University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

Grades are not everything! I know you are competitive and want to be the best of the best, but college is also a place to experience new things. You can still be serious but making friends and experiencing what college life has to offer is also important. I know it will be hard for you. I have cried over getting a low B on a test and had anxiety attacks just worrying if my GPA was going to go down. Worrying like this is not worth it. Be more active and get out of your room. Hang out with your friends rather than going to a movie alone. I can?t emphasize enough how important friends will be for college. They will be the support you need when you have a bad day and a person to ask questions to when you are unsure of what to do. College will be tough but you will make it through. University has many opportunities for you, but you just have to take the first step in making college life worth it. Study hard but have time for yourself. Your happiness is everyone?s happiness. So smile and have fun!

Dear Layle, As you embark on this journey, I have some pointers for the road ahead. Firstly, it is import that you become fond of sushi because it will get you through some tough times later. Try new things, but don?t just try new things, try them open mindedly. Try to broaden yourself through these new experiences. Dive in. Go deep. Sometimes things are going to feel though and overwhelming (this is where a sushi break comes in handy). When this happens, buck up and get back to work. Nothing gets accomplished by worrying about possible outcomes. Also remember, college isn?t just about midterms and essays. It?s about finding out who you are and determining how yoru gifts will change the world. Get involved, make new friends, surround yourself with people who make you laugh and challenge you to be your best. Your potential is limitless. Always keep your chin up and push yourself to the limits. Keep this quote by T. S. Eliot in mind, ?Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.? Excitedly, Your future self

Know that the courses are going to be ten times harder and ten times more work than any kind of course you took in high school. You might fail a class or two and that your probibly not going to get the gpa that you think you will get. College is alot of work so get prepared now!!!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about how to make a better transition from high school to college there would be many things that I would tell myself. The most important thing that I would say though is to get involved. When you are involved on campus it makes the experience more worthwhile. It also makes you feel like you have a right and a purpose to be there. Getting involved in organizations also gives your routine a structure that is critical to success. The more structure you have the easier it is to stay on track and get done the thousands of things that a college student needs to do on a daily basis.

Self, relax. You're a successful student and you will continue to be. College will not be what you expect, but take advantage of that. The courses you may be dreading, like the science requirements, will prove to be much more fascinating that you can imagine. I could never have guessed that I would enjoy doing moon observations for Beginning Astronomy. Having a plan is not a bad idea (I know how much you like plans), but changing the plan is also okay. Daunting, yes, but you need to relax when the plan starts to crumble. In your advising sessions with your new counselors, be assertive. You know who you are and what you want out of your own education. Your college experience will be different than your peers'. Embrace it.

In highschool, I was never really motivated to do well academically. I always thought, as long as I pass with a C, I'll be fine and so some days I would turn in assignments, and then the some days I wouldn't even bother to even bring the assignment to class. Senior year in high school was the year that I not only turn in half of the assignments, but I also procrastinated a lot, which is never good. I would wait until the very last minute, or even during class to finish, or even start the assignment that was given the few days before. But having gone through the transition to college life, it's not so easy doing some assignments and not do others. And procrastination will not work so well this time. Now that I know about how college life works, the advice that I would give myself is: "Dream big, and keep reaching for the stars. Though the stars may look far away now, keep on reaching because soon enough, the stars will surround you . Just remember that all the hard work you put in now, it'll all pay off in the end."

I would make sure that I study more, because while I still do well in classes here if I had good study skills from high school I could proabably be more successful. Also be more open and friendly with people. It is easy to make friends as long as you talk to them, and I usually am an introvert so I don't start conversations easily.

The most important thing I can tell you is not to worry. Things will work out better than you can imagine. Your greatest fears such as making new friends and doing well in classes will come easily. The challenges you will face won't be of the nature you expect. Be open to new experiences and be careful not to jump to judgements quickly. Your fellow students are here for the same reason you are and they want to see you succeed just as much as you want to succeed yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask questions early and ask them often. Try to spend your time evenly amoung a range of activites, don't focus just on school but don't focus just on socializing either. Finding the right balance will be one of the biggest challenges you will face in your first year. Finally, don't get discouraged. College is difficult and confusing, but thousands of students have gone before you. You are smarter and more capable than you imagine. You can do it.

