University of Minnesota-Duluth Top Questions

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

Mindy

If i could go back to my senior year I would do things differently. As a high school senior, I would of participated in P.S.E.O (postsecondary education opportunity). My senior year was just all fun and not taken seriously. I wish I would of used my time more wisely and got ahead! P.S.E.O is a great opportunity to get college experience before you are actually attend school after high school. They pay for your college education and gives you a head start. It would of made an easier transition into college. You would have experience with studying, tests, the work load, and getting used to the schedule you choose. You don't have to pay for text books either which is great deal. It is a great opportunity to get ahead, have your college education paid for, and have experience in college life.

Sheewin

Academically, socially, environmentally, college is a new experience, one very different from high school. Making transitions into college life will be difficult at times, but things could be done to prepare you for this new chapter of your life. In high school, academically get ready for college. Pay attention in class; GPA does matter to a certain extent. Reach a little further and take challenging classes, volunteer and be involved! When applying to colleges and for scholarhips, always do everything early, stay organized, and go for it! "Friends made in college are lifelong friends." Sometimes the friends you made in high school will also be your lifelong friends. Cherish the moments with family and friends. Keep those memories in your heart. Bond with fellow classmates in high school. You are one unit, the same graduating class, all in it together. Stay in touch with family and friends! They can be there supporting you when you need it most. Take care of yourself, stay healthy, get sleep, and be happy. YOU have to deal with this change, a new experience, a college life. YOU have to do what YOU think is right and best. Sometimes, it's simply all about you.

Nicole

As a high school senior I would have told myself to take things more seriously. When considering colleges, I did not really put that much effort into finding one that would have a major I wanted and as a result, I am going to have to transfer colleges after I finish my generals. I also would let myself know that college is not all fun and games. I need to be prepared to work hard and take my classes seriously. The first test I had was a math test and was not prepared for it. I actually got a C on it, and after that started working hard in all my classes. I did not get any more bad test grades after that one, but I wish I would have been prepared for the work load. Finally, I wish I would have been able to tell myself to be ready for any obstacles thrown my way such as a roommate that likes to party all the time, and handle these issues with maturity. Overall, going into college I feel I caught on pretty quick to all the transitions that I had to make and feel confident that I will succeed.

Jessica

To go back in time would be a blessing. I would tell myself to get more involved in school activities so that I had more to write on my college resume. I would tell myself to always look up, if a problem came along then I'd just have to work around it. The struggles you overcome in life now, will just make you stronger and better in the future. In highschool I believed in giving your all on every endeavor, but because of the fear of failure I wouldn't try to begin anything new or uncharted. I would tell myself that if you didn't try you didn't live. To sit by the sidelines and reminisce on the opportunities lost makes you just like everyone else who decided they didn't deserve more. The advice I would have given myself in highschool is the same advice I follow today. Put yourself first because no one else will. Be adveturous and live life like you couldn't go back in time and change your mistakes.

Heidi

I would give myself the advice to take your time with your decision and do what is right for you. Also, you should keep an open mind towards new situation. Trying new things will allow you to make more friends. You are not the only person who is feeling scared about going to college for the first time, so do not stress about that.

Zachary

I would tell myself to relax and have fun, while working hard. The transition to college life is a fun and new experience, you will meet many new peole and make many new friends. However, just because you are leaving Dassel-Cokato, doesn't mean you have to forget those who made it special. Hang on to those friends as well. Work hard in your classes to be the best you can possibly be. Follow your passions and don't let anyone get in your way. Following your passions will make you truly happy in your education and career in the future. There will be times when you will be tested, when they come, hang on to your values and follow your heart to the right decision.

Ashley

I would say enjoy every moment because the things that seemed to be so stressful and important in high school were not so important. I would also encourage myself and tell myself that college is much better than high school, that I'll meet so many influential people, and that I'll be presented with so many opportunities. I would congratulate myself on my hardwork throughout high school and remind myself to continue working hard throughout college because college is much more fast paced.

Rick

Buy a parking permit because your tickets will add up to more than you will spend for it. Know what you want to become and take the appropriate classes as soon as possible. Become involved more in the school. Jump into any organization you can. Dont stay cooped up in your room. Get out and explore the town!

Jason

I would suggest taking more PSEO courses in my highschool career. Though public colleges and universities tend to be less expensive, they are still not cheap. I would try and convince my senior-self of the following things: college really is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding. It is not about making a ton of friends or trying to find parties to rebel and let loose. Though I've not really been a part of that seen, I would assure myself that studying and getting good grades are the best priority while in school; there's nothing wrong with having fun, making friends or celebrating achievements, but keep the goal and purpose of education always in mind. People across the globe don't have the opportunity to choose their occupation, much less choose to go or not go to college. Be humble in your abilities and use them to their fullest potential because there are many people who would likely trade places with you. Oh, and decide what you want to do for YOU. Choosing a major or school to please others will not make you as happy in the end as if you do it for yourself.

