University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

First and foremost, college is a way to explore who you are in all different ways. One thing will not define you; it is what you choose to do, and not to do, that will shape who you become. Making mistakes is part of the process - it's required for self-discovery. Here, grades account for a lot, and using the resources is required. Also, forming long-lasting relationships is really important. You can't go away to college without meeting new people and experiencing different political, religious, and overall life views. This is how you grow as a person - by accepting what the world has to offer. Your family (and you included) has sacrificed so much , including paying a lot, for you to be able to go to an institution such as this. Make the effort and get good grades. But most importantly, don't forget who you are. Yes, you go to college to discover yourself, but you also come to college with expectations and morals and hopes and dreams. These hopes and dreams may change, and that's perfectly all right, but don't expect less of yourself. You can do it - you've come this far.

If I were given the opportunity to return to myself from two years past, I would only say one thing: listen to what your teachers have to say about their college experiences. In high school I would talk to my teachers and they would all say that college is not like high school; they were completely correct. My life since high school has changed so drastically that it is difficult to imagine that I was ever busy in those days. My teachers said we will study and make choices that can affect us in so many ways. But, as students not yet in college, we did not understand what they meant. All we had ever known was a few homework assignments, sports practice, and good grades. Upon attending college, I soon realized that it is not like high school in the least. In order to be successful, time management became the top priority in order to balance classes, studying, sleep, and friends. I would return to my senior self and say enjoy the free time that has been given to you, but do not worry that college is impossible; you will be okay, even in the most difficult times.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphasis that college is more than just about academics. In the college searching processs, I spent a lot of time looking at schools that did not really fit me, but I thought they had good academic reputations, so I still pursued them. While it is important to attend a school with challenging academics, the college experience is more than just books. I like constant change, so there was no point in my looking at small schools. Being at a school with 40,000 people has been ideal for me, and I wish I had realized sooner this was what I wanted based on my social preferences. You may spend five hours in classes a day, but the other ten hours you are awake will involve you experiencing different clubs and people, so make sure that the school fits your preferences there as well. I would also want to be prepared for the fact that the first month of school isn't easy, adjusting to being independent is a real challenge. But it is definitely worth it to stick through it, you'll grow as a person.

I still would have come to the Univesity of Michigan.

If I were provided with the opportunity to step into a time machine, and turn the dial back to my senior year, there would be many things that I would tell myself. I feel as though in high school, most individuals worry about the label of the college or university and its ranking among the superficial standards of U.S. News and other organizations. Rather, the college experience is meant to help you find yourself as an individual. It compels you to take four years to discover yourself as in the academic, social, and personal realms of life. It is a passage of life that is often frightening, but necessary. It forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and test the waters. You will never know unless you try. Yes, the moment when you say good bye to your parents is disconcerting as the sense of freedom is overwhelming and yet so intoxicating (no, not in that sense). The burden of making the right decisions rests heavily in your juvenile hands. But take it one step at a time, and think about the different things you can try and the open sea of opportunity that lies ahead.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that I needed to stay focused over the summer to prepare for my freshmen year of college because it was not going to be easy. I would tell myself that it would be okay if I didn't spend a lot of time with my high school friends that summer because it is more important to do well in school and be able to get a job after college than it is to hang out with friends all the time and have a good social life. I'd tell myself not to worry about fitting in at college or worry about boys because getting an education and being able to provide for myself in the future is more important. I would tell myself that I didn't need to be totally independent of my family, that they would still be there to support me through college, that I can trust them to be there every step of the way, and that I didn't have to go through the transitions and life changes alone.

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my time in college. I would find fun and easy classes to take my freshman year to fulfil my basic requirements and get involved with campus groups and clubs. I would also not worry so much about what classes I need to meet my degree requirements until all my other graduation requirements are fulfilled. I would not put so much pressure on myself to try and push myself to take really hard classes and get in over my head when I could just take a similar class and get a good grade. I would not take myself so seriously and I would not rely on everything my counselors tell me. I would do my own research and come prepared with questions for my counselor so that I don't take any unnecessary classes or end up having problems finishing on time later on. I would not take classes during the spring and summer terms. Instead, I would study abroad for the summer and enjoy my vacation from school before the fall semester begins again.

study

really think about the money-issue. You probably won't have time to apply to as much scholarships as you can now when you are in college. So go to an in-state universtity :)

Keep going Blue!

