University of Washington-Seattle Campus Top Questions

For me the hardest transition from high school to college was handling the distance between myself and my family. I'm really close with my mom and my little brother, and a couple months after I left I found out my little brother had began abusing drugs. The confusion and grief I felt were overwhelming, but they were only so overwhelming because there was nothing I could do to help either my mom or my brother from so far away. Though I got to see them during Thanksgiving and winter break, the few days I had with them didn't feel long enough to really fix anything. My first week or so at university, I called my mom almost daily but didn't speak once with my little brother. It hurts knowing I could've talked to him before his drug issues really blew up; if I had, he might not be going through what he's going through now.

As a high school senior I had many ideas about what to expect in college, some of these were true while others were totally off base. If I could go back in time and have a discussion with myself I?d have this advice: Keep it simple stupid. There are countless sources dedicated to providing information about this transition, but the sheer volume can be so overwhelming that they?re ineffective, confusing, and sometimes conflicting. I?ve found that there are three basic rules to remember. First, know who you are and what values you have so you won?t be swayed by peer pressure and the freedom that comes with being away from home. Second, have specific goals so you know what you need work towards, which keeps you focused on what is required so you won?t waste precious time. Third, create balance. It's imperative that mind, body and spiritual life have this. Although life sometimes requires we emphasize one area over the other for short periods of time, there must be a place for all three. By following this advice, you will be happy, healthy and successful, because you will be the best you can be.

Apply to more colleges so you have more options, and don't pick the first one you get accepted to and apply to schools that you would never dream of getting into, because you never know. Seek out social networking opportunities and consider living in a sorority or a residence hall, rather than off campus; it's hard to make friends when you don't make an effort. Consider going to a community college before attending a 4 year university to save on cost and to get some general education requirements out of the way. Prepare yourself to study like crazy because the workload is going to increase significantly, and the professors wont care if you're tired or need a break. With all this said, don't stress out too much. Try to enjoy this experience as much as you can and find a healthy balance between work and play.

I truly wish I could go back and time and lecture myself about what I did in high school knowing the difficulties of college life. The major advice that I would give my high school self would be to actually learn in high school. I mean I learned in high school, but I could have worked a lot harder and done a lot better. I did well enough to get me into college, but getting into college is just the first part of my journey. I was arrogant, thinking I could breeze through college like high school. I was wrong. If I could just go back and tell my past self to learn the material and understand it, do not do it just for the grade. I would also tell myself to do as many college and AP courses as I could. Those definitely would have helped a lot. I see 18 year-olds here that are juniors just because of those extra courses that they did in high school. Lastly I would tell myself to get much more involved so I could have had more experience.

Things I would advise my high school self: Social status means nothing in college. You are who you are and you can either fight it or embrace it; I've learned well and have embraced myself, improving along the way. Perfection through life and schoolwork isn't everything. Mistakes are made for a reason: so you don't make them again when you're confronted with similar situations. Utilize what you've learned from your mistakes instead of moping around in pathetic self-pity. Know what you want to do with your life. Living one day at a time may seem like the life, but is it the life you want to live now through adulthood? A little future-planning never hurts and gets you further toward your hopes and dreams. And finally, don't expect your parents to always be there for you when you fall. You're an adult now, so act your age. They had a life before you came along, so help them out a little and find a way to buy food for yourself and learn how to manage your time and money, too. You are your own person now, so live your life responsibly.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to calm down. The looming threat of college had me so scared, that I overwhelmed myself with Advanced Placement Courses, work, and way too many extra-curriculars. I wish I would have known how little of a jump from high school to college was for me. I took tough courses in high school, so the courses here at UW are only slightly harder. With all of the work I put into high school, I think I partially missed out on the enjoyable side of the high school experience. After meeting all of my new classmates this feeling that I had missed something becomes more and more apparent as I listen to their stories of public school. Unlike most other students my age, I was too focused on the future during high school, when I could have been enjoying myself a lot more.

If I could go back, I would give myself a pep talk. I would tell myself that wherever I go I will work hard and be succesful, and that where I am isn't important. I would tell myself to decide where I am going earlier, and to apply for housing earlier. Then I would tell myself to get a summer job, to pay for college. Then I would say: "Gail, you are going to enjoy college. Make the most of it. Do what you like, and like what you do. Don't push people away, but don't depend on them either. Also, set boundaries with your roommate(s) early on; make agreements with them that you can hold them accountable to later. Be specific, be thoughtful, be laid-back."

