University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

As cliché as it sounds, the only advice I would give to myself as a high school senior is to be yourself and do what you do. Going into college I had the mentality of trying to please my parents and everyone else around me. I spent too much time trying to picture and act like the person everyone wanted me to be. Eventually it became very tiring that I was trying to be someone I am not. I decided that I would rather be happy with what I do and who I am than to live an unhappy life of trying to prove I am worthy. However, defying what society defines a norm has its consequence. As scary as it is to lose relationships that you thought could never be broken, but sometimes it is better to know who will always be there for you no matter what. Although it was a rough journey to go through, it was an invaluable experience that made me a stronger person. However, the most important thing is that, today, I can truly say that I have an amazing family and friends. There is no rush, but know that people support you.

Going back in back in time is something that is only posible in memory. I was raised by nuns on a catholic school in Puerto Rico, Hogares Rafaela Ibarra. Looking back I learned that life is about the oportunities that come with it. I started to go to the University in Bayamon,Puerto Rico and things became harder because I needed to work two jobs to be able to take care of myself. Looking back, the best advice I would give myself is that, if I would have focus on time management, set goal in the middle of obstacles and never give up things would have been different. After highschool, it was a time of mixed feeling and uncertain expectations. I have learned that with proper preparation and the right frame of mind, you can launch your professional career with confidence and a bright outlook on the future. After all, making the transition from collegian to full-time employee goes hand -in-hand with maturing into responsible adulthood. That is something to anticipate with confidence and personal conviction. Once you accomplish your dreams and your degree in college we are open to make a difference in life and our community.

Freedom is not only a right but also a responsibility. A prevalent issue high school graduates deal with as they enter campus life is finding a good balance between academics, extracurricular activities, and their social lives. Of course, college is a time to try new things and make life-long relationships, but do not forget that you are spending a considerable amount of money and time to obtain an education so don’t take that for granted. With all that in mind, I would recommend associating with all types of people. UMD is a wonderful place to explore and do just that since not only is it so large, but it also is home to a large number of extracurricular groups, sports teams, sororities…the list is endless. Campus diversity was a big deciding factor for me, so take advantage of it. There are also countless employment, internship, and networking opportunities made available to undergraduates in every department so don’t ever hesitate to get a jump-start on resume building and finding a career path. In any case, try not to get too overwhelmed and know that the staff and professors are there for you if you need anything.

I would tell myself to go to the school that fits my personality best, not one that has the best USA ranking, or the pretty campus, or the nice sports team. At the end of the day, all dorms look the same, all games end, and all campus common areas get dirty. What matters is when you wake up, are you proud of your school, are you proud of your faculty, do you have a connection with the people there that will last. Most of all, do you think that your GPA reflects the work you put in, and does the school have a vested interest in your sucess beyond reporting their retention rate? I wish I had made the decision on which college to go to with my heart, instead of comparing numbers, becuase I could have been a student, and not just a student number. If I had to tell myself one thing, it would be go where your voice is heard, and make a path that fit your feet, and not just millions of others.

If I could give advice to my high school self regarding college, I would tell myself to meet as many people as I could. Professors, business owners, and role models, are able to give advice and provide you with resources to help me further my social, academic, and career plans. Other students can inform me of their firsthand experiences about college life, their majors, and activities that they are involved in, that I may also strike as interesting. I will be able to collaborate with fellow colleagues to study for test and enjoy leisure activities. I would also advise that routines that may have been an advantage in high school may be a setback in college; therefore, be open to change in time management. Normal patterns of daily life may alter in college so be prepared to adjust to new sleeping patterns, class times, and work habits. Lastly, I’d advise myself to explore every aspect of campus. Learn what my campus has to offer including recreational activities, fairs, concerts, sporting games, parties, clubs, and organizations. Explore the many academic aids and support that are available including library resources, office hours, and the writing center.

Don't hold yourself back and stick to your high school self. Try new things and don't be afraid to push yoursel out of your comfort zone. You never know who you might meet or what you will learn about yourself.

You are a bright student coming from a small high sschool, do not let the new size of this university overwhelm you. Manage your time wisely and do not give yourself to much of a workload.

