University of Kansas Top Questions

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

Phillip

If I could go back in time and give my self advice I would tell my self to go to a community college first. The biggest mistake I made is going straight to a university after high school. The decision on a university is not a simple choice, it takes a lot of thought and research. There are several universities out there and a more mature version of your self is going to regret the decision your high school self made. You have the option to go to any university in the world and each university offers different perks . Wait to make a commitment to any university and choose one that will fit your needs and interest. Waiting to commit to a university will not only save you money but also save you from regret on making a premature decision.

Taylor

I'd give myself two pieces of advice. First, to push yourself beyond teachers expectations. Although I was able to secure a great highschool GPA as well as a ranking place in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my 1000 person graduating class, I know I could've done more. Had I pushed myself to do more academically, I believe I would've been better prepared for college and made an easier transition rather than watching my freshman GPA suffer. My second piece of advice would be to create a realistic plan for paying for my education. Because my mom encouraged me to apply to an out of state school, I assumed we could afford it. I found out the hard way that was not the case. The hardest part of going to college is feeling constant pressure financially, that could have been avoided with proper planning. If I could go back to senior year I would utilize the extra time I had to apply for every possible scholarship I could find. I would also have saved more money from my job. I would've relied less on my mom and more on myself to pay for my college education.

farshad

I would give only one advice is get to know the campus and schedule campus orientation. That's all.

Ryan

To be successful in college, you need to be great at networking and be dedicated to stay true to the goal of graduating. In college there are a lot of distractions that could possibly get you off course from what you are going there to achieve. Use those networking skills to make friends who you can utilize to study with and also take time to unwind and enjoy college with. Also, do not take college for granted, you have to stay focused. In high school, it is easy to take a week off, then catch up and still maintain a good GPA. In college, you have to stay on top of all subjects to be able to learn the material in time for the test. If you do poorly on a test, it is hard to get back on top of the material in that class and that can hurt your GPA, which is IMPORTANT for graduate school! In conclusion, stay focused and enjoy college.

Alaena

I would tell myself to follow my heart. I think I did end up following my heart regardless of what people told me what to do last year. However, it would have been nice to be reassured that everything works out in the end and not to stress about the little things. I would tell myself to just breathe and enjoy life because days fly by really quickly and not every person in your life at the moment will be there a year, a month or even a week from now. Take your time.

Mikaela

Miki, listen carefully because I have important and significant information for you. Right now, as you finish high school, you are convinced that you are just biding time. You are so impatient to get on with the future that you aren't really living in the present. Girl, take note of every moment. Don't be so focused on getting on with your life that you forget to live it now. Yes...you have an exciting year ahead, but the experiences you are encountering will never be offered again. The house you've known for so many years, the friends that have been steady since elementary school and even the routine you are so used to will not fit the same once you leave. Look around and take it in. Take a deep breath and smell the lilacs outside. Run your fingers over the kitchen table and pet the cat. Listen to the familiar sound of the air conditioning buzz on. These are small but powerful blessings and will be an anchor as you open the door to the exciting and unknown.

Nicole

If I could give myself advice, it would be to prepare myself for the guilt that is about to come upon me. I feel sincere guilt about the financial burden that my parents have. I would like to have been more prepared and aware of the financials of a college education. My only plan of action is to make my college time worthwhile and to prepare now in order to be able to pay it forward when the time comes. As a senior in college, the best thing to do is to make yourself aware of the financials and to have a budget plan. Specifically with my architecture major, I am consistently purchasing supplies with my own money that I feel is bringing me further and further away from being able to pay it forward. I was not aware of these expenses and therefore was not prepared. All in all, my best advice is to save every penny and really evaluate what is worth spending money on.

Grant

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that going into the Navy would be the best decision that I could make. I would tell myself that after four years of being in the Navy, I should join the reserves and go to school full time as I am doing right now. The reason why I would tell myself this is that I would be done with my pre-medical degree by 2013. I would be entering into Medical School by 2014 and then I have the possibility of joining the Navy as an Officer and practicing medicine in the Navy. This would be my best approach to achieving all my goals in a timely manner.

