University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Top Questions

Hello Siobhan of the past, Here is a little college advice to keep you afloat. Don’t go into debt; you’re younger than most college freshmen, the last thing you need is a big fat bill rocking up on your front porch. Apply for scholarships; there’s no need to borrow money at this stage, your grades are good so there are plenty of scholarships out there you can apply for! Get good grades; You need to work really hard on those grades, the closer your GPA is to 4.0 the more scholarships, colleges and advantages come your way. Volunteer work; getting involved and giving back to the community is a must, this shows everyone that you are worthy of a few scholarships and that you will appreciate their generosity. Buy used books; money is always an issue in college, buying used books will help save cash. Study those techniques; studying in college is important, while you are in high school, practice mind-maps, note taking, researching, etc. Most important; give your best in everything. You have set a series of goals, work hard in everything, and all your goals will be met. Sincerely, Siobhan of the future

Knowing what I know now about college, if I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that it is NOTHING like high school. College is a chance for you to put yourself out there, find out who you truly are and figure out where you belong in life. This is the true factor to where you go in life, and your success as a person. It does not matter whether you were the captain of your football team or even if you were valedictorian of your graduating class. This is college; everyone has their own story and successes, but what you do in college is what proves your true talents. The harder you work, the more you will succeed, and the better future you will have. College is all about what you put into it. By involving yourself on campus through other clubs, sports teams, fraternities/sorrorities, or other activities you will have the time of your life! If you are willing to work and study hard it will show. College is an experience of a life time if you make it one.

If I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself to know what I want before attending college. Now that I've taken over 100 credits, I wish I could go back and start all over fresh. And get a tutor for math right away, it was difficult then, it's not getting any better. Be aware and know what you want because it will hurt you in the end when you need Financial Aid. Apply for as many scholarships as possible and always do your best in everything that you do.

High school me, You are smart and talented. Don't stress about making friends because, although it will be difficult at first, you will find your ninch and be happy. Work really hard to get through those general education classes because, believe it or not, your program classes will be much easier and more interesting. Speaking of your program, be prepared to be confused because you will switch your major/minor about four times before finally landing on elementary education with a math minor. Also, don't be afraid to get involved. I know you are shy and it takes time to become comfortable as yourself, but go out there and just do it! Once you finally get involved you will meet some really amazing people on campus, more people than you ever would have thought. You even get a job with residence life as a community advisor, and this is one of the smartest things you will ever do. This job will make you even more strong and confident in yourself and provide you with so many opportunities, but be prepared to work for it. Now take a deep breath and dive into freshman year, -Future you

If I went back in time to tell my high school self some advice about college, I would tell myself to stay as dedicated to schooling as I have already. Continue working as many hours as possible when possible to come up with the correct funds, but draw the line at some point to enjoy yourself from time to time. Be smart about where you spend your money. Get involved on campus as soon as you get there and be open to meeting new people. Keep record of all involvements and services right away. Do not procrastinate on assignments. You will get much more out of the resources when you take all the time to understand it. Make positive connections with the professors and at the off-campus placements because these people will help you down the road. Get involved in the community. Apply for as many scholarships as possible since you are paying for your own education, regardless of how financial aid is determined. The first semester will be the hardest to adjust but take it seriously. The GPA in the beginning can effect your status later in your education. Grab your education by the horns and have fun!

I would would force myself to take the hard classes that I avoided my senior year. The background information makes college life a much easier transition and the more you know for your first year the better.

I'd tell myself not to let fear ever get in the way of letting you grow. Although I'm a first generation student and trying to pay for schooling all on my own, I'd tell myself I can do it if I perservere. I"d let myself know that there are so many great people who will support you and who look up to you and there's no need to be concerned with things you can't change. I'd tell myself to have better time management but to never stop exerting the maximum effort. Most importantly, I'd tell myself to take every opportunity that is given to me and always remind yourself that you're blessed no matter how many obstacles you face. I'd tell myself that I'm going to fall down sometimes, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that no matter how many times I fall, I always get back up.

