University of New Mexico-Main Campus Top Questions

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

Shianne

Leaving family and home is scary at first, but college is the first big step to growing up. In high school, the teachers are supposed to do everything they can to help the students graduate, but college is much different: you are responsible for your own future and your own success. The teachers are not going to babysit you like they did in high school. It is imperative that students learn responsibility early on, otherwise college will be much more difficult than it needs to be. For me, college was the next step in becoming a responsible and mature adult, one who takes responsibility for her own actions and who is the only one keeping myself from having a bright, successful future.

Thomas

What I have gotten so far out of my college experience at the University of New Mexico is that I learned more about my culture and other cultures. I've met people from other countries and hear their life stories from where they live and why they chose to come to this school. For example, I met this person from India who is going into the engineering field and he told that he had to do one year of military service before going to college. He said that the training was hard but it made him a stronger person. He chose UNM because it has a good engineering program and from his magnet experiment at a Science Fair, he was given a full scholarship. From this experience, I knew I needed to join some school groups, so I did one year of Marine ROTC and it also made me a stronger person. It also taught me the skills to become a really leader. So I hope I can use these skills to become successful at my future job as an Electrical Engineer.

Kori

I have not yet attended the University of New Mexico, but I have attended Luna Community College. I will begin college at UNM in the Fall as either a shophomore or a junior because I have earned my General Education Certificate at Luna. Most of my classes from the Community College will transfer to UNM and further me on the road to graduation. I chose UNM becuase of its good reputation in the state of New Mexico and around the country, and because it has one of the best psychology programs in the state. Although it is expensive and I may experience post-college debt, it would be worth every penny because of the good and challenging education I will recieve in attending the University of New Mexico. Not only will I recieve a good education, but because of its size, I will also meet many new people and learn to function in the world and work force.

Sarah

I received a great education and met many diverse and interesting people while attending UNM. I enjoyed my experience there, and am grateful for the opportunity to have attended.

Marisa

I have listened to many college stories before i attended any college. All these stories were different but i feel i got the best oppurtunity to study here at The University of New Mexico. The reason for this is because i feel that i have been able to come out of my cocoon and be a more sociable person than i have ever been. there is more oppurtunities for Workstudy which helps me specifically pay for school. I also feel that the classes are active and well organized in order for me to get the most out of them. My college experieces have taught me to even out my work load with the fun that i can have. It has also taught me to choose wisely where i want to go and to study in order to get ther. To work hard i have also learned to be able to succeed in life . This includes all aspects. It has been very valuble to attend this college and the previous colleges i have attended and reccommend all high school freshman to go to college and specifically here at the University of New Mexico for a Great college experience.

Sadie

I have only been here at UNM for two years, but in those two years I have learned something of the upmost importance to me. That is that I should do what I want in life. It may sound ridiculously simple but when I enrolled into this university I wanted to become a geneticist. However horrible math skills cause me to rethink this, and so I changed my major to psychology, a field that requires little math and offers a great pay. Life here has shown me though that a great pay is not what I should look for in my future. The instructors here teach because they love it, the stories they share the enthusiasm they have, it's all proof that fallowing your dreams in life is the only key to happiness we have. I am certain had I gone to another school I would've missed this important lesson. I will elongate my stay here at UNM for another year in hopes of becoming a geneticist, and if I fail I will rest well in the fact that I gave it my all, and look for something else that send my hear aflutter.

Fabiola

With this college oppertunity I have earned so much that I didn't even expect. All through life your told that you need to go to college and make something of yourself. Thigns didn't go as planned for myself and I fell ill in my senior year, so much so that I had to drop out with my 3.6average. After a year of medical leave it was hard to get back into the swing of things. My mom wasn't a good support because she left me homeless when I was 18 and told me I was on my own. I guess that just helped me to make this college decision on my own and not for anyone else because no one even cares if I'm going except me! I'm doing this for me, and not to please my parents like so many others. I've also learned to take advantage of some of the courses in aiding my health to stay up so I can attend school. It is valuable to attend because there are so many growing experiences and even more resources then you even need.