Zac

Save more money so that once I get to college I won't be having to worry about money as much. As well as, take time to learn how to study, it will make things a lot easier in the future.

Jessica

I would tell myself to never give up. Just try your hardest. Thats all you can do.

Janey

Learn better study habits and make sure school comes before fun because school is very expensive.

Kristen

Think hard about your major and make sure it's what you really want to do and what your interested in

Heather

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would beg myself to consider many different things. First, I would tell myself to quit slacking in my senior classes. Second, I would tell myself to stay on the wait-list for all those great Universities that I was wait-listed for (instead of getting indignant and not returning the wait-list request letter), I probably could have gone to some great colleges had I sucked up my pride. Also, I would have told myself to apply for alot more scholarships than I did, I was busy enjoying my senior year, with the result that i didn't do as many things as I should have to financially prepare myself. Lastly, I would have told myself to study hard, pass my classes with A's and not party so hard that first freshman semester, it makes a huge difference in what classes you can select and your future.

Rebecca

As a high school senior, my biggest goal regarding college was to go somewhere respectable that was also a distance from home. For this reason, I didn't attend the U of M in the Twin Cities, but instead came up to Duluth, a town that I figured was close enough to my family where I could visit them whenever I felt the need, but far enough away to become my own person. I would tell high-school-me to remain in the cities because the opportunites offered at the U of M are much greater than those at UMD. Although my family may have been more involved in my new life than I wanted, I would have been exposed to a great variety of people and activities that I know nothing about because I'm in Duluth, where real culture is sparse. I also would have told myself to get involved in more on-campus activities, because I feel I lost a lot of the college experience by staying in my dorm and going home too many weekends. I would have said to not be afraid of trying new things and meeting new people.

Angela

First line of business get to know the teaching assistant who conducts your Friday morning 8am biology lab. He will become a great friend and true assest when you barely can comprehend what is being discussed in the 300 student biology lector. Which leads to you question the degree in Biology you where so set on pursuing when choosing this University. Second line of business become great friends with the women in career services she opens your eyes to other opportunities. Also she understands that not everyone is cut out to be a Biologist and maybe your future career goals can be found in another field. Leading you to pursue a major you felt challenged by and has led to future professional endeavors. The biggest piece of advice I would give my high school self is to open your eyes to possibilities and take on new challenges. With out taking that first step and finding out what opportunities are out there high school self would have missed a lot of great experiences. One last very important piece of advice...stay away from the credit card sign-ups for free t-shirts. No college student needs that many over sized shirts.

Jakki

I would have told myself not to worry so much. I was so scared that , coming from a small town, I was going to have a hard time making friends and coming out of my comfort zone. I picked a great college that really helped me feel like I fit in and I cant imagine being anywhere else. I wish I had not focused so much on everything being perfect and instead kept my thoughts on the now. Life is too short to worry about what is going to be going on years from now. If you make a bad decision, you work it out. If things are hard, you get help. You are never going to be alone and in the end it may not be like you originally planned it, but it will have been an experience regardless. You just have to make the best of it.

Timothy

I would go back and tell myself to enjoy college because there's not many more chances you'll get to meet new people and have a good time. I would tell myself to focus hard on school, for it's the main reason you are in college. I would tell myself also to join as many clubs as I can. This will allow myself to meet more people and have plenty to do while at college. The last thing I would tell myself is to go to college with an open mind. You meet so many great people that it's hard to pick a "group." Follow your dreams and make the best of it!

Alexander

Take a tour, ask questions, ask current students and alumni about their experiences, attend a lecture, and explore the surrounding area as well as the campus.

Brianna

It is going to take time. You may go through three different schools before you find what you are looking for. Some campuses have a very diverse and exciting environment and others do not, you just have to know what you are looking for. Students when you get to college, do not be shy. Open up and meet new people, join in intermural sports or clubs. In the long run the people you meet will end up being your best friends. Also do not be afraid to take that trip with people you do not know very well. It weill be one of the best things you can experience. Parents do not make the desicion for your child, help guide them in their direction. You may think it is not right for them but they are old enough to know what they want. They will succeed and have fun while doing it.

Anna

Finding the right college for you is almost as difficult as finding the right typeface for a specific project for a graphic designer. There are so many choices, ones you feel connected to from previous experiences or projects and the ones that are brand new, and you've never seen before. When you find the right college college, you WILL know it's the right one. Like seeing the final images and text together when the project is finished. It will fit. It may take longer than you would expect, but it's worth looking though the whole database. Like any great graphic designer, you have a vision, why settle for less than what you expect or what you want?

