University of Missouri-Kansas City Top Questions

As I high school senior, I would grasp as much knowledge as possible, especially writing skills, study skills, and overall communication skills. Whatever your path, you will always need these tools. I would take as many academic classes as possible and take college prep or AP classes, especially if they can be applied for college credit. These will really help with the process of finishing your degree on time or early. I also think you should relish the relationships that you have in family, school, and friends. And take time to enjoy the simple things. There is all the difference in the world between living at home and attending high school and living at college and attending college. I love the freedom of living at college and I am not just talking about the living arrangements. I am talking about the choices you get to make. What classes do you want to take? How many? What time do you want your first class? And don't forget to apply for scholarships. You will need all the help you can get financially!

If I could go back and talk to myself in the beginning of my senior year in 06', I would have the life changing knowledge for a young man who had no idea what focus and dedication it takes to be succesful in college. The reason being because like many others in high school the materials of study didn't hold my interest so I figured "Hey, it's my last year of this routine, time to have some fun." I lost track of what i really wanted to do with my life. Instead of class I was focused on things that don't even matter now. But if I could go back and talk to myself I would've said forget all of those things because they won't even matter soon, and that doing good in my classes this year will have a huge impact on my education in the near future. If I hadn't let my gpa drop senior year I would 've been eligible for so many scholarships. Then I would'nt be where I am now, working a dead-end job and not in school due to the fact I can't afford it.

If I could go back to my senior year, I would encourage myself to start the college process a little earlier than I actually did. I waited until the last part of my senior year to really decide where I was going to go and how I was going to pay for it. If you spend the little extra time you have, especially when you have your parents hounding you, I believe you will have a lot less stress. Speaking now as someone who went to a four year college first, then transferred to a community college, and now is transferring back to a different four year college, I believe if you start earlier with your decision process, then you will be more likely to stay and remain content at your first choice. I also would encourage myself to look deeper into the school, not just how it looks through the eyes of a counselor or a tour-giving student. You really need to find out information from other people than the ones the school gives you to talk to. Overall, my college experience wasn't terrible; I just wish I had been a little more prepared.

"Thinking about going to college? Good. You should attend the university of your choice. The experience will last a lifetime. You will meet new friends, discover the unknown, and learn how to survive on your own without the constant nagging of your parents. College is not for the weakhearted. You must be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} dedicated to your major. Time management is inevitable. You must be able to choose, on your own, whether you will study, or go to the 'hot' party. Some decisions will be difficult to make, but you must have integrity. Don't let your peers influence you to do the wrong things, but take advice from those who are efficient in their studies. It may not be the 'cool' thing to do, but being 'cool' comes after the hard work is finished.

I would give myself the adivce to study more and to focus hard on work and get to know teachers and go to thier office hours. I qwould also encourage myself to spend less time playing around and more time with my head in the books and srudying in groups of people instead of just trying to do it on my own. Hindsigh is 20/20 and i would advise myself to look for more scholarships the more you apply for the more you can get.

I would have first of all, been better organized about getting more scholarships while I had time. Also, I would have came up with a better study system before so, I could manage my classes better. Time management has always been an issue for me, since I am so active. I would have told myself to stick to no more than 2 activities on campus and make sure I do not procastinate my school work. It is okay to talk to people because that is how you network and find friends that can last a lifetime, but be careful who you choose. College life is not about having fun all the time and I must endure it even when I dont want to. When it comes to money, it seems you can spend it all day however, money is tight and it is not wise to waste it on unneed items and shopping sprees, or at the bookstore on campus. Learn to be resourceful and find ways to save money. Never rush high school because life goes by fast and you do not want to waste the good moments while you still have them.

I would tell myself that college should not revolve around joining a sorority. It's going to be a waste of my time and money. Instead go to available tutoring or relgious group activites. There you will mostly likely meet people just like you who are extrememly nice and easy to get along with. I would also tell myself to research scholarships more often. Universities love add and add bills to your student account so you will always need more money. Also, get a job freshman year! Don't worry about getting "used to" campus life. Get a job you like and make some money so on the weekends you can enjoy going shopping with the girls and to the movies. And last but not least, DO NOT live in the dorms! They are noisy, a pain, awkward, and not worth the money. And the meal plan that comes along with it is even worse.

