University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

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

Kelsey

To give it a chance. Give yourself a full year to get used to the environment and to make new friends! In addition, I would suggest when researching schools take an indepth look at all the possible majors the University provides. There are so many different majors out there, some you will have never heard of before, but if you take a look at them before you start you'll already be ahead of the game by knowing your options and knowing what is out there to choose from.

John

I would tell myself that I did not need to know exactly what I wanted to do for my career yet, but that I should begin researching different majors that colleges offered to be knowledgable about them. I would also tell myself that college is very expensive and planning financially is crucial to having a successful time at college.

Isaac

Don't be so quick to decide what you want. You may be lost in the hundreds of options available to you right now, but you're 18 years old. No 18 year old wakes up one day knowing the path they will take for the rest of their life. You're meant to be lost, to explore what's possible right now, and not to worry about the probability so much. You're meant to dream about what moves you, or go somewhere with enough optioins to figure out what that even is. Don't succumb to the pressure surrounding you; everyone will want to push you in one direction or another, and everyone believes that their advice is the most important and the most vaild, but they're usually wrong. My best advice? Tune it all out, don't sweat a reversible decision like going to college, and explore every possibility without prejudice. Remember that fortune favors not only the bold, but also the open-minded. Be open enough to find your passion or to let your passion find you, and you can't go wrong.

Robert

Hey Bob, so you're thinking about school choices. I know that Rensselaer sounds like the best choice (sorry for the spoiler; you get accepted). But trust me, UMass Amherst is the best decision you will ever make. You will meet a group of people that will consistently blow your mind with their creativity, uniqueness, and ambition, while still being cool and sane. This is exactly what you want. And if you're worried about being in the Honors College at UMass and worried that people are going to be weird, trust me, they will be weird. But weird is a weird word, it has such a negative connotation. Weird is exactly what you are looking for, my friend. As Apple's "Think Different" campaign stated, "Here's to the crazy ones." They are the people that will change you for the better, people that will inspire you to look at the other side of things. Do not go to that conceited, pretentious private school in upstate New York. You are nothing like that. Stay true to yourself, and know that you will meet some of the greatest people at UMass.

Madeline

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would say to not be as narrow-minded in my college interests. When I applied to college, I was set on going to a school down south, and I thought that I wanted to be a doctor. After one semester taking pre-med classes in South Carolina, I knew that it wasn't for me. I ended up transferring to a school in Massachusetts, and finally settling on studying to be a high school history teacher. By broadening my horizons and trying a variety of different classes, I wound up on a path I wouldn't have otherwise considered! College is a time to try new things, and I would recommend to my 17-year-old self and other high school seniors to go into their first year with an open mind, good work ethic and willingness to try new things. You have nothing to lose, and you will learn a lot about yourself along the way.

Robert

Not everything can be achieved through quick wit and blind chance. Yes, the high school system you're accustomed to is easily toppled through knowing the right people or having the proper personality, but next year your work ethic will be the only deciding factor in your future. Will you make the same mistakes as me, and be content with your relative academic obscurity? Or will you heed the warning and take it upon yourself to mature as not only a student, but a man as well? It's certainly not easy. Mornings in Amherst you'll awaken to the frost, seeing your breath the moment you wake up with your phone alarm blaring across what seems like an infinite dark void. My mistake was placing the covers back over my head, chuckling silently thinking I was in control, and lounging about for the rest of the day. A challenge as paramount as college is not conquered by the meek, but by the bold. It is only hard work that accomplishes hard work. DO NOT be content. Always strive for better, always try to make a difference, make the extra move, becasue it will be worth it in the end.

Katie

I would tell myself that the first few semesters in college actually matter the most toward your GPA and should be taken the most serious. These semesters are also the easiest but often taken for granted so spend lots of time in the library! Spend less time worrying what those around you think...you don't meet your best friends until sophmore year anyway. Don't be afraid to stray away from the crowd, take risks and be different. NEVER give up and work hard in school -- it will pay off.