I would tell myself that college is not as scary as it seems. You have to be open to new experiences and people. Meet as many new people as you can because some of your friends will become your best friends for life. Furthermore, become involved in many clubs to meet people as well. Often, it is hard to meet people in your classes, so meeting people in your dorm or clubs is a better way to make friends. In addition, try to keep up with your coursework to the best of your ability. Most of the time doing the reading for the class is helpful in the long term aspect, even though it may not seem like it at the present time. Once you fall behind in your coursework, it is really hard to catch up, so you must always stay on top of your work. Also, college homework may seem tough, but it is worth it to try your hardest in order to get the good grades. If you do not try, your GPA will be affected negatively for the next 3 years of your college life. Most importantly, have fun and relax! College only happens once!

What I would tell myself if I went back to being a senior in high school is that one must be very organized in college. A college student is more indepenedent and has a lot more responsiblilites such as working and keeping up with the course work. Also, a person must not wait until the night before to study for an exam and instead must pace themseleves between each exam. It is also very important to get help right away when one is stuck on the material covered in the course. There are a lot of people all around the college that are willing to help you become sucessful and therefore one must take advantage of the endless opportunties open for them. A great tool to have is an agenda book where one may use it to record upcoming exams, assignments, projects ...etc.

If I could go back in time to when I was in ninth grade ,I would tell myself not to drop out .It's the worst thing you could do. Go to a good college that has the best accademic courses for your needs. It won;t be easy to make the transition but it's for the better.Your going to be scared but so will all the others going away from home for the first time . It will be hard at first but the thing to do is get involved with the other students and join some clubs. You can always go to the rec center and take a dip in the pool. What bettter way of getting to know people than swimming. You will be always greatful that you made the decistion to go and explore things outside your home town .It's a big world and you'll definately grow just like your parents always knew you would. So just remember that your not the only one out there who is scared, hey why not start up a away from home for the first time club. I bet you'll get a lot of members.

As hard as it is to admit it, high school hardly prepared me for college. I had a difficult transition with finding new friends, keeping up with coursework, and adjusting to a new independence coupled with responsible time management. After attending the University of Minnesota in Duluth for a year, I decided to transfer and declare a major in Architecture at the Twin Cities campus. That transition was even harder. The campus was three times as big and I could no longer rely on the dorms as a source of meeting people. Since I was done with generals, I could meet people in my major classes, but the first semester was difficult. If I could give myself one tip it would be this: to get involved early with things I love doing. I joined an organization for architecture students and immediately made great friends. We attend out of state conferences together and help each other in classes. Friends of theirs became friends of mine and a passion for architecture became a passion for life and friendship. Because I got involved, I became more confident in myself and my abilities, and made connections that will forever benefit my future.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to prepare for a huge change. In high school, I knew that college was going to be different and difficult, but I did not expect this much of a change. I would tell myself to enjoy my time at home and with my friends and family. I would definitely tell myself to gain better study habits so that I can succeed in all of my college courses. I would also want to tell myself to apply to more than one school. Although I enjoy my choice to only apply to one school, I think that I would have thoroughly thought about my decision if I had to decide between more than one school. Overall, I would just tell myself to prepare for an experience that will affect your life forever and to just enjoy life!

If I could go back in time I would wish to go back to myself as a freshman instead of a senior. I spent all of my highschool focusing on athletics when I should have focused on community involvement. If I had to go back to myself as a senior I would have told myself that the end of highschool isn't everything. Trying to hang on to those friends and memories made it so that I wasn't able to open up to the people at my university as easily. Highschool friends have been there forever, but college friends have the same goals and interests as you which makes the relationship so much closer.

The frst thing i would tell myself would be to not worry so much about making new friends in college, as that was one of the things I was most worried about at the time. I would probably then tell myself to make sure that you get involved with groups and activities on campus as soon as you can. I would also say that even though college classes are in general more difficult, that if you work hard at them, completing the homework and studying for the exams, you will do well in college. Depending on the time of my senior year that I go back to I would either tell my self to get the college applications done, and to work on scholarship applications during some of your freetime, or i would be thanking myself for doing just that. Lastly I would thank myself for working hard throughout gradeschool to get me to where I am today.

