University of Miami Top Questions

I would tell myself not to wait around at home for my life to start. I spent too much time home alone waiting to be free from my household to become a fully formed person but I wasted that time; I could have been working on myself in terms of interests, educational and extracurricular activities but instead I waited for college to engage in these outside activities.

Its okay to not have everything planned and know exactly what you want to do. While it is good to have a plan and to have goals for the future, understand that it is okay to be flexible with that plan. Always keep your goals and ideals but be flexible with the method and plan to achieve them. While it may seem that others have always been prepared and have a plan, it is not always the case sometimes there are a lot of unknowns but in the end things work out or something else you didn't even know about comes to light. Its still important to try and do what you can but stressing over things that aren't in your control is not worth it. While it is hard to try not to stress over things, don't forget to live in the moment. Work hard, but don't forget to have fun and take time for yourself. Make memories and enjoy the time you have, it's okay to make mistakes and to take a break. Mental and physical health are just as important if not more important than your education. Dont forget to live life.

Going back in time, I would advise myself to take a chance and experience something outside of my comfort zone. I would make sure that I went to school away from home to ennsure that I really learned what it was like to be on my own. I would also enocurage myself to visit a number of schools, and not pick a college because of my friends or because of its academic standing. Rather, pick the school that feels right. That is what I did, and I can honestly say it was the best decision of my life. I would make sure to advise myself to get involved on campus early on - doing things that I enjoy. This way, you are immediately exposed to a group of people that have similar interests. I would also advise myself to take classes seriously and put in the necessary time to learn. College is far too expensive to skip classes and not take advantage of all the resources available. Lastly, I would remind myself that the 4 years are going to fly by, and I need to make sure to truly enjoy every minute.

Always stay focused and keep your priorites in order. If you want something you have to be patient, but eager to fufill your goals. Most importantly, never make excuses, just take advantage of the opportunity.

You have to understand that there’s not a book to show you the way, Every day you struggle to attend school and make your pay. There’s nobody watching and keeping you in line. You have to be my own enforcer and listen to yourself whine. You are your own maid and have to learn how to cook Just know that “burnt” isn’t in the recipe book. College is about learning and not about being cool. Don’t let me discourage you from attending school. All of those reasons seem bad at first But it’s the way that you read them that makes them sound worse. I am the author to my life story and I lead the way Prioritizing became easy in balancing my school and my pay. I know when I am pushing myself too hard I listen closely to my body’s needs and whining is not in the cards. I clean up and enjoy when I have to cook I don’t need that old recipe book. Every experience will build you into a person who I hope you’ll want to be Because all of your experiences will shape you into me.

"Calm down, everything is going to be fine. You'll end up exactly where you need to be. College is probably one of the best things that will ever happen to you. You will learn what it's like to live on your own, to be independent. You will have a lot more responsibilities that you do now, but it's nothing you can't handle. I know you're worried about making friends and feeling like an outsider in a foreign country, but that should be the least of your worries. You'll meet so many amazing people that will help you grow, not only as a musician, but as a person. I get that you don't really like most of your classes right now, but push through it and keep working hard, you're doing great! Soon enough, you won't be able to choose what your favorite class is, as they will all be. Also, I know you say you're tired of eating rice, but trust me on this, you'll miss it when you get a taste of the dining hall food! Lastly, beware of the freshman 15! They don't only offer pizza..."

The best advice I could give to myself as a high school senior would to not be afraid. I would tell myself to fear not what could go wrong, but to be excited about everything that would go right. I would tell myself to take full advantage of every opportunity that came knocking on my door because it would be worth it in the end. I would tell myself to go to every campus event possible because even if I wasnt interested in the topic, I could learn something new. I would tell myself to be open to learning more than just what my professors had to offer. I would tell myself to ask the question "Will this matter in a year from now?" before getting upset. I would tell myself to remember my mothers words "This too shall pass." when I am down. I would tell myself that everything would work out in the end. I would tell myself to enjoy each precious moment life has to offer. But most importantly I would tell myself to never, ever give up on my dreams.

