University of New Mexico-Main Campus Top Questions

Do not take the easy way out. Go where you want to be and do not let anyone tell you what is right for you, decide for yourself, and follow your own dreams. Transferring is a complicated process, go where you want to from the beginning. Only you know what is the right choice for your life so do not be afraid to strike out on your own. Be involved on campus from the start, make friends on campus and possibly try to live close to or on campus to be in the community and included. You will regret it later if you do not join the community and make friends in your classes. Get plugged in to the right kinds of organizations early, finding them later can be a challenge, once you are in a crowd and find out it is not who you should be around. Work hard, studying comes first, then the fun times, otherwise you will just feel guilty the whole time your are not studying. Finally, enjoy yourself, keep your friends and family close, you will need their support, and ask for help when you need it, we all need help sometimes.

The key to success in higher education is being true to yourself, meaning you have a clear idea of what you want to gain from the experience. Moreover, it means your needs and goals are paramount to all others. Since you will be the one making the sacrifices you must be dedicated to your goal. Sheer will-power often is not enough. Going to college to appease your parents or because "you're supposed to" is a futile endeavor that serves only to line the coffers of the lucky school that admitted you. If you do not know what to study, enroll in a gap-year program to develop any nascent or established interests. Or, get a job. Nothing motivates you to endless nights of studying than trying to budget your life on minimum-wage earnings. The bottom line is to have the maturity to know your strengths and weaknesses, develop attainable and measurable goals, have the mental capacity to stand up for those goals and the dedication to work hard on them.

Since I went to Lakeland Community College, full time, my junior and senior year of high school, I would go back in time and tell myself that college work is different and harder but to not be intimidated by it. Do the best that you can and work hard and it will pay off. I would also tell myself to make sure to start working on things ahead of time and not wait last minute, because it will be better for you in the long run. And do not procrasinate, it could make you fall behind or have too much on your plate at one time and can possibly cause you to get a lower grade. Also, it can be good to take some classes that will challenge you a little, so you learn new things and better yourself. But college isn't all about being hard work, its about learning new and exciting things; so make the most of it, do your best and enjoy it!

If I was capable of going into the past and advising myself about what to expect in college life, I would keep it relatively simple. I would tell myself that it is important to gain as much experience as possible in college. There are a vast amount of open opportunities to study whatever your interests might be, and all of the extra-curricular activities you engage in will only help you in the future. I would also inform myself that there is no slacking off in college. Although it might be easy the first couple semesters to just skate by and take only a few classes, there is no time to waste in college. It is important to remember to always apply yourself fully, because in college, what you do everyday affects your chances of attaining your dream job in the future. I would tell myself to put school first, get as much experience in my career field as possible, and to always be reaching for more challenging opportunities. No day should be wasted in college and there is no room for "just getting by". Hard work will make the path towards achieving your dreams smoother.

I would tell the students that education is the key to success. They shouldn't wait to attend college, go right after they complete high school.

My senior self was a success story, riding on the wings of success and working hard to juggle a school play, the highest GPA I had in years, applying for colleges, new relationships and working to earn the freedom adulthood promised. My senior self had no idea the real world demanded skills with time, money, and time management that I did not yet possess. I would tell her, given the opportunity, to understand the responsibilities that life demands. To understand that time spent curled up with a textbook in the library, listening to music and taking notes, in lecture halls learning about the composition of newborn stars was infinitely more well spent than wasting away hours and allowing for social and personal distraction. I would tell her to trust that the relationships she had would be patient while she worked on her education. I would tell my senior self to focus, to remember to keep the goals she had held all her life in firm, clear view. I'd tell her the road ahead was full of bumps, but the path wasn't hard, and she'd make it to the other side, as long as she never gave up.

If I were to go back in time I would first advise myself to go to UNM from the start, rather than CNM. I spent two years at the community college in New Mexico, which was nice, but I like UNM much more because of the people, the classes, and the campus. I would also advise myself to be thinking of majors early, and to choose something I enjoy, rather than thinking of something that will make a lot of money. This aspect caused me to stress out about it for about two years, and it took me two years to decide on a major. I would encourage myself to enjoy the process of learning and the college experience more. I eventually learned to do that, but my first year of college was somewhat forced when I could've been enjoying it, and enjoying the information I was learning. I would tell myself how important it is to balance time for a social life as well as school so that there's not too much pressure, which I believe leads to success.