Richard

After going through my first semester as a college freshman attending a major university, there are a few things I would have done different in high school and over the summer. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself to take more academically challenging classes throughout high school, expect the toughest from each class, and work more to save up a greater amount of money. In high school I took some tough classes, but not as much as I should have. The 'Advanced Placement' classes at my high school would have definitly prepared me for college courses instead of me being blindsided by tough work and even tougher exams. When entering a class for the first time, you hope it won't be too stressful, but in college you must expect it. With that said, hard classes did not compare to how difficult the shortage of money is when tuition, books, rent, and utilities are due. Fortunatley I was able to pay it off before taking out a loan. Working and being a full time student is one of the hardest things I have ever done. None the less I am getting the job done.

Austin

Love, that simple. I would tell my self to love people in my school, church, teams, and family more. I have learned from my time of transition that people are so valuable. I have discovered the art of reconciling,which is to seek to understand instead of understood. Let me describe that better. Through the people i have met and have been surrounded by, i have saw that many people in this world have been misunderstood for a majority of their lives. By discovering this, i would seek to understand them instead of judge them or do random acts of kindness for people. I would love to tell and push myself to do nice things for people like clean desk for a teacher while their out of their classroom or start a club to help families in my school or community that were in need. I Would inspire myself to be more positive and to be encouraging to the people around me. I would not take for granted the opportunity that was given to me, not letting my talents go to waste. I would want myself to take things more serious and have more self-discipline in my commitments.

Emily

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would probubly shout: "Get more scholarships!". Collage life is a big change from being a high schoolar and comes with alot of stress, including the stress that accumulates from finacial trouble. I would also tell myself to be more outgoing in that first simester. Sometimes being shy really gets in the way of making progress with the professors and the other students. Friends become a bastion to defend you from the stress, neurvosness and all the aprehensions that try to drag down you collage moral and comfidence. Also, I would tell myself to buy more toilet paper, because the girls in the dorm go through it fast. But most of all I would tell myself to not worry so much, to not be so resurved and to make the most out of every situation collage would throw at me and to have fun.

Melanie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college I'd probably say to stay focused. If you lose focus on your goal by doing other things, you lose opportunities to learn and further your education. I'd also say to myself that it's okay to have fun sometimes as long as you keep yourself balanced and not lose your focus and sight of your goals. A major piece of advice I would give myself is to not let anyone tell you that you can't or shouldn't go after what you want. Anything can be accomplished if you put your heart and time into it.

Michelle

I felt pressured to finish my degree quickly and enter the professional world because I thought that a bachelor's degree would solve my financial difficulties. Consequently, I missed out on opportunities that would have greatly enhanced my education and my ability to compete for higher paying jobs. Therefore, I would advise myself to slow down and take advantage of more opportunities in college. In particular, I would advise myself to take more time to study Spanish and participate in a study abroad/immersion program so that I could learn to speak the language fluently. I have found that speaking Spanish and knowledge of immigrant populations makes one much more qualified for jobs in the social service industry and earns one significantly more money. I have found that attempting to learn a language fluently becomes very difficult once working full-time because I am not able to leave my job to study in another country. Finally, I would advise myself to take the time to visit my professors more often during their business hours in attempt to build more meaningful and lasting relationships with potential lifelong mentors and advisors.

Matthew

As a highschool student, one hears it over and over again. The clich? statement that we get from our parents and seasoned friends, "College is a big transition. It's a matter of balancing your education and everything else." However, the young student doesn't realize what is comprised within "everything else." This can include anything from one's job at the supermarket across town, regular doctor appointments, or even going to the gym to stay fit. This along with never-ending class assignments and, hopefully, some time to enjoy oneself with friends all adds up to what may seem like an overbearing, unmanagable schedule. My advice to myself, as a highschool senior, would be to identify my support structure and use it regularly. By this I mean professors, advisors, close friends, family, maybe even a counselor to spill your guts to when times seem unbearable. If there's one thing I've learned over the course of my first semester, it's that one should not make the transition alone. College truly is a "big transition," and with all great endeavors, a little help from those around us can be the difference between success and failure.

