University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

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

Isabella

Do not underestimate the up-coming demands on your schedule. With the right time management techniques, you can handle anything college throws at you. Daily to-do lists are super useful but prioritization is KEY. Do what you least enjoy FIRST. Just do it! Not only will this save you from the trap of procrastination, it will keep your stress levels from soaring. Tackling the difficult stuff at the beginning of a homework session provides you with a sense of achievement. Nothing drains your mental capacities like procrastination. It is impossible to perform well when you are under the weight of avoidance; but if you conquer that dreaded task, you free up energy to apply to other work. Once you feel that boost of accomplishment, all other assignments seem to flow easily.

Aysha

From elementary school to middle school to high school, I never thought the transition to college would be so difficult. Coming from a family of three sisters, I have a close bond with each one of them and not having them around all the time was the most difficult transition. Going back in time, I would tell myself to not be so nervous about finally being on my own and venturing away from relying on my parents for everything. Having a twin sister, I immediately had a best friend. Leaving to a city that is 8 hours away, I now know she is only a call away and no matter what I can always rely on her. I would tell myself I ned to budget my money and not splurge it. I need to focus on school and only hangout with friends when I have all my school work done. The transition to college is the first step to being on my own but I know my family will alwyas be a phone call away.

Tristanne

Knowing what I know now, I would have definitely told myself to choose a different school and to do more research on what really goes on at each college campus. I didn't want to go to Christian college because I didn't want to have to do bible study as a class and they were also too expensive. But I would definitely tell myself to find a school that had outreach programs for people who don't want to party and want to focus on living a life of purity.

Lawton

One would think that if I could go back in time and talk to my senior high school self, I would say something inspiring and amazing that would motivate me to no ends. As tempting as it sounds to help past me to be a better student and have a better transition into college, I would not do it. This may not be believable but I can tell you why I would not tell past me anything. It is cliché to say everything happens for a reason and in my case this is partly true, because we all know giving your past self some future advice would help immensely. This is the real reason I wouldn’t give past me advice about the future. In high school I wasn’t the coolest and I wasn’t a nerd, if you will, but I was floating there in my own world. It took me failing at college and joining the United States Marine Corps to find myself. If I were to have change my first attempt at college I would not be have joined the Marines that made me the man I am today. Life forms the person we are.

Chelsea

If I could go back in time and advise my high school self, I would tell her to put forth her best effort in everything she does. I would remind her to appreciate her time with her friends and family, and to take nothing for granted. I would remind her the importance of asking for help when needed, and the important of never giving up on herself. I would remind her of all the people that are rooting for her to succeed and believe in her. I would tell her she shouldn't be nervous about college, it'll be the best experience of her life. I would tell her that she will miss her friends from home, but she will meet new amazing ones. Most importantly, I would tell her to focus on school and remind her of the goals she has for herself. I would make sure she knows that her future depends on how she does, and that her number one priority should always be her health and happiness. I would tell her not to be scared of what the future has in store for her, her future is beautiful.

Cheleen

Whatever you do, just calm down and breathe. College at first may be overwhelming and stressful, but once you get the hang of it, you will be successful. Yes, ditching class is a lot easier in college, but that just means more responsibility for yourself. Go to class because every class you attend will help. Second, the test are worth more than the ones in high school. Dont procrastinate and study for them the day before, study little by little everyday. Your brain will take in more information and wont be overwhlemed by all the information you try to crame in one night. Oh, and try to get to know your professors. They may be intimidating at first, but they are nice and willingto help you. Enough about school, lets talk about the social aspect of college. Remember, be social. College will be one of your best years, and its your time to experiement and find who you are. Do what you want and find yourself and the friends you will have forever. Last, dont get discouraged by others and dont let them judge you. Be who you want to be and just be you.