Hello, High School Chanel. I have news for you- you think you're tired now? It only gets more exciting! Don't take the double major in music performance and education, you'll just want to pull your hair out. Take my word for it, education on its own is challenging enough. You should study more for that AP English exam. I know your brain is fried from the calculus test (congratulations for that grade, btw!) but you really don't want to waste your time in general education classes when there is so much music to be learned! Also, apply for more scholarships. Despite what UNM said, it's NOT FREE. You're financial aid is going to be reduced all the time. Just nod and smile, and work harder. Hard work won't kill you, I promise. Really buckle down on your practicing and remember that 2 hours of intelligent practicing is more helpful than 6 hours of mindless shredding. Your fingers will bleed, you'll give yourself headaches, and you'll wonder if those dark bags under your eyes will ever go away- but college is so much more fun when you have music! (and nothing else).

Here's the deal: taking a gap year will be the best decision you ever make. Home life will be stressful, but you'll appreciate the break, and you will be better prepared for college academics. Western Oregon University won't work out, but that's a good thing. They don't have as many areas of study as you'd like, and though you think it now, you won't end up majoring in Sign Language anyway. You'll end up at a school with Sign Language as an option, but you'll choose a different direction entirely. You thrive on change, so this is a wonderful oppurtunity for you. The state you will be in is much different from Oklahoma, but it will become more of a home than Oklahoma could ever be. You'll be immensely happy, and have lots of amazing friends. BUT, brace yourself for the second semester. You'll have to work harder than you ever have, but I promise you will do well. You adapt well, and this will be a test of your adaptability. The freedom is going to be great, but what's better is the people you're with.

I would tell myself to acccess better study skills and learn how to directly learn from the books because the professors expect the students to learn what they don't go over in class. I would also advise myself to choose a different school.

Never let the confidence of high school make you think that college will be easy. College is the most mentally challenging aspect of any persons life. Yes it's easy to give it up but I can garuntee that as soon as you do you'll wish you never made that choice. Now for the first semester always, always, always ask the students AND the staff about a teacher before signing up. Immediately set up a pattern of study and don't spend all your free time with your friends unless your work is done.

The advice i would give myself would be to study harder, so that I would not have to take so many low level classes. I would also tell myself to look into more ways to pay for school. Finally I would tell myself to get better grades to make it easier to pay for school.

I would tell myself to take the opportunity to take risks and not be afraid. I would continue to say: I know you are trying to decide whether or not you should stay in New Mexico. Decide to go somewhere else. Friends and family are here in New Mexico, but going to some place completely new will force you to form new friendships that will very possibly be more valuable than keeping old high school friends. It is also important to remember to try have fun with your time in college, whether it is through taking fun classes or going out with friends on the weekend. If you decide to stay in Albuquerque anyway, then be sure you remember in the back of your mind to have fun no matter what or who comes your way. Don't let anyone or anything stop you from being who you are or letting them get you down. You are given the opportuniy to have the time of your life in college: take it!

That in order to graduate in four years one must take the max amount of credit hours,18, and not fail anything. Also, C- is considered failing at UNM. Many students straight out of college don't know these things and they are important.

If I could return to my senior year and give advice to my younger self I would teach myself how to properly manage time and retain information. Rather than cramming last minute for a test in which I would later forget everything I would show myself how to work hard to be a better student.

I would tell myself to study hard. That the only thing that matters in high school is you're grades and the academic experience, not boys and magazines. I would tell myself to prepare harder, because once you get out of high school, the fun and games stops. I would tell myself to save every penny I earned so that I could go to the out of state college that I dreamed of. I would tell myself to not take family for granted, to love and respect your parents. I would tell myself that nothing is impossible, even if everyone else says it is. I would tell myself to go for everything I always wanted, make my dreams come true, and not be afraid. But most of all, I would tell myself that life is life, and I can't control what happens. To always count my blessings and be glad that I have food in my belly, and a roof over my head. That even if I don't get what I want, that what I'll end up with will be just as great, if not better.

