University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I'm currently working through my second semester at Motlow State Community College, and, even though it is one of the cheapest schools in Tennessee, I already feel like the education I'm getting now is the one that I've been waiting for my whole life. There are so many things I wondered about growing up, questions that others couldn't answer for me, and I knew that if was ever going to know enough to make a difference in the world I would have to wait until I could go to college. It wasn't just a goal, I felt a need to learn as much about people and the world as I could. Now that I'm here, my patience has come to fruition, and I am finally gathering up the answer to every question. Most importantly of all, once everything is put together, I will be able to answer other people's questions, the world's questions, the important questions, and I hope that my answers will change the world and the people in it for the better.

I have a degree from a well known college that I can be proud to display.

Dear Jennifer, I know that the pressure to get into a good college is pressing you real hard, but realize that you are the first to ever attend college. Whatever happens you are lucky to even have this option available to you. Take all the opportunities and chances that are provided before you because you may regret it if you don't take it. Remember that your younger sisters and your brother are watching your every move and may follow in your footsteps. Look into art colleges and prepare a portfolio could have allowed you to be in one today. It's okay if you're not sure what you want to do in the future. It's not too late, but do try discover who you are and what your interests are. Study your best because in college; it's challenging and extremely expensive. Your education requires loads of money from your dad's wallet. He's supporting a family of seven working a 10-hour work day to send his children to college where he never had the money to attend. Education is essential for a better future. You can do it! - Love, Your future Junior self

I was seventeen and could practically feel the heat of my diploma?hot off the printing press?in my hand when I decided to follow my dream. It took almost four years, tens of stressful exams, and some really great friends to realize that I had fallen into the high school graduation trap: like many others before me, I had listened intently to the keynote speaker encouraging me to ?establish and follow my dream? and taken her message too literally. I wish I had known then that a dream doesn't involve a title, a salary, or a white picket fence. A dream isn't achieved by material earnings, but simply by utilizing the opportunity to do what really makes us happy. The most effective way to achieve gratification is by pushing our limits hard and often. I have challenged myself and failed more times then I can count, but these endeavors have allowed me to finally realize that my ideal accomplishment involves bringing a smile to the face of another. Knowing what I know now, I would advise my teenage self that this time of self-discovery is ironically most valuable went spent expending time and energy on others.

First off, I would tell myself to be more open in the first few days of school. Everyone I talked to had always said that it would be awkward, but I didn't realize the truth in their words. The uneasiness was unbearable and I instantly became a shy, conservative girl in the back of the lounge. That was never me in high school. I was always loud and outgoing, so I didn't understand where this girl had come from. Luckily a few days into school, a girl down the hall from me came to my room and asked me to go to lunch with her. This act of kindness led to me meeting more and more people on the floor and hearing how their first impression of me was that I thought I was "too cool for school." I was saddened by this, but it made me realize that if I had just made the simple effort of introducing myself or asking someone to lunch instead of changing my personality, the initial transition into college life would not have been half as painful as it was for me.

For those who finish high school and find their way into the work world, I would definately recommend against it. I believe that while still young and unencumbered by life and all the responsibilities that come with life without you noticing like kids, and bills you should go to college. I also feel that while your mind is still relatively "young" also unencumbered that learning comes more easily and you're not as jaded, so you are more open to accepting ideas. College life while young gives you the opportunity to develop life long friends, you bond through a number of situations and just like high school you remain close. Living on campus or within close promity to campus is also a special experience you belong to a select few and that helps you to define who you are. The camaraderie you share with your peers is a lifelong experience. You get to be involved in various campus activities and groups, it's not all studying there is a balance between study and your social life. All this helps with creating a well-rounded individual. Simply put it's really a passage of life.

Wow. It has been 4 years since I had graduated high school. As I look forward to this upcomming fall I realize that by this time I should be graduating with my bachlors, ready to step into my first year of teaching. Though I have gained so much wonderful experiance with internships and working in the schools these past years, I only have my assoicates degree. As I look back on myself as a senior, I see a young lady who was excited that she knew what she wanted to do. Teach; make a difference in the world by creating a unique classroom which tended to all of the different students and thier learning stlyes. I began taking college classes and never looked into scholarships or grants, so instead I had to take school part time, and work as much as possible to make ends meet. I had no idea what the real world would be like, with bills and rent ect. After my experiances these past years I realized that I wish I could of better prepared myself financially, so that I could get through school in appropriate time and become the teacher I have always inspired to be.

