University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, while in high school I would have probably took my classes a tad bit more seriously. I would have looked for more scholarships. I would have decided on what I was going to do at that time, so when I arrive at college I wouldn't waste any time thinking about what I am going to do for the rest of my life. I would have most likely looked into other schools in Massachusetts because I live approximately seven minutes away from my house. But other than those examples I would have done the same thing I had done before.

If I could go back to when I was a Senior in High School I would tell myself to just relax. I have picked a great school that has a great campas, teachers and opportunity for employment if needed.

Do not worry about college. You will grow into your own person in this time span. Do'nt rush it, and do not give up on what you want to do with your life. It's your life to live so choose with your heart and follow it whether it be to a solid goal/career or some undefined one. There are four years to choose what you want to do with your life after school and you can take some extra time if you need to so do not feel ashamed if this happens. With that said, you're friends will both come and go, but the bonds that you will form at what ever college you indeed decide to go to, will stay with you forever. Live your life to the fullest and get involved as quickly as possible, because the best four or more years of your life await.

I would tell my self to work harder and push my self so that I get the best education that I can. I would also have liked to get more involved with my school.

To put myself first and not let a boy affect my life so drastically. Something I thought I could never get past, I did get past. No one is worth your education and your mental health. It is okay to have a social life but it shouldn't interfere with school. Don't let your family, your friends or significant others try to make decisions for you, it is your decision to stay in school. Don't give up because of financial difficulties. Become the opera singer you always wanted to be and don't let anyone stand in your way.

Never surrender your personal integrity. Somewhere along the line, a large segment of the population has received and embraced the message that it is acceptable to be dishonest, to not tell the truth, and to succeed at any cost. The rational that many individuals present to justify such shameless behavior is: If everyone else is cheating, stealing, plagiarizing or lying, then it is not a level playing field if you do not engage in those activities as well. The lack of personal integrity directly and precariously sabotages our society and devalues us as individuals. Ultimately, these transgressions pass back to us in the form of increasted costs. More importantly, it threatens the very foundation our nation was fashioned upon; namely, truth, honor, and fairness for all. We cannot help ourselves and others attain a better life if we do not first and foremost hold ourselves to a high standard. Life is not always fair, but continually taking the easy way can become a malicious habit extending into graduate school, jobs, and relationships. The temptations are great and we cannot legislate morality, therefore, we must as individuals hold fast to "honesty before advantage" and make a better world for all.

I would tell myself to take things slow and concentrate on one thing at a time. To prepare to be more independent and to teach myself with the guidance of a professor, instead of copying and cramming. I would tell myself that time management should be a main focus because there are so many social oppurtunities. I would stress the need for balancing all aspects of academic and social life, and remembering that academics is the main focus. I would remind myself that i am now paying for this education and these loans are more than numbers on paper. I would also tell that high school senior to live up to his own expectations, not to live up to the "womanizer" or "party animal" because those labels won't get you too far. I would tell that senior that college is whatever he wants it to be and that is all up to him.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school seinor i would deffinatly give myself a few pieces of advice. One peice would be to get a second job and work work work. College is expesive, the life, the food, books and the supplies. Also, i would tell myself to to start looking for a job right when you get there. I waited until i could work for Campus Services, and even though it is an awesome job, i could be doing it for non-work study and doing a desk job for work-study and be making more money. The final piece of advice would be NOT to go out with Chris. it ends badly with a lot of heart ache so run while you still can.

Focus. College is not 13th grade and you are completly in charge of your own education. Dont just do your work: know your matierial. Gain as much from this as you can because it will stay with you your entire life. Semesters really aren't that long to learn a subject. Buckle down, stay up late, and understand your stuff. Its the best advice I can give.

I would have gotton used to scheduling my time better.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would probably tell myself to apply for more scholarships and financial aid. Although I did apply for some, I wish I applied for more scholarships as I currently have to take out large private loans to pay for school. The financial aid at my school goes by my parents' income, but I will be paying for school by myself, and I am not looking forward to having to repay so much money in loans. So in conclusion, I would tell my high school senior self to apply for many more scholarships!