I would tell myself to try my hardest and to not give up on grades, extracurriculars, and studying hard just because it's senior year. I remember feeling discouraged and fed up with high school in general. However, I got a pep talk from my friends and family and succeeded in finishing up my high school career with a good GPA, an acceptance into my dream college, and great memories. I did so well in some of my classes that I actually got college credit for completing them. It gave me a great start on my college career with 7 free credits! I realized that hard work and perserverance totally pay off and now I'm more determined than ever to do well in college.

I would tell myself to keep up the good work. It might not seem like it's going to pay off to stay in on those weekends when you have a test coming up, but it does. Your hard work will catch up with you and you will be rewarded once things start moving in your major. Keep giving it your all and don't ever doubt what you can do.

Take your time and really, REALLY think about it is what you want to be. Don't be who your dad or aunt or friend or teacher wants you to be. Be yourself and take advantage of all of the many resources available to help guide you in making the right dec ision. I left college over twenty five years ago and have now returned because I want to make a difference in this world and help those in need. Currently I am working for a charitable non-profit and with my degree will become a Director for a national or international organization that administers aid and care for people with basic needs. I love my life and am doing everything possible to make a difference in this world. We only have one life to live, live it well!

Don't get caught in the trap of "being too busy." It is awesome to balance work and school, but you need time for social and networking opportunities as well. A lot of times the people you are exposed to can help you in ways you can't even imagine. It is ok to say "no" to an obligation if you know it will spread you too thin. Allowing yourself some downtime to recharge your batteries is valuable in keeping a fresh perspective. Don't forget to breathe. Go get 'em, Tiger.

I would make sure to prepare myself a little better when it comes to study habits and techniques. I would make sure I studied a little more, and got involved a little sooner, but in the end I would reassure myself that this was the right school for me because it has been nothing but a good experience thus far!

First off, breathe. You can do this. Don't worry about not being able to. Life has prepared you for all that is about to come, but there are a few things that you are going to learn. Don't be afraid to take the chances that are going to lead to the best learning experiences. Remember to maintain your ground and don't lose who you are. It is easy to forget who you were and conform to others just to make them happy. You are a smart, strong, outgoing person who can do anything that you put your mind to. I can't wait for you to achieve all the success that is destined for you, and seeing your head held high at campus. Good luck!

I would have a lot to say to myself! For starters I would tell myself to get college done fast and first before anything else, such as marriage and kids. Have faith in my abilities would come next. Following up with FOCUS!!!! Stop letting the squirels distract me. Had anyone told me these things growing up, I wouldn't be going back to college at 43 while being a mom and working more than full time.

I would tell my high school senior self to figure out what is truely important to me, and what was not. With all the stressors that come with college life, it is important to keep yourself healthy and well. I have learned that there is not always time for everything you wish to do, but I make sure that I make time to eat well, take study breaks , and participate in some sort of leisure activity. It is not healthy to constantly study, and worry about classes, sometimes taking a break to work out, read for fun, or watch a movie with your friends is important to give your mind a break from school. I have also learned that some of my high school habits, or activities which I thought were vital at the time, are not anymore. I found what and who was really important to me and my life to help me succeed, and made those priority.

Start strong, stay strong and finish stronger! Get as much knowledge as you can because it is all around in college. Start a network with people in your degree area, it will be useful once you are working towards your career goal. Don't wait, do it now! Set your goals and make sure you complete them. Always remember that this is YOUR life and YOU are in control of it now, make is count!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to make the most of the opportunities afforded at that time, work a lot harder in school, and enjoy the time off. I would tell myself that the harder you work in high school the easier it will be transitioning and becoming successful during college. Also, being a Marine Corps Veteran, I would remind myself that the life experiences and benefits gained from that time is well worth it, even if it did postpone my college career by four years. Most of all, I would remind myself not to have any regrets during that time or the time to come, but rather, make smart well thought out decisions because they will affect your future endeavors and quality of life.

