University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

I know what you might be feeling: a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and most of all anxiety. While all of these feelings are warranted, I have a few tips that may help you out. First of all, never be afraid to pursue lofty goals for insecurity of your capabilities will transform those insecurities into reality. It is here that the axiom “You miss a hundred percent of the shots you never take” holds most true. Although it is good practice to challenge yourself, it is equally important to practice moderation. There will be myriads of clubs, activities, and jobs that you will find interesting however, it is impossible to be part of everything. Thinning your time amongst too many activities leads to impartiality and stress. It is better to parcel your time to a few activities which allows for greater achievement. Finally, it is important to have fun. College isn’t only stress, studying, and tests. It’s a time to explore, make friends, and pick up new hobbies. Furthermore, enjoying yourself will reduce stress which will directly influence your school performance. With a proper mix of moderation, fun, and confidence, college becomes an enjoyable and far less daunting world.

Dear High School Me, Stop. Breathe. Wherever you end up going for college, you're going to be fine! Don't stress out about getting into an Ivy League school, especially when it's just for the brand name. East Coast winters aren't as romantic as portrayed by books, anyway. More substantial factors to consider are the various programs and school cutures that different campuses have to offer. "But what if I don't know what I wanna do in college?!" Honestly, your guess is as good as mine right now. Choosing an Econ major over a major like Biology or Engineering will probably have some impact over my future career prospects, but otherwise the discrepancy in career pathway options may be as inconsequential as a line on my resume. More important are the people you will meet, the memories you will make, and the opportunities you will encounter in a setting you can fluorish, though college is less about where you go than what you do there. As long as you keep an open mind and take the initiative to work hard and have fun, you will do well! Good luck! Your "Wise" College Self

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to be prepared for many different experiences. I would tell myself to keep having an open-mind and to always be open to suggestions. I would say that there will be many decisions to face, but to always follow your heart and your first instinct. Never look back or say "Sorry" because if you're not comfortable then it's not your fault. Learn how to be patient and compassionate and also stop reading to much in different situations. I would tell myself to plan out the next four years in order to stay on track and achieve your goals. But most of all, I would tell myself to have fun, meet different people, and enjoy life.

Be prepared for a jump. No longer will the teacher hold your hand, all those warnings your teachers told you about being independent will become real soon. Think about your major, dont get distracted, because time flies. Your years of high school probably went by slowly. But, here I am writing this my sophomore year and I can't believe almost two years of college have passed. Use all the academic resources you can in college. Go to office hours, talk to the professors, get ahead in class when you can. Really think and learn about each topic learn it like it is your life. And if you don't enjoy it, well find something you do. College is a small part of the greater part of your life, but it can be something special if you utilize it to its fullest capabilities. Explore what out there subject wise, and fun wise. But... make sure you dont have too much fun because school is important and take school day by day, so life can grow day by day as well.

I would tell myself to take the time in my senior year to look for scholarships, grants, living allowances and internship opportunities for college. I say this because I really struggled financially and found myself homeless on two seperate occassions.That really affected my school work, however, it build my character and made me a stronger person through perserverance. I would tell myself not to live beyond my means and find solid roommates that are like-minded and want to save on expenses. Find people of good character and who are not going to flake out on you, and do this by taking the time to get to know people. Next, I would guide myself through the financial aid process in which I would tell myself to beware of student loans. If I feel pressure by financial aid advisors to accept student loans that will put me in debt talk to my college advisor and seek counsel. Last, I would tell myself to use the Biology Scholars Program to the fullest and balance my life. By that I mean taking time to be fully present in study groups. Then take time to engage in fun yet safe activites with others.

Numbers don't go to college, people do. Don't spend all your time studying and focusing on only school. You need to explore. Being a bookworm is great and all, but it doesn't mean much if you can't communicate. Get up and allocate some of your time to doing what you love. It's time to meet new people, make connections and make a difference in peoples' lives. You want to be a doctor, but you've gotta realize that you can't be a doctor if you only know how to keep your nose in textbooks. Go dance, take a break from studying, set time aside to learn how to cook, and be nice to people. Make friends, never enemies. Trust me, focusing on numbers will make you get a lot of enemies.

Dear High School Self, I would like to offer you some advice for your college years and future. College is quite different than high school, be prepared to work four times as much and struggle every step of the way. I urge you to start exploring your interests as soon as you get to college, find your calling and start working toward that. Do not waste time, meet with a counselor and draw out your plan for the coming semesters. Take advantage of the wonderful school you are going to attend, love and embrace the beautiful struggle that we call life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself the same thing that everyone else told me about college last year: not to worry about a thing, and to look forward for that adventurous college life. The transition from high school to college has taught me more than what anyone could have told me. Experiencing it for yourself is the only great way to understand and learn that transitioning to a new setting is not as bad as many think it is. And not worrying about what college life would be or how hard the transition can be is something that is very helpful because you are able to accept the new atmosphere of college life quicker - and are able to enjoy the independence and freedom.

Focus more on your goals post college than your time in college. My goal as a senior was just to go to college. I didn't understand planning for graduation and beyond.

I had a lot of emotional problems when I was in high school, however, not academic ones. Though, I was always an above average student my focus was never on school. I worked a night job and then graduated early (with honors) to work full time and save enough money to move here in California from Ohio. It took me four years at a junior college to grow enough emotionally and academically to be ready for a real university. I needed time and the right guidence to understand myself, find my passion and work my way up to where I am now. If I could go back to when I was a senior, I would let myself know that in the end everything I felt and went through would ultimatley be worth it. That I was making the right decision for myself despite what others thought and how they tried to hold me back. I spent too much time doubting and degrading myself when I should have been enjoying life. Along with this, I would have told myself how much I love Anthropology and the study of primates so I wouldn't have spent so much time.