A wise student will always remember to be thankful for every opportunity and remember one?s life has a purpose. A purpose to give back everything the world has given. It seems like yesterday I graduated from high school. My initial thought about college was absolute freedom. Yes indeed, college opens the door of freedom, but it takes a wise mind to successfully pass through college and its obstacles. The difficulty level of college courses are high compared to high school courses. In order to excel in college courses, one has to develop the quality of time management and discipline. As per social life, there are lots to choose from, but one has to be careful of their choice. The choices made while in college help determine where you will find yourself tomorrow. One has to mingle with students around campus. There is no room for procrastination. Procrastination does have its consequences, which is stress. For most college students, life becomes stressful, so in order to minimize stress, learn how to balance school, work, social life, etc. Take everything in life one at a time; do not worry because everything will fall in place at the right time and place.

Since this is my first year in college, I have experienced many exciting moments and hardships. The first advice I would give to myself is mentally prepare to take full self-responsibility and accountability. A perfect scenario would be me. In high school, my mom used to wake me up every morning to go to school. Since I'm in college now, I cannot rely on my rommates or anybody else to wake me up to go to class. The second advice I would give myself is better time management. I have two classes a day and each class is bout fifty minutes to an hour and fifteen minutes long. With all the time available, I spend the majority of my time dedicating to studying. I take an hour each day for the gym to exercise and escape from the books. The third advice I would give myself is ask for help if you do not understand something. If you open up to the professors and peers, they will do their best to help you. I learned that professors really like it when students come in asking for help, since it show that students care about their grades.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to be better financially prepared for school by making sure I did my best to work and save money and find out what was available to me in terms of financial aid and scholarship.

I would tell myself to do what my heart really desires, and not what others want me to do. If you is passionate about a particular subject or profession, even though it may not be practical, one should pursue it. It should not matter what others think or say. If you love what you do and work hard at it, then things will work out. I would also personally tell myself to trust God, because He will take care of everything and to not worry so much. Once you let other people tell you what to do, you will waste your time and compromise your happiness. Study hard, but also go out and socialize to make and keep friends for they are the ones who get you through rough times. They are your support group, and sometimes your motivators. Just live life to the fullest, instead of worrying about the future and making "practical" decisions. There is more to life than college, so just view it as a stepping stone and a great experience in life.

Though I have only put one semester of college behind me it has been enough to show me that I have messed up. As I look back at the younger me I think about choices I made and what could have been. Not studying because it interferes with friends, not listening to teachers because "Im the man", and not striving to do my best. If I found a magic lamp, I would use it to go back to my high school years. To tell myself what I do now matters in my future. Start finding a balance between friends and school work, start studying before tests and writing papers sooner to keep from drinking energy drinks to stay up all night. However I can not and here I stand attempting to correct the same bad habits that have haunted me to this day. This semester has been an eye opening experience I know that if I would have done things differently in high school things would be easier now. Instead I face the consequences of my decisions and now I must step up, become a man and fight the habits I have grown so accustomed to. I have grown up.

You cannot change the past, and the experiences you encounter throughout life are what help make you, you. I have thought about what it would have been like if I went to a different college, if I would have chose differently. Maybe someplace with more campus involvement or academic competition. But, don't we all doubt our decisions at some point? It is my sixth semester here at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and I have changed my major four times, made friends that will last a lifetime, been introduced to a city of possiblity, and worked through a work-study job that continually gives me the satisfaction of making a difference in the world, of being somebody. So, if I were to go back and be a high school senior again, I would tell myself to believe in the decisions I make and allow them to take me where they may. It may not always, at first, be what I want, and I will make mistakes, but to always remember that to make a difference you have to take a risk and continue to believe in yourself and who you are.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would advise myself to be frugal and consistent. There is no time like the present and if one stays focused all else will fall into place precisely as intended. There are always options and opportunities for greater success and most of the time they lie within good preparations. It is important that one absolutely, positively never gives up. Always hang in there and see every goal that is set before you through to the end. At times the rewards seem out of sight but the truth is they are always a baby step forward. Remember focus is the key to success. Stay focused and stay successful.

I would tell myself to be more socially active. It's tough in college to have no one to really lean on and study with. I would also tell myself to develop better study skills. There were a few bad tests in chemistry class because I didn't know how to study a subject that to me is so uninteresting. Lastly, I would tell myself to think logically. I should have been truthful to myself and realized that I had really no chance of becoming a doctor. I have always hated chemistry, yet I believed that I could handle so much chemistry. Instead of taking a chemistry class for non-majors, I took the hard chemistry class and it brought down my GPA. It didn't bring me down too much and I'll still finish in very good standing this semester, but I wish I could have saved myself the stress and misery.

