University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

Learn to properly manage your time because college school work is fast pace and very challenging. Also, study and understand the materials taught in class. If you do not under the material make sure the professor explains things properly to you either in class or during the professor's office hours.

If I could go back in time to my senior year of highschool, I would give the advice of 1. Be open : to yourself, to others and new experiences. 2. Learn to breathe and not get overwhelmed. College is all about the experience of learning; about yourself, others and their perspectives. That is why the advice that I would give, is to in general "be open" If I came into college, closed-minded, I would not have been able to get a new perspective on my own beliefs. Also, I would tell "be open to new experiences". College is a place where you can experiment with new things; new activities. It is a place that is much bigger than high school; a place where you can spread your wings and become an entirely new person. Without being open to new experiences, you cannot achieve that. The last set of advice I would give myself, is to "step back and breathe." In college, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with your school work and your social life. At these times, simply stepping back and breathing can really help and not allow you to be overwhelmed by these new college surroundings.

At the beginning of one's senior year, there are so many exciting events and activities occuring, making it easy to get caught up in all the fun of high school life. It's hard to start thinking about leaving a place where you are comfortable and safe. At least, that's how I felt at the start of my senior year. College seemed so far away, but I didn't realize how fast it was approaching. I hated to think about leaving my school, friends, and family, so I pushed off the college search for a long time. However, I didn't realize how much time and effort goes into finding the right school. I was so scared to leave my comfort zone that I didn't give myself many options and I took the easy way out. Although I am very happy at UMD, I wish I had put a little more effort into my college search. If I could give myself advice, it would be to really take the time to consider lots of schools and be less afraid of change, because it can be a good thing!

I definitely would have told myself to become involved in more structured activities from the get-go. Although I met enough people through dorm life etc., it would have been nice in that first semester to have a structured schedule. It is hard to prevent yourself from just hanging around in the dorms all day with friends. I wish that I had gone out and explored campus and it's options more fully.

it will all work out.

With one semester under my belt, if I could go back and mentor myself as a High School senior, I would tell myself to participate in more extra curricular activities that could supplement my resume. In college, people often talk about how organization and time management are the most important aspects of college life. While this is true and these characteristics often determine your success as a student, your experience outside of the classroom is equally important to your growth as a person, and to your uniqueness as a potential employee and scholarship recipient. When you are competing for opportunities or employment against other students or employees, your experience is often what separates you from the pack, and shows the varied set of skills you bring to the table. Also, the skills developed through participating in community service activities or holding positions of responsibilty instill valuable instincts and can offer memories that last a life time. If I could go back and counsel myself I would definitely tell myself to strengthen my extra curricular participation because the most important lessons in life are not always learned in the confines of a classroom but often through interacting with the world.

After going through the college transition, I now understand that SAT scores really do matter. I am not a test score and I do not believe that my SAT score reflects my academic achievement. However, if I had the opportunity of talking to myself as a high school senior, I would probably encourage myself to enroll in an SAT prep course. I scored average on the SAT's; however, all the universities I was interested in required above-average SAT scores. Luckily, I did get into my first choice college, but I was admitted for the spring semester. Undoubtedly, the University of Maryland, College Park is a very competitive school and does have high SAT score standards. Thus, I believe that if I had done better on my SAT?s, I would have had a better chance of getting in for the fall semester. I know colleges also look at other criteria, but I already full-filled many of the requirements. For example, I had a cumulative 4.0 GPA, a good amount of extracurricular activities and even leadership experience.

I think what I would say is : please make most of your time and do not hesitate (It's actually what I always tell myself ). One's lifetime is limited - less than 3 billion seconds if he or she is alive for 80 years. Nobody could avoid the lapse of time. So the only thing I - and everybody else could do is to make full use of the time, not letting hesitation or those purposeless actions occupy the limited seconds. However, all those above is under the condition "assume". Even in the novel "The Time Machine", the main character could not change what has happened - the fact that his girlfriend died. So, for me, it seems better to look ahead and avoid those "go-backs" than go back to tell the "ghost" yourself lots of useful advice - it's almost meaningless.