Kyle

If I could go back to high school and speak to my pot-smoking, “The Who” jamming freshman self, I would not say a word. Although I was the furthest thing from an apple giving, front desk sitting student during high school, everything has turned out fine. I am very happy with where I am now and would not want to jeopardize that by killing my own buzz seven years ago. Although, I may sneak a note to myself saying: “Invest in 3D printing while it is a penny stocks It’ll be on the up and up. Good luck bro, have fun in Thailand!” (I have not smoked Marijuana since the conclusion of high school.)

Rose

It's important to relax and take things as they come. Don't torment yourself over making the right decision once the acceptance letters come; half of what makes a good college experience is your own attitude and openness to exploring new places and people. On that note, don't forget to look around you once you get to college. There are so many things I missed out on in my freshman year simply because I was so focused on classes and getting to know fellow freshman. While these are both important, it's easy to become isolated and dissatisfied if you don't stretch out and let yourself roam. Check out what's happening off-campus--discover where you are, what sort of town or city it is, and what it has to offer. Also delve into events and groups on your campus, and not just those that your new friends are going to; not only is this a great way to meet new and different people, but you can get so much more out of clubs and groups later on if you get involved early. Be curious and be confident, and you'll have a stellar first year.

Ali

I chose to attend my local 2-year community college following high school in order to save money whole continuing to pursue my higher education. At the time, I was frustrated and felt pressured by my parents to take this route. I thought that community college was for people who did not try in high school; it felt like my GPA and all of my studying was a waste. If I could go back, I would tell my high school self that community college was the right choice and to enjoy my time there. The classes kept me challenged, I met some amazing people, and had the most enthusiastic professors. In additon, I am now continuing my education at another fantastic school, but with probably half the loans of my fellow classmates. Overall, I would tell myself that community college would be one of the most pleasant surprises and that I should embrace it.

Cassandra

If the laws of time and space were broken and I could back to my former high school senior self, I would reassure myself that being away from home is not as scary as it seems. I had never been away from home more than a week at a time alone, and even then I was with extend family the entire time. I dreaded living away from home because I didn't know what it would feel like to have complete control over what I did with my life. Now that I live in a freshmen dorm, I understand now that my friends on my floor are my new family. It's not the same as living with my parents, but sharing a home with 300 brothers and sisters. The freshmen dorms at my school take on a "family-like" atmosphere. Even though I truely feel at home back in my hometown, I considered my dorm my second home within the 1st week because of how accepting the people were of me. I feel like if I knew how easy it would be to live on my own, I wouldn't have been so stressed over the summer about it.

Laura

I was your typical high school senior, pretty much "done" with high school, eager to move out of my small hometown, and beyond stressed about where I was going to declare my future home and school. Between taking the SATs (countless times I might add), writing (and rewriting) my college essay, and touring what seemed like an endless string of schools, I was a constant ball of stress. What was I going to major in? Would I like my classes? What if I hated college? What if I failed? These questions consumed my thoughts. I was so scared for the future, and what college may hold. If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now about college, I would tell myself to calm down. I would assure myself that it really was going to be okay. No matter what decision I made, it would all work out. College is a land of opportunity. You can make yourself into whatever kind of person you want to become. Sometimes things won't work out. You might fail a test or two, but if you keep your eyes open for all of the oppurtunities, great things will come.

Jasmin

I would tell myself to relax for a day, at least. Don't stress out about every single thing and try to enjoy the days I have left in high school. Also, I would tell myself to manage my time better so that it's not as hard as it was during this fall semester. I would urge myself to do more extracurricular activities or volunteer more often instead of working all the time. Also, follow the schedule I made for myself because in college, I would write my schedule down but not look at it when I plan my extracurricular activities. I would also advise myself to go back to the Philippines to spend time with my family and not to think college is the hardest transition. It's not as hard as I thought it would be other than the time management and I would have liked it if I made time for other activities other than stress out and work two jobs.

Kathryn

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not worry so much about the transition, to not over analyze and worry about making friends or fitting in. I would tell myself that simply being myself and being outgoing would allow me to make friends and meet some of the best people I've ever known. I would tell my high school self that leaving home isn't the worst thing in the world and that soon enough, school will seem like home as long as you let it.

