University of Washington-Bothell Campus Top Questions

If I could send my high school self a message, it would be this: Do not freak out about what to do with your life. You like writing. Major in Media and Communication Studies at UW Bothell, and minor in Creative Writing. Get involved with UWave Radio in your freshman year, or junior if you end up transferring, and have fun. Learn to talk in a British accent and mess with your classmates. Make friends, but dont forget the few from high shcool who are life-long friends like Niki and Sarah Q. Help your sister find out what she wants to do. Finally, when in doubt, pray about it.

I would advise myself to be better with the time menagement. Prepare myslef to make sacrifices. Utilize help better, like getting help when I need it and leaving the pride behind. Get course books several weeks before the shool starts. Don't give up on fitness! I would encourage myself to sleep more and get nutritios healthy snacks. I would strongly advice myself to be more understandable and forgiving during the times of high pressure toward family and friends. I would suggest myself to limit the amount of working hours, and consider ahead of time for possible hardships. And most definite, I should promote Positive Thinking! It is the key to psychological/physical health and success!

If I could go back in time, I would work a lot harder at my grades in high school. I would change my priorities to where they should be so that when the day came to apply to my dream college, I would get accepted.I would tell myself to be prepared for what is yet to come within my own family and our struggles. The University of Washington Seattle was for me like many others, my dream school. I was not accepted and am ashamed to this day that I could not carry on my brother’s legacy. I so badly wanted to be a part of the dawg family that I settled for the University of Washington Bothell campus. I would remind myself to dream young, because sometimes when you’re older it is already too late. I should have looked deeper into other schools before settling. So to the scared little freshmen in high school me there is only one thing I can say; your journey to your dream begins when you walk through those doors. Do it right or you will end up living in regret like me.

When I was a high school senior, I didn't have much direction. I knew I wanted to go to UW Bothell, but I didn't know much beyond that. I certainly wasn't ambitious. When I got to UW Bothell, I changed. I took the school by storm. My advisor once told me that coming to UW Bothell was like being a big fish in a small pond, and that proved to be true. I'm only a freshman and I am being published in two on campus publications, and one thing being published is a science fiction short story I wrote! If I could give my high school senior self some advice, I would tell her "Stop stressing out! Good things will come to you if you work hard. Believe in yourself for a change. You're incredibly talented and soon other people will begin to notice, you just need some confidence."

In college you will find your way. Even though you don't have a lot of support now, things will get better. In college you can pick your classes and join groups that relate to you. I know it's hard to believe, but you have the option to become a student leader. Your percieved flaws will be cherished and get you far. Being different is valued because you have a different perspective on things. Don't give up because there is space for you to excel, all you have to do is try! Find your passion and get involed with it early on campus. It will lead to campus jobs and connections to organzitions you've dreamed of working with. You'll be in full control.

Hey, I know right now it seems likes everything is crashing down. Trust me, it will pass. I need you to know that all your hard work is going to pay off. You're going to graduate with astounding grades and get into college. It's not going to be an easy road, but you are more than capable of accomplishing great things. Please remember not to stress over boys. You will get your heart broken but it will only make you stronger and wiser. Don't let yourself grow up too fast; go on an adventure and laugh everyday. You will lose friends, this I can guarantee. However, you will turn out to be a better person and the friends you end up with will be friends for life. Take your academics seriously but don't stress yourself out. Avoid the people who create negative energy. Surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you to be a better person. Always be polite and don't say anything if it's not kind. But most importantly, keep your family and friends close and just enjoy the time you have as a kid.

Going back in time would be a great experience. I would tell myself to take advantage of every little opportunity that comes to my way. Another thing would be to take as many college classes as posible because if you take college classes in High school that is alot of many saved.

The advice I would give to myself if I could go back in time would be to take courses that would help me if I am planning on attending college. Not only is the senior year of high school important, but the junior year is just as important. If a student knows what subject they are weak in, tutoring should be applied. This is the best way to ensure success.

