University of California-Irvine Top Questions

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry so much. I would say that, although I would be at a new place without knowing that many people there, so would many of the other freshmen there. It wouldn't be too difficult to meet new people, and I'd make some great friends there too. Also, I would tell myself to sign up for one of the summer sessions. UCI had a program called Summer Bridge. I visited a friend of mine there, and the program seemed to be absolutely wonderful. You earned a few units, made friends, and got to know some of the staff. Getting early registration for the next quarter (which is very good) was just icing on the cake.

Take more time to get help for college.

You should spend more time to study English to get a high score in SAT. You also need to practice pronouciation.

Don't try to plan everything out! Be willing to be put in new situations and try everything, even the things you weren't sure you'd like. Those are the things that turn out to be the most interesting and enjoyable. Have fun, don't stress about making friends -- They come with time! Study hard and play hard, but don't let them interfere with each other.

don't be bitter about other schools not accepting you, be outgoing

I would tell myself to start planning early. For so many years, my counselors and my friends always told me I had plenty of time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Although that advice was extremely comforting, I internalized it and used it as an excuse to slack off or be lazy. I always thought I had so much time and I never bothered to plan everything out or try different things. Four years may seem like a long time however, it really isn’t. Everything moves by so quickly and I would have definitely benefited if I developed a plan or a specific goal before I entered. I would have told myself to ask current UCI students about the clubs they were involved in and the courses they were taking and/or took so that I could have a better idea of what classes to apply for in the future. For a majority of my time in high school, I felt afraid to talk to counselors and teachers. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve told myself to face my fears early on so that it won’t debilitate me in the future.

Be prepared for the change.

I would tell myself to work harder and take the time to complete my homework. Apply to local universities instead of all out of state schools. Try to go into a 4 year school straight out of high school instead of a community college. The transition for people who transition from high school to a 4-year have a true college experience and make lasting friendships much faster than transfer students. Get involved in student life and take all research opportunities. Keep a high GPA.

Hey Henry, you've done a great job in high school and regardless of all the regrets you have about not doing as well as you should have or how much more you could have matured, you did well, and you shouldn't be so hard on yourself about it too much. College will be a new beginning, and only you can choose whether you want to bring along the high school "baggage" or not is up to you. The opportunities are really more than you can fathom in just 4 years; there is too much to explore to hold yourself back with things of old. Go out, try new things, meet new people, regardless of how cliche that sounds. It WILL benefit you, and it will be a new experience. Heck, it might even change the path of life you were planning to go down. You'll never know and that's what makes college that much more amazing of an experience.

To go to college which also means getting old means that I have a heavy sense of responsibility. Do anything what you can do and want to. Time just goes by. It never come back.