguided student I jumped into a junior college. I immediately joined architecture and general education classes as well. Pushing along certain aspects of the major particulary sustainability, conservation, and alternative energy sparked the beginning of a passion in me and my creed for dedication in all I do for now. Without a plan for education I stumbled through classes routinely for the bare minimum C or B grades. Later I began using planning tools for transfer, general education and Biology degree reqs. I have learned now that one must always take positive knowledge from any event in life which can be used to build success out of seemingly dire situations. After evaluating where I am and want to be in life I realized my potential is present but only through dedication can it be tapped. Now having finished my fall semester with a 4.0 semester gpa I value a lesson in dedication. I plan to graduate Fall 2011 with a A.S. in Biology, transfer to SFSU to start a Enviromental Science Degree and suceed further in life.

My college experiene, so far, has opened my eyes. I've met people from completely different backgrounds as myself, and I've gotten the privelege of learning about so many different cultures. The diversity of the University of Iowa is really great. One of my best friends is African American (and being from a predominantly white city this was something new for me) and he took me to the Afro House (the house where the Black Student Union and other African American groups meet) and I sat and listened to their meeting and it was really great to hear them talking about their ancestry and the way they were brought up, and it opened my eyes to different cultures. I've also met many people in the LGBT community and it has increased my tolerance level even more. Along with a great academic program that is allowing me to pursue my dreams of pharmaceutical research by getting a chemical engineering degree, the University of Iowa is rich with cultural diversity that has made me more aware and more open to learning about people who come from different places than me.

It seems cliche, but I truely believe that my experience thus far has opened my mind. I have learned so much about the world and it has inspired me to become a better human being then I was when I first arrived. I have tried new experiences that I had only dreamed of before my arrival. I have gained an empathy for my fellow man, and I am being inspired to do something to better the world for all. Every experience that I have had, the good, the bad and the just plain awkward, have all changed me for the better. I feel that I will never regret my time here.

In the two years I have spent at University of Iowa thus far, I have learned a great deal about myself as a student and as a person. Living on my own has forced me to become a much more independent person, and conscious of my spending, health, and wellness needs. Also as a student, Iowa has taught me to stay focused on my school work and to ask for help when I need it because there is always someone willing and able to lend a hand. As an Iowa student, the opportunities in both the classroom and community are practically unlimited, and I have learned just how important taking advantage of these opportunities is, especially when it comes to career networking.

I learned that the world is bigger than I could have ever imagined, that life is not as clear cut as one would think. It was a great eye opener to see people coming from all over the world to the University of Iowa. It created the perfect atmosphere to learn to deal with a globalized society and diverse cultures. It created my interest in wanting to help others and assist them in achieving their goals. It gave me unforgettable memories and friends for life, and I will treasure my time at the University of Iowa always.

Before I even came to the University of Iowa, I knew that it was the place for me. There were so many people and so many things to do, but it was still small enough not to be overwhelming, which had been a big worry for someone coming from a town with a population of about 3000 people. Now that I'm in the my first semester, I know I made the right decision. There has a been an insane amount of opportunities for me. The Honors program is wonderful, and there have been so many extracurricular activities and clubs that I sometimes have to choose between one and another. The city itself is pretty fantastic, as well. I can walk from my dorm, which is entirely honors students, by the way, and go about five blocks to get into downtown. There are always events, shows, shopping places, and of course, restaurants to enjoy myself at. The University of Iowa has been so beneficial because it has made getting involved and meeting people an easy and fun task, both of which are things I think every college student needs to do.

I have learned to accept the changes life brings. A person might never know what they really want to do in life, but as long as I am in school I will always have more knowldge than the year before. School is not only needed to learn scholarly things, but it also teaches life lessons of finances and independence. I am not going to school just to get a job. I am going to school to better myself for the future. Eventually I plan to have a family and with an education I will be able to have a stable job that will help me provide for my family. I love learning new things and teaching others in the process. I believe that learning is not only done in school, but in life as well. Learning from other people can help in school as well. Every where in life you can learn, but school gives you garanteed knowldge.