The most important advice I could give anyone is to be themselves. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, but do what makes you happy. I would tell myself that even though making friends wasn't always easy, not to worry about that at Maryland. There are so many fun, exciting people to meet; don't be shy or afraid to initiate conversations. Second, I would say to get involved in an international service organization called Circle K International first semester instead of waiting. It is a great club to get involved in because they have so many opportunities to improve the campus and nearby communities. When it comes to academics, just take it easy. I care so much about my studies and work so hard that sometimes I stress myself out unnecessarily. If I study hard and do my best, I will get the grades I want. In closing, college is supposed to be some of the best four years of your life. Make the most of every opportunity: every chance to meet someone new, chance to try a different activity, or a chance for a job or internship. Make it a memory worth looking back on.

Well, besides the pure awkwardness of talking to myself in the past, I would definitely love to give myself some advice that would unquestionably change my initial college experience. Everyone just seems so much nicer in college compared to high school; therefore, it is a lot easier to make new friends. So I would tell my high school senior self to be friendlier and introduce myself to my peers early on, so the classroom experience would improve. Another thing that I certainly underestimated was the difficulty of motivating myself in college. Professors tend not to care as much as high school teachers when it comes to students? performance. So it is essential to grasp that fact early on in my college career to prevent an undesirable GPA at the end of the semester. One final warning is to take up on every opportunity that presents itself regarding education or recreation. Of course, always manage my time better and fight the urge to procrastinate. Hopefully with all of this in mind, my transition to college life would be even better than the one I had!

Personally, my transition to college was not at all as I expected. Because of an illness I had to withdraw from my first semster at school which made the whole college experience very different from what I expected. I would tell a high school senior that no matter what, no one can plan out the next four years of their life. Some students transition into college perfectly and some students take years to feel comfortable. College life is filled with unexpected surprises that make high school senior students turn into college students. In order to get through it you have to be comfortable with yourself and you have to motivate yourself and build a determination to not let the unexpected turns take you down. College is all about preparing for the future--and in the future, there will be many struggles out there for us. High school senior: go in with a positive attitude and don't change yourself for anybody else. Be comfortable in your own skin. And if you're not, then college is the place to find that comfort.

Dear me,

The biggest piece of advice I would give myself is that the college experience is exactly what you make out of it. You are responsible for every choice you make, from big decisions such as major and class schedule down to small decisions like what to eat and who to talk to. Every choice you make will affect you in some way, so you must be sure that the ones you make are the right ones. The change in amount of responsibility going from high school to college is quite enormous and can be extremely stressful, but it is important to always keep your goals in line, and that will help you make the right decisions. It is also important to find balance; your primary objective is education, but taking some time off to make friends and form everlasting relationships will save you from the stress of work. Never lose sight of your main goal though, because the lower your GPA gets, the fewer opportunities you'll have.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to try as hard as possible to get more scholarships because your parents have worked hard all their lives and saved up just for you to go to college and getting those scholarships would be a great way to say ?thank you for being such wonderful parents.? If I could go back, I would tell myself to remember that you are more than a score on a piece of paper. Make sure you take the time to make a difference in someone?s life every day, even if it?s small. Make sure you pursue the projects that make you happy. If I could go back I would tell myself to make friends with other kids who do not drink, for when the party?s are over, it is often those guys who are the one?s standing by your side. Don?t limit yourself to any group, get out and experience the world. If I could go back, I would tell myself to go into Washington DC to the museums; they are fantastic, free, and not worth missing.

I would tell myself to apply to more scholarships and seek counseling for stress at school. It is always important to get off anxiety off my chest because I do not do well under pressure.

