University of Illinois at Chicago Top Questions

If I could go to the past and talk to myself, the first thing that I would say that the celebration of everyday is a challenge that I repeat full of hope. That even though I have planned my future, I battle with the unknown all the time. I would also say that I have to consider other possibilities even though they were not a part of the original plan. The family values and the experiences in high school are the things that have helped me become a fighter and not a spectator in the college and social life. I have to analyze and reflect before I make a final decision. This does not mean that, for example, studying in the United States was a mistake, that this decision should had been made immediately after I finished my high school studies and not after. I have to get more involved in extracurricular activities (even though classes do not leave a lot of free time). In college every encounter is an adventure, a compromise that can take us far in life.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would probably tell myself to try to be a little more organize with my time. Also, to take more time on my homework and to develop good studying habits. I would tell myself to try to get as much knowledge and advice from my teachers, as well as talk to them about going to college. The most important thing I would tell myself would be to take time to apply for as many scholarships as possible so I won't have to work to pay for college and that way I can concentrate more on getting good grades.

I spent the first two years of my college career at a small school in the town I grew up in. While I met a lot of great friends there, I feel like I was too afraid to go explore the world outside of my hometown. When I decided to come to Chicago for school, I was nervous, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I would tell myself to be more confident. College is intimidating for everyone, and you shouldn't go somewhere just because it seems like the safe decision. If something is different or strange, that doesn't mean it's impossible. Chicago has given me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined, and I feel like I have already grown and learned so much from the diverse cultures in the city. There's an exciting world out there, and I wish I would have started exploring it sooner than I did.

As a senior in high school, I was really active in community involvement. I raised over $3000 for AIDS by putting on school projects, along with targeting the youth and senior citizens in our community. As a senior I was really intrigued by the way a couple of students could even help the community in ways that my few classmates and I did. Taking this into account, I cam into a school with over twenty thousand more students and a big oppurtunity to turn what I did in my small-town, into a big change in the city of Chicago. In high school though, looking back at it, and seeing the things I had done, I would love to have told my self to not stop at just the youth and the senior citizens. There's a whole community that would love to get together. I would love to have involved the whole school in what I did because the youth are the future of this society.

Dear Sam, Congratulations, you are going to College! You may not realize it now, but college life is actually a big transition compared to high school. However, I have some advice that will make things a lot easier for you. 1) STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! You got by easily in high school with very little studying. However, college is different! You can't just study the night before the exam and expect to get an A. You need to be constantly reviewing material on a daily basis in order to ace exams. 2) You are only a Freshman once, so have fun! This is your time to make friends and really let yourself shine. Concentrate on your studies, but don't be so anal about them that you miss out on making friends and experiencing Freshman year. 3) Think about activities that you can do that will benefit you in your future career when applying for jobs. For example, you want to be a Nurse? Volunteer at the hospital, get involved with the Student Nurses's Association, etc. These experiences will go a long way when applying for Internships or jobs. 4) BE YOURSELF!

In order to fully understand the amount of wisdom I have received in school that I would pass on to my past self, I feel that a letter is the most satisfactory way. This is a letter from Jeff now, to Jeff six months ago. Dear Jeff, In a few short weeks, your entire life will change and whether or not that is for better or for worse is entirely up to you. Be outgoing, let the friends come to you. People who you don't want to associate with will keep their distance and only the truly unique friends that you want will respond. Be patient, great things really do happen all at once, but not without some waiting. No one ever won the race without proper training. Steve Prefontaine once said that "some people race to see who is the fasted, I run to see who has the most guts." Remember this as you make your way through your college experience. Some peoples priorities are strictly focused on the final product, ignoring the glorious journey along the way. Keep in mind that college is an experience, not a hinderance. Be who you are, and accept everyone else. Jeff

I would tell my old self to prepare to start going to tutoring. I know it's hard but don't give up on trying to juggle school and work.

As a college student now looking back at when I was a senior I have realized that I was really not prepared for anything to do with college. Some advice I would give to myself is to start planning for college as soon as possible, the sooner the better. Also to start applying for scholarships ASAP and to apply for as many as possible. Paying for college isn't easy and seeing myself as well as my parents struggle to pay off my school loans isn't something I wanted. So applying for scholarships is one the best ways to get money for college. Another tip I would give myself is to make sure the reason you?re going to college is something you?re passionate about. Never give up your dreams, and to work hard through high school because hard work always pays off at the end. My last piece of advice would be to always keep your head up, no matter how hard things get, or how much times you say you want to give up, DONT! Just keep your head up high, and stay positive through everything you do, good and bad.

Dear HS Senior Self, When you arrive to college, become a part of the community. Academia is important, don't get me wrong, but if you graduate college without a single new friend or experience, you have surely missed out. People enter college for two simple reasons: to socialize or to learn but what you really need is a perfect combination of both. Study your butt off, attend every class, pay attention, enjoy the city, enjoy your company, talk to someone new each and every day, manage your time, maximize your use of campus resources, join student organizations, go to parties, go to bars, maximize your essay writing for scholarships, attend a sports game, cheer for your school, laugh a lot (like, A LOT) and you know what? Go ahead and procrastinate just a little. It's not college until you've experienced a few all-nighters. Oh, and avoid beer: it's unclassy, lowers your inhibitions, and most importantly...it makes you fat. Study hard and stay awesome. Love, Future Self PS - Never ever leave a 10-page paper for the night before it's due.

If I could go back in time I would convince myself into takeing schooling alot more serious , to do so much better, and make myelf become more active in my own future college is tuff but you are smart enough to fully succeed at it ,and to see your future self in college is sheer proof you can become anything that you want just apply yourself you can do it