University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Top Questions

I would assure myself college will reflect the effort put into it. Regardless of location, school name, or academic status, all schools will mirror your mindset. You don't like your grades? Study harder. You don't have any interest from the opposite sex? Find your inner charisma and go meet someone. You're concerned about your professional future? Talk with faculty, advisors, graduate students, the career center--most people are ready and willing to assist you. At age 18, very few people possess the maturity or drive to make all the correct decisions--many poor decisions become valuable learning experiences--but you must have the desire and "stick-to-it-iveness" to investigate new avenues for success. Try everything you can. Say "yes." Apply. Do. Most life systems don't provide a "fair" return on investment. There will be many future days that you will not receive your due. Life is loaded with chance, bias, and lobbyists. College is a collection of facilities and people with the purpose of helping you design yourself. Embrace the opportunity. Enjoy your time. Try.

Assuming I could go back in time I would give my high school self tips about applying to scholarships earlier, rather than waiting until she was accepted to a college. I would encourage my high school self to become more active within her community and to not be afraid to go outside of her comfort zone. The biggest advice that I could give my high school self; however, is to challenge herself by taking honors and AP classes because in the end all the hard work she did will pay off and make the transition into college courses that much easier.

Don't be afraid, take chances and reach outside your comfort zone. Before I started college, and even in the first few weeks, I was worried I would have trouble making friends and getting involved. My first friend was more of a buddy. We didn't exactly "click," but neither of us had anyone else to hang out with. My roommate was Chinese, barely spoke English, and was never in the room. I felt alone and soon became discouraged I wouldn't find a real friend, someone I truly enjoyed being around. Frustrated, I began attending meetings for different clubs and groups and talking to students in my major. As a result, I helped found a chapter for the engineering sorority Phi Sigma Rho on campus, as well as became involved with Engineers Without Borders and Bearcat Buddies, a tutoring program for elementary school children. And silly of me to worry about making friends! By challenging myself to be more outgoing and friendly and by taking leadership roles in Phi Sigma Rho and Engineers Without Borders, I found friends that are now some of my closest. I never had anything to be afraid of.

I would have told myself to not take advantage of my first few years in college, get as involved as much as possible and study hard! Although I feel that I have grown a lot through my first few years of college, I feel that I could have reached a higher potential after my freshman year.

If I could go back and advise myself I would tell myself not to take everything so seriously. Yes, schooling is important and I am the kind of student that will get all my work done, but by taking every little thing seriously college will manage to eat you alive. I would tell myself to start earlier on looking at where I specifically wanted to go to college so I knew more about the campus life. To help with the personal transition I would try to bring pictures or personal belongings that would help me feel more at home in my dorm room. While it isn't "Home sweet home", it is still where you live during your academic year. I would advise myself to get used to later nights and more reading, so thus trying to read more over the summer to prepare for the extra taskload. I always loved reading, but making sure you are used to it over the long summer break can sometimes cause you to slack off. Overall, I would tell myself to relax and take everything one step at a time. Do not freak out.

Dear Keara, Hey love! It is I, 22 year old you! You're going to college soon, and as someone who has been to college already I have a few things I want to tell you. First, don't go to a university off the bat! Dad will be paying a large amount for it, so go to a 2-year college first! Trust me! It will be A LOT cheaper! Secondly, if you do go to a 4-year university your first year will be challenging and exciting! Don't be scared, you'll make tons of friends and your grades will be good! The second year will be a ball of stress though. DO NOT ROOM with your future best friends, at the end of the 2nd year you won't be friends any more! Go to class everyday, and don't get caught up in EVERY event the school have. Work now, party later! Remember that! Find a job in town ASAP, you'll need the extra money! Just have fun and be safe! When you want to give up don't! So finish this last year of HS up well. Love you! - Keara

Your hard work in high school definately will pay off in college, whether it's through using AP credit for academic classes, moving you through placement exams to place in higher level classes, or giving you a solid general level of knowledge to understand the material at the college level. Push yourself in high school to be fully prepared for college if you want to set yourself up to succeed. And once you get to college, don't be afraid to ask questions. The college professors post their office hours--be sure to schedule an appointment (or drop by, if that's their preferred policy). The professors want you to do well, regardless of what you've heard about "freshman flunkout" classes. Get to know your professors. They're going to be willing to help you understand the material. If you're still stumped by it, utilize the free tutoring opportunities that colleges offer. Realize that you need to make the first step. The professors aren't going to come to you to see if you're struggling. It's your job to go to them, meet with them, and discuss the material and assignments as needed.

I would tell myself as a High School senior to not procrastinate. There are many oppourtunites for students such as financial oppourtunites that are available to students. This type of chance is time sensitve and can be missed out. I would also tell myself that it is okay to second guess yourself. Going into college is a time to find your self identity and to find out what you would like to do for the rest of your life. You do not have to pick a major right away. There are classes that can be taken to assist you in your choice of major. It is okay to not know exactly what you would like to do. By exploring you will find what you truely love.

First, I would have a super long conversation. One thing it would pertain to is how to study at a faster pace, and not spend so much time on one subject. Then the importance of being a good writer, and formulating thought on paper. And how writing helps a person navigate ideas and turn ideas into products that can be sold.

I have met a lot of new friends here at UC. When I first came, I only knew 3-4 people who came here. Now, I can walk across campus and run into a friend. Everyone treats everyone with respect and everyone seems to enjoy attending UC. I have learned alot from my degree required classes, I came here as a liberal, but might leave as a conservative. UC has given me a chance to research papers on subjects that I had never explored before. I found that in doing the research and taking an opinion has brodened my knowledge base. I was given some grief for choosing UC at first 'its in a bad neighborhood', 'university of criminals', and the list goes on. I honestly believe it has been a great choice for me., it has been a great experience.