To be honest, I think about this question a lot now that I am in college. I did not have trouble getting into college, the application process, or even settling in when I got here. The thing that is worrying me is money to pay for college and support myself. If I could give advice to my high school self, it would be to get a lot more help in getting scholarships and look for more opportunities to earn money. I never asked for help in high school to find money, and that was a mistake. I would urge myself to look beyond my pride and ask for help, and spend time with counselors and teachers finding and completing scholarships. School is important, but adapting to another environment is not as hard as suddenly being loaded with monetary responsibilities, rent, groceries, and tuition all at once. In order to learn you have to be financially secure, so I would just push past me to strive to get as much money as possible and ask adults for help.

Read all the assigned readings, because they'll really add up by the end of the quarter. This also is saying to not procrastinate. Also, getting to know people who are in your academic program is helpful when time comes for studying for midterms and finals, because getting along with others easier.

Talk to as many professionals in the fields that interest you as possible. Find out what it really means to do the work you aspire to do. Visit the schools that you want to attend and pay attention to; faculty, housing, layout, and extracurricular activities . Find out what types of support they give their students and investigate their graduation rate. Consider attending a community college for the first two years and transfer to a larger university, this will ease your transition and give you time to refine your major area of study. Realize that you will be the designer and director of your own educational experience. No bell will ring when it's time to go to class, you will have to motivate yourself to achieve your goals.

Work hard and time will allow you to have fun. Dont sweat the small stuff - the best is yet to come. All that you are doing now will pay off when you reach your dreams and goals of becoming great. College is like a job- you work hard, focus and do your best and positive things will be achieved.

Advice I would give my past self about college life and making the transition into it is, 'although it is frightening like you had imagined it in the first place, it is very well worth it. College is truly a liberating and extroadinary experience; liberating in that a lot more freedom and responsibility is given to you, and extroadinary in that it is something to take in in your every breathing moment and to not take for granted. You learn more ways to adjust your life accordingly to real life situations such classes, socials, jobs, internships given by administrators or professors, projects built and geered by you, studying, abroad programs, etc. College is also, by personal opinion, the ideal and best place for classes, where everyone in the entire classroom sincerely cares about the subject and do not want to jeopordize their education with usual high school predicaments where someone is being loud and obnoxious. And however tedious the transition to college may seem, you will be happy and grateful to have endured it to embark on a new life, even a rebirth. Keep yourself up to date and do not procrastinate (as much.)'

Talk to more adults about their college experiences; learn as much as you can from those around you before choosing which schools to apply to. Do everything in your power to travel abroad when in college. Make deep connections with quality people, because you will maintain those friendships forever. Learn new languages and use them; make friends with people who speak French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish. Read even more poetry! And, write. Write like you'll never have that much time to think and write again, because you won't.

The advice that I would give myself is to meet with my advisor early on. They are here to help and make the transition easier and can advice what classes you should take once you know what you plan to major in. The advisors also know the ins and outs of financial help/aid and can direct you to what scholarships you should look into. Because they are aware that college is costly, and that not everyone has a college fund set up for them. The advisors work with students all the time, and know how to assist and make things clearer that you are confused about. Meeting with my advisors would have saved me a lot of time and stress had I just gone to them earlier and asked all the questions that I needed answered.

Life is precious and we should all appreciate the importance of growing up an facing unfortunate events that make us who we are; in the path of finding our-selfs. I as a leukemia survivor I believe knowing what I know now it would not change anything because what I underwent portrayed a potential career as a Registered Nurse. A registered nurse accommodates me personally not because of it is a high demand, but because the potentiality to help others. It was a hard challenging period for me and my family especially because I was only thirteen years old--it sculpted me to peruse greater things in life cause life does not end for unfortunate events that head my way it makes the person even stronger. My family was a great help and as Plato quoted “Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”

Don't go to school right away. You need to work more and wait out a bit. If you wait three years you will find out that the economy will fall and going to school without knowing what to really do is not good for you. Take your time and invest some of your time at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, either taking classes at or after 2006 or 2007 so you don't miss the chance to meet your future wife. Also, don't go into English, it sounds like its a positive field, but it isn't. You should learn by now that if you apply your self, you can achieve an (A) in any class. You should go into the Medical Field and not give up. Math will be difficult at first, but as it stands now, you have a 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in college algebra and you got a B+ in Statistics. Math isn't something that will be difficult for you. Keep trying harder and harder and one day you would have become something great by 2011, instead your just starting to become something great in 2011.

