University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Top Questions

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

Madysen

I would tell myself to actually take school seriously and not goof around when I could be finding out what jobs I would be interested in. I'd also tell myself to relax and be myself when meeting people, as that's the best thing you can do to make friends.

Aaron

Going back to high school I would tell myself, you are going to experience a lot of new situations and many opportunities will be presented to you, it is only up to you if you want to make it happen. You are at a new standard, you?re an adult and you will be treated like one, print your syllabus and expect every word and date to be true and do not take it lightly. Professors are there to teach you, it is only up to you to retain and take their information and use it. During your senior year, schedule classes that will better prepare yourself for your first year of college and when you hear about or see posters about job fairs; take that as an incentive or opportunity to see what interests you or what you want to be when you grow up. Bottom line if you don?t get your priorities in line and don?t focus on the task at hand, college will hit you hard academically and financially. High school only last once, enjoy it, but don?t regret it. Without an education your dreams and goals may never happen. DO IT and SUCEED!

Chelsea

I would tell myself not to be scared. College can be a scary concept of life, however, the classes aren't that difficult. They are more difficult than high school, but it should be expected. College is a great place to make life-long friends and further your education. Don't be shy to talk to new people and make new friends. These could potentially be future study partners, or future classmates. Making friends may seem like a hard thing to do, but also keep in mind that some of these people you may talk to are in the same shoes as you, new incoming freshman, not knowing what to do, and shy to talk to others. Talk to other people, study hard, and you'll make it.

Laura

I would tell myself to loosen up. As a senior, I was very stressed out and constantly on edge about everything being perfect. I, like many seniors, believed that I needed to get perfect grades, consider every possible college and make the absolutely perfect choice. I realize now that college is a time to make choices and take opportunities as they come. There will be many different paths no matter which school you choose and you have to take them in stride. You will never be able to consider every aspect or anticipate every new facet a choice creates. The best you can do is make the choice you believe to be best and learn from it. Nothing is set in stone and at the very least, you will gain an experience from your choice. So, as I have learned this year, I would tell myself to stop stressing out and do what I really believed was right without worrying about what I would be missing out on. Life is not perfect, it is full of mistakes and the best we can do is to learn from them rather than spend our time being afraid of them.

Matthew

If I were afforded the opportunity as a college freshman to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the first thing I would tell myself would be to challenge myself more academically. I would explain to myself that while in high school I really didn't have to study that hard to get satisfactory grades. But now in college, the academic pace has been ratcheted up a couple notches and I would find a new level of challenges that I had never experienced before. The second thing I would tell myself would be to become more involved in the local community. Not only is community service highly expected during the college application and enrollment process, but professors and employers expect some degree of community service to be part of your personal experiences. Now that I'm in college I personally have found that community service has made me a more well rounded and satisfied individual.

Zachary

Be open with people. Put yourself out there. You want your life to be entertaining people, so suck it up and get over yourself. Keep being kind and don't take friendship for granted. You might not become the most popular person or biggest partier, but the friends you will make, will cherish the bond between you. Don't be so lazy, and maybe go use the beautiful sports center and gym more. It doesn't matter that no one else is raising their hand to answer a question, if you know the answer, answer it! The teacher will respect you, and most likely grade your work easier than the others. PRACTICE MORE THAN A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK YOU FOOL, your major requires more studying than most, so study! People will complain about their workload when they only take 12 credits, be prepared to take a full creditload every semester and have 8am classes every day. It's worth it in the end. It's your dream and you are on your way.

Ariele

Making the transition from home to college and the residence halls can be tough. College is for education; additionally, it presents an opportunity for young people to learn to live in a community. Hang things in the dorm to make it feel like home. Introduce yourself to other students on the floor. Attend events, from concerts to career fairs, and try to speak with at least two people at each; these are fantastic ways to get a foot in the door, and, potentially, your first job in college. Life in college may be overwhelming at first, so it is important to keep a clear head. Ask plenty of questions. Take interesting courses during the day and sleep at night. Getting hired is wonderful, but work no more than two jobs. Joining a club is a good way to get involved and to build a resume. Finally, remember to explore. Exit the comfort zone. Get to know the nearby hangouts, the professors, the people in the cafeteria, residential advisors, and others who come your way. Be confident and smile as you enter college.

