University of New Haven Top Questions

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

Reginald

Knowing what i know about college now wouldnt make me prepare or change anything different. I am satisfied with who i am today as a man. I am very humane and respectful which sets standards for achievements not only in college but my whole aspect of life.

Robin

The advice I would give myself would be to not be as nervous about leaving for school, because college is like the beginning of a new you. Also to choose the person you want to room woith carefully. It is not the best idea in the world to meet someone and only knowing them for a day and deciding to ecome roommates. Because once you move in together, you will realize that you and your roommate are very different.

Justin

If there was one thing I could tell myself when I was a high school senior, I would stress the importance of preparing well for each individual class. I would try to curb the "senioritis" before it gets the chance to permanently influence my decision making. After one semester in college, I feel that I could have prepared myself so much better than I have. It is this revelation that I would tell my high school senior self.

Golda

If I could go back in time I would tell Senior year me to open her ears, mind, and eyes. I would tell Senior year to open her ears because the things her mother and family members tell her is important and will help later on down the road. Open her mind because sometimes what she is told could be more important than what's in her mind. The choices she has made in her mind may not be the intelligent decision it's better to get an opinion or ask for help. Open her eyes because the oppurtunities she will be given will be of great help to her. Use her eyes to find things that can help her obtain her goals. I would also tell Senior year me to stop being so defensive. At times the criticism given will hurt her and may be bring her down but in the end it will help her with her future endeavors. I would also tell her to do as she is told the minute she is told. When she procrastinates it will ruin her chances of getting anything she wants.

Nohelia

If I could go back in time, the advice I would give myself is to be brave and not be scared to branch out. I am the first person in my family to go to college so I was nervous. I would also tell myself to look for more scholarships since there was a few problems with finacial aid. Another advice I would tell myself is, "Nohelia you will focus more on studying when you get into college because the world wide web will become addicting. Also slow down on anime and Kpop." Then I will laugh at my senior high school self because she will be blushing since I'm right.

Samantha

I would have prepared myself better for college. I would have taken more science classes that would have perpared me better.

Sabinna

With all of the knowledge that I know now about the college experience, I would go back in time to high school senior and give myself, a high school senior, some advice about the future. I would tell myself that when entrering college, be sure not to panick. That is one important thing. Many first year college students tend to become very anxious, and worried as they are transitioning into college. I would tell myself not to panick, because after learning from experience, things always come into place and everything gets figured out as each semester goes by. We all learn short cuts and different ways of organizing our plans by new experiences. Also, getting involved on campus is a good way to freely express myself whether it's through sports, art, or helping others. I would also reccommend living off campus, because financially it saves alot. Living off campus helps with less distraction towards studying, leading to being more focused into my studies. I would tell myself to have my future career goals figured out by sophmore year, so I can be sure of which courses to take and start my internship, rather than waiting last minute towards graduation.

PATRICK

Passion to school is not highlighted. The main fact that some courses have more weight than others allows me to observe. In other words, some students fascinated by a small course will hardly rewarded for the work they provide through this passion. For me, I think that my obligation comes before passion, but my passion of learning is an important driver of success in life. I know that I do not count to know when it comes time to spend in school or learning. I know that I am much more powerful when I focus my passion in school and learning because my objective is to offer a better future to my family. In addition the fact that the passion in school or learning allows me to move forward in life, it also allows me to work and thus learn more about what it will take for me to be successful and productive in life. The learning passion also allows me to become more autonomous and self which is an advantage in life. I know that to be successful in my education, I have to be able to have some oriented goals that will allow me to reach my objective.

Jenny

Colleges are not only looking at academic performance, they also look for extracurricular activities, so I strongly advise you to become more active in high school and make your resume as impressive as you can with clubs and community service. Holding leadership positions is very important in that it shows the school that you are well rounded and can handle many responsibilities. Many times, having a diverse portfolio means having more benefits whether it is in an award for a specific talent or having a good habit of being very involved. A lot of the campus is run by college students such as tutors, resident assistances, orientation leaders, and even club board members, therefore, colleges like leaders that can effectively manage people to take over when there are openings. Having held leadership positions in the past will prove to the school that you have experience and would like to share that with the campus.