Pulling out Excalibur As a senior in High School, I didn’t have the energy to go to college, as I was not yet diagnosed with Narcolepsy. I was diagnosed with a mood disorder, later to be diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder. I can see myself then, sleeping in class due to medical reasons beyond my control. I was called lazy and unmotivated by friends and family. I told myself then that anything is possible, such as going to a University, a dream of mine, vivid in its manifestation. Having Generalized Anxiety Disorder, panic attacks were a natural occurrence for me. My advice to myself as a seventeen year old would be to not to give up, to find out what caused this unexplainable fatigue, to realize my full potential academically, to pull the sword from the stone. I pulled the sword from the stone, Excalibur in hand, the sword of knowledge and academia one year ago. You choose when to ignite your inner firework and light up the sky with the brilliance of who you are. You choose when to pull out Excalibur; the only tool you need is your own desire to discover your inner fire.

I would tell myself not to get discouraged and to keep my head up, life is full of ups and downs. Always follow your dreams regardless of what other people say or do. Thirst for knowledge and never stop educating yourself. Believe in yourself even when it seems like no one else will. Life is about taking risks and being happy.

The biggest piece of advice i would give myself is to set high standards for yourself and work hard to meet those standards. Be open to meeting new people and make new friends, you feel less homesick when you have friends. Do all assignments and do not be scared to ask your professors questions. Use all the rosources available to you, it will make the transition easier than having to figure out everything on your own. Get involved with the university in someway, it will help you meet new people with the same interest as you.

Make sure that you make friends right away, it becomes harder and harder the further in you get. Also try to get over high school, it's over and you can't go back. Keep some friends but don't hang on too hard to them, allow yourself to go somewhere new and meet new people.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior is to apply for more scholarships because the financial aid that is promised by the school and the lottery scholarship given to every student that graduates from a state high school then attends a state college is not enough to cover tuition and books. I would tell myself that it is important to apply for as many scholarships as I could because that is how I am going to put myself through college. I would also advise myself to break out of my shell and not be as shy around people as I had been. The people that I meet in college are wonderful friends and these meetings come about from being less shy.

Dear Me, You are finally ready to move into a life full of responsibility, achievement, and yes, at times, even disappointment. It is not going to be as easy as you think. There will be times when you are excessively overwhelmed with life in general. You are going to have to deal with school work, finals, a job, bills, and serious life responsibilities. You should not give up. You will have family and friends that will stand behind you every step of the way. You will get opportunities of a lifetime and do NOT just let them pass by. Make sure you start saving money just in case emergencies happen unexpectedly. Stay focused in school and rememberthat Chemisty is going to be difficult, so study hard so that you can maintain a high GPA. Apply for internships and believe in yourself. Stay away from distractions because your happiness will come from self-dependence. You are going to accomplish great things throughout your college life. Don't sweat the small stuff and when you get the chance, apply for scholarships. Life is difficult, but no need to worry. You will, believe it or not, live to tell about it. Sincerely, Alyssa

Dear Deena, Do not worry. Yes, college is different... but there is much to do. Focus on your school work, strive to be the best, take an occasional breather. Most importantly, don't let people bring you down. Don't let anyone pressure you into another degree; listen to your heart. There are so many opportunities available and there is no sense in closing doors behind you. Each new door opens when you approach it, so don't be intimidated by it. College isn’t just about the career and the money. That diploma is an inspiration to achieve anything in life. Yes, it represents all the hard work, sleepless nights, morning migraines, etc. Yet, that diploma also represents hope. Hope for ourselves, for our country, for each other, but most importantly hope for our children. Set educational goals that are not just obtaining a degree; inspire a new generation to achieve their educational ambitions. This isn't just you going to school, this is you setting an example for generations to come. Just remember... no pressure.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would give myself advice about the transition and college life. First, I would tell myself that studying is your number one priority, and that there is no homework to help reflect my grade if I do not do as well as I wanted to on a test. Secondly, I would tell myself that college is very competitive due to the fact that a lot of people are going for the same major and try my hardest. Thirdly, I would probably tell myself that there are great study groups and learning centers to help better understand things when I am stuck or having a difficult time. Last but not least I would tell myself not to worry about what others may think of me, and to pull through because their opinion does not matter what matters is the fact that I want to help children and become a pediatric nurse.