Going back in time to my senior year I would offer myself some good advice I had never recieved. I would tell myself that yes, you are going to be going through a transition. You may take it easily while others struggle. I would also say you are going to no longer have your parents around to tell you what to do. Meaning your life is really in your own hands now. You are responsible for everything. One important thing you are responsible for is weather or not you go to class and weather or not you do your homework. And that you should always be responible and go to class and do your work. You need to get good grades to achieve in life. You are paying a lot of money for this great educate you should embrace it and not let it go to a waste. Lastly I would tell myself to have a little fun but, to remember to call home often and remember morals and your right from wrong.

I would tell myself not to stress high school so much, because college is more difficult. I would have also told myself to apply to more colleges and have visited more colleges.

Thinking back to my early college days up until my junior year many lessons have been learned both as a transition from the high school world to college and into life as a whole. If I could advise myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that you need to chose wisely who you want your closest friends to be when you are initially getting to know people. Try finding friends in a similar major with similar interests and beliefs who you can rely on to be there in any situation. Four years is a long time to live with people that you want as good friends, so chose wisely. I would also advise to create good time management skills. Balancing social activities, working at a job, and focusing on studies can become overwhelming, but if the right habits are instilled early in a college career, success in all aspects of your liefe will be much easier to attain. Manage your life in such a way that your work is done with exceptional quality as well as being a reliable employee at a job, yet finding time to spend with your favorite loved ones and friends.

In high school, many teachers often extended the time allotted for passing in work. Soon students were not taking deadlines very seriously and work was always late. This upset me as I tried to always complete work on time, but i soon subcumbed to this also. In college I learned that if a deadline was a certain day at a certain hour, if later by as much as one minute, the work was not accepted and a failing grade was recorded. I would be sure I continued to always have my work done on time or ahead of time and develop this as a habit.

If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior i think i would advise myself to put myself out there more when i first arrived at school, to meet a wide varitey of people. I also would tell myslef to make smarter decisions when it came to peer pressure and to trust my gut when a situation doesn't feel like a good idea. One of the best things it took me a few months to learn is that it is okay to spend time alone, in the library and taking a day to do nothing. In the beginning I comporsmised studying and relaxation time to hang out with people and it can take a lot of energy to do that all the time.

Go into college with an open mind and willingness to work hard and try new things. College is all about performing to your highest to potential with the resources given to you. What ever resources you do not have you will acquire the skills to go and retreive them. Persistance is a skill needed in college and motivation pays off in the long run. Do not be afriad to try new things and experience something you have never experienced before. College is the time where you truely find yourself and can decide to start fresh or progress from where you left off, either way your future is in your hands. The opportunity is in front of you and it is your choice to take advantage of it or not. There is so much freedom in college but do not let the space and opportunity get you caught up in the moment, just like in the real world every action has result or consequence. Enjoy the experience while achieving goals. Stay focused and make memories to last a life time.

I would recommend to Evan the high school senior that he should enjoy his final year of high school by getting involved in student activities and clubs. It is the best year of school and by getting involved in different groups, you meet new people and develop your social skills. This is a huge advantage when you go off to college where there are so many different people from a variety of backgrounds. Yet another suggestion is to learn how to use your time. While in high school you go from class to class without really having to think too much about it. College on the other hand takes planning, organizing and following through on your daily schedule. I guess the right term is to learn time management skills. Yet another suggestion would be to not room with a friend, but be assigned a room with a complete stranger. This will force you to learn to live with someone you do not know and may keep your relationship with your current friend intact. Finally, try and work a part-time job so you have a few dollars in your pocket. Mom and Dad are paying enough already. Enjoy college Evan.

Dont settle for something just because its there and easy. Work hard and push yourself to do more than you think you can.

I would have taken college more seriously as a senior. I never knew how much time management, commuting and price ranges for semesters really mattered until it was the 11th hour. I wish I had prepared myself with more college tours, looked into all my financial plans and got to know each campus before I agreed the last minute. I was very happy with my decision, but friends that go further away have many more opportunities and advantages I'll never see due to my lack of preperation. I can't change my decision, I can just help future students.

I'd probably tell myself it is not worth going to college and spending the money. yes, college is important, but even after graduating from college, I don't expect to get a decent job with a decent pay. Rather than attending college, it would have been wise for me to invest the money in a business. At least that way, I would have been able to tell my self: "Its my fault that I am not making any money, not the 'economy'..."