Undergraduate school is the time to explore a wide variety of interests and fields, take advantage of it wisely. Don't be afraid to ask for help, talk to department heads or meet with the Dean of a department you're interested in, your future is worth the butterflies in your stomach. Regardless of what other people may tell you, grades are important and the first two years impact your GPA the most so take it easy and slow to get your bearings; don't feel you have to rush around and do everything at once. During the summer, while interning, take an evening workshop or informal class on managing your finances, it'll help you in school and in the work world. Get involved in the community and prioritize your time. Your relationships with family, friends, classmates, teachers, and advisors are what you'll remember the most after graduating. The chances of falling in love are high. So surround yourself with people who you can trust and are considerate of your feelings. You can overcome any obstacle if you stay true to yourself, thoughtfully communicate your feelings, and ask for help or advice from people you trust.

It's okay to try something new. It's okay to be worried, nervous, and not know what you're doing. College is a new experience with new people but that is the most important way you gain essentials for life and learning. Yes you may be leaving friends and family for a while, but this is not forever. Many high school graduates like you embark on this journey year after year, so you're not doing it alone. When you get to college, immerse yourself in the experience. Try not to live in the past, or worry too much about the future. People all the time reminisce about how time spent in college was some of the best years of their lives. The journey is what you make it so take advantage; after all, you only have one opportunity to do this the right way. In college, many will try to sway you into a confounded system of beliefs, but stay true to yourself and discover who you are. College is a time for you to take responsibility; so be your own leader, and never let anything or anyone discourage you from pursuing what you believe is important.

1. The first semester is always the hardest and most painful especially if you go far away from home, but as long as you have a positive outlook and know that it will only get better, you can make it through anything. 2. Get involved in activities, clubs, organizations early - don't wait until your 3rd or final year to make the plunge. 3. Develop good relationships your professors by making an effort to meet with them during office hours and outside of class. They want you to succeed and I can't stress enough how valuable those relationships will be throughout your college experience and afterwards. 4. Support athletic events, not just the big football and men's basketball games, go to women's volleyball, lacrosse, men's soccer, water polo, ect. 5. Student groups are always putting on exhibits, plays, performances, concerts - so GO and support your peers. 6. Be very careful in choosing who you live with - set up very clear boundraries with whomever you live with from day one. (A best friend doesn't necessarily make the best roommate) 7. Live it up - you're only in college once.

Dear Maya, I know you already have a vague idea of what you want to do in your life and you're concerned about how you'll be able to accomplish your dreams. I know you're struggling with the decision to stay in the same state and therefore attend a great university or go out in the big world and experience something new. Do what is best for you and you'll find the resources to make your dreams happen. Transitions are not always easy, but the university provides a great opportunity to get involved and develop your interests, learn about yourself, try new things, and challenge yourself personally, academically, socially, and politically. Opportunities are there for the taking and you'll discover when opportunities don't present themselves, you can make them. This may sound overwhelming but there are a plethora of resources from the university and student orgs for all occasions, from career possibilites, personal development, academic/housing/health issues, to how to knit wool socks to survive the winter. Whatever you decide, make the most of it, find a balance between working and playing, and enjoy the ups and downs. All the best

As a high school senior I did not have any idea what college was like. If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to my younger self I would tell myself to be confident with everything you do. Sure, the work load is great as a college student, but if you put in the time, success will present itself. Finding study groups or partners is a great way prepare yourself for exams. Adjusting to a different life style is another major concern to students making the transition to college. I would tell myself to meet as many people as you can. You will find people at college that are just like you and at the same time very different whether that is differences in race, ethnicity or religion. Adjusting to life in college is not too dificult as long as you take care of your own needs such as housing, school work, and your social life. It is a good idea to get involved with organizations as long as you stay focused on school work. The final message I would give myself is to be a hard worker. Do everything you can to prepare for tests.

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The one thing I wish I knew about college was the fact that everything that you do is worth more. Homework actually affects your grade. If you do poorly on a test there is little opportunity to earn back points. So you must treat every assignment as if it was a major part of your grade because it is.

If i could go back I would of applied for more scholorships and grants knowing that putting me through school has really put a lot of stress on my parents, if i had not been able to receive enough money I would of stayed at home and saved more money.

Everything happens for a reason. Don't stress about where everyone else is going; just swim your own race.

I would remind myself to take every opportunity I get. I would remind myself not to be afraid to ask for help when I need it, and to never take for an answer. I would remind myself to be motivated and to find outlets to keep me inspired. I would remind myself that I want to go to a school that is diverse, so I shouldn't be afraid to put myself out there and be friendly to every person I meet. Don't be afraid to be out of your comfort zone every so often. It's a healthy mentality to keep.