Given the opportunity to go back, I would tell myself what college and the community around me is going to be like. College is full of a lot of things that can easily distract you. The community that surrounds you is there to help you whether it is with your studies or help you plan your schedule, it is there to help make your college life a little bit easier. The best way to build a network is to connect with your professors. To do that, you need talk to them and let them know what you want to major in and ask how their class can help you get closer. Ask your professor about internships or if they have a program of their own, how you can help them and reach your goals. The other part of the community is your classmates. Having a good connection with your classmates is also important, with them you can form study groups, socialize and support each other. The last thing I would mention is college is hard work but it is also fun. The best way to make your college life easy is to get involved and never give up.

To work harder. When I was in high school, I knew that I was going into the military, so I didn't push myself hard enough. If I could give myself advice it would be to never slack off and always push myself to be better!

I have discovered hardships demonstrate candidness of a person. As first generation Filipino, I have learned that hardships which might stall another man's progress in life are an accepted norm in my family. It has been my experience that it through hardship that one discovers their strengths. May it be a personal goal, a family matter, or a strained relationship, we still want the premise behind it to flourish. Some don’t happen, a few become progressively worse, but this hardship teaches and instill a confidence that is refined as we grow. Sometimes, the failed result is needed. But the premise is same and it needs to flourish. Hardships are the tools needed to pierce ignorance in our youth, to strengthen our convictions, and to define our character. Simply put, the girl that I will marry within the year after undergraduate school shared a quote her father instructed to tell me, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” Yes, the words are taken from the renowned sage, Confucius. The enormity of this quote begs anything is possible. From winter I’ve walked to spring. This is good.

I would tell myself the following: Dear Kayla, College is going to be an awesome experience. I know you're worried that you should have picked a college further away to get more independence but I promise you made the correct desicion. You are going to grow so much as a person and truly find your passion. Do not be afraid to get involved in school activities. You are going to see things going on on your campus and I am sure you will wonder, 'should I check that out?' and think, 'hmm..that looks fun' but you wont stop. Stop. Meet people and get involved. If I could do it over again I would get involved on campus so much earlier. By being involved, you get to meet people and make fantastic friends. It is amazingly rewarding. Additionally, trust your gut. If you think something is the right thing to do, then it is and if you have a funny feeling about something, do not do it. Trust yourself, have fun, do not stress (too much) and enjoy! You'll do great!

As a high school senior student I would actively progressed toward fulfilling the requirements of computing and sofware system. Along with that, I need to organized study groups, attended various campus events, socialized with other students and built stable friendships. There are two main reasons why I believe majoring in CSS would be the most suitable and beneficial field of study for me. First, I highly desire to increase level of my computer skills in addition and couple it with my artistic talent in painting in order to meet the demand in the society in the field of computer. Second is my expertise to pay close attention to details, which comes from my artistic perception. My brain and eyes are well trained to capture all the details and interoperate them to useful information. I will gain proficiency in computer problem solving and strengthen my critical thinking skills. I should not faile to achieve a goal that I desired in life no matter how hard it has been. Furthermore, my hard-working and artistic nature allows me to quickly adapt to different situations.“Do what you love and you’ll be successful in it” by my professor.

The one piece of advice I would give my highschool self would be the same words my mentor has given me as a junior in college: "to be successful in this life identify the opportunities presented to you, and be unafraid to pursue them." The day I told myself I would say "No" no more because I was, "too busy" or because I would rather "have a life" was the day I began enjoying my work. When a friend said to me "you should check out the part-time AmeriCorps program" I didn't just brush it off, I went and checked it out. When I got a mass e-mail reminding students of student government elections, I didn't just let the deadline go by, I submitted a proposal and campaigned. Last month I was elected student body president. I one piece of advice to my younger and more inexperienced self would simply be, "you have this one chance to be the best person you can be, every moment is a unique moment to learn and grow that you will never again have to take advantage of. Do not let these moments go by, seize them!"

