University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

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

Jennifer

I was homeless and taking care of myself by the time I graduated so I would go back in time and tell myself this: "You will go through a lot of heartache and a lot of trials but do not let them get you down or stop you from following your dreams. You will feel like giving up, but don't! You will feel like there is no one out there that can help you but there is! Seek help! Do not go it alone! There are places and people out there that can help you keep a roof over your head and keep food in your belly. Find the help you will need, it is out there. You can and will be able to follow your dreams. I am only telling you so that you do not start too late in life like I had to. You feel like giving up but DO NOT GIVE UP! You will prove to yourself and others that you are not a failure; that you are a very intelligent and indendant woman."

Gabrielle

Hi, Gabby. I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but you won't complete senior year right unless you listen to my advice. Make more of an effort to look for scholarships, because if you don't, you're guaranteeing yourself more stress in the future. You've done a good job of that so far, but I need to give you a push. Also, when you get there, use moderation in everything. In the future, you don't go to many parties, and you don't lose control, but you lose sight of grades for a little while. And, even though the semester ended with good academic standing, it was stressful the last few weeks. Make use of the libraries early on, because they definitely saved me during finals week. Also, call your parents every week when you're there. They miss you terribly, and you should really make an effort to show that you miss them, too. Don't be as selfish as I was with that. But, otherwise, you survived your first semester decently, but there will always be room for improvement, in the both of us. Work hard, like always. Love, Gabby.

Brian

There is far too much I could tell my past self in order to aptly prepare me for my first semester of college. I would have liked to tell myself to get on board with a club or group immediately after getting onto campus. My goals lie in studying abroad in Japan, and have since I was in high school. If I had joined Japanese club, then I would be in a much better position now to study in a country I still know little about. I've also been held back by my work and monetary responsibilities during my early college career. I would have advised myself not to focus so much on working, and focus everything it took to succeed in school, so that later in life, I won't still be working full time at Starbucks. However, most importantly, I'd warn myself that the end of high school is the end of having my life set before me. My schedule, transportation, and my books and tuition would all be my responsibility. I'd tell myself that, in college, there is no guarantee that everything will fall into place, like it does in high school.

Angelina

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not be so incredibly nervous and worried about college life. I would tell myself that the trasition is not terrifying and nerve-racking like I assumed it would be. I would let myself know that making friends instantly would be easy and that I do not need to worry about being homesick. I would tell myself that the classes are not as difficult as I thought they would be as long as I keep up with the school work and the due dates. I would let myself know that receiving a high GPA is possible if I keep everything well organized and if I planned out days to study and get my homework finished. In order to save money, I would tell myself to not buy expensive books for my classes until I knew for sure that I needed them. Lastly and most importantly, I would let myself know that it is okay to not be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure of what career path I want to take and to not rush into anything.

Travis

When asking myself this question a few things come to mind. Some are more serious than others but I would have really appreciated if, future Travis, would have sat me down and shared his knowledge. This advice would have saved me a lot of time, effort, struggle, and maybe most important a whole lot of money. First, don’t waste our money on a laptop. There are several reasons for this but the most important is the cost/benefit. You will spend two thousand dollars on a great machine, good for you. However, what no one tells you will need to buy a lot of expensive software to make it practical. Also, laptops are heavy. Once you get all your course books and notebooks in your backpack the last thing you want is another ten pounds weighing you down. Use the University's computers because they are really nice and they have all the sofftware you will need. Second, carry a stapler. There are not staplers in the classrooms and your professors will not accept your work if it is not stapled. Third and most important, go to class. This is the big leagues and you need to focus.

Jennifer

Jen, I realize you're having troubles at home. You're trying to figure out who you want to be and who can help support you in your decisions. You just want someone to believe in you. You are strong enough to accomplish anything. You are incredibly capable. Your life will be amazing however you decide to lead it, just be sure to stand behind your decisions. Fulfill your dreams. Don't let the naysayers tell you that something isn't possible. It's not your life they're leading; you're leading your life and it can become whatever you will it to be. Start with the idea that everything is possible then you can go anywhere. College isn't any harder than the high school you have attended. Don't let the money intimidate you. You have resources available of which you're unaware. Talk to your principal or your teachers - all of these people want you to succeed and they're all good, trustworthy people. Let your guard down and you will find the help you need.

