University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that making new friends is easier than you think so don't be afraid. Classes are harder than they were in high school so you have to study. There is always something to do so you won't get bored. Get invloved in as much as you can. Going to church by yourself is not as scary as it may seem and you will get used to it. Avoiding parties is really easy when you have friends that share the same values as you do. Having a roomate takes some time to get used to, especially when you have never had to share a room with someone for an extended amount of time. Sometimes you have to spend sometime on your own so you won't go crazy when some of your friends start to get on our nerves. College is a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun.

If I could talk to myself when I was a senior I would say enjoy life now because once you get in college it is extremely difficult. Be prepared to study, study, study. High school is nothing like college, no matter how hard they try to make classes similar there is nothing like it. Also I would say be ready to root for your school. Get interested in a club and stick with it, it doesn't matter how many your in just the effort you give to each one. Also find a job. I had one but I would say find a better one. You will definately need one to get through and if you don't well your just really lucky!

Looking back on my transition into college life the phrase, ?I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger,? comes to mind. For the most part I knew what to expect, but there are always those things you never see coming that trip you up. During different bumpy occasions of my college experience I would have whispered into my own ear things like?. ?Staying up late the night before a test to study, or for any reason isn?t a good idea. You should have spent more time working with computers, so everyday tasks would be a little easier. Joining an organization will prove to be a beneficial decision on many levels. Call home more often; so you won?t feel disconnected from your family. Keep your head high when you study so hard for that first exam only to bomb it. Taking the initiative to form study groups will end up helping you out tremendously in the long run. Don?t worry about getting along with your roommate; that will work out fine. Finally, you never know where you may make a new friend; a lab partner can become your new best pal.?

Dear Kiran,As a high school senior, all you are ever worried about is impressions. Another person?s perception of you is more important than your own perception of yourself, and this heavily influences your actions. I?m here to tell you, as your college junior self, to disregard this concept when you begin freshman year. You will not make it in college if you allow others to define who you are. You won?t go after the things you really want; you won?t boldly seek friendships in new places simply in order to comply with how others see you. Shed all preconceived notions about yourself and begin fresh. You are the only person who can create your own identity; do not give this privilege to someone else. Don?t allow your self-created boundaries hold you back: erase them and go beyond the norm. Focus hard in school and learn what is worth learning, but at the same time nurture the relationships that may very well save you one day. Live the college life, but also live outside the college life and remember there is a world out there that is waiting for you when you graduate.

I would tell myself to not stress out so much about transitioning to college life. I would also tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity to get connected to the campus and the people. I would try to have more fun and not focus completely on studying because doing so only makes you burned out and school life then becomes miserable. It is important to have fun and find friends to help you destress yourself. Those are some of the things I would tell myself if I could talk to myself as a high school senior.

"Don't worry. Life seems like it can't get any worse, but it's not the end of the world." These would be the words I would tell myself as a high school senior, if I could go back in time. As a high school senior, I thought I had it rough: college preparation classes nearly all day, a part time job, and a few extracurricular activities. I felt so stressed out my senior year, but that stress is nothing compared to the stress I have, not even three years later. Everyday felt worse than the last, and the idea of college scared me: never being too far from home, and the college I'm at now is nearly three hours away. Move-in day was naturally frightening, and I was stressed. But, as time went by, I survived. IMAGINE THAT!