When you go to college, do not be afraid to try things that you would have considered out of your comfort zone. Do something that you would never have done in high school, like take a physical education course about how to water ski on the lake nearby, or audition for the university's band. Be adventurous. Find out when group exercise classes are at the recreation center and drag a friend to zumba class with you. Look into leadership opportunites with hall government or clubs around campus. Participate in community service projects. No matter what you do in college you will meet new people that share your interests and have the potential to become great friends. But, while you are exploring what college has to offer, remember to explore with safety. If it is dark out make sure you have someone to walk with. Make sure that if you decide to go out Friday night you are not alone, and that you are with a group of people you trust. Whatever you end up doing in college, be adventurous but above all be safe.

There are many things I would tell my high school self, but they would not necessarily be things to change. For me high school wasn't the best time of my life. I was more shy and quiet than the rest of my friends and I enjoyed talking with my teachers more than I did other students. Then I got to college and everything changed. I would tell myself that it was ok that I sometimes felt lonely because once I would move into my dorm, I wouldn't have to feel like that again. I would say that it's never fun feeling like the odd one out but there are people who are going to love you for how nerdy you can be sometimes and who will always be there when you're feeling down. I would say that despite the fact that you never had many friends in high school, you are going to meet the friends you can have throughout the rest of your life. I would tell myself you don't have to worry about feeling out of place because the place you have always been looking for is only two hours away.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice I would talk to myself about developing good study skills. Even though you don't go to class all day you still get a lot of homework. College is nothing like highschool and you don't get a studyhall or commens to do your work. It takes a lot longer and you can't just put it off untill the last minute. Also if you want to pass you have to review everything multiple times. You should look it over every day and try to make it fun because you will be doing it all the time. Finally learn to find ways to enjoy reading that normally wouldn't because the majority of the work to be done is reading.

Get involved. You will be entering into something completely foreign with no friends. The easiest way for you to accomplish your goals, find friends, and learn outside of the classroom is to get involved in clubs, community service and anything you find interesting. Don't wait until you're "settled in". The best way to settle in and feel comfortable on campus is to get involved in campus life. You want to feel part of the college community, so make it happen!

Hello Demi, Here you are a high school senior graduating tomorrow and thinking you have it all figured out. Well I am from the future to give you some much needed advice. Don't follow your boyfriend to the college he chose, you won't end up staying because it is too expensive for you and your single mother to afford. Don't get a credit card at a pizza place and then charge all of your food and books on it with no way of paying it back. Take your time deciding what it is you want to do for the rest of your life. Follow your gut even if it means straying from the pack. Apply for scholarships- a lot of them. Do your homework, it is the most helpful tool your professor will give you. Speaking of professors, be nice to them. Ask for help, raise your hand, and get off your phone in class and you might get an A. I hope you take this advice because it will help you avoid a 6 year struggle to return back to the classroom after being denied a loan. p.s. Avoid the piercing place across the street.

I would tell myself not to be afraid. For me, it was difficult transitioning from a small town to a college in a big city. I was no longer able to see my family and hometown friends every day. Classes were much larger in size and more intimidating. And even my eating habits were different. I was essentially out of my comfort zone. So if I could go back in time I would tell myself to be brave and to not be intimidated by change. Now that I have experienced college life and have lived in the real world, I don't feel afraid. I realize that I was just afraid because it was something new. Sometimes I wonder if I wasted years of my life being afraid when I could have met my challenges head on instead. Since I will be attending college again in a few short months, I can take the lessons I learned and make the most of my experience.

It gets better

i would tell myself that everyone one will need time to adjust to the change from living at home to being on a campus

i would tell them to get the best grades possible, try for every scholarship and take as many college prep cources as possible

There are many words of advice I would give myself as a high school senior. Two main bits of advice I would state are study what you love and give your best to the subjects you dislike. The reasons why I picked those two topics are because I wish I would have known that before becoming a student because had I did, I might be in a different boat right now. Coming into University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh I was a business major. I always loved history, but chose business because of the "idea" or "sound" of being a business major sounded more elite. It was not until doing poorly in classes did I finally drop the busines major and switched to history. It is because of that, that now my GPA is no where near where I want it to be and I hope it does not impact my future too much. Try your best in the classes that you dislike. Remember, the university is requring these classes for a reason, to expand your knowledge. Embrace, accept and succeed.