Shelby

I would tell myself to try a little harder. Although I was an AP and Honors student, I still don't feel that I really challenged myself. I would tell myself to focus on science more and take advatnage of the smaller classroom setting to learn. Because once you're in college, you're in big lectures with teachers and professors who care less about you. I would tell myself to get straight A's because it would've mattered. I would tell myself to audition for more solos in choir because I didn't end up participating in music in college. And lastly, I would tell myself to participate in more volunteering experiences while I still had the free time, because working and going to school isn't fun!

Jonathan

Dear younger version of me, In order for you to adjust more easily to the University of Nevada, Reno, you must know that you should take more time to be more social for your first year on-campus. Don’t be afraid to express your opinions and make new friends with those around you. Don’t focus entirely on school work, which will frustrate you from time to time. Learn when to take a break and blow off some steam by working out or hitting the slopes. You only have four to five years to spend at this beautiful university so take advantage of what it has to offer. Stick to the extracurricular activities that you started with such as Intervarsity and get to know everyone around you. Don’t be afraid to meet new people because chances are, they like you for the honest guy you already are. One thing you already have going for you is your honesty and the fact that you don’t have a mask to hide behind. You are real with people and people like that, so just go with it! Don’t sweat the small stuff, concentrate on the bigger picture.

Christina

If I were able to make a visit to myself back when I was a high school senior, which wasn't more than a year ago, I would first deeply commend myself for choosing to take the Advanced Placement courses I took. If it weren't for that literal advancement, I wouldn't be in the perfectly-paced courses I have taken last semester. I would also greatly urge myself to focus more on community projects and scholarships because I feel that would have made my financial transitioning from high school to college easier. I regret not utilizing every scholarship opportunity that had been presented to me because, in retrospect, for every hour I could have devoted to working toward earning scholarships that I hadn't has costed my parents a great deal of money. However, I find that knowing how hard it was for my parents to pay for my education envigorates my motivation to do well in school. Finally, I would tell my former self to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for the impending distance that will separate her from her loved ones. It will be exceptionally difficult at first, but eventually she will definitely overcome it.

Shilla

The advice I would give myself or any senior in general moving forward to college would be to live, to live a life that's worthy to look back on with a smile on your face, to live a life where success outweighs regrets, and to live a life where failures are taken into account and turned into lessons. Life is too short to be too concerned about the opinions of shallow and uneducated people. I would also add that one should do his or her best in everything that he or she strives to acheive in life; the only person that suffers from not giving his or her all is that same person who gave up too soon. Nobody wants to admit that they put themselves first almost all of the time and everyone is selfish in some way or another, but it's true. Why else would a realistic love story be so messy and unfair? Because everyone puts their feelings first, not everything goes as planned. So therefore, to sum it all up, I would tell myself to focus on yourself , to respect yourself, and to love yourself first and foremost.

Sara

In the oppertunity to go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would say to be open to all new ideas, adventures, and oppertunities. After my first semester of college, I have learned that with attending a university comes many new learning experiences and ideas that never would have occured to me before. I would tell myself to not be nervous about attending college, becasue it is about to be the best decision of my life. By telling myself to be open-minded I would be allowing myself to be ready for change. I would also tell myself to be as involved as humanly possible in order to really engage myself in the whole college learning experience. Although I would be afraid to branch out and try new things, by hearing the advice to be open-minded in all aspects, I would be preparing myself for the transition of a lifetime. Attending college allows for the ulltimate educational experience through classes, clubs, organizations, and teams; therefore, the best advice I could give myself would be to welcome all new oppertunities that my university has to offer.

Gary

If i could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self I would tell myself to have followed through on playing collegiate Volleyball. Or even to have continued playing college football. Being an athelete opens so many doors seen an unseen to regular students. It is a whole new world and i definitely makes college more of a challange. But at the same time it makes it easier due to all the academic resources presented to atheletes. I would also tell myself to try harder in school freshmen year and not allow myself to become so distracted by everything and everyone around me. Finally I would tell myself to fill out more scholarships. It would relieve a mountain of stress off of myself not having to worry about paying for school.

Joseph

Take your education more seriously. Work and study hard in order to get the most out of school so that you can be successful. Don't just think about yourself and what you want right now but think ahead to what could happen in the future and prepare now for that.