I know you don’t feel smart enough, but you are. I know you don’t feel you have the ability to attend a good university, but you can – you just need to ask for help. Don’t be afraid of new things and new ideas; bathe in them. When you think you’ve tried harder than you can imagine, try a little harder. Push yourself, and don’t stop. The aneurysm in your brain, that the doctors say will take your life, it doesn’t – and you live, your memory returns - and your actually good in math. So don’t limit yourself to something little, go big. Live away from home when you go to college, spend a year studying abroad, get your ears pierced, and for heavens sake – learn to balance your checkbook!These new things called computers, you will love them – buy a few shares each month in a startup called Microsoft to help pay for your education. Spend more time with your father; you will miss him as he slowly leaves you. Lastly, seize every opportunity and person who crosses your path – a computerized tool to help you do this isn’t a bad idea either.

If I had the opportunity to travel through time and counsel my then 18 year old self about how to succeed in college, I suspect it would go something like this. I would order myself (and I) a tall nonfat hazelnut latte, and assure myself that this will get me through nights of studying for exams. I would tell myself that I will have times when I don’t understand something – and that is the time to reach out for help. I would tell myself it is important to take advantage of all of the free tutoring centers on campus. I would instill in myself that every rough quiz or exam wasn’t the end of the world. I would make sure that I wasn’t afraid to get involved in school activities, because those are the experiences that will broaden my views and understandings. I would leave our conversation making sure I understood that the next few years will be frustrating at first, but rewarding later. I would make sure I embraced every bump in the road, because they are the fruits of success in the future. Embrace the difficulties; because that’s the only way I will grow.

If I could have spoken with my eighteen year old self I would have taken her to the base of a wildflower covered mountain I know of. I would ask that young girl how the view looked from the bottom. I'm sure she be confused by my question. I would encourage her up those steps to the top of that very steep mountain and I would not have let her tell me we needed to turn back or that it was taking too long. I would joke with her and have a good time with her and make her feel good about herself every step of the way. Every time my younger self wanted to give up I would just tell her, "No. You'll see. It's worth every bit of work when we get to the top." When we reached the top I would show her the view and I would ask her how proud of herself she is and how it feels to have reached the top, and then I would take her picture standing at the top and later give her that picture to remind her of her goals and to never give up.

The main bit of advice I would give myself would be to never allow for my own procrastination to get the better of me. In high school, I remember wasting time waiting to apply for scholarships until I couldn't make the deadlines, and then would also take similar stands on how I handled assignments. During my first two quarters in college, this bad habit followed me, and threw me behind in a couple of classes - don't let this happen. My GPA for the most part could have been at the very least a 3.5, but, instead, it's just skimming along the 3.0 line because I couldn't get myself to actively take part in class or turn in assignments directly on time during the beginning of my college career. Basically, do not procrastinate - it will definitely hurt you in the long run!

In college I plan to: Keep a to-do list to write things down as it comes and transfer them the next morning to an hourly calendar schedule Give myself plenty of time for a task to allow for flexibility. Leave room for extra-curricular later in the afternoon or in the evening Cram in study time as early in the day as possible and study in quiet spaces and change spaces often. Take water-breaks often when studying. Check off other small tasks in my to-do list during these breaks Plan major projects or exams well ahead of time usually at the beginning of class to make sure I will be working for them throughout the quarter so that I won't have to cram at the end Get help early as possible Attend class regularly Connect with the professors daily. Network with people of different/interesting backgrounds and professions Carefully choose what I really want to read thoroughly and what I want to skim. Look-out for campus events and activities. Look out for internships, study abroad programs and research opportunities Meet with the advisor regularly at least twice each year to check on my progress.

The transition from high school to college was not very difficult because the community college I went to was not very challenging. I felt understimulated. If I could tell my high school senior self anything, it'd be to challenge myself. Apply to universities, don't accept the concept that you have to go to a community college, that you wouldn't make it at a 4-year college. I was given the idea that I wasn't good enough, that I wouldn't handle the change well. Now I know I would have. Don't second-guess yourself. If you want to get out of your small town, then leave. If you want to experience more, find it. Don't settle for ordinary because everyone around you is. Be extraordinary.

