University of Wisconsin Extension Top Questions

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

Emily

Dear Emmi 2012, It’s you, from the future! I just graduated from UW Fox Valley with my associate’s degree in English and I have some advice for you: Declare your major right away. You think as a senior in high school you don’t know much about life and you’re afraid to commit to anything. After all, what if something else strikes your fancy and you change your whole life’s plan? But it won’t and you know it. You’ve always been a writer and always will be. Talk to multiple advisors before signing up for classes to be sure you’re on the right path. Do your research. That way, you won’t take a certain trigonometry class you may not need and end up spending hours, near tears, from stress… Hypothetically speaking, of course. Live in the present. They say high school is the best four years of your life, but they’re not. Keep an open mind; you’re about to embark on an amazing journey where you’ll meet the most incredible people. Yes, you’ll encounter heartbreak and struggles, but it’s worth it. Trust me. Love, Emmi 2014

Brienne

Going back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior would be challanging. Being very determined, and even a little immature I am not sure I would have taken the advice. Current self would explain to high school self that a college education intimidating but very worth while. I would tell myself that being focused on my degree will help me excell in my classes. Applying myself, would not be a problem in school, but being on time will be. I would stress to myself that punctuality is very important. Above all else, I would tell my high school self that the journey had just begun.

Melody

If i could go back to being a senior again I highschool, the advise i would tell myself again is. Being 19 and just finding out that i have add, and that life would still go on this was a major milestone i found out about myself. Also i would tell myself that college is not easy like highschool because in highschool the classes were easy and in college they are not. Second i would tell myself that college was a place to find out the real person that I am, and how to imbrace that individual that I was going to become. Finally i would tell myself it is okay to ask for help because in highschool i was afaid to ask a question because i did not know how to phrase it, and as i found out in college the professors love when you ask questions because it shows that at least one student is paying attention and cares about what they are learing about. I also have to remember a stupid question can actually be a good question that can find out what kind of student i am.