Alexandra

Alexandra, I want you to know that college will not be easy for you. Not only will you be challenged academically, but your personal life will dramatically change. You'll experience great loss, but with this loss you'll also experience kindness, love, and charity; you’ll learn that those are the greatest gifts in life. There will be times when you think giving up your dream of a college diploma is what’s best. There will be times when you question if all your hard work will pay off. You will be tested, tried, and pushed to the limit. However, I also want you to know that all your hard work will pay off. You will learn that the times you feel most defeated are the times that you will shine most. You are knocked to the floor so you can stand up and prove what you’re made of. All the bumps and stumbling blocks in the road will prove to be opportunities to find a detour that will lead you to your destination. Remember that the bricks walls are not there to keep you out, they are there so you can prove how much you want it.

Gabrielle

The advice I would give to myself as a high school senior would be: begin to focus on yourself and not worry about what paths others may choose. When I was in high school, there was an overwhelming amount of pressure to start college life early, to be older than we really were. I watched many of my friends become engulfed in the fanatics of "which college is most prestigious" and "who has the most AP credits," and I became worried that I perhaps was not a good enough applicant in comparison to my peers since I was planning to attend my home college and took only two AP courses. Looking back on how stressed I was for what now seem trivial matters, I would like to assure my high school self that I was doing what was best for me. I was also so afraid of what would happen when my classmates moved away, of how lonely I would be once college began. To high school Gabrielle, I would say that college was the best thing to happen to me in finding my true self and that people who are important to your life will never truly leave.

Kirby

High school for me was filled with drama as my fellow students were extremely superficial. Popularity was based upon following the “cool” trends and hanging out with the other popular students. I myself was an outsider, being more involved in my studies than following the latest fashion styles. I felt insecure in high school because I wanted everyone to like me. As my first day of college arrived, I could not have been happier. Throughout my first year of college, I became to find out who I truly was. I made friends who cared about my personality and interests rather than what I wore. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would give myself encouraging advice about not caring what other people think of me. The best advice I could have received back then would be to realize that the opinions of others only matter if I let them. True friends will love me for me, and I should ignore shallow people who are too wrapped up in trying to impress people they barely know. With this advice, I could have expressed myself without caring about the judgments of others.

Nicholas

I would tell myself to make sure that I had a home with space to study. Since I started at a CC and then transfered to UNR it was very helpfull to have study space at home. I would also let myself know that higher education is about learning things not getting a job. I swiched my major after realizing this and it would have saved a lot of time if I had fallowed my passion instead of trying to make money. I would tell my self to study hard and do all the work when it is assigned, if you do this test and qizes are easy.

Kelly

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself a lot of advice. I would first tell myself to pay more attention during school and to get better grades. I would next tell myself of the importance of taking college prep courses and how beneficial they are to future enrollment. Finally I would tell myself that I can do it. I can go to college and do well, and be a success. I would tell myself not to be fearful of failure, because I am smart enough to accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Alyssa

Knowing what i know now, I would tell my high school self to learn how to better use her time, stay focused, and never lose sight of her goals. In college I learned it is really important to manage your time so you do not end up procrastinating and spending all night finishing things you could have finished days ago. If I had learned to manage my time better in high school, I would not have had this problem in college. Staying focused is a really important skill I should have learned in high school as well. In college you do not have anyone to tell you when to do your assignments and to check up on you. It is your responsibility to make sure things get done and had I learned to do that in high school, my first semester would have been that much easier. Lastly, I would tell my high school self to learn to never lose sight of her goals. The only way to be successful in life is to find a goal and never stop reaching for it. As long as you have goals, you'll always have something to live for.

Jesse

If I could travel through time and talk to my high school senior self, I would start by saying that the route that I’m planning to take through the local community college is the right decision but to stay till I receive my associate’s degree before transferring to Reno. I would ask myself to pay more attention in pre-calculus and study harder for the SAT’s and ACT’s because better scores will really help me financially later on in my academic career. Next I would tell myself that I need to discuss the option of rehiring in the off semesters with the company I was already working for if I can make a good deal with them early I would receive the tuition reimbursement program that they will start shortly after I leave for Reno. And last I would tell myself that the Mechanical Engineering department is tough but it is fun and will be rewarding so pay close attention to my professors and take lots of notes it will be a great time in my life for sure.

