University of Arkansas Top Questions

First and foremost, I would tell myself to seriously get checked out by a psychiatrist. Medication for Bipolar disorder has helped so much, and having that work against my favor during my senior year really harmed me. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship that added to my stress and kept me from getting sleep I needed, not only before tests, but during day to day activities as well. I would tell myself not to bother taking AP Statistics, and to instead take AP Calculus. Statistics isn't needed in my major plan, and Calculus is difficult for me to grasp. I would tell myself to take ACT preparation exams and really push for a higher score - just a few more points and so many more opportunities would have opened up for me. I would emphasize to myself to really seek help, because then I would be more motivated to take care of myself, and take advantages of the opportunities I did have. I would also tell myself to keep looking for local software development internships - I got one and it was amazing. Basically, I would say that I needed to prioritize myself.

I would tell my high school self to be prepared. The obstacles in college are many and difficult. Apply for more scholarships, there will always be more expenses ahead and you will need all the help you can get. Also I would tell my high school self to not let college change you. There are so many Greek organizations that can turn a perfectly kind and caring person into a self obsessed person who has little regard for anything beyond appearences. Stick to what you know to be right and treat everyone you will ever meet with nothing but the utmost respect and kindness. The last thing I would like to tell my high school self would be to thank your parents. They do so much for you and you should show them that you are infinitely greatful for everything they do.

You are bright and driven. College will not be too hard for you academically. College will be hard for you in other ways: socially, emotionally, and vocationally, it will be tough. I want you to know first that, if you find yourself hanging around people you don't like, people who drag you down, or people who don't actively make you better, you can leave them and find new people. College is full of not just smart people but also good people, people who will support you and challenge you and be loyal to you. Find them and do the same for them.Second, don't worry too much about what you'll do after college. Have some ideas—have all the ideas you want, the more the better—but instead of trying to figure out exactly how to get yourself exactly where you want, focus on doing the best you can at what you're doing where you are, because people will notice. It will take you places.Last, explore everything. Libraries, cemeteries, the town you're in, your friends' stories. You might never again have this opportunity to make your world a bigger, brighter place.

The most useful resource you will find in college is your classmates. You will not succeed just by showing up to class, taking notes, studing, and doing your homework. You must find time to make friends with the students in your classes so that you can all work together to complete assignments and discuss your area of study, this is how to truly learn. I have learned more in latenight sessions in the engineering building with my lab partners than I have anywhere else. To be successful, break out of your shell and do not be afraid to approach the people you see everyday. Ask for help when you need it, and always be willing to offer help. You can finally grasp the concepts and understand your work when you collaborate with the people surrounding you. The experience of discussing course work and ideas concerning your area of study with people going through the same thing that you are is invaluable. The perspectives that your peers offer will stick with you through the rest of your college career, and help you more than you can imagine.

High School, to me, seemed to be a never ending stage in my life. During those four years, I became comfortable with my schedule and knew how to skate by in my classes without interacting too much with others. If I could go back in time, I would convince my senior self to make more connections and to ask questions. Speaking to teachers and councilors is a good way to prepare students for college life. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to ask my councilor about scholarship opportunities and ask my teachers for proper studying techniques. I didn't take advantage of the knowledge that was all around me, because I was only worried about passing my classes. If I had been proactive and made personal connections with the staff I probably could have transitioned more easily into making my own decisions. In college, students can't rely on their parents anymore. Learning how to communicate efficently by myself was a difficult task, and I wish I had broken out of my shell in high school in preparation for the increased independence of college.

If I could go back to my high school senior year, I would tell myself to calm down and breathe. Going from the top of my small high school as valedictorian, to a nervous freshman of a 25,000 student university was such a drastic change. I was stressed about grades and being the perfect student my freshman year of college, that I feel I let a lot of fun times pass me by. If I could go back, I would say, "Brooke, no matter what is crashing down around you, there is ALWAYS a reason to smile. So, do just that. Smile, as much as possible and celebrate every chance you get. You are in college, and as long as you are trying your best, everything will turn out just fine. You do not have to beat yourself up when you make a mistake. This is college, this is the time to not only make mistakes, but to learn from them too. Take this time to learn about yourself. Find a hobby that you can call your own. Enjoy your own company and be independent. Know it is okay to be proud of yourself; and learn to love yourself."

I would have taken all the courses in my high school that were available as college credit to save money during my undergraduate career. Every single penny of my earnings during high school would have been saved for college. I would apply to every scholarship that I could apply to. I would have enrolled in summer school at my local community college before I attended the University of Arkansas.

Knowing what I know after a year of college experience, I would tell my high school self to save money for college. As a senior I was all about going and doing with my friends and blowing money on bogus items, but now that I know the stress of being in debt trying to pay for school I would go back and advise myself to realize college is expensive and any amount of money helps, saving as much as I could through my senior year of high school could really help me in the future. I would also tell myself to get serious and really get my priorities straight. Yes, freshman year of college is enjoying new freedom, but you are there to get an education. It is important to remember grades benefit you more than constant partying. I wish I could go back to senior year of high school knowing those two things, but like they say; mistakes are lessons learned.

If I could go back in time and give myself college advice, I would tell myself to start a savings account. I would also tell myself to go to office hours, to communicate with my professors if I had any problems, to take a full course load each semester. I would tell myself to skip the meal plans and get more work experience.

If I could go back in time and give my younger self advice about college, I would tell myself that I need to learn how to study. My high school career was pretty lax for the most part-I never really had to put any extra effort into my studies, and because of this I am just now learning how to go over my materials effectively. As it could be imagined, this has had an impact not only on my schoolwork but on my mind as well; I am often worried if I have gone over a class' materials enough or if I truly understand a subject well enough to use what I am learning. Although I have maintained somewhere near a 3.1 GPA for my entire college career up until this point, studying would have bumped up my GPA to a higher point than it is currently sitting at and would have given me more confidence in my abilities to learn the material and apply it. Of all of the messages that I could ever give my younger self, I believe that this message would have the greatest impact on my current situation and standings at the university.