Laurel

Going back in time I would tell myself to be more careful with my money and save my dollars instead of consuming goods. I would also tell myself not to take my friend relationships too seriously as time heals all wounds. If I had saved all the money I earned while working in high school, I wouldn't have to rely so much on student loans. I would also tell myself to have fun and not to stress over life.

Sharon

When I look back in retrospect to my life during high school, I am reminded of many great memories. It was a care-free time for me. A time where the future was a passing thought and responsibilities of what I would become were not fully developed. I always knew that education was a huge part of my life, and this idea was further instiled in me through my parents. Knowing now about the process and dedication it takes to really apply one's self and make the transition into college life, I would first tell myself that ,"no matter how difficult it may seem always remind yourself of the reason why you are there". Another piece of advise that I would give myself would be to, " be true to yourself, your goals, find a good support system, make time for yourself, and don't lose sight of what you want". College is a process of learning, but it is also a process of developing one's identity. With these two things happening at the same time there may be times when failure comes into play. I would explain to myself that it is okay to not be perfect.

Greg

I would go back and tell myself to do two things. First I would say learn to learn, it was one of the few very important things that the educational systems fails to teach at ages that it could be extremely advantageous for. I never wanted to know how to learn until my senior year in High School when I figured out I wanted to make something of myself. I love learning and am excited for everything that will come with it in the coming years. Secondly, I would tell myself to learn to balance those tasks that are necesarry for success with those tasks that give you valuable and meaningful life experiences that one can easily remember for their entire lifetime. I strongly feel that life experiences influence the people we are and the people we strive to be. Engaging in more life experiences would give me the type of growth that would be advantageous in life, but more importantly show me what people need and want, because my main goal in life is to help people live a more fulfilling life through medicine or dentistry.

Anthony

If I could return, I would tell myself to stop wasting time. It would be nice if I could talk to myself as a freshman instead of a senior, so that I could redo my entire high school life. While I could have been practicing harder in Tennis or working harder for better grades, I spent a lot of my free time in high school playing video games, slacking off, sleeping, browsing the internet, all activities that easily kill time that could have been spent training to improve myself academically, athletically, or artistically. As a Senior, I would tell myself to work harder and aim higher. I only applied for one school because it was close by and I felt like I had slacked off in high school too much to get accepted by an ivy league school, but thinking back now, I should have at least applied. It would have been nicer for me to have been rejected by those colleges than to forever wonder if I could have gotten in. Other than that, I would make myself get more scholorships. Theres so many out there that I didn't need to get a loan or a job.

Jessica

Starting college is the beginning of a new chapter in one?s life. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice that I would give is never be afraid to ask questions because I am almost sure that at least one other person in the class has the same exact question as you. One more piece of advice that I would give is believe that you can do and be anything you want. By doing this, the transition from living with parents, to living alone is doable because you are able to have confidence in your independence. The dreams that you have set forth for yourself can finally take place because you are free to choose to study and to become whatever you want. It should not matter what other people think of your career choice and whether you can handle the workload or not. The only thing that matters is if you believe you can do it. Never let anybody tell you that you can not be a doctor or a dancer, or a nurse because if you believe in yourself, you have the ability to make it happen.