Thus far from my college experience I've gained a better grasp of time management and study skills. In just one year (just over 60 units for me) I have already learned more than during my entire high school career. This is not to say that my high school was a poor learning environment, more that my current school is such a productive and challenging environment. While most school work fails to catch and keep my attention, my current school work has me thinking and going over learned material long after class ends. School has also opened my eyes to the possibilities in this world, I've come to learn that there is so much more than my minimum wage retail job. I can go out and do something I care about. It may not save the world or even make my name known but someday soon my work will captivate, entertain, and challenge me every single day. This hope and new found drive for a better future is the most important thing I've gained from college so far but I'm sure I'll find a whole lot more to appreciate.

I have gotten a world class education, some amazing friends, and the will to take the innitative to do my best and pursue my dreams. I love the sense of community and the Hawkeye spirit that follows you no matter where you live. I moved to California and people always comment when I wear Hawkeye gear. College was the best four years I've ever had, I'm going to have life long memories with the people I care most about in the world. I learned how to do research, write papers, and speak in public at a professional level. These are skills I have continued to use since I started Graduate school. I honestly don't know any other school that has this fan base or loyalty to the school. I loved the University of Iowa.

college has taught me a lot about time management and how I study. In college, I experimented with a lot of different ways to study such as in a coffee shop, in the library, or at home. I found out where I can concentrate and where I can not. For example, I found that I could not concentrate at a coffee shop but I can concentrate at a particular library. I also found out I could not study 24hrs, and it's better for me personally to have frequent breaks and that helps me concentrate more when I am studying. I think I found out a lot of things from the hard way, through bad experiences. Highschool was a breeze and I did not think college was going to be a lot harder. I did not study that much and cramed a lot my first years of college . I learned that no one is interested in whether I finish my homework or study 24 hrs and I need to do that for myself. I figured out if I wanted the good grade and to graduate from college, I needed to put in a lot more than I was doing now.

I have always made the effort to make my life a success, and education is my way to that positive path. After high school, college was my option for continuing on my path to success. College has given me knowledge in all areas of life. I am more knowledgeable in the art of language, the history of the world, and the connections of society. College will give me a more successful and happy life. The most valuable experiences I have recieved in my past college years were the oppurtunities to make the world a better place. I was able to benefit my community by providing services and able to participate in activities and clubs that would support the advancement of a great cause. I want to have a happy life but I also want the memebers of the community I live in to have one as well, and college has allowed me to achieve both goals.

There are so many diverse personalities from all over the country attending college, that I honestly believe the most valuable thing I have gotten out of my college experience is a better sense of "me." My convictions have been tested and I now know the strength of my character. Before college, you stay mostly with the same group of friends; everyone knows you, your likes, your dislikes, and you are not habitually pushed out of your comfort zone. Once you’re in college, you experience such an array of different individuals that there is bound to be major conflict eventually. It is when this happens, that you really find out what you're made of and how strong your will is. Your very nature and moral fiber will be tested, but if you come out doing what you know is right and sticking to your guns, it's a worthwhile feeling.

Although it is the summer before my freshman year, I have still realized that college is a defining, or maybe rather, revealing time of life. Peoples motivations and ambitions are fully released and shown to the world with no inhibitions. There are many people who drink their college years away, even without any morality, this is sad. People in college really have the time and freedom to explore and to concentrate both on new and familir thing. For me, this preparation process has been extremely valuable in defining my identity. I am more confident of who I am and where I am going than I have ever been, and that is far more important than any degree or job offer.

After attending college I really learned the value of accepting others and looking at events from another person's perspective. My undergraduate experiences also showed me the importance of connecting with your field of study and enjoying what you are doing. The most important thing that I learned was that my undergraduate degree, while helpful and interesting, was not the career path for me, but it has allowed me to pursue my dream of teaching. After seeing how little teachers cared about students in my undergraduate program I will strive to teach others with compassion and the willingness to help students learn.

Even in high school I knew that college was going to be a challenge, even going to a junior college. This is now my fourth semester going to school and I am very proud of my self. There were many times when I thought twice about quitting school and getting a job because of the fact my dad lost his job Jan.'09. It effected my family a lot, but I knew I had to stay in school so that I would have a better chance of getting a better career. My college experience really gave me the push I needed to stay strong meantally and emotionally. I learned that the world is not going to stop because my family was going through a rough time. Some of my teachers and counselors really help me build up motivation to keep pushing. My college experience is kind of like my transition phase to the real world. It is so important to attend college because it helps build careers. It might not be the right choice for everyone, but I KNOW is the right choice for me and when I become a doctor, I'll be too thankful for my college education.

