University of Iowa Top Questions

If I was able to go back to my senior year of high school I would tell myself that I need to improve my study habits because college is so much more different than high school. I would teach myself how to take better notes, and how to read through a text and pull out the important information. I would also tell myself that tests are much more difficult than any high school test, and that I would have to study usually at least a week in advance for an exam instead of the usually night before studying that took place in high school. Finally, I would tell myself to seek out help when I can't figure something out because I know how stubborn I am, and how much I dislike receiving help because I feel like I should be able to figure out everything on my own even though I know I can't.

I would tell my self to relax and enjoy my time at home. I have gotten a little homesick a couple of times and really miss living at home. When I was in high school I was very worried about getting good grades, taking the hardest classes, and deciding what I wanted to do with my life. Looking back I realize I put to much pressure on myself. I should have enjoyed the time I had left in high school and spent more time with friends that I do not get to see very often. With the difficult classes I took I would advise myself to not take the AP classes, instead take more classes at the local community college.

If I were back in high school, I would take the advice from my parents and teachers more seriously. When we're young we think we have all the time in the world, but we don't realize that time flies by- quickly. If I could turn back the clock, I would take my education and the time I have more seriously. Therefore, my advice to those in High School right now is: don't waste your time. Use it wisely. Make time for work and play. Find a good balance and it will pay off. Life isn't all work but it can't be all fun either. The most successful people are the ones that found a good balance between taking time to laugh and taking time to work. The last bit of advice is to learn your subjects well. Don't skimp on your education because you will regret it later!

Don't hold back. These are the best years of your life, and they're going to fly by faster than you think. Sieze every opportunity you can, because once your years are finished here, many of those opportunities will disappear. Don't be afraid to take risks, whether it may be a difficult class or stepping out of your comfort zone to make a new friend. Life is what you make of it, so make the best of your college years. They don't last long, so live it up while you can.

A major reason why I came to Iowa was to escape the world I once knew. I loved high school, my friends and that entire environment. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world, but I really wanted to see if I could make it on my own. I realize now that this was a good decision for me. I needed to branch out and figure out what I want to do, not what others expect me to do. At the transition time though, wasn't easy at all. It was very difficult to start all over. I would tell myself to stay motivated and to work on making the best of my college experience. The transition may be hard, but it's all worth it in the end. College is the only real oppritunity in your life to experiment and formulate strong core beliefs and foundations. YOU make your college experience what it is. Remember to stay true to yourself and then the rest should fall into place. Never EVER lose sight of who you are despite being surrounded by a new environment and situations. Acceptance and satisfaction can be achieved if strived for.

Work hard and stay motivated. There are many opportunities to get off track but if you focus on what needs to be done you will do well in school. Still go out and have fun because you will meet alot of new people who will become your very close friends but you must find a good balance. If you do so you will have fun and still get good grades. Also going away will be hard at first. You will miss your family and friends but don't give up. You will get use to it and Iowa City will soon become your second home.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior I would surprisingly say very little. If I had not made the decisions and mistakes that occured once I entered college, I would have missed out on the experience of learning new things and living in the moment. Although, if I did have to say one thing to my younger self, it would be to have a confident and strong stature in the face of any situation I encounter. I would also say that experience is the one thing in life that makes people grow into more accomplished and creative adults, and you can only gain it over time. Even though I have only just left high school, I feel as if I left a completely different world. A world full of rules and sterotypes. Once entering college, the feeling of freedom and lack of judgement towards people swam over me in waves of relief and liberation. I believe the beauty in making the transition from high school life to college life is the fact that each person has their own story to tell, each one unique and mesmerizing to hear.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definately tell myself not to be nervous. The application and orientation processes are nerve-racking, but definately do-able. I remember being so nervous when senior year ended because I knew I would have to start fresh at a huge new school. If I could I would tell myself that "Everything will work out in the end. You'll have fun and gain new friends. The opportunities are limitless. Just keep your mind open and calm down. Remember, the people who go to college were once just like you: high school students."