Joseph

Remember two things: first, be responsible with your social life. Don't party too much or too hard but take the time to make lasting friendships and give yourself frequent restful breaks from work and study. Be mindful of the interface between all of these things and don't let things like your socioeconomic background become as important as I'm sure you want them to be. Second, keep reading. It is going to push you ahead. Fiction or non-fiction, whatever it is, keep on reading because you are doing it right. All through my college career and through the break between when I left and then recently came back, it was my affinity for reading that made that last difference, whether that was the right thing to say at a job interview about David Eggers that allowed me to bond with the interviewer, or whether it was that extra familiarity with the material that made my paper an A instead of an A-. It isn't as hokey as it seemed all these years of compulsory education; reading really is going to set you apart in a sort of echelon of other avid readers.

Danielle

Recognize your fear. Appreciate the work which has delivered you to this point and understand the poignancy of unprecedented independence. You are afforded an opportunity rich with chances to explore your desires and passions. While thrilling, this can also be unnerving. When faced with choices that will shape your future, some will be more difficult than others. Do not choose the complacent path. Revel in your cunning and vivacious spirit and reach for opportunities that celebrate it. Challenge yourself to persevere in pursuit of your ambitions, and trust you will emerge wiser for it. You are forging a path, and as you make meaning of life around you, you will discover inspirations that point you in new directions. In questioning your future, you will experience fear of the unknown. Recognize it and understand it is temporary, then turn to the things which give you strength. Explore disciplines that intrigue you, which call upon your talents and challenge you to grow. It is this growth that will give you the confidence to succeed in the long run. Recognize your fear, and trust yourself to see through it. With practice, you will only grow stronger for it.

XIAOXUAN

I will suggest myself learning more about biology in high school senior. Because the biology courses in collage is difficult and confused. And I will suggest myself to learn another foreign language to make more friends and study foreign culture. Moreover, I also will susggest myself to never stop playing piano in high school senior.

William

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in highschool I would tell myself to prepare to have no one hold your hand. college and highschool are two completely different places. In highschool you have one on one interactions with your teachers almost daily, whereas in college you have to seek out one on one attention with professors and tailor youre schedule to fit to theirs not vice versa. Another aspect of college that I would tell my high school self about is how important effect time management is. In highschool you have a set schedule every day. but in college you have the freedom to make your own schedule and along with this freedom comes the time management aspect. for example you may only have one class on tuesdays but this doesnt necessiarly mean that the one class you have that day is the only thing you have to focus on. This accompanied with distractions from peers and social life can make managing youre time very difficult. That is what I would tell my high school self about college.

Lauren

My college situation is quite unique. I moved into a school two hours from home, freaked out, and moved out two days later. I then enrolled in a college close by to home and commuted, and am now transferring to UMass Amherst. I have had severe anxiety about being away from home my entire life. In high school, most students wanted to attend colleges far away from home. I felt pressured to live up to my classmates and to do the same, so I chose a school that was out of my comfort zone. I told myself that it would all work out there, and it didn't. I was ashamed at myself at first, but now I see it as a learning experience. I wish that I could have told myself that it is okay not to be ready to be away from home. Some people, including myself, need a little more time to feel comfortable living far away. After spending a semester commuting and staying with friends in dorms far away from home, I know that I am ready to make the adjustment. I cannot wait to move into my new home, and finally become more independent.

Brandi

When I started applying for college my head was full of delusions of grandeur and wild ideas about what I would accomplish in school. I sent out eight applications but was certain that my top choice would accept me in a heartbeat because--clearly--we were made for each other. Of all those schools I received only one acceptance and it definitely wasn't from my dream school. I was heartbroken, certain that I my entire life was now doomed. One semester later found me the happiest I have ever been in my life. I may have only been accepted to one school, but it was the only school that mattered. If I could give my past self any advice it would be that you'll end up going where you're supposed to. No matter how desperately you want that dream school, if they don't think you're a fit for them, then they definitely aren't a fit for you. Don't worry about what you think you want. Instead, accept what doors open themselves to you as they are the ones that will help you most as you grow in this world.