I would tell myself to make the most of every opportunity to better my experience as a freshman. Your first year at college is a once in a lifetime moment. Everyone you are around is going through the same transition as you so there's nothing to be scared of. Freshman year is a new start to be whoever you want to be and it is the first time when you truly experience life on your own, so don't be afraid to talk to people you don't know or try something you've never tried before.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to savor that last year. I spent it working TOO hard in class so that I could get into a good college, and working even harder at my job so that I could pay those application fees. I'm glad I did work so hard because I got into the college of my dreams, but I did not spend much time with my friends and others I cared about. And, I regret it. Looking back, a year that should have been fun and memorable, is now just a blur of deadlines and late night cram sessions. Though I see many of my friends from high school still, it really is not the same. The environment that my high school created can never be duplicated. Now that we are all older, and a few months wiser, we've changed. And, I can barely remember who we were in the simplicity of senior year.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I would give myself is to study, study, study. Although I was an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate, who was required to complete 150 community hours, six academic rigorous classes as well as a philosophy course, the environment is quite different from college life. Not saying that I was not completely prepared, but college requires a lot of studying and unfortunately, I did not really master that skill during high school. Also, I would advise myself to get involved in many more extracurricular activities. College is filled with a lot of activities that give the perfect opportunities to broaden your social network. Lastly, I would advise myself to strategize a way to balance my academics and social life. Though college is filled with lots of both academic and social opportunities, it is very important that one learns how to balance the two because he or she may become a victim of academic probation or even social isolation. In conclusion, college life can be a very cool and alarming but beneficial experience if you are willing to face and overcome the challenges.

Hello Tony, I?m writing you this letter to prepare you for your college career. Since this is your final year of high school, I want to encourage you to continue practicing the various techniques such as Math and English. Both of these subjects are more challenging at the college level. You should also consider increasing your GPA because you have a single mother with four children and in which two of them are going to be in college at the same time. It would definitely help out with your family?s financial situation by improving your GPA it will provide more financial aid. You should try your best and apply for as many scholarships as possible. You want to stay away from loans because they will keep you in debt forever. I know that you are currently working 20-30 hours per week, but I would encourage you to start saving your money because in the future there are many expenses that have to be paid for. Saving money will save you time and decrease the number of hours working during your college career, so that you can have more time to spend studying. Sincerely, Tony

The advice i would give myself first is to put as much effort into the IB program as I could. It was really a big deal and in high school I did not understand that. If I would have completed the IB program Getting into college and paying for it would be easier. The second thing I would tell myself is to study for the SAT and ACT exams. Take them as early as you could because as a high school senior applying to college it could make or break your acceptance. Test scores also help earn major scholarships. Lastly, I would tell myself to search around at many different colleges and universities to make sure to chose the correct one. Do not take money into consideration as a big deciding factor; look at the whole package the school offers to make sure it is the best fit for you because after all you want to make the best of the college experience.

The most important thing I would tell myself is this: There is no need to be afraid. Remember that. Its perfectly normal to feel anxiety, to feel scared, nervous, and excited, happy and worried all at the same time. We are only human! But life is all about change, and this is one of the most important ones so stay strong and have no fear because you will find that college is nothing to be afraid of. You'll have the time of your life and you'll learn more than you ever thought you would, both inside and outside of the classroom. The experience will bring about lasting memories, good times, and maybe a few bad ones too, but that's what life is all about: remembering the good times, learning from the bad, learning all you can and becoming the person who you want to be to face a new tomorrow.

If I had the opportunity to see myself in my high school year, I would advise myself to follow my instincts and not be afraid to make my own decisions regardless of other people?s opinions. I have encountered several situations that required me to make very difficult decisions that tested the fellowship of my peers and my personal view of integrity. One of such circumstances occurred during my freshman year at the University of Maryland. While I was hanging out with my friends, one individual tried to get us to smoke weed in her apartment. I was able to convince my friends to leave her room instead of just walking away myself. I was surprised that I was able to turn a situation of peer pressure into a meaningful experience. It defined my integrity to not only myself, but what I stood for. I had always been an honest, respectful and responsible individual, and I did not want to let another person?s actions have such a negative influence on my character. I had always wanted to obtain the qualities of a leader, and I understand that in doing so, you must always trust yourself and follow your instincts.