If i were given the opportunity to speak to myself as a High School Senior I would definitely encourage myself to take part in as many school-oriented activites as possible and to meet as many people as I could. The most important thing I have learned so far in College is to become involved in the school through the activities they provide. Whether it be through the honors society or a musical group, my involvement has truly shaped my college experience for the better. Particularly with my experience in the Marching Band at Iowa, I have been able to travel to several places across the country as a representative of the University of Iowa. Furthermore, being a member of the band has driven my school spirit higher than most other students. Every time we sing the Alma Mater as a band I feel truly connected to the other students and alumni of the University. I would be sure and encourage my High School self to stay involved with music and as many other school-related activities as possible.

The idea of going back in time to my high school days brings with it feelings of both shame and hope. Up until my senior year at the suburban high school I attended, my attitude was gravely negative about my peers and situation. I believed I was educated in an exceptionally different way than the rest of my classmates, and felt superior to their "shallow" way of life. I appreciated diversity, culture, and selflessness; for me at that time, my school represented the opposite. After being diagnosed with a serious illness my junior year, I had a change of heart. I realized that I was in no way doing any service to either my peers or myself by being cynical. We are all on our own journey - it is our right - and no one shuld be judged or criticized for their lifestyle or background. That is the advice I would have given myself early on: to accept life as a beautiful montage of people, and take advantage of the chance to learn more about them and myself in spite of differences. College has opened my eyes even more and every day I discover positive aspects of life and my surroundings.

I honestly wouldn't have any new advice for myself. My brother is two years older than me and gave me a lot of tips on how to transition to the college life. I went into college with a positive attitude and a great work ethic. I was outgoing and made friends instantly. I brought my floor together by having everyone go to dinner every night and get to know each other. It was awesome! I made so many friends right off the bat which made everything else easier. I knew I had to focus and study, but I was ready for that. I pulled off a 3.65 GPA my first semester and made the honors program and the Dean's list. I couldn't have been happier with myself. The only thing I would tell myself is a warning. I would say, " Prepare yourself, because you're going to miss your family and your dog a lot."

I couldn?t just write myself a time-bending letter and hope the words were potent. I would have to warm up my TARDIS and go back, find my high school self reading a Stephen King novel alone, and use the face-to-face meeting to express how important this is. I would tell myself to stop being afraid. Not to stop being cautious; caution is a habit that?s kept me out of a lot of trouble, but fear has kept me from being happy. Being social would still be intimidating, but had I taken heart and been open and outgoing, I would have done better for it. As it turns out, fearing the judgments of others doesn?t save me the pain of interaction. Convincing my young self of this would be hard, but dissolving some of the anxiety would have made me happier and more successful in the long run. The past semester has taught me that fear of rejection or awkwardness is a hurdle, not a wall. It can be overcome if I make the effort. This ingrained anxiety will not be easy to change, but it helps to know college is different.

This time last year I had just enetered my last semester of high school. I was very nervous about moving to a new city, making new friends, and taking difficult classes. I had so much to do in very little time. I worked on finishing with good grades, planning my graduation, and completing scholarships.That last semester was the best time of my life, even with all the stress and things to be done. Now, having made the transition into college and completed my first semester, I would tell myelf not to worry. Everything works out and things will not be as difficult as they seem. Also, I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and to start early. College is expensive, but every little bit helps. Finally, I would tell myself to enjoy the time left in high school because as much as we all say we can't wait to leave town, they really are the best years of our lives. All your friends are going to different colleges but you will see them. College is so much different, but in a good way. It's a new journey that you should be excitedto experience.

If I were to go back to myself as a high school senior I would have a few words of advice for myself. First of all, I would tell myself to relax. Last year as I was about to graduate high school, I was scared to death that I would not be able to get the grades I wanted to in college. I have learned however, that as long as a student can successfully manage their time and act responsibly, college is not that different from high school. Secondly, I would tell myself to have fun. I was so worried about getting good grades first semester that all I did was study. If I could go back, I would have more fun and socialize more. I have realized that college is a time to find yourself, have fun, and meet people who could become lifelong friends. Relaxing and having fun while still being a studious student would be the advice I would give to my high school senior self. My high school self was high-strung and a perfectionist. However, my first semester of college has taught me that not everything can be perfect; it?s the effort that matters.

