University of Oregon Top Questions

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

Bayla

My graduate school experience helped me focus my academic and career interests, while providing me with many opportunities to critically engage with the material I studied. My adviser and professors created curricula that combined interesting and compelling readings with lively discussions, and always included a component of independent research so that students could contribute to the learning environment, and learn from each other. I am very glad that I pursued a master's degree, as it set me on a career and research path that I otherwise would not have found, and the rigorous training I underwent in the process prepared me very well for my continuing doctoral studies.

Tiffany

The University of Oregon has given me the opportunity to succeed. Every High School Senior has their list; it’s a list of dream colleges. My list was short and Oregon was towards the middle of that list. It wasn’t until my father was diagnosed with cancer that Oregon was bumped to the top. I was sure that Business was going to be my best bet for a career in this job market. I met regularly with advisors, and described how Oregon and Business were not my first choice and how I had settled, their advice was to find my passion, and they would do everything in their power to work out the details. I eventually did find my passion in Health Policy and my advisors came through on their word to work out the details. Within a month of graduation I was able to find my dream career in Health Care delivery, a job I had thought only other Universities on my list would have allowed me to get. I was sure I would resent the decision to settle for Oregon for the rest of my life, to my surprise today, I can’t imagine going anywhere else.

Ian

College has changed me into a more independent person, both in my personal and academic lives. I don't need parents to tell me to clean or cook, I can manage those tasks myself, and I don't need assignments to tell me to learn, that is something I can do by myself. College has been, and I hope will continue to be, the best time of my life.

Ashley

For me college was not about discovering what I wanted to do - it was about discovering who I wanted to be. I always knew what I wanted to do, and I appreciate the skills my professors have given me to help me accomplish that goal, but I think what I have become while I have been at college is what I will value most in my college experience. College is teaching me to speak for myself but listen to others. I’m learning how to serve the community and care about the world. I’m discovering whom to lead and whom to follow. I’m finding out when to concede and when to compromise. I am not everything I want to be, but I have a much better sense of who I am and where I’m headed. I've made great friends in college and had fun, but some days are difficult and stressful. Still, I've appreciated every single one of those days in my college experience because they've all helped become the person I am. I like her, I'm proud of her, and I know my school can be proud of her too. I

Lauren

For a few years now, I've known that I want to go into Robotics and decided to achieve that dream by going into the Computer Science field at Weber State University. I've completed one semester thus far, and will be starting my next in the beginning of January 2011. Although I've only been through one semester of college this far, I feel like I have gotten a fairly good amount of experience out of it. The first semester was a little tough, I did not know what to expect. A big part of my major is math, and the first math class I took at Weber put into perspective the effort I am personally going to need to put into math courses in the future. Going to school has helped to show me how competitive the real world actually is. It's helped me to develop not only as a student but as a young adult. The classes are helping me gain experiance that I will be able to use when I get into the "real" world, and into a job revolved around my field of study.

Aviance

Many people have goals. Some have achieved those goals, making them achievers. Others have maximized their achievements, and fulfilled their dreams. An accomplishment my dream of becoming a physical therapist is why I can see past the late night studies and countless nights of research with outlines, rough drafts, and proofreading sessions. Graduating college has given me an opportunity to pursue a goal that will one day become a fulfilled dream. My college experience has been all on-line. Attending school in this type of environment can be a challenge. It requires excellent time management skills, prioritzing, and lots of research. I wouldn't trade it for much though. My college experience has allowed me to spend valuable hours with my daughter, doing the little things that count with her, such as cooking and helping with homework. So the question of what I have gotten out of my college experience and why has it been valuable to attend. Well, I have yet to reap the benefits of a completed college degree, but I am enjoying the challenges and benefits that come along with attending.