Breana

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior there are many things I would say to myself. Perhaps the most important, to me, is that I should join a club or group! The campus population is about 26,000 and even though there are always thousands of people around, not joining a club can lead you to not meeting many people. I would have joined a club as soon as I got on campus in order to make friends. Another thing I would tell myself is to stay true to my values. My first year in college I attempted to do things that went against my core values and had dire consequences for me, emotionally. At the time I thought it would be fine, but now I see that who you are is who you are, no matter the surroundings. Finally, I'd tell myself to keep the same disposition I've always had, and still do have. Everything will work out just fine, so just put in effort and give things time! I'd love to be able to advise my highschool self, but now I have many valuable lessons learned.

Melissa

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are a lot of things I would tell myself. If I knew what I knew now I would not have been as weary or as nervous to leave for school. I would tell myself not to stress so much about the grades I was receiving in high school. It is very important to work hard for your grades but sometimes you can put too much pressure on yourself and that is not good for your mental health. Another thing I would tell myself is that life goes on. Before leaving for school I was very nervous to leave because I was afraid my relationships at home would not be the same with family and friends. The truth is a lot of time relationships change but sometimes they change for the better. People that are meant to be in your life will be there. Lastly, I would tell myself to make sure I am happy. I went in wanting a career for money and now I have found something that I would truly love as a career.

Adam

Assuming I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a few tips for myself. The biggest piece of advice I would have is to sharpen up on my study skills. Studying in college is not efficient if you do not know the proper way to study. I would also make sure that I realized the importance of a good night's sleep. This would allow me to be well rested every day which would help my focus in class and improve the quality of the notes I take. My final bit of advice would be to make sure that I am not too stubborn to seek out help when it is needed. If I am struggling in a class I often feel a sense of pride that makes me think I can turn things around on my own. In order to succeed the best way to deal with these classes would be through office hours and tutors.

Meghan

Given the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about the transition to college, the advice I would give myself would be to get as involved on campus as possible. Since I attend college at a large state school, it can be easy to feel like you blend in with the other 28,000 undergraduate students. I've found that by joining clubs I've created my own kind of small community where I'm spending time with other students that have similar interests to me. By having this sense of belonging, it really helped me to feel more at home at my school which helped combat the homesickness that nearly every college freshman faces. While it would be easy to stress that it is important to work hard in classes or make new friends, I think that getting involved on campus is essential to the college transition and it is often an opportunity that is over looked by most students.

Kayla

Knowing what I know now about college, I've definitely learned that less is more. You don't need to buy all the things on dorm lists, and chances are, they won't fit in the dorm room anyway. I sent home a lot of items I thought would be necessary in college, but have not found the use for. Not only will it save you from having a cluttered dorm room, but also it will save you money. This, is a huge thing I wish I could go back and change from my high school years. I wish someone had been there to tell me, "No, you don't need that $300 prom dress" because now, when buying books, I wish I had that extra $300. Save and spend wisely, my friends. Apply for all the scholarships you can, because funds run dry a lot faster than you'd expect, especially if you have to pay your whole way like I do. Everything counts. If you know what you want to do, gain more experience in that. Experience means money, eventhough it might just be volunteering now, it'll pay off in the end.

Alyssa

If I could go back to high school and tell myself what I know now I would tell myself that high school is something that is unforgettable. The friends that I made in high school are a special type of friend because I have grown up with them my hole life and I would tell myself to not take them for granted. Also If I could go back I would choose a smaller school and I would tell myself to join as many clubs as I wanted. To not be scared about living my own life and that it is ok to make mistakes and to learn from them. I'd also tell myself that its ok for everyone to not like you and that you can do whatever you want. The last thing I think I would tell myself is that in order to grow you need to not be scared of trying new things.