My senior self wanted to get away from home as soon as possible. So I went to a college that was far enough away and had what I wanted to study. Plus, the scholarship package there was amazing. But once I got there, I found that I didn't want to study what I'd chosen anymore, and that being away from home wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Drunken parties and petty drama are just not my style. So I found something else that I wanted to study, and discovered that it was only available at the main college in my hometown. I transferred back to Columbia. Unfortunately, the University of Missouri does not have a very good scholarship deal for transfer students. The best scholarship packages are for freshmen. So if I could tell my senior self anything, it would be that staying at home isn't so bad, that the University of Missouri has a great Nutritional Sciences program, and that if I go there as a freshman, I could get some pretty good scholarships.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior and give myself advice on what I considered at the time to be the biggest decision of my life, there would be so much that I would want to say. The number one piece of advice would be, ultimately this is your decision. When I was trying to choose a college, I was trying to please to many people. The one person I didn't try to please was myself, so know that this is ultimately your decision. Do what is right for you. The second piece of advice would be don't second guess yourself. In my mind I already knew what was right but I spent several months second guessing myself until I finally made the right decision. Also I would tell my former self to work hard. Work had in your classes and getting scholarships, because if you slack off now then you have to work twice as hard later. Finally, I would offer the best advice ever. Don't worry! Everything is going to work out for the best in the end and I can say this confidently, since I already know what happens.

Save yourself the money and go to a community college first. Also, it will be hard to make friends so don't have too high of expectations. It will be much harder to get good grades. You will no longer be known as the "smart girl", labels do not follow you to college. People will take advantage of your innoncence.

I would tell myself be prepared to work harder than I ever have, that college is all about self-discipline and being able to manage my time well. There are many opportunities in college, from activities in the at the student rec center to organizations and downtown entertainment. Take advantage of the resources available to you. It's good to get a taste of everything and broaden your experiences while such opportunities are readily available, but not to lose focus, that maintaining a good gpa and getting involved in activites to prepare me for my career are the highest priority. I would also be sure to mention to not be so shy to approach people, you never know what you could learn from them and if they could turn out to be a good, lifelong friend. College is an amazing time, don't be afraid to have fun and take full advantage of all it has to offer, because time flies by and before you know it, it'll be time to graduate.

I wouldn't undo any of the mistakes that I have made since leaving high school. Their teachings have been very valuable. However, I would have appreciated a little bit of advice from my older self. I would tell myself to stop worrying about every step of my future and to realize that there is no way to have everything planned out, and in that acceptance of what may come, lies the beauty of college. College is a time to find yourself. Ofcourse not everything can be left up to fate, so I would tell myself to embrace college life with an open mind and perserverence. An open mind is crucial. College exposes you to so many new people, places, cultures, ideas that it is necessary to view these new things with a nonjudgemental mind. I don't think you have to change who you are and what you believe, but it is important to be aware of other's ideas and beliefs and to keep your mind open to them. Perserverence is what keeps you going in college, and though the ride is very important and can be fun, the goal can not ever go out of sight.

The best advice that I would give myself, if I were to go back in time and talk to myself in High School, would be to continuosly follow my heart, dreams and ambitions. Everything in life happens for a reason, so all of my mistakes, achievements and everything in between is all a part of the learning experience. I would not specifically prepare my "past self" for specific situations that I know will happen as my "future self" because all of those things have made me (my "current self) who I am today and I am extremely proud of that young man! I am blessed to be successful, accomplished and an inspiration to people in my school. All of that is because everything that I went through, made me everything that I am today. I would just encourage myself. I would tell him that "You haven't seen your best days yet! Keep striving for achievement in every field of human endeavor like you always do and nothing but greatness will come from that. You have been fully equiped with the motivation, tools and inner drive to successfully complete what is given to you! Never let it go"