Emily

If I could go back in time to my senior year, my advice would be to relax and take things one step at a time. Don't stress out about things that are out of your control and prioritize things that need to be accomplished. It also makes it so much easier to start the process earlier rather then later. It makes a huge difference to be apart of groups and go to meetings that talk you through the process. Teachers and counselors often do meetings and it's incredibly helpful. They are there to help and asist so don't be afraid to seek out help. For me the stress went down and I felt more comfortable when participating in these meetings. Don't be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help and there's no such thing as a stupid question.

aroosa

If i was granted another chance to become a high school citizen, i would advice myself to take SAT one more time. Do well in class. Take some scince classes. Apply in good universities, dont become lazy. Career is importanta dn of course you dont realize just now as you are a teenage. :/

Kasey

Surprisingly, I would tell myself to do the exact same things that I did. I enjoy my school and I feel like I am getting the best education possible for my intended career path. I would tell myself to apply to more scholarships before entering into my freshmen year because college, especially private schools, are very expensive. I would urge myself to commit to the school I chose earlier than I did because I waited to see about other schools. I should have applied to the honors program sooner than I did as well. Even though I would tell myself to repeat many of the actions that I actually did do, I would make sure that I did them sooner; sooner is akways better than later. It would have given me more opportunities and potentially more scholarship from my school. I definitely made the right decision, however my biggest regret was tha I applied to my school's honor program too late and all the spots had already been filled.

Gabrielle

i would make sure i take my studies more seriously and i would study for my SAT's so that i could get into an amazing college. i would apply to colleges early and make sure i bring my GPA up so that i could get scholarships for applying on time and for having an outstanding GPA i would also put in my head that this isnt over i still have a long life decision to make and i should maike the best out of it

kevin

i would tell myself to work my hardest, and apply myself in all of my classes. to focus on my studies instead of going out and having fun. I would tell myself how much I regret not striving to do my best when I first went to college. i would also tell myself to put a greater value on true friends that have the desire to want me to succeed.

Brook

One of the most important things to keep in mind when getting ready for college is to begin early. There are many other struggling students out there that need the extra scholarship money or need a load.The road to scholarhsips is long and stressful, but in the end it is worth for it and remember not to give up if you don't get the first couple scholarships you apply for. The more you apply for, the better your chance at winning. Applying for scholarships also allows you to better your writing, so keep writing and don't get discouraged. The key to success is starting earlier, whether it be your class assignments or applying to scholarship the earlier you begin the better your chances. Remember to keep your head clear and focused. Do not get discouraged!

Jennica

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would say, "Go to college as soon as you graduate!!! There is nothing to be afraid of!" I would tell myself to start early in applying for scholarships and to really take the time to look for a college that is right for me. I waited too long after graduating to find out all of the mistakes I had made, and I am paying for them now! My high school senior self was too wrapped up in the social scene and not goal oriented whatsoever...I would BEG my self to grow up and focus more on what I wanted my life to turn out like. "You can never go back in time, so make every minute of it worth it" would be my final words to myself, because it is the plain truth.

lusanga

I will tell people about my own experience. We all have different life experiences. People should know that the only reason why we go to school is simply to learn how to think in life. If college is a waste of time and money, why don’t you try illiteracy and be home with all the plenty of time. If college is expensive, waste of money and time, I wouldn’t have come back after twenty years. I have seen it all and I had to make a decision and jump back in the last train of education at the age of 49. It’s for a reason and I can testify. Many years went by, all my children are all grown up and are be able to take care themselves and I still had an unfinished business with my life commitment, with the only goal to be a Mechanical Engineer one day. For the new students finishing up high school and soon to be in college should make a good selection of a college.

Stephanie

If I could go back in time to speak with myself during my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to continue working hard to achieve good grades, but also to relax a little during the college application process. The process is very stressful, but if you plan accordingly, you can get everything done prior to the deadlines without any stress. I would also practice doing a lot more for myself, such as cooking and cleaning, to prepare myself for living on my own.

Jamie

You only go to college once so take it seriously. Upon entering college its important to set goals (especially me being a young mom) and to create a path in which you feel you want your life to lead. As an individual you need to take responsibility and have the strength to discipline yourself to have the ability to manage your time correctly to do homework and most importantly, study. Some students don't realize how overwhelming the transition from high school to college can be, especially going to college full time and realizing that the academic expectations are much higher. As "boring" as it may seem its important to put yourself out there in the community not only in college, but also before when you are in high school. Being involved in the community lets you meet and experience new and different things and you never know who you will meet or what they can do for you! As a young college student you also want to remember all eyes are always on you so beware of what you are doing at all times, you don't want it to have a negative affect down the road!