Kristi

I would tell myself to not stress the classes so much, learn at every opportunity in and out of the classroom. Remember to make your time in college as much fun as it is educational. There is no need to worry about fitting in, you will find the group of people that you get along with, just be yourself and relax. I would also remind myself to organize ahead of time and find a system of organization that works for me- that would eliminate some stress. Professors appreciate when you ask them about their passion, so get curious about what your learning and what they're teaching- think past what the book says and ask questions! When it comes to meeting people, join the clubs that encompass your interests. This is the best way to meet people you will be able to get along with easiest, but strive to get to know people that are different than you. Remember, an uncomfortable situation means you are expanding your boundaries- keep your mind open and know awkward silences and embarassing moments will be forgotten or laughed at later in life. Don't sweat the small stuff! Life goes on!

Ariel

I would give myself the most common advice that everyone gave me while I was in high school. Study hard and learn to manage your time well. Even though I have a job and attend school I have to learn how to fit everything together inorder to get it all done. I would also tell myself to make college fun as well. It's one of the greatest achievements to actually attend college so make it one of your most memoriable moments that you can look back on and actually tell yourself I had alot of fun in college. Over all just stay focused, study hard, manage your time, and have fun doing it.

Madeleine

First and foremost I would tell myself to live in the worst, most typical freshman dorms. My friends did that and made all of their friends they have now from their living situation. I picked dorms that were fancier and therefore made no friends. Also, apply to many schools and give yourself options. Although you may feel you want to go to a school, when the time comes to choose you may want to chance your mind. If you limit yourself to one school, you will have no other option and therefore feel stuck. Lastly, do not feel as though you need to know what your degree will be going into college. You will be able to take your time and figure out what you like and what you don't like as you go through schooling.

Lillian

As a 33 year old, I have had many years to think about what I could and should have done differently. If I could go back in time, I would have spent more time worrying about grades and homework than boys. I spent my senior year applying to colleges, but I also spent it worrying about how I was going to go to college after having my baby. I was three months pregnant when I graduated high school. I worked part-time and went to school part-time, but not for long. I quit school, got a full-time job and life went on. When my daughter was six years old she passed away from a cavernous angioma in the frontal lobe of her brain. I was 25 years old at the time. I do not regret anything in my life, but I do regret not being able to accomplish some of my dreams. They say it?s never too late, so here I am many years later hoping to put some initials behind my name and to get the degree I always wanted. The only advice I have is, ?don?t be in such a hurry to grow up?.

Shane

As a senior in high school, I was very nervous about college and my future. I was unsure of a lot of things; I didn't know what degree to pursue; I was worried about living away from home and everything familiar to me; the list went on and on. Now, as I enter my second semester of my studies at the University of New Mexico, I have experienced, taken on, and overcome many of the concerns I had as a senior. Had I the ability to go back in time and talk to myself, the first words out of my mouth would be, "Don't worry, everything will eventually work itself out." Thinking too far ahead, as I often did during that transition to college life, often proved counterproductive to me. I would easily become overwhelmed by future concerns that had no bearing on the present. Instead, I've learned that the key to success is to take on each problem as they arise. When one can, one should preempt other concerns, like grades, by doing homework and studying early to take the stress off. Nothing is impossible unless you think that it is.

Hannah

If I were to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to become involved in campus activities from the beginning of my college experience. When I started college, I spent a lot of time with my older sister and her friends, and I did not join any on-campus organizations, so I often felt alone and separated from other students my age. At the end of my sophomore year, I started working on campus as an orientation leader, and became close friends with other students who encouraged me to participate in campus activities. Since then, I have become very involved on campus, I have chartered my own student organization, and I spent a semester in Washington, DC as a Congressional intern. These opportunities have opened my eyes to the wider world and the opportunities that are available to me. Through these experiences, I have met incredible people who have changed my life. I wish that I had become involved in campus activities from the beginning, because doing so has truly transformed my college experience. I can only imagine what other opportunities I may have had in those first two years of college.