Robert

After attending the University of Nevada, Reno for a semester I have come to realize that there is a lot of advice I would have liked to have given myself before school started. The primary thing I would have told myself was to be aware of how fast time goes by in college, meaning to make sure to get my work done earlier as opposed to last minute, because the quality of the work will be a lot better and will result in overall happier grades. Next, I would have told myself to focus on my mind more than my body, to devote more time to studying over working out. More studying would have allowed me to feel a lot more confident in learning the material, even if my grades were still good. The last thing I would have told myself is to not stress so much about how I will perform. The first semester of college is a lot like high school, and the material and tests, as well as work load, are not much different than that of a high school senior. I would have told myself to make sure to have a little more fun.

Erica

It’s amazing how fast my first semester of college flew by. Just a few short months ago I thought that everything would be different now that I am in college—perhaps I’d be more organized, more school-spirited, make more friends... The list is endless. I did not realize just how actively I needed to pursue these goals in order to achieve them. If I could tell my high school self anything, I would urge her not to be complacent, but rather to put her entire, wholehearted effort into making the most out of her college career. Want to be more organized? Set a study schedule and stick to it. Want to have more school-spirit? Go to as many school-sponsored events as possible. Want more friends? Talk to other people in lectures, join different organizations, and spend a semester in the dorms. I wish I could go back to my high school self and tell her that just because you’re a college student does not magically give you an amazing social and academic life. To obtain these things, you must step out of your comfort zone.

Douglas

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would say, "Try everything!" That is uniformly the advice that I would give. I am talking about trying the clubs, trying the contests, trying the food, trying the events, the social groups, the courses, and even trying the readings. Yes, even those. I can't tell myself how many course readings I skipped to play World of Warcraft. I have since had to go back a reread Camus, Frank Miller, Balzac, Finney-Boyle, Sherman Alexi, and so many other authors. I can't believe all of the things I skipped! I could have gotten into anime sooner, fixed my essays at the writing center, studied abroad, or learned how to actually dance! I could have actually learned about modern art instead of drinking in the back row. I could have done summer internships instead of hanging out with alcoholics. I could have discovered a passion for social justice instead of spending six years worth of time and resources on food and the pursuit of sex. I learned a lot of life lessons at UNR, but I missed out on knowledge. Try everything.

Kimberly

Don't give up, Kim. I know it's hard, listening to all these different people everyday telling you you won't make it in the collegeite jazz world. They're all telling you to find something more useful, and I know sometimes their words may be convincing, but listen to me. It is all worth it. Every struggle and speed bump you've encountered (and trust me, you will continue encountering) is well worth it and I assure you, you'll learn and grow from them all. You will find a healthy balance of knowing what to shoot for and what to wait for. Keep up your dreams and be really excited to get to continue your education, I'm telling you, you're gunna love it. Stay strong, - Kimmy Rubio

Elayna

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell her to apply for scholarships and to enjoy high school while she can. I would explain to my younger self how difficult it is paying off tuition, how fast money flies from "our" bank account because there is always something that needs to be paid for. Paying for college will not be impossible, but she should spend the time she currently has wisely to better her future. I would want her to also know that even though she is having a rough time with "our" ex-boyfriend, he should not be the one to bring down her happiness and focus. Senior year of high school is one of the best years of a young one's life and I would like her to focus more on colorguard, her friends, family and having fun. I would want her to not worry so much about money and just enjoy her young life, to actually spend that $50 for show tickets to prom with her best friends. We only live once, only one time-flying life.

Andrew

There are a few things I would pass on to my past self. One would be advising myself to pick a major and stick with it. Everyone switches their major, it's what happens in college. But I stand by the idea that I would tell myself, "pick an area of study that interests you, and stick with it". I always had plans for graduate school, I had a hard time focusing on one area. Another would be advising myself to seek out and use the resources available to me as a student. Counselors are there FOR the students. They WANT to help individuals in need; it's why they're in the profession. There is no shame in admitting ignorance and reaching out for the guidance of those who know better and wish to help. Lastly, I would tell myself to plan ahead. Be smart with assets and money and save. Being a full time student while working a part time job is hard work. Time management is key, and learning to juggle all the responsibilities in a given day is a helpful skill.