Looking back, I would have told myself to relax. I had a lot of anxiety about going to college, and I expect that is a pretty regular feeling for that period of transition. I have learned in my four years at school that it will all work out how it should. Let go, and watch as your life unfolds. This certainly does not mean don't apply yourself, or try your best in class. All it means is to not sweat the small stuff. You will have to face challenges on your own for the first time. There were many periods in school that I was absolutely too busy to get everything I wanted to accomplish done, but I did my best. That is all you can ever do. As long as you always give whatever you have to give that day, on that test, on that paper, in that discussion, you will succeed. Remember, college is about growing and finding yourself. You will make mistakes, and you will have rough times. But there will also be some of the happiest moments of your life. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. You certainly won't get these four years back.

If I knew then, what I knew now, I probably would still want to do everything I have done. The only thing I would want to tell myself is time management is the key to success. Even though the parents, advisors, old siblings all told me that time management is the key, I did not really understand what time management was until I failed at having good time management. I think that to make your college experience great is to succeed academically, develop/expand your social network, and be involved in opportunties that are only easily avaliable in college. The best way to be able to handle and do all these things is to manage your time in order to do everything.

The advice I would give is to go to college without setting strict expectations for oneself, such as the absolute sorority to join or academic major to go into. One should have ideas, but not be totally set on a strict plan. It is easy to be disappointed if not everything turns out the way one planned. Instead, if someone goes in to college with an open mind, they will be a lot happier and figure things out for themselves. Therefore, if a college senior thinks not everything is going to their life plan, it is okay because there are many options.

I would tell myself not to worry as much as I did. I would tell myself that college is what you make of it, that it will be much harder academically (but you'll figure it out), that I will move-on and make different friends, that there will be plenty of opportunities to take advantage of and I need to trust my instincts. I would also tell myself that the roommate situation always has a way of working out too. I would tell myself to get excited, to enjoy every moment, and to take the time to study and get involved with work that I love, because everything will work out.

Don't expect for everything to be perfect. Part of the learning and growing experience is going through uncomfortable and challenging times. Stay true to yourself and you will find happiness.

Don't be afraid to be open and talk to people in your class. Most people think that because it's a pretty big campus, you would never see the people you meet in class again; that's not true. It's good to have people to talk to in class so you can discuss topics covered in class and review homework. It makes class a lot more fun and engaging.

Don't be afraid of leaving home to go away to school. Don't worry about handling academics and athletics at the same time, it's very doable. Be proactive about earning money and applying for scholarships and grants because the out of state tuition and housing costs will kill you. Find a couple of friends that you can count on since you are far from home for the first time and can't rely on your family all the time. Make an effort to become more independent, don't rely on family as much, you will feel better about yourself. Enjoy college, it passes by quickly.

Don't be afraid to take risks. Don't let yourself get caught up in systems and do what you want to do and what you are passionate about. Don't forget that you truly enjoy educating yourself further and that you are pursuing your education to learn more about what you want to do and to learn more about the world. You are not going to university to learn how to make money. Don't be afraid to break out of your norm. You want to go to a diverse school so be sure to put yourself out there and experience the diversity. Never, ever, ever, be afraid to learn something new, or about someone new. Getting comfortable in a niche is nice and fun, but don't be afraid to make new friends as well. There is no such thing as too many friends. Take care of yourself. Don't let yourself go, but don't overwork yourself either. Maintain a healthy balance of work, play, exercise, and healthy foods in your system, in your life and you'll go far.

Standing face to face with myself as a high school senior, I would see a wide-eyed girl dressed head to toe in maize and blue, ready for a full day of site seeing in Ann Arbor. Instead of allowing her to aimlessely follow a tour guide around campus buildings- which would prove to be impossible to keep track of- I would take her to the Arb. This beautiful forested oasis, bordered by a chilly river, would become the definition of why she would love U of M. Sure the location and buildings may have been nice to see but, in the end, most big universities will provide the same general set-up. The real way to choose your school is to find a place within it that reveals its true atmosphere. After all, that's what is really going to make the difference when you inevitably experience the overwhelming transition from high school responsiblities to college responsibilities and need a place to escape. So on that day with myself, I would walk into the Arb through the archway of gaping trees, hang a hammock, and take a load off.

Don't worry about the future so much, just do your best.

If I could give my 12th grade self advice, I would tell myself to decide early on where my 'study area' is going to be and where my personal, relaxation space will be. I've found that although I enjoy being in my own room when I study and do work, I'm not nearly as focused on my work as opposed to when I do homework at the library or the student lounge in my dorm. I would also tell myself to set ground rules with my roommate early on. Nothing too strict, but things like who gets to vacuum and take out the trash and when, so I'm not stuck doing it all the time. Most importantly, I would tell myself to find and utilize all the resources offered by the university to help me succeed.

