University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Hi Kyle, I am you a year from now, and something I want to tell you is that college is going to be more than what you expect. In terms of studying, just work hard and you?ll be fine. What I really want you to know is that everything you are about to experience will challenge your beliefs and drag you out of your comfort zone. In spite of everything that is going to happen, I want you to be yourself, and to make this year your own. Don?t be a people pleaser, instead be yourself and have people be drawn to you, because freshman year of college is where you find yourself. You don?t want to be sucked into a crowd you don?t fit into, and find out sophomore year that you don?t really know who you are, and that you don?t have any real friends. You want to feel free to be yourself, and to have friends that know you, and are your friends because of who you are, and not what you pretended to be. I know by speaking from experience. So plain and simple, just be who you are.

Because I graduated from high school in 1997, I have over a decade of adult experience which I would like to impart to my high school self. When I graduated from high school, I enrolled in USC, where the freedom from parental supervision offered both the opportunity to mature and the potential to lose myself. Living on a campus where social interaction often superseded academic pusuit, as is common for most schools with an active greek-life, I indulged in destructive behaviors that forced two withdrawls from academia. I took several years to settle down before enrolling in Saddleback Community College, where I achieved a 3.92 grade point average, which ultimately guarenteed my admittance into the University of California, Irvine. Maintaining a 3.841 g.p.a. allowed acceptance to Chapman University's School of Law, which I will begin in August. In retrospect, I do not regret my process because my experiences made me the person who I am today. However, if I could advise other young people, I would emphasize the importance of treating their body as a temple. I would impart the truth about the consequences of making their social life a priority over their education.

Parents should give advice, but they should also allow their children to make the decision that they will be happy with. The college that they pick should be right for the child, an environment they can fit in and learn in!

UC-Irvine is probably no one's first choice college, but almost every one turns out to be glad to have made the decision of going to UCI.

Take the time to focus on what you are looking for in a school. Financial concerns may play a big part in your decision, but it will benefit you more to go to a college environment that you feel comfortable in instead of the one that is cheapest. Overall, be yourself and feel free to express yourself. You are in college to learn, flourish, have fun, and discover your independent self. Don't go too crazy! It is a completely different experience than in high school that teaches you about time management and being an adult. Don't forget about your studies, but don't forget to let loose and meet new people as well. Best of luck.

Finding the right college is difficult, especially if you have to base your decision on a campus tour or the "feel" of it. The best way to know if the college is right for you is to actually experience it. If you have a friend or know someone attending, stay there for a weekend or even a week and attend the courses to see whether the college fits you, fits your needs, or fits your wants. To take advantage of the full college experience, you first must importantly get involve; whether its a club, a fraternity or a sorority, or just meeting and hanging out with new friends or people from your dorm or classes. Everyone to some extent feels the way that you do, but all you have to do is be open to new experiences and making new friends. Stop being afraid of making mistakes or doing something embarrassing because most likely, no one is going to remember the next day (except you), so take a chance and have fun.

Do a lot of research before you decide on where to attend for college. Remember, it's not how famous the school is or whether it's family tradition, it really depends on what major you're studying and feeling at home on campus.

I would advise them to visit all the colleges they apply to, then go from there. It is really important to get a feel for the campus and the area sorrounding it. It is always good for the student to visit the colleges with their parents, this way the parents know exactly where their kids are going and approve of a certain college/area. Also, pay attention to what the school is known for. If a school is known for a particular major and/or school that fits a student, then it will probably be the better choice. When you narrow it down to two or three choices, you should then get connected with people who go there and ask them to show you around, or give you advice on your decision. People in college are usually friendly and would be glad to help someone out. So don't be shy. Ask questions, be wise about your choice, and always have motivation to keep you going.

Be focused

When I started college I was extremely excited , however, in all the excitement I - in some ways - forgot the academic side of college. I failed two classes - Biology and Chemistry - my first year because I just did not know how to study. In other words, I don't think I was prepared for college; however, since then, I've taken strides to hone my study habits, and let go of my old high school ways. So if I were to give any incoming students advice about college, I would tell them to hone their study habits because they're going to be around extremely competitve kids that work just as hard, if not harder, than them. I would tell them to take that challenge of making themselves better, all the while being open to new experiences - in terms of meeting new friends and reaching out to their advisors/professors. College is good, but it's up to the person to make it great.