The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

I would tell myself not to worry. Enjoy your senior year and don't wish it away. Spend more time with your family while you have them close. I would tell myself to start studying now, because it will pay off big-time in the future. Lastly, I would tell myself to smile more.

The first thing I would tell myself is to come in with an open mind. Aside from learning; college is about exploring new things, meeting new people, self discovery, and gainig independence. To do all of these things you have to have an open mind and be willing to accept things and people as they are. Try new things, meet new friends, and be agressive. You shouldn't limit yourself on the what college life has to offer. To be a successful student, learn to talk to the professors and build relationships with them, they are always willing to help but only if you ask for it. DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST! Friends, new things, and learning new things are the great perks to school, but it won't last long if you don't stay focused academically.

The first thing I would tell myself would be to not let the simple stresses of high school get to you. A lot of high school students tend to get worked up over many things, which, at the time, seem like they are very important when they are not. College can get really stressful, so it is better to prepare yourself with activities to relax you and an at-ease mind. The drama and chaos that follow high school students will no longer be important when you are in college. The next thing I would tell myself would be to make sure you spend a lot of time with your family because you are going to miss them when you are on your own. Sometimes college can get a little lonely so it is good to have a good family to be behind you in full support. The last thing would be to remember your morals and values in everything you do. Inappropriate behavior can start young and follow you forever. Try to remember who you are and all of the things that you want to accomplish!

I would tell myself to keep an open mind about my future and not to be so dogmatic about going in to one certain field because there are opportunities to explore. I would encourage myself to take the recommended classes, but to also explore, through my electives, other classes that may open up fields that I had not even considered. During high school, I would recommend going to the college campus on my choice more than just the one time so I can get a feel of the atmosphere of the campus. Go for lunch, drive there at night, attend a football game, walk through the halls of the building, and talk with some of the professors. Read as much as you can about the campus on their website and on others. Finally, I would suggest that once you get on campus, to join a group with which you have an interest. It will help you feel more bonded if you meet others who have similar interests or goals. You would be able to make new friends who you can go and do things with.

Take your time in this transition. Even though it may not seem like it, this transition from high school to college is quite a life-changer. Take time to hang out with your high school friends because if they aren't going to the same school as you, chances are, you will rarely see them anymore. (But don't worry, you'll make plenty of amazing new friends in college) Definitely try and stay in touch with high school friends you think will be there for you in the long run, but if you get busy, or they get busy, don't worry, you'll still have those high school memories. Also, take time with your family, especially younger siblings. Even though you aren't going to a school that's very far from home, you all still have different lives, and the summer before you head out is probably the last time you'll really get to hang out with your family until winter break. Mostly, don't worry about anything. You're in the same place as all these other freshmen here, lost, confused, and maybe lonely. But it's so easy to get involved!

My advice to myself as a high school student would be to get involved with your university or college. That is truly the best way to transition, because getting involved draws you closer to others. This includes people that have the same interests as yourself that you can relate to, and those that may have different opinions, beliefs, experiences, and/or advice that you can learn from, which makes you grow even more intellectually. Yes, college is about taking your courses that you need in order to succeed in your desired major and eventually future career, but sometimes people get too carried away with just classwork and forget about fellow peers and teachers. Mingling with other types of people makes you grow and learn even more as a person, which is something else you need for your future career in any field, yet it cannot really be learned in class, but learned through experience. In the end, it is not just all about one or the other, but learning how to have a well balanced college life experience to where it gives you the best possible outcome for your future.

As a high school senior I feel I did not reach my full potential as a student. Now that I am in college I have realized that I could have done some things in high school that would have helped me now. I should have taken more AP classes so that I do not have to take those classes now as a college freshman. For example, in college you are required to take two semesters of english; I could have taken AP english my junior and senior year in high school and I would not have to take them now. Instead I could be taking classes that deal particularly with my major. I also would have devoted more of my time to studying, because in college if you do not study you will not succeed. In high school I could get by without studying for tests and that is not the case in college. I would have also devoted more time focusing on my passion of field hockey and softball to try to pursue an athletic scholarship, because I believe being involved in more than just academics is an important part of your education.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? As I am in my second semester as a freshman at the University of Tennessee, I feel very qualified to give advice about transition. I would warn myself first that while move-in day would be the worst day of my life recruitment would distract me from all my sadness. Recruitment ended up being a wonderful outlet for me; I would recommend any girl at least try it. College life can be very shocking, and it is not easy to adjust to lack of structure. There is only as much structure as desired. Slowly but surely, I learned the art of missing classes and no one caring. I quickly learned that you only hurt yourself by not attending class. I did not find my place as quickly as I would have liked, but I learned that it is ok to stick to your morals. People have respect for people that respect themselves. Finally, patience is key when adjusting to dorm life. Roommates can be a pain, but sometimes the best way to handle it is to grin and bear it. Pick your battles carefully. Enjoy yourself but be responsible.

If I could advise myself as a senior, I would simply say "Relax." I have had a very untraditional college experience, changing majors, colleges, going to night school, and spending time away in my industry, and upon looking back I realize that I have been continuing on the same journey the entire time. It would be very easy to become downtrodden with my scholastic progress, but this would be folly. The diverse experiences I had in and out of college have all accumulated into the understanding of education that I currently enjoy. Everytime I have felt like something was a waste of time, I simply think about what I have gotten out of it. While taking graphic design courses doesn't seem like it would help someone in horticulture, it gave me an understanding of aesthetics that is very useful in landscape design. My year and a half spent as an English major served to better my professional communication skills. There is no wasted time in college as long as you can see the eventual benefit. So, upon talking to myself in the past, I would simply say to be diligent, but relaxed, and really take in an "education."

There are so many random little lessons that I have learned since senior year of high school, it would be hard to summarize them for myself. Mostly, I have learned about relationships with those close to me. Everyone knows that family dynamics change once one leaves for college, but I was never quite ready for how different it would be. I would tell myself to treasure the moments I had with my family, but also to start gaining independence to make ?weaning? easier. Friendships were the main aspect of my life that changed the most. I would tell myself to enjoy the high school friendships, but to also rememeber that I will be making multitudes of new friends. I would tell myself to be more open-minded about rushing a sorority, as well as being confident in joining campus organizations I was too scared to even attempt. The best decisions I have made so far were the ones I never saw coming, so I would tell myself to be open to anything that comes my way. The decisions one makes outside of the classroom are a major factor in success at college, and it?s important to start off right.