Michele

I have learned that I am a self starter and that I am capable of making good decisions. I have joined a sorority whose philanthropic goal is for cancer research. I have selected friends and study routines that have empowered my ability to choose my area of interest: international studies. I am driven to make positive choices because I want to continue to grow and to learn. I want to work towards a successful future so that I can make knowledgable and positive impact in my life's work.

aisha

I have learned how to tackle the problems that we face everyday and to be more responsible. Being an internaional student I was heartbroken when I started my college career because my friends would not believe that I could achieve higher education. However, my parents always motivated me, believed in me, and sent me to the US to achieve the higher education. Being a new student in college I was scared to cope up with other brillient students who spoke english fluently. However, my college experience turned out to be my best experience with the assistance from my teachers and through my utter hardwork. Probably the best part that I have gotten out of my college experience is that how easy the study can be if a person studies on a regular basis, goes to the class regularly, and never procrastinates the assigned work. Also, I loved the experience I had in my college with my teachers. Every teacher I had just loved me and recommended me for several awards. I know that if I work hard, I can achieve anything. And I have proved that to myself by transferring with an electrical engineering major with a 4.0 GPA.

Grace

The University of Oregon has been a catalyst to much personal growth. Over the past year and a half, I have grown as a daughter, friend, student, critical thinker, and world citizen because of my time at Oregon. Oregon's academic environment is one of optimism and progress and the curriculum is challenging and forward thinking. At the U of O, I have the academic support to write a paper on the Cambodian genocide for an honors thesis or create a video about a local farmer struggling to make ends meet. Professors make sure our focus is not on the five blocks of campus, rather the world beyond--the ever-changing world our lesson plans help us explore and inspire us to change. The most valuable thing I've gained from my time at Oregon is an open mind. Because the student body is so rich in diversity with people of different backgrounds, religions, lifestyles, sexual orientation and life philosophies, I have found myself more attentive to thoughts differing from my own. I've learned tolerance--the key to peace and compassion. No amount of tuition dollars can be placed on these incredible life lessons.

Jordan

What I have gained from my college experience so far is the ability to connect with people on many different levels. The University of Oregon has been such a friendly campus and has given me the chance to learn about so many different people. The academics here are competitive and have given me the discipline to succeed each and every day. The University of Oregon is beautiful and brings the best out of every season of the year. I have learned so much about my self and about the world during my time at the University of Oregon and I still have 2 and a half years left here. I love the University of Oregon.

Janessa

The University of Oregon has given me many things, both big and small, that have changed my life and helped me to arrive at the place I am at today. I believe there are many aspects of our lives that we take for granted and therefore, we begin to loose sight of how important a strong support system in our education can truly be. Throughout my studies, I was surrounded by an extremely positive and forward thinking community that pushed me to be the best I could be. My professors were very engaged with my work and constantly encouraged me to push myself to my full potential. I will value their efforts forever. I have been so fortunate to study at a university where I am constantly surrounded by a diverse array of people, studies, and ideals all of which have broadened not only my awareness towards a variety of unfamiliar subjects, but also of the world. I think it is crucial to look beyond our own borders with the intent to continue learning, growing, and striving for greatness.

Andrea

I have met many professors, advisors, graduate teaching fellows, and students that make college all worth it. I believe college is about the connections and even though the price tag keeps getting bigger, the people I meet in college make every penny worth it. It's the people you meet who get you internships, jobs, and other opportunities that you can't find on your own. In the tough state of the economy, those connections become crucial and critical to succeding in education and life.

Vivienne

I learned probably one of the most valuable lessons of my life while I attended college. That lesson being to question anything and everything. I learned not to believe what I read or am told by anyone without solid evidence and critical thinking. It is so easy to just take what your professors and textbooks say and regurgitate it in everyday conversation, but it is so much more valuable to listen to what they say, research it, form your own opinion, and then discuss it with others that have opposing opinions. I have learned the most from people that think completely differently than I do. I believe that this process will not only enhance youe education at your university, but will lead you on a path to being a more enlightened individual that can carry themselves in a converstion with anyone. If an education to its fullest extent is what you're after, this would be my best advice.