Diana

I have two years living in the U.S. , and it was not easy the change . But I love this country and I'm proud of myself because I have been achieving all my goals in school, For example, learn English. I am currently taking classes for my major and my grades are very good. On the other hand, I have economic problems because I cannot find a job that fits my school schedule and I totally dependent on my dad, but it is not enough because my family is big and I have a sister that is studying too. I would be very grateful if you could give me this scholarship because that way I can continue with my studies.

Jessica

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life I would advise myself to work harder. There are so many classes that I need to take for my double major and double minor that it would have really helped if I had taken some AP classes in high school. By working a little harder in high school and taking classes that were worth college credits could have saved me a lot of time and money. I could have been excused from taking a lot of my core courses and gone right into classes intended for my degree. Since I opted out of the AP courses I will now most likely not be graduating with my class in 2016 and will need to stay an extra year to finish up my required classes. I would advise my high school self to suck it up, work hard, and push through senior year because in the end it will pay off ten fold.

Jennifer

If I could go back in high school, I would tell myself as a freshman to not sweat the small things. I have always been a perfectionist, and I stressed myself out a lot. Being in a university setting has allowed myself to relax more and let things go, but at the same time be able to filter out the important things that I need to hold on to. I would also tell myself to get more opportunities to volunteer and intern in the community. I was never the kind of person to go out and get what I wanted simply because I didn't know where to start, but now I have learned that I'm the only one who can push my life to go the way I want it to. If I had gotten more opportunities to reach out and find out what I wanted to do then it might not have taken me so long to figure out what I want in life.

Gloria

Knowing what I know now about college life, and if I had the chance to be a high school senior again, I would say make the best decisions when it comes to applying for financial aid and to borrow as less as possible. For this reason, it is good to think about the future once graduating from college, as the students loans have to be paid back. It will be hard for a student fresh out of college, and start paying a large amount of student loans. Next, be sure to study as much as possible and not to get with other students who may not value their time and may take college life for granted. Some other suggestions are to stay focused, and if there are struggles with courses, seek tutoring as this will help to stay motivated. Furthermore, once high school is completed, this is the beginning of young adulthood, and entering into college, there are responsibilities. A responsibility is a big step and it takes courage, determination, and growth to stay on the right path.

Nikki

I would tell myself to just go to my community college to get what I needed out of the way, for much cheaper. I would also tell myself never to go to the University of New Haven.

Christine

Go to a four year university is what I would say to my former high school senior self. Why? Because I have seen how much I have missed with only being at a two year university. The friends I have not made and the independence I do not have. Don’t get me wrong a community college is not bad and is very affordable and easy but not many opportunities as I would have at a university. At a four year college there are people your age everywhere and school is a main focus while there is so much to do! There are clubs to join and either sorority or fraternities to join. I would be away from my house and learning how to be by myself and independent. There are other things I would tell myself too. Like keep your grades up and to apply for a lot of scholarships. Also spend as much time with your friends because you will miss them. These would be the things I would tell my senior self.

Kiana

My advice to myself would simply be to stay focus and work as hard as you possibly can so your futur will be bright with a well paying job. Keep my mind off the boys and into the books. Get your study habits up and study hard now so it wont be a trouble for you in college because once college hits its double the work/homework and double the time. Your going to need to stay fully comitted and concentrated on your school work. Finally, do all that you can now to help college go through nice and easy.

Brittany

I would tell myself to ask more questions. I remember that I was extremely nervous as a senior in high school because I did not know what to expect in college. At some points, I felt as if I had no idea how to get into college or how to secure my position as an upcoming freshman. If I had asked more questions, I would not have felt so lost without direction. To be quite honest, I am a person who does not like to ask for help or guidance, because I want to be able to accomplish tasks on my own. I always had excellant grades and never needed help with learning, so I believed that I did not need advice for college. I now know that, sometimes, you need help to get where you need or want to go, and its okay to ask for guidance on subjects that seem vague. Perhaps, if I would have asked more questions then, I may be in a better financial situation now. I have learned from this transition to email a professor about a nagging question and to go to the office hours to understand. So now, can you help me?