I would tell myself not to be naive, that at our age people are selfish and are only looking for their own interest and how to satisfy others expectations of them. My heart was broken a million times my freshman year through betrayals by people I thought I could trust. I wish I knew from the start to not focus on trusting others and being a caring person but instead focused on something that would better myself, such as my studies, internships, start up companies. If I could talk to my high school self, I would strongly encourage to be stronger and wiser person and to use my time wisely, as for the parties, boys, sororities, and friends will always be there, but our youth and time to discover who you are, will not.

The advice I would give to my former self is the following: "I think we both know that when I use to be you I underestimated my potential and was rather apathetic about life, consequently I never established higher goals until recently. However as life went on I eventually realize what my true potential is but I look back in retrospect with regret for not realizing it sooner. I want to tell you now that you do have a true potential if you work hard and learn to appreciate learning Philosophy. Since I am the temporal extension of yourself stretching foward in time, I see what you do not see so do not take my advice in vain. Please try to set your goals beyond your current standards and start believing that you'll reach it. I know that right now your not going to the best college, but you can always get better grades and transfer to an even better university to fulfill your future dreams. Be thorough with all your actions and decisions, I promise you that you will not regret it because had I done it earlier the future would look very different."

Don't underestimated the need to apply for scholarships, and keep on task with your high school work it will greatly impact your college finacial aid package. Work hard and don't be afraid to apply to privates schools they give allot of finacial aid. get your head in the game know exactly what you want to do before applying to schools, otherwise you will change your major multiple times. your a smart kid so don't worry about how hard school will be just come prepared, and makesure you get a headstart on how to properly study. try to find a job on campus in research, they are allot less stressful then retail. don't be afraid to fail, try your hardest and you will always be a winner. don't be afraid of upperlevel classes they arn't that bad, they just require allot of work. 18 credits is allot epecially if your doing lab or studio classes, there is no rush spread you work load out. don't forget college is fun, but you you will still need to maximize every break.

Breathe. College will be the best time of your life. You will make friends, you will learn, and you will graduate with a good job. Continue to work hard, but also give yourself the time to have the college experience. You have four years to grow not only intellectually, but as a person. Don’t wish time away, you will be working before you know it, and you will have a lot more than four years of full time work. If you have questions, ask. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there. Not everyone is going to like you and you won’t ace every class. It’s ok, just make sure to continually learn from everything that may not go your way. Learn how to be on your own, learn how to budget, learn how to make friends, and learn how to succeed. Take risks, now is your time! Again, breathe. With all the stress you will face during exams, during social scenes, and so much more, remember this is an amazing time in your life. Always work hard, always strive to be your best, but always do whatever it takes to be happy.

I have two undergraduate degrees: a 2003 B.A. degree from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), and a 2010 B.S. degree from University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphasize the importance of forming strong relationships with people, and developing the social skills needed to function within society. I grew up in an Asian immigrant family that was withdrawn; I was not encouraged to be involved within my community. While at JHU, I became emotionally isolated and dissatisfied. My shortage of previous life experiences hindered my attempts at interacting with my classmates. After I graduated from JHU, I needed to reassess my talents and learn how to personally connect with people. I learned how to play tennis and volleyball, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and became socially aware through listening to FM/AM talk radio. I got over my shyness by talking to the new people that I met while volunteering. While at UMD, I had greater confidence in my social abilities. At UMD, I found out that I enjoyed talking to university students about God. I now desire to go to seminary to become a pastor.

Repeat after me, “You don’t deserve anything just because you’re smart. But you can earn everything through hard work”. Pam, I know you want to go to Arizona State University but it’s probably not the college for you. You don’t want to be away from home that much and your best friend is not enough of a reason to just get up and go. It’s going to be hard at times to remain focused and diligent when it seems there is no way that you will succeed. There are financial roadblocks that are already in your way even though you can’t see them yet. However, God is on your side and he won’t leave you. Parties won’t be a part of your future and dating will be scarce. Your focus never weans in these next few years and sacrifices had to be made to get where you are now. But, that associates degree is within your hand as you stand contemplating your future.

If I were to travel back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have so much to say about college life and making the transition. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to make sure I’m not afraid to meet new people. I would want myself to step out of my comfort zone and realize that students are going through the same thing I am going through. The transition away from home can be scary but it can also be rewarding if you look at all of the opportunities it offers. I would also tell myself to make changes in my living arrangement if I do not work well or get along at all with my roommate. I would want myself to be comfortable where I am living and not have to worry about living with someone who wasn’t working well with me. It’s important to step out of your comfort zone but in the process making sure you’re comfortable while taking the giant step onto college.

