University of California-Los Angeles Top Questions

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You are loved. Love yourself, allow yourself to be loved, and love others. Always believe in yourself and go after your passions. Be creative and follow your inner desire to help people. You can do it. Highschool is a creative world so expolore all the options. Do not rush because what is most important is feeling confident in yourself. The world loves people who know themselves. Take care of your beauty because it is your passion and purpose. Also keep your finances in mind. Consider building you service and income.

College is not necessarily about solely the education, it's about placing yourself in an environment where you can grow in self awareness, identity, and education. It is a place where you are surrounded with people similar to you in ambition and interests. It is definitely possible that some colleges are NOT for you- but it is YOUR choice to decide which direction you choose to take in life (keep in mind your academic goals, personal goals, and financial goals). It is YOUR choice to decide what you'd like to study and spend your time doing. Time will go by fast and doubt will always fan the flames of your fears but as you challenge yourself and grow, note that every decision/path has a lesson to gain. Especially, those moments that don't go 'as planned'. So do your best to prepare yourself for the worst scenerios but embrace the moments when things are great and even when things are terrible- because being in college is a privelege and although some things in life are out of our control- it's all still a gift.

Stick it out, the 4 years spent at UCLA is tough but it's also some of the best years in your life. Don't squander it and work hard. You'll make it.

Life is a learning process. I don't have to know the answers to everything. It is OK to make mistakes. Stop being a perfectionist. Learn to accept rejection. Accept people for who they are. Never judge any one on appearances. Study hard. Love life. Be kind. Help those in need. If you fall, get back up and keep going. Don't worry what others think about you. Keep your head up. Stay strong. Have fun but be responsible. Knowledge is power. Accept help from others. Be cautious. Careful who you fall in love with. Laugh more. Hug your parents more. Be there for your friends more. Drive slow. Don't drink so much. Breathe.

Calling something a “good” versus a “bad” experience is merely an arbitrary label, since every experience “good” and “bad” in life vitally contributes to your wealth of knowledge. However, this perception that certain things were “bad” and that “grades were everything” caused me to sabotage my happiness in college. Therefore, I would encourage my high school self to realize that grades merely one ingredient of the cake of life. It is far better to spend the energy that would have been used worrying about the grades on working towards achieving balance and joy in life. As a student with a 3.971 GPA from UCLA, I always defined myself by grades, but now I realize that they are merely one minor reflection of ability. This false perception often drove me past the point of balance to the extremes of chronic stress, causing me to push away all opportunities beyond the classroom. Now I realize that I cannot forsake cultivating the other ingredients for this one. As I enter law school, I know that I will heed this advice so that my cake of life will be infinitely more delicious as I mix together the full spectrum of ingredients.

I wouldn't give my high school self any advice. Such a huge part of my education at UCLA was being suddenly dropped into this new community of 30,000 students and having to keep myself afloat. The failures and successes of the first years of college hold equal stake in making me the person I am today. It may seem like giving yourself advice that may help you avoid life's challenges or difficulties is a no brainer, yet I can't help but think that without some of that struggle I may not be the person I am today. I learned so much in college in the classroom, but also by being thrust into new life situations, both helping to mold my mind and personality to make me the person I am today. For as many mistakes as some well placed hind sight advice may be able to help me avoid, I would miss out on so many valuable lessons. So I guess if I had to go back and tell my high school senior self something about life and making transitions into college it would just be relax and have fun with whatever life tosses your way.

I would advice myself to take more AP classes to help me get accustomed to the pace of college and to focus on writing skills, because writing is extremely important in college. I would tell myself that grades are not everything and that actually learning the material and subject is better becuase it makes you a well-rounded person that knows a bit about everything. And to get used to the heavy workload that I always complained about in school. But to not stress myself too much because college is not that bad and it is fun because you get to explore different boundaries and many things you had never even thought about. I would finally tell my old self that it does not matter what college you go to but how you take that opportunity to make something great out of your education, and use that education to help others.

Your life is what you make of it. Grades aren't what define you, despite how stressed you've been about getting the top grades so you could get into the top colleges. Sleep is important, but you don't have to oversleep; there's still so much out there for you to experience and explore. There will be days when everything seems pointless. Why go to lecture? Your professor won't even notice you're not there anyway. You could just get the notes from a friend or from the textbook, if you're lucky enough. But why sleep in when there's still so much to learn. There are so many people to meet, so many connections to make and so many people to touch with your personality. Sure, in the end those grades will get you steering straight on your career path, but will you be happy? Will you be satisfied with all that you've experienced and learned in high school and beyond when you really are in control of your life? You don't have to do everything those college movies highlight, just what makes you smile at the end of the day.

Thank your parents. Even if you don't understand why, just do it. You are in college and for that reason alone, be grateful to them. You have never been to jail; you have a strong head on your shoulders; and you are in art school, thank them. You might not realize the part your parents have played in keeping you grounded and motivated, encouraging your talents, showing up to your performances; in college you will. When you really are in charge of yourself, your parents' constant advice will help you make the best choice. Even if you don't "listen" to them, listen to what they have to say and store it in the back of your mind. It will come handy at a time you most need it. Say thank you because they have given you all the tools to make it into college, and now you are boundless. The paths you can take, lessons you can learn, friendships you can make will be greater than most other experience you will have in your life. And the best part is: they are still secretly supporting you so you can experience college without the burden of post-college reality.