I would have only a few fragments of advice. Though I have learned a lot... Find yourself and stick to it - No matter how odd I am, people admire me and I succeed because humans sniff out individuals. Everyone aspires to be true to themselves. I wish I had have been happy with everything about myself earlier. I also wish that I could tell myself to live! Think about loose consequences but life is about living. One should learn earlier how to balance their own lives. Socializing is important, part of life... it is what makes life, life.

Be more confident in your abilities, and college is a great time filled with academic and social opportunities that need to be fully taken advantage of

I definitely would have tried to become more outgoing and become more comfortable with myself in uncomfortable situations. The most difficult part for me was trying to meet new people and feel a sense of involvement because of the massive size of both the campus and student body. I think it would have been much simpler to enjoy myself initially had I been a more extroverted person. Aside from the social aspect, I definitely would have taken a class or at least practiced study techniques, because a lot of the learning at this University occurs outside of the classroom while you review texts and notes.

Had I known what I know now, I would tell myself "Do not hesitate to check all options before selecting a school. I am enrolled now at a university that I never even considered as an option as a senior. I transferred after my freshman year. If you choose a school, it does not mean that you must stay there all four years of college. You are allowed to be unhappy with your choice and change it. Everything in college moves very quickly. So do not hesitate to act. Even if that means just to look at other schools, or even just other degree programs, that you have not yet considered. There are limitless possibilities. Good luck."

Two key words: Time Management. Teenagers see college as the time of their lives and the period of their life to try new things, step out of their boundaries, and break away from the restrictions of parenting and childhood. To the typical student, this means joining all sorts of different clubs, taking challenging classes, and making new friends that could result in a packed schedule and fulfilling semester. Time management is a key aspect to college life and that is to balance your activities with your school work. Education is in fact the primary reason for being in college so it is vital to keep your eye on the prize and succeed academically before trying to balance the other aspects of college. I would advise myself the need to get involved, as well as the importance of focusing on my studies before trying to stretch myself too far. This is the key to a rewarding college experience.

If I could go back and talk to myself, I would DEFINITELY tell myself to fill out as many scholarships applications and college applications as possible, so that I don't end up where I am now: graduated, living at home, umemployed, and regretting my decision to wait until the last possible second to apply for anything.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to prepare for college by acquiring good learning skills, to read, write, and think critically and have time management skills. I would advise myself to read as many books and scientific journals to help me learn to be a fast reader and learn build my vocabulary. I would also spend my summer writing essays about the books I read in order to learn how to read the text closely and understand the information presented. This would help me be a good writer and be able to present information/ facts effectively. I would tell myself to be very organized and have good time management skills. I would learn how to balance my social life and my academic life. I would teach myself to become a good learner and how to study effectively and efficiently. I would make sure that I use my time wisely and divide up my workload during the week, and study for my exams at least two weeks ahead. If only I knew this advice, my college life and transition would have been less difficult.

Keep up with your reading assignments because come exam time it is going to be stressful to catch up. Always study for an exam a week in advance because there will be a lot of material on one exam. There will probably only be three exams in each class so do well on all of them. Remember your friends are not paying for your education so if they want to hang out on the weekday and you have not done your work then make sure it is done. Try not to join every club in sight, take at least two organizations seriously and be an active participant. It would also be helpful if you try and get to know at least two of your professors real well because you will need teacher reccomendations in the future. Make sure when you come to lecture you are attentive, sit in the front so that you do not miss any information. Playing games on your cell phone and computer are distractors and you may miss important information. Professors are willing to answer questions in lecture so ask them and make sure you always visit your TA if your struggling in a class.

Take a deep breath. It really is not as bad as you think its going to be. All this worrying about being a little freshmen and what the girls will think of you is just a waste of time. Just be you. Put that smile on and don't wait for people to come to you, go out and make friends like you have been doing all throughout high school. However, make sure you don't mistake the college workload for the highschool workload. I am going to put this really bluntly but, compared to college, HIGH SCHOOL IS A JOKE. The work is harder, they expect more from you, and you need to step up to the plate. This shouldn't be too hard though if you just remember, you are a bright kid. Just don't get carried away with the party aspect of school. Only go out to reward yourself for academics, and don't fall into the wrong crowd. Make sure you don't forget your old friends either. College is all about balance. Schoolwork, family, friends, and funds. If you think about these now, you will master them by the time you receive that degree.