If I could give myself any advice as a high school senior, I would definitely tell me to not be so scared about being so sure of what I want to major in before I even came into the University. I have always wanted to pursue a career in the Medical field, but not because its what I enjoyed doing the most, but because it's what seemed like the most ideal of careers. I spent, or I should say "wasted" two years of my University life forcing myself to enjoy the Pre-Med courses I was taking when my real passion layed within the Business field. I decided to take a couple courses in my Business field and thats what I decided to pursue in the end. Therefore, I wasted two years living a false dream. Be open minded when you're coming in.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have stressed the importance of meeting people - whether through Facebook, during Welcome Week, in classes or simply out of the blue - and of looking long and hard for scholarships. With the state of Washington basically running out of money, the scholarship I did receive was suspended - something my high school senior self did not believe was possible. I would have told myself to keep writing those essays, keep entering for those little grants and those big scholarships alike, because every dollar is one less dollar I have to spend out of my pocket. I would have also told myself to look harder for work; my on-campus job I have now is great, but a few more hours on the weekends would really help fill up the ol' bank account - just in time to empty it back out into the UW coffers.

If I could go back in time, I'd probably tell myself to work harder than I was working then. I did just fine but I could have pushed my self a little more. This could have prepared me for future disasters my first quarter in college. So developing excellent work ethic, and trying to discover yourself before your freshmen year on campus would be helpful.

if i could go back i would tell my self to choose a different road cause the one i took was the wrong one. i would tell myself to staying in school and experincing the stuff a senior should. particapate in school activies. Dont stay home go to a foot ball game and school dances.

I would tell my high school senior self that college is when the real work begins. High school is all about being social and who you were as a person was defined by things like the cliques you hung out with, the sports that you played, the clubs you joined. In college, none of that matters anymore. At this point in your life, everyone has their own paths, their own goals, their own dreams that they want to accomplish and it's about how much you want it that will determine whether or not you'll make it. It is through this process of working towards your goal that you find who you truly are as an adult, not who others want you to be. College also means freedom, and with that freedom you have to learn how to prioritize every aspect of your life (when to do homework, when to eat, when to go to study sessions at school) and when to say yes or no to the different opportunities that present themselves to you. You'll learn that the little things in high school that consumed your life is a pebble compared to the college's ocean.

For many reasons I absolutely dispised my high school years. The school I attended lacked racial acceptance completely. If a minority student refused to conform to the "white" ways of thinking and behaving he was ostrasized, pushed aside and labeled a "lost cause." Because of this, I found myself doing only the bare minimum to be considered successful. I followed their rules and did what they said in the classroom, but I lacked any interest in actually absorbing what they were trying to teach. Unfortunately, I became the Native girl that the school made successful. I had to let them take pride in something they did not do, but it only supported their refusal to acknowlege the racial tensions they promoted. This entire experience reinforced a hatred I had already developed about the dominant culture and instead of trying to change anything I just wanted to get out as fast as I could with as little conflict as possible. This was a huge mistake. I missed out on ample opportunities to bridge the gap between conflicting races and promote an ideal community where everyone could live as equals regardless of identity. If only I would have slowed down...

My first peice of advice to past me would be to start applying for scholarships as soon as possible! I would say that FAFSA wont solve all money problems and whatever money you have saved up will be gone in a year. And you can never apply to too many scholarships. Looking at all of the scholarships I see, a lot of them are for only high school students and I just didn't take advantage of that. I would also tell myself about how much I love college and Seattle, WA. I would tell me to be outgoing and say hi to everyone. You never know who you'll end up being close friends with. Since I can't send this message back to myself I constantly repeat it to my little sister, pushing her to apply. She's a junior on high school.

Listen man, I know you've screwed up so far. But the good news is that it's not too late. You need to know that, if you are truly driven and persistent, you have a chance to be successful. But the trick is that you have to REMAIN with this mentality. Keep it with you through the years of college and I guarantee you that you will end up somewhere important. You have so many resources up at college; use them. Don't let a day go to waste. It's all but easy up here and you'll, most likely, encounter a lot of obstacle and hard times. Times where you'll want to quit. But just trust in God, and give it all you've got. Make sure that you're doing the right thing. And know the difference between "right" and "easy."