I would tell myself to relish the short years of college, as they pass all too quickly. To enjoy the camaraderie, the close friendships that are formed in tight-knit community. To spend less time stressed about how much I was doing, and spend more time with the people around me. I married a man I met at the University of Michigan, and we share fond memories of the wonderful place that is Ann Arbor. We recently went back to a Michigan - Purdue football game at 'The Big House', also known as Michigan Stadium. It was such a surreal experience, and I cherish every moment spent cheering the Wolverines on to victory and singing, 'Hail, hail to Michigan, the Leaders and best. Hail, hail to Michigan, the Champions of the West." Go blue, indeed.

I think that the biggest mistake I made during my freshman year here at the University of Michigan was not getting involved in more extra curricular activities. It is the easiest way to make new friends and find fun activities. There are many groups and clubs to join here, and I would recommend to myself as a high school senior to take advantage of the opportunities that are available. I had a very difficult time adjusting to college life during my first semester here, and I think it would have been much easier if I had been actively involved in clubs or sports. By joining a club that fits you interests, you can meet people who are interested in the same things as you, and possibly form life long friendships. This year, I have become more involved in volunteering and environmental issues on my campus. It has helped me to find a place to fit in here. I strongly believe that every college freshman should join at least one group they feel strongly about.

Yay you're going to Michigan! Get ready for the best and craziest years of your life. The work will be a lot like what you've done this past year, only more of it. Don't worry if everything seems a little too much at times - it's supposed to be like that. And you're going to have a really good time in college. Sober, drunk, stressed, relieved, dissapointed, thrilled, you're going to feel all these things almost every week, and you're going to love every minute of it. I know you wanted to be further away from home, but trust me, you're going to learn a lot about yourself here, and soon you'll see that you don't need to go very far to learn a lot. Get ready for a lot of fun and a lot of work. You're going to love it - trust me.

I would tell myself to enjoy myself and not worry so much about what I was going to do in the future and who I was going to become. There's no way I could have figured out the future so early on and ultimately, worrying about it so much may have inhibited my actual growth when I came here. In short, I would tell myself to start slow and just enjoy the ride!

High school self: Relax. Stop worrying about those folks who say college will be the best four years of your life. Life is long and wonderful. College is short and intense: don't waste it in front of a computer screen. If you hate business, please don't take business classes. You don't have to get drunk to act ridiculous. Do something great for your campus. There will be a lot of girls: don't get overwhelmed. If one girl overwhelms you, try to keep her. If it gets hard, leave her better than you found her. Be honest, take the fallout humbly. Don't forget where you come from. Don't forget your grandmother. She's waiting for your call. Call her. Now. And your mother and father. From now until the rest of your life, they'll always be waiting for your calls and holiday cards. Don't disappoint them. To yourself and others, you will be immensely more interesting: Don't be fooled. You'll look back laughing. Someday you'll laugh at college self, and serious work self, and maybe even old incontinent self. So relax. This isn't the part of life. Everyday is.

I would say to myself...apply to the University of Michigan immediately. Do not take time away from school to find yourself and take years to find out what it is you want to do. Finish your education while you are young. Apply for financial aid as early as possible. There is money out there to help you finance your education especially when your parents can't afford to. Your experience on campus will be one of the most rewarding in your life. You will meet many new friends from all over the world and you will have opportunities to study in other parts of the world. Living on campus will prove to be independently rewarding. Take this time to expose yourself to as much information as possible. Finish a Bachelor's degree and then reflect on your life and make future plans from there. The world will help those in need to follow there dreams..

I would tell myself to chill out. I stressed so much about college but really they prepared me for everything I needed to be able to do. I would try to enjoy learning more, and not think of it only as a means to a good job. I would also tell myself to do what I want, yes my parents guidence is always appreciated, but I picked my own path, and I wish I started exploring the major I knew I wanted earlier on. Less stress, more relaxed, and focused.

You will be in one of the top schools in the country. It is also one of the biggest and most diverse schools. You will definitely enjoy it. You will be challenged, and will have to put a lot of efforts as you expand your academic horizon. You will find endless opportunities to be active, reach out to the community, or just have some fun in a club sport team. Your mind will be opened in so many ways. But you will be overwhelmed. There are so many things to do, and so little time. You will want to take hundreds of classes, that you find interesting, and you will want to participate in dozens of student groups and extracurricular. Unfortunately you won't be able! It is best if you don't discover this the hard way. Stay focused on your degree; don't take all those random classes you so desperately want. With time you will know when you can take some of those extra classes of your interest. Choose one or two extracurricular. It will be hard choosing, but do it and whatever you chose, stick to it and give it your best. Enjoy college!