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would have told myself to work harder, to take classes that were more challening, to take a summer class or two in order to have some credits to transfer to my college. Going to college costs a lot of money it would help a lot of high school students to take AP classes and to take a few summer classes between their junior year of high school and before fall of their freshmen year in college. I definitely would have taken more honors and AP classes, I would have worked a lot harder to take and pass AP exams and get credit for college. One of the best things you can do for yourself in high school before college is to get as much college credit from your high school classes and just be ready to work hard and make a lot of new friends.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself while I was a senior in high school I would tell myself to find more means for scholarships. I honestly did not take college seriously when I was a senior in high school. I wasn't excited about going away to school and living without my parents. I wish that I would have gone to visit more colleges instead of just a couple. I would also tell myself to have more confidence in myself and not look at college as something that was going to be difficult to accomplish.. When it comes to the transition of college I wish I knew that change is going to be hard. Nothing in life is easy. Just take it day by day and before you know it, it will be over. Always remember that you are not alone. Every student has some kind of anxiety about being in a different place for the first time. I used to be really shy and quiet when I was a freshmen. Looking back I wish I could do that differently and be more outspoken and meet more people; which can make the transition alot easier.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to explore as many campuses as possible. Deciding based on statistics and college websites can help narrow down the possible list of colleges to attend, but ultimately one must actually visit the campuses and decide based on how it feels holistically. Also, if a college is one of the top one's on your list, make sure to apply for the scholarships as soon as possible, instead of waiting until you've narrowed down your choices. Even though I made a great decision by choosing MU, I wish I would've toured the campus earlier and applied for the general scholarships earlier. As for the college transition, just remember that everyone else is new also. It may take a few days, maybe even weeks, before you find real friends but it pays off. College doesn't consist of cliques and hierarchies like high school. I am friends with a range of people from cheerleaders to science nerds. The opportunities are endless in college so don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try.

I would do everything the same way. I have accomplished a great deal academically, despite the hindrance of financial aid. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given, and sincerely hope I can have more help to continue my education in graduate school.

I think the biggest thing I would say is be yourself from the start. Everyone will accept you so be who you want to be. But be focused. Have fun but think about the future

I would try to get involved in the Greek community early on. I would also explore more career paths and majors before committing my freshman year.

The largest peice of advice I would give myself would be to have an open mind and to get involved in the things that seemed appealing to me. My college experience has been great. I have had the opportunity to get involved in research as well as teaching as a teaching assistant. There are so many opportunities at the University of Missouri and the problem with many students is that they come straight from college with their whole life planned out. College is a time for growth, both academically and personally. I feel that many students miss out on some great lessons by having a closed mind and dismissing many of the opportunities that arise that are not affiliated with their "plan". So in large, my advice would be to let loose from the tight hold you have on your future and explore. No one is going to tell you that you cannot go back and follow your original plan, but if you blind yourself from all of the other diverse opportunities you may not follow the path you really want to deep down inside. Explore, explore, explore! These are the best years of your life, so have fun.

I would advise my younger self to take more advantage of the activities offered by the university, specifically the residence hall. The staff and administrators want to know how to help you, so make your voice heard. Also, following the syllabus is the key to passing the class. Pay attention to the class schedule, follow instructions carefully, and try not to procrastinate too much.

It's not important right now if you dont know exactly WHAT you want to be when you graduate, because that is what this next journey is for , to help you figure it out. You will lose friends, and gain new ones. You will deal with love, and loss, and heartbreak. You may even have to deal with death, but most importantly you'll deal with life. Face your biggest fears, and remember that once you've faced a fear it's no longer your weakness but your strength. Just stay focused and don't let anything knock your world of it's axis. Even when it seems like your just there, and the world is turning, dont be down- everything will come to light and work out one day.

I would have told myself to stay more focused and to not be afraid to ask for help.

There are many things that I would go back and tell myself, that I have recently learned as a college student. First and foremost, be accepting and open to others opinions. Understand that not everyone has come from the same, or even similar backgrounds as you, and it's important to understand and respect other's. Also, be extremely outgoing, and get involved in campus acitivties whether it is volunteer oportunities, or greek life. These opportunities will help you become a well rounded person in the future, and it will also help for resume building when looking for a career. Last but not least, make sure to enjoy every last minute of the opportunities that offered to you. The time passes by extremely quickly and it is important to take it all in, and enjoy it while it is here.