As a high school senior I was more than ready to leave and move on with my life to experience college and everything else that life has to offer. If there was a time machine that allowed me to go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to keep going on the path that I am on. Yes life is going to be difficult, but that is what helps to shape us into the adults we will be for the rest of our lives. I would not want to tell myself anything that was going to happen that first year of college and I would not want to tell myself that it is going to be a challenge because I already knew that. But i would tell myself that it is important to stay true to my heart and values and to not let the difficulites in life get in the way of my own happiness.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that: "College expectations are much difficult than high school. There are hundreds of pages to read by the end of each quarter, and some classes can have 3-5 books and an average homework workload can be at least 4 hours a night instead of 2 hours a night. The responsilbity of a 4 year university expects much more than what a public high school. Honestly, you have nothing to compalin about how difficult high school can be until you go to a 4 year university! On the otherhand, Universities have more oppertunites. Not only there are more clubs, but there are hands on projects. Class projects enable students to work with companies and the community to do hands on work based on their classwork. For example, if you took a class on Social Work (social welfare/justice and change), you get to work with YMCA and do a research project with them on something you care about. In short, a university has more expectaions/workload than high school, but has more opportunities. Do your best and never give up!

If I could go back in time to talk to myself, hoping that the universe is not torn apart by some sort of black hole, I would tell myself at least three things: 1) read more, 2) write more, and 3) academically socialize more. These are the three things you will need no matter what. Obviously, further learning cannot occur without reading. Student life requires proficient reading comprehension and time constraints require a nimble mind. Professors will ask difficult questions in class, and you will be expected to argue a position or ask for meaningful clarification. After reading, you will need to write articulately on a particular subject and incorporate class readings into your paper in order to demonstrate learning. Once you have written something, especially a research paper, you will need to present your findings to the class, or talk amongst your peers in a less formal group. Either way, you will need social skills in order to clearly and competently explain a specific subject. The only way to get better at these things is to do them all the time, and do them in front of people, students, teachers, other adults.

If I could go back to my high school senior self, I would say have confidence in your beliefs and your ability to change the world. College is YOUR key to opening all the doors you want open. Although many consider me a strong young women, I went through a period of serious doubts if I was strong enough or smart enough to be a doctor, a dream I've had since a little girl. What I have learned in my years in college now is that my will power is beyond what I can even imagine (and I truly believe this applies to everyone) but just set your mind to your dreams and don't let anyone tell you different. I would also say that changing the world CAN start with me. Although I am not a doctor yet, I have worked hard in my community to be the change I want to see. I have fundraised over $1,000 for a program I started at school to feed homeless youth, an example of something I would have never thought possible at 17 and 18 years old. Confidence in yourself and your ambition will carry you a long way!!

As a senior in high school I was pre-occupied with matters that seemed important at the time, but in the grand scheme of things were only momentary and wouldn't be part of my life for long. I let many of these things detract from my studies, which caused my grades to suffer. I let myself become further discouraged knowing I wouldn't get in to my choice university. So, if I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would say "Lisa, it is is never too late to give it your best." I would remind myself of all the times in my young life that I had experienced hardships and how I had bravely overcome them. I would encourage my eighteen year old self to refocus and recommit myself to acheving academic excellence. I would remind myself not to let minor set backs detract me from my utlimate goal, a college degree. I would say, "Lisa, the path you take may be different than you planned, but this does not mean you wont reach the same destination. Give it everything you've got, I know you have it in you."

Fill out more scholarships so you can focus more on learning versus being at work.

The advice that I would give high school senior Teree' Douglas would be: Ask Questions, Get Answers and Make Moves! It wasn't until after I got into community college, I realized how much I missed out on in high school as far as preparing for college was concerned. One of my main issues was that I had the grades to enroll into community college early and start taking college credits ahead of time but instead of spending a majority of my lunch break in my Guidance Counselor's office picking her brain, I went about my day. Almost 2 1/2 years later, I still kick myself for not being more aware of what I was capable of. I do not regret my senior year one bit (especially the part where I become Prom Queen and win Class Clown)! But I do wish I could've spent more time monitoring my progress and shaping myself to become a better college student. So, 2008 Teree', don't be afraid of the dramatic change that is going to overcome your life after graduation. Start being proactive about your college career as of NOW. Your present planning will bring a prosperous future!