Elizabeth

College is an amazing experince to learn about yourself and grow as a person. I wouldn't trade my time in college for anything. You have the opportunity to take any classes you choose, find out what you are interested in and what kind of career you might want. The friendships and comradery I had in college is like any other time in my life.

Sarina

College is nothing like high school, in high school some of my teachers aren't as firm and I could still rely on my parents for a lot of things, but when I got to college I really learned the what being responsible was. I had to make sure that I found a way to be to school on time, get my books, and speak up for myself if i needed to because there was no more running to my mom. The experience taught me that I am capable of handling things on my own, and that I can do alot more then what I give myself credit for. Just as high school was a preparation for college, college is the preparation for life; hence, its very important to attend.

Katherine

I have come to grasp a larger world view gained through insight by my college experiences. I realized that it is important to be critical of everything and that deep thinking is required of every subject matter. I aquired some skills that allow me to be a better person and have learned to engage in various activities for enjoyment purposes. I have made new friends and been touched by the people I have interacted with. I will continue to share friendship with many college friends throughout my entire life - strong bonds have been foraged between us. Attending college allowed me to figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life and led me toward a career I think I will be happy with.

Ching

Throughout my college experience i've learned how to use my time wisely and study more often, I realized that I had to rely on myself to achieve the grades I want. It taught me a lot of responsibility, and made me realize that college was something I had to take seriously. It was valueable to attend beacuase I started full time college for my entire junior & senior year of high school, and in return I earned an Associate degree free of charge. Also I was able to graduate high school half a semester earlier, and in this coming january I will attend Florida State University as a junior transfer. With all my hard work and dedication I have went ahead 2 years of my educational timeline, and I am able to call myself a junior in college at such a young age.

Betsy

A college degree opens doors for a person. Most importantly, it is an accomplishment that no one can ever take away. To complete a 4 year degree shows a determination and committment not every person has in their "make-up". It is as important to be proud of yourself as others are proud of you. My education is one of the most important attributes of myself. It has widened my perspective of life and has allowed me opportunities that I would not have had if not for my education. Also it has made me appreciate the movie "The Graduate" so much more. When I graduated from school, I could identify with the main character and his struggles. It is a universal dilemma. Now that I am attending graduate school I feel the circle is becoming complete in my life.

Therese

My college experience has really opened me up to academics. I am a music education student in the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. The classes are much smaller than most of the other majors, and all of the students in the program are very close. We are all very adamant about going the extra mile to become great teachers. We do our work together and provide each other with resources that help us both in school and our future careers. My musical ability has advanced dramatically, and my course work has really pushed me to become curious about my education and the vast amount I have the ability to learn.

Patricia

I have gained the strength to finally come out of the closet and stay out in front of my parents, friends, teachers, and colleagues. I have come to terms with the hardships I've faced in my life including coming from a military family, being gay, and having been sexually assualted. It has been so valuable because without knowing who I am and being proud of it, I probably wouldn't be here today.

Sara

The University has excellent resources for students and the curriculum is exceptional. There are smaller schools within the University, such as the School of Journalism and Communication and the Lundquist College of Business. This allows students to have a "home base" and interact with students in their same major. Each school offers experience within the curriculum, allowing students to gain real experience inside the classroom, such as working on a campaign for a local business.

Diana

Through my college experience, I have been exposed to people from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. This has enabled me to learn about our differences and has also taught me that, although we have different backgrounds, we are united by the fact that we are students. Superficially we might seem different; different shapes, different colors, different customs; but fundamentally we are all students. We all push through research papers; we all study for tests ; we all grumble about that one teacher. We all strive to do our best so that we may elevate ourselves , not only economically but also intellectually. We have forged our bonds through algebraic equations and empirical formulas, late night study sessions and pizza. Our degrees are a culmination of shared blood, sweat and tears; it is a testatment of our intellectual accomplishments forever uniting us, reminding us that although we have many differences we all came to the same goal.... together.