As a high school senior I lost motivation and energy with applying for colleges that truly interested me, but looking back I needed to push myself even further than I could ever imagine. I needed to do more research, talk to more alumni of universities, not rely on the failing knowledge of an inept and socially fearful student counselor. I should have discussed my financial aid needs with people in college, talked to representatives for schools in Texas, California, New York, and Florida. I should have taken the SAT and prepared more for the ACT. Lastly, I would emphasize the importance of being confident in whatever decision I made, not taking the easy road because I was tired of being a high schooler dealing with the pressures of conformity and single parent households.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would probably tell myself not to worry about drifting away from friends from high school. I have stayed very close with some of my friends from high school, and I feel that the transition from high school to college helped me to learn who my true friends were. Also there was no reason to worry, because although I'm not as close to some people from high school, I've met all sorts of new people in college that I plan on staying friends with for a very long time. I would also tell myself to practice patience, because I had to learn that there are many different ways of accomplishing goals, and not all of them are how I would have gone about it.

I was pretty prepared, I just wish I had more opportunities to get scholarships and aid for school because it's so expenisive. I love it here and I love the university atmosphere.

I would tell myself to, first semester, focus on schoolwork. I would tell myself that even though parents are not there to make sure you are doing what you need to do, it is your responsibility now to get it all done. Being a far way from home is hard at first, but if you make plenty of friends and focus on school, it will be an amazing experience you will never forget. I would also say to make sure that if you ever need help pin classes, get it and do not procratsinate. There are so many resources available to you that it's incredible. Focus on schoolwork and stay determined in what you want. Do not let other people influence your decisions so easily. If someone does like like you for who you are, there are thousands of other students on campus for you to meet. I would say that college is one of the best times of your life, and do not take advatnage of it.

Be brave, Be Courteous, and know you are not invisable.

As a high school senior, I had my heart set on attending an out of state school ten hours from home. My parents let me make that decision for myself, although they advised me not to go that far from home. After a semester at the school ten hours from home, I transferred to MU. I wish I had known that MU was the right place for me academically, socially and emotionally. I am so much happier here at MU--I feel like I am at home.

Go to a school that makes you feel welcomed, and comfortable. Making decisions based off your friends or significant others is a bad idea, because this is your future not theirs, and making decisions influenced by them may lead them to not be in your future altogether. And if you get to your "dream school" and find out that it's not what you wanted, don't wait around and see if things will get better because chances are they won't, so when you choose a school make sure its a choice that reflects your personality, and your decision and major.

Be prepared for the larger classes and not getting that one on one with your professors as often as you'd like. Buy a planner and write EVERYTHING down in it, from due dates to appointments. Don't slack and think you can get away with it like you did in high school. :)

Study, study, study! Don't slack off because you think you know the material. don't be afraid to make new friends! Be open to new possibilities! And have FUN!

If I were able to talk to my high school senior self I would focus on one thing, finances. I knew it was important at the time that I should apply for FASFA and apply to scholarships, but I did not take into account how there are hundreds of other who are just as good and even better that are applying for the same scholarship. My freshman year of college I went to an out of state school and I did not handle my finances as I should have. It caused me to pay late fees and eventually I learned that I could not afford to go there, so I returned to my home state. Even though I am getting better at handling my finances I would tell that 18 year old me to work more and save more in case something were to go wrong.

One would be about attitude. Despite what it may seem, I really have learned that there is never any reason to criticize, condemn, or complain. It does not get people over to your way of thinking. And doing so does not help your situation. Walking the walk, instead of talking the talk.

I would tell myself to always keep trying, college is tough but it is a lot hard if you don't try. In high school it was easy to do the bare minimum and get buy, in college teachers really don't care if you don't show up or do your work because you're an adult and it is your choice. But you cannot take that kind of freedom for granted, or you will quickly fall behind.

College life is not nearly as scary as you think it will be in High School, it is not all about parties and picking the best school for drinking either. College is focused on education and getting you ahead in life; it is learning how to make your own decisions and how to become successful. You'll often make life long friends and meet successful people in your field of interest. You'll have free time to do whatever you want but you should remember to stay focused because you don't want to affect your education by doing something stupid. Mostly its about learing to become the best you can, independently, and having fun while your there.