I am glad I got involved in a sorority as it helped both my professional and personal life. Grades were heavily emphasized as was getting involved in the Greek life so it was a nice balance. I would keep all that the same but my struggle today is waiting so long to obtain my master's degree. Any advice I could give to myself or any others would be to go straight through if you think you are going to continue with graduate school.

The things that i have gotten out of college experience is meeting a bunch of new people from different parts of the world and learning new things from them also being in a different environment where you do not always no everyone and your teachers sometimes do not always know your name. It had been valueable to attend because it's a new experience where you d not only discover what you want to do with the rest of your life but also learning who you are as a person.

So far, my college experience has done anything and everything it could to prepare me for the "real-world." Having my own apartment, my own car, and paying off all the bills that come with these perks is something that high-schoolers cannot experience. Moving out of my hometown and leaving my family behind is another experience that have gained from attending college. But what really makes college different from the real-world? This is what I believe I have found the answer to. Although I do work and make enough money to make ends meet with the bills and such, I think the thing that makes the college experience unlike the real-world is that we still have some room to make mistakes. Although our parents might not agree with our decision to move away, they will always be there to catch us when we fall so that when we do make it out on our own, we will not make the same mistakes twice. This experience has been valuable to me in more ways than one; I am gaining responsibility for my actions, and also I am learning more than what a college course can teach me.

So far in my college career I have gained a much greater understanding of what it takes to recieve an invaluable education that will prepare me for my future career. A truely worthwhile, rewarding education requires constant focus, determination , and an ability to have an open mind. It is crucial to be capable of finding the best ways around the inevitable obstacles that come your way, and also recognize them as an opportunity to learn and grow as an individual. I have come to understand that an education is not going to be an easy straight path that is all laid out in front of you. You have to find your own way as you go, subsequently becoming the person you're truely meant to be.

I’ve always believed in being grateful for the life and opportunities that we are given, and exercising them to the fullest. By this I mean, never taking anything for granted, and being the best you, that you can be. Like so many young adults out there, I had the odds against me. I had the typical bad story: both of my parents had substance abuse issues, my mother has a mental disability, and I myself take full responsibility for not graduating high school. In twelve days I will start my junior year of college at California State University Sacramento. My college experience has shown me that I can be the best me. My education is my future, and my future has a purpose of helping people with a degree in social work. I am so grateful to be in school and I will never again let the past interfere with this one opportunity called, life, that we are given. Education leads to opportunities, and these opportunities lead you to the tools for meaningfully exercising our lives to the fullest.

My college experience has taught me to become independent. I have learned to have time mangagement and everything that I do will have consequences, either good or bad. I have to work extremely hard in everything I do because nothing will come easily. Everything I have I must earn and the satisfaction after completing a task is the best feeling in the world. It has been very valuable to attend college because it gives you a sense of pride and responsibility. College is a time for students to take control of their lives and to make their own path to what they want to acheive. When I have to make sacrifices in order to complete a task for school, it helps me feel proud because I know that I am taking control of my life. Having responsibility is a positive thing because it allows me to plan ahead and appreciate the steps I must take in order to reach a goal. College is my dream and I would not change anything about my experience. I am the first person in my family to attend college, and by completing my first semester I am even more driven to succeed.

Invaluable experience. That is what I have gotten most out of my college experience. There is no way to measure how much experience I have acquired by simply listening and learning from my instructors. These professors have taught me so much, not just about their respective courses of study, but about life. Different people from different backgrounds who have been through it all. The experiences and outlooks of different people who have experienced different situations in their lives proves to be the most valuable aspect I have gained from my time in college. These intangibles I have acquired throughout the time I have been in college are the most valuable aspects I have gained while attending college.

From my college experience I have gained not only the furthering of my education, but also an appreciation for new and different perspectives. What college has done for me is to teach me how to critically consider and analyze the world around me from a variety of perspectives. Courses in writing, critical thinking, communications, humanities and arts, and the sciences have given me a well-rounded education and skillset. Attending college has proven valuable in my life because it has shaped the way I view the world. With each class I take, I learn more and more about the world around me, insights into the motivations of people, and the realities of the social forces that shape us. Ultimately, attending college has made better aware of the fact that we live in a world in which there are always new things to discover and new perspectives to consider.