Dear Self, Congratulations on being a high school senior! I know you're scared about this next year, but things will be alright. Give yourself a month, you'll make the best friends, you'll discover yourself, build your confidence, and find out what you really want from life. Classes will be hard, you need to learn to study, how to sit down for a few hours and focus. You also need to learn how to handle money, that really will be the big issue. Mom and Dad don't have everything, especially with all the medical costs for Jon. Get a job, work hard. Its tough, but character building. Plus, you really meet some great people in the campus jobs. The only other thing I can say, is that when you change majors, make sure you get a really good advisor, because the right advisor can make or break your college experience. Sincerely, You, two years from now

I actually find myself asking this "What if...?" more and more frequently. Likely because the closer I get to graduation, the more I start to think of my post-college success in terms of everything I did and didn't do or acheive during my time spent here. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd give myself 3 pieces of advice. First: Don't get so caught up in what you think you're SUPPOSED to do, that you miss out on the chance to realize what it is that truly makes you happy. Second: Your college years are a critical time for building valuable, lasting relationships. No matter how busy you may THINK you are, always seek opportunities to meet new faces, make new friends, and NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Third: College, along with everything else in your life, is only as good as you're willing to make it. So have confidence, stay positive and always make the most of every moment. ...Then, I would return to the present and remind myself that it's never too late to start making the most of every moment.

College life is a rush and passes by so quickly it almost feels like I forgot something. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to fasten my seat belt and get ready for this place that gives me a taste of what life is like. It will be hard once you leap into it but as I start to get a feel of things, it won't be so bad. Be persistant, have my chin up and don't run away from the responsibilities that I have on my shoulders. Not to worry, there are some things that you will find enjoyable, like being in new places, meeting different people, and learning what is going to be important to you. Don't be intimidated because you are not alone even if you feel like you are. There are a lot of people who are in your exact position. So just stay focused on your goal and everything will be okay.

Now, as I have gone through two and a half years of college, I believe the best transition advice I could give to myself would be "Stay focused, work hard and play later". College has changed my life and has made me into an outgoing leader of my own. However, my priorities have become out of order due to loosing focus on whats important: My academics. The number one thing I wish I knew right when I got to college was to keep up with classes and study for them everyday. Maybe then it wouldnt have been such a struggle for me now to get back to where I was at my academic best two and a half years ago. I did not know how to study and I believe the number one skill lacking once coming into college is knowing how to study effectively. The coursework is hard, however, if you keep up with it everyday then it will be a piece of cake. Then, once your "homework" is done, you can go play and have the fun as the young, free adult that you are. Thus, school comes first and it will be worth it.

After my first year at a big University, I did not do as well as I would have liked to have done. I had to learn how to study and be independent and responsible for my actions and getting through my work. If I could go back to myself as a senior in high school, I would definitely tell myself to find my study habits now. I would tell myself to rely more on me to get things done as far as school work goes. I defintely need to learn how to motivate myself and learn how to manage time so that I have time to enjoy myself as well as study to get the grades I need.

I read a study lately that found being lonely is just as unhealthy as smoking. If someone had explained to me, last year, the difference between loneliness and being alone, I might have been a more prepared to move across the country. Moving from the West Coast to the Midwest seemed exciting. I had lived in the same house for eighteen years and was ready for a huge change--to trade in mountains for cornfields, to start completely from new. Having grown up with the same people for my entire life, in a relatively small town, I wasn?t even slightly prepared to move to a school of 25,000. A fresh start became less appealing as soon as I realized I had never had to recreate my social life. I had always depended on my old friends to introduce me to new people. The first few months of college were lonely, though because I was surrounded by my class- and dorm-mates, I was far from alone. Gradually I made friends, but I wish I had known, at the beginning of the year, how difficult it would be to transition?and how much it can hurt to be lonely.