As senior in high school, I was more concerned about what I might miss out on that could be more fun than learning. While scarifices have to be made, you can still have fun while learning. I would stress the importance of studying hard and giving my all in class. It is also important to not overload yourself with so much work that you never see the sun shine, you have to live a little too. I would also tell myself to pick a career I could be happy with and passionate about. I think that makes a job more rewarding, knowing you earned your way to where you are. In high school I was a "C" student, now I am an "A" student. The advice I would give myself has worked for me now, and I wish someone had given it to me back then.

I can now give the advice I would like to have had as a high school senior. I would encourage learning as much as possible, and recognize that we learn more when we are having fun. So, have as much fun as possible. I would compete with myself to do better than the last time. As a high school senior you feel invincable and capable of accomplishing anything. As our society is beoming increasingly more global, travel every chance you can. Exchange programs in other countries offer a unique learning experience unlike any other. I would encourage as much extra curricular involvement in all activities. Each area has different and varied experiences that can prepare you for life, interpersonally and in a work world. Without realizating it, at this young age, one develops networking skills by way of people interaction or by experience of the particular sport, dance, debate or extra-curricular activity pursued. Every opportunity presented has a recall potential later in life as there is a cyclic resurgance of experiences. Listen and learn from your superiors and develop your own convictions; your own style.

First of all, do not bring everything you have to college. The dorms are way too small. Also, always study, work hard, and excel. It will always pay off to do the best you can instead of giving half of your time to do it. Third, always get a job, especially as a tutor. You'll love it! Get involved and try new things! You will also love having the extra money. Last but not least, call home once in a while, mom will miss you so much, keep in touch with your old friends and make new friends, and keep your faith and pray for the strength do succeed and do well all year long.

I feel that I was adequately prepared as a high school senior making the transition to college life. The high school I attended offered College in the High School classes which I took giving me credits when I started college and which prepared me for the rigorous academic schedule I would encounter in college. Many of the faculty at my high school have Masters Degrees and the curriculum that I had was excellent, i.e., Pre-Calculus, Advanced Math Topics, Foreign Language, and College Writing and Literature. Our school counselor was accessible and guided me towards scholarships. Above all, my parents have supported me 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in my decision(s) and have assisted in making my transition as easy and smooth as possible. Homesickness was alleviated by phone calls, visits, and emails. I was the only student from my high school who went to the University of MN , Twin Cities, and I have never regretted my decision. Stay with the dream and follow it is my challenge and my parents always tell me, "The cream always rises to the top, and son, you are the cream!"

I would tell myself to really dig deep in the career field. I came to college knowing what I wanted to get a degree in and I haven't changed my mind, but I have realized that if I had known that there are thousands of different things I could have a career in, I may have looking into them a little further. I also wish I would have taken college courses at the technical college in my city so that I could have more time to get my required classes done. College is so much fun and a lot of hard work, but it's only what you make of it and I wish I would have known that going into it.

Time travel is a topic that entrances everyone, and I am sure everyone thinks about it. What would we do if we could go into the past? Most people would go back to change a decision they made, or to give themselves advice about the future. Other than tell myself the next week?s lottery numbers, I would give myself advice about college. It is a major transition, and looking back at it, I could have used all the advice I could get. My biggest piece of advice would be to be open and friendly. Start up a conversation with everyone- your neighbors in the dorm, the people you sit next to in class, and even your professors. Making friends and networking is the easiest thing to do if you just put yourself out there, and having an active social life and building relationships is as important as doing well in class. Friends are important to have because we all need someone to lean on, and when we have that support and know we have it, we are happy. When we are happy we are able to do our best work and be successful in life.

The transition to college life can be stressful and exciting all at the same time. There are many ways to make this transition occur more smoothly. One thing I wish I had done earlier was get involved on campus. From the dorms to rec center to classroom, make your presence known. This, I found, is even more important on a large campus such as mine where its easy to get lost in the crowd. There are many was to accomplish this. The first and easilest is to open your door and make friends in your dorm. Get to know the people around and do it right away. Find a friend to eat dinner with or someone to watch your favorite tv show with. Another option is to join a club, sorority/faternity or inturmual sports team. Organization on campus not only expose you to new activities but new people, maybe even some who are older and wiser. The last place I recommend making your presence known is in the classroom. Raise your hand and ask a question or go to office hours to get to know your professor, they may help you out later. Let your campus know your presence.