Thomas

As a high school senior I knew I wouldn't be heading to college the year after. I had not recieved a scholarship for athletics and school was to expensive. I would go back and tell myself to work harder on talking to coaches and having more of a presence with scouts. I wouldn't change my experience of having to work for a couple of years before I got into college. It gives you perspective on the world and life and makes your realize that you want to better your path in life.

Beth Ann

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to make sure I prioritize. It is very easy to get caught up in being away from your family for the first time, and having so much freedom that you never did before. It is easy to party all the time and forget about classes. You need to think about what is important in the long run and make school your first priority because in a few years you will regret not taking your education more seriously. If you don't spend enough time studying in your freshman year, you will have to make up for it later, and it will be hard, and it will be a waste of money, and you will wish you had focused more on school when you had the chance. You are given more freedom than you know what to do with in your first year at college, and time management is the biggest issue for freshman because everything sounds more fun than studying, but it is not worth it in the long run.

Rebecca

If I could go back in time there would be a lot that I would tell myself as a high school senior. First and foremost, this is your time to explore and figure out exactly what you want to do for your career. You don't need to have it all firgured out right now. Go away, as far away as you want. Apply to the schools that you don't think you have a chance to get into. Go and visit as many schools as interest you. Once you decide what school you want to be at, take it seriously. School is your job. Do the best in every class. If you get overwhelmed with life as a young adult, talk to your counselors. Take a semseter off if you have to and figure out what is best for you. Don't just drop off the face of the earth, you are only going to hurt yourself. Take every opportunity that the school offfers you. Study abroad. Go on the school sponsored trips. You will regret not having done so. Most importantly, remember it is not selfish to take of and make accomplishments for yourself.

Nathan

If I had to give myself advice, I think the biggest thing would be to just relax. I was always worried about getting into schools and worrying about my major that I didn't think about the simplest things. That is, I would tell myself to break down all of the numerous tasks involved in the application process and do one at a time rather than trying to do them all at once. Once here, I would definitely tell my high school self, just relax. Don't worry about the major. Don't worry about making friends. It comes naturally and there's very little that you can't acheive once you're here. Getting involved is easy as long as you're willing to slow down and take a look around.

Keshia

The one thing I would tell my high school self would be not to give up on subjects I didn't like. Just because you find math and science difficult (unlike literature or the social sciences) does not mean they can't be interesting. In college, subjects aren't restricted to basics like Biology or Algebra. You have courses such as Astronomy, Math for Life and Social Sciences, The Science of Food, or Microbiology: Cancer & AIDS. Don't limit yourself to what you know. Try to challenge yourself with things you don’t know. The point of college is to further expand your knowledge and diversify your interests in all subjects.Thats what makes you a rounded, individual. Don't forget that.

Dimitrios

The main advice I would give to my high school self in the past would simply to be study more. In highschool I pulled straight A's and B's with doing either homework for 10 minutes a night or none at all. If I were to study around an hour or two every night during my senior career in high school, I would have easily had a higher GPA and I would have most definitly received some academic scholarships.

Lydia

If I had the ability to travel backwards in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say a number of things. I would say, “You’re accustomed to living in a small town. You’ve grown up and gone to school with the same sixty kids since you were five years old.” The population of UMass Amherst is extremely diverse compared to the relatively homogenous population of my small town high school. The population of UMass Amherst is six times that of my entire home town. With this new environment filled with so many new and different people comes the importance of maintaining an open mind. This is no problem at all for me but it is important nonetheless. In freshman year, the people you meet are just as important as the classes you take. There will be people from very different backgrounds and stories. It may not be advertised as such but you go to college to immerse yourself in a diverse situation to learn to be more open-minded going forward in life. Last but not least I would say, “Keep a balance between your school and social life and you will excel.”

Yael

If I could go back to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to look into what types of classes I could take to best mark off requirements for college. I took 3 different APs (not all senior year), all of which knocked off general education requirements, but I wish I had the desire to take more instead of taking classes which would not benefit college. If I had taken just one more AP class, it would make college schedualing so much easier. I would also tell myself not to apply to colleges that I wouldn't want to go to. I applied to colleges I didn't like just because I wanted a safety net, but I should have just focused on the colleges I would want to go to. Also, I would tell myself to search colleges not on the common app, and to find colleges with better scholarship offers.