Use your resources! There are so many people that don't know about things that are available to help them like free counseling or services to help with a disability. Take advantage of these they can only help you! Never be afraid to ask for help it's what the staff and professors are there for. Remember you're paying a lot of money to attend school and further your education. You deserve to use the services and get help if you need it! Lastly I've learned that every day counts no one is promised tomorrow. So do what you can today if you fail a test big deal, move on and do better next time. Success isn't always based on being the best student it's about doing the best that you can.

I would tell myself, as soon as you get to school make sure you put 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} into everything! Make sure you get the grades you need but make sure you get involved with new friends and clubs you learn just as much in the classroom as you learn on your own.

Crystal, Pack up and go to school away from home. When you get there, live on campus, join extra-curriculars and make the best of this college experience.

I would say to myself that it is important to put forth the maximum effort right away. That you cannot wait until the last month tof the semester to bring your grades to where you had planned for. I would also tell myself that I should take every opportunity that is presented to me. Looking back on my first semester I realive that I still have alot ahead of me, but I still regret not taking the few chances that I could have taken but didnt. I would lastly say to myself have fun. I love college and think it is amazing. I couldn't see myself anywhere but UW-Oshkosh and love it here.

The number one advice I would give to my high school self, would be to learn how to balance you schedule. The hardest part of transitioning from High School to College, was managing my time wisely. During my first year of college I got really involved in clubs and after school activities. I had to learn very quickly to balance class time, homework, studying, and after school clubs and activities. I would recommend getting an agenda or calender and writing down all the things you need to get done, and then plan your time accordingly. In college, the professors are not on top of you if you do not turn in an assignment, like your teacher's were in High School. So I would also recommend looking through your class syllabi and planning for big assignments and projects ahead of time. So overall I would tell myself to begin balancing my time, and planning ahead, to get everything done on time. By taking this advice the transition from High School to College should be just a bit easier.

Take advantage of all the little things. Utilize any freely given advice, money (scholarships), opportunities, and friendships. Make the most out of everything to better your future as much as possible.

The major advice I would give to my high school self would be to take more AP classes throughout senior year to allow myself to finish my undergraduate degree sooner. By completing more AP classes, I could have passed out of those particular general education courses and allow myself a more flexible schedule in college. Another important thing would be to focus more on extracurricular activities versus focusing one-hundred percent on studying. In this way, I would have been more prepared to get involved in college and allow myself to find which activities I enjoy. This could have helped to point me in the direction of my major at a sooner time. The third thing I would tell my senior self would be to relax and not second guess myself. Senior year was a very stressful and anxiety-filled year for me. Looking back, I am on a path that I feel is entirely compatible for me. I would not change a thing about where I am today. Knowing this, I would advise myself to focus on the most important things, work hard, and to not worry about what is to come.

Now knowing what I know about college life and making the transition I would tell my high school self to step outside of the box and become more involved and out going. Although I have made amazing friends and great memories I would tell myself to try new things, join more clubs, and get more involved. However, I would also tell myself that freshmen year in college it is important to meet new people and have fun but to not forget the importance of academics and the effect slacking off can cause. Even though some of the general education classes may not seem the most important and interesting, doing well the first couple of years in college will greatly benefit you as you apply to your desired school of the field you would like to pursue.

