University of Arizona Top Questions

If I could go back and tell myself an important piece of advice when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself that it is important to make and keep new friends. Although your friends that you have from high school that will be at college with you are important, this is your chance to branch out. Keep your morals and values in mind and be strong. Do not let anyone tell you you cannot or have to do something, especially yourself. Do not look for others approval. This is the time in your life where you need to start living for you. You have worked hard to get here, but this is a new adventure that you will also need to put time and effort into to get the most out of. Explore, embrase and challenge yourself. Your college experience will be what you make of it.

College is one of the most challenging, and most rewarding expiriences. I wish my high school self spent more time enjoying high school and less time worrying about everything. I've learned to do my best, and let the chips fall from there. Mostly I learned how diffucult living with another person can be, how it requires open and honest communication. Communication is difficult, the trick is to speek ones mind, but still walk a fine line and always take the other side into account. In College I've had to communicate with different people, and I would tell my high school self to always be open to conversation, I'm a shy person and college has taught me to be comfortable talking to all people. I would tell myself to be confident, and enjoy the diversity found on campus, it's one of college's greatest treasures.

School is not that hard! I don’t know why you think you can’t do well, but coming from your future self: You can! With just a little effort you could be getting B’s, and with a bit more time A’s are possible. You don’t need to know what you want to be when you grow up in order to succeed in high school. You will find your passion and when you do, you will wish you had spent more time learning and less time acting like you didn’t care. And respect Mom and Dad! They will always be there for you and believe it or not, the saying is true; “Friends come and go, but family is forever.”

Provided I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. I feel I would tell myself to relax. College is not the same for everyone. There are the straight A students in high school who look to be on the path of finishing college in four years and going right to graduate school that deviate. Then there are those who never shined in high school who find their footing in college. Take the time to tranisition. Yes, times will be hard but enjoy it, don't stress about it. You only have that transition once in life and if you are too busy worrying about your GPA, swimming, and who your friends will be their is no way you will enjoy the four years. If a there is a fork in the road take the less likely turn, as it could lead to amazing things that allow you to find your true interests and although you might change your major a few times in the end abroad experiences, internships and professors you meet will all be worth it.

Realize that I am worth trying for. Make myself believe and dream. do your homework!! Not to give up on myself so easily. Don't let people stand in my way. Faye, I know that you don't have a whole lot of self worth, or confidence. You can believe in the future and dream, it's ok!

If I could go back in time and prepare myself for college, I would tell myself to savor the little moments that shape our lives. Too many small things in life are ignored, yet these essential moments are what make us who we are. In all the bustle of school and grades, students may forget that they are also in college to gain a different perspective on life, to encounter new and different people, and to explore themselves and who they would like to be. Although schoolwork is essential to keep up on and to succeed in, I would remind my younger self to embrace every day and to engage in the world around me as much as possible. You only live once, and when small sparks in life are explored, they can lead to fireworks.

You know all of that stereotypical stuff you always hear about college? You know, about the opportunities, the workload, the lack of sleep, the parties, the workload, the need for balance, and the workload? Well, it’s all true. By the end of your first semester, you’ll be amazed at how oblivious you’ve been. First off, take your schoolwork seriously. Figure out how to manage your procrastination. Oh, and pro tip: don’t go to sleep unless all of the following day’s work is done. It will save you butt in so many situations. Also, do get to know your professors. Seriously. Within the first two or three weeks of class, drop in on them during office hours. Ask them for help on a difficult problem. Ask them about something they'd off-handedly mentioned in class the other day. Ask them about their favorite food. Just figure out how to make that connection, because it's important. In addition, go to class every single day. It doesn't matter if it's an 8am and it's raining. Just go. Most importantly, have fun. These actually will be some of the best years of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to enjoy my time with my family a lot more. As it was getting closer to the day where I had to leave my California home to come to my Arizona dorm I was more worried about hanging out with my friends rather than hanging out with my family. At the time I didn't think anything of it but as I spent more time away from them, I started to appreciate my family more. I didn't exactly get homesick but I just wished I had spent more time with them before being thousands of miles away for 6 months. As much as I wish I could go back and tell myself that, I'm glad it happened because I appreciate the things they do for me and I value the time I spend with them now.

This is a difficult question to answer, as it seems that blossoming into a fully developed adult does not come without its twinges of regret that "I didn't do something", or "if I had only known". I regard college, however trying, as one of my greatest decisions as it has pushed me into ways of thinking never before considered. There are many things I would love to be able to tell my seventeen-year-old self. I would tell her to be calm, and never doubt herself. Things rarely go according to plan, and however difficult at times, this spontaneity is in itself a wonder of life, and if you just keep your head, solutions tend to present themselves. I would tell her that she does have the tools to succeed, she just need apply them. Most importantly, I would tell her that distractions from your goals are okay, because you learn. But these distractions cannot become your life, and all in all, you must stay focused. Now, knowing my seventeen-year-old self, I would have no part in listening to this advice, but luckily, that child grew up, and is continuing to thrive in her adult life.

I would tell my high school self to take advantage of every single opportunity I recieve. That life flies by, and in order to live the life I want for myself the biggest rule is simply to show up. Be present in your own life. Know that there will indeed be set-backs, but even the prettiest, funniest, or most successful people you will meet have set-backs too. My other piece of advice would be to meet at least one new person everyday. What my dad said when I graduated from high school has proven nothing but true, 'it's not always what you know, but who you know.' Being friendly and optimistic will always prove better then being rude and pessimistic. And lastly, please, please, please don't get hung up on that one bad test you had. In the end, it really and honestly will not matter. Life will go on, and yes, you will still get a job even if you do not have a 4.0 GPA. College is about more then the grades, it's about the people and experiences you meet and have along the way. Have fun, smile, it goes fast.