I would tell "me" to write a letter to myself and post date the letter for 4 years from matriculation in school. I'd encourage "me" to include ideas about how I envision myself in four years. I'd ask me to write questions such as, "What sort of values do I uphold?" and prepare to answer those questions when the time comes to open the letter. I would conclude the letter with a note that simply says "Write another letter, and prepare for the next next amazing step of your life Chris, whatever that may be."

The climate, the atmosphere, the name... Don't base your college selection off of the videos you watch and the stories you hear; genuinely visit the college and decide whether it's the right setting for you. I cannot stress how imperative that is. Being a student that has almost completed his freshmen year, I often think about what my college experience would be had I attended a large public school in my home state rather than a wealthy private school 1,300 miles away. But that is just speculation. Ahron, if you are reading this as a high school student in some sort of parallel universe, I strongly suggest you visit your future school. Get to know some of the upperclassmen, stay a night in a dorm, whatever. Just do something to make ensure that you know what you're getting into. It will save you the time and more importantly the stress of thinking about if there is a better school out there for you. Don't pick the school because of your preconceived notions; trust me, Ahron, in the case of picking the right college, go by your certainty rather than your fantasy.

If I could go back in time to last year when I was a high school senior, the advice I would give myself would be four simple rules. The first rule I would tell myself is to get involved with as many clubs and sports as possible. I was in a lot of sports and clubs but I could have been in more. I was part of the Dance Team, Cheerleading, Track and Field, Marching Band, French Club and National Honors Society. The second rule ties in with the first and that is to try out for every position, whether it’s president, captain, vice president, squad leader, secretary, or even treasurer. The third rule would be to surround myself with people who encourage me to succeed, are positive and aren’t trying to bring me down. This was a major setback during my senior year because I fell into a bad place, but my parents got me back onto the right path. The last rule would be to never limit myself and to keep my mind wide open, because if I can believe, then I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.

I would tell myself to start practicing time management now. Not managing my time well causes me a lot of stress. I am afraid to get a job, because I feel like I won't have enough time to exercise and do my homework. I would also tell myself to apply for a lot of scholarships and to get things done right away, because college is a lot less stressful when you have your finances sorted out right away.

The advice I would give myself is that once I've gotten into the school of my dreams, don't just think that everything will fall into place and that scholarships would fall from the sky right into my hands. I would tell myself to search for more scholarships and apply to as many as possible because college and the real world are not as easy as they seem to be. College is going to be a drastic change, but it will help you to grow so just embrace it and take the drivers wheel in your life and go and do what you have to do to get where you want to go. Work hard and always be true and humble.

I would advise myself not to slack off. School is very important and it only becomes tougher after hghschool. You should always focus because as a student, your job is to do well in school. The next four years will be the best years of your life.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self about the importance of balance and treating all academic responsibilities as priorities. I realized as the semester came to a close that I performed better in classes that I enjoy. In classes such as chemistry and calculus, my willingness to learn and study was displayed in my performance and later, in my grades for the class. This, however, also negatively affected me in classes where my interest in the subject seemed to be lacking. I realized that I hindered my grades, not because I could not succeed, but because I was not willing work in order to. In order to prevent this, I would recommend becoming aware of the classes they like and dislike early so they can and prepare for and work in each class accordingly. Even when taking classes that they would prefer not to take, by prioritizing each class, they can strive in the college environment. Although even I still have almost four years of college remaining, I would tell my high school self to learn from my mistakes, recognize their “good” and “bad” classes, and start out their first year strong.

You are almost there!! I know you are enjoying high school and already planning on making your summer before college great, it will be! College is great and by staying true to yourself you made some of the greatest friends and in the process of still making some. The only advice I could give is volunteer get involved more. Even in those big groups of people don’t retreat back to shyness because it is much easier to make friends freshman year then sophomore. Also don’t be afraid to make friends with upperclassmen they can be very handy. Lastly, don’t let anyone make or treat you in a way you don’t like because even though it sucks at that moment you feel so much better in the long road. Don’t be afraid to do you, you can make better memories when you are being you!