Salman

I would have studied harder during my bachelor degree. I did not know the importance of mathematics in pursuing various fields of professions that time

Jordan

I would tell myself to work as hard as you can in the academic realm and build a stable GPA while classes are easier in the first year. Enjoy the time in high school, because it just gets harder from there- faster schedule, heavier workload. Learn good study skills and organizational habits- it will be very helpful. Do not be afraid to talk to professors- they do not bite, even if they seem a bit intimidating at first. Most of all, have as much fun as you can and explore different topics of study because you may not have that chance at any other part in your career/life.

Brian

I would tell myself to join a club or clubs in the first year of college instead of in the later years of college life. It is a great way to meet new people with different personalities and interests. Clubs help people learn new skills that they could apply to their own career. I joined a club in my third year of college and while it is a great experience now, I wish I would have joined the club in my first year of college; I could have met more people and been more active by learning more that I could have applied to my career. Clubs keep you involved and engaged with your college and could lead to great job or career opportunities in the future, which is why I would tell my past self to join a club or clubs as early as possible.

Marshall

Start dreaming! Throughout my entire life no one asked me about my dreams, let alone told me I could. I would ask myself, “What are your goals in life? What are your dreams? Yell out your desires, your aspirations, the hope held within the future only you control!” If I were to go back in time, there is nothing I would change about my mentality other than to pull back the curtains of insecurities, shyness, and self image and rip them from hiding my window of opportunity. The only one stopping you from anything achievable is yourself. No matter how big your dreams, there never will be a limit to blunt them, or obstacle impossible to circumnavigate. Don’t listen to your parents, your best friends, your teachers, your role models; listen only to yourself and personally choose the only path given to us in this life time. Forge your own future, not one someone else has planned for you. There is nothing more important in this world than dreaming, because when everything is ripped from you and nothing is left, your dreams will pull you back from the brink and show the world just how resilient you truly are!

Zoee

Oh, how I remember what it felt like to be a high school senior. When the world was at my fingertips and the lurking thoughts of college swam around in my brain constantly. Yet, being in college now, I realize it changes people, including myself. I would talk to myself as a high school senior and tell myself that time passes by quickly and soon everything will change. This change will be frightening, but it's the next step in your life. You also can't always have control over everything. Life is going to lead you down paths that you could never imagine, and all you can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other. People will also try to tell you what to do and what is right for you, but ultimately only you know in your heart what you should do. When you pick your major, pick it because that's what you want and not because that is what people expect out of you. You can't deny the person you are, so quit running from it and accept yourself now instead of later. College is a new journey, so enjoy every second.

Sarah

About a week ago my friend described me, "She sits quietly while everyone talks and then she secretly wins." I have always been quiet, you can learn a lot from being quiet. This is why when I read Bill Gates speach "The Rules of Life" it seemed to be like a lot of common sense to me. However, the last rule - Rule No. 14 - really stuck out to me. "Enjoy this while you can... someday you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid..." I feel like I never got to be a teenager. I always acted like an adult, but I wasn't one. I didn't realize that "the best years of my life" were happening. I wish I got a chance to feel my heart pump a little harder instead of forcing myself to grow up. I wish I made strong bonds with my friends and made mistakes over and over again. I wish I wasn't so afraid to live and feel the freedom of being young. Instead I played it safe and stayed quiet.

Kelsey

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself multiple pieces of advice. First and foremost, I would tell her to relax and enjoy her final year of high school. Also, I would tell her to spend more time applying for financial aid. I would advise her to search for scholarships early on, and to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. Next, I would tell her to go out often with friends and make memories that she can look back upon in her college years. Finally, I would tell her to put herself first when necessary, and not get too wrapped up in certain issues. If my high school senior self were to follow my advice, I would have more good memories and less stress as I make the transition into college life.