Tia

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to my younger self as a high school senior there would be a couple things I've learned since being out of school that I would have to let myself know. I spent my first year attending school for something I knew wasn't right for me and ended up wasting valuable time and money given to me in self-discovery. I've known for a very long time that I was going to and wanted to pursue a career in music production. The one thing I've always tried to keep in mind since I was young, is to always be true to yourself and who you are as a person. I've known my whole life who I am and I let the people around me try to influence what I should do with my life and how to fall into society. But I've learned that I am my own person so I should always do what makes me truely happy. That is the advice I would give my self, assuming I could go back in time.

Cameron

If I were to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have many bits of advice that I would share with my younger self about how to be successful in college/make the transition from high school to college seemless. My first piece of advice that I would give to myself is to take college classes seriously, because even though they are introduction classes and more likely less challenging than upper level classes it is still important to start off with a good GPA. I would also tell myself to learn good time management. Although you might not need these skills early on in college, you will eventually need it when you start taking more difficult classes. The most important aspect for me was to have fun and take classes I was interested in, college is suppose to be a fun time in your life so make it that way. Regarding deciding on what major to pursue, I would tell myself to follow your gut and think about what your interested in, (drawing, design, architecture) and hopefully it won't take as long for you to figure out as it took me.

Robert

If I had the oppertunity to go back in time and speck with myself, I would tell myself to take my ACT and SAT more seriously, look into taking college level classes that would count towards my degree, attend college full time right after high school.

Andrew

I would tell myself 5 key pieces of advice. The 1st would be the importance of time management. The hard part of college is not going to be the course work, but rather juggling the requirements of being a full time student, part time employee, and occasional tutor. Prioritizing and allocating the proper amount of time to each task will alleviate most of the hardships of college. The 2nd piece of advice, which goes hand in hand with time management, is organization. Organization will prevent headaches, frustration, and in the end, it will save time. The 3rd piece of advice, and probably the most important, is networking. As short as time will be, make time to speak with professors and employees of corporations. This will open the door to research opportunities, letters of recommendations, internships, and jobs. The 4th piece of advice would be to avidly apply for scholarships and to deposit any earned scholarships in a savings account. Tuition, books, and bills are going to be expensive and every little bit will be important. And the last piece of advice would be to be careful with that hydrochloric acid in Chem Lab, or you will get in trouble.

Corrine

DEEP BREATH!! It's really not as big of a deal as everyone's making it out to be! It's just like high school except with longer classes and you don't have to ask to go to the bathroom. And don't forget that NOTHING is set in stone. I know it feels like its such a final decision, but you can always change anything at any given time, so don't worry about it. Stop stressing over everything so much. It's not the end of your life, this is just the beginning. And the University of New Mexico is a pretty good school, and you're going to spend your entire freshman year there so just go with it. It'll be a good year. Don't worry about Eastern until later. Oh, and on December 5th your boyfriend is going to break up with you, but its ok cause we get back together later.

Hapezibah

I would tell myself to go to school in Arizona where my mom lives for more financial aid. The college would be cheap and home is close enough for me. And that scholarships do help a lot and you can never have enough of them. I also would encourage myself to schedule my time better and study even though I know the subject. Study with people from the class and use common sense about what happens in college. There is nothing more important than how well you do in school because you wanted to be there so put effort into staying there. Your grade is everything to you and following my advice you would be able to head in the right direction. Away from all the bad things you are not suppose to do in college. You may have freedom but your here for school and a future that you dreamed of since got into high school.

Mario

If I could go back in time to give myself advice when I was a senior in high school, I would tell myself not to stress so much about not being sure if I'm going to be able to make it because just like high school as long as you do your homework and study you are going to be fine. I would also tell myself to choose easier classes, that are still core requirements, for my first semester of college so that I can have my GPA built up as much as possible for the years to come. Another word of advice that I would give to myself would be to look for out of state scholarships dependent on what university I plan to attend and to make sure to apply for them before attending the university, because that would make school so much more enjoyable since you won't have to worry every month about if your going to have enough money to make the monthly payment to the school. Finally I would tell myself to make sure to turn in my application to the University of Texas ON TIME!

