University of Kentucky Top Questions

I would tell myself to work harder at earing schoarships. I did not realize until I was actually in college how much is spent on my education. The money I did not try hard enough to earn was supplemented from my mother. Money should not be such a burden on my family because of me and I hope to fix that this year. I would also tell myself to relax and not stress out about the transisition. Making friends and still keeping my grades up was easy once I could settle in and not be so afraid of everything.

I'd tell myself that I can, in fact, do what I want as long as I have my mind set up to do it. Throughout highschool, I had influential people make it seem like I would never be good enough to go to UK. My own advisor told me to my face that there was no such thing as a Japanese Major. He was wrong. I was right. And you know? I never gave up. Not once. For a year, I attended a community college so I could raise my GPA. And then when the time came for me to apply to UK, I did so with full force.

My biggest piece of advice I would give myself would be to take my time. University of Kentucky basketball is legendary; it dominates the campus, student life and the Lexington community. I did not attend one, single University of Kentucky basketball game in my time at UK. I never took the time to enjoy the experience of a UK basketball game with my friends. I missed out on the tailgates, the school spirit and the celebrations. I was always too busy studying, working or getting much needed sleep. I wanted to rush through undergraduate so badly just to get started with graduate school. I took so many classes that I didn’t have time for anything else. This is one of my biggest regrets for my undergraduate. I had the opportunity but I didn’t think I had the time to do it. Your college years are a once in a lifetime experience. It’s in these years people really discover who and what they are. This is a time to celebrate your life, learning and where you’re going. College is an experience like non-other and it should be enjoyed to its fullest, which means taking the time.

Dear Fomer Self, College is a wonderful experience with lots to be learned. My first advice would be to follow your dreams and don't let anyone deter your from them. There's many people out there that don't want the best for you but keep your head up. Likewise know that you are a champion and don't need to become anything in order to know that, you've worked very hard to get here and only you know what you've gone through. Also don't be shy and take your opportunities when they come. So many opportunities are out there but you have to search for them. You'll make plenty of mistakes but they are your teaches, helping guide you to excellence. On the other hand be grateful for what you do have. We always want more out of life but forget about the important things in life. Lastly take time to relax and have fun with what you're doing. When you become serious, inflexible, and tense take the time to laugh at yourself and make yourself happy because life requires moderation. Sincerely, Taylor Whiteside

The first thing that I would want to tell myself is to relax, because there is almost nothing that high school could do to prepare me for what is ahead. I would put myself in my place by letting myself know that though I hold a 4.37 G.P.A. in high school. It will not be as easy, and the material will not come as natural as I had hoped in college. The experience will hurt but make me a stronger person. I would prepare myself for the responsibility that comes as soon as that childhood I wished away for so many years ends. Lastly, I would emphasize the importants of maturity at this time in my life, college can be so fun, but I am not paying twenty-two thousand dollars a year for fun, I am paying for a future far with opportunities and expectations far beyond what I imagined before my actual enrollment.

Dear Joe, Right now you are brilliant, ready to take on anything, but learn how to pace yourself. The old adage, sink or swim, does not work for you. Remember that you have limitations, and remember this advice. Do your homework every day. Make every minute count. Read outside of class! Cramming for an exam the night before is not an option if you expect to pass. Challenging yourself is important, but submerging yourself is pointless. Freshman year is not the 13th grade, and no credible institution will simply hand you a degree after four years. Be accountable for your actions. College will be difficult, but stick with a schedule and it will be manageable. I beg of you one request; please do not go to that fraternity for tequila night. Consider going to community college instead of a massive university. Community college is not beneath you; keep it in mind as an option. You will save money and build confidence. Moreover, once the first two years have been completed, you will be compelled to receive that coveted Bachelor Degree. As you begin your senior year, remember to enjoy yourself and not be a lemming. Good luck! Future Joe

Whatever stage in life that you are in right now, you must embrace it. There are too many things in life that you cannot change, so as usual, I want you to play all your cards right. Place your stock in the proper and approprioate statically welcoming regions of life and never give up. There are millions of opportunities out there that you have yet to find. Try to be more accepting of those who you don't understand and engaging in mind opening experiences. Don't let your mental dissabilities get the best of you because when you truly find yourself as I finally have. Your passion in life is going to be not only somthing you least expected but even better, the greatest blessing of your life for you and all those around you.

At 17 I thought I was intelligent andI didn't need much advice; I knew where I was going and I didn't need my parents telling me how to run my life. I was wrong; I should have listened. But knowing that I was a "know-it-all teenager" the best way to give myself advice would be to PROVE that the future-me knew what I was talking about. Once I had proved that to myself I would probably be more inclined to listen. I would tell myself to take advice, especially from elders: they know what they are talking about because they've been there. Balancing a checkbook is actually very important and credit cards really are the devil. Don't worry about finding the perfect mate; when the time is right it'll work out. In the mean time, focus on my education because nothing is more valuable than knowledge. I would tell myself to read- anything/everything- all the time. Go out and explore and question things. Learn how to problem solve and develop critical thinking. Don't take everything for face value. Stay healthy. And most importantly, take time to appreciate the small things.

I would tell my high school self to invest in more time applying for scholarships and to remain confident!

It is okay to ask for help. There is no cut off age when a person must be completely independant. Pretending you are okay makes things harder, not easier. Go ahead and call you parents when you get lonely. Ask the professor for help when you are having trouble in a class. They know that you came there to learn; they won't expect you to know it all when you get there. Don't let yourself forget that you came to learn, either. When you get to campus, find your favorite study spot in the library and memorize the hours of operation. Take the classes that you think will be challenging. Never enter a class with the expectation that you will dislike it. Be open to new interests. Actually use that planner you bought so no due date will catch you unprepared. But allow yourself some fun time, too. These just may be the most fun years of your life, so don't let them pass you by. Meet new people. Try new things. Perhaps most importantly, though, be sure that you set your alarm for AM, not PM, and remember that coffee and electronics don't mix.