University of Houston Top Questions

Knowing what I know know the best advice I coould offer myself as a High School senior would be to get involved in academic groups and not to be afraid to ask for help.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self some advice, I would tell myself to stay completely focused throughout the entire process of undergrad and not let time constraints push me to do too much. When I was in college, I pushed myself to take too many classes at once, or classes that were very difficult at the same time so that I could graduate "on-time." What I know now is that that led to a lower GPA which caused great anxiety when I was applying for law school. Thankfully, I was accepted into my first choice law school, but the time it took for me to graduate undergrad does not matter at all to graduate schools or even professional jobs, what matters is your GPA. I would tell myself to stay focused, work hard, do not slack, but pace yourself and make sure your grades are high.

If i could go back in time and talk to the high school me, the one thing i would make sure to say to myself is to work hard no matter what. At first when you get to college it might be a bit overwhelming. In high school you were used to getting things handed to you but now in college its mainly up to you whether you succeed or not. Make sure to put in the time and effort needed to get the results you hope for. Sometimes it may mean not going out much or stay stuck studying while theres other fun things you can do, but you have to keep your end goal in sight and realize what you're doing now will pay off in the long run. College may be stressing or difficult, but its a beautiful struggle and when its all said and done and you'll be able to look back at the great things you accomplished by always working hard.

As you're ending you're senior year really think about how the community college will be the basic start to a life changing decision. Do NOT fool around, start and do the best you can make sure to give it your all so you can finish as fast as you can. Don't get too comfortable there because the university life is way better. Go in do your basics and get out. Also don't think its like high school where if you miss a day you have 5 days to finish anything you missed. If you miss something you will not be able to make it up. Always go to class. Apply for the scholarships you can because when you get to the university it will cost you way more and those loans are pretty stressful. Make the best of your college days and make your mom proud.

College is not about coming out on top. Sure, there are competitive elements - like the admissions process or that quest for scholarship money. But, despite what the world will tell you, college is not about competition - it's about so much more. There will be a day when your roommate's whole world is crumbling around her. In the back of your mind, you'll be thinking about that paper due at 8 AM and the 4.0 you'd hoped to maintain. You can't afford to spend the night as a shoulder to cry on, but college is not only about getting the grade. It's about learning to be a well-rounded person - someone who can balance her own goals with compassion for others. So, when the time comes, be that shoulder to cry on. One day, you'll be proud you did. The ultimate goal is not a 4.0; the ultimate goal is to be prepared for life. And life is not about success, but about learning to make decisions about what you will prioritize. It's those decisions - much more than your GPA - that will determine the person you become.

I would give myself the advice to seek for help when needed. I know that I am not going to understand everything that is going to be thrown at me, but I am the type of person that is too prideful to seek help. I would ell myself in highschool to not be afraid because that is the only way that I am going to move on to to seek help in those around me. I need to break out of my zone and do things that I would not likely do. If I had started this in highschool maybe I would not be so resiliant to it now. I do not want to be underminded by anyone just because I can not do something. I have realized that this is okay because that how I will grow as a person and be succesful.

Definitely do your research when it comes to making a descision. Pick a school were people like to get involved, don't just go where they gave you the best deal, trust me you'll regret it. Going far away from home is'nt that bad, but only if your school can feel like a home away from home, this one doesn't. Be smart when making your descison.

If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would advise that when deciding what to do after high school, I'll be commencing a journey that will last not only the next few years, but the rest of my life. Therefore, rather than choosing a field of study simply because it seems practical, or acceptable to family or peers, I should determine what I truly enjoy and feel passionate about. Then, I should incorporate those interests into my educational and career goals, and devote every effort to excelling at them. Fortunately, even if I make mistakes along the way, I can still change course later; but nevertheless, the earlier I make the right decisions, the easier my path will ultimately be. Additionally, while studying and work are essential components of college life, I shouldn't forget to enjoy my college years. A university campus is a lively and intellectually stimulating environment -- one unlikely to be matched by most other places I'll encounter in life -- so I should strive to avail myself of all the opportunities it affords.

If I could talk to my younger self, I would say “please do the research.” Don’t take unnecessary classes in college. Have a vision of what you want and be true to yourself. I began my college career as a nurse, a dream that only parents had for me. At the end, I enrolled in University of Houston studying what I always wanted to be, an Anthropologist. Don’t be afraid to go against the crowd, enjoy being single and spend more time with true friends.

1) Be selfish. You're in school for yourself. Try your hardest. Keep the end goal in mind. 2) Ask stupid questions. You are paying for this. Raise your hand. Go to tutoring. 3) Eat, sleep, shower. You will not be able to concentrate if your body is exhausted or starving. 4) Your bed is a temptress. Remember that time passes, whether you work or not. 5) Walk around in your PJ's. Don't fear judgment. No one cares, and everybody understands. 6) Eat as many cookies as you want. Do what makes you happy. 7) Talk to people in the elevator. Make friends. Introduce yourself. Make the first move. Do not underestimate the power of the study group. 8) Ice cream is the best pick-me-up. Don't be ashamed to cry or to take a moment to just breathe. 9) Mommy and Daddy love you. They want you to do well. They understand that you have to study. Don't feel guilty. 10) Always remember to buy toilet paper... Someone will always forget.