I would tell myself to try and find a way to live on campus. I would also start looking for scholarships ealier and filling out as many as possible to make it so it is more affordable to live on campus, because something feels lacking from the college experience by not being on campus. Also to try and get invovled in clubs and sports early on and make relationships right away. I would tell myself to make better use of the resources around me, and to not be afraid to ask for help.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, the most important piece of advice that I could give myself would be to not choose a college that is so far away from home. It is extremely difficult to be three thousand miles away from everything that I used to know. I did not think that the transition would be so hard because everyone else makes it look so easy, but being in that situation made me realize that the real world is not an easy place. In addition to that, to be so far away from anything that is familiar makes the transition even harder. I know that as a senior all I could think about was finally leaving my parents and living my life, but the freedom of adulthood brings many consequences. As a high school senior, I think I was too preoccupied with growing up that I forgot to take into account the responsibilities that come with adulthood. Treasure your childhood because the real world is not easy.

Don't be afraid to get as much information as you can--talk to people, get on campus, attend a lecture, just get involved. Picture yourself at each university and ask yourself if you could see it as an environment in which you would be able to not only read, think, learn and grow, but also, have fun, make connections, and develop as a human being. Is this campus going to give you the type of opportunities that you need? This is a period of your life, and not just another requirement to fulfill. Learning needs to be fun! It also needs to be challenging, and you should make sure that your learning style is a good match for the university. New places, ideas, and people will contribute to your personal development. Do you enjoy small or big classes? Reading, writing, or speech intensive? Whatever you do, don't be afraid to make the most of every experience and live your life.

If I were allowed the opportunity to go to myself a year ago and give advice about the college transition, I wouldn?t say a thing to myself. For good reasons: first, fear is good. Learning how to transition to a foreign place, working through anxiety and disorientation, and then becoming comfortable in the new environment is an extremely valuable skill. No one in reality will ever have the assurance of their future self coming to them and offering advice on the future ahead. Once a person can learn to function under the weight of an uncertain or apprehensive future, fear does not have to hinder their life. Another reason I would stay silent comes from the fact I did not need goading to get involved in everything I possibly could, right from the start. Within the first week, I joined the kayak club and found a job; within the first month I had an internship, and by the end of the quarter, I had been on a research cruise. I cannot say I do not have regrets, but the value of adaptability when facing uncertainty is an underrated quality I am glad I had the chance to experience.

I would encourage myself to work hard on my college applications, because having options when selecting a college is one of the greatest freedoms one can experience. I would tell myself to research different out-of-class opportunities, such as volunteering, clubs, etc. before starting school because once fall quarter begins, those things get put on the back burner. I would tell myself to forget about choosing a major before starting school, because the second I stepped on campus I changed my mind. And that's okay. I would tell myself that college will be the best four (or five) years of my life, and to soak up every minute of it that I can.

My main advise to myself would be to stick with what you are passionate about regardless of what others may think. My freshman year I became so caught up in my friends' choice of majors of business, pre-med, or economics, I forgot what I was actually interested in. I am not very strong in math or science so obviously those three majors would not have been a good fit for me, but I decided to try the pre-rec classes. They ended up dropping my GPA, gave me a terrible platform to start my college career, and drained my enthusiasm for school. It was not until the spring quarter my sophomore year that I enrolled in an art history course and fell in love with a subject. But, I didnt want to major in art history originally because I thought it was a "joke major." But, the deeper I got into the classes the more passionate I became and realized that it is truely an intellectually challenging major. As soon as I became an art history major my GPA skyrocketed, I have made Deans List every quarter since, and I recently applied to go onto graduate school.

There is a difference between dreaming of your future, and working to achieve those dreams. My habit of introversion is not easily broken, yet social adroitness is one of the most prominent aspects of my college career. Even when I was a high school senior, college seemed years away. The idea that I would soon be transitioning into a school with thirty-three times the number of students at my high school didn't click until I entered my first (enormous!) college classroom. Now I am slowly learning how to make my voice - so minute among the masses - more voluble; how to become more involved in my classes, to plan for my future, and join the groups that capture my interest. I come to these activities an opsimath, and it makes me feel like I'm on uneven footing with the rest of my peers. Volunteer work, community involvement, positions of responsibility in clubs and school government; all would have helped me integrate into the community and prepare for the 'you're on your own" college mentality, before I was forced to fend for myself with my nothing more than my puerile high school mentality and gauche social skills.