If I had the opportunity to go back and give my senior-self advice, I would give three points of advice: hold on to your convictions, work with excellence, and be generous. Going into college, there are many beliefs that will be challenged or presented before you, and while keeping an open mind, be sure not to compromise yourself into things you feel are wrong. Also, do not force your convictions into other people. Rather, learn from other people around you, and if you disagree with someone’s point of view, it is not right to try and change who a person is or their beliefs. Neither is it their place to try and change yours. Also, always complete assignments with excellence, and don’t procrastinate! You don’t have to be THE best, you should be YOUR best. Lastly, always be generous with your friends and classmates. Allow people to help you and make yourself available to help others; academically and non-academically.

The advice I would give myself would be to stay focused. Freshman year although it is suppose to be fun is a very important year. I would remind myself that the things that I do or do not do can affect the next 3 years of my college career. I would tell myself that I can party and have the best social life and then spend the next 3 years trying to bring up my GPA or I can have a nice balance of partying and studying to make sure that I do not have to play catch up. I would also advise that I get involved from day one. College has so many different activities, organizations, and wonderful things to offer. I would also suggest studying abroad as this is a wonderful opportunity. Overall i would just suggest that I take advantage of any opportunity that I am presented with and that I make these 4 years the best 4 years of my life.

Enjoying the last year of High School right? Well let me tell you something, life is about to become much more difficult. You will now be required to take care of yourself. You will no longer be able to depend on "mom and dad" to pay for your needs. Being an independent adult does not equal freedom as you thought. The most valued advice I can give to you is to save your money! You will need it for textbooks and supplies. Teachers told you never to worry about the expenses of college but the fact is that you will need to make that your first concern since you will have no financial support from your family. Look for scholarships and grants to avoid personal loans. If you must take out loans apply for federal loans. Finding a job will be difficult once you earn your degree so network with people in your field and volunteer in positions relevant to your career. Last but not least, always keep in touch with your friends and family. College will be a very emotionally draining and strenuous time for you; Having a support system will unquestionably help you restore your determination and courage.

To go back in time I would tell myself that I was giving up great opportunities to better myself and my family. I have worked in Higher Ed for 15 years. I have counseled students, highly encouraged them to seek education. I used my own struggles in life to push kids into attending college. West Virginia, there are alot of parents who don't have a college education and don't know where to begin. I educate parents on the enrollment, financial aid and housing needs of their child. May, 16, 2012, I turned 45. It was a wake up call to myself. I realized I was a hypocrite by not taking advantage of what was right in front of me TOO! So I said to myself, you have at least 20 more years to work, how do you want to spend it?? So I enrolled in Concord as a first time freshman this summer. It is going to be a challenge for me , I have not been in a classroom in 20 years but I am commited to doing my best and obtaining that college degree that I so strongly preach to the kids around me.

I would tell myself just go for it! No matter how daunting the financial needs and amount of years it takes to go to college to achieve my Masters Degree as a Speech Language Pathologist, just go for it. As a new college student check out the many available and helpful opportunities that I may be eligible for to help in my educational pursuit. I'm not looking back anymore with regrets that I didn't pursue college sooner. I am excited and look forward to my college life. I am going for it!

The most important thing I would tell myself as a high school senior is, "Don't be afraid to take risks and put yourself out there." I've always been shy and uncomfortable in social settings, and it has really held me back. The University of Maryland is a great school, but it is up to the students to take advantage of opportunities and get involved. The most difficult thing for me is getting involved because I have social anxiety. However, the rewards from being involved are worth the risk. There is a huge opportunity to be involved with something life-changing on campus, whether it be research or social or political change. I wish someone had told me when I first started college that being involved on campus is an incredibly enriching experience. I am just now starting to get involved, and I wish I had started earlier. Being on such a big campus, it can be difficult to meet people with similar interests. Being active in the campus community is imperative to the college experience, and helps to alleviate the stresses of academics. College is stressful enough without the added social pressure, and extracurriculars can alleviate that pressure.

If I could have a talk with my self as a High School senior, I would tell myself to relax a little bit and not worry so much about starting college. I was so nervous and anxious when I made the decision to attend the University of Maryland, but honestly there was no need for any of it. By my second day here I felt right at home. My high school self also needed to know that not everyone has to follow the same set path. I started college in the spring rather than fall, and at the time thought it was a tragedy because all my friends were going away to school and I was stranded for a semester. The truth of the matter is however, that semester off did a lot of good for me. I learned a lot about myself and was in a better place when I got to school. While everyone thinks that you need to go straight to college after graduation, it is completely ok if your route to college differs from your peers. Everyone has different needs, you just need to find the perfect fit for you and pursue it.