David

Hello high school senior David, myself, I have a few quick tips for you before heading off to college. These tips are meant to guide, assist, and inform you about aspects of college that will help you succeed! First, do not stress about money, the financial aid office is taking its time to assure you that you will receive the maximum amount of financial aid. Second, you do not have to go to every party. I understand that parties are fun, but you have a bright future ahead of you and that book is not going to read itself. Third, do marching band your sophomore year, you’re going to meet a very special person there. Fourth, have fun and join some clubs. Clubs open up the opportunity for achievement, work, and free weekly meals. Fifth, the transition is hard, this summer before college is going to be the hardest. With that in mind, spend time with your family, you’re going to miss them a lot more than you know. Lastly, have fun, live fast, and never forget the assignment due dates. All in all, you’re going to have a blast and everything is going to be okay!

Kelman

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself during my senior year of high school about the transition to college, I would tell myself that time management, good study habits, and communicating with your professors are the keys to success. Stay persistent during the entire semester so that you ensure you get the grade that you want in the end. Build friendships and connections that will last you a lifetime. Socialize with as many people as you can, you never know who can become an ally. Get involved in clubs and organizations on campus and maximize your college experience. Don't allow yourself to get distracted from the original task at hand, remember what you are there for. Treat every assignment like it's a final project. Strive to get on the Dean's List, and get involved with the school's newspaper. Do everything possible to start your career now.

Boris

College has been tough, and from these past four and a half years, I can give you one SINGLE solid piece of advice. No matter how bad you fall, no matter how many failures you encounter, you can always find a way to pick yourself back up. That’s how I’m able to write to you right now. I know you want to do everything all at once, because this will be an entirely new experience for you. I also know you’ll rush into it all without thinking twice (I would know that best about you). From not getting a good grade in an extra tough class to taking on too many clubs and organizations, you will make TONS of mistakes. Your transcript won’t look stellar, and you’ll get a few hour long chiding lessons from club advisors for problems. You will learn and grow from each of these defeats. Not only will you become a great leader in Circle K International, but you'll also join the wonderful brotherhood of Alpha Kappa Psi! You’ll become a great man as you will a student as long as you learn to pick yourself up.

Alexandra

DO. NOT. WAIT. TO. APPLY. TO. SCHOLARSHIPS. That is the biggest thing I messed up on senior year. I applied to colleges and everything on time, but I totally skipped applying for scholarships. That was dumb, senior me.

Monique

Dear Monique, Now it is the time to go big or go home. Start researching everything you want to know. Learn to let school work wait until after you acomplish your own personal goals. You need to have personal plan, ones you can plan out, and see accomplished in your situation. Don't wait to be social, talk outside of school. Find what makes you happy, and find out where that happens in the real world. Learn new things, and create a better study ethic, NOW! You will need skills necessary for fast paced study in college, to get ahead. You'll need to know how to talk to people you do not know, learn how to be comfortable with yourself as well as others. To make things easier from high school to college, I would do a few auditions for the violin, and I would visit the campus, talk to the other graduated seniors there. These are the people to help you into your first year of college. Don't be afraid of what you might do wrong, becauese it'll stop you from doing what you can do right after high school. Good luck! Yours forever, Me

Ralston

Knowing what I know about the college scene now. I would give myself invaluable advice about studying ethic. Not only should the time you spend studying be simply looking through a book, or staring at a computer screen that contains the information you need to know, it should be time you spend truly comprehending the material. From what I have experianced, it is more worth while to truly understand one section of material than to have a vague understaning of ten sections. It is the in depth knowledge of a subject that will provide you with the information needed to succeed over a shallow view on a broad spectrum of information. All in all, give everything your best, but always know to focus on the main points and not the superfluous mass.

Julia

l know l will make it.

Angelica

My advice to myself would be to prepare a lot more. I came from a family that pushed the value of education because they did not have the opportunity to receive higher education. I did not know much about higher education when I was a high school student and neither did my parents. I only knew that you have to know what schools you want to apply to, write essays and pay a fee to apply, and then have a degree choice when you do apply. It sounds naive, but this is very true. Not once did I consider how important grades were or doing research on the university costs and basic requirements to get admitted. It was not until my junior year in high school when I became more serious and pushed myself to obtain above a 3.0 and by then it was too late. College is an amazing opportunity for one to have, but it’s not as easy to get there if you don’t prepare. My concluding advice to myself is to have planned immensely for college and prepared myself mentally and academically the moment I stepped foot on campus as a high school freshman.