I would look for and apply for more financial aid earlier on. I would also make sure that I got housing secured earlier on.

As scary, confusing, and mind boggling the transition from High School to college may be, I would not go back and give my high school self any advice. Because I was clueless to the situation I was forced to learn and grow on my own. I was forced to make choices for myself. This type of growth truly plays a part in the person that one becomes and I would not want to have done a single thing differently. I would not tell the young me anything because I wouldn?t want her to miss out on any life experiences that my advice may have given her. At best all I could do is over her some reassurance or an encouraging phrase but as for advice, I could never.

I was able to go back in time and for some reason, I was back in my senior high year. It felt strange walking down the hall again when I spotted a girl sitting in a classroom. "That must be me..." I whispered. Suddenly an idea struck me, why not give my highschool self some sound advice about college life. I approached my former self and explained to her who I was. "Listen, college life isn't going to be easy, especially when you're far away from home. What is important for you to keep in mind is that when you're in college is to expect the unexpected. You might become homesick, but don't let it get the best of you and stop you from being acquainted with your surroundings, finding some way to get involved, and making new friends." "I know that..." My former self said as if things were easier said than done. As I walked away, I wondered, 'Man, why is she so stubborn! Oh, yeah because she's me, but she'll keep what I said in mind.' "One more thing," I said "Cherish the life and people you have right now."

Given the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself some serious advice. The first being, it will be hard. I was enlivened by the idea of going off and becoming my own person, especially in such a large city with so much to offer me. I would warn myself of the unnecessary spending that occurred days before I left for college, at the time I did not realize that I would no longer have an income and additionally living in Seattle is like living in the middle of inflation. I would prepare myself to live in small and cramped conditions with two other girls who I did not know. But most of all, I would challenge myself. Challenge myself to go and do what it is I had set out to do: become my own person. To not waste any opportunity thrown my way, living in the moment and searching out the best that life has to offer. I would urge my younger self to make the best of every situation in order to get the most out of college and out of life.

The two most important things I would tell myself would be to be less shy and to get as much practice in high school as possible. First, navigating the social scene, especially at a large school, is very difficult. I would encourage myself to have fewer reservations about getting out and meeting new people. Learning to get along with roommates is also important and can be tricky--I'd remind myself to be flexible and empathetic. I would also stress that it is good to keep in close contact with friends from high school and family. It's great to fall back on those relationships when you start to feel overwhelmed. Second, academic practice in high school is valuable! Don't cram, actually study! If you remember what you learn in high school, you won't have to pay to re-learn it later. This is especially true of essays. They are tricky, so get feedback and practice while it's free. You'll also do better in your classes with a solid foundation of knowledge.

My senior year in high school I became very distracted by an unhealthy relationship I was in. Honestly, if I could go back now and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stay focused on my academics and to let anybody who incessantly brought me down out of my life. I'd also tell myself to get a job as soon as summer started so I'd be more prepared for the financial burden university brings. Finally, I'd tell myself to be more outgoing and to start studying as soon as school starts, not as finals roll around.

If I could talk to myself as a senior, I would convince myself to live on-campus. As a senior, I wanted independence and freedom, so decided that living in an apartment while in college would make me happiest. However, now that I am living alone in an apartment while going to a huge school, I find myself feeling isolated and missing out on the very important college experience of living with others and meeting a diverse student body. The University of Washington is very large, so meeting people around campus tends to be difficult. Combining that with living alone, I find that I am not meeting as many new people or making as many new friends as I hoped to. If I lived in a dorm, I would meet a wider variety of students in a non-academic setting, the perfect environment for forming relationships. While living by myself off-campus increases socialization difficulty, I am not giving up, and instead make extra efforts to let my guard down and meet others. However, if I could speak to myself in high school, I would convince myself to live on-campus to ease the transition and expand my social circle.

This is what I would say: Be ready for many distractions and temptations to come your way. You have been sheltered with your parents around to look out for you, and now it is time for you to look after yourself. It is easy to put off homework for a parties and to skip class. Whenever you feel tempted to do so, you must avoid this at all costs for college is expensive, and your parents are not paying more 30,000 dollars a year for you to mess around. You are an adult in the real world now and you act as such. Be sure to look at all the opportunities that the University of Washington provides, as you can have an experience of a lifetime. This is the part of your life where you develop social networking skills that will prove invaluable for future careers. Be sure to establish contacts, as you may start a relationship that can last a lifetime. Enjoy the college experience, but always remember the privilege that you enjoy attending this university and the sacrifice that your parents are making everyday for you to be successful.

