University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

Time management is essential to your success at this school. There are so many opportunities to do nearly any type of activity imaginable. Getting involved in too much may be the cause of your academic demise, Jayson. As a high school senior, you are already very busy with juggling your AP classes, martial arts training, working at the martial arts studio, serving as president of several clubs on campus, and being an active member of the associated student body (ASB). I am worried that you will attempt to become too involved and, as a result, your grades will suffer. UC Berkeley will not be nearly as easy as San Dimas High was for you. Join a couple clubs, but not until you realize the appropriate amount of time to allocate to your studies, which is the most important part of college. Be careful with partying as well, because Berkeley's social scene is very active and enjoyable, which will probably attract your attention. Joining clubs and attending parties is completely acceptable in moderation, but the key word is moderation. You have enough self motivation and positive work ethic, so I know that you will do what's best for you.

If I could, I would advise my high school self to be bold and explore more classes. To be fair, my school was quite small and didn't offer (at the time I attended) psychology, music theory, or many of my other interests. But I could have taken art or film -- neither of which I would necessarily excelled in, but both of which would have sated certain desires (or created new paths for me) before I entered college and had to count units sparingly. Now, I find myself wishing I could major in three different things, pick up two minors and still have room for "electives" -- obviously impossible! At the same time, I'd tell myself to learn time management habits early on! Contrary to popular belief, that means NOT multitasking, but immersing yourself in one activity for all the time it takes -- and that's not just studying. I'd remind myself to eat healthily and always outdoors (it's psychological!), get to bed at a reasonable hour, and always be fully present in what I'm doing at that moment. That's the best way to succeed, excel, and enjoy.

Ok, first I’m you from the future. Yes I know you get bit thinner, and taller, and you develop a workable sense of style: you are welcome. Let me tell you a few things. First, you have to get over the feeling that you are the smartest person in the room, you aren’t, you’ll learn that your first day at of school, but don’t worry, by the end of your first year you will have learned to deal with it. Secondly, The most important thing in college isn’t college at all. It’s about the people you meet, and the skills you learn outside of class. You will find that a lunch you have at a Vietnamese restaurant is more important than a paper you will write on Kant’s transcendental idealism. One last thing, keep a close eye on your roommate, you are going to fall in love with him. Yes, I said him (don't act so surprised). I won’t tell you exactly how that happens, because quite frankly, I still don’t know the ending to that beautiful story quite just yet. Good luck, Godspeed oh and shave that pathetic moustache.

Follow Your Dreams .Following your dreams is the most important ingredient in life. This is what will make you happy. If you find that your dream isn't what you thought it would be, always know that you can change paths. You don't have to be afraid of changing your mind. You will find many passions in life. You can always follow more than one dream to see where it leads. The worst part about getting older is realizing that you didn't realize your dreams. Follow Your Heart,Be Careful Of Your Choices,and do whatever you want while you are young.

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships because that would've mad my life much easier had I been awarded some. I would also tell myself to take classes all year long in college so I would be able to graduate sooner. The most important thing I would tell myself would be to start looking into internships and other opportunities to get a head start in my choosen career field.

I was not the best student in high school nor the worst. If I did not feel like studying for a test then I would not and take a failing grade. Back then I was very apathetic about school and grades. If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to keep trying and never give up. Although studying is hard, that I should try to make the best grades possible. In high school, I had a very abusive boyfriend that would tell me that I would never "make anything of myself" so I would tell my high school self to dump him because I will achieve my dreams in the future. In high school I wanted to become a nurse in the future and now, presently I am 27 years old, I will be going to nursing school (Master's program) for the 2011/2012 school year. Therefore, I want my high school self to know to never stop reaching for the stars and to continue to dream no matter what anyone says to you.

Kid – I know you have been waiting to get out of high school, thinking college is the right place for you, and you are right about that. You will have plentiful opportunities to challenge yourself and test the waters of an adult life, at least if adult life were funded by your parents. You will have more freedom in academic choices, friendship, and family relations. However, you should also realize that those same arenas are ones in which you will undoubtedly have to learn from your mistakes. When choosing classes for the upcoming semester, consider your interests in addition to the requirements you need to fulfill. Sometimes those categories may conflict. Know that you are bound to perform better, and even enjoy studying, when classes provoke your thinking. Remember to balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities. You would be surprised how rewarding – both professionally and socially – joining a student organization or community group can be. Being away from your family will be easier if you involve yourself and make time to make friends. Pictures, email, and Skype help, too. Lastly, resist the temptation to do too much – you might be doing so at the expense of much needed rest and relaxation.

I think the first bit of advice I would give to myself back in high school would have been to really put in the effort to get involved, especially in that first semester. I don't necessarily mean join every club/fraternity/advocacy group that hands you a flier, but really make an effort to go out and meet new people and experience what your school/city/dorm has to offer. For me, being an extrovert takes a lot of energy, but I went to school far from home and I made friends a lot faster than some of my high school friends who would go home every weekend. Even the most outgoing people can have problems if they don't give themselves (and others) time to really get to know them, and having that group of people to interact with was extremely important when the homesickness hit. I'm sure that without those new friends, I wouldn't have been as successful academically that first semester out. Also, it was a great having that support group there when I needed to complain or cry or just be around people who liked having me there.

Dear high school senior me, Learn to trust yourself more. You are more than capable of doing anything you set your mind to. You've proved it countless times, and you will continue to do so in college. Don't worry that you are undecided; you will soon discover exactly what you want to study. Do what makes you happy. Live on your own terms. Remember the lessons you learned from your parents and from your mistakes. Continue to grow and be independent, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Love, A slightly more experienced you.

For certain, I would tell myself to not ever take morning classes. My two roommate liked to come back into the room at random times from 2 am to 4 am, always turning on the lights or shutting the windows, waking me up in the process. They know I have morning classe at 8 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 am class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If I had known what my roommates were like, and how much sleep I needed, I would have not made my schedule into having a morning class everyday of the week. The dorm life is a crucial part of the college experience; it is where you meet people and have a better chance at developing a closer relationship with those you meet. Lecture halls are huge, and one will have a difficult time becoming friends with classmates, unless the two of you have the same discussion and even then, you may not ever have class again and the friendship will be lost. Life in the residential halls is what you make of it; it is entirely up to you how you choose to spend the time you have in the dormitories.