Eric

Hey Eric, here are a few things that you would want to know about yourself 3 years down the road. First off, don't go to WNC to play baseball. You don't care about baseball enough to play it in college. Follow your heart and push yourself to play football at a JC. Work hard in the class room and the weight room to get good grades like you have been and to get bigger to play running back. Second, when things don't work out like they have in the past don't get down on yourself. Things will get better just give them time. Lastly, listen to your parents. They know a ton more then you do even if you think you know everything. They love you and would do anything for you so remember that. But just keep being your true self and you will be just fine. Go into everything with an open-mind and strive to better yourself everyday.

Allisa

To my High School self, Relax! Stop trying to make everyone around you happy and take some time to do something for yourself. Don't dwell on the things you can't change, but take charge of your life and work to better yourself. When you go to college quit your job back home, the money your making isn't going to make up for missing every weekend of your freshman year. Most importantly, get help for your eating disorder. You aren't okay and it's only going to get worse. Being skinny won't make your lame boyfriend like you more and in fact he is going to dump you for that girl in your french class. Don't cry over him, someone better comes along in a couple of years. The first night Thomas asks you to dinner skip the shrimp alfredo, food poisoning kind of ruins the evening. Last, when Thomas asks you to go ice skating before Mary's birthday dinner wear something cute, your getting engaged!

Caleah

If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to not be in such a rush to grow up. I would tell myself how hard it really is to go from a high school senior living at home to a college freshman moving out. I would try to help myself learn not to take anything for granted and to learn to accept change. Although there would be many things that I would tell myself, I woul not change a minute of my senior year of high school. Without having that year, I would not have learned some of the lessons that I did learn. I may have been young and naive, but I definitely needed to learn through the mistakes that I made.

Maataua

Dear self, It's your senior year, and although playing in state championship games and keeping up with your relationship is important to you at the moment, these things are only temporary and you need to start focusing on planning for your future. High school is easy and shouldn't be a time to be stressed about every unimportant detail of your life. Enjoy it and live in the moment, take plenty of pictures and make lots of memories. In college, you'll sometimes find yourself wanting to go back. Also, spend as much time with your family as you can, and never take your mom for granted, because even though she sometimes cooks the same dish for dinner once every week, you'll miss homecooked meals. Most importantly though, understand the importance of education as your sitting in your boring Molecular Biology class. Self motivation is key when you get into the big leagues. Practice making good study habits now so that you don't have to pull an all nighter for your first exam. Education in high school prepares you for college. Education after high school prepares you for a lifelong career. Be smart and make good choices.

Riley

Highschool is a crucial part of life for young adults. There are a lot of oppertunities and direction that one generally isn't just given nor taught. There are a ton of influences of both good and bad in highschool. First off, I unfortunetely never made it to my senior year in highschool. I was under the influence of the bad kind. I dropped out and later joined the military. Thats how I can attend college now. If I was to go back and in some sort of way and kick some sense into my high school self, it would have to be to stay in school and dont be a fool. I would warn him of how much catching up he would have to do in order to be an Engineer. Heck, I would have told him to get better grades and apply himself; try harder because having your nose in the books is actually really cool. All this popularity stuff goes right out the window when high school is over. That is how life works. I would remind myself once more that finding myself through school would be much more rewarding than pushing school aside.

Bennett

I would go back and tell myself something very important. Stop messing around! I goofed off far to much when I was in high school and I know I could have done much better when it comes to school work. I focused to much on insignificant things like girls and going out. I know that having fun is important but I spent way too much time on these things that did not better me as a person. I would also tell myself to get involved in other clubs. I wanted to become a politician back in senior year, but instead of following my dreams I was unwilling to put in the work nessesary to reach my goal.

juliana

I went back in time as high school senior the first thing i would tell myself is to concentrate in college and be single. Which means NO BOYFRIEND, they're just a distraction. I would also tell myself the situation I'm in the future. Which I chose to have a boyfriend and we live together. Now we both have to work to pay rent, bills, pay for our meals and LESS concentration in college. Which means bad grades. You notice the WE? Yes, we its no longer me, myself, and I. Why? Because I chose to have a boyfriend and now I am paying for the consequences like pay for things I shouldn't be paying yet, well, at least not until I'm established and have a great career. Its not a great life. I would tell myself, "Dont you want to be someone successful and be someone in life? Because I'd wish that in the future. So go to college, get good grades, get a degree in management or become an RN. This people who go and concentrate in college get paid the BIG BUCKS! And stay AWAY from trade schools. Community College is way better.