First, when your parents are pressuring you about scholarships, choosing a major and choosing your college, this is not the time to be rebellious and not listen. No matter how ?un-cool? they seem, they are trying to give you good advice, and to be there for you when you need help, or someone to talk to. Apply as early as you can to the colleges, even if you have not taken a tour or know what you would like to major in. Often schools award institutional scholarships on a first come, first served basis, so even though you don?t think you can afford the school you never know what financial aid you may receive. College is not some wild party like most think? well it can be. College is what you make of it. Choose wisely when you want to go out several nights of the week. Skipping class is fine, but just be prepared to accept the GPA you earn at the end of the semester. Lastly, appreciate your last year in high school. College is fun, exciting, scary, and every emotion you can imagine. It is a different world that is the start to your future.

As a high school senior I had an easy time in school. School came easy to me and I took the easy path through high school. If I could go back and give advice to myself, I would have said, "Challenge yourself, Jordan, to go above and beyond. You wasted so much time in high school doing meaningless things and now I wish I could have some of that time back to prepare myself for the rigors of college. " "It takes hard work and dedication to become successful in this world. College is not going to be a breeze for you. Your education is going to be the most important thing you ever set out to do. Don't take it lightly. Use this last year of high school to get ahead of the game, to practice life skills, and to make decisions that will bring about a better, less stressful future. Change your motto to 'Bring it on world. Make me stronger.'" That is what I would say to myself.

If I were to talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would have forced myself to join the marching band. After participating in the U of M pep band and being around the band family, I realized in my freshman year that my apprehensiveness limited my experiences that year. I saw that way the marching band performed, acted, and how dedicated they were to school spirit. This was something that my high school self should have known and acted upon. I missed out, and making the decision to join as a sophomore has demonstrated to me that a band family of 300 can be the glue that keeps life together. Our weekday rehearsals and Saturday Game Days mashed every college major and personality together, moving together as a single unit. This is something that, as a freshman, would have made the transition into college life easier. I doubted my capabilities and should have challenged myself to take a chance coming into college. Joining the marching band has led me to many more opportunities inside and out of college. My family of 300 has and will continue to shape all aspects of my life for years to come.

If I could go back and talk to myself as as a senior I would tell me to be more outgoing. Getting to know people when you move onto campus is crucial. It will be very stressful if you don't make a support network for yourself. I was shy in high school and did not have the best social skills coming into college. High school was a good opportunity to develop these skills and I missed it somewhat. I would also tell myself to work on better study habits. Adjusting to the workload of college is difficult if you didn't study much while in high school, like myself. The work there was easy so I put in the bare minimum and thought I could get away with that in college too. But I learned quickly that this was not the case.

Dear high school senior me, I'm here to give you advice now that I've finished my first semester of college and have a better understanding of all that college is about. First, start looking into scholarships this year and apply to as many college as your heart desires. Dont limit yourself to just in state schools either, look abroad at all the options because they're limitless. I know your worried about losing your friends and starting new, but dont worry! They'll be back for the breaks and you'll see all of them again. Once you start college you'll make tons of new friends and they're all going to be mature and ready to take school seriously. Finally, while you're in college everything is going to change. You're going to be considered an adult, resonsible for yourself and all your actions. You'll learn new study habits, how to balance your time, and what it takes to live on your own. Although it sounds scary now, dont fret! High school senior me, enjoy your last year of high school and be prepared for next year, its going to be a good one!

As pessimistic as it may sound, I would advise myself that you'll never be ready for the first week at college. I attended a college-preperatory highschool, had lived by myself and thought being high school senior was the most independance anybody could ever ask for. I realize now that moving out, orientation, and even high school graduation were all preparing me for a transition that was truly life-changing. Meeting new people, discovering what type of person you will be, and embracing the deep changes that will occur is something that no amount preparation will help soften. It was an amazing experience and totally worth the immense effort, but I would advise my high school senior self that changes will occur, whether they were prepared for or not.