I would tell myself: Paige, do not room with your bestfriend. It will ruin your friendship. Also, it will limit the amount of friends you could be making if you roomed with someone you did not know. You and your bestfriend will both regret living in a tiny room together so please reconsider your roommate situation.

Remember that everything you learned in your old high school environment and "culture" was only just a subset of the outside world, and much of it doesn't apply as it does in college. In order to truly succeed, you have to understand that you make the community you are a part of, if you want to achieve your goals through a college education it requires strong personal growth, the ability to lead as well as follow, and to be passionate about everything you do. Work on your identity and motivation by being perceptive and experimental, and learn not just a specific trade or degree path, but how people interact and collaborate. Don't ever settle for a comfort zone, if you haven't had your established values and morals challenged during your time at college, you haven't tested the limits of your knowledge and willpower. In order to truly understand yourself and the people around you, experience must be created. "Constructive conflict" and argument will help refine and define what drives and motivates you, so stand up whenever you can, and when the pressure is on and you get knocked down, you find out what truly drives you.

Rid yourself of any expectations and be ready for whatever is thrown your way. I've seen a lot of students who came in to school thinking they would be on top of everything and had certain ideas of how they would handle all situations but when the time came, they weren't prepared for the unexpected. College is about new beginnings, new friends, and a new way of life. Picture how you want your life to look in four years and do whatever it takes to get yourself there. In college there is no one to lead you down a path so responsibilites lie completely on the shoulders of those who want to reach certain goals, and are more than likely capable if they put their heart and mind to it. Take the reigns of your life and lead it to your ideal destination but don't boycott your adventure if obstactles get in the way!

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would honestly tell myself to put academics first and retain the same study habits that I used to have. I honestly don't think much has changed for me besides the increased difficulty in coursework. There's not much I would change about my experience. I've seen people get wrapped up into the social aspect of college, but I still always remain true to what I want to get out of my college experience. I want to learn. I want to broaden my horizons and to further my education. I do not feel that there is anything I really needed to change. Any mistakes I have made I do not really see as mistakes, but just are part of the college experience and growing up.

First when you start college take all the core classes and make sure you know what you want to do before selecting a major. Also join as many student groups as possible and dont forget to have fun!

Do not stress out so much about the enormity of the choice that you are making. Yes, picking a college is a huge deal. Yes, it is a decision that will change your life forever. The important thing to remember is that nothing is set in stone. Plenty of people realize that they belong somewhere else and make adjustments as needed after their first semester. The only way to know what is right for you is to try the wrongs things first. You can't be afraid to make mistakes...that is how we learn. Every experience is valid and important and helps to shape us into the responsible, suiccessful adult that we will one day become. Seize the day!

First off, don't think you have to do everything by yourself. There are plenty of people, professors, teaching assistants, tutors, as well as fellow students, who are willing to help you if you need it. Second, get involved in something. Theres literally a club or group for everything you can imagine, and if there isn't, then you can start one yourself. If you don't want to join a club, make friends and just hang out; there are 25000 people on campus, I'm sure you'll get along with someone. Finally, don't get lazy. College isn't like high school, where you can slack off in a class and pull off a B. You actually have to work hard, and your goal is to really learn something that you can later use to do a real job. OK that's it, good luck!

There are so many things that I would tell my former self. I would have first told myself not to focus on my family problems too much. With all that was going on in my family, it was impossible to try to solve things by myself. The more I focused on my family, the less I focused on my academics. At that point in time, I would have told myself also to study harder for the SAT's. If I had gotten a better score, I would not have had to complete a summer program that was costly. I am now suffering in school financially because of that situation. The next thing I would have told my high school self was start practicing my study habits for college. I honestly believe that if I had started practicing how to study senior year, I would have had more success my Fall semester of college. With better study habits, I would know how to manage my time successfully. I would be able to stay on top of my schoolwork and have time for my extracurricular activities at Maryland- College Park. In all, I am trying to fix what could have been prevented.