Duylam

If I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now, I would tell myself to cherish my time with my family as much as possible. While they will always be "there" for me, I am now marked with a feeling that home is not home any more. This is not because there is no love with my family, but rather it is due to the fact that I am now struck with a stronger passion than I ever have had, and being at home will not quell my passion. So before I was not running in a frenzy between meetings and events, and now I am. I should find my balance, but even my family tells me to chase my dreams, so "returning" home is no longer possible. The complacency of yesterday is gone and in its place there is a fire.

Anna

I realize now that I am in college that I spent too much time focused on my academics when I wish I would have spent more of that time in extracurricular activities because it is very important to make friends once you are out on your own. If I could go back in time and talk to myself while in high school, I would urge myself to make more friends and join in some more non-academic activites to get myself more involved. I would also encourage myself to be more independent and confident in myself and to be more involved with classmates in my studies.

Peter

Study hard and be open to all new experiences.

Amy

If I could go back in time, the best advice I could possibly give myself is don't be afraid to make mistakes and to be involved and try new things. When I first came to college, I wasn't sure what career path I would end up taking. At first, I was hesitant to start in any one direction because I could not forsee what I would spend the rest of my life doing. If I didn't ace a test, or get that perfect score on an assignment, I was extremely hard on myself. I became frustrated with not knowing what I wanted, and felt like a failure. As time went on, I learned to take risks and let my heart lead me where I needed to go. I became more involved on campus by joining clubs and a sorority. That was the best thing I could have done, because from that point on I wasn't afraid to get my feet wet and try new things. Becoming involved opened up so many doors for me and provided me the opportunity to learn about myself and really enjoy my college experience.

Haley

Follow your gut. Don't be persuaded by where your friends are going, just focus on what will end up being the best choice for you and your future. Try to see what school would best fit the balance of things that are most important to you. Once you've picked the best school for you, wrap up things at home in a positive way. You don't want to be stranded up at school with no ties to your home life either. At school, MAKE FRIENDS! Don't be scared, everyone is in the same boat as you. You can keep your high school friends but you need to branch out to get the most that you can out of your college experience. Most importantly, just enjoy every day as it comes.

Amber

College is as different and difficult as you think it is! The material you cover in your classes is more in depth than the material you cover now. You will receivequite a bit of homework daily, and some subjects are difficult to complete. You HAVE to plan your time accordingly and maintain your schedule. This will ensure you have enough time to go to classes, work, volunteer and STUDY!!! In college, you will study about 45 hours per week or more! That in itself is a full-time job. College is CHALLENGING, but the REWARD that you will have at the end will be well worth it: An EDUCATION!!!

Tyler

If I could go back and give myself advice heading into college the message would be simple. I would tell myself to not change a thing. Sure, I could tell myself to study more, or get better grades, but that would defeat the purpose. The reason that life is so stimulating is the fact that we mistakes, and from those mistakes we can learn. Life is what it is because I made certain decisions that affected my life. Positive or negative those decisions had a lasting impact on my life. So rather than nitpick and think of how I could have done things differently, I marvel at things that I have done, and rest on the fact that I am living my life to the fullest.

Katie

I would tell myself to work a lot more in the summer before I left because college is expensive from books to just being able to go out with friends on the weekends. Also I would have spent more time with my family because once you leave it becomes harder to get home to see everyone if you do not have a vehicle. I would have made myself apply for more scholarships to help offset the cost. If your high school friends and you are going to separate schools across the state I wish I would have spent more time with them since I lost most contact with them after we left. Mainly I would tell myself not to take advantage of anyone or anything before I leave because college takes a lot out of you from class work to finding a job.

Abbigale

I would tell myself that college is not like high school. You have to actually apply yourself and do your work ahead of time. Don't stress too much; you will get the work done. Join rugby right away, you will make most of your friends there. Don't be shy and speak up. Don't go to the halloween party in 2009; you will regret it.

Zachary

If I could go back to senior yea of high school, i would definitely have tried harder in my advanced placement classes. Had tried harder ad taken the AP test i could have opted out of some of the classes I am now required to retake in college.

Rachel

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things which I would like to say. Mostly though, I would speak in terms of applying myself in order to make a difference in the world. As a high school senior, I became rather lazy and apathetic. This has reeked into the rest of my life, and I have had to work hard to overcome it this semester. I would tell myself that slacking off is not worth the effort of setting my habits right afterwards. I would also tell myself that I have the opportunity to do many different things, my senior year and after high school, that will make a difference in other people?s lives. If I begin to apply myself right now, I can learn to do things in a timely manner, and always have time to put other people?s needs in front of myself.