I need to prepare myself for college next year - the first thing I need to do is to check out the on Campus housing to find out which dorm will be best for me, and consider whether I should try to get into a dorm on campus which is close to my classes , as well as check out which social activities I will plan to be active in, like church, Husky Games, tennis, baseball, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting etc... so its not so far to walk. I should also make an appointment with an advisor to see which areas I am best suited to major in as well as check out what schlorships are available and , what their deadlines are so that I can put aside a list of the ones I would like to apply for and, their deadlines. Finally I should check out which areas of major I am interested in and maybe find out what jobs are available in those areas, if they are something that I would like to do for the rest of my life and/or, if they provide opportunities to grow and expand into other areas.

There is less time to adjust than you think. Days fly by in college, and the less time you spend trying to acclimate yourself the better. College is where things happen, but nothing will happen to you or for you until you start making choices. So make them! Try new things! Don't be afraid because you don't know how to do something, but instead relish the thought of learning something you had no idea about before. Utilize your time in the classroom, and see it for what it is: knowledge that matters. Take in every second, and don't waste any of it, because I promise that once you can see that graduation deadline approaching, you will start to think about all the things you wish you would have done during your time here. College is a gift, a privilege, and you must treat it as such.

If I was able to go back in time and talke to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to stress out so much! Life works and there will be many struggles and hard classes, but by staying focused and keeping up with reading, everything will be ok. If I still attended UW, I would tell myself not to get caught up in the drama of sorority life and that once I move out into my own house, things get a lot better. The transition is hard, especially working, volunteering, playing a sport, having a boyfriend and going to school. College is all about prioritizing and finding a balance. The best way to balance is to take time and find what truly makes you happy. Graduate school is going to be tough, so get the best grades that you can now as to get into the school you want. Don't feel pressured by others to go out and party, often, staying at home and getting caught up in school is much more rewarding. Life is a journey and each path an adventure. Enjoy it.

As I look back over my life, the image that comes to mind is that of a girl on the verge of becoming a young adult. With the earnest desire to attend the University of Washington I believed that this pursuit would enable me to achieve academic and personal success. However, it is through my experiences that I have learned to understand the value of hard work and civic responsibility. I would tell LaTasha to always put forth her best in everything that she does. To remember the importance of attending class, studying, and receiving good grades because this opportunity is something that neither of her parents had. It is also important to surround yourself amongst positive people because not everyone wants to see you excel, especially those who do not have a path of their own. Having the opportunity to join this learning community and take courses that will enrich your world view and frame of reference is a wonderful experience. Open yourself to a new world and take advantage of the resources and people who are there to help you succeed. Always remember that you are a scholar and defeat is not in your vocabulary.

As a senior in high school one of the biggest issues I faced was procrastination. I put too many things off for too long and in the end I missed out on a lot of opportunities. If i could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to start earlier on scholarships. Being of Hispanic decent there are many scholarships available to me, but only if I make the effort to find them. That is what i didn't do as a senior and I am now paying for it as a college freshman with huge student loans. Another thing that I would tell myself would be that you need to find something that you are passionate about and that will make a great story to tell everyone when you get to college. One of the hardest things to do when adjusting to college life is meeting new people. There are only so many small talk questions you can ask someone. If I had an awesome story to tell people maybe things wouldn't be so awkward for so long.

Time is everything! Managing time between classes and studies is important to stay focus. Make sure you always know your tasks and complete them as soon as possible, don't put them off til the last minute. Also, work hard for what you want, there are professors,who are going to challenge you, but they are only doing it because they believe in you! If something is unclear, don't just leave it that way, ask questions its your education!

If I had been DeDe's counselor, I would have insisted that she try to find an affordable way to pursue her education and be involved in the career of her dreams. She loved to write and had a passion for film so she figured out that she would like to go to school for Film or Screenwriting. Yet her grades were average and she had not yet developed the discipline necessary to pull yourself up should you fall behind in your schoolwork. Additionally, most scholarships are awarded to those who demonstrate academic excellence. That does not make it fair but it will often become an obstacle if you are in a situation where the majority of your decision will be based on affordability. So now she has been forced to leave her dream school twice because she could no longer afford to attend. She tries to work and save up the money to pay out of pocket but with the current economy it becomes more difficult to find a job that pays enough with just her high school diploma and an unfinished degree.