Wardell

Let me start by saying that college is unpredictable. You will never know what it will throw at it. You might think that you have it all figured out and then the next thing you know you drop out of college. Even if I could go back in time and talk to my past, there's no way I could have prepared for this. But assuming that I could, this is what I would say: Word hard, work very very hard. College is not the same as high school. College is on a whole another level. Attend every class, don't skip. Avoid parties on the weekends because that is valuable study time you are skipping. Study, study, study! Most kids think they are free once they get out of high school and start just doing whatever the heck they want. College is not some picnic you can just casually go to. What you do in college determines your future. If you dropout, you might be flipping burgers for the rest of your life. But if you succeed, who knows what you can become?

Adil

Throughout my freshmen year at KU, there was one major thing I regret not doing and would instantly change if given the chance. Instead of living in the dorms like most freshmen, a few friends from high school and I chose to skip the dorms and the experiences that are tied with it and go straight for an apartment. This was probably one of the worst decisions due to the fact that most people form new friendships and it is usually with people who live in the same dorm as them. Living in an apartment, it did not give me the same opportunity to socialize and broaden my relationships compared to the people that chose to live in the dorms. Instead of going out and socializing with other people, my roommates and I chose to stay within the comfort of each other. If I had to give myself advice, I would tell myself to live in the dorms.

Victoria

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to visit and apply to more colleges. Although I am very happy with my experiences at KU so far, I could have made a more informed decision if I had applied to more colleges. Also, I might have found a college or more scholarships that would have provided a more fulfilling, educational experience. I also definitely would have recommended that I get involved in some of the more scholarly activities, such as the Honors Student Council. They are great resume builders and can provide lots of opportunities in the future.

Ashley

Knowing what I know now, if I could go back to highschool I would tell myself to not give into peer pressure. In high school everyone is so eager to fit and and be part of the "cool" crowd that a lot of the time we tend to lose our own self-worth. In high school I was so focused on being accpeted that I lost myself in the process, luckily as a junior in college I finally figured out who I am and what I want out of life. But this could've been the case all along if I wouldn't have converted to the social norms of high school. I wouldb't have given into peer pressure, and I would probably be a lot further on my course of success than I am now.

Rachel

College classes are not like high school classes. In high school, you didn't have to study to get good grades. In college, you will have to study and, most importantly, take good notes. Do that and you will succeed. Talk to your instructors and ask for help when you need it, but don't expect them to take every step with you as they did in high school. You're expected to already be walking by the time you get to college; college is there to help you start running - to accelerate your growth not only academically, but also socially.

Davina

The best advice I could give myself if allowed to go back in time is to continue to be well rounded and focus not only on studies but friends, orgainizations, groups, and family. Make as many friends as possible, since everyone has something to contribute. And have the opportunity to become true friends with those who felt this time in their life had no future or could not see past the pain. In the hope they might be with us today.

bobby

I would tell myself that college life is not as hard as you make it in your head. Some things are easier to do before marriage and children. I would not change anything else in my life, except for not having finishing my education. Work would have been easier, because I would have been forced to take the classes I didn't want to take, such as english, algebra. Pay would have been better. Every job I have had where I worked with someone who had a degree, their pay was better, and they were promoted faster. I also would have been an officer in the military. I don't regret most of my choices in life. This is one I regret, no finishing college

Emily

There will be times you hate it, followed by times you think your heart could burst from loving it so much. College is where you become the person you will be for the rest of your life. You meet the people who will see you through the worst and best times of your life. Your first nights will be lonely, but you aren't alone, because guarenteed someone down the hall is feeling the same way you are. That person may become your best friend. That person may be the person studying flashcards with you at three am on a Tuesday, fighting with you on Wednesday, and laughing and ordering pizza with you at four am that very next Friday. Study hard, but don't forget that these years will fly by (it's not just a cliche) and you want to enjoy every single second of it. When you throw your cap at graduation and smile for mom and dad, remember whose shoulders your arms are around and the memories you made together. Remember what you learned, academically and otherwise, and carry it with you for the rest of your life.