Going back in time is sure an interesting thought but as the saying goes, " We learn from our mistakes." If I were to speak to myself when I was a highschool senior and discuss college life, the transition and any important advice that I may have had, I would simply answer, "Create, Establish and Be Yourself." College opens up a plethora of doors for the future so don't be afraid, ask questions when needed, and try to establish the goal of why you are receiving a higher education. Being yourself helps alleviate any future stress that may have been created if you shy away from certain activities or classes. On that note, take any classes which interest you, open yourself up to different people and create new friends. Don't stress about school and most of all enjoy life because college is really the quickest and the best four years of your life. So remember creating opportunities, establishing the future workload, and being yourself are the simplest ways in order for you to ensure a smooth transition into the university of your choice.

The greatest advice I could ever give to my former self is "to just be you." In high school, I was worried about looks, popularity, and my reputation. However, once I got to college, I realized that none of these elements mattered anymore. College is truly a time to find yourself. It encompasses four short years where you, as a student and maturing adult, can have the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes, and learn who you aspire to be as a person in society. As I approach my senior year of college, I have learned that I am many things: a student, a writer, a dancer, a musician, an educator, and most importantly, a fighter. I will fight in order to make my dreams come true, no matter what obstacles I may face. If I had spent more time in high school focusing on the elements that make up me, rather than trying to be the person my fellow peers wanted me to be, then my high school years would have been much happier. Once again, my advice to high school students who are transitioning into college is to be you, just be you.

If I could go back to high school and tell myself anything I know now, it would be to not worry about the small things; by this I mean if you have a falling out with a friend and you don't speak to them or if you fail a test, move on. There are so many new people and adventures in college and it is a whole new world that you'll want to discover. The little things seem so important when you are young, but there really is a plan for you in the real world and it is up to you to take that plan and make a path for yourself. Remeber the sweet and not so sweet moments from high school and take those with you as you grow. Let those moments be a constant reminder of where you came from and where you are going. Life is about the journey you have had and the path to where you will go and if you worry about the little things, than you will miss the big and wonderful picture called life.

First of all, I would definately tell myself to start filling out college scholarship forms in my junior year. Financial aid is a huge part of college & the more scholarships you obtain, the better. It makes life much easier when you dont have to worry about how you are going to pay for school. Next I would tell myself to study a lot more, to make sure I have straight A's in all of my classes. It is vitally important to develop good study habits. It provides you with a solid base when you are struggleing in certain classes. I would also let myself know that things in college are totally different than in high school. You dont have all of the "groups" that high school has, the ones that can make your life miserable. Things do improve for alot of people when they move on from high school to college. There is a lot more acceptance of varried personalities. Finally, I would tell myself to believe in myself, that believe it or not, I can succeed at anything I put my mind too. Confidence in yourself is a key factor in succeeding.

If I could go back to my high school self, I would tell me to be more open minded. I was always within my own group of friends and I was very set in my ways in terms of what I loved to do which was musical theater, chorus, band and many other musical endeavors. I wish that I had spread my wings outside of the performing arts arena. If I had done so, it would make getting involved with activities outside of my major a lot easier. I am now a vocal music education major and I find it hard to branch outside of the school of music. Also I would tell my high school self that it is alright not to have many disctractions. I was very involved in my church and my school which made it hard to have life outside of those places. I used to think I was the only one of my friends who did not out to a party here and there. I was concerned with being considered "cool". However now being in college I am realizing that these distractions become more magnified and opportunites become more present.

Be assertive. Conflict will come, and you cannot run from it forever. Know what you believe, and stand up for it. Be yourself! You do not need to worry so much about losing people’s regard or affection. You are a likeable person, and people will still want to be your friend, even if you do not always do what they want you to do or think what they think. Make your own decisions and be accountable for them. You do not have to rely on your parents or friends to decide your future for you. Remember that this is your life, and you will have to live with the consequences of your choices. Do not do what feels easier now, if you know you will regret it later. Believe in yourself! You can do so much more than you think you can. I trust you will make the right decisions when the time comes, and you should too.