Bethany

The hardest part of the college transition for me was dealing with the financial difficulties of staying in college. I would tell my high school self that no matter which college I chose I would still be happy, thus it would be in my best interest to choose the college with a lower tuition. But even if I chose a college that turned out to be too expensive it would not be the end of the world. Everything happens for a reason. All experiences are life lessons. As a second semester transfer it’s ok to feel out of the loop as if everyone has already established their friend groups. Keep in mind however, that there is a place for you. In fact, there are several places where you will not just “fit in,” but thrive. Take every opportunity presented to you, especially those that scare you. It may sound cliché but it’s true that stepping out of the box is when you’re going to really challenge yourself and grow as a person. Lastly, be conscious of each moment. Today will never happen again.

Sarah

Be prepared to push yourself farther than you thought you could go! College is a time to really get to know yourself, while still having the ability to fall back on a safety net of close friends and family should you need to, so don't be afraid to reach a little higher. Even if it seems like it'll never work - and even if it doesn't in the end - you'll never regret trying things you haven't before.

Jessica

I would tell myself to enjoy every minute of life and to enjoy the changes most of all; change is so inevitable and how you handle it defines you. Enjoy the change instead of stressing about it and don't be scared to let life happen.

Adriana

Stick with astronomy, do as much research as you can, and remember a good person will show they are good when you need someone there.

Nicole

Adjusting to the new lifestyle was difficult at times. You’re given a new set of freedoms, without parents or teachers willing to help a freshman navigate their adjustment into college. College is very different from high school. If you never had to study or spend much time on homework in high school, I guarantee that changes in college. My advice to myself as an incoming freshman would be to keep my door open. I met my best friends by just introducing myself to the people on my floor. The first night away from home is the hardest, but once you start meeting people, it gets better. In the end, don’t worry about it too much - it’s not as scary as it seems. Also, if I could go back in time, I'd tell myself that college is nothing like orientation. Orientation is by no means representative of college life, so don't be scared. It goes by really fast, so enjoy it before you’re putting on another cap and gown.

Jacqueline

If I could go back, I would tell myself to be as pro-active as possible from the beginning. I would tell myself that college is not like the movies. I would tell myself that college is a business and a system that you will need to learn how to work with. I would tell myself that all of my sacrifices would not go unrewarded-that it would all be worth it. It wasn't until my junior year that I started to really take charge of my educaiton and stopped complaining about not getting the educaion I had anticipated. I thought of myself as a customer of the University and was severely disappointed when I had to fight for my grades and for my education from professors that appeared uninterested. It was a lot more difficult being pro-active, but it ultimately allowed me to get the results I was looking for.

JANICE

Janice- start saving all those paychecks from work as soon as you start working. Your stress levels in all senses drop when you have a little money saved up. Get off the computer and read some books- do all those assignments that you know are easy but are too lazy to do. The better you do in school, the more your parents will back off and the more money you can get in aid. Apply to scholarships- it'll help your parents. You are capable and who cares if you're not the best in class? Don't be discouraged because no one cares what you did in high school. Start good habits NOW!

Isabel

Explore. Meet new people. Have fun. Study a lot. Stay organized. Fall in love. Break-up. Make-up. Be yourself. Make life long friends. Laugh at your self. Make yourself memorable. Go against the crowd. Join the riot crowd. Ask for an extension. Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy the weekends. Soak in the sun. The first word I chose was explore. I say explore because throughout college I really had no idea what I wanted to do and it wasn’t until I left that I figured it out. Enjoy every minute, but walk away knowing where you are heading.

elizabeth

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go for my dreams and not let anything hold me back. I would tell myself to keep an open mind and spend more time listening--both to others as well as too my own inner voice. I would set goals for myself and stick with them instead of going with what others think I should or shouldn't do. I would tell my high school senior self to take better care of myself both physically and emotionally. Finally, I would tell myself to cherish the people closest to me (you never know how much time you have to spend with the people you love).