Ronald

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior I would give a plethora of advice that not many others contemplate about even as 40 year old adults. Being in college has been an extremely magnificent introspective and maturing experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. Before I went to college I never made the connection of all the physical sciences and how they relate to the world, fueling my passion to learn. I have had profound thoughts and experiences which are shaping me into a marvelous gentelman I know my deceased father would love to have seen me become. Having a mother with early onset Alzheimers has also matured me immensely these past few years and I continue to make her proud. I have been very active in college as president of the Medical Club and Senator for student government which has immensely imrpoved my college experience. If I could go back to high school and tell my past self what to do I would tell them. Get scholarships so your mother isn't struggling to make ends meat, help people, get involved with clubs, be patient, and READ THE TEXTBOOK!

Philip

I would tell myself to take more initiative as I have witnessed that it has actually helped. Answer class questions, participate in discussion, ask questions to clarify, and most importantly build a relationship with your teachers. They can help you in various ways, the most obvious being education, but one that is overlooked is their relationship with other teachers/organizations which may help you in securing scholarships, job opportunities, and can help in building a diverse network of peers and mentors.

ryan

Time, time is your most valuable asset. Higher education waits for no man, if it's the goal, truly desired, than stop at nothing to achieve it. They say "if you don't use it you lose it" after awhile you start to forget it all becomes fuzzy, the simple tasks become impassible mountains. I'd leave my past self with only this that determination and hard work are the only way forward, the only way to reach the top.

Vicki

Be cautious of the students loans you take out, and save whatever money is left over for the following year. If you receive more money then you need, return it. Try to get employment in the field that you want sooner, thus getting more experience and knowledge about the topic. Try to be involved in more research, and take only the classes that you need. Try to make friends, don't hide from the world.

Natasha

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to develop better social skills. In this way, it would make it easier for me to relate to people in college. In addition, I would have told myself to get more involved in my school. By doing this, it would have made it easier to get involved in college also. I'd tell my high school self to take Advanced Placement courses in order to be better prepared for college course work. In addition, I would tell myself to learn to take risks sometimes. Also, I would have advised myself to look for scholarships sooner rather than later because I'm still looking for scholarships to help pay for my tuition. Next, I would tell myself to hang out with my friends more because it can be hard to get together when everyone has different schedules. Another thing I would tell myself is to learn to relax because stress can cause you to get bad grades even if you put in a lot of work. Last, I'd tell myself to learn to prioritize my time more efficiently.

Savanna

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self anything, I would tell myself to enjoy every second of every moment in high school and being at home. One thing I would tell myself to do is to take every moment and cherish it High school flew by and I never took the chance to stop wishing it would end and start enjoying what it was like to not worry about responsiblitly and school that really matters for your future. I would tell myself to enjoy being at home with my family and closest friends. Now that I am at college, I would give anything to be able to sit down for a family dinner every week as well as call my best friend and hang out with her any day of the week. If I could go back to my high school senior self and tell myself something, it would have to be to live in the moment and to enjoy the moment when its happening. So much changes when you go to college, I would give anything to go back and relive my high school senior year.

Lane

I think the best way to learn how to do something new is to throw yourself into it and hope for the best. As a senior I wish I would have known the extent of how independent you have to become. I adjusted well and quick but for some it's much more of a challenge.

Matthew

If I could send advice to my senior year highschool self, it would be to start planning early. Many of the different problems I encountered during my freshman year was due to lack of planning, such as the lack of a microwave and fridge. The lack of both of these tools made my life harder than it had to be for no reason. Another problem I faced is the many conflicts I had with my roommate, these conflicts would have never happened if I had applied for my housing on time. Another piece of advice I would give my former self is to take as many advanced placement classes as I could, the extra credit would be extremely helpful and would actually prevent me from having to take extra classes over the summer as I have to now.