This year is your last year at High School, and College is right around the corner. Just keep doing all your work and dont be afraid to ask for help. If you dont understand more then likely someone else might understand and be able to help solve a problem or answer a question. Dont slack off is also an important part of advice i offer you. Just because your finished highschool doesnt mean your a man, its just mean now you have a choice to make the desicions you believe are right or wrong. Good luck man.

If I could travel back in time to my high school days I would tell my younger self how important it is to go to college right away. If you plan to put it off for a year or two you probably wont go back, or, as in my case, not for many years. It really is almost a necessity to have a degree to get into a secure job field right now, and in the fields where it isn't required, you start off in the lowest of the low jobs and have to work your way up the ladder to achieve success. I have been in the retail industry for 15 years, and have only reached low level managerial positions, whereas a college graduate with a business degree would START at the level above me. Fifteen years wasted because I didn't take four years of college courses. It's a shame that I missed this opportunity, but it doesn't have to be that way for my high school self. Take advantage of the education now and be thankful for the opportunity for the rest of your life!

When I was a senior in high school I was oblivious of the complications of living on my own, I also underestimated the difficulties of college. I was ready for the college experience; however I couldn't prepare myself for future complications had yet to overcome them. If I were to go back in time, I'd tell myself to be frugal and to administer my money wisely. When in college money took a big strain on my life and not having enough caused me to frequently worry about my financial circumstance. I’d remind myself that staying strong throughout the difficulties I face will help me become a better student, as well as a more mature adult. I would also tell myself to face my fears and let life take me by surprise because I’d never know what would come from my experiences.

I think that college has changed me a great amount because before I was more open and willing to let myself get hurt by people. However since I have started college I have become a more reserved person who doesn't do the things that lets people hurt them. I would tell myself to not open yourself up as much because after a while people start to take advantage of you and that only hurts you in the end. You can still open yourself up to a select amount of people but choose those people very carefully. I had the best friends in the world and in a year of being away at school we reunite and it feels like nothing has changed. But still there are some people out there that are trying to use you, and/or hurt you. I am trying to say is watch yourself because if you don't no one else will, its a big and scary world out there but when everything is said and done you can always go home, back to your friends and family. They will be there for you through thick and thin!

I have discovered talents and gifts I didn't know I possessed. I learned that the subjects I feared the most are the very subjects I excelled in, such as drawing and history. I have developedinterests and have met people I would not have otherwise met who have enriched my life, and have been able to participate in a variety of activities. The experience has been valuable, because I love learning and have developed a love for the academic environment. I have found that college is the home I only now realize I missed. I've come home and I am soaking up all the knowledge I can!

Throughout my undergraduate career I focused many of my studies on a multicultural education. What I have learned from this focus has impacted me more than any other subject. Multicultural education is relevant to individual’s everyday lives, and I find it can be applied wherever my life takes me. I want to continue to live in an environment where I can learn from people of different backgrounds. Hawaii consists of a broad multi-cultural society, and Hawaii Pacific has a large population of international students. I anticipate that past graduation I would remain sometime in Hawaii, due to internships and networking opportunities; therefore the potential for a unique and diverse experience is a large part of my consideration in applying to graduate schools. Becoming involved in the community creates a sense of accountability for my success academically and I hope to contribute my own multi-culturally influenced mindset and academic experiences to this graduate community.

Being a self-motivated person, when I am challenged to actively learn through research, reading, writing, critical thinking, and so on, I am not allowed to become complacent. Instead, my reasoning and communication skills increase; I find I have more an opinion about things and become more defined as a person. In addition I have knowledge and a prospective degree that will allow more options in life for me in the future. This, in turn, will likely be a valuable asset to myself and my family in the years to come. In this way, those will be years to look forward to rather than years of uncertainty.

I went to a tiny school up until college, and by tiny, I mean a graduating class of 24 students. For the first time in my life, I was separated from my friends who had become like family; friends who I had known since preschool. College was a new step in my life, a start at a place where everyone didn’t know me. It was a scary big step, and one filled with self-doubt. What if I don’t do well? What if I can’t make friends? What if I—I think you get the idea. It was a challenge for me from the beginning, but I don’t regret any step, or misstep, I’ve taken over my college career. I started as an insecure freshman, and now I’m a confident junior. While I will always hold dearly onto the fact that my high school friends will always be there for me, I can also rest easy with the fact that I am capable of getting myself through any new situation. College has given me a new perspective of independence, which I know will be a valuable asset I can use throughout my life.