Mason

Mason, enjoy every minute of your college experience because it will fly by. Some extremely great things that you could never imagine will happen that you would never guess. I know as a senior in high school you have no idea what you want to do wit your life, but I tell you not to worry because you will figure it out. Take advantage of the study groups and do not put off things until last minute. Keep up with your school work because you are going to need a solid GPA for your continuing college. Yes, I said that corrctly. You will be continuing your education. It sounds crazy doens't it? I would have never guessed it in high school either. Some tips for you are to read more and practice good study habits. Ready books that are for school; learn to love to read because you are going to be doing a lot of it in law school!! Keep working hard to get the best LSAT possible so you can earn more scholarship than I. One last thing, when you meet a girl named Taylor, sit by her in SOC 104.

Lexanna

Me Now: Yooooo Me Then: Ayyyy Me Now: So I'm just going to say it. Me Then: ... Me Now: Because of your poor writing skills, we are having trouble finding scholarships. I suggest you actually use that laptop of yours to learn the basics of writing. Also, college is not what you expected at all. If we waited a little while to get our life straightened out, I think we would have a much better experience. We all could use some improvement, so I hope I get feedback on how I can apply to future scholarships and really standout. Me Then: LOL! You talk a lot, I used to be able to talk that much when I was like a kid. Am I dying? Me Now: Nah, haha.

Taylor

I would tell myself to really look at my options, but also know that it's okay to change my mind. I feel like freshmen believe that the first school and first major you choose is your 4 year permanent decision. It's okay to change schools and explore different majors. It's your life and you deserve to make decisions that will make you happy and lead you to the life you want to live.

McKenna

I entered college with 19 hours from high school and a very high GPA, so I feel I was very prepared academic-wise. Advice I would give myself would be to go with the flow and except speed-bumps. Life at college is a lot less tructured than home-life living with your parents. You are ultimately 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} responsible for your choices and your life. There is no one to tell you when to come home, or when to study. Self-discipline is a trait that is a definite MUST for any new college student. Also, transitioning to a much larger school you will encounter a lot more variety of people. Do not judge. Be yourself and stay tru to your morals and values. It is ok to be different. Be a leader, rather than a follower.

Krystal

Prepare yourself now for college NOT when you get there. Learn how to take useful notes, now! Quit procrastinating...it will only lead to failing out of college! You have a year of time to learn materials in high school, college students have 16 weeks and trust me it goes buy very fast, before you notice it will be finals time and you will wonder where all your time went because you wasted it playing games on the computer at work. Community college is just as difficult as a University so don't come into college thinking: "What the heck, it's Miami Dade it can't be that hard. I don't even have to go to class and I'll still pass!" Don't be afraid of the cost it will all work itself out! An education is always money well spent! Plus there is great scholarships out there that you are eligible for that are easy as 1-2-3. There is even an scholarship were you answer three or four questions and write a paragraph and you automaticly are entered to win money! Now how easy is that?

Alexis

It’s every first-time college freshman’s most exciting time of the year: winter break. You have survived your first semester of college and now you are anxious to check your GPA and see how well you have done. You log on to the grading system and anxiously wait. Bad news—you received below a 2.0 and now you are on academic probation. Nothing hurts more than your pride being crushed because you thought you did a lot better than that. If I could go back to my senior year of high school and give myself advice on transitioning and succeeding in college, I’d stress the importance of establishing good studying skills. Studying in high school is so much different than studying in college. In high school you could write your final English paper the morning of and get an A on it; in college you’d get a C. In order to set yourself up for success you must review your notes and actually read the books that are assigned. If I would have known that I would have earned better grades my first semester of college.

Amanda

I would tell myself that making friends and participating in school activities is essential to feeling like a part of the community. Making friends that have interests similar to yours will allow you to build a network that will may greatly aid you in the future. Keep focused on school and utilize the schools study programs to their fullest. KU is a top rated public university and Lawrence has a thriving social life. Mucians from all over the country come to Lawrence to perform. KU basketball and football are HUGE in the midwest. Everyone participates in games and allumni as well as residents are all loyal fans of the university's sports teams. You might feel overwhelmed at first living on your own, but there is a great network of professionals that will help you if you ask! All the dorms hire seniors to help underclassmen with any questions about school or life they have. Get to know your RA's they are a valuable resource to help you through your first year at school. You can get advice on anything from writing term papers to getting the best deals when grocery shopping! College is a really rewarding experiance.