"Never give up! Never surrender!" - Commander Peter Quincy Taggart - Galaxy Quest

Be open to every opportunity that comes your way. Smile at every stranger you pass. Start a conversation with the person next to you in class. Go to a pep rally and other campus activities. Join a club. Join a sorority/fraternity. Don't judge those around you. As corny as all that sounds, it honestly is the truth. I went into college with an open mind and have never regretted my college decision because of it. With every activity I joined, football game I attended, and friend I made, I fell more in love with my school. The simplest way to adjust is to just allow everything to happen. Don't focus on what high school was like or being in with the "cool kids". College isn't like that. Just be yourself, because out of all your fellow students, someone will love you for who you are.

One evening I was lounging and reading when in the corner of my eye I caught the glipse of a glimmer of light. The light grew larger and larger from which a man emerged and spoke, "Do not be frightened I am the ghost of highschool's past. I have come to pass informtation and wisdom to your highschool self. What would you like to say?" Quickly clearing my head and accepting the reality of the situation I began to speak to myself..."The school you choose will give you the best college experience you could hope for. So don't stress so much about the future. But do make sure to choose the major that best fits your skillset. Avoid engineering. You know science isn't your strong suit and writing is so stick with that. You are going to have an amazing time in school. You will morph from a timid, shy kid into an intelligent, outspoken and confident young woman. Remind your mom that she has nothing to worry about. Just always remember to have faith in your ability to conquer your fears and you will overcome any obstacle." And with that the man disappeared.

If i could go back to my high school self the advice is would give myself is that school should be the first priority. I would still tell my past self to join the Army National Guard because it helps pay for college but i would tell him to start sooner.

Attending college was not even on my radar in high school. I barely graduated that summer and if it were not for the assistance of a Navy recruiter, I would not have. At the age of seventeen, I thought I knew everything about life. People would just give me money, the government would give me a place to live, and I would always have food to eat. I knew everything all right. The honor of serving my country in the Navy is not something I would ever change. I grew up fast in the Navy and learned that the world does not revolve around my smart mouth. Without the life lessons I learned in the military I would not be where I am today. If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop ditching classes and graduate properly with the rest of my class. I would tell myself to be proud of my parents for sticking by me even though I put them through seven levels of hell. Finally, I would tell myself to stand up for what is right, fight for my country, and never forget who I am.

I would tell myself to not let anything or anyone get in the way of getting your education. Have determination and never give up on your dreams. Be persistent and don't take no for an answer. Be aware of who you are, even if you don't know where you are going or who you want to become, keep going until you figure it out. I would tell myself to not be afraid and keep going, even when you are at your lowest point, pick yourself back up and persevere.

Get Good Grades in hgih school, it really does count! I always thought that adults were full of it when they told me to not settle for that C. But high school was so easy and I could pass without putting in much effort. I regret that so much now. I would tell my high school self to put in just a little more effort to get even a B. Now I am about to turn 24, 7 years out of high school and I still havent finished college because i have no way of payng for it. If only my younger self would have dedicated a bit more time to school

Apply for mor scholarships and don't be afraid about meeting new people. Everyone wants to meet someone new during college, so everyone is pretty open. :)

The advice I'd give myself would be the same advice my father tried to give me. "After school, do your homework, and review what you did in class...it will be easier to study for exams that way because you won't have to re-learn any of the material". Procrastination, I was told, is the mother of disaster, and I learned that the hard way. If I could go back and tell myself this, I am sure high school would have been easier. Afterall, I did not listen to my father, but I would surely listen to myself!

Hello Self! Yes we do look fabulous, so take heart and be patient on that front. Here's my advice. Do what makes you happy, not what others expect of you. You will inevitably make stupid mistakes, but we’re better and stronger for having made them. Have no regrets. You will change your major several times, but you’ll learn from those experiences as well. Though you'll doubt it, your final choice was the right one. And you will be unhappy several times between where you are now and where I am today. But we’re pretty happy with who we’ve become. Stay the proverbial course and keep your faith in God. Maybe kiss a few more boys. And don't give up the clarinet, even when we give up being a music major. All of our choices got us to this point and I wouldn't change a single thing. Life will not be what you expected, but great things are coming your way. Enjoy every second of it! Relax more. Don't be in such a hurry to be an adult. Oh, and stay away from the 8am classes; we are not a morning person.

