University of Arizona Top Questions

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the following advice:"You know what you hear about the transition from high school to college being hard? Well, that is an understatement, so be open-minded to how college will affect your life. College is what you make of it so don’t compare your experiences to anyone else's. People say that some of their best memories happened in college for a reason, so don’t sweat the small stuff, have fun and take every opportunity that comes your way. Take any classes that sound interesting, and fill your brain with knowledge because, after all, this is what you are here to do. These are the times when you truly grow as a person, realize how strong you can be and realize that you are capable of more than you could’ve ever imagined. Like most successes in life, learning to keep a balance between work and play will guarantee you the success of acing your way through college, while making unforgettable memories with unforgettable people. Believe in yourself and you have nothing to lose, only more room to learn and grow."

I dream of going back and giving myself advice as a high school senior. I wish I could tell myself not to stress out as much as I did, just to enjoy the remainder of high school, and secure friendships. I would tell myself that the transition isn’t so bad as long as I stayed organized and stuck to it! School doesn’t get any shorter just because Biology is only held two days a week. I may go to school for three hours a day but I still spend at least eight hours advancing my education and studying for exams. College is very simple as long as I’m focusing on schoolwork, staying organized, and just relaxing. High school is different from college, there is more responsibility, but with that there is more opportunity. I wish I could tell myself to enjoy high school, but prepare for college not only by signing up for classes and buying dorm materials, but mentally as well.

I would tell myself that I school work is going to be harder than what you think it will be. It's going to be hard to adjust to new people, but it's going to be worth it in the end.

Don't worry. It's hard at first. The transition from small, comfortable, and familiar proves profoundly challenging, but don't give up. It's okay to not know what you're doing, to explore the infinite possibilities that youth offers. Chase that magical feeling when you have no idea what you're doing but somehow it feels right to explore this new world that's unlike anything you've ever known or expected. Yet somehow, you'll find familiarity in the unknown. Forget about what the audience expects, as their eyes press at the soft, unrestricted edges of your mind, where your ideas and heartfelt feelings lay vulnerable and unprotected. It's those kind of risks that matter most, the ones that push the boundaries of what's accepted, what's comfortable, what's even possible. It's then that you'll discover what you've always been looking for... yourself.

I would tell myself to buckle down and focus, its not a breeze like high school. Actually study and look at the textbooks, prep for your papers and exams. Have fun and learn about yourself, but don't think that school will just happen, because you'll suddenly find yourself behind your classmates and staring down a long road to turn around your situation.

Don't accept anything less than what you think you deserve.

Being able to confront my past self with the knowledge I know now there are many things I would tell my high school senior self. The first advice that comes to mind would be to tell myself to learn to plan well, that most of the obstacles he will face in the future will be because of his lack of time management and motivation to plan ahead. I would hope that advice would not fall on deaf ears because that skill is one of the most ideal ones he could have for a successful future. A less strictly inclined advice I would give is to not have so much fear, even though my high school self did not know who he was I want him to know that no matter what anyone says he is still himself, and to take his time in accepting that. I would also want him to keep an open mind and to not be offset so harshly by any negative things that may happen at the crucial time of adjusting to college. There are many things I would want to pass on, but the most important one would be to always keep an optimistic outlook.

Take more risks. Don't be afraid to take difficult classes that pique your interest even if they are slightly out of your field of study, just stay on top of your course load and ask for help from teachers when you need it. They usually really do want to help! One way to try more rigorous courses is to take fewer classes overall. Instead of five or six classes, take four really exciting, challenging options. Don't just go with the easy As. Anything you can do to spark curiosity and passion, to find what you really love, is worthwhile. You may wander a little on your way, but as long as you are focused and responsible at each step, a little detour here and there actually leads to a broader, richer education and a wider set of options for your future career.

Be yourself! High school is all about who is looking at you, and what you are doing. But in the real world outside of high school, none of the petty drama matters or exists. People that you think are your enemy, are actually afraid to be be themselves also. The idea of not caring what people think may be scary, or impossible to imagine, but it can happen. You are a beautiful person, who is intelligent, and caring. Do not let people get you down about issues that do not matter. Remember to always think about every situation by asking yourself, "Will this matter in 5 years?" If the answer is no, then move past it and be the bigger person in every situation. Love yourself, know yourself, trust yourself, and most importantly- be yourself!

Through my college experience so far there are many points of advice that I would give my past, high school self. The first point would be to not procrastinate! I have procrastinated with semesters, such as signing up for classes and/or buying books. The consequences were that I was unable to register for some of the classes that I wanted and that I did not have some of the books in time for my first class. This has caused me to miss homework, pester the teacher by asking him/her to send me a copy of the homework page, etc. A second, and huge point I would make would be to purchase as many books as I could from the Internet. I have spent so much money during my first semesters on books by buying them at school, and saved so much by buying them from Internet websites. A third point would be to apply for scholarships and other sorts of financial aid right away. I did not realize what help scholarships could be until I had to start paying for school myself and they are such a huge help and stress relief. These would be the main points.