I would say, to my young self in High School, "Vouthynar, be ready to change, because who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow. College is a great place to both work on your nest, and spread your wings. There are going to be hardships, frustrations, and inconvieniences. You will be upset, you are going to be pushed, you will be pressured, but most of all, you will have to get over these obstacles yourself. The exciting part is that you will meet new people from many backgrounds and potential futures. You'll have a whole campus to explore and you will even go off campus to experience more. Always stay ahead of you assignments and readings -work before you play. Don't take the opposite sex so seriously or get into a stressful relationship off the bat, it takes much time you need for schoolwork. Get in control of all your time, finances, and from that, you get to have a handle of some sort, your future. Be brave, be kind, be worried, but be sure . You will overcome those hurdles in front of you. Believe in yourself, and act on your belief!"

If I had the opportunity to speak to a high school senior version of myself I would tell myself that I must be wary of the freshmen 15 and to be very mindful of what I eat. I would also relay the fact that classes are different from high school. Teachers do not truely care or notice if you do not attend a large lecture hall, but come exam time you will pay for your lack of diligency. As a college student you must take the initiative and push yourself because there is no longer anyone to hold your hand and no parents to force you to do homework prior to socializing with your friends. The amount of freedom you will soon experience will be a breath of fresh air, but do not become overwhelmed and unfocused. Also remember that school comes first and that if you truly wish to acheive your goals then you must do well in school.

The one thing that I would emphasize to my high school senior self would be to apply myself. To apply myself in my studies, to apply myself in my community and to apply myself in discovering where I would want to be in five years instead of limiting myself in thinking of what tomorrow would be like. I would tell myself to work hard in school because I would have the network of teachers, family and friends to support my goals and help me reach those goals. Because once you enter the real world without a higher education it is really, really difficult to press pause and start all over...it is near impossible. I would tell myself not to let opportunities pass me by, but to take advantage of my youth and the many paths provided to me at the time to attend college and recieve a higher education.

If I could go back in time to tell my high-school self about what to expect in college, the advice I would give would range from study habits to clothing choices to what food to eat at the dining hall and which to stay away from. Starting with studying, the most important thing to remember that studying on your bed results in sleep, so use your desk at all times. Remember how much you and your family are paying for this school so always strive to do your best in class. To learn in class one must be comfortable, so what you wear to class should be comfortable over stylish. When emailing professors, use correct english-you are not texting a friend! While choosing food, try to mix the slices of pizza up with some salad and fruit. The gym and intramural sports are not only fun but help your body become healthier as well. When going out, always stay in a group and make smart decisions. Most importantly, make friends because these people will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The advice I would give myself if I were to go back in time, would be to understand that the college transition is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. As a senior in high school, you should understand that for you to be accepted into whatever college you go to, it's not the college that defines you, it's what you make of yourself and your education at that school. What you do in college is what is going to provide for your future, whether it be getting good grades, or joining certain fraternities, those decisions are going to affect your experience and somehow play out in your future; so make sure you think before making that deicsion. But one thing to keep in mind as well, is that everyone's going to be afraid of making mistakes, and you're going to make mistakes, but that shouldn't hinder you from making decisions either. Take advantage of the appropriate opportunites given to you and it'll open up many other doors that will build the future that you want.

If I could go back in time, I would advise myself that it is okay to ask for help. Transitioning to college with professors who leave success or failure completely in your hands is exciting and scary; however, you need to be careful not to be too casual about your studies. If you have questions, the key is to go! You must go to your professors, go to an adivsor and go get help for yourself. No one is going to do it for you and if you are struggling, they will let you fail. As scary and negative as this sounds, it is a chance to truly prove yourself capable. No one expects you to be the smartest student in every classs, that is why there are tutors and learning centers available. Do not let your college experience become a constant struggle for survival simply because you are too afraid to get help.

The college life is very different in many aspects from high school. Socially, in high school you are with people you have known almost your whole life and it is very easy to make friends, while most college classes consist of teachers lecturing while students are frantically taking notes, making it difficult to interact with your classmates. It is very important that you are not shy and aren not afraid to approach other people. Meeting new people is one of the greatest aspects of college, but it can be hard if one is afraid to put themselves out there. Joining clubs and attending events can be the best way to meet friends that could be with you the rest of your life. As for academics, first and foremost it is extremely important that you go to class. No matter how tired or lazy you may be feeling, it is important that you suck it up and go to class and try to learn as much as you can while you are there. As for studying, procrastinating will not cut it. Putting in a little time each night is the secret to success, and trust me you will not regret it.

