University of Arizona Top Questions

Study more!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would make sure to caution myself that college is very different from high school-there is much more responsibility on your shoulders. I would tell myself to always go to class, that even if the classes are not required in college you will do poorly if you do not attend. It is hard to transition to being on your own, and it is very easy to get distracted. Everyone adjusts to being on their own in his or her own way but it is important to stay focused on the reason you are attending college, to get a degree and to get the best grades you possibly can. Always strive for the best and never give up on your aspirations. I would also make sure to tell myself that the teachers are there to help me, to take advantage of their office hours as much as possible because it really does make a difference to get to know teachers and get that extra help.

As a high school senior I would tell myself how I should have worked a little harder in high school. By working that much harder I would have maybe recieved a scholarship and would not have had such a hard time the past 3 years financially. I would have told myself that I made the right decision in picking schools because the Retailing and Consumer Sciences Major is one of the top in the country. Speaking with my parents I have learned how much I have matured, learned and accomplished since high school; I would not change my experiences ( good and bad) for the world.

If I could go back to highschool and talk to my self when I was a senior I would tell myself to never give up, to remember what I am going to school for, to work as hard as I can and to not let anyone influence and jeopardize my future. When i was a highschool senior i lost track of time and when it came around to graduation my only option was community college. I graduated with a 2.2 GPA, if I could go back and talk to my self i would say "push alittle harder" I could have easly gotten into a University, but i gave up. Fortunatley enough i learned my lesson and even though i wen to community college I graduated and i never gave up and now I am a University student after two years.

Consider possible back-up plans; general education classes are required and cover a wide variety of different topics that you might ffind interesting. While you might have your sight set on one thing, just be open to the possibility that you might want to consider a career in something else. Also realize that not every class in college will be as easy as high school, and that just because a class might be difficult does not mean that you aren't meant to pursue a related career. That being said, and when you consider other possible plans, make sure you're attending the University you think will be best for you for four years. Questions to ask yourself might reflect whether the University will adjust costs of attendance, if the University will provide as much as the recruiters or their information promise, and whether the program you want to enroll in will change in the years coming. Finally, never let things like homesickness or high school friends or relationships tie you down; college helps you develop new friendships and can prove the authenticity of old relationships. College is undoubtedly a big adjustment, so don't underestimate the transition.

The two things that I would have liked to have known going into my freshman year of college would have been to join as many clubs as possible and to continuously study for classes rather than the just on the week of exams. On such a large campus it is very easy to feel lost or just like a face in the crowd. However, by joining clubs, not only can you meet more people but also be a part of a smaller community. As for the continuous studying, it relieves a lot of stress and allows more time to get help from the professors on subjects that may be a bit confusing.

If I could go back in time and talk to my highschool self, I would have alot to say on the matter of college. I would start of by asking myself why I could possibly be thinking about taking a break after highschool. College is very important, and takes alot of hard work and dedication, but also gives you self satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment, I would tell myself. The two of us, would most definately be getting the college enrollment process taken care of right away. I would really hope that Corine of the past, actually believes me, as she usually never takes advise from anyone. She would be listening to me go on and on about how much I actually enjoy college and about how much I always wish I would have started sooner. I would tell myself about the great husband and son that I have and how going to college is truelly for them and the future of our family, because I just know that one would tip the scales, in past-Corine's mind. And maybe, just maybe, she will actually listen this time.

Going back, I would definitely prepare more for the university difficulty as well as the culture shock. As far as the difficulty is concerned, it mainly has to do with classroom size. I continue to excel or do moderately well in the small classes, but those large lecture halls are difficult to manage. I would encourage myself to look into the demography of the college campus. Although there are people with whom I identify, it has been difficult to adjust to the change of people around me and the criticism there is for someone of my race and background. It is uncomfortable at times to be surrounded by people who judge what you eat or how you speak, especially coming from a smaller community so close to a different country.

Going back in time to my highschool self, I would give the advice on which school to choose. Whenever I was a high school senior, I decided to attend a four year university instead of a community college. At that point in time I had no idea what major I had hopes of attaining, and decided to just attend college to start my general education. If I could go back, I would tell myself instead of attending an expensive university to rather attend a community college, at least until I decided on a major. I would give this advice because as I attended a university without a knowledge of which degree I was seeking, I racked up an expensive student loan. Which if I would of chosen a communtiy college would have been at least half the cost. College life is a time that many high school senior look forward to, and if I could give advice to all of them, I would say to explore all of your options when choosing a college.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition there is not much advice I would give myself. I am proud of who I am and I know that the past made me that way. I wouldnt want to change a thing because that would change who I am. Everything happens for a reason.