I would go back and make sure that I told myself how important and worthy getting involved on campus activities is as a freshman. I believe that if I would have became more invovled my first year instead of waiting until my second, I would have had more opportunities. Getting invovled has given me a lifetime of friends, new networks, and an internship. It has also allowed me to give back to my community and the people in Kansas city and feel good about myself.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself and other high school students, I would say never let your parents hold you back from what you know you want. And always look into the future for growth instead of waiting and comparing yourself with your uncle or mom. My favorite quote would be Don't Sweat The Small Stuff.

I would advise myself to "relax" and not over-rate the experience of college. The anticipation of being on my own for the very first time and feeling the freedom was nice, but soon worn and replaced with a quiet lonely dorm room and too much time. My first year had problems with dorm mates, so I would really prepare my mind for the experience of living with people I don't know and not expected all to go "perfect" like it had been at home. I expected to get along with whomever, but not prepared for them no to get along with me. I would also search harder for employment to levy my expenses and not expect everything to be available through my campus. Finding financial resources have been a struggle and proven to make my college life much more difficult. I would advise myself to search out more friendships from my beginning year so they can be established for later years on campus with those who stay the entire 4 years.

I would definitely recommend learning how to study while in high school. It is something that takes time to figure out on your own, because everyone has different learning styles. It is always good to figure out what works best for you and use it. Something else very important to understand is that even if you know a teacher in high school will go easy on you if you miss a homework assigment or turn it in late, most college proffessors won't do that for you. Know that when something is asked of you, it is your responsibility to do it in a timely and correct manner. To be able to accomplish that, time management is of major importance. Realizing that time for yourself is just as important as getting an assignment done is a valuable lesson, so work it out to have the ability to do both.

I have actually improved as a student starting my first year in college. Really, the one thing I regret is not having clear interests when I started college. I was undecided for a while, then an English major, then a social work major, and finally I have arrived at Urban Planning and Design. To my former high school senior self, I would recommend researching different careers and perhaps doing volunteer work. I feel like if I would have acquired more experience, even randomly, it would have helped this college process go more quickly. However, somehow my indecisiveness has led me in the direction I am currently going. For example, I learned about Urban Planning through a research paper I wrote a year ago. Therefore, I believe everyone has different ways of arriving at their chosen careers. If I would have waited to start college until I decided on a major, I do not think I would have ever started. I know that I have finally arrived at this career path because of my experiences in college.

I would advise parents and students to always visit schools before enrolling in them. Also apply for as many scholarships you possibly can, college is very expensive. I think that students should always try to become involved in on campus activities, such as phrats/sororities, student government, and any other organiztion that the campus offers. I only say this because the more fun a student is having and the more they are involved in, the better you will do in college. You also creat long lasting friendships and networks that may help you succeed after college. My last advice would be DO NOT WORK! I know everyone wants to have a little money but, jobs can be a major distraction and stress. In college stress is the last thing anyone needs.

I would tell students and parents to research schools. They should go on at least 3 to 4 campus tours, these should be a major university, medium size school, small school, and possibly an out of state school. I would also tell the student that once you get to school dont spend all your time partying your studies should be your first priority.

just follow your first mind and attend somewhere you feel comfortable

To the students: Listen to your parents. They know more than you think you do. I started at a University +30,000 per year. I had to transfer because of the expenses and things just did not pan out. My parents said I should apply to more schools and have an open mind to other Universities. I wish I would have listened to my parents. My grades would have been perfect from the beginning and findings loans would not be as much of an issue now. Parents: Trust your students. To me, the best thing you can do for them is let them learn from their own mistakes. You have raised them to the best of your ability and now it is time to put your parenting to the test. What your students do at school is in their hands, whethere you like it or not. If they make the mistake of skipping class or being to roudy at a party, they will suffer the consequences and actually realize what they are doing is morally wrong and threatening of their future. Sometimes it takes a lot for a student to buckle down and realize their future is in their hands.

I know that some schools are better known than others, but try not to let that influence you. Do not pick a school just because its name will look good when you apply for jobs. Try to pick a school that understands the way you think and learn, and will work with you to accomplish your educational goals. Once you make it into your school, try to broaden your horizions as much as possible. Take classes that, even if they are not related to your major, they sound fun and interesting. If there is a certain professor whose classes you like, do not hesitate to take more of their classes, and let them know how much you enjoy them. You never know when that professor may be able to write that all important letter of recommendation. Most of all, try not to think of college as a necessary evil that needs to be done and gotten out of the way. Enjoy these last few years of relative freedom, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I would first decide on the size of the campus you want and then choose whether a city campus or a suburban campus is right for you. Once you find the right college, don't be afraid to talk to everyone you see one campus; the opinions of students are the one's that mean the most. Getting invovled is the best way to meet friends and figuring out where you belong.

