The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Top Questions

At first as a new comer to the university I didn't have hope for much. As I enrolled in the classes and attended lectures I figured that being there was a crucial part ot the rest of my life. I noticed the influence I could make in my younger siblings if only i stuck to it. I focused on how I could be a good example for my siblings and close friends to follow. I also took pride in the fact that not only my siblings would feel proud of me, but most importantly, my parents. I suddenly found myself learning and enjoyed doing it too. I never thereafter wanted to miss any of my lectures fearing i would loose alot of important information crucial to my excellence in my college life.

What I have gained from my college experience, is that in order to reach new levels, you need to work hard and do the best you can in everything you do. Studying, managing time, keeping yourself busy and allowing others to help you and helping others is what has taught me alot to be a better person in life. My college experience pretty much helped open my eyes to trying to become a more independent individual, as well as making better choices for myself to help me in my future endeavors. It's allowed me to make friends, as well as helping me to find a sense of purpose for myself, as well as helping me to expand my mind and views on alot of the things around me.

What I have gotten out of my college experience, by far, is the necessity to work harder and push myselfe in every class because without giving my best I cannot succeed. Attendance is crucial in order to obtain as much information as possible, as well as studdying outside of classes, in order to maximize my chances to obtain a good grade and further my career in the field of my choice.

When I was in high school I really didn't have people from other ethnicities other than Hispanic students and in UTPA there is a lot of diversity in cultures and I didn't realize there were more people than Mexicans living in the valley. My elementary, jr. high, and high school was only populated by Mexicans and very few white people. I never saw a black person or Asian and I think that UTPA has helped me be more diverse and more open to other cultures and customs. UTPA has also helped me overcome my depression and my mental illnesses. I was a very depressed person in high school and in college people are more open minded.My classmates don't care if I'm big or small, white or brown, and straight or gay. This university has helped me in so many ways. Myforst year I had a rough start but I was able to overcome all the obstacles life has given me and it is all thanks to this university. It has helped me understand and love myself for who I am and not what other people want me to be.

If I could go back to my senior year, which was not so long ago, I would tell myself that where you go isn't as important as what you do. I had always aspired to attend an Ivy League, upper tier school, but when given an opportunity at conditional accpetance to Medical School, I had to sacrifice my prestigious dreams for an undergraduate education closer to home. Now that I have experience a year in college, being in a small town and at my school is not so bad. The people are friendly and the somewhat small size gives you a lot of the advantages of going to private school, without the enormous price tag! Also, I'd remind myself to relax once in a while. High school was a time in my life where I felt isolated, and in college you meet so many fun and new and different people, that you should really take advantage of enjoying the new company, while maintaining focus and a great GPA. Also, I would advise myself to become more involved in extra-curricular activites and getting to know what my campus has to offer.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to not worry about the social aspect of school and to focus on education because that is what is most important. I, as well as most of my classmates, are guilty of putting too much emphasis on "fitting in" in high school and would constantly feel the pressure of what other people expected out of us. Being in my last year of college I have realized that while having good friends and being happy is important, nothing is more important than a quality education. Knowing how to balance your social interactions with school work such as including your friends in study groups is crucial for success in the college environment and in life in general.

If i were to ever go back in time to high school, I would totally let myself know about the independence I'm going to feel when I live in the dorms and developing a relation with my whole dorm floor and we watch out for each other because we 're all away from our families. I would make sure to tell myself not to worry because their are other people there in the dorms that can help me with my homework and develop great communitcation skills with study groups and making new college friends. Most importantly the decision I made of getting a new laptop totally helps, because of all the typing I'm going to do with my english classes and all the school supplies i stocked up with over the summer because I literally help most of my dorm floor from being kicked out of class from not coming prepared. The best part of all with the living experience of being in the dorms is we established a buddy system if we every go out on campus after nine, if we go to the library or computer lab to find or finish homework.

Making the transition from high school to a college life is going to be challenging. You may suffer from being homesick, bad study habits, and many other challenges other freshman face when they make the transition from high school to the college. However, if you forget anything else don't forget your number one reason attending college, which is to be successful. Breaking the barriers that was placed on your family, your mom struggling to make ends meet, trying work two jobs, attain a masters degree, and raise two teenage kids while one in college. It was hard to witness your strong, determined, single-parent mother do it all by herself but she did it. Now as you end this chapter of your life and begin another chapter of your life at college you must remain stable and driven. Success is something you must work hard for and it will definitely will not be handed to you. So take advantage of every positive opportunity you have because success may lie within, and if you dont discover and take risk you may never find success. So make your mom proud like she has made you and believe because anything is possible.

Given the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that it is time to open my eyes and face reality. Life does not always go as you plan it. A strong recommendation that I must give myself is to ask questions and learn as much as possible in high school because once you get to college the professors really are not as hands on. It is all up to you on whether you decide to succeed or not. You must be disciplined to achieve what you want in college. Prepare yourself for the college life because once you are there you are on your own. It is a whole different world.

I would sit my high school senior self down and look her in the eye and say this: "Get your act together. Sure, you can get by with just an hour of studying the night before and doing homework on the bus but in college, it's different. The teachers can tell you aren't turning in your best work. They can tell that you aren't paying attention and class. They want you to make good grades and be successful. But they aren't your babysitter or your parents. They will give you the grades you deserve. Work hard and the grades you get back will reflect the amount of effort you put in. I know what your capable of. Prove me right."