All realtors "location, location, location" is important when choosing a house. This saying can be applied to college as well. If the bustle of urban cities is your comfort spot then a college located cities like New York University might be best for you. If you can't feel comfortable at a particular college, then your uneasiness will affect your studying habits, social life, and G.P.A. When choosing a college, make sure they have the courses that you want to take. Most colleges have a vast variety of courses that are different from the norm (ie: Calculus, Chemistry, etc.) Therefore, don't be afraid to try new things! Also, stay in contact with your counselor so that all of the core classes required for graduation aren't pushed to the side. College is also a stepping stone to a student's independence. On those days where you feel like the world is just out to get you, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The experiences gained at any college are valuable when faced with real world situations (ie: job interviews, housing, etc) College is a great place, so enjoy it while you can!

One of the most important suggestions I would say is that you want to make sure you really love the university you enroll in. I enrolled in the University of Michigan purely because of academics. I never got the chance to even visit the campus before orientation. I definitely do love the University of Michigan, but it is difficult getting adjusted to the weather and the evironment. In addition, make sure that you're making the most of your college experiences by making yourself a part of them. Don't wait for others to come find you because you're going to miss out on many events. Your college experience is what you make of it. Also, make sure you study abroad!

Visiting the college is a big thing. Knowing the college that you're about to go to is something that will benefit both the parents and the child in the decision making process. You're getting a feel of the place and this leaves no room for regrets later on. No question is stupid, I work in the office at the university answering questions from parents and sometimes they stump me with the wierdest questions that I would've not thought of in their positions but as a student I could see how knowing ahead of time would've been helpful.

Go for what is in your heart, and choose what would bring the best outcomes for your (your childs) future.

Choosing the right college for you is one of the hardest decisions a person has to make in their life and my best advice is to take your time and really look at what you want in a college. Many factors play into picking a college like size, extra-curricular activities, and diversity of the student bodies and faculty. It is a good idea to research universities online and print to pick a few that you want to visit. Most colleges offer some sort of guided tour which will show you the campus, but it is good to spend some time with a current student if at all possible, to see what happens after class. Some colleges are better suited towards some careers, so if you have an idea of what you want to study, you can search colleges that are best suited for that area of study.

Don't pass judements on a school until you visit it. Be sure to speak to a student on campus to get his/her perspective on their college experience; no one knows a college/university like a student does.

Make sure it is the right fit for you and enjoy college but study hard.

Although the words "applying to college" may seem stressful, overwhelming and frightening, the result of applying, getting accepted and ultimately attending the perfect college for you is worth every moment of the pressure. My best advice for picking the right school is very simple, when the potential student visits the campus, he/she needs to listen to his/her intution. The moment I stepped on my now college's campus my Junior year of high school I new this was where I needed to be. It seems too simple to be true, but it is not, standing and looking around when you visit a college is the best thing you can do. Once you are attending his/her perfect school, the most important thing I can say for making the most of the experience if the be his/herself. Let loose and stop worrying about what others think, take the classes you like and not what is popular. Join the clubs that seem interesting to you personally. Hang out with the people you can relate to and stop worrying about popularity. College exists for you to find yourself, so do not let others opinions get in the way.

Look. Look. Look. Go visit as many colleges and universities as possible to discover what type of campus and experience will suit you best!

Choosing the right college can be difficult. It's something that both the student and his or her parents should take part in and take seriously. In the end, there has to be a balance between what a family can afford, a place where the student feels comfortable and can take pride in calling their school, an academic environment that fits well with the student's own academic personality and goals, and somewhere that a parent feels comfortable sending their child. When trying to make the most of the college experience, it is important to put yourself out there and try new things and meet new people. I am a more quiet and reserved person and the beginning of college was a little bit rough because I didn't reach out to the great community around me. As I became more comfortable I got involved in more activities and found more friends and now I would never think about going to college anywhere else. Most colleges do have a place for everyone, even if it takes you a little while to find your niche. Just do what makes you happy and find the balance between work and play. GO BLUE!

Every college isn't for everyone. I knew that the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor was right for me as soon as I stepped on the campus. I felt like it was where I belonged. You have to go where you feel most comfortable. The first few weeks of school I was not enjoying college as much as I thought I would. I soon figured out it was because I was not making the most of my college experience. The friends you make and what activities you choose to be involved in can really help your experience a lot. Therefore, my advice is to get involved, stay focused and enjoy it! Those four years will probably be the best four years of your life and they go by entirely too fast.