Britta

You know all those scholarships you are entering? Well, enter in more because we are starting school with negative dollars already, girl! Also, you probably should let someone else fill out the applications because you probably only lost those scholarships because your handwriting is terrible.

Akira

I don't mean to lecture you. I know you are smart and capable of taking care of yourself, but as someone who has already lived your experiences, I feel my advice is especially credible. First, never quit something that you are passionate about. College is a new world of differing opinions, challenging situations, and self-doubt. Hold strong, and don't be afraid of fear. This is the most valuable advice I can give you. You will be uncomfortable at times, but don’t recoil. Embrace your anxieties and rejoice in overcoming them, or learn from mishaps and wrong turns. By challenging fear and doubt, you learn from experience, life's greatest teacher. Go out and live! Travel, learn languages, meet people of all colors and walks of life, reside in the grey area of uncertainty, but don't forget moderation. I know you prefer to put others first, a commendable quality, but don’t ignore yourself along the way. When someone tells you they love you, they will not try to control you. If you're unhappy, don’t value your emotions as lesser. You, too, are of immeasurable value. Never forget that. I believe in you.

Brittany

Approaching my junior year in college, there has been a countless number of times when I’ve wished I could go back to high school. As I look back at those four years, I tend to laugh at myself thinking: “if I would’ve just given my classes a bit of effort, I could’ve had my college paid for!” It’s hard not to compare the work ethic I practice now to my lack of drive I demonstrated in the past. I would give anything to go back and tell myself to actually take time to read the textbooks provided. The important thing isn’t just reading the book just to say you did. It's breaking down, understanding, and taking something away from the (free) information sitting before you. The extent of knowledge one can acquire from reading is incredible. Aspiring to attend medical school, my typical day consists of a lot of reading to teach myself concepts that will provide a foundation for my future education. If I'd prepared in such a way prior to advancing to college, the big step into higher-level courses would’ve been a transition with fewer bumps in the road.

Melissa

College will be the time of your life. You will meet so many new people and be able to start with a clean slate. It is possible to go out with friends while balancing schoolwork, but make sure your priorities are straight. Don't worry about finding a job during first semester, or even the first year. Form good study habits and take risks, don't miss out on once in a lifetime opportunities. Don't skip out on reading/studying for your classes, and keep your morals in tact as well. Be social, even if it feels uncomfortable. It is time to grow up and college is the beginning of your journey into the real world. You won't get anywhere if you look at your phone instead of making conversation--that person could be your potential employer in ten years. Be someone that people admire and say good things about, be successful, and believe in yourself even if that requires staying in on a Friday night.

Alexander

This talk would be a long and stretched talk. I would tell myself to keep my GPA up so I wouldn't have to spend my parents' money attending college. I also would tell myself to study more efficiently along with knowing how to make friends that matter. Being able to choose friends who are supportive and knowing how to study are the keys to success in college.

Janie

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self I would let myself know that entering college is not as scary as it seems. It is one of the best times of your life. Do not be afraid about whether or not you will be able to make friends. Part of the fun of college is to take part in the extracurricular activities because they have have plenty of them and it is a great way to make new friends easily. While in your room studying or even just chilling, do not be afraid to leave the door open or even move to the living room. Just because you have you're own room does not mean that you should alienate yourself from your roommates. You should try to join a club this year or get into the work study program because the more you do the better it looks. You should also join a club once you enter college. There are many clubs that you can join for yourself as well as clubs that will provide a way to help the community. Enjoy your family while you still have them around you.

Keishla

There is much advice that I would give to the high school "me". For starters, Mom is always right; one of the things I do wish I had done while I was still in high school is heed my mother's every warning. From the advice she told me about planning ahead for my future, to stop worrying about what my friends were doing and worry about what was best for myself. She was always right, and will continue to always be. I would also tell myself that college will not be easy as teachers would say. You have to work twice, sometimes even three times as hard to achieve the goals, grades, and results that you want to reach. I would say to apply myself harder, get involved more and give up less; worry more about your future rather than everyone else's. Take the advice that everyone gives you and take it into consideration, do not just brush it off. Prepare yourself, work hard, and give it your all. Plan ahead in order to get things done on time; the results you get will give you the highest satisfaction there is. Do it for yourself, no one else.