Hannah

Knowing what I know now as a college student, I would make sure to tell myself as a high school senior that college life is way different than high school life. I will have to be ready to have much more independence and to work harder in my classes. Not only will I have to work harder in classes, but also at my job because college is very expensive. Campus involvement is crucial in developing a 'social' identity and becoming 'one' with the campus and my peers. Procrastination is not the solution to classwork or projects. College is about passing all my classes and earning my degree. However, college is also about making lifelong friends, creating many momories, and becoming who I am meant to become.

Abigail

As a senior in high school, I chose to graduate early, and use the second half of that year to make money for college. I would have told myself as a senior in high school to use that time more wisely, and remain a student. I would have weighed my options with my high school, and asked for their financial support for me to attend a local community college. As far as the transition, I would tell myself to be prepared to pay attention to detail. The kind of work that earned an A in high school would not make it past the doctorate degree professors. I would have told myself to manage my time wisely and be less eager to start a life on my own and accept all the support from my family. I made the college transition more eager to begin a new social chapter in my life and establish my independence than about educational pursuits. I would tell myself to enjoy every moment in the community and make ever experience count by remembering even downfalls have their lessons.

Angela

I would tell myself to keep working hard and doing the right thing. Take the time to get to know people and invest in their lives and build those relationships. Lastly enjoy it!

Tou

Apply for as many scholarships as possible, save up as much money as I can for college, study hard while in college and don't slack off so much. Look for books as soon as possible, and ask around for who's going to the same college.

Renee

I would tell myself to not declare a major right away and give myself time to decide what I want to persue because topics in college are very different from those in high school. I'm staying in an undergraduate program for a fifth year because I kept changing my major, and I could have done the same things I am now, but graduate in four years had I come to school undeclared.

Danielle

It gets easier and don't give up when everything seems too overwhelming. Everyone is feeling a lot like you are and you will get through it.

Briana

The transition is going to be a GREAT one! Finally done with highschool and off to college, I would choose no other option. I would not be doing anything else besides continuing to college. Be open to new activities and new personalities because you'll probably meet many people who can help you out, give advise or introduce you to a love interest. You will probably make new best friends but don't lose contact with your old best friends because they are there to unstress you and listen to your problems as always, even if your miles away at different schools. Embrace any and every opportunity while at college and don't forget your starbucks coffee before going to study at the library!

Robin

Take as many AP classes as you can, because they pay off largely in the end.

Dana

I did what I wanted to do, I didn't let anyone or anything get in my way when choosing what college I wanted to attend. That would be the best advice I could give upcoming students; go where you want to go!

Nicole

I would probably tell my self to relax, and that in the end everything will work itself out. Before coming to college I stressed out about which one was right for me, what I wanted to do with my life, and if would be everything I dreamed of. I also worried a lot about if I could actually do it. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not be afraid, that I can do it and I can succeed more than I ever knew. I would say do not underestimate your abilities and do exactly what your heart and your brain is telling you to do. That is probably all I would say. I would not want to give to much away because discovering and learning it all out for yourself is have the battle, and becomes quite life changing and discovering in itself.

Camille

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to work harder. I feel that in high school students don't really know how much doing well will help them in the future. Doing well in high school lays down the foundation of your transition into college. If you study daily and keep a good work ethic in school you will continue to carry out those habits when you move on to college. It is getting harder to find a job because of the economy so that means you have to work harder than the generation before you. You no longer can be good at what you do, you have to be great at what you do! I would some day like to do something that changes other peoples lives and possibly help change the future of America. With such a big goal, I know now how hard I need to work. If it means being in school much longer, than so be it. I wish I would have thought of these goals back in high school and that is what I would tell myself if I could go back.

Leonel

If i could go back somehow and talk to myself as a high school senior I easily would tell myself to get involved in High School. I would have told myself to join more clubs and organizations, learn to multi task and handle numerous responsibilities is a skill needed in college. Another thing i would have told myself is to challenge yourself, taking harder courses would prepare me for college classes ahead. To go along with this i would tell my high school senior self to learn to see the teacher after class and get help with material i didnt understand. One of the major things that i would have told myself is Study Study Study! Applying yourself makes learning much easier and more achievable. It also builds better study habits, because in college, you WILL have to study to pass. There is no secret or getting passed that.