Nicole

If I could go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself alot. First of all I would tell myself to enjoy my last year of highschool because everything changes. Then, I would tell myself not to pick a school just because of its reputation on partying or just because you want to get away. You have to make a choice based on other things too like academics, programs, and your intended major. Secondly I would tell myself to not live at home. The responsibility and freedom that you get from not living at home is amazing. It frees you from things that may be at home and allows you to thrive and experience things that you may not be able to when living at home. Lastly, GET INVOLVED! This is important to have a good and successful college experience. Even if it is just one activity it helps to get involved academically and you enjoy yourself more so that you are not bored and so that you don't get bored.

Salvador

College is the focus of what you want to be in life. First, freshmen year is hard to adjust due to the freedom you have from home. Many things are happening around you, but remember your in college to focus and to enhance your education further. Second, the next important fact is to study hard and get good grades to have scholarships for school. Third, avoid parties and females if possible. Females come a dime a dozen, and parties are not great, besides plenty in the future to attend. Further, College is to prepare you for career choice. Follow the advice, college will be easy for you to deal with.

Brittany

If I had the ability to go back into time and give my high school self any advice I would first tell myself to listen to those around me, as they suggested all along that I would make an excellent teacher and by fighting that advice I ended up taking an extra year of school to make up my mind on my major. Secondly, I would encourage my younger self in the road that I did take; that of going to a community college first. This was one of the smartest choices I made when leaving high school, and I would not change that decision. By following these first two suggestions my younger self would finish her prerequisit classes within two years at a community college for a third of the price of a university. This route also prepares me for the conclusion of my education with the university. The only other advice I could possibly think to give myself is to apply for any and all scholarships available, rather then riding on her/my grades. This has been the major problem switching from community college to university, I was not financialy prepared. Future me would be more prepared.

Christopher

I would tell myself that, with todays economy, affording college can be difficult. Especially for those whose parents' are not exactly in the position to help. I would suggest to myself that I should work parttime and save as much money as I possibly could. Apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible. College life can be hectic as well. After living in a college town for five years I know just how crazy and can be. In short, I would say to myself, 'Get your act together, save as much money as you possibly can, and apply for as much aid as possible. Then enjoy what a successful education can bring you afterwards.'

Stefonie

If I where to go back in my life I would tell my self to stay on task and never let anyone say you can not make it. I would encourage myself to stick with my plans and believe in myself. Encouragement is something else i would give myself in knowing that some day I will acheve something great in my life time.

Clinton

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself some words of advice. First word of advice would be to apply for scholarships while I was in high school because one 500 dollar scholarship is not enough. Second word of advice would be to study and get excellent grades so that way you have an excellent GPA to back yourself on to get the scholarships you would need to pay for college and to pursue your career further. Third word of advice I would give myself would be to always give 110 percent in whatever you pursue in your life. Fourth word of advice would be to be active in your school by doing extracurricular activities to support your school and yourself by learning skills like how to be a strong leader in yourself and others. These extracurricular activities will help you in self motivation that will help pursue your dreams and futures as well as help you with being responsible. Fifth word of advice I would give myself would have to be dont stress yourself out. Remember life has its mistakes no ones perfect everyone makes mistakes.

Anne

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work harder, and don't slack. I would tell myself to use my restlessness to do something worthwhile. I'd tell myself to not worry so much about the arguements I have with my parents, because they're just worried about me leaving. I'd mention that I shouldn't be so mad about high school, and that I have no idea just how fun and challenging college is. Assuming I could write a letter, I'd send myself an email that my mom sent me last week telling me how proud of me she is. I'd remind myself that going to college is not only about me, but about doing good by my parents and grandparents. I would tell myself that I will change my mind about what I want to study, and that's great. Lastly, I'd tell myself that no matter how hard this is, no matter how homesick I am, no matter how other people treat me- I'm doing the right thing.