Selecting an appropriate college is one of the most difficult and most important decisions of a student's life. Start early, and plan personalized visits to each school that you are truly interested in. Make sure it fits all of your needs: academic, personal, financial, geographical, and - yes - social. Among the most important of these are perhaps the personal and social aspects. A variety of colleges may offer the degree program you want, and no doubt, many of them have "star" faculty members to help you succeed. But if you're unhappy outside of the classroom (as this is where you'll spend 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your time), you will ultimately be disappointed with your college experience. This can cause frustration, and ultimately lead to a decline in your school work and your emotional health. Don't be pressured to go to the same school as all of your friends, and don't feel as though you have to attend mom and dad's alma mater. Find what works for you (remember that you're auditioning the college, just as they're auditioning you!). And when you find what fits, you'll know it.

Once you get past fulfilling admission requirements and worrying about tuition costs, the next step to finding the right college is to make sure they offer the degree program you are interested in. If you are undecided, look for a college that offers a wide variety of degree programs. Location is also important. Find a location that's not too far from home. (Just in case, it is good to have a place nearby where you can go for support, and do laundry on the weekends.) It is really important to find a college where you, the student, feel like you belong. Find a college with a campus that speaks to you. It is good to choose a college that you can be satisfied with not just for academics, but for the overall environment and social atmosphere. Visit the colleges on your list, tour their campus, and talk to current students and faculty. Look for a college that will help you excel academically while allowing for balance in your social life and extracurricular activities as well. Once you?re there, dive into your studies, explore campus, make friends, and join clubs. Take advantage of all your opportunities and have fun.

I wanted to find a school that focused on social aspects of college. I wanted the "college life". I found that college life is not something that comes with sports that make ESPN, it is the experience by what you learn from your peers. I am from a small town in central Missouri. I did not necessarily want to move to the city. Most of my friends either went to SMSU or UCM to go to college and I decided that if I wanted to continue high school, I would follow them. I found at UMKC diversity. It opened my eyes to look away from middle class white people and understand everyone. People gave me a chance, as well did I to them. People should look to a school that will teach them something about diversity. It teaches people about life!

Go with your first instinct and don't look back. Where you end up is exactly where you were meant to be. Give that college a chance because change is hard for everyone unless you make the most out of your experience. College can be an awakening experience to find out who you truly are and by doing so independently. Give yourself boundaries because most students lose track of why they came to college in the first place. Work hard and study hard because in the end you'll reap the rewards with your success.

Search for scholorships and talk to a finacial aid representative even if you don't feel that you may qualify!

Honestly, your undergrad choice is not that big if you plan on going to grad school. Just find a school that you feel you will do the best and will match what you want the best. I would say you get what you put into college, so seek out the experiences in your major and join clubs if you can.

If I were to advise a parent or student about finding the right school, I would tell them that the college environment and expertise should reflect highly on you in the job field. For example, if you are going to work in an urban job field, you should attend an urban college. I think that it gives you more creditials, exposes you to the environment that you will eventually work in and puts you closer to your future employers. You are also more likely to make connections with qualified and recognized people in your field that will be able to help you along the way.

Make sure of what you want to be. If you're going into a medical field understand alot of college experience that you hear about will not happen for you. College can be fun, however when you finally get that offer from the school you want, think about what you want before you say yes. It is easy to get into college then start to slip a little. A class here, a small asignment there it doens't seem like it should make a difference, but once you start, you'll find you rapidly lose control and next thing you know you are in serious trouble class and have no idea how to catch up or fix it. It doesn't sound like it can happen but it does often. Remember most people when they first go to college are more interested in being in COLLEGE, then BEING in college. Finally remember sometimes when you are most stressed and life is falling down around your ears people are there to help, but they can't do that if you don't let them. The hardest lesson you will learn in this journey is to simply stop, and ask for help.

Look for a college that has a department for the field your wanting to study, and if your college has Greek Life, join it. It is the best way to meet people and it's great networking.

