University of Arizona Top Questions

Take chances, make mistakes, and most of all have fun! Yes, its scary going to a big school, far away from home and coming from small town roots, I was very nervous. Yet I still went halfway across the county to a school where there were more people in my classes than in my entire town! College is an exciting part of your life and full of opportunity, don't sell yourself short and play it safe because I can promise you that you will regret it. This is one of the most defining moments in your life. College is where you will find out what you are good at, what you suck at, what you really want to do with your life, and most likely who you want to spend your life with. Once you're there, go outside, meet people, challenge yourself to do things you wouldn't normally do and I guarantee you'll discover yourself in totally new ways.

Although your life is busy and you have a lot of extra curricular activities, please start doing some scholarships. Your parents need more help because your sister needs to go to college sooner than you think. Time and money goes fast and the more you try to get money, the more you have a chnace to get money. Scholarships are the way you need to be headed and what you need to be focusing on. Your sister is only two years behind you and will need college money just as much as you need it. You forget how expensive colleges are and if you want you sister to go out of state, like you are, then you need to step it up and look up more scholarships. You can do it, just go ahead and do it, it helps so much in college. Oh and don't worry about your roommate, you two will get along great! Live your life like there is no tomorrow and study hard!

I would tell my senior self to hurry up and finish the community college classes and focus more on GPA, so that I could've applied for more scholarships.

If I was to give my high school self advice, it would definitely be to relax. I can be overwhelmed quite easily, and the transition was very hard on me; I don't like change at all. I would definitely tell my high school self to let go of perfection and let the transition happen as it was supposed to. Everyone had told me that college would be a breeze compared to high school. While I was prepared for the schoolwork, I was not ready for the change in environment. Knowing what I know now, I would tell my former self to not focus too much on getting things perfect, but to relax and enjoy the new experience of college. I definitely did not partake in the first year experience of college as a person should, but focused too heavily on schoolwork, but not enough on meeting new people. Back in high school, I thought a social life would happen naturally. I should have enjoyed my first year a lot more than I actually did, so I would make sure to tell my former self to do so.

As a parent of three children in various stages of their education, the wife of a community college graduate now working on his bachelor's degree, and a returning student myself, I have learned a lot that would benefit the 18-year-old me! First and foremost, I would tell Me to have no fear. Given the opportunity today, I say to high school students with no support system exactly what I wish had been said to me. "You deserve college! If you want it, go for it. Be relentless in your pursuit of help achieving that primary goal. You are worth it! Believe in yourself and your self-worth. You are deserving of everything that is available to anyone else in this world. Do not let low self-esteem drive you away from all your heart desires. The better your education, and more experience you gain, the better prepared you will be to help yourself and others achieve a better life, and pursue your dreams. Your mantra should be: Do it, be it, say it, until you believe it; and you will make it true." What life-changing words those would have been for me to hear.

If I were able to go back to my younger self in my senior year of high school, I would advise myself on the challenges of the high cost of tuition that appears to rise every year. Right now, I am in a financial predicament in terms of paying for one year at the University of Arizona, but back then I did not consider how much money was needed to pay for college. I would also tell myself that studying for college courses is an important part of getting good grades in order to have and keep a high GPA. I think it's sometimes hard to get myself to be more productive, but I certainly would listen to my older, more mature self. Since college costs are an issue for me right now, I wish in high school I would have put more serious thought into how money and studying will affect my current strive to earn my college degree.

Christine, I know you're getting ready to go to college, and you're pretty nervous. Don't be! College is such a great experience. Here are some words to the wise: -You'll meet friends, everyone needs a study partner so turn to the person you see next to you and simply introduce yourself. They will come in handy as you prepare for exams. -Give yourself a solid week of studying before any exams. -Avoid a "C" at all costs! It really hurts your GPA -Get involved into the community! Volunteer at a homeless shelter, food bank, hospice, or a local hospital. -Get to know your professors, they are very helpful and really want you to succeed! - You don't need to buy the newest edition of a textbook, shop for previous editions on Amazon. You'll save a ton. - Attend sport games and school events! - Think about graduate school..now! Have fun, don't sweat the small stuff. It goes by fast, so take advantage of every moment. Give it your all, because every grade counts! If it gets too tough, call someone and vent..it's okay!

As a high school senior I thought I had the world figured out, little did I know I didn't. If I could go back in time and communicate with me as a high school senior there would be many things I would tell myself. Foremost I would say "hey you go the University of Arizona, bet you never thought you'd end up here", as I never would have imagined myself where I am now. Secondly I would tell myself not to load up my schedule my first semester with more than 15 units, as the transition is already hard enough without taking on a double courseload. One thing all high school seniors should know going into college is that it isn't high school, each class should take about two hours of studying for every hour of class, so don't load up your schedule with more than you can handle! Also, remember that no matter how hard your first semester is remeber, everyone survives! Work hard, do your best, and don't get distracted by partying, and you will do just fine!

Take advantage of every opportunity that is available for you. Don't just sit around and wait for everything to be handed to you, but actually go out and try to find things out for yourself. Really try to figure out what you love to do so you could work towards something and make the most out of your college experience. You have to really put in an effort to figure out what career field is best for you and actually research it and make sure it is something you love. You will probably change your mind a lot of times, but that’s good because you shouldn’t settle and by changing your mind you will only get closer to what you love and that will be the best thing you can do for yourself. College is challenging but you are smart and you can do anything and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. College shouldn’t be too stressful, but take it seriously and learn everything you possibly can it will only be better for you in the end. Lastly, don’t ever think you’re finished learning, always stay hungry for knowledge.

One benefit to attending college as an adult is that I am much more dedicated and know myself better than I did in high school. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to closely consider different schooling options. Hands on approaches to learning, not just lecture based classes are much more appealing to me and I gain more through the experience.