Andrew

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 tell myself to be open minded about everything. Being in high school most of the students are reluctant to try new things and even talk to different people, because they are scared of what others may think about them. Personally, I was scared about the transition to college because I did not know how the people would act or think of me. I realized that this is the real world and that we do not have to like everyone, but if you give them a chance and know the real them, you can get along with them and this would make your transition that much easier. After going through one semester in college I became friends with people that I would not think I would have, but I am glad that we did have that one conversation that started this friendship. My advice would be to simply be friendly and do not be afraid to start up a conversation with the person next to you in class.

Stefani

Growing up in high school was a fun experience all they way to my senior year, of course I did not make all the right decisions but my best decision was to apply to colleges. If I was able to go back in time and give myself advice, my first advice would be to make sure I know exactly what I want to do when I got to college. Knowing what you want to do plays a huge role in what college you want to attend. I would also apply for scholarships because they are a big help, and can take a burden off you while your in college.

Anthony

If I could turn back time and see the younger me back in high school, some what slacking off as a senior, I would tell myself that college is a whole new ball game. The differences between college and high school greatly outnumber the similarities. I would try to tell myself that college is a big balance of things. School, friends, fun. All these things and more that need to be kept in balance with each other in order to succeed. But the scale for these are not even, such that fun and school dont necessarily deserve the same amount of time to be dedicated to them. School should take priority over all other things when at college. It is like being employed by the school as a full time student. You have lengthy shifts throughout the week and sometimes overtime on the weekends. But with any jobs some times you are granted a day off and thats when you can have fun with your friends. School is not strictly about learning and not having fun. But in order to succeed, I would tell my self to begin to plan for the balance of all these things.

Katie

If I were to be able to go back in time and give advice to my high school self, I would start by telling myself the usual, 'don't slack, and make sure you keep your grades up,' line that all the teacher use at the beginning of senior year. However, the advice that would prove most valuable to my high school senior self is to use college to find out who you really are and take chances. During the transition process when you don't know anybody, take a risk and talk to them. Who knows, they could end up being your best friend, as the ones from high school seem to fade away after the first semester. Don't sell yourself short, I would tell myself. This college wants you for a reason and use up everything they have to offer. Join as many clubs as you want. Test the waters and try something new. Most importantly though, I would tell myself this: You aren't going to remember the times that you sat in class and doodled away at your notebook; you will remember the times hanging out with friends and sharing a laugh. Be smart.

Shelby

If I could go back in time and tell myself what to expect, I would tell myself to learn time management and save as much money as possible. I would also tell myself to make sure that when I leave home, say goodbye to everyone right away and bring envelopes and lots of stamps because you will get many letters. I will also tell him to make sure that you wait to by your books because you will not use many of them for your classes, and be open to new experiences as there are many oppourtunities in college. As well as being open and accepting that you know nothing because college is where you truly learn what you need to go into the work force and you will learn so many more things about the subjects you take than you ever will in high school.

Lani

Now knowing what I know about college life, I would most likely go back and tell myself to make more friends, be more open to attending parties/dances on campus, and to stand up for myself. I'm not a party person, so I didn't attend many social events freshman year which I feel has been a hindrance for me when it comes to finding housing possibilities. I had a small group of close friends, and many of those have transferred to schools closer home.

Lauren

If i could go back to my former highschool self I would tell myself to brace for the new independent atmosphere of college. There are many times where you will have to take action to get things accomplished and you can't sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to do it for you. If you need something or want to do something, you are going to have to get up and go for it.

kassi

If I could go back and time and give myself advice when I was a senior about college I would say to work hard, don’t let others behaviors get you down, and everything including the most seemingly impossible things, will fall into place. Sometimes you might have one night to write a ten page paper on ethics, or you get a really low grade on an important test. But that paper will get done if you buckle down, and there will be other tests you can study for. You will find that when you change for the better by doing right for yourself, others may not be as happy that you are doing so well. They won’t be the people you expect. The people you thought would be there forever will dump you like a sack of potatoes. But you will learn that great people still exist in the world, and if you try and keep your chin up there will be people there to help you. You will be the best kind of stressed. Every day you will feel a little more like an adult, and with a good head on your shoulders you will be fine.