In high school, I worried so much about where I wanted to go to college. Where do I want to go? What's the academic program like? Is there a good party scene? Looking back, I'd say these are the most important questions to consider. For example, I went to high school just outside of Chicago, Il. One of my friends goes to school in Atlanta, GA. While she loves her choice, the one thing she regrets is not being to come home whenever she wants. Since I go to Iowa for school, I can hop on a bus and come back to my family's house anytime I want. I also chose Iowa because it's a great Big-10 education for relatively little expense. The third reason I chose Iowa is because of the party scene. There are going to be parties at any school you go to, but some do party harder than others. Here's the bottom line, when you choose your school, you're choosing your home for the next four years. I loved Iowa the first minute I walked onto the campus, and I've loved every minute since.

If I could go back in the past and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that my parents are gettting divorced. I would warn myself about my dad?s assault charges and how broke my mom would become. I could tell myself about how my mom really cannot help me pay for school like we planned. I would tell myself that I?m pretty much on my own when paying for college. I should have applied for more scholarships as a high school senior. After the warning of being broke, I would also tell myself not to be nervous about college. I would tell myself about how great my teachers are at Iowa. I would tell myself about how my own determination in my entrepreneurship seminar helped me to open up my own jewelry business and that it is beginning to be profitable. We would discuss my other classes too. I would tell myself to make my schedule without so many breaks in between, so I could get done with classes earlier and have more time at night to finish homework. I would tell myself how much I love it at Iowa too.

I would tell myself that it is ok to take your own path and timing. I am older now than most of the students that I am taking classes with because I took time to work and have some life experiences. I would tell myself not to worry too, you can finish anything that you put your mind too, including finishing yoru college degree. I would also tell myself to ask questions, don't be shy to ask for help. People are willing to give help most of the time if you just ask.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice to transition in college I don?t know where I would start. I think I would start by telling myself to study for once! I would say to myself that I need to develop proper study habits. I would advise myself to take harder classes all four years, I would tell myself to pick up a book more often and read outside of class. I think I would tell myself to do those extra projects or go that extra mile so that I would find the requirements in college to not b so outlandish. I would tell myself to listen to my teachers more because they know more than I give them credit for. I would tell myself to go in for extra help when I didn?t understand things instead of skipping over it hoping it wouldn?t show up on the test. I think I would tell myself to not take my friends for granted and to listen to my parents because they do know what they are talking about. I think I would tell myself I can achieve whatever I want.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to choose psychology as a major. When I was a senior, I decided to take my mom's advice and become and engineer. Because of this I took a lot of classes I hated and was on the path to a carrer I would hate. If I would have chosen psychology as my major earlier in my college career, I would have a better GPA and be in better standing to finish college on time. I wish I would have known all of this back then.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to be more confident in what I'm capable of. Coming from a small highschool I was woried that I wouldn't be prepared for college classes and that it would be really hard. I had friends from a really big school who got to take classes that my school didn't offer, such as Calculus and AP courses. I was afraid I would have to study way more than them and have them help me with some things. However, when I got to college it was the other way around. My friends from the bigger highschools were asking me for help. The majority of the students in my Calculus had already taken it in highschool but ended up with a worse grade than me. After my first semester in college I ended up with a 3.97 GPA. Now I am confident that I can be successful in any class I take. I will be majoring in Integrative Physiology and I plan on going to either Medical school or Optometry school. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Hey Diana. I am about to give you the best tips of your high school career, so I want you to listen. I understand you are a senior and you are almost 18, but that doesn't mean you can slack off. Senioritis is just about to kick in, but before it does, I want you to really focus on this last year of school. Right now, the best thing for you to do is start your college applications. This is something that is very important and will take lots of thought, so you better do a good job and DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Also, as for your last two semesters, do the best you can. Your grades this year will be very important so study hard, and don't let yourself slip. Set up study groups or take better notes, whatever, just get it done. Another thing, celebrate and have fun AFTER your work is done. You can head off to a movie or hangout with friends anytime after the important things are done. Last of all, relax a little, have fun and ENJOY your senior year. Remember these words Diana, and you won't go wrong.