Brittany

I would tell myself that UW-Oshkosh is the perfect place for you to go to school. Your roommate and you will have some tough times towards the end of the year but she will always be there for you and you will both be great friends and get each other through many things. Try to pay more attention in the first semester of your freshman year because you will discover that your grades are more important than the people who will distract you, especially since most of them aren't worth it. Thank your family and friends from high school because they will also help you be happy when you try to get through the year. Be grateful for your job even if it gets boring. Be optimistic about the clubs you will join! They will help you grow as a leader and you will come away with some of the greatest friends. Finally remember to balance your time between your social life, sleep, and homework. It will make a huge difference. Good luck with everything! You can do it!

Chris

When you get to college prepare to stay up late being social, and then stay up late doing homework to make up for it. Learn to write papers properly early, and always sit in the front row. Be a political science major. Ultimately, try not to worry about money so much.

Ashlee

My advice that I would give to anyone on picking the right college is to always, always take a tour in enough time to make your decision. In order to figure out if you will feel comfortable in the campus, you need to experience the campus for a day. Schedule a full campus tour and sit in on a pit class and just a regular class. Doing this will give you a little insight on how it really feels to be a full time student at that school. If the class size is too big or you don't like the flow of the campus, it will only make it easier for your final decision. Once you havce made your final decision on which school you will attend, it is time to get involved. During the first week of school there are usually tons of programs and oppurtunities to get involved with the on campus activities. Take advantage of those oppurtunities! You will find out right away that there are activities that will involve your interests. Just take advantage to make the most out of your college experience.

Caleb

Parents and students who are seeking the right college need to start early and take their time. Take a look at as many colleges as possible and remember what you did or did not like about each one. If you know your career goals, it will be easier to decide on a college. Write down some of your goals and see which colleges will help you to achieve those goals best. You have to be willing to work hard, and look at each college with an open mind. You may have to make minor sacrifices in order to have the things you really want in a school, so be willing to do that. As far as getting the most out of your college experience, maintain that open mind that you had before you went to visit the school. Attend as many events early in your first year as you can, and don't skip the orientation events. Some of them may be boring, but you will meet new people, which is very important in order for you to get the most out of your college experience. Good luck! You are entering a very unique and exciting time in your life.

Erica

College is not only a place to learn academics but a place to obtain lifelong friends. Look for a college the student's personality and extra-curricular activities match. If you come from a small town go to a smaller college. If you come from a large metropolis go to a large university. I made the mistake of coming from a high school graduation class of almost 400 students from a large city, to a small, rural, conservative university. The reason I started at that college was because of the academics. I ended up transferring because I did not match the typical college student on that campus. I wasted a lot of money and time. I advise to check out the campus, talk to professors, and talk to students in different dorms. Choosing a college should take time and effort but in the long run time and money will be saved.

Alanna

Advice for students would definately be to take your classes seriously and study. College is supposed to be fun and all but studying is also very important and many freshman forget about that until their first year. I had one back semester do to illness and now i am struggling to get my gpa back up. Also help is there if you are struggling so ASK.

Emily

The most important thing to do when considering a college is to tour the campus. The first campus you tour is a bit intimidating, but once you have toured a few, some will start to stand out to you. When touring, keep in mind: the distance from your hometown, the set-up of the campus (where the dorms are, where your classrooms will be), the layout of the town the campus is located in (are there things to do in the town), how accessible is everything (gas, groceries, Wal-Mart), and the professors if you are able to meet any of them. I preferred to choose a college that didn't utilize teacher assistants or distant learning labs. It's also important to keep in mind certain bonuses, for example: some schools have free textbook rental, some schools have free interim classes. As far as making the most of college, just remember that academics come first. However, this is your chance to get out and meet new people and experience life on your own. College gives a whole new meaning to responsibility and self-motivation. The last piece of advice I have for you is to have fun!

AJ

I would reccomend that students go to the campus ahead of time and stop people and ask them personal questions that they have. Asking a campus tour guide isn't going to let you know how life really is on campus, but instead if you ask the students that live there and attend the classes they will be able to give you a much better idea of what day to day life is like. I would also reccomend that students get involved right away at their school because students that don't get involved are more likely to drop out of school or transfer schools because they dont feel like they are a part of the community.

Jessica

The best advice I would give students about selecting a college is go somewhere that makes you comfortable. Do not attend a school just because your best friend goes there or you heard it is a party school. You will spend at least four years here, you should make those years worthwhile. College is more than just an education - it is about making lifelong friends and having experiences you will never forget. To know if a campus is the one for you, do your research! Visit the school's Web site, take a tour and read what other students have to say. Check out the classes for your major and student groups that interest you. Not all colleges are created equal. The trick is finding the one that specializes in you.