Advice that I would give to myself as a high school senior would be to come into college with an open mind. When transiting into college I was trying to look for similarities from my high school life. Initially I tried to find friends that were similar to my friends from high school and find any similarities around campus that would remind me of home. I quickly learned that College was going to be completely different and that it would slow me down if I tried to constantly think and remember events and people from High School. I am not saying to forget about your past, but I am saying that College is a time to branch out and create a new path in your life. If you try to recreate what you have done in the past there is no way that you will grow and learn new things. The first couple of weeks of college will be challenging when meeting new people and living in a new environment, but this challenging beginning will pay off in the end, because you will see the growth you have made as a person.

I know that you overreacted a lot to the things ahead of you, but understand that what happened in the past was all necessary to make room for the things of the future. It is easy to get carried away with worrying about which school to attend and which schools your peers are attending, but your life is yours so do not worry about others, and enjoy what you have right now. Most of all, never stop relying on God for peace and guidance because if you rely on Him, He really will give you peace. While you might be confused about what you will become or do, understand that God has an ultimate plan and that no matter what, since He loves you, He will keep you as part of that plan. It may not make much sense to you now, but you will be very humbled and awakened within the next three years. So be excited for what is to come, but more than that, be good to your family and be excited for what is going on around you now. Do not regret anything for even mistakes are made so that lessons can be learned. Enjoy!

The one and biggest thing I could tell myself-as well as anyone willing to listen-is that ‘things do not get any easier. As a high school student, there is a cloud that makes you think everything will work out. Just understand that no successful individual got where they are waiting for good things to come to them. They worked hard and put effort into everything they did. success was not meant for the lazy. Things only work out if you yourself make them work. So thank your parents and anyone who ever pushed you to do anything good, anything uncomfortable, anything hard, anything you didn’t want to do because had it not been for those people, I wouldn’t be what I am today. Work hard and remember everything you do is for you and not anybody else. Dad might be pushing you one way but if you go with your heart, you will be a lot happier, everything will turn out fine.

Knowing then what I know now would have made my path to education a lot more straight forward instead of the curved avenue of chaos it is now. I grew up being told I would never go to college and that I would inevitably end up in the shoes of a factory worker or another close ended job. Having beaten the dead horse of "college is too expensive and you will never go", my parents convinced me that no matter what I did I would end up with a future I did not want so I did not take my senior year of high school seriously, nor did I take into consideration what I would like to have as a career. What I learned from the time of my high school graduation and now is that what my parents told me was not true, people have the oppurtunity to go to school despite financial hardship. I would tell my younger self to stay invested in school and to take the AP classes I was offered because someday they WOULD matter! Basically I would want her to know there is always a chance at soemthing more, especially education.

The one thing I would stress more than anything else is the importance of AP classes and AP credits. I came into my freshman year with 0 credits while people like my roommate came in with 28 credits. Coming in with AP credits not only saves you valuable time and money but can also save your GPA by allowing you to skip out on the CORE classes at the University of Maryland. I would also advise incoming freshman to get as involved in the campus as possible because otherwise you really do not feel at home.

If I went back into time, I would tell myself not to get married before I finished college. I would tell myself the world is gigantic, their are so many ways to live your life and to explain how the world works, I shouldn't have to feel like I need to fit into the life my parents lived; a life, that brought me to get married at age 21. I would tell myself that I was talented in music and art and that I should seriously pursue it and be confident in my talents. I would remind myself not to be afraid of what hypothetical experiences would come from following that dream. Following a dream means making choices that align with that dream, as long as your open to opportunities, good things can happen! A dream is something you are passionate about, when your passionate, you are in the moment, and you act with yourheart. How can good things not happen when you live like that? I would tell myself to go to a college that accomodated what passions I want to develop, I would ask myself how can this college inspire me?

There are two things I would have told my past self. First, I would have told myself to take harder classes and set a better foundation for my college career. Secondly, take things one step at a time. As a high school senior I loved school. I was in Honors English and was good in most subjects. The one thing I failed to apply myself to was Math. In school I had a teacher who gave me a B for just showing up for class. Needless to say; when I decided to go to college I didn’t do well in the Math area of my compass test. If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self-something it would be, “If you try you can do it; ask good questions and take good notes, you can learn Math. It is not as hard as it looks.” College is all about time management and working toward the big picture. With hard work, dedication, and a proper mind set anything is possible.