I would suggest that students research their options and before deciding on a college look at scholarships and tuition. This was a huge factor in determining where I attended school. There are so many people in debt today and most of it is because of their education so if students choose a college responsibly they will be better off financially in the future. Also, students should look at the environment that surrounds the college. If you are not in a comfortable environment, it is harder to adjust and succeed.

The college should have diversity. This is a time when students find out who they are. They explore, take risks, learn more about themselves and their capabilities than at any other time in their lives. The college should be very focused and grounded in the area of study that the student is focusing on. If they are undecided, then the college should have many areas of study to choose from to help the student decide. the college should also have a lot of pride, and students should exhibit school spirit. Another important thing is financial aid, work-study, scholarships, grants, and loans; parents and students should make sure they know what is available to them. Try looking at professors on-line to see who actually teaches and wants you to learn versus who just wants a paycheck to fund their research. College also depends on if the student will have a vehicle, and how far away the college is. If your student won't have a car, a more college centered area, would be easier for the student to get around and even enjoy life off campus.

Find that place that intrigues you the most, where you mentally place yourself in a student's shoes and find a fit, where activities that you have never engaged in start calling your name, or where the familiar ones suddenly have an immense potential to challenge you to levels you never imagined. Find somewhere you can laugh easily and not forcefully, where the excitement of beginning a new experience is not overshadowed by fear. Find the place where you see yourself becoming the person you were meant to be, a place that will help you achieve what you want in life, and a place where you learn something you never knew about yourself.

Go tour the school, talk to students who've been there for a least a year to see what their experiences are like. Live on campus, you make more friends that way if you can. Get involved in at least one organization, thats another way to get the most out of the experience. Make a friend in each class, just in case something comes up where you cant make it they can help you out. And most importantly make sure you know everything about the financial aid, such as work study, scholarships, and especially loans! Get only what you need as far as loans go and make sure you read all the fine print!

When I walked onto UMKC's campus, I could immediatly see myself going to school there. I could see myself walking around classes, having a future there, and that's important. I didn't find that anywhere else, and that's one of the big reasons why I chose UMKC. Follow your instincts, if you think a school isn't the right fit for you, then it's not! Try to immagine your life there and picture yourself in a year or two. Is it there? Then you picked the right school.

Don't choose a school because it may look better than another school or because it's bigger. Choose a school that fits your desire of interest. It can be very hard to narrow down to the best school if you have so many requirements for a school to the best. It would be helpful to get involved because you can meet new people and have fun. You would never know that the person you meet would have the same desired major like you and that person can help you whenever you need help. Always keep your head in the books and never let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed in life. Staying focused and doing your best is the best experience that you could get in becoming successful

Let your kids decide, dont preasure them!

Think about what you want to study and see how good the program is at the schools your are looking at. Also, look into the student life on campus and all the programs they offer, that is a really important component to a school.

Look for a place you feel comfortable. Go visit the campus and get the feel of it! Its up to you to make the most out of college! Go somewhere that you can get involved with stuff you like to do. Just remember you get out what you put in!!!

Apply to and visit as many schools as possible, consider the location and social climate and really make sure you'll be happy there.

I would advice to the students that enroll in college classes to dedicate time to study with the goal of getting a good mark in the class. A good GPA is important for getting financial aid and scholarships. The college you attend will depend on what you decide about the amount of years you want to spend in college, and the degree you want to achieve. Also, give some thought to the long range goal of continuing to graduate school.

Take tours of the colleges of choice first, explore the programs of study(make sure you have a backup course plan just in case the one you want falls through and make sure the school has that major too), talk to financial aid and map out a budget.

Get involved on the campus and also stay on top of your studies. But also attend a campus tour of the universities or colleges that you may have in mind to attend in order to make your decision on whether the enviroment is best for you.

The only way to really find what college you are really interested in would be to go to an area in which you would be comfortable living. And to find the college that has an area of study for which degree you want. Then, visit, visit, visit. Try and visit as many compuses as possible, then all you have to choose is the one you liked best and think you would be most comfortable at. Also, tuition could be another factor in choosing a college. Be wise about your money, just make sure you are getting what you are paying for.

Its important to really make your school selection based on how you are as a person. Dont pick a school based on friends you know who go there or solely on location, its important that the school has a focus on your intended major and the size of the campus suites you. Do not pick a school and then put yourself in its mold. Find a school that fits you, for who you really are. Dont fear not knowing anyone at a school, that will come later, going to a college or big university is only to get an education not a four year long party. Include your family in your choice because you will really need them while you are in school.