First of all, take advantage of all of the opportunities presented to you throughout high school. The small classes and individual attention granted by teachers is a feature not available at large universities. Thus, be sure to fully utilize all advantages and great mentors present in school. Furthermore, the opportunity to take classes that provide college credit is a simple one that one may overlook, but is also an easy opportunity to get one step ahead of the intense competition that will undoubtedly exist in college. Getting these simple credits can make it possible to take lighter loads of classes once school starts. Lastly, make sure you have fun! The end of the year is a great time to kick back and spend some time with all of your friends that you've been with during high school. Many of them may be going off to different colleges than you, so be sure to spend as much time with all of them as you can! Those memories will stick with you and possibly lead to long-term, and maybe even life-long friendships. Relax as much as you can, because college will take up all the energy you can summon!

There are many ways to be successful in life, and i measure my success by different standards now than i used to a couple years ago. To me success is measured in how i grow spiritually and emotionally. It is measured by my ability to create community, live life fully, and have an abundance of opportunities, ideas, and self-confidence. My parents have a different idea of success. Personally my choices were limited to an in state college (and tuition) and a school that had prestigious "practical" degrees in mostly science. I wasn't given a choice to take a year off before i went to college, and started taking classes that i didn't personally value. If i could have changed it all i would have taken a year off from schooling to fester my passions. I would say that college is to get into the corporate world and if i were to pursue holistic health, community, documentary film, dance, environment, nutrition, etc. i would require a different, more nurturing environment. I would have told myself to not resign to the pressures of parents and money, and enjoy the journey my life is taking me on.

Hey Joe, this is you from the future... yeah I know, crazy right. I've got something important to tell you. It might sound lame and overrated but listen. You need to remember that even though school is important, don't let academics consume your time and prevent you from meeting new people, experiencing new adventures and most importantly having fun. College is more than a insitution of academia but an environment of people from all over to meet and share each other's life experiences and growth. You will learn a lot in class, but you will learn more from the peers around you. Stop playing video games and wasting time on the internet. Get out there and do something, with someone, somewhere. There is so much in this world you are blind to right now. Open your eyes and look. Open your ears and listen. Open your mouth and talk, like really talk. Make sure you are heard. And remember these three words, People Matter Most.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior I would have a lot to say. I don't think that anyone has a clue what they're getting into until they are finally moving in and attending college. I would tell myself to really work hard at AP courses and try to do as many extra curricular activities as possible. I'd remind myself to not get caught up in the small things High School can cause to bring you down. I would also want to tell myself to have fun and enjoy sleeping in while I could. Maybe even reminding myself that although a C is passing, you should never settle for anything but perfection. I wouldnt let myself worry so much about getting those fun electives, and instead getting the more rigorous courses to get college credits. College is really an experience nothing in comparison to High School. I know for myself I have spoken to friends who are high school seniors and given them advice on the transition. The more knowledge you have the smoother your transition to college will be.

If was to go back to high school senior year, I would give myself the following advise: first I would say apply for as many scholarships are you can, because it helps you develop writing skills, interview skills, and networking skills. In these current economic times, it is financially straining to go to college and every scholarship helps relieve that pressure. I would also tell myself to develop good study habits. College is a different league. In many classes your grade depends purely on exams/essays. In high school it is easy for you rely on homework points and participation points, in college those factors do not affect your grade. Finally, I would tell myself to have confidence. You have made it into the college of your choice, they want you to be here and succeed. Have faith in your knowledge and ability and do not judge your abilities off of the smart kid in lecture who sits front and center. Know that people want to help you and want you to do your best. Utilize all of your resources (advisors, friends, professors) because those networks might be the reason you get a scholarship, internship, or another opportunity.

If I could go back and tell my high school self about college, I would most likely start off by telling myself that college is alot different than high school, yet almost the same. I expected college to be intimidating, with large classes, extremely hard coursework, and scary professors who don't give anyone the time of day. In a sense, I was right- well not really. College, at least my college, is like a high school turned into a huge city and diverse community. College has all the basics of high school put into a way larger scale. It all seems intimidating at first, but you really get used to the environment and how everything works, just like in high school. The most important things that I would have to tell myself are: -be prepared to get used to ALOT of self study time -orginizing and prioritizing are going to be even more important in college -professors WILL give you the time of day and they're not the only ones who can help Most of all, I would tell myself that it's as easy to get involved in college as it is in high school.

