The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

Wow, this is a really tough question, but I believe that I would tell myself that you cannot get through school by not studying and by just going to class. I did not have to study at all for my classes in high school to do well, and that was a HUGE problem that I had comming into college. Therefore if I had to give my self one piece of advice, I would tell myself that the most important thing to know going into college is that you cant expect to learn by just going to class. It is very important to read what the teacher has assigned to you as well as complete any homework before classes and tests. The most important thing that I have going on right now in my life is getting through school, and now that I can understand what I have to do to succeed I am one step closer than I was last year.

Do what you love instead of falling into the traps of society. Instead of thinking about majoring in Chemistry for the money, go for the Arts and do what you wanted to do in the first place and create creative pieces that doesn't persuade, but educate people about the differences one has - Let them know that they are still human. Doing what you can to swing by and focusing on what people care will make your life miserable. You should focus on the endless doors opening for you and take every chance to love every moment of it. To embrace who you are and to give yourself the opportunity to be successful. College isn't just about finding who you are, but also about finding those connections through doors to make you...YOU!

Don't smoke!

Before choosing a college, be sure to tour the school and apply for all available scholarships. and grants Getting a feel for the school beforehand will cause you to be more comfortable when school actually starts. Don't be scared to get involved in clubs, organizations, or teams because it always helps to make friends even though the transition seems overwhelming at first. Also, occasionally taking fun, elective courses can help lower stress from other classes. Having fun, meeting lifelong friends, and making lasting memories is the most important thing in college, besides your studies toward your degree of choice. Remember to stay focused and work hard in order to keep a high GPA and maintain or earn scholarships. Also, professors are more than willing to help if contacted during office hours. Don't be intimidated by them. They're generally very friendly and they won't bite. College is the last chance to let loose and have fun before going into the workforce of the real world. Have some self-control and don't go too crazy though. Make the most of the time you have here!

If I could go back, I would definately tell myself to be true to what I love. My freshman year of college I took classes for majors that I believed that I was actually interested in. However, they were not classes that I enjoyed. I took accounting classes to become an accountant, I took a psychology class because I thought I could possibly want to become a child psychologist. In reality, I only wanted a career that would allow me to have a large salary when i graduated. I had the will power to persue both of those careers, but I was not in love with either choice. If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would stress the fact that I need to go for the goals that I am truly passionate about. I love American Sign Language. Whether or not I am making a six-digit salary, I love doing it.

Don't Stress!

Danielle, when you get to college soak it up. This is the best advice I can give myself. Don?t waste one second being unhappy and get involved with everything that interests you. Remember that everyone is in the same boat you are. Finding new friends, being independent from your parents, living in a new place, and making your own decisions are all characteristics of every college freshman. Don?t be scared, instead, be outgoing and open to the extraordinary. Many things will change you within your first year, but always be happy with who you are and who you become. Listen as well as communicate, attend events that interest you, get involved with some type of organization, be open to new ideas and always put school work first. You are first and foremost attending college to learn. College is about the experience and at the University of Tennessee you will get that experience so long as you soak it up.

Follow your own path. Look for a college that will be fun as well as challenging. Don't worry about where your friends go. This is a new chapter of your life, and of the lives of all of your peers. Don't worry about fitting in. There is a place for all of us in college, no matter what campus you happen to end up on.

First off, decide what kind of person you are. Know what you like and dislike, your goals and desires. Know what your budget will be and if you need financial aid. Don't tailor yourself to fit the school; find the school that's tailored to you. Your college career will be much easier if you pick the school that is the best fit. Also, give yourself plenty of time for research. This process should be somewhat enjoyable, not a frantic scramble to reach your deadlines. Absolutely visit your potential colleges. Make sure to ask plenty of questions- talk to the students there, go on the campus tours, etc. When making this decision, you must at all times be open to new things while keeping your goals in mind. The college that's right for you may not be what you had envisioned, but you might be cheating yourself out of the best opportunity if you were to discard a school because it wasn't picture perfect. Keep in mind that no college will be exactly what you want. The college experience would be rather dull if there were no surprises or discoveries involved.

Just go with your gut instinct. Try to have an idea of what you do ultimately want to do in the end. Switching majors is time consuming and hard.