My college experience has given me irreplaceable memories. Memories are the basis of everyone?s life; they give people skills and hope for a future. The University of Iowa has been valuable for me because of each memory I make here; the memories of college are the building blocks for a successful life. Through my engineering classes at the U of I, I have gotten real world experiences. I have been able to create computer programs, and whole job pitches. Each experience is now a memory that I can draw from in the future. The memories are part of a foundation of a high tower that I will be able to build for the rest of my life. Not only has the University of Iowa created memories, they have been strong memories, the memories of friendships and brilliant ideas that will stay with me forever. As the saying goes, memories last a lifetime.

I would recommend that I focus more greatly on gaining scholarships as well as putting the work into their application processes. I would also tell myself to relax as that is the hardest thing to do. The transition is made easiest by making friends; especially if they live close by.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to have more faith in me. I would have encouraged myself to take more than just the minimum amount of units to be considered fulltime and I would have applied for as many scholarships as I could. I would have also told myself to sign up for the Honors program at my college instead of waiting until now to consider it. So, in the end, the one thing that I would really like to tell my high-school-senior-self is that I am smart and I need to believe more in myself; others already know it so it is time for me to recognize it too.

There are three pieces of advice that could have helped me immensly with the college transition. The first is the importance of establishing a healthy routine. When I moved away from home for the first time, all the habits and structures I had grown up with went out the window. I slept at random times, never getting a full night of sleep, ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and had no study routine whatsoever. That lifestyle took a serious toll on my grades, physical health, and mental clarity. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to sleep at night, and approach my schoolwork like a 9-5 job during the day. Secondly, I'd tell myself to expect constant change. Friends will transfer, drop out, and change. Most people switch majors at least once. Students who are prepared to be flexible will cope much better. Lastly, I would encourage myself to think carefully when making decisions, because everything counts. The quality of your work, the impressions you make on people, and the overall amount of passion you put into everything you do will directly affect the rest of your college life, and possibly even life after college.

If I were to go back and talk to my old high school self, I would tell myself to take as many classes as I can at the community college during my senior year. The classes are free when taking them through high school and they can give you a headstart on your general education classes. I would also tell myself to work more at my job and to save more money. Once you get to college you have to support yourself, which is hard. Having extra money saved can help take a lot of stress away. I would tell myself to try to make as many friends as I can my first year in college. Do not continue to hang out with your high school friends that went to the same college. Try to branch out, keep your high school friends, but make a whole bunch of new friends. Lastly, I would tell myself not to become discouraged if classes do not go the way you want. Stay positive and keep working hard. Things will turn around if you keep your head up and charge forward. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel!

"First off, Teen Sam, a Psychology major was a great choice. It was just as interesting as you anticipated. The only problem was you were too shy with your academic advisor, worried too much about wasting her time. Your advisor is there to help you. If you have a question, you should ask it. Tell your advisor about your passions. I know some times you feel like you have it all figured out and you should free up your advisor's services for your less composed contemporaries, but believe me, you could use the advise. Psychology is a humongous field, and if you inform your advisor of the aspects that interest you the most, she could steer you in the direction of a human relations minor. This will Narrow your focus and you will discover classes that truly pique your interest. In fulfilling your human relations minor you will get a better understanding of the many careers you have already considered and learn many skills in diversity and counseling. And it is through counseling that you discover a field with enough opportunities to keep you satisfied for years to come."

If i were able to go back in time i would have a lot of advice for myself. First of all i would tell myself that i really need to find scholarships. As a senior i thought i was"too cool" to apply for scholarships. Now looking back i wish i had gotten over that. With my financial situation i really could have used them. I would also tell myself to open up. I was a very shy girl in high school, and it kind of carried over into college. I wish i could have told myself to try new things and just put myself out there. The last thing i would tell myself is probably to spend as much time with family as possible. You don't think it's that big of a deal leaving for college, but i miss my family all the time. I would want to get all the time possible with them while i still lived with them, so t would make up for living in a different state. Lastly, i would thank my parents every chance i got for everything they have done and will be doing.