Trust in yourself and find someone you can help you jump through the hoops to get in college that seem so insurmountable when you're alone and young. It's all there.

To go back in time to my senior year of high school would be really strange, especially talking to myself. I was so full of myself, and so sure that college would be a breeze. The advice I would give would definately be to not underestimate school, and that high school really isn't the best preparation for college work-focus wise. I would remind myself to study hard, and try to be more outgoing. Maybe start a study group or two early on, so that way not only are we studying for class, but also making friends with fellow classmates. A big thing I would tell myself would be to file my taxes on time!! Financial aid is so important. But, the biggest piece of advice I would give would be to just be myself, and not to be affraid to try new things. Change is a good thing.

I feel that the most important advice to have in making the transition from high school to college is about time management. The hardest change for me to deal with was having more free time after class, but much more studying and homework. With less time spent in class, it was easy to spend time with friends or at the gym, but I quickly learned how to effectively manage my time. In high school, things seemed fairly easy-- and upon arriving at the University of Washington I realized that much more studying was in order. Also, I tend to get stressed easily, and I have learned many healthy relaxation techniques, such as yoga, going to the gym, talking with friends, and taking breaks during homework. Overall, the most important things to know upon beginning college are time management and relaxation strategies.

Prepare mentally. You have all the objects you need; bed sheets, a mattress pad (very important), a microwave and every other physical item you?re going to need to survive college. Besides, if you forgot something your parents are nice enough to send it up. You are going to experience a big culture shock. There are going to be more people living in your dorm than the people you graduated with. People are different at the University. They don?t all know you from when you were in Kindergarten. You need to learn to express yourself and get out of your shell. It?ll be hard. Your roommates are going to drink and stay out late. Don?t try and be like them, just be you. Get to know your neighbors and do not stay in your dorm all day, it gets boring. Also, don?t spend all your money on $5 pints of ice cream, the first two are good but the more you buy the more you are going to hate ice cream. Most of all remember to enjoy yourself and anything bad that happens will only make you stronger.

The next few years represent a significant time in your life. As you get ready to enter college, you are beginning a journey of self discovery. You will discover the type of person you are, develop behaviors of responsibility and follow your calling; that is the passion that drives you inside. My advice to you is simple: Enjoy the Experience! There is no greater time in your life to try new things and meet new people. This is your opportunity to blossom, take risks and try things you hadn't before. I encourage you to study abroad in a place you can't even pronounce. Learn a new way to communicate with someone; a foreign language or American Sign Language. Listen more than you speak, because there is much to learn during this time in college. Don't wait until later in life to gather these experiences. Your life will be rich in culture and more meaningful if you take these opportunities now. In these days ahead, you will surprise yourself. You will look back on this time with a great sense of pride and self-respect. In turn, these experiences will help make you a better man in society.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself two things. I would tell myself to stop being stubborn and lazy and apply to more colleges, and to concentrate in my AP classes. When I was applying to college I had already made up my mind that i was going to be a husky at the University of Washington, so i applied here and only here. Looking back on this (though i did get in) was extremely risky and all in all not very smart. I wish i had applied to other schools because i may have found another school that would have also been a great fit for me but i never gave myself that opportunity. I would tell myself to concentrate in my AP classes because like many senior i caught that awful disease that rolls into high school campuses everywhere, senioritis. Had i stuck it out and done better in school this also would have greatly opened up my opportunities for choosing a college to go to. All in all i'm happy with where i am now and wouldn't have it any other way

One of the most important things, and something I always tell the freshmen, is that you should start meeting with academic advisors right away, even if you're not completely sure of what you want to do. Advisors are really helpful in planning a course of study, even if they're just helping you figure how to fulfill your general ed requirements. It's easy to get off track and take courses you don't need, and I know people that ended up having to take a fifth year because they didn't plan ahead. I would also strongly encourage participation in extracurriculars. Joining a club or organization is a great way to make friends that have similar interests, and a way to relax from the stress of school. Forming study groups with people from your classes is another great way to meet people and keep on top of your grades as well. If you can find a way to meet people and make friends right away, the transition is a lot easier.