Mariah

I would tell myself to take calculus in high school because I will be better prepared me for my first semester in college. To pay more attention in my science class and to take advantage of the teacher because they have time to listen and help more closely. I would tell myself to do more volunteer work as much as possible. I would tell myself to continue doing good in school and staying involved in sports because it helps to get scholarships. I would tell myself that moving away from home is not as bad as it seems that the transition is relitively smooth. I would tell myself to keep some close friends for support in the future. Most importantly I would tell myself that family is extremely important, to never do anything to distance yourself from them. They become your best support system when classes get hard and you feel like quitting. I woul tell myself to keep expecting the best from myself and to understand that there will come a time when you will not understand everying as easily as you do now, you won't be the best of the best, and that is ok, work hard.

KRIS

Its benifical to go right from high school into college and the reason's why I say this is simple. I have seen so many people leave high school and think they should take off a year and have some fun, the problem with this is, it's real hard to go back to school once you've left. Things happen, you get distracted, your priorities change. Some even fall in love, cant wait to get married and the next thing you know having children. Then it become's real hard to go back, your finances change, everything changes. Now you find you have to work. You really cant find that great of a job because, you dont have the education you need to get one. You'll constantly struggle to get by, you'll always reget the decisions you've made, sometimes the people that helped get you where you are. My best suggestion is to go right into college, get that degree! You'll be financally able to care for yourself, have fun and when your ready, start a family. Life will be so much nicer and easilier if you finish school now.

Zachary

Make sure to read ahead before you go to class. Also when choosing a school look at what they offer. Broaden your scope of schools to choose. There are so many jobs out there and so many majors that you want to learn as much as you can. Look into the Major requirements and focus on those. Get to know a great advisor because they can save your college life. Get to know as many people as you can because everyone wants to meet you. Procrastination is a choice you have but it's not the best choice. Organize yourself every day of every week. Learn as much as you can because this is the time to do it. It might seem that life is passing you by but it isn't. Stay focused on the ultimate goal. Keep an open mind of subjects and people. Don't overload with things you need to learn, instead view it as a want to learn. Find a personal hobbie that makes you relax. Laundry is always going to be tough on your schedule. Always find time to clean. And try to make your bed in the morning.

Susan

Going into college is like a culture shock. Having large lecture classes instead of 30 students will be an adjustment, because you don't get the attention like in high school. Also to try and plan out what to take every semester, so that the class load won't be overwelming. To stay on top of everything in each class and work ahead by reading in the text about the lecture coming up. Studying for tests shouldn't be an overnight or 2 night process like in high school. It would take a week and hours to understand the information. Not falling behind is a huge challenge and must be in practice the first day/week of school. Try making more friends by being more outgoing, that way study groups can be formed and being able to talk to students and ask for help. Lastly, forming relationships with professors that you enjoyed, especially in the field of your major. Being able to talk to your professor and asking for help on things that you don't understand early on in the semester, that way you have connections for letters of recommendations, which will be good for your future career.

Alexandra

I would first tell my self that I had screwed myself my freshman year by being a procrastinator, and that I needed to stay on top of myself from here on. I needed to start working on projects and assignments the day they were assingned, not the night before. O, and one last thing... GO TO CLASS!

Arnika

Dearest Arnika, Right now, the University of New Mexico seems like the "University Near Mom," but you'll soon realize that its the best choice you could have made. And though its a daunting major, give nuclear engineering a chance. You are a lot smarter than you think you are. Please stop being so GPA-centric. Really. I beg of you. Remember, the knowledge you aquire is more important than the grade you recieve. Don't be mad that mom and dad wont let you go to prom. They are trying to protect you. The random breathalizer screenings, the hailstorm and the guys that lit fireworks INSIDE the gymnasium made prom terrible. And don't let your friends make fun of you for living at home instead of getting an apartment. You'll come to appreciate not having to pay for gas, food, heating, electricity or rent. And mom still isn't ready to let go, so please be patient with her . Please remember that college is so much better than highschool. And above all, remember to thank Mrs. Keeney for teaching you how to write a full blown essay in under 40 minutes. Its a lifesaver in college.