The most important thing to remember is don't be shy. Talk to everyone, because you never know who could turn out to be your best friend. Also, don't be afraid to take classes that seem hard or intimidating, because you could find a new interest or even a new major. Take a lower level German class, because the one you want to take is going to beat you up. And most importantly, don't be scared. You're going to have a blast!

Be outgoing and friendly to everyone around you, because you never know who might become a valuable friend. Immediately find groups that interest you to become involved in. Don't be afraid to devote a lot of time to studying, it's the reason you're at college. Speaking of studying, always start studying early. If you don't understand something, figure it out immediately; don't put off learning any material for any class. If you have to cram for a test, it's already too late. And let's definitly not find out about quizzes by walking into class and being told there's a quiz today. It's always better to be safe in academics. On the other hand, it's not better to be safe in social life! Don't just do the same old thing with the same old people each weekend. Socialize with different people and try new things. One thing that can mess up your social and academic life is playing too many video games. Once in a while is okay, but avoid forming habits that will hurt you in the long run. Overall, just relax, work hard, and play hard!

Don't worry about anything. As a high school student, college seems scary, like an impossible phase of life. But it is possible. I'm not saying that it won't be hard, because at times it is. But in college you will really find out who you are. It won't be like high school, where you run your life by what your parents tell you to do or teachers assign for you, and neither will you be just following your classmates to fit in. In college, you can, and will be your own person. Really spend time getting to know who you are and what you like, and do it! It isn't up to anybody else anymore. There won't be a strict set schedule as you did in high school, and away from home for the first time, you may not know what to do with all your newfound freedom. Explore it! But make sure to listen to yourself, to find out just what you like, what works for you. It won't be the same as the next person. Become an individual. Work hard in classes, be friendly and make a lot of relationships!

Kelli it is important that you take your senior year of high school seriously because you're future will depend on your abilities to focus and be responsible. You're a bright and intelligent woman with so much to offer the medical field, and with your dreams of becoming a doctor someday, it will happen as long as you take your education seriously. Be responsible, pay attention, and give it your all because with dedication, determination, and drive you can be anything you want in life, especially a doctor. I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Being the first child in my family to go to college, I definitely went into the University of Maryland in fall 2009 with no idea of what college life was like. I learned really quickly that living out of state was both one of the most exciting and scary things I would experience. If I could go back in time and give advice to my high school senior self, I would say a few things to ease the process along. One of the most important things I would mention is to be outgoing, and try new things. Also, I would encourage my former self to take advantage of all the help the University offers to those who are struggling in classes, it would definitely make the first semester easier. Finally, I would encourage myself to just have fun, and that sometimes you have to stop studying and take a break. With this advice, my freshman year would have been much easier, that's for sure.

If I could go back and give myself advice knowing what I know now about college, I would have given myself many pieces of advice. First, I would have encouraged myself to really develop my friendships with my high school friends my senior year and not be so concerned with making the transition into college. Next, I would have encouraged myself to take more AP classes and not attend concurrent enrollment at a local community college because I feel like that hindered many of my college applications. I would have told myself to not sweat the small stuff so much and live for the moment more. I feel as though I spent a lot of time as a senior being stressed about applying for college and not really taking in my last year of high school. Finally, I would have told myself that no matter schools I got into I would end up in the right place and enjoy college more than I could have ever dreamed.

If I could go into the past and talk to my former self, I would tell myself that college is a give and take relationship. It involves more effort from you to find yourself and become the person you want to be in your college career. I would convince myself that the University of Maryland is the best choice with the best resources and opportunities, and let myself know to take advantage of them from the start. I would also remind myself just how important getting good grades are from the beginning. I would tell myself no regrets and everything is learning experience that will mold you into a better or wiser individual.

AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR I KNOW THAT I AM SERIOUS ABOUT MY LEARNING AND WANT TO ATTEND A UNIVERSITY TO GET THE FULL BENEFITS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. STAYING ON CAMPUS WILL BE EASIER BECAUSE YOU CAN GET TO YOUR CLASSES EASIER AND WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PARKING PASS AND IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A CAR AND DRIVING. IT MAY BE HARDER TO MAKE FRIENDS BEING ROOMED WITH JUST ONE OTHER PERSON BUT THAT EXTRA EFFORT WILL ALLOW THE MAKING OF FRIENDS EASIER. AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE IT MIGHT BE WISE TO START LOOKING FOR A PLACE OFF CAMPUS, THERE ARE BUS SHUTTLES EVEN IF YOU STILL DO NOT DRIVE. LIVING OFF CAMPUS MAY GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO LIVE WITH MORE THEN ONE PERSON, AGAIN ALLOWING A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MAY BE LIKE YOU AND HAVE THE SAME SET OF GOALS AS YOU.

We have all been there. That second semester senior who no longer has a care in the world because those horridly long college applications have finally been sent, there is no more need to study for the SAT's or the ACT's, and because our grades no longer matter unless you completely fail your second semester. But if I was to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to not procrastinate on those SAT's in early November. I would also tell myself to not bother my parents about money to apply to SAT study programs. That money could go to books for college classes, an expense that was not on our mind as much my senior year. And most importantly, I would tell myself to start applying to as many scholarships as I can as early as possible, because even those $100 earned can make a difference in just one college course book or even a weeks worth of dinner at the diner. That is the most important advice I would give myself if I went back in time to talk to myself.

Growing up in New Hampshire where diversity is not prevalent, my advice to myself would be to learn about different cultures. With so many different ethnicities I was truly missing out on important knowledge. Knowing about other cultural traditions and values is extremely important and before going into college I was ignorant about them. When 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the state consists of white population there is very little chance to see cultural differences unless you know someone. However, after attending a college such as the University of Maryland (that prides itself in ethnic diversity) I have come to meet and know many different ethnicities. Meeting these people of different backgrounds is one of the best experiences that I have had so far college. Discussing different customs and understanding why different cultures believe certain things is tremendously interesting and essential to becoming a better scholar and individual. If a person does not understand different cultures then they fail to understand a large part of the world. I would tell myself to read and try to learn about as many different cultures as I could, so that way when I go to college I?m not ignorant of many other people?s beliefs.

Don't be nervous about college. If you can keep up with the coursework, you'll get good grades.

I would tell myself to go straight to a university. I went to a community college first and hated it, the courses were too easy and too much like high school. Now that I'm going to a larger, more academically focused school, I am a lot happier and more focused. Plus, I feel like I missed out on a lot of the freshman things and as a transfer student it is harder to meet people.

I would tell myself, don?t worry about having fun it?s your senior year but you need to prepare for the rest of your life, suffer now, so you can party later. Start looking for scholarships, because once you graduate, it?s too late. I would tell myself, to follow my mind and not my heart. That going to Penn state even though it was the Best experience of my life and the closet set of friend I?ve ever had. Was not the best decision I could make for myself finically and educationally. I would tell myself to study for my placement tests to save myself time and money. I would help myself make a four year plan, I would be my own advisor/mentor until I could help younger me find his own, because being a first generation college student is not easy. I would tell myself to be more proactive in my own future, that these schools only want to help you when you?re an athlete, and since that's changed now you have to help yourself. I would tell myself make a checklist of what needs to be done ever week and DO IT.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would have some very choice words to say. I would remind myself that even though a college experience is vital, college expenses come first. Sacrifices have to be made sometimes and I would tell myself that. I would make sure that I understood that I should look into some cheaper schools. At that age, I was being a little selfish only accepting to go to my dream school despite the cost. I assumed I could find a way and if not I would rely on school loans. Now I see that it was foolish of me to do so. I am now overwhelmed with the costs and I might even have to transfer which would break my heart. So if I could talk to my former self, I would tell him to make a compromise: to choose a school I liked that was affordable. I love the school I am at, but I will not love the loans I will be paying off for years to come. And if I know myself like I think I do, I know I will take the advice to heart.

The first thing I would tell myself is to take more Advanced Placement classes and to pass the exams. This would not only give me college credits but it would put me ahead in studies and most of all save me money. My senior year in high school I was active and I ate a better balanced diet. But when i got on campus the is pizza, steak and cheese and lots of other fatty foods are always available. I would tell myself to keep eating healthy foods and to excercise more often because once the weight comes on its hard to get it off. Finally i would tell myself that i must study. there are a ton of distractions and i just need to focus on my school work there will always be time for fun later.