Joseph

Now that I've been in college for a semester, I look back and wish there was some things I would’ve done in high school. I should’ve applied for more scholarships, taken Calculus, and applied to the University of Washington. Most of all, I wish I would’ve spent more time with my friends I wasn’t going to college with. Out of my three closest friends, only one was going a different path. I took the time I spent with him for granted and I regret it. I would often just show up to his house and hang out with him spending hours just playing Call of Duty or out getting Roberto’s. However I wish I still hung out with him more. It never seemed like it was enough. I wish I would have went to California with him over Christmas, hung out with his group for prom, or went to more concerts with him. Now I hardly see him or speak with him, and I wish I had built a better connection with him before we parted ways. I can only learn from my mistake and ensure I won't repeat it.

george

Never give up and work hard towards accomplishing my goals.

alain

When i graduated i was so impatient, wanted things fast. i ended up with a lot debts and a uncertain path. things in life are not like that, everything has its time. There is a time to be born, a time to live, and a time to die . We cannot force life nor its ways. everyday is a lesson and that is why you got to take things slowly. Every mistake you make do not take as such, but take as another lesson, try to understand why is it happening, what you did make to make it happen, and what can you learn while you go thorugh it. sometimes bad things happen to us, but we do not realize they are not bad things is just life trying to make us open our eyes, trying to give us a lesson, trying to make us a better person instead we focus on unimportant, and we miss the important message and the lesson keeps repeating over and over until we grasp its meaning, do not be one of those persons, pay attention to life, to what is trying to tell you, so the lesson does not repeat. Always keep your eyes open

claudia

Claudia Avendandano, you as a senior, you should consider the possibility of taking dual enrollment courses. knowing that it will be a advantage to your education in college; those classes can be taken earlier so , as a college student the focus can be placed in the courses you need for your career pathway. Another advice given to you is to not procrastinate during your spare time. College requires all the time and concentration to make the best of you. During high school get informed of all the entrance exams that your chosen colllege mandates, so you can take those in high school with a waver the high school provides. The more you know the more advantaged you are in the competition their is in the field you want to pursue. Take this time to get involved in your community and after school curricular activities. All these advice mentioned above is to help with the trasition from high school to college.

Dana

I would give myself many different advices. I did not know the importance of college during my high school years. I started knowing the importance of it when I started it. The advice I would give it to myself is that I should have taken college classes during my high school years because that could saved me some time and money. I used to see students taking college classes during their high school years but I didnt know it would be this important. I would also give myself an advice of knowing what my major is going to be since then. I didnt know what my major was going to be until my sophmore year which made me fall a semester behind. But taking summer and winter classes ahead, I will try to catch up and not be late.

Kyle

If I could go back in time I would honestly tell myself just one thing. This one thing is something that I seem to think about every day since I decided to go to college. It may seem odd and not geared especially toward education but I feel that it is something completly necessary. The one thing that I would tell myself would be to trust in myself as well as to trust in my family. After all, even if college is a bust and you are at the lowest point you could ever be at you will always have yourself and your family to pick you back up and to push on to the next life defining moment in your life. My family has been one of the most dependable and supportive force in my life and for that I am forever greatfull.

Elizabeth

Congratulations and welcome to a bit of advice for your future. One big fact you need to know is the importance of the next few years of being at college. Here are a few main points to help you along the way. First, do not be afraid to be yourself. You will meet a million different people who seem fascinating and driven and you might feel intimidated by them. Do not be ashamed to be you and find pride in what you are. Second, work hard. Spend time to do all your homework and study. Find pride in your grades and how much they can affect you. Third, be prepared for the entire academic challenges you are about to face. High school is easy and fun. College is fun but will push you to work hard to get ahead. Face the challenge and overcome it. Without great challenges, nothing would be worth fighting for. Fight for a better tomorrow and a better future. Fourth, grow. This is the best time of your life. Explore new horizons. Try different activities and do not be afraid to discover new ideas. Good luck and never stop fighting for what you want.

