The University of Alabama Top Questions

I moved to Georgia, from Kentucky, my senior year of high school. It seems trivial now, but I think that it affected me more than anybody realized. I sunk into depression and didn't enjoy my senior year as much as I should have. If I could go back and talk to myself now, I would hold my own hand and tell myself that it gets so much better. I never could've imagined the opportunities that I have been given. Being in college has allowed me to experience so much more than I ever thought possible. I would tell myself that if I hadn't moved my senior year, I probably never would've considered applying to University of Alabama. This is where I ended up because of the move, and I couldn't be more thankful for it. I have found my new home. I would love to be able to tell myself a year ago the amazing things that were in store for me, but then again, maybe the fact that I didn't already know, made me that much more thankful for my new life.

Have fun but always keep education first. You will not like every professor or class but push through it. Find what you are good at and try to be the best you can be at it. You have to like what you do to be successful.

Not to get caught up in making people think differently about you. Don't care what people think and they will beg for your attention.

I hear a lot of my friends using the buzzwords "no regrets." Adopting those words cavalierly makes making snap decisions or actions thoughtless. And I have found in my ripe old age of twenty-one that thoughtless decisions and actions result in the ones with the most horrifying regrets. I would tell my former high school self to live spontaneously in the exciting moments of college but not so aggressively that using your noodle is abandoned. I would tell her to always stop and think about the consequences of her actions. This is not to deny freedom but to ensure freedom for lifetime. For unresolved regret can steal happiness. And as for a tidbit of simple and practical advice: Practice diciplined time management!

The only advice I would give to my high school self would be to work more hours at your job. I am extremely happy with my choice of school and would not change my choice for anything. I only wish that I had not cut my hours at my job, to be able to spend more time with friends I don’t keep in contact with anymore. After winter break, I now see how useless that was because I am at school 14 hours away from home and barely talk to anyone from my high school. If I had worked more I would have possibly doubled the amount of money I made for college. I am also trying to pay my way through college on my own without any financial assistance from my parents. Senior year I didn’t really realize I wanted this. Now that I have practically started a new life, I feel like a true adult and want to be able take on some responsibilities that come along with this new freedom. Don’t sacrifice college money for friends. You will make all new ones and be even happier than you were in high school.

I would tell myself to stop worrying what people thought of me so much. I was extremely self conscious in high school about my looks, what people thought of me and what could come of every single action I made. I wish that I would have been a bit more social, I was always the one to turn down going to a pool party and instead stay in and read a book because I was worried that people woldn't like what they saw when I put on a swimsuit. Nobody has the "perfect body" and God didn't intend for any of us to be perfect. I would also tell myself not to date someone just because everyone wanted me to. I know now that if someone doesn't have a positive impact on me, I don't need that person in my life. When I came to college I saw that half of the stuff I worried about doesn't matter. I now have so many great friends that I wouldn't trade for the world and high school didn't affect that at all. Lastly, I would tell myself have faith in God's plan for me.

I would give myself the advice of applying for more scholarhsips and looking for more money for school. Simply so that when I got to college I would not have to worry about how my rent is going to get paid for the next month, or wonder if I was going to have to eat noodles for dinner for a whole week straight. Financial stress is the worst stress that you can have while you are in college it can completely take your focus away from school, and you will fail!

Hello Joey, I have been in collge for about a semester now, and I have to tell you, the transition could have gone a little bit better. For starters, I do not like my roommates. If I were you I would go on the University of Alabama Facebook page and seek out some people that you could see yourself being friends with. Another thing, nurture your relationships with your good friends in Kentucky. You will want people to hangout with when you come back in town for break. I would also encourage you to look into exactly what you want to major in, and find out what you can do with that degree. I picked a business major, but am thinking about changing to something like international business. One last thing, don't worry about girls. Worry about your personal development first. Get involved on campus, and don't force friendships if you're the one putting in most of the effort. Sincerly, Joey Vranicar

Think for yourself. You don't have to be a part of this club or that club just because you're sorority sisters are. Join something that you're interested in because it is what YOU like, not because it will impress someone else. If you aren't interested in what you're learning and want to change your major, DO IT. Don't let money or someone's negative attitude determine your career path. You'll learn this lesson as you go throughout your college career through experience, but try to start out with the right mindset. You are here to learn about yourself, to better yourself, and to ultimately leave with an education and an experience that will equip you with the skills you need to live the rest of your life. So do it for YOU, not for any other person.

Dear Kelsey, Lacrosse is the most familiar thing in the world to you. I know it is your security blanket in the realm of social experiences, and I know it is how you identify yourself. I also know that when you attend the University of Alabama you will join the club lacrosse team there, because your entire life you have played lacrosse. You will be interested in so many other organizations and club sports, but club lacrosse will be where you settle because "it is what you have always done". Kelsey, do not ever live life doing things because "it is what you have always done". College is filled with so many amazing opportunities. Get out there and try everything that interests you in the slightest bit. Never be afraid to chose the unfamilar option. Keep yourself interesting by doing things that interest you. SIncerely, The older better version of you.