Get ready to live on your own. It isn't really that bad when you get used to it, just live their and you will automatically adjust. You will develop your own daily routine for when to eat, when to go to class when to play. The biggest thing about college that a lot of students fail to account for is wasting time. College classes are extremely difficult compared to high school courses. If you have a professor known to be difficult. Read the book before every lecture. Don't just read it comprehend it. Make sure you truely know the material and use the lecture to reinforce what you know. Health is number one. If you arn't healthy, it's difficult to do anything else. Keep your body at decent shape and never skip any meals. Don't skip out on sleep. You will feel miserable the next day. Also careful to not get addicted to caffiene. Caffiene makes sleep hard to come by even when tired. Make as many friends as you can in your classes. They will be helpful as long as you help them back. Be nice to your TA's and professors.

Looking back, I would tell my high school senior self to buckle up and get ready for a bumpy ride. College is where you can discover youself - what you want out of life, and what you must do to accomplish it. You'll meet individuals along the way, that can help or hinder you. Surround yourself with positive individuals, and you'll have a positive outlook. Also, don't be afraid to try new things, have fun, but make sure there's an equal balance of work and play. But most of all, keep true to yourself. That's the most important thing.

As a freshman it is very important that you hit the ground running academically. Socializing is important but it is wise to start your first semester off strong. Network with others within your field of study so that you have an idea of the intensity of the courses and any possible drawbacks in internship availability. Get active physically and within the community, as a Maryland student it is often encouraged that you encourage and provide support to students pursuing their degree here. Last but not least, show school spirit, you will be suprised in how many students do not take advantage of the events that take place on campus. Believe in yourself.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not stress out too much about the idea of a massive workload waiting to swallow me whole. That being said, I would also say that it is way too easy to give in to the temptation of partying, and I need to prepare for that. Sure, the workload at College Park isn?t too bad, but it becomes a nightmare if you procrastinate due to hanging out and staying up into the wee hours of the morning. Also, I would tell myself to jump at the chance to talk to people on the first day of school. Everyone is eager to make friends, but is too shy to make the first connection. Talk to the students sitting around you, join lots of clubs, even if you are only mildly interested, and definitely put yourself out there. That is the fool-proof way of making new friends. With new friends, college life is definitely not that bad!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to do the best I could in the rest of my high school classes. It looks that much better for your transcript, and some of the information proves helpful later on in your college classes. Don't be overly conscious and comparing yourself to others: self worth is inherent, so be proud of yourself and engage other people without reservations. Don't be afraid to take risks: live so you have no regrets, which is different from making a mistake. You learn from mistakes; things to regret are what you knew to and could have done, but didn't. Practice good study habits: You have much more free time in college, and you are completely in charge of it. Mastering time management along with good study habits will make life much easier. Lastly, whatever you are passionate about, or whatever inspires you; chase after it, learn from it. Give it to God, and stay in his will, and everything else will fall in line.

Study is not the ultimate goal, and it is the only way to realize your final goal. Be more diligent in study, and be more careful in planning career, and be more cautious in every step of your career path. Do not waste time in anything that you do not like. Interest is the best teacher for every person to do a good career.

If I were given the opportunity to give myself some advice there would be quite a few areas to cover. The first piece of advice I would give would be to apply to the University of Maryland. This school was not even one of my choices, yet the school that I thought I would love ended up not being the best fit for me. After having a hard time I applied and transfered to Maryland and absolutely love it. I would encourage myself to take hold of all of the opportunities that arise, and not to allow any of them to pass me by. I would warn myself of all the different distractions that come when transitioning from high school to college, and to be prepared to focus even harder than ever. I would also advice myself to do extensive research on back-up financial aid to pay for my education. I would suggest branching out and exploring the things I never knew.

The advice I would give myself if I could go back in time would be to remain true to myself. My freshman year I went to the University of Miami. I thought by going 1300 miles away from my hometown that I would be able to run away from myself. I thought I could finally be who I wanted to be and live as I always wanted to. I was wrong and soon realized where my heart lies and that place was with the University of Maryland, College Park. I thought going to school in my home state would trap me here forever. So despite the University of Maryland being my dream school, I left and began my journey to Miami. I now realize that I HAD to go to the University of Miami. I HAD to gain the knowledge, I HAD to live the lessons, and I HAD to meet the people I met there. With that knowledge, those lessons and people, I transferred to College Park equipped with the arsenal ready to destroy myself constructed, invisible prison. So... I would tell myself ?Travel the same path Kelly because the experiences will be invaluable to you.?

