University of Georgia Top Questions

There are only two things I would tell my high school self. First, I would tell myself to never take out loans! Currently, I am paying off $50,000 worth of loans. I worked throughout college and had my tuition covered by the HOPE Scholarship. I only needed about $5,000 for my first year of college to cover my dorm and meal plan. Still, I thought loans were necessary and thought everyone had them. This was the biggest mistake I made. I now enjoy learning about money and investing and wish I had this passion when I was in high school. I would also tell my high school self to get involved in organizations as soon as possible. I had a boyfriend who lived in another state and the relationship made me more introverted than I usually was. Before my sophomore year, we broke up and I became involved with campus groups. I have made friends for life because of these organizations. If I had this advice while in high school, I would have more money available to meet up with my friends I met in school!

I would tell my younger self to take more college classes while still in high school. College takes work and I would have loved the opportunity to take more than the six hours of college classes and the one advanced placement class that I took part in. Also, I would tell myself to have more fun, life is short, and I spent too much time worrying about the future instead of spending time with my friends. Yes, grades are important but so is making friends and taking the time to enjoy the activities offered at the time. I do not regret how I spent my high school time, I enjoyed many aspects of high school life, but I do wish I had taken the time to enjoy certain things just a little bit more.

There are many things in life that seem worth your time, but they are not. You will be distracted by insignificant activities and desires, but what is important will be your calling. Try your best in school, and never let enough be your goal. It is better to achieve a goal and let go of it than to regret overlooking it. Dream big because being rational is overrated when there are so many opportunities available. I thought having a stable and coveted career would make me happy, but my motivation fell short. I found my calling to be a teacher to those in North Korea who do not have the same opportunities as I did in America. Study abroad to experience different cultures. Keep an open mind, and never limit yourself to the ways of society. Life is full of uncomfortable situations but it is when you keep going that you can change your attitude in life. Today, I can say I am grateful for my education, my study abroad experience, and even my hardships in life. I am motivated to do what I am called for, and that is what really counts in an education.

The most important thing to me would be to focus more on getting more scholarships. I never been rich and I assumed that the combination of the government funds and HOPE would pay for my education. I soon came to a realization when I began college. There are so many expenses that I have to pay for and I regret that I am now in debt. However, everything is a learning experience and it is never too late to change. Now I have been trying to get many scholarships so that I don't put myself further into debt. I would also tell a younger me to be true to yourself. Coming into college, you will get lost amongst the never ending crowd if you're trying to "fit in." Individuality is the only thing that will set you apart. I lost a lot of my time trying to be like everyone else instead of being myself. As aforementioned, everything is a learning experience and since I realized this fact I have never been the same; I always express my individuality. Though I wish I could go back, I'm thankful for my mistakes because I'm a better person.

It is okay if you don't know you're major going into the school. You will not be left behind or graduate later because you are not sure. Joining clubs and participating in career fairs are the ways to figure out what you want to do with your life. Also a career counselor can be you're best friend. I had no idea what i wanted to do, but after I joined clubs with people who share a similar love for whatever it was, I had a lightbulb go off on me. I am more focused now than ever and excited for what the future has in stores. Joining clubs is not only good to meet people, its an awesome thing to add to your resume. This brings up my next point, BUILD UP YOUR RESUME starting freshman year! It'll be the best decision of your life.

I would tell myself to begin applying for scholarships much earlier. The most daunting task is paying for college. Once that is accomplished the stress becomes far less pungent. I would also tell myself to focus more on studying for tests since they account for so much more of your grade than they do in high school. On top of that I would inform my former self to be more open to asking for helping and accepting it when I needed it, as well as taking advantage of available tutoring. I should also warn myself about how homesick I will be and how much of my stuff I don’t have to take with me because it won’t fit in my dorm room. I would advise myself to not give up my car to my parents because I realized too late that it is incredibly limiting to the college experience and it stifles independence. The most important thing I would say would be to not become disparaged when I didn’t make new friends immediately because college is a new type of environment and it is harder to make friends there.

Dear Kyandra, You should probably put down your guitar, spend less time worrying about how to become a successful street gypsy, and read your AP Biology homework, since you are planning to go to college and all. Actually, scratch that—keep the guitar and gypsy idea and just incorporate the bio homework (finals will be much easier.) Moving to college is an interesting transition, so here’s what you should know—You don’t have to bring your entire life to your dorm. Reasons for this: 1)Your roomate has half the room. Respect her, her space, her things, and her time. 2)The “room” is half of half of of half your room now, so really, don’t bring it all. It will not fit. Also, remember how the first day of sixth grade felt? For the first time you had lockers, class change, multiple teachers, and you were really, actually, factually a big girl? This is like that, times ten. Venture out, join study groups, clubs, leanr the campus, and like I always say, “Hey now, chin up, be brave, it’s a wonderful time for being that way.” Best wishes, ya hippie.

A little over a year ago, my AP Literature teacher gave us our last assignment of the year. Write a letter to yourself. Not too long ago, I received that letter in the mail. Don't give up on your dreams, I had written to my future self, you have already achieved the biggest one of them: getting accepted and enrolling at the University of Georgia. Although wise words from a seventeen year old who hadn't lived outside the bubble of High School, there is much I was still naive about. There is a lot I should have known before going off into the real world. A fair warning to my senior self: Along with going off to college comes responsibility. A lot of the decision making will be done alone. You'll meet people, some will come to be the light amongst the darkness and some will dissappoint you. Don't let that get in the way of your happiness. Chanel yourself into your school work, and most importantly, balance and prioritize. It's not impossible to fit studying and sleep into your schedule, while allowing yourself to have a social life. You only get one freshman year.

Be strong and confident college is not so hard as long as you apply yourself and do the very best that you can. Always ask for help and listen to what some people have to say, even if it does not sound helpful. Go over what you have learned at least three times a day. Do what you think is best for you not what people want you to do. Be a little more open minded of people and take as many test's as you can to get your scores higher. Many people will come into your life to guide you on your college journey so take the guidence and follow them. Be patient with yourself and with the many different teacher's. Do as much extra activity as you can to meet new people, and don't forget to have fun along the way. Also remember who you are and remember the person you want to be in the next five, ten, and even fifteen years from now.

Throughout life, I have had my share of lazy moments. Entering college has given me a huge reality check and although I am doing great things at UGA, there is something I would have done differently. In high school, I always received speeches about the importance of taking Advanced Placement courses. I was knowledgeable of the fact that I could get college credit, but never took the idea seriously. I signed up for my first AP course my sophomore year of high school and ended the course with an A, but did not want to take the AP test. My senior year of high school, I took AP Government and Macroeconomics. I also received A's in both courses, but only took the AP test for Macroeconomics. Today, I am faced with the struggle of taking all of my AP courses again. I always think back and regret my decision because not only would I have gained credit for a class, but I also would have saved a lot of money. I am now always stressing to high school students the importance of taking AP courses seriously so they will not make the same mistakes I did.