Everyone wishes they could go back in time and change a specific situation. Going back to my senior year of high school would significantly change how my first year of college was carried out. I would tell myself to take more AP classes rather than taking easier classes to limit my stress levels. During my fall semester, I had to withdraw from a course. Luckily, I came in with three AP credits so having to drop a three-credit course did not impact me negatively. Nonetheless, had I come in with more, I would still hold an advantage over my peers. The most important thing I could tell myself, aside from academic advice, is that I should have sought medical help for my depression. Not doing so made the transition unbearable. My first semester was dreadful—my attitude, academic standing, and overall personality significantly changed. By not dealing with my depression sooner, I created a negative environment around myself, which prevented me from excelling academically. This limited the opportunities that were available to me. The first year of college shouldn’t be about fighting a battle with oneself, but rather being able to learn more about oneself and becoming independent.

Everyones idea of success differs. In high school I believed transition to a four year university was the only acceptable option after high school because this was the "norm". This mindset measured my concept of success. When I had to attend a community college before trasferring to a four year university I felt like I was accepting a small defeat. If I could go back I'd tell myself to choose the path that works best for me personally. I would reassure myself that the decision I made to attend a community college may not be everyones ideal choice, but it was the best choice for me. "Not only will attending a community college save you tons of money, but it will also prepare you for the transition to a four year university", I'd tell my high school self, "And upon receiving your two year associates degree you will feel an overwhelming sense of acheivement. Its not a failure, Its the smartest desicion you'll make." I'm now moving on to UMD and I've never felt more prepared. When thinking about college decisions measure success by your own standards-don't let anyone define it for you.

College is a fun, exciting place, with lots to offer. There are a myriad of classes, clubs, and people to interact with. Everything you do, or don’t do will affect what you get out of your experience. It is important to take the time to explore your options, and make the best decisions depending on where you are headed, and who you want to become.If I could do it all over again, I would pick my ideal job, or post graduation plan, and work backwards. If you know that you want to apply to a certain graduate school, or job, learn about the qualifications that you need to succeed in that application process. Is the company your targeting big on leadership, and community service? What kind of academic experiences do they expect their candidates to have?Armed with these kinds of informational facts, construct a game plan and that will ensure your reach your goal. This will maximize what you truly get out of college, and focus your experiences into what will help you down the line. You can always make changes along the way, but this is a great place to start.Good luck future self!

The advice that I would give myself in high school would be to try harder in classes, decide on a career to pursue, and strive to do your best in everything. In high school, I was a goof ball and did not put enough effort into my studies. I already knew that I would end up going to a community college so I wasn't so driven in getting good grades. Now knowing that community college is not providing enough classes for their students, I am determined in getting the classes I need to transfer. During my senior year in high school, my teachers would talk about scholarships to apply for and careers to study in college. At the time, I didn't pay much attention about scholarships and college. Reflecting on my decision in high school, I should have listened to my teachers. Entering community college, I now understand what career I want to pursue. Throughout my high school education, I was an average student and wasn't worry about doing my best. Now in college, I want to strive to do my best and understand that education is the key to success.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be much more active in seaching for financial aid. My first two years of college, I was forced to take on loans because I wasn't nearly as active as I could have been in searching for scholarships, and that's something I desperately regret. I wish I could be one of those people who graduates debt free, but because I didn't step up, I won't be able to (unless some miracle occurs). While graduating with debt isn't the end of the world, it is definitely a burden I could do without, and everyday I wish I could go back in time and apply for more scholarships. You lose nothing by applying, but by not applying, you lose the hope and reassurance that scholarships bring. That's something I wish my high school self would have understood better.

What I would tell my high school self is to be better prepared for college. I was the first one in my family to actually go to college, so I had to complete the process by myself with no help. When I finally got accepted I had no idea about things like scholarships, meal plans or financial aid that I was caught completly caught off guard. So I had to find a job and spent most of my college life either going to class or working to support myself. If I had been more informed I could have found helpful scholarships so I could get involved in college life instead of working most of the time.

I WOULD HAVE APPLIED FRO MORE SCHOLARSHIPS!