Stop stressing. You'll be happy wherever you go, even if you don't get into your first choice and you can't afford your second. Though sometimes similar, college is very different from high school. You will have much more free time, so use it wisely: yes, an hour is enough time to go to the gym, so do not skip it. Get a job as soon as possible because your summer money will not last. You do not have to go out with the girls on your floor on a Tuesday night: you have work in the morning! Go to class and pay attention: that's the hardest part, but the most important. It is easy to forget that making friends takes effort when you see them everyday in high school, but don't forget in college. Be open to new friends and experiences, and do not burn any bridges, intentionally or accidentally. It is okay to each lunch by yourself: everyone does it. Learn the value of a nap. You might not think so, but you will always miss home, even if it is just for the clean laundry and home-cooked meal.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would give advice about the huge academic switch. In high school, if something is covered in class that you do not full understand and do not review that night, it will likely not be a problem as the teacher will review it again the next day. In college, the professor teaches the material once, then moves on. If you do understand it is imperative that you study on your own or go to office hours for clarification because there will be no re-teach. I would also recommend reviewing some material in the summer for the courses you will be taking in the fall as it will give you a heard start on the material. Finally I would give advice on time management. Treat your school life like a job. Wake up at 7 every day no matter when your first class is and start doing work. Continue to do work all day even in-between classes until around 5pm or so. If by then you have gotten enough done, take the night off and relax. If not, work some "overtime", and then relax till bed.

I would advise myself to really work hard in my AP classes and not just do enough to get by. By working harder and more efficiently in my AP classes, I would have gotten more credits and therefore have paid less money for classes. I would also advise myself to communicate more with teachers because in college it helps to have a solid relationship with one?s professor. If there is an established relationship, then there are more possibilities of communicating which can enhance one?s understanding of a certain topic. Also, in college, professors admire when students come to them for questions or concerns which makes them more inclined to help students with their grades. In high school, it would have been beneficial to build the habit of going to teachers for questions so that I could have transferred that into college.

The advice I would give myself would be to take class work seriously. Strive for a higher understanding of all of your courses. I would advise myself not to take the easy courses that I know I can pass without effort. I would take the really hard courses that would really prepare me for the coursework of college. I would challenge the faculty to provide a meaningful educational experience that would prepare students for college. I would advise myself to look past graduation and into the future and to plan. I would start researching and applying to colleges earlier. I would advise myself to make friends with the really important people in the school: the teachers and guidance counselors; the people who can put you on the path and make your transition from high school to college earlier. I would advise myself to join more clubs and civic organizations. I would advise myself to make friends with all sorts of people. I would have been more of an individual. I would advise myself to view school as a launch pad for a great college experience and I would put less value of friendships that did not extend past graduation day.

Nechama, don't stress. I know everyone says that, but seeing your future, I can say with perfect authority, don't worry about scoring those extra ten points on the SATs. Much more importantly, PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!! You will encounter much frustration because of your careless attitude towards them, trust me. Had I worried a little less about my grades, and a little more about figuring out what I wanted to do in life in time to fill out scholarship applications, I would have far less worries and a lot more money today. Additionally, the extra year you will take off will be quite beneficial. It will help you discover your career path. The main things to keep in mind are these, pay attention when the guidance counsellor talks and take the extra time to read as much as you can about the application process so you don't miss deadlines. Other than that, the transition is not nearly as difficult as is appears and keep in mind that everyone comes out of it alive. The extra research will make it even easier. So relax because you have some pretty incredible times ahead of you, I would know.