To save students the first college semester of adapting to hard work, I would recommend to read all the material that is taught in class straight from the course book, and to do practice problems in order to keep up with the schoolwork. This is potentially the most valuable advice to an incoming freshman, as it underlines the fact that one must become personally responsible of the course material, and to not give any excuses for poor grades or eventual failures. The toughest part of this transition for me was to become an independent individual in the process of becoming a professional. It is important to lay out a career plan by which to tactfully proceed in a step by step fashion. I would also advise any student making this transition to exercise as much as possible, and to incorporate relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation into their daily routine in order to manage the stress of the courseload. Also, I would recommend to keep a strong support system in order to remain stable and to avoid feeling lost in case of potential conflicts with new roomates and professors.

Hello Pablo! You are almost there, you're running towards the finish line but wait! there are a lot of obstacles on your way. You have SATs, ACTs, AP Exams, College applications, Scholarship applications, on top of all your current high school courses work. What to do? Well, it is all very simple, learn time management skills! Be your own leader and realize which things you need to prioritize. Study hard for your SAT and ACT exams, these will really help you get into a good school. Apply to EVERY school you desire, the worst thing they can say is no and you'll just move on. Once you're done with your exams and college applications, take a week off, relax, because soon, you'll need to start scavaging for scholarships. This WILL be a tedious journey, but one well worth it. Apply to as many scholarships as you find yourself eligible for, and yes, this includes those random "survey scholarships" or the ones asking you if you have hair in your food to be eligible. College may seem expensive, but after you search, you'll find answers to your college expenses. Be safe Pablo! and ENJOY COLLEGE!

If this was even a possibility, I wouldn't hesitate to tell myself that everything will be okay. I would reassure my little self that I have what it takes to make it in college and anywhere that I want. I wouldn't even hesitate on applying everywhere I've ever wanted. I would also allow myself to get myself together and go to Boston University and not have to worry about the finances. By that point, I'm sure I'd be laughing since my life turned out to be SO differently than what I had already planned. "Let yourself be." would most definitely be my main message. Life will sort itself out, but only if you let it.

Many people get fake I.D.'s. Freshman dorms are a blast. Be social.

Stay focused and always adjust. Life is ever changing, and to be accepting is the key.

Some promotors try and take advantage of the freshmen by trying to sell them wristbands for events far in advance, these are often times a scam of some sort. Bring shower shoes. ALWAYS carry your umbrella, even if there is not a cloud in the sky, until at least the beginning/middle of October. if you are a girl, purchase rain boots, they come in handy, puddles can get huge on campus. You don't need more than a 14 meal plan, which comes with dining dollars, try and have your parents put more money on your cane express or dining dollars, all places on campus accept these, like the food court, the rathskellar, and oasis.

Some promotors try and take advantage of the freshmen by trying to sell them wristbands for events far in advance, these are often times a scam of some sort. Bring shower shoes. ALWAYS carry your umbrella, even if there is not a cloud in the sky, until at least the beginning/middle of October. if you are a girl, purchase rain boots, they come in handy, puddles can get huge on campus. You don't need more than a 14 meal plan, which comes with dining dollars, try and have your parents put more money on your cane express or dining dollars, all places on campus accept these, like the food court, the rathskellar, and oasis.

I would advise my high school self to first visit all the colleges on my acceptance list. Then I would encourage myself to apply for more scholarships so taht you can continue your college career all the way through. I would also stress the fact of staying closer to home and not trying to escape across the country becuase you get very homesick eventually. Also I would want to remind myself that hard work senior year pays off freshman year and allows you to have more fun on campus. Over all I would just push my senior self towards meeting with a financial aid officer at the school and not being scared to ask for help.