I would have applied to way more colleges/Universities. Also would have taken the scholarship process more seriously. Lastly, would emphasize how important freshman year transition is.

Study hard and make sure you have a good time. You will make lots of friends and appriciate everyone of them.

You never really know if it's thr right school until you get there and start classes. I know this can be frustrating but this is why making the most informed choice possible is so important. You need to find out what is important to you in a school, campus, and student body. Don't forget, while the class quality is important, you are also making yourself a part of a pre-existing community. Talk to as many current students and faculty as possible; preferably those in your chosen field of study. Once you are at the school you have chosen, get involved! Even on the smallest campuses, there are ways to meet new, interesting people. Surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you and they will only help you on your endevors. Try to stay away from people who just want to be there to party. Parties are fun and I don't suggest avoiding them entirely but you still want to make it to your sophomore year. Pay attention to when your classes are and try to sign up for ones that meet your ideal studying schedule and social calendar. Most importantly, enjoy the ride.

The best advice i can give to both parents and students about finding the right college and its experiences is to take advantage of all options and resources. If there are any schools your interested in you should apply to all of them no matter what even if you dont think you can afford them or its too far from home , you never know what will happen until you make an effort. Student should also search for schools that have activites they would be interested in because thats apart of the college experience. Also both parents and students should plan ahead financially because there are a lot of unexpected cost of being a college student from things like curriculum support fees to health insurance and miscellanious expenseces like food, they residential food does get tiring after awhile. Remember college is a time for experiences and learning to be on your own so try to chose a school that has a little distance from home but is close enough where you can still make it home when your in the mood for a home cooked meal which mostlikely you will crave after a while.

explore as many colleges as possible before choosing and always have a back up choice.

When choosing a college make sure that you don't let the college experience aspect make your decision for you. You're going to get that where ever you go. Just think about what you would like to study and find what colleges have the best curriculum for that subject and if you ready to put your mind and soul into that subject then your decision will be made.

The main advice I would offer is to find out what your interests are. Many students attend business schools or may major in a business field because they think a career in that field will be the most lucrative. However, sometimes these students find themselves performing poorly in school because they did not choose a college or major that matches their interests or goals in life. After finding a college that will allow you to explore your interests, I would recommend getting involved in campus activities, such as clubs, plays, or other special events. Not only could you meet many friends from these activities, but you could learn a lot and gain lifelong memories. Study habits are extremely important in college. You must learn not to procrasinate, as it could result in a large amount of assignments due at the end of the semester. It is also best to study in groups, as engaging in discussion about the subject will help you to absorb the information better. The best college advice to remember: learn a lot, make yourself a better person, and have a great time!

Follow your bliss, that wherever it leads you you'll have a place in your heart to cradle life's lessons. Intellect must be nourished with passion, just as passion demands knowledge of some sort. Know and love the work you do. Know and love the people you work with. These people will help you follow your bliss as you grow older-- and help you fashion it as you grow all together.

Before deciding which college to attend, students need to visit a variety a colleges and seriously consider all of their options. They need to look at the majors offered, what residence life is like and the activities offered at the school. Once students pick a college and starts school, the student needs to be sure to get involved. School isn't purely about classes, it is also about the things you do outside the classroom. Clubs, sports, fraternities/sororities and the like are where students are going to meet the majority of their friends. Plus, when you meet your friends at activities such as those, you instantly have something in common with the people you are meeting.

go to private schools if going out of state, the scholarship money makes up for the cost and its more diverse, know what you want to do and find the best program for you, be open minded, don't rule out schools for cost,

in order to make the most out of college, no matter what college it is, make sure to join some kind of social group on campus because it looks good on your resume and it opens your eyes to a lot of cultures snd diversity. if you do plan to become part of greek life make sure to do your research on all of them, and not just the ones that catches your eyes, because they are life long brother/sisterhoods. and if money is tight in your family think about becoming a residential assistant(ra) because it will help to cut costs off your tuition, and maybe get you some money back.

Be yourself and go somewhere fun

Make sure that you tour the colleges you want to go to so you can get an idea of what they are like. Talk to people who go there and preferably are in your program of interest.