Well, I started out at a tech school right after graduating from highschool. I was 17 and I really wasn't ready for the college life. I stopped going to classes, couldn't handle the stress, and ending up taking a few years off. During these years I worked in the real world, got some amazing experience, and also realized I needed a college education to maintain the same level of living I was accustomed to growing up. I would tell myself that it's okay to take some time and figure things out. I would tell myself not to feel like a failure because my life may take a different direction from others. I would also tell myself that I need to do what's best for me, not necessarily what my friends are doing. And I would tell myself that no matter what I will always have a family who will root for me even if they don't agree with some things I do. Also, that following God is more important than any other decision I can make in my adult life.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not underestimate myself. Everyone out there is just as nervous to be a first time freshman and on their own as you are, reach out and you will find friends. Also, studying is necessary in college, and get started with that right away, don't wait until halfway through the semester. I realized through my semesters here that there is just as much to be gained outside the classroom and dorms as there is inside them. Due to this realization, the biggest piece of advice I would give myself is to take chances, go out and do things that might be outside my comfort zone, you can grow and learn through every experience, even if you start out as bad as I was that first ultimate frisby practice.

Imagine yourself alone in a small dorm room. It is 3 a.m. and you are trying to study for tomorrow's test. Through the walls you hear pounding bass and laughter reverberating in surrounding rooms. You have never really gotten to know these people, but wish you had. You flick off the light and slowly drift to sleep as feelings of loneliness and regret swirl through your mind. Now imagine yourself on the other side of those walls. You already studied for your test that afternoon with some fraternity brothers. You are now hanging out with some of the best friends you will likely ever meet in your entire life. Sure, you should probably be asleep but you are having such a good time relaxing you figure you can do with a little less sleep. There is a lot of middle ground between these two scenarios, but they highlight the single most important piece of advice i can offer. These next four years can be whatever you want them to be. You can drink every night or study every night. You can meet people or keep to yourself. Be smart and make the most of each day!

Hello Mr. Shahry! I know...I know! it is kind of shocking to see someone looking just like you! I am sorry if it sounds confusing, but I am You! and you are Me!! Believe it or not,I have come from futur! What do I want? you ears to listen! I have to go very soon. I just wanted to share some cool stuff you will dealing with in future, and ask you to think about them. Please grab a chair, get yourself a cup of tea, and listen up! Ready?....good! There are things you should do after geting into college. First, find a student club that interests you and participate in their activities. You will not only make friends, but you will be amazed how much you can learn from other people. Remember that you should always attend office hours! let your professors know what a good student you are. Also, know that asking questions in college is vital. Stop thinking what others will think of you if you ask questions in class. You also need to learn how to manage your time, money, and how to take care of your health. Good luck!

Sung Park, the only way you can fulfil your dream in life is to set high standards. Do not judge yourself with others, but only concentrate on yourself and your future career. In order to recieve a full scholarship to a well acedemic known college is to do well in school. The only way to impress your parents and not live a hard life by worrying about financial needs is to set your head straight. I know you have been having a rough life with family coming here to the states from Korea not knowing a bit of english, but the only way to overcome things is to do the best you can. Thank your parents everyday for giving you this life that they could of never had as a young adult. You can fullfill the dreams that they once had and especially the dream that you would like to have. Do the best you can, I trust and believe in you. Sincerely, Sung Park

Advice i would give myself would be to try harder on my AP Englsih Literature and French Literature exams. I have learned from my experiences so far that having Advanced Placement credit comming into a school as a freshman allows you to jump into your major easier. General Education classes would be easily bypassed with AP credits. So my advice to pretty much to any high school student. is to Take AP classes, Study hard and pass the exams.

I would advise myself to create better study habits now. I would have encouraged myself to not procrastinate as bad as I did. Part of my availability to procrastinate came from not prioritizing my time. I need to set a schedule for myself to determine when I will do work and when I have free time. I also need to make sure that I do not take on more than I can handle. Even though I may think I can handle it, I must think logically and practically about what I am trying to do. I also would want to inform myself that it will not be easy to get adjusted to college life, and to not get discouraged that my friends have adjusted faster than I have. Everyone grows and matures at their own pace. Though I am kind and caring for others, especially my close friends, I need to start worrying more about myself than about others because in college, they won't be there to help the way they could in high school.