First off, skipping the lectures and "just learning it on your own" is not always going to work. Oftentimes, the professor may explain something such as a math formula in a way that is easier to understand than the textbook, or he or she may have their own method of solving something that they want you to use on the tests. It's hard to employ these "tricks" if you don't go to class to learn them! Sometimes professors won't fully explain something, however, so you should read the textbook for further explanations until you fully understand. It's good to team up with someone else while doing homework so that you can help each other, provided that you actually do work and not just sit around and talk. Another important thing: NEVER wing a midterm, because that's about a third of your grade down the drain, and relying on the final to bring up your grade is not a smart choice either. Doing the opposite and studying so much right before the midterm is also a bad idea because you will be too exhausted to think by the time you take the midterm.

If I had the opportunity to go back to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to be more confident and sure of myself. Entering college, I realized that unlike high school, it isn't just about classes and studying. It is extremely important to have a medium set so you don't overwork yourself. Having a social life and joining all the interesting clubs and groups that are available is part of the whole "college experience." By exclusively putting my entire self into my studies, I sometimes get drained too quickly. So I would tell myself to continue studying hard, but to also step out of my comfort zone and make friends, have fun, and most importantly live life.

The move from high school to college is a big step in your life, and it will not be without incident. The changes will be immense, and at times intimidating. You will be scared, but that?s okay. The experiences will get better, and you will soon begin to adjust as you get into a routine and you start to get acquainted with the new world around you. To say the work load is large is an understatement, and you will be under stress. But like the original move to college, you will adjust to this as well. Don?t worry; things will work out in the end. Friends will be made, adventures taken, and vast amounts of knowledge learned, and that is only in the first semester. College is a frightening idea when you?ve lived at home your entire life, but once you?re away, you won?t want to trade the memories for anything. Don?t be afraid of the move, the transition is short. Work hard, as getting an education is the reason that you are here, and most importantly, have fun, because these are the best years of your life.

I would love to go back in time and give advice about college to my high school self. First, I would say that learning doesn?t just take place in the classroom. You learn at football games, parties and other on campus spots. At these places you learn who your friends are, what you want to be when you grow up, and most importantly you learn about yourself. College experiences change your life. Through all the craziness, like big parties, games and all night study sessions, you figure out who you are. College is designed to set you up for success. Maybe you won?t like every class or professor, but if you try it is easy to learn something valuable from each one. In college your strengths and weaknesses will be shown. Sometimes very bluntly, like an F on a chemistry test. Other times, it might be more subtle, like having a great ability to make friends. You just have to realize what your strengths are and make them work to your advantage in your academic and social life. Finally, look at everything as a learning experience, not a success or failure, and you?ll be just fine.

Do not take the easy route in life. I know you are going to the local college in your hometown and going to study elemantary education because that is what your parents did, but you have a choice. I know it is easy to go down the road where everything just easily falls into your lap, but sometimes those easy roads are not going to be what makes you enjoy life. You can choose to work hard for a chance to study where you want--yes it is hard to find ways to go to someplace more expensive, but you can do it. You need to have a balance in your life. It is important to enjoy yourself and have some fun, but also study--college is not just about the parties. The social life at college and not being interested in education is why after the first semester you drop out and do not return for another 10 years. Do not be too hard on yourself, in those ten years you get to live in other countries and travel the world serving and learning about other people--that is what leads you to the Global Studies major. Enjoy it!

I would advice myself the following: Take as many different classes as you can, especially in the physics and mathematics departments. Also, take a few physical education classes, like scuba and soccer among others. Think about going out more and be more confident in the first year, everyone's going through the same things as you. Perhaps think more about where you'd like to live. Venture out more. Get a research job with a professor that taught a class you liked. Try out the different restaurants in the area often.

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to take the pre-SAT, and the SAT. Many scholarships are linked to high scores on these particular tests. My high school did not offer any resources regarding college testing, so I was unaware when these tests were being offered. I earned a 30 on my ACT, and I would advise my high-school self to retake it; it could not have hurt to take a few more tests. Additionally, I would tell myself to apply to more scholarships. At the time I was stressed out with school, work, and extracurricular activities, so I only applied to a few. Now I realize that applying to scholarships requires an intense time commitment, and I should have focused more on scholarship applications and less on my job and activities. Finally, I would advise myself not to worry so much about choosing a major. It did not take long for me to find a subject about which I am fascinated and will gladly study for the rest of my life.