Cecilia

If I could give my high school self any advice, it would be to work harder, because it would be worth it, and to break bad habits. Procrastinating here doesn't work. It would also be a good thing to take some more college level classes in high school, just to get a little ahead. Being more involved, and finding hobbies would be something good to do and have as well. Time management is so important! If I would have learned that earlier on in my life, I wouldn't be having such a hard time with it now. If I had known what I know, then.. Then I would be a much more successful person now.

Alexa

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college it would be to take risks. Being a college junior now I wish I had gotten more involved back when I was a freshman. It took me some time to break out of my shell, and if I had more initiative as a freshman I would have more opportunities today. I would tell myself to join the travel abroad program for the purpose of becoming more familiar with other areas of the world and gaining some real world experiences. I would also tell myself to speak up in class and to join clubs on campus. Putting myself out there around campus would have given me more of the college experience and made my time at the University of Nevada, Reno productive and worth while. Although I am satisfied with my progress thus far, I could have done much more valuable things with my time if I had taken more chances and opportunities as an incoming freshman.

Eman

Science is fun. I know it’s hard to believe, but you can achieve success if you just believe in that one truth. The fear, the complex, and the comments dad said, that “science does not come naturally to women,” is utterly false. Believe in yourself. UNR has your future in Wildlife, so start working on saving so you can transfer and move there. Once you’re there, stay focused, it will turn out all right. The family needs you, yes, but you need to focus on your future, on your education, on your career. Never give up. You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit, and while you’ll face many hardships and losses along the way, know that in the end, it will pay off. You will fall in love with the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation program. You will find yourself devoted to the field and mesmerized by the professors who want to see you succeed. You will find classmates and colleagues who share your values and beliefs. And above all else, you will find the confidence to succeed.

Aundria

In high school, you dropped out because you got pregnant. While it is true that getting your GED when you were 17 years old and 8 months pregnant was a wise decision, you could've done so much more. In the future, when opportunity knocks, answer the door. Take it seriously. Your life will become a crazy, chaotic adventure when your husband joins the Army someday, so for right now, help yourself. Get your education and never let anyone hold you back, because some will try. Remember, your entire life your teachers told you that you were smart enough to do anything with your life. While you cannot go back, life doesn't rewind....what you can do is keep in mind that dreams don't die unless we kill them, so never give yours up. Often, the dreams of our youth seem wonderfully fascinating. Sometimes they tell us what we should be eventually. Other times, they fade. A small part of you will think it's sad, but in your heart you will feel it...your dreams did not perish or rot or fly away...your dreams just evolved in a way suited to a lifetime and your family.

Lucas

I would tell myself to have applied myself more, and to plan out where i wanted to go and what i wanted to do a bit better.

Danielle

"You are worth it and you are good enough!" That is what I would say to my 17 year old self. I had a tough time being confident in highschool. Even though I was an Honor Student and three sport Varsity athlete for my highschool I still felt like I could do more and it wasn't enough. It wasn't only until last year when I develped an eating disorder here at the University of Nevada Reno is when I started to put myself first and Love me for me. Being a track athlete at Nevada image and body weight is everything, and I buckled under the pressure and have been struggling with Bulimia Nervosa ever since. I want to tell me Senior self that you are perfect just the way you are! Do not let anyone tell you or make you feel any less wonderful than how God made you. Let things go, and be mindful of who you are and who you want to become. You are going to face struggles in your life but they are only going to make you stronger. Stop beating yourself up. Enjoy who you are. I love you!

Adam

I would warn my high school self that there is going to be alot of homework. I would tell myself "go clean our room and clear off our desk we are going to need that space for all the homework we will be getting. Apply to alot more scholarships because you are going to need them because i am low on cash now without them." I hope he would heed my warning for it would put us ahead of the game.

Cassandra

If I could go back to being a senior in high school, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would spend more time saving money and studying. Looking back on my senior year, I never realized how expenisve college really is, especially when you are not elligible for financial aid. I never really took the time to consider that my weak savings from working at Round Table Pizza for almost two years was not going to cover twenty-two grand a year in college tuition. If I could share some knowledge with my past self, I would say put more money into savings. Also, looking back I wish I would have pushed my overall 3.6 GPA higher by studying more because then I might have attained more opportunities for scholarships. With all the competition to get into college today I would tell my past self to take more time on my tests, and take more notes during class in an attempt to prepare myself for the onslaught of college work.