Here are a couple tips: 1) Wear shower shoes! You don't want to know what some people do in shared showers 2) Sign up for as many clubs and activities as possible at Canesfest (even if it's just to check it out) 3) Make as many friends as possible. Many of your freshman year friends will stick with you for the rest of college. 4) You will get stuck with 8am classes. I promise you won't later on (as long as you don't schedule it like that) 5) Get good grades freshman year! I have junior and senior friends still trying to recover from their freshman GPA 6) DO NOT walk through the grove. It's a really sketchy area between US1 and the Grove 7) Do not even try to use a fake ID in South Beach. They're not stupid.

Don't be lazy and work to getting more scholarships and to getting a higher SAT/ACT score. College is extremely expensive, and finding anyway to lessen that load is important. Study the ACT test book that dad got! If you could get those extra few points on either the SAT or ACT, you could have gotten a better scholarship at UM. And don't be afraid of joining more clubs, being more involved, volunteering more, and just having fun in school. You only get to experience it once, and enjoy it for all it's worth.

Freshman year is the most important year. You need to... 1. Live in Hecht, as it is "the cool dorm" 2. Make as many friends as possible. 3. Scope out the fraternities and sororities. 4. Rush in the spring (there's no rush in the fall). 5. Order Miami's Best Pizza. 6. Be independent. 7. Take advantage of opportunities, be a "yes man" 8. Join as many clubs as you have time for. 9. The freshman dorms are a lot bigger than most schools. 10. You will get stuck with an 8am class, that's just the rule.

Freshman year is the most important year. You need to... 1. Live in Hecht, as it is "the cool dorm" 2. Make as many friends as possible. 3. Scope out the fraternities and sororities. 4. Rush in the spring (there's no rush in the fall). 5. Order Miami's Best Pizza. 6. Be independent. 7. Take advantage of opportunities, be a "yes man" 8. Join as many clubs as you have time for. 9. The freshman dorms are a lot bigger than most schools. 10. You will get stuck with on 8am class, that's just the rule.

After a late night of studying and too many caffeinated drinks, I have a nightmare where my present day self is floating ghostlike over a high school version of me and screaming, “No! Don’t do it!” The mistake that I made countless times in high school haunts me to this day: taking shortcuts in my classwork. I always wake up wishing I could go back in time and tell my high school self what I had to learn the hard way in college. Finding the quick, easy way to do my classwork is not the best way. In high school I could finish my calculus homework in under an hour and score a 94{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, but in college it takes me double the time to relearn the material. I never cheated on my homework; I just made my own shortcuts. But in college I have to completely understand the material, without cutting corners. Breaking this old habit is not easy, and if I had this advice in high school I could have saved time and work. In college (and life) there are no real shortcuts to get around the commitment needed to succeed.

I would advice to choose your school based on what you want out of your 4 years of colloge, not where your friend is going or you want a school that is close to where your boyfriend is going. Think about yourself online when it comes to chosing the right college

I would contradict the advice my guidance counselor gave me. She told me that choosing a college would be the most important decision I ever made. She was wrong. No decision will ever be as important as deciding what kind of person you will be. This is a decision you will have to make time and time again. You will have to decide what is of real value to you throughout your life. These choices will never be easy. You will have to make important decisions about whether to neglect your family or neglect your studies, whether to drop out to help your mother or father recover from illness, or whether to try to manage both school and family issues at the same time. Nothing is more important than character. And thus, the most important decision you will make is what type of person you want to be, how hard you want to work for your dreams, and how you are going to treat others along the way.

Daniela Dorilus Sounds of pacing feet, lockers slamming, and excited voices fill the narrow halls of Oakville Senior High School. My eyes aimlessly roam the crowded hallways, as I stare, trying to capture the last few moments of being a high school senior. “I just want to graduate and go onto college” I tell myself, but little did I know what I was in store for. “I graduated!” I shouted, and my heart skipped a few beats, more than usual, but excitement consumed me from the inside out that day. Now that I am a junior in college, I could only go back and tell myself to be patient and wait for many things, because college is more than just an out of the comfort zone experience, its rigorous, and more demanding on time. I would go on to tell this “let’s get on with this” type of senior that life after college is not as easy as it seems. Afterwards when graduating from college you will enter the “real world” and would be faced with more complications such as finding work in your field, and a place to call your official home.