To my younger self, I write you advice that I know you'd never listen to. I write so that you don't make the same mistakes I did, though I know you're too stubborn to listen. I want you to know that you need to work harder now than ever. Volunteer more than you need to, it will come in handy later, and to find a job as soon as you can. Keep in touch with your teachers, even after you leave, and remind them that they are incredible and life-changing when you can. Above all else, I want you to remember that this is not the end, and that you will survive. You are not going to flunk out of college, and—surprise!--you will win an Academic Merit scholarship for the community college you're going for. I want you to be brave as you go there and remember that you are stronger and smarter than you think, and that you have people who love and support you. In short: depression will not beat you. You will overcome, so don't be afraid.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say two main things. First, don't let the fear of failure and rejection rule your (my) life. No one has it all together, and the only way to move forward in life and in college is to take chances and realize that I can do it! We have to find the opportunities to make our dreams really happen. We have to dream big and never give up hope. Second, I would have stressed the importance to get involved and cultivate good work habits early. High school is the perfect place to discover and uncover interests and build good habits, because lets face it, once you build a bad habbit (such as skipping class or procrastinating on assignments) its the hardest thing in the world to change your old ways and be motivated to do better. College is so important to our (my) future, and building good work habits early could boost us a step in the right direction by the time college rolls around.

Back when I was a high school senior I was starting to get better grades in my classes which was good but I did not prepare myself in making college a less expensive thing for me. If I could go back I would tell myself "Prepare and study well for the college placement tests." Also I would tell myself "Try to get as many scholarships as possible! It will help your stress level go down so much."

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self the things I know now, I would have so much to say. I would start off by saying high school is not going to last forever, eventually you will make it in to the real world and not have it so easy. Friends and boyfriends should not be your number one priority and whoever is considered the “cool” kid in high school will probably be shocked when they get into the real world and have to actually use common sense and be knowledgeable. The number one thing I would tell my past self is to please pay attention in math class. Nobody in class wants to look uncool for actually asking questions and wanting to learn but you should not be afraid to stand out. There are many reasons to love college. Meeting new people, starting over, finding and taking classes you enjoy will be so interesting and fun. Get ready to start your life after you graduate high school and be prepared for way more responsibilities. Also, don’t forget to enjoy life because time passes so fast.

"Don't take life for granted, have fun. You have a large range of ideas for your career!" That would be something I would tell my former high school self. Knowing what I know now in college, to have fun in your career path. To be wise in a decision that could basically alter your life from beginning to end. Learn as many things in college and in life to better your career. To have a vast knownledge in different subjects can be really beneficial to a job you have or to yourself. Another thing I would tell my past self is that to be wise in your friends, some can bring you down to the slums or there are the friends that can be there for you and help you better yourself. Don't pass up an opportunity that would seem like a mistake but can be an utterly great chance to be succesful in life. So in a nutshell: have fun, be patient to the littel thing in life, and be a anything you want to be in life. So many choices, and they all can be yours! Oh and also dont be late any of your classes.

You don't want to be a nurse. Just stop worrying about what everyone will think when you tell them your dreams have changed, and go to school for what you love; horticulture. You can still go to UWO to save some money, but get accepted to a different school as early as possible, otherwise you'll end up doing things last minute, and it's no fun. You also need to take an acedemic skills course. It sounds boring, but it's really useful, because it turns out, highschool doesn't prepare you for college at all. Don't buy that biology book your first semester. It costs way too much, and your professor doesn't use it anyways. Save that money, get a job, and start signing up for scholarships, otherwise you'll just sink in to debt later.

If I could go back and talk to my former self I would tell myself to start saving my money. I always knew tuition would be expensive but I knew that there were grants, loans, and scholarships for that. What I did not know was how much money I would need just to buy my stuff for the dorm. I never really imagined how many new things I would need for the dorms, like twin xl bedding, first aid kits, seating, dishes, laundry supplies and much more. I always just thought that I could take what I had at home. If I can live with the things I have at home why can’t I live with them at the dorm? I thought. But it was not that simple it was a much smaller area so the household items I had needed to be condensed or left behind. Everything I used from living in a house like the washer/dryer and kitchen couldn’t come with me so I had to purchase my own supplies for the ones at school. I struggled to get everything I needed in time for school.