Linda

Hi Linda... It's me, Linda. Wow, you have changed a lot in thirty-four years; I hardly recognize you! I remember the shy, fearful person you were the day you graduated form Reno High School in June of 1978. What were you so afraid of? I suppose being out in the big, wide world was rather daunting to someone who wasn't even seventeen years old yet. But haven't you learned so much since you embarked upon adulthood? Yes, I have learned that life is a series of little choices which, once made, can never be undone. I have learned that, though some foolish choices were made, it was never too late to make a 180 degree correction and create a better future. I have learned that studying is the most difficult thing I hav ever had to do, but that getting the kudos and accolades is amazingly gratifying. I can do absolutley anything I decide to do! Perhaps most of all I have learned that being educated is still not as valuable as being a wise Mom, a faithful wife, and a loyal friend. The bravest choice to be made daily is to be a good person.

Tehani

As a high school senior one thing that I wish I knew was to take advantage of every resource offered to me in high school. A lot of high schools have college and career counselors available to students that are there to primarily aid students in the transition after high school. As a senior I was always so focused on what I had to do and when I had to do it I never took the time to slow down and ask people for help. I really wish that I had taken of advantage of my high schools college counselor. I would tell high school seniors to talk to their college counselors about scholarships, and college applications. High school provides many oppertunlities to obtain scholarships and as a senior I wish that I had gone after more of these scholarships. I believe that if I had taken more time to speak with my counselor I would've been able to find and apply for more shcolarships making my freshmen year of college a lot less stressful.

Laura

I would tell myself that I should not take out any loans if necessary fill out as many scholarships as possible. I would also tell myself just to go straight to Southern New Hampshire University and not waste my time with Hesser College. I would also tell myself that I should wait to start a family until after and that I should do online courses.

Jacob

I would tell myself to stay there becuase the real life is a lot harder than most kids that age think. But in reality I would tell myself that college might seem overrated or to much money but can be done with hard work and dedication. I would tell myself what I used to think of college as a high school student and what I think of it now. I would encourage my self to attend college for the better income for my family and me but more importanly for my family to show them that I can do what I put my mind to. The best advice would be to study, work hard, get a part time job, and apply for many scholarships becuase they will help out tremedously and to just beleive in yourself and anything can be accomplished.

Annie

One thing I would say to myself as a high school senior is :to be successful you need to be patient. I understand that you have big dreams, but rushing into them will not get you anywhere. Take your time in school, and the outcome of your goal would be greater. If you take your time, you will learn and expereince more than by rushing into your goals. There will be times when you want to give up, and other times will want to quit college. That is normal, and remember that everyone is going through that. Other times you will fail, and that is part of life too. If you can get yourself back up, and work even harder than you have before you will reach your dream. So take your time, it may not seem it is worth if now, but it will be later in the future.

Kody

Because you are choosing to go to a junior college prior to a University my main advice is keep focused. Not attending class is a poor choice and giving up halfway through the semester is not good. Strive to do your best and not to give up. Don't mess around and get involved with the wrong group. It is best to follow your heart but don't put your studies on the back burner because of your new boyfriend. By doing this you will end up staying at the junior college for three years and it will put you back. A suprising thing though that you won't see coming is you will end up going out of state to school, University of Nevada, Reno. Once you transfer it will be your first insinct to miss home because you will have nephews, but these are the times to be selfish and to embrace your adulthood. You will learn the most you've ever learned about yourself being on your own. Know you will always have your family to fall back on . Remember its okay to make mistakes that is what growing up is all about. You can do it.

Leslie

Finally, after 37 years, I have an opportunity to cross the finish line, a chance to complete my Bachelor’s degree in nursing! If I could talk to myself when I was 18 years old again, I would say “don’t give up, keep plugging away at your dream. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.” I have put my school on the back burner so many times over the years, either because of my work in different nursing positions; or with my career in the National Guard and most recently through my journey of breast cancer over the past year. In Nursing, I stair stepped up from a candy striper, to Nurse’s Aide, to Licensed Practical Nurse and then becoming a Registered Nurse. I realize now, the importance of each of these steps to help cultivate the person I am today. I have grown to appreciate meaning of my education and the ups and downs of my life, each coming together like light through a prism to help me see the beauty of each of our own unique life’s path. I might have missed this if I had finished school in my earlier years.