Cynthia

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would most definitely inform myself of the organizational skills needed to be successful in college. One of the things I have found necessary to succeed in my courses and still have a good time is organization. Time in college is not the same as in high school and the dependency on ones parents completely changes. I would tell myself to start preparing to make the transition from full dependency on parents to only a partial dependency. I would also let myself know that stress will be a factor in college but that if I manage my time wisely then I should be just fine and will ensure a successful time in college.

Alicia

I would go back and tell myself that it is okay to ask for help on school work. I spent my high school career taking AP and Honors classes, all the while never asking for help because it made me feel like I was dumb for not understanding the material. When I transitioned to college, I tried to continue what I had done in high school. It took me a year of frustration with my grades to finally figure out that it was okay to stop, take a breath, and go to tutoring for help. During my sophomore year, started asking for help on homework and also began forming study groups with peers. It was pretty neat going into tests and actually knowing and understanding the material. So, if I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself to take advantage of the tutoring on campus and that it is alright to ask for help.

Rachel

"No matter what you do, even the best made plans can change," is something I would say to myself as a high school senior. In my first semester as a college student I have realized that what is important is not always what I have planned, but rather how to deal with what life throws at me. Class schedules, roommate relationships, and how to interact with professors and peers are not things that are easily planned. Especially when interacting with other people, it is best to have patience, a positive attitude, and a strong sense of what you feel is right. In college, you have to stand up for yourself, whether that means taking an active role in your class, talking to a roommate about a problem, or finding activities in which you want to participate. You are expected to be able to say what you need and to get with relatively little help. It is not that people do not care, just that you are an adult and ultimately responsible for yourself.

Jennifer

In high school, I was an overachiever, hell-bent to make a difference in this world. There was one lurking question in my young mind, a question that creeps up on nearly every individual in the world; what would I be when I grew up? I pondered. I stressed. It's amazing I didn't burst into flames; internal combustion from the many neurons rushing this question in my brain. My ultimate solution was that I'd be going to college anyway and I'd just wait for something to strike. I'd fall into a career, just like my mom always told me she had. It didn't quite happen that way. I fell into a degree, the time coming in the semester to claim a major, credit hours I'd accumulated choosing for me. I can look back and wish that I'd told myself to relax, to learn myself, to focus on what made me happy and follow that, not to follow silly course hours. I'm not able to go back, but I can tell myself today that it's okay to try again. Life unfolds, but now I'm the one leveling my own path.

Maureen

I would tell myself that world is not going to end and to make a plan for the future. To take a positive attitude on my education and to not let other choices dissuade me from finishing on time. That even though supporting yourself is important that choosing to finish your education is a much better choice in the long run. It is a huge mistake to choose to spend more time on the job that gets you through school, instead of studying for an education that will provides a career. By concentrating more on the job, you can become overwhelmed and tend to give up on school. Then after a number of years you are stuck working that "job", where you could have had a well paying career that would support a good lifestlye. That career could have stimulated your life and your potential for personal fulfillment. A college education is the best move, and to take advatage of it early in life is far better than trying to achieve a degree twenty years later, after you realize you that the nowhere job has taken you just there, "Nowhere"!

Michael

I made the mistake of going straight to college out of high school without knowing what I wanted to study or do once I had a college degree. As a result, I attended for three semesters, lost interest, and then dropped out. The years I spent working and living before returning to the Univesity of New Mexico allowed me to see more of the world and become mature enough to know what I want from life. So, if I could talk to my high school self, I would say to take time off before heading to college. Travel, see the world, and get to know yourself first before investing thousands of dollars in a college education. That way, once you do go to college, you'll know what you want and get the most out of your education.