The one piece of advice I would give myself would be to worry less. As a senior I didn't know where I wanted to go to school or what it would be like. I fretted I wouldn't find my classes, or that living in the dorms would be hard, maybe I wouldn't make friends, and that I'd miss my family too much. The only thing that actually did happen was missing my family but that will be something every person will endure. After first semester I've realized the transition really wasn't all that hard. There are so many people willing to help you that it'd be impossible for you to get lost or struggle with school. And as for friends, you'll make plenty and you'll miss them a ton when you go home for breaks. I'd make sure to tell myself to not be afraid to try new things, after all , college is the last 4 years of your life where you can try anything you want. So do intramurals, go out with friends and cheer on the football team. It's all a part of college LIFE!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to do three things: study, save money, and stay positive. The transition from college was very difficult and different. Students were expected to learn everything from the book in a semester and classes were short. I only studied about 1 hour a day in high school but it was not enough for college. I did not do well on my first exams but I realized I needed to study more. After my first semester in college, I ran out of money and was depressed. I come from a low income family of 10 and I try not to ask much from them. I had to think of ways to budget my money until the next semester. I feel like if I stayed positive in college my first semester, it would?ve helped me feel in control when being on my own.

Plan to ease into college life, and do not expect this to be at the same level as high school. Let the freshman year be a period of acclimation; do not over reach and suffer more failure than was necessary to provide the learing experience. There will be plenty of time to stretch and challenge yourself in the subsequent years of school.

I would've definitely encouraged my past self to be more proactive in visiting colleges, taking admission tests, filling out applications, and just believing in my ability to succeed. I never thought I would get into a university, and that negative attitude dragged me down and prevented me from realizing my true potential. Now, I would tell my past self to make use of the resources I didn't even know were available to me, such as my school counselor, to help me figure out the whole process and push me in the right direction. Most of all, I'd say "College is scary, and there are a lot of new expectations and responsibilities, but it can be done. Just give it your best shot."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about the transition to college, I would tell myself to relax. When I was a senior I was so nervous about living on campus, figuring out classes, and all the other things that go along with going to college. I would remind myself to always push myself, but not stress out if I don't do perfect. In addition to this, I would tell myself that I needed to remember why I work at a part-time job, and that although I work there, I am going to college to better myself and that the hard work that I do at my job will pay off by contributing to paying for college. The last thing I would say is to remember that while college is about academics, it is also important to have fun, too.

As a high school freshman just getting through morning homeroom seemed a challenge. My family didn't believe in going to college or furthering education. I would gladly go back in time and tell myself that its okay to imagine yourself out of a small town and out of other peoples plans for you. I would tell myself to listen to that little voice inside that wanted to do great things and get that education that seemed to be so unreachable. Instead of taking the easy classes, I would be the one to tell myself that yes, the SAT class is important, not just something "those other kids did". I would tell myself that if I would have just started back then, I'd be so much further now. Just take the math classes and go for those extra-curricular activites! Time is precious and so are opportunities. Grab hold to those offerings and great things could happen. It would be hard to hear someone tell me I'm smart enough to do more, but I would have loved for someone to have that confidence in me.

If I could go back and time and tell myself what I know now, I would tell my high-school-senior-self not to worry so much. I spent a lot of time worrying about choosing the right college and wondering if I would like it. The University of Iowa became my first choice quite easily once I'd visited the campus, and since I started attending it, it seems clear to me that I made the right decision. I would tell myself not to fret about everyone who said that my lack of needing to study in high school would hurt me in college; I would do fine, but perhaps I shouldn't procrastinate so much. I would reassure my past-self that I would make many friends, and that although leaving old friends is hard, it gets easier. College life is incredibly fun, I would say, and I'll wonder why I ever thought high school was that great anyway. It's almost no use comparing the two, college wins by a landslide. Most importantly, I'd tell myself how one friend would become close, change my ways of thinking, and make me a happier person.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to stress out about choosing a major right away. I think it is better to enter college undecided and recieve a diverse education than to choose something hastily and end up getting stuck or behind in classes that you need to be taking.

Go outside of your comfort zone, meet new people & try new things! College is an amazing experience, you'll meet amazing people & gain lifelong friendships. It's not just about what you will learn in the classroom, it's the life experiences that come with it.