My personal college career has consisted of two colleges, 4 different majors, and a gross lack of personal motivation. The biggest problem I ran into was caring more about the social aspect of college (I joined a fraternity) rather than focusing on getting an education and moving on to a career. Now, after all the indecisiveness and two years spent out of school working everyday at two jobs that I am less than fond of, to put it lightly, I am finally ready for my education. And I am prepared mentally for the load that I am to undertake. I think that is the biggest lesson that I have learned and would try to convey to my former self. With parents and society pushing the process of high school to college to job, teenagers barely have the opportunity to mentally prepare themselves for the years of pushing yourself to complete every little assignment, and read every chapter, and get up on your own to go listen to some guy drone on about something that you may not care about or even understand. If you aren't motivated, if you can't force yourself to push through, you aren't ready.

Hey Andrew- don't worry about joining all of these clubs and organizations that you don't really care about. It was a good idea to start your own club in something you are interested in, but don't worry about Student Governement Association or Steering Committee- you know you really don't care about what those organizations do. Look for the organizations that are more interesting to you, not those that you think colleges are going to like. Need a leadership position you say? Don't worry about it, as long as you're doing something you love, then the leadership positions will come to you smooth as butter- you won't even need to make an effort. Volunteering was a great idea because you did it at places that you really were intersted in like at the hospital and at church. Stay active with the National Honor Society, you're a smart kid and people will know it. And those AP's you're taking? Take them seriously, they can get rid of your CORE requirements in college and make A LOT of room for classes you want to take for your major. You'll thank you later.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not worry so much about what was coming next. Yes, college was different than high school for me, but I forgot to think about the thousands of other incoming freshmen who were in the same situation that I was. My senior year was full of worries, pondering what college would be like, but if I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself to stop worrying, and just to go through the changes like every other freshman was going to do. I was actually more successful in college than I was in high school during my first semester, which I never would have expected, so if I could tell my senior-self that everything would work out like I wanted, then I would have been much more at ease during my senior year.

Being in college for over one semester has opened my eyes to a lot of things. When I was in high school, I dispelled many of the college myths, and I never envisioned college to be different from high school. If I had a chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to be careful of the people I surround myself with, become more involved in extracurricular activities, and to budget my money wisely. Firstly I will advise myself to be careful of the people I associate with to avoid negative influences. Moreover, I will also advise myself to be very involved in extracurricular activities as this will help increase my network and hone my leadership abilities. Finally, I will advise myself to budget and spend resourcefully because college expenses are constantly on the rise and it is only wise to spend intelligently and save for the rainy days to come. College has been a learning experience for me and I hope to continue to provide for my institution. It is not what the institution can do for you; it is about what you can do for your institution.

Take high school seriously! The material you master in high school can save you time when studying for harder classes in college. Basic subjects like algebra, geometry, and grammar never go away! They are tools needed to complete more advanced and required coursework during freshman and sophomore years. Do not attempt to just ?barely manage? these crucial courses. Take challenging classes. You'll treasure the college credit you've earned in high school when you find yourself offered once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in college. Why take basic biology and chemistry courses all over again when you can finish those in high school and move on to more exciting experiences. You'll appreciate the extra time you have in your schedule for research, internships, or student activities. Develop good study habits in high school. Procrastination simply does not work in college. The earlier you learn good study skills and time management, the more confident you?ll be in college. Finally, teachers notice good students and value their work. In high school, your teachers will be recommending you to future universities and internships. Make a habit of building a connection with teachers and professors. It will change your academic experience completely.

When I was a high school senior my teachers and guidance counselor always told me how much of a transition it was going from highschool to college. I brushed it off because I was a straight A student and figured I could tackle any object that crossed my path. Once I got to college there was a huge transition. In order to stay ahead in college you have to read chapters before you get to class. The workload in the classes is much more intense and more specific than in high school. I realized that what used to take me a quick hour of review to prepare for an exam would take weeks of studying daily to absorb all of the information. During college you meet so many new people and you also have to learn to manage your time. You are also given a huge amount of freedom where you don't have to listen to anyone other than yourself. My advice to myself would be to practice studying habits now while I am still in high school so it wont be difficult when I get to college. Prioritize your life and finish the important tasks first.