The biggest thing that I would tell myself as a high school senior would be: "Don't be so nervous." I have come to realize that college is no more difficult than high school, as long as you manage your time efficiently. I was so worried in high school that I wouldn't be prepared for classes and the such, but now I feel as though I was overprepared. Also, I would tell my senior self that living in dorms is not the best thing to do, at least in a loud dorm. I wish that I had to chosen to stay in a quiet dorm where I would actually feel like I was going to college. As of right now, some kids on my floor are attending class just a couple times a week, and spent most of their time drinking or using marijuana. The age-old addage about surrounding yourself with good people rings true. I have had to focus extra hard on maintaing my scholarly disposition.

I would tell myself dont listen to everybody when they say high school is just like college but harder. Because that was my mind set and thats completely false. IT IS NOTHING LIKE HIGH SCHOOL. Your on your own when it comes to everything and classes are ten times harder. You actually have to study and prepare for class. You have professors not teachers and you have to realize it is a difference. I would tell myself you can do it. Back at my high school i had no role models when it comes to a black male student graduating from my high school and being successful in college. So i was thinking it was impossible. I thought wrong I am living proof it is possible with my 3.34 g.p.a first semester. I would tell myself a quote my professor told me and that is TIME=SUCCESS. and those two words are so correct in more ways than one. I learned quickly if you want an A in college YOU MUST put in the time and study. I think if i would have knew this stuff six months ago i definetly would have been better off.

That going to college doesn't have to be a financial burden and that there are plenty of resources out there that are willing to help me pay for my education. I would tell myself that college is a wonderful experience and the opportunities are endless. There's nothing like a college degree or even a certification to help you feel like you really accomplished something in life. I would tell myself that there's no big rush to finish and that you can take your time until you figure out what it is you want to be in life, just as long as you apply yourself and stick with it. Never give up on your dreams. There is no such thing as I can't it's either I will or I won't . To Fail is to be defeated and for me that is not an option.

The college experience for me has been even further enriched by my age. In some ways that is a positive, but when it comes to my retention skills it is imperative that I study longer, try harder and do better. If I could go back in time and talk to myself one of the first things I would discuss is health. I abused my body when I was younger and filled it with things that no body should ever experience. In all honesty I know that the things I did as a young adult are now affecting my memory/retention/comprehension skills. I would eat healthier, exercise and I would have never taught myself to smoke, yes taught. All my girls were doing it and I was foolish enough to think it would make me look cool like them. It took me almost two years to learn how to slowly kill myself. I would have talked about how I am not taking any breaks between high school and college and go STRAIGHT to college. It was much easier then to retain things. I was the most absorbent sponge often able to completely describe something that I had seen in passing.

One year ago, as a high school senior, I was uncertain about where I would be going to college and what I would be studying. My friends had applied to an absolutely ridiculous number of schools and were beginning to narrow down their choices, causing me to worry that I was doing everything wrong in comparison. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would offer the high school senior me a high-five first. I relaxed and took my time and made a decision that I am now incredibly happy with. I would tell the old me not to doubt myself when people questioned me about my "different" major choices: English and Pre-med. I would remind myself that it is important to maintain friendships from high school, but reveal that at college new, close friends can be made quickly and easily. Mostly, though, I would just remind my younger self to relax and enjoy every moment of the transition--because it only happens once.

If I could turn back time to advise my pre-college self about the challenges ahead, there would be much to say. However, two important tips stand out above the rest. Be friendly with everyone you meet; and keep up with the assigned reading for all of your classes. Making an effort to get along with everyone is imperative. Although some of the people you meet will prove to be truly unwelcoming, chances are you will run into them again, and maybe not so far down the road. Group projects are common in college and some student organizations vote on prospective members. Networking is the best asset that you can build in college, smile and introduce yourself often. To aid your college transition, professors assign a lot of reading during the first semester. Stay on top of it! Professors often pull exam questions straight from the assigned reading. If you set aside two hours a day to read for class, you will be ahead of your classmates and confident during exam time. Balance is always important, so remember to have a lot of fun! College is the best time of your life; use your time to your advantage. Good luck.