Truly the first thing I got being on campus was that realization how right it felt even more than I imagined. I took a couple classes in past but now I've been in full swing and truly experiencing what college has to offer. I always loved to learn and now I am in a place that is full of so many resources for academic and career development (or just to study for personal interest and development). I have already had so much knowledge presented to me and people that genuinely want help you succeed in life. Just really gives me inspiration and access that means a lot to me. I love to always be learning (genuinely do) and I am so ready to do what it takes to step up from where I'm at. I am finally getting myself somewhere closer to the place I want to be. That to me is what I get from the experience of college and its value to me.

"Just as the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." I haven't become that butterfly yet. I thought I was near it once, but just as I sat down to rest it pulled away from me, and hear I sit. I've realized that these pre-notions we hold as kids to young adults of what we expect things to be like are always worldly different to what we had believed. Every human life and college experience is going to be unique. Thus far, college has taught me that I don't really know anything. Not all people get to joyfully choose where they go to school. When you're stuck in a lower middle class state, you have to do what makes sense. I'm forced to make lemonade out of lemons, and you can bet all you've got that I'll do it. This experience has made me strong because I've had to take on and think more than you stereotypical college student, take chances and put together complicated puzzles of thoughts and opportunities with limited supplies to make myself into something beautiful. The experience has made me honest and strong.

Dear Hillary, Going to college is a great honor. Don't take your experience for granted and make sure you make the most of all of the opportunities that are presented to you. Go for what you want, and be proud of the accomplishmens you have made. Living at home may seem like a drag at first - but think of how much more time you can spend on studying, and making new friends - rather than working full time to pay the bills. Realize how lucky you are, and that although UW Bothell seemed like a scary place, it is the right place for you. Don't be afraid to speak up in class, and make sure you pursue classes that peak your interest. I know you will do great. Love, Hillary

If I could talk to myself as a senior, I'd sit myself down over a nice cup of tea and explain how the thought of college through a highschooler?s eyes may be more horrifying than experiencing it truly for yourself. Back then, I was so frightened by the mere fact of being on my own. I had finally realized that I would no longer have my mom there with me to manage the time in which I completed my homework or studied. I was mostly scared of being a self-starter (a terrible fear to have, really). When talking to myself over that cup of tea, I would recognize that fear within my high school self and tell 17-year old-me, ?You need to start learning how to help yourself. Once you do, you'll find that it's going to make you a better person. College will be a breeze." My high school self would crinkle a smile and have complete trust over my college self's wise words. We'd share past and future memories over the Black Chai and end the evening laughing about that one time Ronnie tripped me near the bathroom.

If I were able to traverse through time I would tell myself one simple statement. You can succeed at anything! For a long time, I have been plagued with indecision regarding my career choice. In conjuction with indecision, I worried about my ability to perform in these types of job and even obtaining said degree. I would continually question my ability not to only hold down a full-time position but the ability to continually succeed and bring a daily sense of innovation and creativity to the work place. At times I would be completely opmistic, and other times I would feel the utmost pessimism. Most of the time I find myself in a pessimistic mood and view a full-time job and associated degree as an unobtainable desire or an unclimable monolith of a mountain. Although now that I have entered a University, these fears, for the most part, have been allayed to a great extent. Through excellent resources and experience excelling at required courses I truly know that I can succeed and live my dream life to the fullest extent.

Having completed the first quarter as a freshman at college, I find myself greatly regretting slacking off in high school. If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take advantage of every scholarship opportunities, give my best to every assignment given at school, and most importantly, start researching for a suitable major instead of getting too caught up with the high school social life. Some high school students tend to prioritize social life, but what they really should be prioritizing is their academic life as students. Also, I would tell myself to go to tutorial (extra help time after school) at least twice a week and make sure I understand the material instead of assuming that I understand it. As much fun as high school is, students have to learn how to balance their social life with their academic life just the right way. In other words, time management is very important.