University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

Being in my third year of college and having had a variety of experiences I would tell myself as a senior in high school that college is your opportunity to discover who you are and who you want to become. I would encourage myself to take advantage of every opportunity presented to me as I enter into college. Meet as many people as possible, build your network of associates. Participate in sports, clubs, on campus activities, or any leadership positions to prepare you for working with others in the business world. Take classes that you are really interested in and that you would enjoy going above and beyond for. A university education is expensive and you want to make sure you get academically what you have paid for financially. Once college is over you are forced into the real world and loaded with decisions and responsibilities. Take these four years to accomplish your goals, establish the path you want to be on once you've graduated, and discover who you are as an individual.

I would tell myself to stay in school and focus to get the good career afterwards. I was never good at attending school or finishing school work, i chose to play instead. Although i did get get my highschool diploma and got lucky with a decent job a few years out of highschool, i always kick myself for not attending college sooner. The more time goes on the harder it is for me to find the motivation to go, and now having 2 kids its even harder to find all the time. If i could go back now and tell myself all of the struggles i went through and the hard times I've had not being able to get the great paying job due to lack of schooling i would change it all!

Dear Heather, Try not to be nervous about leaving your friends behind and making new ones because you'll find the right friends if you just be yourself. Don't be too upset when you don't get straight A's; the assignments and exams are more difficult here than they were in high school. Just do your best and try your hardest because in the end you will still have learned a lot. Be sure to spend some time on activities outside of school, you'll need friends and fun times to get you through those challenging courses. Don't be afraid to try new things; join an intramural sports team, a club or take a dance class to meet new people and learn more about yourself. Also, be sure to ask for help when you need it. Your professors are paid to help you learn, so take advantage of office hours and discussion sections to help you do well in your classes. Finally, leave your expectations behind, have a blast, and never give up! Love, Heather

Sawyer- It's me. Or you. Whichever, I'm already half way through college, and we have a chance to start over- Some tips for the road: -Taking your own advice is one of the toughest things to do in life, but regardless of whether it works out, you still believed in yourself, and that's what matters. Don't turn away because of timidness. -College course work isn't what it was hyped up to be, but it's still something to be prepared for. Knowing you can handle what they throw at you is half the battle. -You were born in the US, not Togo, or Swaziland; recognize your blessings. -That being said, don't you dare sit on the sidelines too much; get active, play games, discover new people, but most of all, face head on the apprehension you feel within; destroy it, crush it with new feelings and ideas and desires. -Be ever-changing but still true to yourself. -Relax. Wake up each morning as if you were tackling the day with new spirit and agenda. -20years from now you'll wish you'd have done more, but let's limit that the best we can.

As a senior I was unaware of the storm on it's way. Today I would say to my past self that no matter how bad things get it will only be a temporary period, and doors will start opening up for you real soon. During college a tempest of social, academic, and family problems berated me continuously. Contrary to my positive expectations of college, my life took several turns for the worst and I ended up feeling like a broken man. During this crisis it took tremendous effort to maintain good grades and try to connect with others. After many years of hard work life is looking much brighter. I have discovered a career path that I am excited about working as a public consultant. I want to help develop environmental policies that improve our nation, without causing people to sacrifice their quality of living. I will work to achieve this by developing better urban planning, transportation, and waste management. I am also connecting better with my friends and family, and I can see now that my future has great potential. This scholarship will help fund my tuition so that I can achieve those bigger things. Thank you, Dan.

Hey PJ, I know you think that college is all about partying, girls, and sports... but the main reason you go to college is to get an education an prepare yourself for a career and a life

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop procrastinating! College is definitely a time of independence and mommy and daddy are no longer there to tell you when to do work. The quarter system at UCSC goes by so fast that you need to be on top of work. Once you lag behind, it is very difficult to catch up. I would also tell myself to be more open with people during freshman year. With the shock of a new environment, I closed myself off during my first year to most of my hallmates and I was scared of meeting new people. I wish I could tell my old self that people at Santa Cruz are actually quiet friendly and not as scary. My high school self was really scared of coming to Santa Cruz and I wish I could have come into school with a better and happier attitude. Lastly, I would tell my old self to be open to the idea of being a Business Management Economics major. It took me a whole year to finally realize that I actually like the BME major and that I'm actually good at those courses.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, the most important advice I would give would be to stop stressing. Stop worrying about prestige, about being the top of the class, and just get into the groove of learning for the sake of learning, not for credentials or grades. I have forgotten so much of what I learned in K-12 public education because I was so focused on the grades; on getting into a good school so that I could have the life I envisioned, but here I am now, in my backup backup school without much prestige, and I'm happy, and I'm learning, and my bachelor's degree in literature from Santa Cruz will be no less helpful to me than one from San Diego, or those coveted Ivy leagues, in my quest to become a teacher. So I would tell myself to stop stressing out, and also to be careful of dining hall food, because that freshman fifteen is no myth.

Being a college student isn't just about going to parties all the time or studying for classes 24/7. To be a successful college student, while also having a good time with friends, you must know how to manage their time well. Staying in the room and sitting at the desk all the time makes you miss all the opportunities that college has to give you. College life isn't about just getting good grades so that you can have a successful career. It is a time to interact with your peers and learn how to make smart decisions on your own, which will allow you to have more independence. However, you must not get carried away with socializing with others and have that be the only thing your doing. A major reason that you're going to college is to have a successful career. If your grades are not up to par, then there would have been no point in all your work that got you into college. As a college student, you must know the balance between socializing and studying. Don't expect yourself to be either studying all the time or partying all the time.

As a high school senior, I had many interests and my mind boggled at the many major options. Coming to college, I didn't know what to expect. Moving out of my house and living away from the parents for the first time, meeting new people, taking college courses--they were all questions that I had coming in. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, if I could go back in time, I would advise myself to take my time in college, enjoy the college life but at the same time, study when needed. Be open to meet new people and to try new things. I would also tell myself to get involved as much as possible! More specifically, I would tell myself to consider majoring in math education, or biology and environmental studies. And lastly, call your parents and no matter how much they may call you, don't take it for granted. Enjoy!