Saige

Knowing what I know about college, I would tell myself to relax. As a high school senior, you are going through one of the most stressful, yet crucial, times of your life. The pressure to balance doing well in school, maintaining copious amounts of extracurriculars and applying to college is almost unbearable. Now that the chaos of senior year and college admissions are over, it’s easier to see the bigger picture. Everything works out for the best in the end and once you’re situated with new friends and surroundings, all of the high school drama and competition is completely insignificant. In direct regards to academics, I would tell myself to organize my time more efficiently. Self-motivation is fundamental to do well, as there is no one to remind you to study. An assignment might not even be mentioned if it’s already written on the syllabus and when the due date rolls around if it's not done, there is no forgiveness. Make-ups and extra credit assignments are rare too, so missing one assignment could mean death to your final grade. College has been the most enriching experience of my life and I love every minute.

Heather

Dear Senior Self, College is going to be a liberating experience for you. Embrace it. You are more ready than you give yourself credit for to move away from home and start making all of your own decisions. Leaving your sisters and your high school friends will be hard, but the time you spend with them during breaks will be more than enough to keep you close. As much as you want to be with her now, do not get yourself into a relationship before going away to school. A long distance relationship will take a toll on your mental health and you will miss out on getting to know some amazing people that you will meet at school. Study hard. You may not have had to work at getting good grades in high school, but college is a lot more serious. Read the textbooks, take good notes, and go to class! Remember that you are paying for your education now, so do not waste your money by sleeping during lectures and procrastinating when you should be doing homework. The most important thing I can tell you is to not lose sight of who you are. Sincerely, Future You

Kelly

Upon finding myself at a university I do not like, I often reflect on my time in high school and who I was. An eager overachiever, I would like to tell my younger self to do more, to find a hook. I need to find something that really makes me stand out in a sea of applicants that would prove I can do well in a competitive school environment.

Amanda

I came from a very poor family. No one told my sister and I even what the SAT's were, or how to get into college. We struggled very hard to figure out how college worked and how to use it to our best advantage. If I could go back, I would tell myself to research scholarships, and understand how to properly sit down, study, focus, and make time for myself at the same time. I would also want to teach myself how to manage fiancial aid and work in a way that would have made my first year definitely more easy. My biggest regret was not having known the most basic things, such as how to fit in with people from a higher economic bracket, and what different academic terms meant (such as "registrar") It was all so confusing my first year!

Sarah

Dear Sarah, You are a teenager attending David Prouty High School, and I am your future self. High School is a fun time in your life but remember that there is so much more happiness and adventure to come in your life. The friends you have made in high school will not remain your friends forever, so keep the ones who mean the most to you. It is important you keep an open mind about your classes and stay focused so you can get into the college of your dreams! By the time you are a senior you are going to hate every wall, classroom, and locker at David Prouty, but time will fly, and before you know it you will be moving into your college dorm. Cherish your time as a high school senior because you only graduate once. Make it memorable. When the time comes to attend college just be yourself. I promise you are going to meet great people there. Don’t stress about your roommate, she is awesome. Most importantly don’t stress about your classes because you are going to do great! I can only hope you follow my advice and have faith in yourself.

Samuel

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to make decisions for myslef. Originally I believe I listened to my parents too much and forced myself to make a decision about a school that I wasn't sure if I would like. Turns out I didnt. It was too small, not a lot to do there and far away from home. Having transferred to UMass from a smaller school of about 5,000 students I love it here so much more. The other students don't go home on the weekends, you have the freedom to be yourself here and aren't constantly being watched over like a hawk. If I could go back and tell myself something it would be to go with your gut. If you feel like one school will be better suited for you, go for it. There is no sense in going to a school that you won't love and enjoy yourself. You will only find yourself wishing you had gone elsewhere. You must know the final decision has to be yours, you are the one who will be taking the step to a new college.

Amber

i would tell myself that continueing my education is the right step to make although its not funnor is it easy but is worth it in order to live a decient life and be in a sucessful career before starting a family so that i can provide for them and give them the best life possiable.