Brittney

The best advice that I could give to parents and students about finding the right college is to really do your research and visit a variety of colleges to see what one feels right for you. One thing that would have helped me a lot is if I would have took into account what I intended my major to be and what my career plans were going to be after college. If I could go back I would do more research to find out what college is the best for my major and what type of internships and activities or clubs they have to offer. Another thing I wish I would have done is to not let my high school friends influence me as much as they did in my college decision. One of the best parts of college is meeting new and different people. I found this was difficult to do when I went to a school with a bunch of my high school friends because I was less motivated to go out and make new friends.

Catelin

Don't limit yourself. Explore all possiblities, even if you don't think you can afford them.

Celia

I would suggest to students to make sure they really research the schools they're thinking of attending. It's easy to find a few things that really stand out in a school and stick to those, but it's important to look into all your options. To make the most out of your college experience, make friends and a lot of them. A good support system is vital when going through the stress of college!

Cristine

My advice is that when picking your college, consider all options, look at every factor in your decision, and if possible, take a look at the campus (either in person or through research online). Then, once you're there, make new friends, and take time to study and play... In other words, good luck and ENJOY!

Ryan

visit all the campuses that you consider so you can get a feel for them and make the best choice.

Danielle

Take tours and find one that fits with what you are looking for. Do not worry about taking out loans, do what you need to do in order to go to college. Have fun searching for the school to attend. Apply for scholarships well in advance. Fill our your applications early.

Erin

Make sure that you do enough research into all schools that are available that have a focus on what you are interested in and that it will be the right school for you. Don't just go to school near home because it's in your comfort zone. A lot of college students find it necessary to get out of their comfort zone in order to succeed in what they want to do in life. Don't be disouraged if one of your dream schools is out of reach financially; there are ALWAYS scholarships, grants, and loans to help you out. To make the most out of your college experience, find a school that has a diverse liberal education system. These classes can help you to make good friends that you might not have met in classes for your major. Join clubs or try activities that are interesting to you, and you can make lifelong friends that enjoy what you do. Whatever you end up doing, DON'T second guess yourself. If it comes down to it, just follow your heart and everything will turn out fine. Don't stress! Have fun!

Elizabeth

Visit the colleges you are seriously considering. Try to stay a whole weekend if you can, so you can get a good feel of the community and the school.

Amy

The best advice that I can think of is to get away from home, get out on your own to a place that has an open environment because being on your own is an excellent experience. Make sure to go somewhere that is pretty good in the field you are interested in, and if you can get opinions of current students use them. Don't think about the cost of college, just go to the college that you think will help you the most.

Sarah

The secret to choosing the right college is not only take a campus tour, but to hang around campus. Watch how people interact and what they do for fun. The campus tour will show you the size of the school and what buildings there are. Sticking around campus will show you if you can relate to the students and the campus environment.

Liz

Make sure that you have plenty of choices when choosing a college. If you only have one college in mind, you may not be applying for the school that can really change your life. Also, I know that money can be a big factor, but if you feel as if you fit well into a college that may be more expensive, go for it anyway. There are always loans. To make the most of your experience, make sure you branch out socially. If the school offers a summer program to help you meet other freshmen, go for it. That's how I met most of my best friends. Also, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and talk to the person you are sitting next to in class...they may become your new best friend.

Kenneth

My first piece of advice would be to explore several schools that you might want to attend. Don't judge a school right away, wait until you really get a lot of information about it. Don't chose a school just because the dorm rooms are nice. Yes you're going to spend a lot of time there, but most of it is going to be sleeping. Go to a school that has a lot of sports going on around campus. They are a great way to meet people and make lifelong friends. Select a school that you don't have many highschool friends going to. If you pick a school where you're going to know a lot of people from high school, you're going to end up just hanging out with them and not making a lot of new friends. Try really hard in school, you're paying for every credit you take. Be careful if you decide to use alcohol or drugs because universities are usually very strict on their substance policies and you have the potential to really disappoint a lot of people including yourself. Join as many clubs as you can to make friends.

Lisa

I would advise to let your child choose the college they believe is right for them. It will pay off in the long run if they are at a college not at your expectations and passing, then them being in a college of your expectations and failing.

