University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

In high school, all of my focus was towards academics and getting really good grades in order to become valedictorian. In doing this, I sacrificed a social life. I know now that in high school hard work is necessary but so is living life. I would tell myself to not take everything so seriously and focus on more opportunities and volunteering rather than academics. I would tell myself to smile and joke around every once in awhile because when it comes down to it high school is probably one of the easiest times in your life and you should enjoy it. You should connect with your friends because that connection could help you later in life. I would remind myself of the basic lesson such as peer pressure as it is a very real thing in college. I would want my younger self to have a strong foundation of beliefs and ideals so that when I got to college I could go back to these beliefs and not fall into peer pressure and "typical" college behavior.

Knowing what I know about college the only advice I would tell my younger self would be to meet as many people as you can, have fun, and stay focused. I would not want to give my younger self too much information because a big part of college is growing as a person and becoming a young adult. A lot of mistakes will be made, but mistakes are a fundamental part in an young adults growth. As long as we learn from our mistakes they will do more good than bad for us in life. It is the journey and not the destination that will have the most impact on our lives.

Don't be worried about being different and changing yourself to fit in. You're going to have the time of your life studying abroad in London and realize that you are happiest when you are true to your desires and wants. The confidence you exude when you embrace all your oddities will make you stand out and distinguish you in a great organization that will change the way you look at leadership. Don't feel broken for not feeling appropriate emotions. You'll speak to a university psychologist for days and realize that you can't tell your heart how to feel. Don't feel guilty for not drinking, you're going to find great friends that share your values and will support you when classes seem like they're getting to be too much for you to handle. Do prepare to be happier than you ever were in high school. Your skills are invaluable and you will find yourself being an integral part of several university organizations. Do remember to be thankful for every minute you have with your family, because you'll miss them once you've moved out. Do enjoy every fleeting minute of your life.

Don't stress so much, you're making the right choice in going to college! College is a great experience, and you will pick the right school. The new adventure will be what you make of it; if you decide to be an active member of the school, you can meet amazing people and have a great journey All of the other college freshmen are just as nervous as you, so pick some good ones and they will help make the transition easier. At times it may get tough and the studying will get hard. However, if you learn to manage your time well, you will have nothing to worry about. Enjoy your time in high school and make lasting memories with your friends, because it will be harder to stay in touch once you all go your seperate ways. But they will be there for you when you're in that new and unknown place and will know how to make you feel better. Don't forget that even though you aren't with your fammily and friends, they are there to help make your transition easy! You will do great things!

I would tell myself to build extensive study habits and to not be afraid to ask for help. Much of what I have learned in college I have remembered thanks to great study partners and techniques. When I was in high school, I crammed for every test, and then afterward, would retain none of the knowledge that I studied. By studying with others, creative solutions were discovered more quickly to problems that we all had with the material. I was able to recall the knowledge and apply it, not just regurgitate it for and exam or quiz. I would tell myself that it would not be easy at first, but in the long term, would pay great dividends through both my GPA and overall knowledge base. Asking for help should have never been a sign of weakness in my mind, as it is one of humankind's greatest strengths! Every human has to learn from another, building upon knowledge and inventing new ways to examine the world around us. We are built to learn from each other and we all need help sometimes. That is exactly what I would tell my high school self.

Rewind one year: I am a high school senior swamped with AP classes and a plethora of homework, multiple quizzes and two tests in the same week, club obligations to meet, and friends to socialize with. My entire life revolves around perpetual work, and I was blissfully ignorant that in only a few short months, I would move to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. What I would tell my high school self is painfully simple: spend more time with your family, because they are your foundation, and you will finally realize the adage that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. My dedication to my academics clouded this vital truth from me. I would do anything to go back and go to that party with my mother’s family and find another time to study for my government test, or randomly go shopping with my sister during one of her impulses. I would put down my book and bother my brothers while they were on their computers or take my dad to Taco Bell on a whim. My family is a major part of my life, and every moment with them is an important one.

I would have told myself to not worry about boys, drama, frenemies, and to focus myself 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. I was a first generation college student, my parents highest grade level achieved was middle school. I had no role models, so it made it difficult to apply myself academically. I would have told myself that I was worthy of attending any university I set my mind to.

Dear High School Seniors: Every college has its own distinct advantages and faults. One thing for sure is that if you properly use the resources and keep your eyes on positive goals, you can be "successful" in any university. Yes, any university. So, instead of stressing out and blindly applying to the most prestigious universities in the United States, find the school that you think you'd be passionate about and one that fits you. Don't be discouraged if you don't get your first choice or less. Successful people aren't made by schools; they are who they are because of their experiences and the people around them. Think of school as a tool or stepping stone in your life, nothing more. Other people believe in you, so, have some faith for yourself. Cherish the last moments in high school and best of luck in life!

I would tell myself to be less stressed out. I always knew that UCLA was my dream school and worked toward admission with every late night review session and AP test. But the application process to college is so stressful, and it always works out. People end up where they are meant to be. And more importantly, if you approach college with a desire to succeed and a passion for what you are learning, you can do well on any campus. My biggest advice to myself would be to take it one step at a time and not worry about what will happen way down the line. All you can do is your absolute best in that moment and hope for the best. I could not be more happy about where I am now, but if I could've known that I would end up at UCLA as a high school senior, I would have eliminated many worried-filled nights!

I would make sure that I had more scholarships lined up for me. With that I would have put forth more effort to get better grades. I would have researched more colleges and made sure I was better prepared for the college life.