Zana

If I could go back in time, I would tell high school senior version of myself to stay focused and work harder to raise my ACT score to receive scholarships to help stay at the University of Kansas. The University of Kansas was an amazing choice and it would be hard to go your first year and fall in love with the school itself, and then find out the next year that there is a strong possibility that you might not be able to attend. I would tell myself to do everything in my power to try to maintain happiness that KU gives off, and do not be lazy when it comes to applying my skills. I would also tell myself to pay close attention in English class when it comes to writing essays because college is full of essays and they are no joke. Study more and stop “winging” test due to the fact that in college, that will not help out with your GPA. Basically, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say keep up the good work, never give up, and work harder than ever.

Jennifer

If I had an opportunity to communicate with myself as a senior in high school, I would have many life lessons to share. First, I would inform myself that procrastination is unacceptable and more stressful than completing work early. I would also acknowledge that while moving away from home seems appealing, it is a much better decision to stay close to home and attend a community college for the first few years. Community college is less expensive and most credits eventually transfer to a four-year institution. The most important concept that I would stress to myself would be that although it takes time and effort to apply for scholarships it is worth the effort in the end; whether you receive the scholarship or not the attempt itself was worth the energy and learning experience. Another important lesson that I would verbalize to myself would be that although my parents seem aggravating and difficult they offer valuable advice. By stressing that tasks be completed on my own and that I should work hard at everything I do, they have taught me how to be a better person, and I am lucky to have them in my life.

Elizabeth

I would encourage my high school self to get involved in the activities going on around campus without fear of rejection. There is so much to do and so many interests are served with different student groups, if you try a lot of new things something is bound to feel right. I would also tell myself to look at college as an opportunity to be reinvented in a whole new place with tons of new and exciting people that you can learn and grow from having known. Lastly, I would tell myself to get to know professors, to go visit them at their office hours when I'm in need of help or guidance because they are all knowledgable and kind and it's helpful to have a relationship with them so they recognize your face!

Laura

If I had to go back and talk to seniors about college, I would inform them to have fun. College is a time for people to find out who they really are. It is a chance to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. I joined a sorority and left college with 80 plus best friends. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and learn from that experience. Make sure you sustain an equal school and personal life balance. If you have a dream or a goal, pursue those in college. You only live once and you want to live it up in college. Everyone says college is the best four years of your life and I agree full heartily. I had the best time of my life and gained a handful of best friends. Graduation was very difficult because you have to say goodbye to your friends who move away for jobs, goodbye to the professors who you had every year, and goodbye to your college town which you grew to love and grew to who you really wanted to be. Live college to the fullest because in a blink of an eye, it will all be over.

Melissa

I see the whirling dial descending through the decades; 2010’s, 2000’s, 1990’s….It clicks to a stop at 1988. Every number that slipped silently backwards through the sands of time encompassed a year’s worth of experiential growth; Life lessons that made me who I am; forged by smiles and tears. I step out of the time machine to confront myself with one piece of wisdom; not to change my path, but to elevate it to a higher plane. I approach the naïve high-school senior, full of hope and dreams under a poodle-top 80’s do. This is what I tell my former self: “The value in life is not in a prize held aloft at the end of the race, but in the individual moments that make up the journey. It is not in the completion of a paper, but in the passages you read to assimilate the concept. It is not in finding a spouse, but in the gift of interaction with individuals that touched your soul in some small way. Focus on the here and now, each action, each breath, and you will be the person you were meant to be.”

Matthew

Expect freedom, but also expect conflict. I fill myself in on the grandeur that is the freedom of college life such as whether to attend lecture or not. On the other hand I would make it well known to myself that because of these freedoms conflicts will arise. College students are on a hunt to find out who they are, and because of this they are considering less about what others think and more about what they want. Fights will break out, arguments will happen, and someone might come barging into your dorm room at 3am the night before your exam at 8 in the morning, but this will just make the whole college experience worth wild. Interactions with people who had a graduating class of less than 20 will happen. Interactions with people who have lived as far away as England will occur. Interactions with the coolest potheads will happen. You might even end up on Bourban Street with some people from your dorm. All in all my advice to myself would be to get of my lazy, netflix watching bum and network with more people.

