University of California-Irvine Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take college seriously. It is not like high school where you can go to classes and learn the material. You need to put in extra hours and effort to actually learn the material because not all the teachers speak perfect English or stick to the material they are teaching. I would also tell my younger self to take advantage of everything the school has to offer to help you learn or stay in college. I would take advantage of all the tutoring centors that they have to offer and work harder on scholarships, even if I do not get accepted by them. I would tell my old self not to get discouraged just because I did not get them. Just keep trying because it will help in the long run. I would tell myself to make friends and be social. Its like a minature world where everything goes by too quickly to catch. If not, college can be one of the lonliest places there can be.

Focus on doing more and thinking less. I have had more epiphanies in college than I can count. I thought I knew what I was taking on when I began applying for my higher education. I thought I had everything planned out. I thought I would be prepared for everything without understanding how much I had to do before I could find what I was made of. Too many years of people telling me what I wanted when I did not know myself. Once I arrived, however, high school and all my plans seemed to have disappeared. Though I have no regrets about high school, college has given me opportunities to do so much more than I could possibly imagine. I found my head in my dorm room, my voice with my friends, and my feet in dance class. And this summer I will be in Japan exploring the bright lights of Tokyo. There, I hope to find the dream I have been searching for ever since I set my butt down in my language class.

I would tell myself that no matter what college I end up attending, I need to act like a sponge. I need to absorb as much as I can from every professor who is willing to guide and mentor me. It is such a great opportunity to have a close relationship with prestigious professors and also have a good social balance. Even though it may be really tough to stay focused, with the freedom that is given being away from home, it is extremely important to prioritize and work hard to gain that extra A. At times it may feel that a social gathering might be the end of the world if you do not attend, but in reality there will be many more to come, but there will only be one shot to make it right with your academics. In conclusion, my parents are always there to guide me in the best direction, so listen to them and accept that they only want the best for me. They want me to excel in whatever my heart desires.

College is a billion times harder than anyone says. If you aren?t one hundred percent sure of what you want to do, go in undeclared. Don?t choose a major till you know you?ll love it. Time is a precious thing in college. Treat your time there as a run-through for real life. Sometimes in life, you only get one chance to get it right ? like in a class where the final is sixty percent of your grade. Sometimes in life, you come across people who get under your skin ? but you need to have the grace and the open-mindedness to respect them anyway, because they could end up as your professor. It isn?t easy to get a degree ? if it was, everybody would have one! It?s hard to be one of the smart people, rather than the smart person, but the competition will make you stronger. Even if your grades slip and you feel like its hopeless, don?t ever give up ? it?s always attainable. Swallow your pride and ask for help. Colleges pay people for that sort of thing, so use it, and keep fighting. The degree is worth the fight.

College is easily overestimated and underestimated. As a high school senior I wish I had known had much location plays a big role in one's quality of life in college. I also wish that I had known how much a counselor, family member, friend can be one's greatest help in making important decisions and filling out applications. Socially, I would have told myself to not worry so much about small things for they become nonexistent in college. The transition is not easy and often a college freshmen can be blinded by the "honeymoon phase" of the first quarter. Ultimately, however, it is my advice to high school seniors going to college to pick the school where walking on campus just feels right. This feeling is the most overlooked and the most important indicator of the college that is right for a person. Money is a huge factor in making a decision and in creating stress throughout the transition and course of the college career, but if one feels they will get more out of college than is being put in, then go for it and don't look back!

Try to get involved on campus since the first quarter because that's when everyone really gets to know each other, and get as much work done during the week so you have tge weekend to relax.

to go to shool study hard and make a carrer for mysef.

Life is not black and white, so open your eyes! There is a spectrum of colors in terms of friends, achievements, activities, and paths to figure out who you are. Just because everyone else around you is saying that a particular college will not be a good experience because it is not an ivy league college absolutely means nothing. Learn to go put yourself out there rather than worrying over what people think of you because when you transition into college, you're exposed to a whole new world. You have the freedom to be who you are and not live to please the people around you. Despite your imperfections, be excited for a journey that you will never forget. Nevetheless, open yourself up to people and the different experiences college has to offer or you will miss out on the opportunity to grow as the person you were intended to be.

Whatever advice I may give to my younger self, the meaning of it may not be fully understood. In such case, I would leave only the advice to continue to work hard as I always would have. Difficult decisions that have great outcome will come but by knowing what is important, the right choice can be made. I would encourage my younger self to try and meet new people but that doesn't mean joining every club available. The last piece of advice would be simply to live a happy life and work towards a bright tomorrow while leaving something meaningful for the memory of yesterday.

make sure what route you want to go and best adviser is yourself