My college experiences have been rewarding and I have learned much. Not only have I learned from my classes, but I have also learned how to interact with people and how to take initiative in life to get what I want and need out of what resources I have around me.

I have received a well rounded education out of my college experience. I have learned how to manage my time and get the best out of the information given to me. I have learned that every moment of someone's life can be an important learning experience. I also learned that you learn more from experience and I am glad my school offers hands-on education.

I have learned the importance of making connections with staff and being there to help out fellow students. I believe that too many people underestimate them importance of relationships, whether they are proffessional or personal. This social entraction can teach you to appreciate everyone and to treat everyone with respect, which I believe in the end makes you a better person. Although book knowlegde is important, it loses its power if you do not share it with other people. If you share your ideas with teachers and other mentors the can guide and encourage you in your dreams and goals. Sharing your ideas with peers can and teach you how to work with others in a community setting. These are both important lessons to learn when you go on to accomplish your dreams.

I have been enrolled in Central Carolina Technical College since May of 2010 right after I graduated high school. I have really enjoyed the experience on campus and off. The classes I have taken on campus are great, the teachers are wonderful, and the campus is clean. My classes online are great too, they are set up in an easy, understandable way that really keeps the student involved. I love the being able to attend a college where things can be a little more personal, the student body is not quite big enough to drown students out. The teachers have the opportunity to get to know their students better and hear them out on different situations. It is just an overall great environment.

First let me tell you about myself a little bit. My name is Fahima Hasan and I am originally from Iraq. I became a citizen of the US last February. Eleven years ago, I came to the United Stated as a refugee with my family at the time I was twelve years old. My family had to escape from Iraq because their life was threatened by the Saddam Husain regime. Well I have learned a lot form attending college and the attendance has affected my life in many ways. When I took my human biology classes I learned many amazing things about the human body. I learned that we humans take many things about their body for granted. When I took my English classes I learned many things about how to write a good solid A paper. That helped me a lot in my other classes; too my own surprise not just English teachers asked students to write research papers. Finally and most importantly learned how to study for different classes.

I have learned to be myself, and I have found a department that I am passionate and very interested in. I have also learned to stick up for myself, my views, and my morals. This has been valuable because you learn what it is you believe in and why you feel the need to stick up for it. Here, it has become apparent to me that I really, in all aspects of things, know nothing. I have now realized how important it is to stick up for education because you can never have enough of it. I have found what the real world outside the protection of my guardians is really like. Although there may be bad things and bad people, I have learned that with a little knowledge, life can lived to the fullest.

Three semesters in a junior college has taught me a variety of things. I have learned to always finish my work as early as possible. I have learned not to cram, not to procrastinate, and not take advantage of my free time. Throughout my college experience, I have learned how to think critically, to think outside of the box. I have made many successful relationships with my professors and colleagues. I have done a lot of rigorous and exhausting work that has made me become a hard working college student. Attending college has been valuable because it gives me the opportunity to achieve a higher education. In order to be successful in the future, one needs to have the experience that only a college or university can offer.

I've learned that there are so many career opportunities for me that I knew nothing about before coming to college. I'm currently undecided but I have the resources to find out what it is I really want to do in life. I've made many friends and discovered somethings about myself. I am looking forward to my future at UNM.

I've gotten life out of my college experience. It may sound strange or confusing to hear, but as you go through college you grow to appreciate every little thing in life and you really learn to not give up trying, no matter how hard or frustrating it may be. The value of education is the most important in the world. It shows us what we want to be and points us in the direction to get there.

I think the most important experience I have received at the university level is that diversity really counts. It's important to become involved in extra curricular activities in order to diversify your resume for potential career opportunities. It's also extremely important to excel academically and maintain a good GPA. Numerous times I have found that many employers will look at your GPA in order to determine whether or not you will be a good candidate for employment. Also, it's extremely important to have a career focus going into college. I recommend taking a career apptitude test to find out where your interesting lie within career fields. Not having a career focus at the beginning of college can definitely set you back in terms of completing your degree on time..