Ashley

Honestly, there is only one piece of advice I would've given myself back in high school, and that would've been to learn how to properly study for college courses. I came from a small, rural school with a class size of 16 kids... studying was never much of a challenge for me, and it only took an hour or two (if even that). When I first started class at KU, I tried handling the coursework much like I had in high school. I quickly learned that my old method was no longer effective in getting my work done, and done well. I had to develop a new method for studying and completing schoolwork, and it was rather difficult. I was so used to school being naturally easy that having to approach it as a challenge was near impossible. It was quite the struggle, but I managed to pull through; I became so accustomed to my old way of studying that I thought I'd never learn, but I did it, and now I'm on the right track to success.

Camille

College is more than just a stepping stone to the next phase of life. I spent high school focused on graduating and approached college in a similar manner. I now have to balance a full schedule of professional engineering courses, two jobs and my need to be outside and spend time rock climbing. I realize now how much I did not fully appreciate or utilize the freedom I had as an underclassman. I would be much better served now if I had taken advantage of that free time to explore my other interests as well as career paths. I look back now and wish I had gotten more hands on experience in my field of study. However, I would not change my major. I found a combination of a major, concentration and minor that fully enveloped my interests so I feel that academically I took exactly the right steps. Overall, I would say live in the moment a little more and work hard.

Sinjin

if you choose to pick a community college around the area, make sure they have Instructors in the class room and make sure if they have tutors on the campus. The college your went to is not the one your looking for, ask for more info about scholarships and finance and remember keep your grades up, in college they don't mess around with grades.

Taylor

Remember the famous line, "less is more". Your dorm room may look big in pictures, but once you arrive, it well feel like the size of closet. You do not need every single t-shirt you accumlated from sporting events, school, and concerts. Just pick a few of your favorites and wear them more than once. You also do not need to bring all your nice clothes. You may think that you will dress nice and look good to go to class, but once that alarms goes off at 7:15 for that 8am class, a nice blouse or polo is the last thing you want to put. Just because your meal plan allows you to get as much food as you want, does not mean you should do it. Although the food choices may be scarces, that doesn't mean load up on pizza. Go grocery shopping and get some healthy snacks or just eat one slice. Those freshman 15 can creep up faster than you think. Finally, don't write down every word spewing out of the professor mouth. Create your own short hand and get the main points. and whenever in doubt, remember "less is more".

Julia

If you could go back in time and give my self advice I would tell myself to pay attention and to stay motivated! Everything in High School prepares you for College, so be appreciative. Work hard to understand how to write papers and write thesis sentences. Know how to cite sources and take tests. All of these lessons you will need to know in College. High School is there for a reason, to help you! I wish there was someone that would have told me to pay attention because I would need to know this for the future. In High School I thought that everything was pointless. Being in college has taught me that the things we did in High School really did mean something.

Emelyn

Before you know it, this year will be over. Most of your friends will go thier own way and few will remain by your side. You will each be busy finding your own place in the world. Will you go to college or work full-time? Much depends on what you did in high school. Did you learn great studying and note taking skills or did you sit in class daydreaming? If you go to college, absorb as much as you can about each subject so you can place at the college level in your classes; it will save you a lot of time . If you are not going to college, you might want to reanalyze yourself. Why are you choosing not to go? Everyone says to find something you love and go for a career in that field. I say, if you don't find something you love, at least find something you don't mind doing, but with good pay. Because at the end of the day, everything we do revolves around money. DO NOT LET THE OTENTIAL THAT YOU HAVE GO TO WASTE! The rest of your life depends on what you are doing now.

amy

I would say that no matter where you go, you can be happy. It just takes a little effort. I had a hard time leaving home (I am nine hours away), but it was the best decision that I have ever made. Take advantage of every opportunity even if you dont want to. It pays off in the end! Also, stay on top of your health and school work--the better you feel the happier you are.

