University of Connecticut-Stamford Top Questions

The first advice I would give myself would be to study really hard for my AP exams and pass them because they will be important for college. Another advice would be to sign up to hundreds of scholarships that are available for college. I know it would be difficult to write all the essays and submit my references and applications, but it would be worth it in the long run. In addition, I should warn myself to sign up for my classes early and get my books in advance since it is important to be ready ahead of time. Finally, I would tell myself to enjoy my last year in high school since it will be the last time that I will be with my friends since middle school. Obviously, I would not skip every class and fail, but I should be more involved in school and hang out with my friends more often since many of them have gone to far away schools.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself not worry and to take a deep breath and relax. When you hear the word college, don't be afraid. The only thing you have to worry about now is buying books and paying for school, which is the only negative side to college. Sometimes I wish there was someone to warn me that financial aid doesn't always cover all the fees for the school years. On a positive note, it's not an enormous school with gigantic classes. Size wise it's just right, and you don't feel crowded when going to class because everyone has a different schedule.

I had a hard time adjusting to this my first year of college and dropped out of my intended major. Only now do I have the experience and knowledge to succeed academically and have been admitted to pharmacy school. If I can give my 17-year old self advice, it would be to plan things out ahead of time. This isn't like high school where you have a whole academic year to bring your grades up. You only have a short few months to prove yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something. No one will think you're dumb if you do so. The smartest people are the ones who do ask those questions. It is okay to make mistakes from time to time. What matters is that you learn from them and never make that mistake again. Experience is the key to success.

I would tell myself that because I am skating by, doesn't mean a thing. I would tell myself that had I applied myself immmediately after high school and actually stuck with college I could actually have a successful career and being a single divorced mother providing for her and her son would be easier than it is now and that I might be able to have a house and a yard for my son to play in. That I would have more oppurtunities for my son and that paying more attention and applying myself in high school more would have been so worth being able to give the best thing that happened to me, everything he ever wanted. I would tell myself that I need to stop being shy, buck up and assert myself because in high school I doubted myself continuously. I would tell myself I am smart, beautiful, funny and capable of anything and that it's not just a cheesy line, I really can do anything. I would tell myself that I need to get it in gear because my life, the one I dreamed of isn't here yet. But it could've been.

College life is different from high school in varies ways. In college, they take the class environment seriously compared to high school. There isn't much extra credit in college so it's good to do well on all your tests and complete all the assignments on time. Most of your grade is based your exams and projects. Homework is good to do also but it doesn't count for much of your grade as compared to the tests. It's a good idea to study ahead of time than last minute because it may be on a lot of material. Make sure to study in quiet places, the library will be best. The tests will be on more than one chapter even though, that's what you were accustomed to in high school. Just do your very best and work hard. It will pay off in the end and you will be very satisfied with the results. Stay focused on task because there will be distractions around, so make wise decisions. Go with your wisdom and knowledge that you've learned up to this point. Take care of yourself and you'll accomplish great things coming your way.

I would try to convince myself that there is plenty of time in the future to work and it will be important to complete as much college education as early in life as possible for employment opportunity purposes. When negotiating with employers for your initial position make sure to make educational provisions with the employer for not only tuition payment or reimbursement but allowance for extra time and flexibility to attend courses that may conflict with work responsibilities. Look for employers that appreciate and support life long learners. Finally I would work to be a life long learner.

I would have try harder.

The advise I would give myself would be to focus more on school than on your relationship with others because they don't make your grade and they are not the ones recieving the grade. I would also advice myself that time management is the key to sucess. If you manage your time wisely then you are capable of completing multiple tasks and for the date in which they are due.

The most important thing that I've gotten out of my college experience is independence. I would say independece because leaving high school you rely on everyone (friends, family, teachers) to help you get through life. When you get to college you realize that you need to do things for yourself and if you don't learn how to do that fast the world won't stop and wait for you, it will just keep going and you will fall behind. I believe that my college experience has taught me that I indepedently will make all of the choices that will result in the outcome of my life. I believe that it has been valuable to attend this school because it taught me the responsibilities that I need to learn in order to have a successfull future.

While making the transition into college can be stressful, I would assure myself that I would do well academically my first year. Much of the stress and anxiety during that first year came not from classes, but from friends and work, and a heads up on how to cope would have been most helpful. Although it can be fun and exciting to have roommates sans a parental mediator, living with several other girls has its disadvantages. I would strongly encourage myself to invest in a vacuum cleaner, some dish soap and a good pair of earplugs. In consequence of working a part time job as a college freshman, it would be imperative to advise myself against working too many hours, otherwise my grades might be affected. I remember all too well having to stay up ungodly hours to finish assignments after returning from work. The fatigue and excessive amounts of caffeine could have been avoided if I knew ahead of time to request less hours. All in all, the advice I would give myself would be on how to manage my new life more efficiently in addition to making the dean?s list.