University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

There are two pieces of advice I would give to myself. The first is to take a deeper look into getting more money to pay for college--to either research more financial aid opportunities or to find a job during high school to have more money for college. These methods would help to keep me from taking out so many loans, which I have done, and I probably wouldn't be in so much debt as I am now. The second piece of advice I would give is to find a major and get a degree in something you enjoy and are passionate about. Having a job that helps you to make a good living is important, but having that career that makes you that money is meaningless unless it is something you enjoy and love doing.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that college would be the singlemost influential time in my life. The transition from being dependent on my parents to being sort-of independent on my own at college wouldn't be as hard as I thought it would be. The university is well aware that everyone is coming in either not knowing anyone, or only knowing a few people. That is why they have freshman events. I would tell myself to go to all the events, meet as many people as possible, and not to be afraid to make new friends. As a high school senior, I knew exactly what I wanted my major to be, looking back I made a great decision, because I am on my way to becoming a doctor. However, I wish I would have tkaen some "fun" classes along the way. College is the only time in your life when you can take different classes and truly explore and understand what interests you and what you may want to do for the rest of your life.

Do not have expectations! It's fine to research the best school for yourself and to have plans laid out, but do not rely on them. Reality often differs from our expectations and while fulfillment of them can bring joy, having them unmet can cause great disappointment and dissatisfaction. Instead, allow room within your plans for change and take things as they come, seeking the best in all situations. Do not be afraid! Go out and seize the opportunities that are available. College is a great place to learn and prepare yourself for a career, but it can be so much more. Attend a guest lecture, see a play, join an athletic club or a band, go to a concert, and cheer at a school game. These activities are what makes college unique and such a fascinating community to be a part of. When you step onto campus and walk on its grounds remember that college isn't just about preparing for a job, its about preparing for the rest of your life.

I would tell myself that I need to put myself out there more and not be afraid to talk to new people and enjoy new experiences. I would tell myself that everything happens for a reason and do not be afraid or dissappointed if things do not always go my way as they have in the past. I would also tell myself to get involved in more activities because those activities are where you make lasting friendships. Don't be afraid to approach a professor and create a relationship because they will be there to help you. Sometimes those relationships are a difference between an A and a B. This is the time when you find yourself, don't be frightended if you see yourself leaning towards a different career than origionally planned. This is the time where you live on your own and grow up- your advisor is there to help you, but only to a certain extent. If someone isn't treating you right then say goodbye and enjoy the time you have with the friends that are there for you. Leave the past in the past and enjoy the time you have now.

College life isn't as grand as Hollywood shows us; you need to make a lot of choices on your own. Be sure that you think of the consequences of your actions, seriously, I'm not trying to sound like Mom, but you really should. Also, be sure that God is at the center of everything you do; that what ever you do, you do for the glory of God. Never forget about Him. Whenever you're in trouble, don't think that you can handle it all by yourself; pray to God and go to your friends, same age or older, and don't be afraid to ask for advice.

Don't let freshman year fool you. You need to start out hitting the books hard and focusing on grades. Once you get that down then you can worry about trying to take on a bunch of other activities.

I would tell myself to be more sensible during my first semester and not get swept up in all of the new liberties. It is easy to spend whole nights with your friends when there is noone to stop you, but eventually you run out of gas. When you do the group project for GE 101, don't trust your group members to get anything done, try to motivate them early and checkup on the progress all the time. Other than that, get ready to enjoy some of the most fun (and some of the most challenging) times of your life so far.

Don't lose yourself. You are a strong force and can make a difference in the world, even at a young age so never underestimate yourself. Rachel Joy Scott, one of the victims of the Columbine shooting once said, "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same." Be the one to make that difference! Understand who you are and where you come from. It is easy to get caught up in the social aspects of college life or to lock yourself away from friends while studying day and night. You only live once and make the most of it. There will always be obstacles in the way on your journey through college and that just makes you push yourself to a higher level. Challenge yourself to be spontaneous and don't settle for anything less than your very best. Your very best is using your life to make a difference and with that difference, just like Rachel said, "You just may start a chain reaction."

Highschool me, college isn't as tough as they make it out to be. You graduate in 4.5 years and only because of some hard times you face. You lose your sister, and you lose your best friend, but you bounce back. You fight through it and become a better person. Everyone you will meet are great people and will remain in your life. Stay focused and you'll do well, since you have a head's up on those two tragedies you should be ready to face them, and do better than I did. Good luck.

My senior year self was confident and ready to take on the world. Unfortunately, my freshman-year-in-college self was shy and nervous and just different. My advice to myself would have been why not? Although having this motto to live by may scare some parents even more about sending their kids to college, let me explain. I found that I missed out on a lot of opportunities in my freshman year simply by being too shy or worried about not making friends. This year, whenever I have a doubt when an opportunity comes up, whether it be a job, club to join, or simply whether to go out for the night, I ask myself "why not?" This isn't to say that everyone should take on an invincible attitude. If I have a solid reason as to why I shouldn't do something or go somewhere, I listen to it. However, if I am just limiting myself due to laziness or nervousness, I force myself to do it anyways. Not all experiences turned out to be good but my thought is that at least I had them. Thats more than the freshman year self could say.