It could be nerve wrecking as a senior in high school thinking about going off to college. To be in a new place of unfamiliar faces, far from home, and to do everything on my own seems unbelievable that it is time to depart from where I used to be. First year of college will be the hardest because of the unfamiliarity to the campus, however, it is also the most thrill and enthusiastic of all because there are so much to explore, new places to be and more people to meet. No matter how far into my education I will always need help and I should not be afraid to ask for help. There will many programs and people to get help from and keep in mind that I am not alone in college. The best way to get involve is to join clubs and organizations which will certainly extend my comfort zone. There will be hardships and uneasy obstacles to overcome but it is because of the intensity and individuality in college that will prepare me for the real world. Once college hits anything can change but always remember that higher education is the key to success.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was in high school the first thing I would tell myself is that you made the correct decision to go to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The campus, the education, and the friends you will make in Oshkosh will change your life in the best ways. Although, there will be some hard times from learning to live in a dorm, sharing a shower with multiple people, and learning to spend more time studying you will look back and be happy with all that you have achieved at Oshkosh. Some things that will be useful to know is that the library on campus is packed when it is finals week, To-Go on campus has some great chicken wraps, and you will spend a lot of money on your books for classes. Overall, your experiences and the people you will meet at Oshkosh will stay with you for the rest of your life. Oshkosh will not only help you find who you want to be but will also help you achieve all your academic goals.

I would have advised myself to live in the dorms for at least one year. The social interaction gained from living in the dorms cannot be replicated by any on campus activities.

Travis, you were born just as equal as anyone else on this earth. Do not allow yourself to think that being gay is as awful as the church and media make it seem. You know you have heard this before- "You light up a room," "You're corageous," "You have the ability to make such a positive impact in this world," and of course, "You were born to work with kids." Believe those words. Do not think that they are lieing to you! You know that you want to earn a degree in Elementary Education, so go for it! Set that goal and be that teacher to make a difference in a child's life. Being gay is just like you having brown hair, it's another quality about you. No one cares that you have brown hair and in college no one cares that you're gay. They care about Travis, not just a part of you but instead you as a whole. So use your entire self, all of Travis, to get involved, introduce yourself to people, and stay active on campus. The reward will be a school year of happiness rather than a school year of disappointments.

If I could go back and give myself some advice, I think I would say something along the lines of, “Don’t stress and just enjoy your time in college.” I had to put off my dream college for a little bit while I live at home and attend another university to cut costs and save money. It is possible to save your money in college and still have a blast and enjoy new things. I would advise myself to relax, meet new people and take advantage of the amazing opportunities I do have. I would also advise past self that it’s okay to change your plan as you yourself change. Change can be good. Finally, I would just offer some my high school self some encouragement. Hard work and good habits really pay off. Back when I had just finished high school, I was wondering if I would be able to maintain a good GPA while working about 20 hours a week. I would tell myself to stay strong and keep working hard. I would tell myself that my work ethic and discipline will really help make the transition smooth and to not waste time worrying about it.

Going into college my freshman year I had no idea what to expect and I was shy and didn't really talk to anyone right away in the beggining and when I finally started opening up is when I really decided that I love the school I go to! I wish I just would have done that right at the start because at semester I really thinking about transfering back home but then I met some amazing people that really changed my collge experience at UW-Oshkosh.

Advice to myself as a high school senior is not have such high expectations at first. When heading to college there is this stereotpe of what college is and when that is different than our experiences, we may feel anxiety that we are not living the full college life. Everyone says college is great but also know there there will be disappointments, homesickness and stress as well. Therefore don't try to live up to those expectations. College is how you make it so make it your own.

Dear, Matthew Wake up, High school is not just some manditory institution, it is the beginning of the rest of your life. What you do here will effect the rest of your life, so get your grades up, i know college isnt even a thought in you mind at the moment, but it will be. You will soon find out that the work force is miserable, the money is good but the labor will make you old quick. I know that you want to have fun now and you will, but spend more time in the books instead of on World of Warcraft. Go out for football too, trust me you are good at it and you will regret not playing all of those years. I wish this letter would of reached you sooner. Sincerely, You