Monica

Coming from a small rural high school with a graduating class of 14 students, choosing to attend the University of Oregon was what most people would describe as crazy. But I prefer to call it courageous. By jumping headfirst into an experience that was entirely foreign to me, I was able to step out of my comfort zone, something that has always been scary for me. I have met so many wonderful and interesting people, and most importantly, my best friends. I've learned that it's okay to change your mind (and your major!) over and over again, and if you don't have an exact map of your future, it's not the end of the world. I used to be so worried about expectations for my future that I forgot to take time to enjoy the present. Being at UO has taught me that our future is only decided by the choices we make now. If we're dead set on one path and not open to different ideas, we might very well miss the one opportunity that could change our lives forever and give us everything we've ever wanted.

Jessica

I have learned more about issues in the world around me regarding ideas about the environment, social issues, politics, religion, and a vast array of other subjects. Every person I met at the University of Oregon was highly intelligent, well-rounded, and well-versed in many topics, so every conversation I had with every student here was an educational experience. This has taught me about different issues going on in the world and how to go about improving upon them. Everyone at the University of Oregon is passionate about something, which has given me a newfound passion for everything that I do in life, and it has helped me to become interested in new activities, ideas, and types of people.

Chyanne

So far the school year has been going pretty well. Since we only started about a week ago I still have a lot to look forward to and a lot to learn.

Sarah

The experience I have gotten from attending a year of college so far has taught me a lot about myself and who I want to be. Within the year of attending to the University of Oregon, I have grown up a lot and have taken on more responsibilities as an adult. I have become more independent and motivated to be the best I can be. Attending college is very important to me because I want to be successful later in life. In order to that, I must earn a degree so I am able to get a good steady job that I will enjoy doing. I have enjoyed almost every professor I have had; they show you a great outlook on the subject. More than 20,000 students attend the University of Oregon, so there is no doubt that everyone will make friends. My friends have helped me get through the struggles of college that may include studying for an exam or extra help on homework. The University of Oregon has been a great experience so far and I am looking forward to three more years of it.

Kelsey

It took me a very long time to decide what college to attend. Because I live in Hawaii the decision whether or not to leave home for school was a big one, I couldn't just drive home on the weekend like a lot of kids can. I am so glad that I decided to go to the University of Oregon because it has taught me a lot about myself. I think the whole experience has not only furthered my education, it has also enhanced my social skills and responsibilty. I have met so many new people from my classes and my dorm. This is not high school anymore. Mom and Dad aren't going to tell you to do your homework or go to bed. I have found that I now make these decisions on my own because I know it will benefit me in the long run, rather then doing it to make my parents happy. I love the whole atmosphere of campus. There is definitely a sense of pride that comes with being a Duck, and you can see it and feel it in the students.

Kate

I have learned from my college experience that the best education is always that which an individual strives to attain for themselves. It is valuable to attend an institution of higher learning in order to have access to thoughtful and knowledgeable professors who can guide students in their quest for education, but above all goal of achieving an educated state of mind is entirely based on each students' effort. The future of our world is wholly dependent on a group of dedicated, curious individuals who are just now working to find their way through innumerable bureaucracies to an eventual state of wisdom and clarity.

Sara

Throughout my life I have been faced with challenges and obstacles that sometimes end in triumph and other times end in defeat. What is important is that I have learned from my mistakes and do not let my failures define who I am. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there would be a few key pieces of advice I would give myself. One piece of advice I would give myself is to take on more opportunities that allow me to build my leadership abilities. By emerging out of my comfort zone a bit more in high school, I feel that my transition into college would have been a bit easier. I have now realized as a Business major, a lot of my schoolwork entails working in teams. Different times call for different leaders and I feel if I had better prepared myself in high school I would be more effective in my leadership capabilities today. I am learning fast that becoming a leader is an important aspect in being successful in the real world today.

