University of Houston Top Questions

As a high school senior, it was common for me to procrastinate. Despite my poor preparation and time management, I managed to maintain high grades. After graduation, I attended a local community college, where I still did not have to use my full potential and yet could still do exceptionally well. When I transferred to the University of Houston, I did not expect anything to be different. After all, why would it be? Everything had been the same up until now. I struggled more in that first semester than I had my entire high school career and ended it with a 2.22 GPA. I quickly realized that if I were to succeed here, I would have to put my old ways behind me and start a brand new approach to academics. My second semester flew by with a 3.69 GPA. If I could, I would film my first year at UH and present it to myself as a senior, saying, "Laura, I know you have what it takes. But if you think you aren't going to need all of your potential to make it count, you're beyond wrong. You must make a change for the better."

Make sure that you think about what college you really want to attend. Take the time to weigh the options. Should you go to a junior college or a four year. Think about how much money it is going to take for gas, tuition, etc. Make sure that when you start your college classes you take the time to make your schedule and be sure to not take an 8am class because you will not make it. When classes start take your professors very seriously and do not dose off in class. Always take the time to take good notes in class and read the class book. When you show up to your classes on the first day try to sit in the first couple of rows and definitely ask questions whenever you are confused. Do not be afraid and do not be nervous! Your professors are there to help you succeed they will help you in any way possible. Remember to take the time to meet your professors in their office hours and go over anything that may seem confusing to you. Have fun and enjoy college but still take it seriously.

I can see it now: I'm at lunch in the courtyard with my friends, we called ourselves the ramp rats in high school, and all of a sudden I turn around and see myself. It's almost a mirror image, I thought I had gone mad. I look at my double and smile. She is very nice, and seems to walk me to an isolated area to talk. She speaks softly, "I'm Barbara, you, from the future. I just think that if I told you what were to happen it would make the world of difference." I nod and listen intently to her words. "There's a lot you may not know about college, and I think you need to start reading up on it now. I messed up and owe school so much money I was unable to attend my college for 2 years. It's difficult, but you need to figure out these finances. It's a hard road ahead, so be prepared in every way. Please study harder than you are now. You need scholarships and funding. Please do as I say." She smiled and suddenly was gone....

If I were lucky enough to go back in time and talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself to get excited! While the work load and rigor in college is much more than in comparison to high school, college life contains an overwheming amount of free time. Instead of spending your whole day in school, going from class to class and rushing through the hallways, college allows you to sit in your class for the duration, then walk around campus. You can either go to your next class or any other destination you choose. School isn't as "in your face" in college; it's the time of life where school becomes your CHOICE not your REQUIREMENT. Individual maturity as well as responsibilty are gained by making decisions about going to class and completing your work. Lastly, I'd tell myself that I'm not as smart as I may think, because college has taught me more about myself and the world than I thought was attainable! Get ready high school Alicia, a bright future is about to start!

I would tell myself not to worry- although college requires more organizational skills and more resolve, the core academic and life skills in college and high school are the same. The work is not too much harder (simply more compressed), and more often than not there are professors/classmates who are willing to help. "Cliques" and "social groups" are less defined than in high school. Not everyone is going to be nice and enthusiastic, but most people are. As long as you work hard, figure out what you want to do relatively early, and be VERY organized, you will succeed. Also, you might want to consider getting a job. Completing all these scholarship surveys takes a lot of time!

Failure. I knew that word all too often in all my years of schooling. In Nigeria, my homeland, teachers said I would fail, especially math and science. Formidable opponents to a nine-year old at the time but now at the age of twenty-five I count them as guides to lead me down the path I'd set before me. As the years progressed, I could still hear failure hanging over my head, breathing down my neck, waiting for me to fall into its trap. Every "hard" class I dare to endeavor, failure would scoff at me, telling me I could never succeed. In a way, I convinced myself that these hard courses that would lead to my goal were unapproachable, an obstacle I would never overcome. But now , I take pride in my accomplishments as a Chemistry graduate who has worked with state officials, interviewed corporate leaders in the pharmaceutical and industrial world. More importantly, I no longer listen to depreciating words of failure. I dare to endeavor, to venture out once more and take those challenging courses, to achieve success. To become the engineer I'd set out to be from the very beginning. Just watch me.

Go after the degree field that interests you and that you are passionate about. Do not pick a major or choose classes based only off what you feel you "should" do. Don't play it safe and only do things you already know you do well. Try new things, you might be surprised what doors will open for you.

If I could go back in time I would assure myself that it isn't how fast you get through college it is how well. It may be a long road but stay focused and don't lose heart. Your job may be needed to put a roof over your head and food on your table but take the time to build relationships with your professors and take advantage of everything school has to offer. It isn't until it is over that you will realize all the opportunity you have missed and how much you needed the experience. As for the debt, it is a lesson learned that you will never be able to predict the future and that anything in life that is easy is not even worth the time.

Knowing as I can advise university life to be putting much effort into the classes because they are a bit more complex than reality superior.En classes that want to get away has to propose new challenges and among those challenges are to be studies as they are the future of our future. University is a world full of challenges and goals that you can pass sopra with great effort and pushing aside the obstacles they face in the road. To get away you have to apply and give the maximum in the studies and then to see the results.

Always have a backup college(state or city college), because you never know if your first chice college it is going to give you the financial aid you need.