Victoria

Dear self , Please take high school serious. Don't be afraid to fully be youself. So what if you get called a dork or geek for attaining good grades, go for it. Be the best you can be. Cease every moment you have to succeed and get actively involved in school. High school is preparing you for the real world and college. It's not a joke. Complete your assignments in a timely fashion and turn them in on time and or early. Utilize your time wisely. When you use your time wisely and productively, you are drawing one step closer to your destiny and towards success. Please don't procrastinate or neglect to do your assignments or study for tests, quizzes, or finals. Procrastination is your greatest weakness in school. Be punctual for class. It shows how much you care for school, your level of maturity, and how adamant you are about school. The way you act in high school and the negative habits you carry with you in high school will follow you into the real world and college. It will inhibit your growth. Put your priorities first and you will come out on top. Sincerely, Victoria Brown

April

GO ALL THE WAY! I am currently a RN. I graduated from a community college in 2008. I am now going back to school to obtain my MSN. My advise to myself as a high school senior if I could go back in time would be to GO ALL THE WAY. I would really stress the importance of going as far as you can in school the first go around instead of going back later in life. It's so much easier to be successful in school before you have a career, a mortgage, childeren, ect. Yes, a faster 2 year degree may be appealing but it can only take you so far up the ladder!

Michelle

I'd tell myself that life is about to change drastically, and that you need to prepare for deadlines, scholarships, and entering the real world. In the real world, you aren't entitled to anything, and there is no room for proccrastination. I would tell myself that I need to accept the fact that upon entering the real world you have no set of skills to distingush yourself from other people, so thats why you need to go to college. Education is the key to success.

Ashley

As I am approaching my junior year of college, I can look back on the past two years and recognize how much I have grown. As a senior in high school, I imagined college to be the same story as high school. I figured I would go to class, get good grades, and make a few friends along the way that I would simply leave behind after four years as I did in high school. I had a negative attitude about the University of Nevada and could not imagine myself becoming one of the greatest advocates for it. If I could give my high school senior self one piece of advice, it would be to stay positive. Though life is not perfect, the most important thing to do is make the best of what lies in front of you. By making the best of this University experience, I have made friends that will last a lifetime, and have had experiences I will never forget. If I would have had a more positive attitude during my senior year of high school, I would have spent my year being excited, rather than stressed about going to college.

Michael

My biggest piece of advice to myself would have to be this: don't compromise on what you want to do and what you love. During your college career, you will reach a point where you will think that what you're pursuing might not be the most "practical" choice. You'll begin to doubt what you want to do and what you've ever wanted to be. Don't give in to that doubt; do not change your major to one that brings in the biggest paycheck, or one that will satisfy someone else's desires. The only thing you really have that makes you you is your own personal dreams and goals set by youself and yourself only. Your experience through college should be a journey into a new life, becoming the person you said you'd be when you made that commitment to yourself and first stepped foot on the campus. If you look back while working a job you hate, stuck in a life that wasn't inteded for you, then college will be nothing more to you in memory than the demolished railroad bridge that led to this trainwreck, and that's a terrible shame.

Becky

The advice that I would give to myself during senior year is that to be more proactive about asking questions about financial aid. I unfortunately had some trouble with my FAFSA application process and I had to start at my community college instead. Even though I had a great experience at TMCC my first years I would have easily been able to afford UNR if my FAFSA was taking care of on time. I feel that my path starting off had some curves financially and I have worked hard to persevere thru all obstacles. I know that asking questions gets you places and those answers can make a difference student need to not be shy about their education. It takes a lot of courage to be your first in your family in college and I am proud that I am able to help my sibling, family and friends thru the process. I take education seriously now knowing that I must be involved in my education to receive the best grades and at times the best answers.

Mercedes

I would tell myself to save money, I havent even started my first semester and i'm already a thousdand dollars in debt. I would have a plan set up, save money and not let my mother boss me into giving her my paychecks from my first job. Looking back, If I had this knoledge like I do now it would save me some stress and worry.

Katherine

I would tell myself to not apply for the first time as Undecided for a major. I fell in love with Anthropology in my senior year, so I would tell myself to stick with it. My first semester in college was a complete waste of money and credits: I didn't start off on the right track and now I'm trying to make up for it because I was undecided. I would also tell myself to go easy on the food, because the Freshman 15 is almost impossible to avoid, given all the food that's offered on campus.