Alyssa

Visit the campus. There is no better way to get an idea for the campus culture than to actually go there. It will also give you an idea for how easy it will be to travel to and from campus. It's important to be able to make it home for holidays and family events, but it is also helpful to have a healthy distance from home. I found that living a few hours away helped me establish myself and learn to take responsibility while still having the comfort of knowing that if I really needed to go home, I could get there. The healthy distance is different for everyone. A really big issue for some people is the size of the campus. Smaller campuses sometimes feel more interconnected while larger campuses offer a more diverse population. Larger campuses also tend to offer a wider variety of majors, which I would reccommend to anyone who might be undecided. That way when you choose a major there is a greater chance that your college will offer the it. Otherwise, you would have to transfer and leave your new life behind.

Emilee

Make sure you go to a college that not only has your degree but where you will be able to meet people easily. Maybe even go with a friend. College has been a difficult and lonely experience for me and I hope that others will remember to follow there dreams and do it with the people you love and care for. College can be a wonderful experience.

Emily

It's not about knowing what you want to do, it's about discovering who you want to be come.

Nathan

Pick the school that you feel most comfortable at. Don't follow your friends or let anyone influence you into where you want to go to school. The school has to feel right for you. If you do not feel comfortable or like the school it will be very hard for you to learn and enjoy your college experience. It is a great time in your life and you should make the most of it.

Carl

Get involved on campus, with anything. Don't study till your eyes melt. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Study with friends/classmates and avoid cramming its not effective.

Megan

I would say that ultimately where someone goes to college is up to the student that is attending. They need to know that where they are going is going to be right for them in terms of academics, social, physical, and living needs. Make good friends, have good times, and enjoy college to the fullest.

Sally

I would say go with the atmosphere you feel most comfortable with. Go on campus tours during classes and see how everyone interacts with one another. If most people are smiling and friendly, it's probably a good atmosphere. Ask people around campus how they feel about attending that college and what they are learning about in their classes. To make the most of college you should get involved and meet new people. Talking to classmates is a really good way to get study groups going for those tests that are killer. Also getting involved in sports or intramural sports is also a good way to stay healthy while meeting new people and having a good time. Study hard, but take some time to let off steam whether it be at a party or just going to dinner with friends. The way I survive my school load is having fun as often as possible without having my grades affected by it. You learn to balance things out after the first semester.

Michelle

Let the students decide!

Trevor

Look at the professors and find one that is not only an expert in the field that you want to go into, but one who you can easily work with. A professor can be in the forefront of his field of study and still not teach you anything if they cannot effectively convey ideas in a way that you can understand them. As for the college experience, there are always people who enjoy doing the same things you do, so don't feel like you have to compromise just to have friends.

Jamel

Whatever feel right. Go with your instinct

Brianna

I would tell them to make a list of the top things that are important to the student. Choosing the right school is difficult, so try to take campus tours. This will allow you to see what the school has to offer academically, and you will also get a feel for the school. I would tell them to keep an open mind once they get to college. They should try to get to know people, ask questions, don't be afraid to join activities/clubs, and have some fun. I would let them know that most people in their position are going through the same transition and that sometimes it can be tough. It is easier when you have people to talk to who are going through the same thing. College is different than high school. It is up to you to go to class and your grades will reflect how hard you work. Finally, I would just make sure to tell them that nothing is set in stone. If you don't like your major, you can change it. You don't have to know what you want to be for the rest of your life right away.

Samantha

Make sure you go and tour every school you are planning on attending. It would be a good idea to sit in on various types of classes. I started out at a small private school, and although I thought I wanted a small school, it ended up being much too small and much too involved in my life. So I moved to a public state school and it suits me much better. Don't be afraid to talk to people in class. Everyone wants to make friends, there just has to be those people that are willing to initiate conversation.

Alex

Make sure to visit colleges and apply early. A lot of schools use your application for housing and other purposes.

Kathleen

Find a location that you would want to live in

Sarah

The first and most important thing to choosing the right school is to visit the schools that the student is interested in. The student must also consider the distance away from home, area the school is located, and the relevent coureswork or majors that the school offers. Getting to the point of visiting any school requires research and investigation, such as that from the internet. When visiting a school it is important to get the opinions of weathered students who know how things work around the school, can tell you who the best teachers are and how to be as successful as possible. The school to choose is then all up to the student, just put all the gathered information together and pick. When arriving at the school, making the room feel like home is crucial. The student should also remain at the college for the first few weekends to become integrated into the school. From then on it is all up to the student to work hard and have fun to get the most out of college. College is a stepping stone to the big-bad-world and should be a balance between courses and having a great time.

Natalie

I would say visit the college. Get to know what it is you really want to get out of your college experiences. Find out what clubs and activities the campus offers and join them! Explore and get to know the city as well, because that is potentially the place you will live for the next four years. Once you start school, take time to experience the classes and find which ones are right for you. Study hard, but also have fun. Interact with all types of people and be open to new ideas. Have fun!!