Eric

Many things swirl though my concious when I think of this topic but one central theme remains constant; stay true to oneself. In your first week of college you are exposed to many stimuli that you have never been in contact with. You are in a new enviroment with a new group of peers and it is the natural tendency for one to give up his or hers morals they have worked their whole life developing. The key is to remember where you come from. You must think of the people who will always be there for and will always love you; your parents. The everlasting chemical attachment between you and your parents is one of the most powerful connections there is. Letting them down I feel like is throwing away everything they have built you up to be. Do things that will make you and your parents proud of who you are, not what these new "friends" say is cool. Be true to yourself and the morals that have gotten you to college in the first place. In this growing experience you are creating the individual that you will be the rest of you life.

Evon

I would of study more and tried to involve in getting scholarship .

Sarah

I think the best advice I can give is to make sure that you remember the outcome of your college experience can greatly determine your future. In my first year I often needed to remind myself that while this feels like a giant vacation away from the parents and with few rules, the education I am recieving will determine the type of career I am qualified for. Living in the dorms your freshman year is also one of the more important experiences you should take from college. Opening yourself to meeting new people and allowing yourself to have a social life and create lasting friendships on the weekends is one of the best things your can do for yourself. College has so many amazing opportunities, study abroad, sporting events, free workshops and classes, career fairs, and more, and I think you should take full advantage of every singe one!

Sarah

I wish I was going back to tell myself what I know now. I would definitely say take every single college credit now class that is offered. One huge piece of advice... RESEARCH. I would say really know your university and the programs or classes offered before beginning. I would also say to figure out a program that is interesting to you in high school so you are ready to sign up for classes in college. Take advantage of EVERY scholarship that you can find because colleges will add on random fees to everything just to make money. My last piece of advice would be invest in a reliable computer, you will need it!

Telani

Take advantage of resources. Talk to counselors about your interests and possible career paths. If you know what you want to study, make sure to do the research beforehand and find a school that matches your interests. Talk to an academic advisor in the major you are interested in at the school you are interested in. Once you?re in school, get involved in school activities and clubs to meet other people who have the same interests as you. This will help keep you focused and on target. Be organized. Don?t procrastinate. Meet filing deadlines for applications, financial aid, and scholarships. Allow yourself down time. It?s important to study hard and do well, and in order to do that, you need to be healthy and rested so take care of yourself physically and mentally. Don?t give up, no matter what obstacles you encounter. Set your goal, go for it, and don?t look back.

Lauren

Many of my summer vacations were spent in beautiful Oregon and Iit was easy to fall in love with the Pacific Northwest. I like the rain, however, my immune system seems to disagree. I knew I would be dealing with lots of inclimate weather during the majority of the school year, but I didn't expect to be constantly sick from it. I wish I could go back to high school senior year and warn myself about all of the sicknesses, doctor visits, expensive medicines and procedures, missed assignments and catchup work that lay ahead of me. There was no way of knowing I had an immunodeficiency until I experienced a cold environment myself because I moved from a southern Californian city where weather is basically nonexistent. Being an out-of-state student was a good learning experience though because I became independent from my family and learned how to take care of myself, even though this road was much harder than anticipated. Bottom line, just because a college is a nice place to visit does not mean you will be able to physically handle living there.

Brittany

I have given this question a lot of thought and came up with many forms of advice for myself. Ever since I came to the University of Oregon I realized how much regular high school coarses did not help me at all. The work load in college is definitely more rigorous and time consuming, that being said, high school did not prepare me. Word of advice would be taking more AP classes and taking more time out of my schedule to study for them. Another thing to consider that I personally never thought about, would be to volunteer at places over the summer and maybe during the school year in fields that I would be interested in. I volunteer a lot more in college now that I'm in a sorority and it has changed my outlook on life, as well as opening up more opportunities for certain job fields. One more thing I would have recommended to myself is getting to know the area in which im going to school. Knowing what activities are going on and where would have been a great thing to know so I could enjoy my college life that much more.