Brittany

As I was growing up, I heard the expression, "If I only knew then, what I know now." Now that I am an adult, I I think the exact same way! If i could talk to myself at that time, with the knowledge I have now, I would say to put my education on the top of my priority list. I got involved in a serious relationship, began raising someone else's child, and put my education on the back burner. I got so wrapped up in working and paying bills, that I couldn't go to school full-time. I could not get any financial aid then, but I did pay for a few classes here and there with money from waitressing. I am happy that I was able to get some credits under my belt. If I could tell the highschool me one valuable piece of advice, it would be: to be aware of the scholarship opportunities, and do everything possible to go full time. Now, I am 26 years old, and have many more years left of school. If only I had of went full fledge right out of highschool, I would be nearly done!

Katherine

Take advantage of office hours to get to know your professor and receive extra help when you need it. It often can make the difference of your grade if you are borderline and want a higher grade. The professor is much more likely to consider rounding your grade if you took extra time to get help on material and come to office hours. I would also suggest going to all review sessions and studying with others. It gives you the opportunity to take the same information from a different perspective that would be able to help you. It also helps create friends and support systems in really hard classes.

K

I'd give myself the advice of not trusting UNR due to its unfair policies.

Daniel

Do not overlook the "cheap" schools. A low-cost education does not necessarily correlate to a low-quality education. In fact, most of these “low-cost” schools still offer a great education, plus they generally have many clubs and activities to take part in. Is going to a school that will land you a hundred thousand dollars in debt really worth it? Is the difference in quality so drastic that you are willing to graduate with debt comparable to that of buying a house? The answer, in all probability, is no – the financially feasible colleges still have so much to offer. While the primary reason for attending college is to get an education, it is also very important to grow as a person. Try new things! Join clubs you may not even have an interest in! Meet new people! It’s all about the experience you have, and you can create a great experience no matter where you choose to attend. College is what you make of it, so make the best of it!

Brianna

Dear Brianna, Knowing what I know now about college there are a few things I would like to tell you. Everyone's telling you to stay close to home and commute to school so you can stay close to friends...don't listen to them! Follow your heart and make decisions that will better your life. Get focused as early as possible and really make an effort to keep your grades up. You will be surprised how proud of yourself you will be when you make the Dean's list. You are allowed (and encouraged) to have your own opinions in college, do not be afraid to speak up when yours differ from someone elses. Get involved and do more community service! Your college experience will be so much more fulfilling when you start serving others instead of yourself. Most importantly, stop underestimating yourself. You will go so much further in life when you start to believe you can do it. With Love and Encouragement, Brianna P.S. You will learn more in college than you ever thought possible...get excited!

Robert

If I could go back in time and give my highschool self some advice it would be this. Turn in all paperwork early so that any problems that arise can be fixed early on. Also don't be afraid to talk to the faculty they are there to help and will do what they can to work with you, they want you to suceed not fail. Lastly I would advise not to be afraid to go to the room next door and say hi. You never know who you'll meet until you try and they could very well become some of the best friends you've ever had.

Emily

I would tell myself that there's nothing to stress about and to be myself. College is so big and there are too many people on campus who have their own problems that they arent going to remember if you did something emarrassing or stupid. Also it is so important to keep track of when assignments are due and to keep up with readings in textbooks so I don't fall behind. I would also tell myself not to be self concious about using they study tools available like the help writing center and the chem help center. I would stress to myself to use these to my advantage so I can do better in my classes and to take advantage of the free tutoring that is provided.

Kristin

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and to talk more in class when I got to college. College is not like high school and the sense of community and acceptance makes it fun to join in activities and clubs. Talking in class and with the professor is also a great thing about college and two of the best ways to gain knowledge and insight. I would also tell myself that the two yearly scholarships I received in high school would not be nearly enough to cover my expenses and that I should start applying for more scholarships, and continue to do so every year. I would also tell myself that my two community college years would be the easiest, and instead of sitting at home, I should take the opportunity to make friends and enjoy myself. Most importantly, I would tell myself that when studying gets hard and there’s a lot of pressure to get good grades, to not stop hanging out with friends entirely and lose them as a result. Grades are important, but too much pressure is bad and it is your friends that can help you through the hard times, not more work.