Don't settle for anything less than you're looking for in a school. Don't go to a big school if you want small classes; go to a big school if you're into school pride and sports. Take the time to meet the faculty before you accept, you need to spend four years with them. Make sure it has the resources and technology that you need to succeed, that the learning environment is right for you and the extacurricular activities that you're interested are offered, or if not, you at least have the option of starting them yourself. College is one of the greatest times in a student's life, you need to make sure you pick a school you can take pride in.

To parents and students of upcoming senior high school graduates, I would personally advice you to take your time and understand all the ins and outs of a school, better yet your child should defenitly try to have an overnight visit. It is also very imperative that Parents should allow their children to make their decision, please whatever you students have learned at least no that it is your life and your choices. When all is said and done and you look back on life realize that the only person who counts in decision making is you.

Please pay attention to the charges each semester, as they not only may go up, but could include things you don't have to pay for if you are not using them, such as sports facilities. Stay on top of financial aid applications; the sooner they're filled out, the better. Scholarships should be a weekly, if not monthly, activity for the student. Make sure the school is everything it's cracked up to be. Ask students who aren't part of the tours what campus and college life is like in that school. They'll be much more apt to tell the brutal truth than a student tour guide who may whitewahs issues to downplay them. Talk to teachers, ask if you can sit in on a class or watch for a portion of the lesson. Find a job. Whether or not you have scholarships, grants, financial aid, or loans, the bills will be there waiting for you after graduation. Do your best to save up and pay a large portion off ASAP. The less you owe, the shorter the span of time you'll be paying off your school debts, and that's a step towards bigger things.

Go and take a campus tour because this will help you find the right environment and get to know some prospecting students and the students already attending.

I find that no matter what school a student chooses to attend, they will make it work for them. No school is perfect, and each has it's own strengths and weaknesses, both which can provide a student an interesting and exciting experience. A big part of college is just being thrown into a situation where they'll have to fend for themselves, and that's is what is so exciting! Unfortunately, while many people want to ignore the money factor, it is an important part of the college experience. In recent years, with the US in a state of recession, the last thing a student wants to worry about is whether or not they will be able to pay for next semester. I would tell students and parents to look into scholarships, grants and internships that will help them finance their education.

In order to make the most of your college experience, I suggest getting involved in school activities. Whether it is sports, clubs, sororities/ fraternities, etc., you will enjoy your time away at school much more. I also suggest not taking this oppurtunity for granted. If you do not put an effort into your school work, you will fail out. Manage your time.

I would say to look at medium sized universities instead of small, specialized schools. A University has more options so you can change your mind if need be. The fact that the school is not large but still isn't small allows for the maximum amount of navigation and creates a more at home feeling.

Pick somewhere that you feel comfortable. Visit the campus before commiting, and if you can't see yourself there, dont go.

Choice a school you really want to go to and also visit the school first so you can know its the right place for you.

Honestly, really think about what choices your are making. If all of a sudden you honestly feel sick, and restless and undecided in whatever decision or choice you are making, hold off. Do not rush. Take the time and at least know you are taking a chance and feel comfortable with that. The most important, just be happy with your choices. Think ahead! Think of the worst case scenarios, even thou it might sound like a very pessimistic advice, I believe it is a very realistic one. In today?s economy and with my past experiences I would not recommend anything else. Because, really, anything is possible, and things sometimes just happen out of no where, they are not predictable, but they are manageable, its just a matter of how prepared one if to deal with certain situations.

In regards to advice I would give a student about finding the right college and making the most of their college expereince would be to not worry so much about what acedemic field or plan you will be as you are entering college. I think one of the most imporatant aspects of a first year at any college would be to participate in as many different types of acedemic disciplines as possible in order to get not only a well rounded education, but alsouse the inderdisciplinary approach to meet an array of classmates. Once established in a major, one is normally around the same students as you are required to take the same core classes.

make lots of money

dont go to far away from where you live, there is nothing worse than not having anyone to hang out with.

It's all up to the students

I suggest students should go to a college with nice dormatories and they should definitely live at college. For parents, I beleive you should let your child pick the college of their choice and support whichever they decide.

Always visist the campuses you apply to and takes tours too! Then once at school, get involved into activities at school!