Knowing what i know now about college, I would advise myself to take more time and put more effort into researching scholarships, financial aid, and schools nationally. Rather than to have just listened to my parents and applied to one school, I should have been more bold and willing to explore my options.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely, without a doubt, tell myself to get involved with campus activities and programs right away. In my second semester of sophomore year, I just got involved with Campus Recreation Services, working for the intramurals program. I really wish I had got involved with this at the very start of my freshman year because not only am I making and saving up a little money, but I am constantly meeting new people and getting to watch fellow students partake in sometimes friendly, sometimes rather competitive, intramural games. Another piece of advice I would give myself in order to make my college experience an even better one would be to not rely on visits from my hometown friends. Because my college is only an hour away from home, I often relied on visit from my best friends to socialize. While this may have been more comfortable for me at the time, I wish I had taken more initiative to meet other students here at the school and to become friends with more people.

Dear High School Self, Don't take everything so seriously. Live everyday to the full because it doesn't last. Seriously, you should have visited more colleges! And applied to more, too. Your options were limited by this. Alos, make to most of the time you have right now, because your friends will come and go and it's tough out there in the college world of all-for-one-and-all-for-me. Sincerely, Yourself

Take initiative. Nobody is going to hand anything to you the older you get, and the sooner you go out and strongly pursue what you want, the more likely you will be to achieve it. Nothing is impossible, but be realistic with your goals, and always have one or more fallback options. Go out there and be your own person, do what interests you. At a large university, you can find some extremely interesting courses in nearly every field of study you can think of, and countless others that you would never have thought of. Never be afraid to do something new!

“Molecular biology,” I said, trying desperately to cover my reluctance. I had gotten the major question many times, but each time it seemed to hurt me even more. I had wanted to be an astrophysicist ever since I could pronounce the word, but years of others wearing down my resolution with pointed comments about career prospects had driven me to declare that I would pursue genetics. However, despite that façade, I still had nebulous plans for a possible double major in astrophysics, or going to astrophysics graduate school despite my undergraduate study in biology. I love astrophysics more than anything in the world, and I cannot imagine another career that would satisfy me. This was still true last year, but I let other people convince me that another career would be better for me. If I could go back to last year, I would remind myself of just how much joy astronomy gives me, and show myself that a PhD in astrophysics is not hopeless. If I helped my high school self to rediscover the wonder and passion I felt as a six-year-old (and still feel) when learning about the cosmos, I would not have abandoned astronomy.

The summer before I began my freshman year in college, I attended a summer bridge program at the University of Maryland. This is the college that I am currently attending and the one that I plan to graduate from. Although I was very excited and enthusiastic about the program I don't think that I gave it my best shot. A lot of my focus went on the fact that it was my last summer before I started college and my thinking then was that I should be having fun with my friends before we all went off to college. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone through the program with a different attitude. I would definitely be more open-minded, and be more focused on all of the benefits that this program had to offer. The advice I would give myself is to be able to recognize and take full advantage of an opportunity when it is given to me.

Stop thinking about failure. You're worrying so much about not getting into that early decision college and being forced to attend one of your "safety" schools. You're so hung up on it that you can't focus on anything else. Your heart races every time you get an email, sure it is the decision; your attention span disappears in class, because all you can think about is the number of days, hours, and minutes until you find out your future. On December 14th, you get rejected. For a few days, wallow in your misery. Then, get over it. Yes, you had pictured myself at this school, but now it isn't an option, so move on. A few months later, you'll get into eight other schools, and you'll eventually choose Maryland. You won't even be able to picture yourself anymore at that early decision school. Realize that worrying so much about rejection was just a waste of time you could've spent enjoying the first few months of senior year, and spend the rest of your precious time in high school focusing on the things that matter.

Well this is a question for the ages. I now know what it takes to be a college student. The first thing I will tell myself is to keep working to my fullest potential. College work is tough and I had no idea it was going to be this hard. I will tell myself to start preparing by taking a class at a community college over the winter break. I will further more tell myself to start developing keen study skills. That is one thing that was very new for me in college. The face pace of the lecture environment in college was sometimes overbearing. That was probably the most difficult transition. I had to teach myself the material from class. In order to prepare for this, I will tell my senior self to start learning the material for class ahead of time because that is what I do now to get good grades. It is better to understand the material if you took advantage of trying to look through it before the professor rushed through it. I never gave in high school and was not going to start in college.

i would tell myself that i need to study more and try harder. i would try to take as many advantages as i possible could. i would take the dual credit classes during my senior year. i would try to make the best out of everyday, because i would slack off,but now i know taht i need to make everyday better. i would try to get a job as soon as i could.