Tour the camuses and find the right fit for you.

I would encourage students to explore ALL opportunities. If it is possible, I believe students should look at in-state and out-of-state universities of all sizes and in all locations. This method led me to Mizzou and I couldn't be happier! The key is to find the university that fits you, not your friends or your parents, best!

Choosing the right college is very important. There are many factors to consider, such as money, potential majors, settings, and overall fit. I think that it is really important to apply to more than one school. Also visit the schools you apply to to make sure you can see yourself on that particular campus. College is what you make it. Both the students and the parents have to go in with the right mindset. You're there to learn, but you're also there to have fun and build lifelong relationships. So choosing the right college and making the best of your time there is very important.

When choosing the right college, make sure you visit it. Places look and feel different than what is on the website and in pamphlets. Every college has a different feel and they all won't work with your style. It's important to feel comfortable or you won't preform well academically.

Two things: First off, sometimes the best school isn't the one with the highest price tag or the one that makes people say "ooh" at cocktail parties. Secondly, don't feel weird if you are going to college far away from your high school friends. You'll see them in the summmer. For the rest of the year and the rest of your life, you're doing this for you.

Take your time to make your choice and weigh all your options.

College is an investment, choose the one that will have the best return value for your career future.

Stay at college over weekends - you will meet people!!!

College is an important time in a person's life. Not only is it a time to practice and study towards one's given profession, but it is also a time for making friendships that will last a lifetime. Advice I would give to a student searching for the right college would be to look for an environment that makes that person feel most comfortable and most like home. For many, being away from home causes a culture shock. I recommend that students visit any schools that catch their attention. If the student feels at home, like he or she could easily be a student there, that is the school for him or her. As for advice for parents, I would instruct them to allow their children to apply where they want. For me, this was difficult. I was not allowed to apply where I wanted, which caused my first year of college to be quite difficult. I strongly encourage parents to support the decision of the student. Whether hesitations include finances, academics, etc., I believe things work out for the best. During such an important time in a student's life, support and understanding are important from loved ones.

you should try to visit several campuses and visually see what you like and dislike about each one. Some schools may look good on paper but if you do not like the layout or get a "bad vibe" then that may not be the best place for you. Go somewhere where you can study what you want and also be able to have some fun while you are there. Also, strive for the best school that you can, but also if you have to scrounge for money then it may not be so fun. It is nice to be able to go to the occasionaly movie or some other paid activity with friends as a break from school work. Its no fun to have to stay home due to money issues. But most importantly, go somewhere you would feel proud of going to and being a part of the community.

The first think I would tell parents and/or students that are looking to find the right college is if they have what it is that you are planning on studying. It is also important to go on college vistits to see if you like the classroom size and if the school feels right. Also the price of the school is important you dont want to be in to much debt when you are out of college. One thing that most people forget to look into is the social atmosphere at the school, you want to look into the clubs or social groups to see if there is something that you can get involved in, most of the time you'll make your best friends at college and clubs or groups are the best places to find them when you already have something in common.

Enjoy every minute of it.

Reflecting back, I think I would have devoted more time to really looking for colleges that best fit me as a person and THEN my academic needs. Of course academics is a number one priority for me since medical school is my ultimate goal, however, college is your new HOME. You spend all of your time on campus so you need to make sure this is where you will be happy as a person. If you are happy as a person it reflects directly on your effort you devote to each class, and when the tests arrive you feel more prepared and will do much better. Academics is very important, but since you and your parents are spending thousands of dollars for your education, it is best to have both worlds.

The best thing to do when picking a school is sit down and actually figure out what you want, and what your priorities are. Once you figure out what you would like in school DO NOT lie to yourself. I know once I stepped on a campus of school I could tell if I liked it or not. Your friends should not influence your decision either. One of the biggest fears in going to college is that you won?t find friends or fit in and going to a large school like mine there will be so many groups you can fit in so there is nothing to worry about. Weighing pros and cons with something such as tallies helps a lot as well.