There is so much I wish I could tell my 17 year old self. Let's face it-- even though we may not like to admit it, we were all pretty silly at 17 and we all should have listened to our mothers. I wish I could have told myself to be more critical of my financial aid package or to relish the time I had with my family and friends instead of impatiently waiting to move away to college. More than anything else though, I wish I could have told myself the importance of taking risks. Only since I have began to step out of my comfort zone (for example, becoming an English minor and taking more discussion based classes that require me to strengthen my public speaking skills, or joining Random Acts of Kindness, a student group at UM that likes to give out free hugs to random passers-by), have I truly started to grow and flourish, both as a student, and as an individual. It may be hard and it may be scary but the best way to really discover the world (and yourself) is to take a leap of faith, go out, and explore it.

Take school seriously.

I always say to myself, "If only I knew back then what I knew now, things would be so different!" Coming into college/college life I should've focused more heavily on my academics. Freshmen/sophomore year I put my social life before my academic career and now I am having to give up any form of social life to pull up my grades in order to get into medical school. Also, if I knew coming in that if you have a good balance in everything you do, you can achieve so much more. I was afraid of picking up too many extra curriculars because I felt as if it would hurt my grades but know I believe the more you put on your plate - the more you can handle and you learn how to prioritize your time better with what's more important. One academic tip I wish I had was using resources to help you prepare for exams - old tests are the absolute KEY to doing well in a college course! Also, choose the people you surround yourself wisely - they shape who you become in college and are your support and family through the journey of college life.

I'd tell my past-self, "Always maintain a balance in your lifestyle. You will have ample opportunity and freedom to roam around on your own. College life is a true test of balance and self-discipline. Keeping self-discipline is the key to success in the wild college craze that snaps at a young, innocent freshman. Never do what others want you to do. Do what YOU want to do. Your friends may try to convince you to take the day off and put off studying for another day and just join them for a night of fun. If you know you need to study, then study. Do not worry about how they will feel, or what they may think about you, because, at the end of the day, it is your future that is affected with what you do on those deal-breaker nights. Do not worry about not fulfilling the universal college-life bananza that everyone takes part in, that will be completed with time, there is no rush; you have 4 whole years. Always be aware of your priorities. If there is an event or outting that you genuinely want take part in, STUDY FIRST!"

I would tell myself to always work hard and never give up. Enjoy high school because you can never go back, growing up is great but enjoy what you have while you have it. When you go to college, work hard in your classes. Show your professors that you are willing to go the extra mile and do the extra work. And make sure you pick your friends wisely. College is a great place to learn about yourself and what you want. Never doubt yourself!

Dear self, apply for more scholarships! Do more research about how much your tuition is actually going to cost you and your family, and if it is reasonable for you. Get a job and make money to save up towards your tuition. Think about some backup majors besides biology, because science really isn't something that is going to work out for you. Don't worry about how you are going to adjust to the new lifestyle. You are going to make the transition smoothly and successfully.

There are several advices I would give myself. The first is to take financial aid more seriously as I am not a citizen of America. The second is to research not only the school but what type of students attending the school. Some schools might be great academically but they do not have great students that would help you in the future job world.

An adage I keep hearing lately seems to be playing deja vu. That adage is "It's not what you know, its who you know." The best thing that I have taken out of my college experience has nothing to do with the material I've learned, or the classes I've taken, or even the projects I've done. The greatest joy of my college experience has been the people I have met along the way. From the many friends I have made to the countless professors which I have encountered, especially my roommates. Being able to live and spend so much time with these three guys has been an absolute blast, and an incredible experience. This survey asked if I would reapply to the "U" if I had the chance, that answer is an easy yes. The first thing that comes to mind however, the first reason which I think of, is that if I hadn't attended this school, I would have never met this group of guys and I would not want to miss that for all the world. Why has it been valuable to attend university you ask? Because of the relationships I have made.

While going to college is an important educational experience, it is also an important social experience. Much of my most valuable experiences in college have been outside of the classroom. I have been exposed to new people, ideas and opportunities. These experiences have helped shape me as a person.