Tatiana

Continue to work hard because college is not a joke. Apply for a lot more scholarships because college is expensive. Look into getting a job. Nothing is coming easy you have to earn everything and work hard for it. Follow all the idrections that the professor tell you.

Karla

Dear Karla, Right now you are a senior, however not too long from now you will be a college student. There are a few important things that you must know about college life. The first is that college can be challenging, confusing, busy, and requires independence. Just like high school there will be group assignments as well as individual. Teachers schedule exams, homework, and papers, but in college these professors will not always remind you of the due dates and they will expect a lot from you. Even though they expect more from you they also want to see you success. Like stated before the work in college is challenging and there are more requirements than high school. My advice to you is to study frequently, constantly check deadlines, communicate with professors, and put 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} into every assignment. Even though grades are important throughout college, a social life is just as important. The best memories of college will not be found in textbook or essays. Joining clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities will not only allow you to meet new people, but will give you a stress reliever outlet. I know you will do well if you follow these guidelines.

Catherine

Four Things Poet Henry Van Dyke Four things a man must learn to do If he would make his record true: To think without confusion clearly; To love his fellow men sincerely; To act from honest motives purely; To trust in God and Heaven securely http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/graduation/poems-rhymes/four-things.html Email this page to a friend

Keauntra

Never give up on what your dreams because if you give up you have nothing to look forward towards in life.

Melissa

Be social. I would say try new things and experience life. Dont' worry about what people think and do what it is you think is right always. Also I would tell mmyself to study hard and not slack off otherwise you will never make it in college. I would make sure I know that you are paying for this experience and you need to get the best time of your life out of it.

Jessica

Take class seriously and study for everything. You need to study in order to do well on tests and exams. Attend every class because you are paying money to go to class.

Veronica

I would just tell myself to take it with a grain of salt. Everything falls into place when it's meant to.

Jessica

To get out there and meet people and join clubs.

heather

I would definitely advise my senior self to not wait until the last minute for scholarships in high school. I wish I would have applied for more as a high school student. Also, start on honors thesis ideas! Even as a freshman it's good to think about. Other than that, keep up the good grades and making friends!

Kayla

If I had the chance, I would tell myself to get to know as many people as you can right in the beginning. The first couple of weeks are the weeks where everyone is looking for friends and no one has that set group. This gives you the opportunity to get to know many people and expand your friendships. By expanding your friendships, you are also expanding you network, which can become very useful in the future when you begin looking for a job. I would also tell myself to get involved; join clubs, sports, intramural sports, and go to the activities that the school offers more. Although I did do some of these things, I wish I could have done more. Clubs and other activities are an amazing way to meet people and learn about the school.

Neil

The best advice that I could possible give to myself would be to take my future more seriously and to make a plan and follow it. Don’t take too long to begin on starting your future and you will be able to live much happier, and sooner. Make realistic goals and deadlines on how you want to handle major tasks ahead. Also don’t become too involved with relationships until you have completed everything that you need to complete. Don’t make emotion decisions because this is a good time in your life for that. Live by your word because it’s everything. Don’t dwell on the past and keep looking at your future.

Christopher

My biggest advice to myself as a high school senior would be to learn how to study and take notes better. As a senior I was a very good student but everything seemed to come easy to me. I barely studied or took notes, I basically just absorbed information and recited it during tests and quizzes. Now in college it is very difficult to do that. I am at a loss because i never focused on studying and taking notes in high school. So now in lectures I have to work twice as hard to take notes and study so that I can excel during my tests and quizzes. I have gotten better with time, but I still could take better notes and study better. If I had studied better in high school, even for easy tests, then I would have a better grasp on how to study during college.

Lindsay

Budgeting your money is one of the most important things. Whether is it for laundry, buying school books, or random outing at 1 in the morning, it's a good habit to form.

Alyssa

If I could go back in time and give myself advice for college as a high school senior I would tell myself to develop better time management skills. When college began I lacked time management skills and my grades reflected this. There are so many activities and ways to get involved on campus that without time management skills there just isn't enough time to do everything. It's so easy to get caught up in all the excitement of a new place and making new friends, but the school work is the most important part and once time management skills are developed there is time for all the fun activites too.

Rany

Never give up and still would have went through the same path, i enjoyed my life studying into this field. Last but not least is confide in yourself and always believe that you could once in a while make a good decision and by experience these would eventually increase in number. I am glad i am who i am.