There are two very important things that I would tell my younger self in hopes of being more successful in my college life: Most importantly, do not become a business major. You are not made to sit at a desk lwhile looking at numbers. You will in no way enjoy accounting, even if you were the president of The Academy of Finance in high school. Discover nutrition and dietetics as early as possible; it will quickly become your passion. Second, and also very important - make sure to have health insurance at all times. One illness will set you back both academically and financially. You will make it through this, but it will be rough for a little while. Speak to your advisors; they will be very helpful. Your friends will always be there for you as well. Good luck!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would take the opportunity to share some wisdom that I gained my first semester of college. First, I would have to tell myself to not underestimate my (future) classes. They may seem easy and a repeat of what I learned in high school, but the classes are much tougher than they were before. I would also tell myself to not stress myself out too much about exams. Being a little nervous can be beneficial as it shows you care, and it keeps you on your toes. However, being so nervous that your hands are shaking is setting yourself up for avoidable mistakes on the exam. Lastly, I would have to remind myself that embarassing yourself in front of a lecture hall of about 300 students is a lot worse than in front of 20 students, so don't do anything stupid. Oh and of course, I would tell myself to have fun and enjoy college while I can, it's not as scary as it may seem.

The advise that I would give myself fourteen years ago would be, education is the only way. The more you know the more money you make. Money is the only means for survival in today's world. Without an education you will be living from paycheck to paycheck just barely making the bills, add two kids its going to be hard to eat. Everyday your working your figures to the bones for the lowest pay. Why would you want to work for minimun wage? When there are alot of college loans, grants and scholarships available for everyone. Plus its easy! You just have to take time out of your day to fill them out. Start taking baby steps to find what you want out of your life. How many digits you want on your paychecks a month and what do you want for your family? Think of a time line, start at the age of eighteen to thirty. You have twelve years to get an education and a job. At the age of thirty you work on your money and a family. By the time you reach fifty you will have everything you always wanted and be able to manage.

Some important advice I would give myself is to become a more mature and diligent student. The bad habits of high school (such as procrastination) should be eliminated and replaced with beneficial habits in order to be successful in college. I should learn to hone my organization skills, because I will need them to be an effective student. I must also master time management and discipline myself to handle the intense homework load of college. If I am not disciplined, I may fall behind. Therefore, I should learn how to be a diligent student. I would also tell myself that is important to take Advanced Placement classes in high school because they will prepare me for college level material and save me money and time. The college credit from these classes will allow me to skip introductory courses and graduate early. I will then advise myself to not be afraid to try new things, such as joining clubs. I should also learn how to network, because the connections I will make in college will help me in the long run. Transitioning from high school to college will be less stressful and smoother if the above mentioned advice is followed.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I was more prepared for college than I thought. I did not think I was strong or independent enough to excel in college, but that is not the case. I would tell myself that I thrive in the college environment, and having to depend on myself makes me a much better person in the long run. Also, I would comfort myself by saying that making new friends and fitting in was a much easier task than expected. With those worries behind me, I could more easily focus on the important part of college: getting an education. I would tell myself that the work would be hard, but I have the abilities to succeed. However, I would also warn myself to cut down on the procrastination and not fall to stress as much. I would remind myself that I work best when I am not doing assignments last minute. Mainly, I would reassure myself that I am more than ready to take the next step of my life of going to college and not to be afraid of the furture.

Given the chance to go back to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself to be more proactive in off-campus activities. It's one thing to go to class and good grades, but to actively seek scholarships, and pursuing opportunities for your self-interest will make you a well-rounded person. There were many fundamentals of the college experience to which I wasn't aware of nor exposed to before I enrolled, and there are many things I'd do over. But most imporantly, I'd tell myself to be interested in learning, and not to get discouraged to "traditional" teaching methods. You have to have fun and enjoy being in your situation, and learn to create your identity. College is an opportunity to meet different individuals and cultures, but at the same time it's unique that everyone's likeminded with the same goals and have their own traits. It's a chance to not change your personality, but expand on it and grow to be an educated, tolerant and unique person.