If I could go back and visit myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself many things. First off, I would tell myself to listen to what I want, and not what others want of me. I would tell myself to apply to colleges that I actually want to go to, and not ones that I just figured would accept me regardless of all else. I would tell myself to shoot high, apply to places that I truly want to go to regardless of how much they cost. It is better to go to a school you really want to, that has the program you want and costs a lot, than to go to a school that is cheap and has a terrible program for what you want to pursue. I would tell myself to talk to my television productions teacher about what to do to a make a career in film and television work for me. Lastly, I would tell myself to spend as much time with my family and high school friends as possible, becasue I won't know just how much I am going to miss them until I am far away.

Dear High School self, As a high school senior thinking about college I know you're extremely nervous about making friends, getting to your classes on time, understanding subject matter, and wondering if you'll have enough time to relax. The best thing I can tell you to help you out is to relax and take it in stride. It's true college is a big step in life, but all of high school was spent preparing yourself for this time, and if you haven't learned something by that point it's too late anyway. Mistakes do not have to be a bad thing either. Making the wrong decision is one of the best ways to learn a lesson and make it stick in your head. You're going to have plenty of relax time, even more than in high school on some days. There are going to be plenty of new, awesome people in your life that are going to help you with school work, other problems, and to have fun along the way. Enjoy the ride! Sincerely, College You P.S. Keep working on getting better at essays, they never stop...

If I could go back in time to when I was a senior in high school, I would change a couple things. First of all I would research different majors more in depth and choose one before I apply to a college. This way no time or money will be wasted taking classes that do not pertain to my major. I also would engage in more volunteering opportunities. After being exposed to many different cultures and those who are less fortunate, I believe volunteering is the best way to spend your free time.

Try to pace yourself. Don't overload yourself with credits, if you do, insist on working less than three days a week. Go over the previous day's notes and make flashcards if needed. When selecting classes, try to make sure they count toward your graduation requirements and credits. Once you have a major chosen, make sure those credits also count for major requirements.

If I could go back in time, I would sit myself down, and talk to myself about my intended choice of major. When I was in high school, I was debating between being a Chemical Engineer and an Astrophysicist after I graduate college. I enjoyed both physics and chemistry, with a natural love for the stars and the universe that surrounds us. It is obvious to me now (but not then) that my desire to be an Astrophysics was based upon a natural, internal desire to research and learn about the very fringes of human knowledge and experience, by studying the stars and the universe, while my desire to be a Chemical Engineer was only influenced by my fear that I would not be succesful financially as an Astrophysicist, and by my father. If I went back in time, I would tell myself to stop lying to myself, and realize what I truly desired to be. If this would have happened, I would have been able to not worry about my future as much during my first semester, and been able to take additional, more beneficial classes.

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, I would stress the importance of proper studying skills and test taking skills. Too many times in my high school career did I 'dump' my knowledge into tests without worrying about retention. Concepts are revisited in college. It is impossible to be successful without properly learning the curriculum and retaining the information. This is why good study skills should be learned in high school where there is less stress and pressure. Test taking skills are also very important to learn in high school because a large portion of final college grades rely solely on test scores. It is imortant to possess these test taking skills to make the best use of the limited time to take tests. Students who enter college with a sound background of studying and test taking skills are much more likely to find success than those who come ill-prepared. Now, I have learned the imortance of these skills and am finding the academic part of college to be rather enjoyable. I just wish I had obtained these skills earlier, so I could have found this success even sooner.

For many immigrants, the idea of moving to America is best described as the search for a better education. This was my parent's view not mine, at least not for the time being. My first day of school in the states was difficult. In a classroom filled with blonde haired, blue-eyed students, my Asian features drew unwanted comments and scrutiny. As a child of a different race, complete assimilation in the host culture was crucial, otherwise your broken English and heavy accent would make you more susceptible to public humiliation and torment. A key part of my assimilation plan was to master the English language and completely burn all ties to my heritage. In my childish mind, being different meant being inferior, which was simply too painful to bear. By the time I entered high school, my goal was to be completely be American every way possible. I viewed my two nationalities as divorced parents that I had to choose between. I would go back and tell myself that to deny one and embrace the other was like denying a sacred part of myself and i would regret it in the future.