Since I have been attending college I have realized how important it is to graduate and focus on getting good grades. Going to college can shape a person to be successful and a hard worker,someday I would like to be successful on my own. It is important for me to college to improve my standard of living when I am older. Coming from a poor family I want to work hard and be able to live a better life than my childhood. I want to help students understand why going to school is self rewarding and a positive way to choose your career choice. College has helped me become a more out going person, I now want to achive higher goals and join more organizations. Since my college career started I now realized that I want to go to graduate school and work harder to apply for prestigious internships that can help me progress in my future career.

I gained a lot of valuable social skills my first year especially, when I lived in the dorms on campus. The University of New Mexico has a great on-campus housing program that I found to be helpful and accessible for all students. I was also able to take advantage of the many options they have for different types of housing with different prices. There I made life-long friends. I've learned a lot about taking initiatives, which may be the most valuable of the lessons I've learned here. I've learned how to make the system work for me and take advantage of all the different services the school offers. I've also gained some great mentors and met the love of my life at this school.

I have learned a lot about what I am capable of and certain responsibilities. No one is here to guide me through my work, so I have to rely on myself. I work hard in school, but I know that I cannot devote every waking moment to schoolwork alone. I have found that being able to meet with friends at various locations around campus, whether we share a meal or just sit down to talk, really helps from stressing out too much.

I feel that everyday brings new experiences. College is about focusing on your education but it also involves being social. Studying and hanging out are both important and both need to be done in moderation. Everybody should go to school and take classes they enjoy and explore new subjects. This gives a student more opportunities to find what they truly love.

The most important thing I have gotten out of my college experience is my education. The knowledge I have gained through attending classes, studying, and completely assignments is something that most people can't do on their own. I have gained many different perspectives on different subjects through my professors. The education I have recieved from Central Washington University can't be matched from reading articles online or just searching through google. Though sometimes learning all of the material has been challenging, it has totally been worth it. I feel more knowledgable and smarter through my education. It has been very valuable for me to attend college because my belief is in order to succeed in life, you need an education. I have been very fortunate to have a parent and sibling that have both attended college, so I had their influence to go to college. I have enjoyed the new chapter and experiences in my life.

As cliche as it may sound, attending college has really taught me about life. I graduated High School with the best group of friends anyone could ask for, the support of my parents in anything I did, and a sure path of where I was going. I thought that my life was comlete. However, college came into the picture. My friends scattered, my parents started questioning my academic decisions, and uncertainty crept into my mind. This may sound like a typical attempt for pity, but really it has been a blessing. Not having any of good friends around has allowed me to break out of my shell and become more outgoing. I am now comfortable in a room full of people which I do not know. My parents' doubts have showed me that I may not know everything. Maybe what they have to say has some validity. And finally, I am free of having a set path. I can now explore all the options presented in front of me and find what will really make me happy. The bottom line is, college has taught me that the beautiful disaster of life is really a blessing.

I'm not sure that I can really answer this question because I have yet to truely experience my school. I'm just beginning so there is so much that I have yet to learn, to experience, and to do. I believe that every college and university has its own unique experience to offer and all will be valuable even if only it is only giving you the time to see that college is not right for you and that you have a different path to follow. I hope that my experience here at UNM will allow me to grow and teach me what I need to know so that I can suceed at my life and career path.

The things of greatest value that I gained out of my college experience are not my degree and the ability to find a promising career. While I did gain this as well, I most importantly found humility, responsibility, determination and sacrifice. I gained humility after a very unsuccessful first year of college in which I almost failed out of school because I thought that I was advanced enough to not attend class or study and still succeed. It was only this that I realized that I could not rely on my smarts alone and would have to be dedicated to my education. I found responsibility and determination soon after this when I decided my path to become a physician assistant, and realized that I would have to work hard to make up for a wasted year as well as improve my GPA in order to be competitive for graduate school. Lastly, I learned sacrifice as I would have to forgo social experiences for studying often throughout the rest of my education in order to achieve my goals. I believe that it is the culmination of all of the above that was my most valuable endowment from my college experience.