Laura

The most important thing I learned in my transition from high school to college was learning how to let go of myself. In order to feel comfortable within this new environment, I had to be willing to put myself at the general mercy of others. Not in the sense that I allowed them to make decisions for me, but I had to be unabashedly open to new people and unusual ideas. At first, I was a little close-minded, as all incoming freshmen are, and was not willing to branch out as much as I thought I would be able to. But as soon as I allowed myself to talk to people that I wasn't sure I would like, and attend meetings for clubs that I wasn't sure I would enjoy, I began to have a blast. I've made friends that make my college experience a thrill, and am an active member of more clubs than I would have I thought I could be. So, "high school Laura", don't limit your experiences with your predetermined ideas about college. Open up, and say "yes" more than you say "no". Have fun at school, and make me proud.

Mykeila

The advice I would give to myself if I could go back as a senior in high school is to take lots of college-level classes and transfer the credits to the college. By doing this, I would be able to save lots of money and time once I enter college. In high school, I did not have to pay for anything so why not took the chance to fulfill my general requirements.

Mark

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to start becoming more confident in myself and my abilities because in college you meet a lot of new people. Being confindent is a key part to social life in college, it is a new place where you can start over fresh. I would also tell myself to develop study habits such as time management because that is crucial in succeeding in your classes in college.

Cassandra

The first thing I would tell myself is to live in a dorm your first year. I do not live in a dorm this year and I am finding that meeting new people is very difficult! Although the dorms do have their share of disadvantages, the friendships that you could potentially make in the dorms will outway all of the disadvantages. The next thing that I would tell myself is to not wait to check out all of the resources available to you. Some examples of these resources might be the academic advisors, the tutoring, and different programs that offer classes on study skills or test taking. There are so many resources that are always available! The final thing that I would tell myself is to not be too comfortable. What I mean by this is to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Take different classes that you may have never heard of before or join a club. If I had known these three things before I came to the University of Oregon my transition from highschool to college would have been a whole lot smoother.

Kim

Be aware that while you are going to study abroad during your sophomore year, most of your friends will do so their junior year. Get involved on campus instead of just relying on your dorm crew so that you will still be able to enjoy your time while the people you know are gone and you are dealing with the affects of reverse culture shock.

Lauen

If I could go back in time to give my senior self advice, I would urge myself to make social bonds the first term of college. It?s so hard to do once the first term is over, because everyone has settled down into their cliques, and they generally don?t like including new people. I would also say to get more involved and to be friendlier to your hall mates. You?re stuck with these people for a whole academic year; nothing is worse than getting on their bad side!! Academic-wise, feel free to challenge yourself, but make sure you aren?t in over your head; get help when you need it! Don?t be afraid to ask about tutoring opportunities; it?s better to ask for help when you?re beginning to feel uncomfortable in the class, rather than wait it out so you get even more lost. Always stay in contact with your academic advisors as well as any other people whom you are assigned; if you build a bond with them, they are more likely to remember who you are and think of you when opportunities arise (such as scholarships).

Ellen

All through the college admissions process I worried about where to go. While getting in is the biggest problem for some, I was still trying to narrow down where I wanted to go. I spent a year and half walking around college campuses all across the country, imagining my life at each one. The Ellens I met there were each different: at Gorgetown I was worried about appearing in the same socioeconomic standard as everyone else, at Evergreen I was taking hikes and studying physics on the lawn, and at Humboldt I was in a lab running test on salmon roe. I believed that the school I chose would define the person I would become. If I could go back and give myself a wake up call I would tell myself that it doesn't work that way. There are people who I could be friends with at every school I applied to. When I finally decided on the UO I still had apprehensions about making friends here. Had I known how easy it would be, that within a week I would go everywhere with a gaggle of friends, I could have gotten several more hours of sleep.

Kailey

I would tell myself that taking a year off of school is the smartest and best decision I could make. My growth as a person comes notonly from the knowledge I gain inside a classroom but by the experiences I have out in the real world. The journey that I'm about to embark in will play a tremendous role on who Ibecome and what direction I head. I would emphasize that the key to future happiness is to trust my gut instinct. I would also hope that during the scary transition to college to not forget who I am and the experiences I've had. Lastly I would tell myself that adjusting to college is not going to happen overnight and that I'll probably still be adjusting as my first year comes to an end.