Kylie

I would tell myself to take a math class my second semester of high school, and to not go into college thinking pre-med. It's been over a year since I've taken a math class and now I'm struggling with remembering everything I learned senior year first semester. I would tell myself to think deep down in my heart of what I want to do for the rest of my life, pre-med is not something I have ever wanted until I heard how much money people make. I would tell myself to continue believing in doing elementary education. I would also tell myself to try harder at softball, and to try to play in college. Looking back now I miss it like crazy. The final thing I would say to myself, would to cherish every moment you are making with your friends. In college you don't talk to them as often, so cherish every memory and hangout with them as much as you can until you leave for college.

sarah

I would tell myself that as busy as I was senior year, that it would be worth it. The national honors socieites, clubs, and AP classes are worth it. As tough as the AP classes are, they pay off and you don't have to take some entry level general education classes like English or math later, letting you focus on finding the major that suits you. Keep taking Spanish in college, because it becomes one of your majors, and proves to be one of your passions. You begin to tutor other Spanish students at the college and high school level, and have the chance to go to Honduras where all of your hard work in class pays off. Don't be afraid to try new things. It's through trying new subjects that you find your other passion, Speech Language and Hearing. Stay involved, there are so many groups on campus to join! And don't stress too much, because I promise it will all be O.K. As scary as this transition seems, there are people at KU who can't wait to meet you. Buena suerte.

Brice

So you're now the top dog of your school, the head honcho, the senior. You think, "Oh, what does high school mean to me? There's no way I'm going to fail, but why strive to get perfect grades when I'll surely be accepted to this college regardless of my efforts?" Well sure, high school is easy and even easier to take advantage of, but that also means the spot up there at the top of the list for grades shouldn't be unbearably hard to reach. Knowing that college is much harder than high school, you need to realize that you can step up and get good grades by putting forth some effort. Sure, you can always slack off, skip class, and still get decent grades, but why not push yourself towards A's and help yourself out in the long run? Doing this would easily put you at the top of your class, aside from the normal students. In turn, being different from others is what gets you noticed, which will help you in the long run when you are looking for your place in the world, like everyone else.

Erin

My first weeks as a full-time college student were a crash course in efficiency. I did not anticipate how much effort completing coursework for twenty credit hours while maintaining practice goals as a violist would be. Quickly I disciplined myself to each necessary task, no matter how little interest it held. However, though soon more experienced in the mechanics of my studies, I lost the passion I once felt for musicology. Perhaps I pushed myself too hard, or was distracted by the other students’ pettiness; whatever the cause, I became a joyless automaton. During a recital, as I watched one of my professors play, I saw the sheer joy he took in music, and realized all I missed. Now I am learning, bit by bit, to put my actions into a larger perspective. What matter is furthering a field, if it does not further one’s own contentment? My one piece of advice would not be to warm up my voice while driving to campus, or to fill my practice breaks with vocabulary memorization. I would remind myself to reserve a little time each day to be joyful in my work, to remind myself of my zeal for scholarship.

Maria

I would tell myself two words- GET INVOLVED! We only live once, so why don't we let this time count? By getting involved one can make friends, build a resume, and build memories one shall never forget! Also, don't be afraid to confide in people along the way, college can be a HUGE ajustment, and it can take a little while to really feel at home. But luckly everyone else around you is going through the exact same thing, so don't be afraid to talk about it!

Dani

My advice would be to save as much money as possible. Also to look around and start looking early with plenty of time to decide. Take more credits in highschool, to get some stuff out of the way.

Gabriela

Dear Gaby, You are about to have the adventure of a lifetime! College is a unique opportunity to start anew and become the person you want to be. KU will allow you to grow and begin to realize who you are. The opportunities you are given will spark a curiosity to explore majors and you will find one that fits you perfectly. Once you discover your passion for French, you will relish your time in classes. Every day is a new opportunity to learn and you should take full advantage of the resources given to you. As for your social life, do not be afraid to have a little fun! Talk to new people, be open to different ideas, and feel free to express yourself, too. These four years are the perfect time to get to know yourself and explore. Do not hold back!