I would tell myself to be more independent. Stay on campus, and get involved early on. Volunteer for helping those who are in need. Staying on campus will help make the transition easier. The best part of college is meeting new people. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself, and describe yourself. College is the best part of your life to meet people that could lead to lasting friendships. Do things. Go do things that the campus is offering, especially if they are free.

My advice for the transition into college is to not be afraid of the change. You got into college for a reason, so don?t be afraid to speak your mind in class and with those around you. Another important piece of advice, when you learn that you only have 4-5 classes in a semester, there is a reason for all that free time. STUDY! For real! Your classes will require more work on your own time than you think so it might be a good idea to start planning some time management. Also be open to new experiences and ideas. There are a lot of different cultures that are brought together by colleges and universities. You should take this opportunity to embrace them and learn from them. And finally, get involved! Find something you love or something that interests you and go for it 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}! That way, you find people who already share a common interest just may become your best friends throughout your college experience. So all in all, instead of fighting the transition, go with it! You might just discover something awesome!

Remember that your school work and grades are extremely important, but that you cannot let yourself get too stressed out. Take time to be alone or be with your friends. Go for a walk or do something else to relieve stress. You need to experience life while at college, because you are being prepared for what's next to come. Yes, get good grades, but do not make that be the only thing in your life.

I would tell myself that there are so many poeple at the school, its easy to find a group of friends to fit in with. In college, you can do your own thing and become your own person without anyone telling you what to wear or do. In college, there arent popular kids or bullies. You do not have to be around people you do not like. Most and foremost, I would tell myself that everything will be ok, once I graduate from high school because college soon becomes the real world. High school is just a temporary place where you have to be and once your done, you move on with your life. The second most foremost thing I would say to myself If I were to be a senior, would be that I should never slack off in school and say, "O wait, I got accepted or I got this or that". Excelling in school doesnt mean that we should do it for ourselves, rather than doing it to get accepted in a school or win a scholarship, it means that we should always put effort in whatever we do for our brains, our personal growt, and knowledge. '

The first thing every high school student needs to know is that teachers are correct when they say that college is very different than high school. It is easier to start thinking about what you want to do while still in high school because college comes and goes quickly and it can be hard to make a decision about what to do for a job, career, or lifestyle in just 4 years, so planning a career path or an interest pool early is a must. I've learned that life can become all too real once individuals are on their own for the first time and they can only prepare themselves by having a steady financial backing, at least one goal they want to reach by the end of school, and an open mind to a completely different world. However, each person can also succeed getting a great education and will be able to find a niche where he or she fits in perfectly in both an academic and community setting so give yourself options and choose what is in your best interest.

The High School version of myself was excited to attend college, but was not sure about the people there, or how her friends would feel about her leaving. I did not fit in well at my high school because of my interests, my beliefs, and the way I dressed. I was worried that this trend would continue, and I would not find people to share my enthusiasm with. Now that I know my concerns were uncalled for, I would tell myself that the University of Minnesota is full of people just like me, people who want to meet others with both similar and different interests, people who want to learn the skills they need to do what they love, and people who are just as unique and friendly as I could have possibility wished for.

If I was able to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I think that there would definitely be a few important things I would tell myself about college and making this important transition. Before choosing a school, make sure it is in a location where you can see yourself living, because further on in your education, you may be staying there throughout the entire year. Also, be sure you understand that in college, grades are not solely based off of your work and how you are doing as a student. Grades are all about being competitive at a large university. Studying and focusing on school is extremely important to being successful but you should also be sure to be involved in many non-academic clubs and activities. I wish I would have not listened to other students opinions about recruitment for Greek life. Do what you want to do and do not let other people opinions influence your important decisions.

Looking back at my senior year, I would tell myself to truly enjoy those last nine months with my friends and family. In those nine months I was always living, but not being alive. I often applied excessive stress to situations that, looking back, I didn?t need too. I was in charge of things such as being in charge of hockey super-fan outfits and players, making up choreography for four dances on dance team, and planning out where we would eat and how we would get around for prom groups. The situations I would take part in were more about getting the items on my check list done instead of getting the items done while I was also building on friendships and personal character. As a whole, I would tell my senior self to relax and not be so uptight about stressful situations.