Samantha

Make sure you check out each campus and see what is available in your career interest. Also, find out what kind of help they offer after graduation to help you find a job.

Lindsey

When looking for a college to go to school to, look for a campus that fits your personal needs and interests. Also make sure, the campus you look for meets your comfort zone and a place you can call home.

Sabrina

I think the best advice I could have is to not pass up any opportunities available, such as study abroud trips, and exciting internships. The only regrets that I have are that I didn't specifically look into the department that I was going to be studying in, and if i would have I would have realized that they didn't have the most capable photography department. Although one good thing about my school that they very interested in broadening our horizons with study abroad trips, so don't be like me and wait until the last year at school to consider traveling... JUST DO IT! I wish I wouldn't have missed my opportunity for cheap college travel. Take full advantage of the perks and deals of being in college!

Stephanie

One thing I would tell someone, is not to be intimidated by how big a school seems. Just because the school is big doesn't mean you won't fit in or the classes are harder. Like all changes college takes time to get used to. Another thing I would tell someone is not to limit themselves. If you are just picking a school because it seems like it would be "easier" then you really shouldn't be going there. Always look for what school will help you find the best job in the end, since that is the whole reason most people go in the first place. Lastly, make sure that the school is somewhere you feel comfortable at. If you don't feel that the school is the right fit for you, it probably isn't. Try going on campus tours with a friend or two and try to envision yourself there day to day as a student.

Michelle

Advice that I would give to students about finding the right college and making the most of your experience is to simply be yourself. When looking at colleges, as hard as it may be, don't worry about what college your high school friends are going to. I think the best way to find out who you really are and to do the things that are best for you, is to have the chance to start fresh and to be out of your comfort zone. When looking at colleges, make a list of all the things that are important to you even if they are things you would never admit to your friends. College is essentially the start of the rest of your life, and it is really what you make it! I also think that in order to make the most of your experience, you need to be open to ideas, people, and cultures different than your own. Take advantage of community events and extra-curricular activities right away. It will not only benefit your community but it will also benefit you greatly and guide you to become a great person. Just be true to yourself!

Dayna

I would advise to chose based on your opinions and don't let anyone else influence that decision. It's hard not to listen to family and friends but if you go to the college that you want to go to, you'll have a much better experience than if you picked your college based on what family and friends wanted you to do. Also, I'd advise parents to be as supportive as possible to their children because this is such an important process in life. If your child wants to go somewhere or do something that you may not agree with, you have every right to tell them so but you should also know that your child is making the best decision for him/her. Let them make their own mistakes because trust me, we learn from them and we learn fast. That's what life is all about isn't it? Making mistakes and learning from them so you can better yourself and become the best person you can become.

Nate

The best advice one could give to a first year freshman is to tour at least a couple of different campuses, reason being the campus one chooses is essentially going to be one's home for the next portion of one's collegiate life. Once on campus, the most important thing is to get involved in extracurricular activities. I didn't like my first semester at college because I wasn't involved with anything and spent the moajority of my time in my room or the rooms of friends. Once I got involved things really turned around for me. I saw more than just class rooms and my dorm. I started to make new friends and get quality hands on experiance in my major that I wouldn't have gotten in the 100 and 200 level classes I was taking.

Nikki

You have to visit a LOT of campuses...some of them feel right, some of them don't at all. You also have to wander around the city a bit, make sure this is where you want to be. Take a weekend to do this, don't base your answer on a 4 hour tour. Students: don't get so wrapped up in your "freedom" that you waste money...remember you're here to learn. There are plenty of opportunities to party, those will always be there. Your courses won't , so don't screw around when you're supposed to be studying. If you do, you're only going to end up mad at yourself for failing. Remember, parties are much more satisfying when there is something to celebrate...like an A.

Danielle

Tour the campus and live a day in the life of a student. Talk to actual students walking around the tour guide may be painting a better picture of the campus than what is actually truthful. Find someplace that makes you feel happy with only the smallest bit of fear or going away.

Katie

I would tell anyone that is trying to find the right college to make sure that they take into consideration what types of majors they are looking for. Another thing to take into consideration is the size of the campus, some people prefer to have a lot of people around them and others prefer to be with less people. That can make or break your college career. Also, what types of activities are offered on campus so that you can get involved. I would also make sure that there is some type of club for your major or your perspective major(s). One last thing would be to take into consideration is how friendly the people you deal with on your visit are, that gives you an idea of how the rest of the faculty and staff are.

Rebecca

Too Long