The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Top Questions

I would definitely tell my past self to consider all my options for the future instead of only being set on a few choices. I was set on a great school in another state and when I could not attend because of financial reasons, I felt like I settled for a state school. I had reservations about being here but I am very glad I chose UTC and do not regret that decision. I realized in my second semester that I made a great choice and that my choice created the perfect balance in my life. I also would advise myself to be more active in high school. I instantly became involed when I got to UTC and I regret not being more involved in clubs or staying with some in high school. I would advise the past Chantel to take more chances and be more open with others so that I can be more social in college in every aspects. It's never to late to do something different and I would strongly advise my past self to take heed to those words.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I now know about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give to myself is to overcome my fears, be more confidant in my capabilities and potential, and pursue more opportunities or create volunteer opportunities in my areas of interest. Now, I understand the importance of taking chances and trying new things. For example, I was extremely fearful of a high school AP English course. I was concerned about meeting the course?s requirements, teacher?s expectations, and possibly lowering my grade point average. If I could go back in time, I would enroll in that course and take as much from it as possible. My grammar and composition could?ve been challenged and matured in high school, rather than my second year of undergraduate. I would?ve also volunteered more. There are several benefits of volunteering, such as networking, mentorship, applied experience, and insight into a particular field. If I had volunteer experience or information prior to undergrad, I would?ve been positioned for better internships and employment.

What advice I would give myself is study hard. I would tell myself it's okay to go out with friends, but don't forget why you here in college in the first place, for your education. I would say be careful in college, make your choices wisely, choose your friends wisely, cause remeber everybody is not your friends!! If you need any help go to tutor or meet with your tecachers one -on-one, that way they will know you are trying hard! Also, make a study schedule , for everyday, maybe even use a planner, and sit down and plan out how manys hours of days will you study. Study hard and ask questions!!! Be careful , don't leave off with strangers, stay with friends at all times, especially if your in another city that your not familiar with. Never walk by yourself alone! Find a place you can study, if your roomate or roomates are too distracting, I suggest the library! Remeber that you can have fun, but education is always first, remeber that you came for an education. Don't make any bad deisions cause you see the others students are, you just be yourself! Good luck!

If I could go back in time, one year, to when I was a senior in high school, I would mention the freedom that college offers. The ability to live on your own, to do what you want when you want, and learn in the meantime is a wondrous experience. I would mention the fun times to be had in and out of class. But overall I would voice how college is not a joke. I would prepare myself for extended study groups at all times of the night. I would say how difficult post-calculus math can get, and maybe try and teach my past counterpart some mathematical tricks that I know now, just to make things easier. This is what I would tell myself about college if I could go back in time.

Don't worry about college! It is totally doable. It will be challenging at times, but it is nothing you can't handle. Definitely get involved in campus ministries- IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

study study study. you have your whole life to party and have fun but for the next four years you need to settle down and hit the books. studying equals good grades which equals good job. good job equals good money and happiness. you don't want to get stuck with a terrible job where you're unhappy. bad grades equals loss of scholarships which means to no more school for you.

I would tell myself to save as much money as possible and to work hard because if you don't, you WILL lose your scholarship so fast. Make smart choices, watch out for unnecessary expensives, and pick a school you will enjoy and later classes. I would also make sure to always remind myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to and work hard for.

In my first semester of college I took two hard classes and I struggled in both of them. So, if I could go back I would tell myself to take "easier" classes in the first semester just so I could get a feel for everything that college brings. I am currently in my second semester and I feel much more comfortable with my situation. But because of my struggle in the first semester, I feel like I am already behind. By taking easier courses I would have been able to transition a little more smoothly. I am currently retaking those hard classes and am doing much better because I feel much more comfortable where I am.

Dear myself, Make the best of your years that are coming soon for they are going to be the best of your life. And stop taking life so seriously because no one else does (other than your professors, of course). Study hard, enjoy learning and don't spend a Friday night catching up on work you should have been doing 2 weeks ago, instead go out and meet new people! Your potential is great and expectations of you are bigger than ever so whatever you do, don't disappoint yourself because only you know what you're made of. Be someone that you want to be not who you think you should be or who others think you should be. Relax, because you'll fall but I'm almost sure some one else has tripped there before....Have fun, YOU'RE IN COLLEGE! Love, Your future self P.S. - Get back to studying! You're not in college yet...

The main difference between high school and college is time management. In high school, over half of my waking hours was school. With only a few hours a day of class in college, I have been faced with long hours of nothing to do. It is important to use one's time wisely, getting everything I needed to do out of the way first, then have time to relax and hang out with friends. Another thing I would highly recommend that goes hand in hand with time management is a personal planner. They are invaluable during a class in which I would need to quickly write a homework assignment or important reminder. Another thing I would highly recommend is to find something not relating to school work, for instance a sports team or club. More importantly than that, however, is finding something outside of school completely. Several nights, my friends and I would ride bikes all over the empty city streets, over the river, to the park, we could go anywhere. We felt free from the daily routine of school and work. It truely made that first semester more bearable.