I really can't think of anything I would change

Make a plan; create some goals and timelines for reaching your goals. College is going to be hard and it is going to require a lot of hard work so don't coast this year in high school. Challenge yourself so you will be ready when you get to college. You have to have self discipline and dedication in college, your teachers, parents and advisors are no longer there to help push you and guide you. You have to push yourself to do your best; you have to have the ambition and determination to go to your classes yourself, to make decisions that are difficult at times. Get to know yourself this year as a senior so you know what your strengths and weaknesses are before you get to college. Save money, lots of it. College is expensive, not only your tuition and fees, but books and the social aspects of college also eat up your savings, so you have to save and be disciplined about the money you spend. Listen to your parents, learn from them, take their advice to heart, they only want what?s best for you. Have fun but work hard there are no second chances.

I would give myself the questions about finances and overall awareness of bad association with drinking, doing various drugs and the bad people you can involve yourself when attending college. I would also be aware of the ability to afford college and the stress that it brings into you families life and personal life, as well.

I would tell them make sure that you have all of your required classes (sucha as foreign language) taken care of, because its much harder in college, and I would tell them to take classes that are going to help your reading, writing, and studying skills. Also take classes that you will be taking in college so you are familiar with the material so it doesn't all seem new to you.

Dear Tony, Go to parties. Go to class. Get in a fight. Aggressively challenge someone's core religious values. Wage private wars on Burge Marketplace. Smoke pot. Go to Summit, find a drunk girl, and have unprotected sex. Ride the Cambus for five hours and eavesdrop. Go to Tobacco Bowl and wax philosophic. Join a fraternity and become a straightshooter.

If I was able to go back in time and tell myself at highschool age what I know now, the most important thing I'd say is to take seriously the saying 'your full time job is to be a student.' It's so easy to get caught up in work, or friends, or other activities, that studying and working as a 'student' is put on the back burner. Transitioning from a two year college to a four year college, I learned that lesson late, having three jobs and working all the time. Because of that, my grades suffered and I have forever been playing catch up through the semester since the beginning. If I could have saved myself from having to learn that lesson the hard way, and to realize the point of college is to truly learn and understand above all else, then a lot of frustration and confusion could have been minimized.

I would make sure to tell myself to study hard because it is easy to lower your gpa, but NOT easy to raise it back up. I would tell myself to make sure I have fun, but not be stupid or reckless, I would tell myself to get involved, be very outgoing, knock on everyone's door, and volunteer. I would tell myself to plan to study abroad because the opportunity to travel, see a different culture, and still be doing something productive does not come around very often. Lastly, I would tell myself to spend a lot of time with my family before I leave because you won't realize how much you will miss them until you are gone!

I would simply tell myself to follow your heart and that I (or you, since I'm talking to my past self) came to The University of Iowa because this is where my (our) dad went to college and I've always wanted to be just like him. I even thought I'd major in business like him but as I took classes at this school I started to see where my real interests were. I am now an environmental science major and I love it. I can see now that this is why my dad wanted me to go here, not to carry on the Kolb tradition but to help shape me into what I am supposed to be.

I would of thought more about what I was looking for in a university. It seems like most people choose to go to the University of Iowa because of the night life. I wish I would of known that before, because it affects the type of people you'll meet and become friends with.

Be open to try anything; you enver know what it will be like until you try it.

its okay to make a wrong desicion, just learn from it and you will be okay. everything will be okay

Don't worry and do not freak out. You are about to make the best decison of your life and have more fun than you could ever imagine. You will learn more than you could have ever asked for and will make friends to last a life time. GO HAWKS!

I would tell myself that I should join the water polo club because I will make some amazing friends there. However, I should try to be more outgoing and talkative in classes so that I could expand my friend basis. Also I would tell myself that I should open the books for classes and keep up with the readings prior to the just the week before the tests.

I would tell myself that I would need to find good friends early, as meeting your friends in the begining of your freshman year is most important. I would give myself advice about my study abroad experience, which greatly changed my view on the world and what I want to do, as well as attending a smaller university for a semester. College is not an easy thing, and there are consequences for every action, whether acacemically or legally, since we are no longer adolescence but young adults. I would tell myself that I need to respect where I came from and my heritage, as I reflect my community and heritage.