Stephanie

It's not always going to be easy, but there is truly nothing to fear. Those are the words I would begin with, talking to my nervous, uncertain high school self. College life is about discovering new things and becoming independent while learning...and it's surprisingly fun. Some people say college is like high school, only bigger. They are wrong. You don't need to worry about popularity, what others will think of your clothes or who you're hanging out with. That's what makes college so great; you don't need to concern yourself with your appearance to others. Therefore, you can focus on yourself and find who you really are and what you like to do. It's hard to fully prepare yourself for where you're about to go, but you're not supposed to. The only way to adjust to college life is to be thrown into it and adapt as you go. And one last piece of advice, the cheesy griller sandwiches are amazing, and you shouldn't wait until winter term to start buying them.

Jeremy

I wrote a blog on this very topic: http://auzigog.com/2007/08/24/9-survival-tips-for-college-freshman/ and it got 40,000 views in one day! I would take every AP class available through my high school. I would meet everyone in my hall the first day. I would leave my dorm room door open all the time. I would go to every activity they offered during the freshman orientation week so I knew what opportunities existed on campus. I would join many student groups to find the one I liked best by the end of my first term. I would use google calendar to organize all of my homework due dates and extracurricular activities so I didn't forget anything. I would create a system for managing a large load of emails. I would install a Firefox plugin (leechblock) to block sites that distract me when I need to write papers and study. I would not buy the book until I actually needed it for that class. I hold a sign that says "free hugs" in the middle of campus every Friday and meet tons of new people.

Zachary

Zach College is not all fun and games. You will have a lot of free time and it will seem like you have all the time in the world to get your work done. But in reality you need to spend every day reviewing just a little of your notes so the information will stick in your head. Do not worry; you will have plenty of time to do all the things that you have dreamed college would be. Just make sure to get your work done on time and review your work so that you are well prepared for the very important exams you will take in college. Your first terms of college will be tough at first but I believe you will find away to adapt. You will not get all the classes you were expecting to get at first, but it is important to explore different categories of classes in order to find out what you want to study later on. College will be difficult at first, but you will adapt. Study hard and you will be successful.

Jonathan

Honestly, don't stress about college and how you're going to pay for it. I know it sucks paying for college by yourself, but the system is designed to help you pay for it. Also, stop caring about where your friends are applying and where they want to go. Choosing a college is YOUR decision and shouldn't depend on other people. In the end, you are the one that has to go there and it doesn't matter if your friends go to the same college because it's basically impossible to not meet friends. This is your last year in high school and you should try to have as much fun with your friends as you can. Stop locking yourself up in a room studying for tests and go out and just hang out. After everyone leaves for college, nothing will ever be the same. Instead of trying for that A+ on a test, go out and sit around a bon fire with friends and just enjoy eachother's company. Your're a smart kid and you will get into college, so STOP STRESSING! Hakuna matata.

alysha

High school often can be distracting to students, as it was to me. I had not thought about college very much, especailly not the one I am attending at the moment. I resorted to Junior College and transfered which I found to be a great alternative to completing my lower division classes at a large and very expensive university. I am happy with my choices but if there was anything I wish I had done differently I suppose I may have been more involved with school and my community to begin applying for scholarships, even if my plan was to go to a Junior College. Many High School students are to scattered to be phased by the reality of a yearly tution that ammounts to a 5 digit number. If I had done that sooner I would be under far less stress. Having to worry about the expenses and getting a job make the transition far more difficult and can be overwhelming as it is for me at the moment. If I can give any advice it would with out a doubt be to start applying for scholarships as early as possible!

Victoria

I would tell myself not to be afraid to try different and new things, they are more fun than they seem. Also I would say that even if you feel bad not hanging out with your best friend all the time, it really is beneficial for you. You will meet more people and have many more new experiences. Also try to convince your friend more to follow you because she might be more happy with life. The last thing I would probably say is that you need to fill out more scholarships or get a job because your family is really struggling with money and needs every little bit of help they can get.