University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

If I could speak with my high school self, I would advise her to take studying seriously. College is very different compared to what you're used to in high school. You need to find that motivation within yourself to get your work done and learn the material you need to know. Keep focused on your goals and try not to get distracted. Organization is going to be key because no one is going to put everything together nice and neat for you so make sure you're on top of everything, including assignments, exam dates, reading schedules, and anything else you need to be planning for or working on. Develop a clear plan as soon as possible for what classes you're taking during which semester so that you don't end up spending six years as an undergraduate. It may seem sometimes as though you aren't as smart as other people in your major but don't let that mindset overtake you. Realize that if you aren't finding the motivation in one major, there is a reason and maybe your heart is trying to guide you in a different direction. Listen to it.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say that I should be more informed about college before taking any decisions on where I would like to go. Knowledge is a wonderful tool, and knowing the right information would be the start to a rewarding experience. At college you will expand your points of view about life and become a problem-solver. I would also advise to not procrastinate. Most of the times good opportunities will cross you path to success however, if we let them go, there is no turning back. Finally, I would like to remind myself that I may not always get what I have planned but as everybody knows: "when a door closes a window opens," and if I push myself my goals will be accomplished, and my hard-work will be worth it. I will like to thank you for giving students this opportunity; we have to overcome a lot of obstacles to reach to our goals. With this scholarship you are helping a hard-working student to get closer to his/her goal.

I would tell myself to stay focused and not to procrastinate. I would also tell myself to get involved in student activities and to be open to people of different cultures, ethnicities and religions in order to make life-long friendships. I would remind myself how proud I am of myself and wish myself good luck for the future.

Focus on education, and get it out of your mind that college/university is a time of freedom and partying. Pray constantly, and no matter what; do not give up on God.

Nothing at this school is going to be handed to you on a silver platter. If you want to find people you really click with or do well in your classes, you need to put in at least a little effort. Some of the stereotypes are true and some of them are not. It's really up to you to have the college experience you want. First year students should also know that the majority of the students at UMBC have cars, so the school doesn't do very much to provide transportation to DC or Baltimore or even other colleges if you want to get out for the night. Be ready to befriend someone with a car!

Nothing at this school is going to be handed to you on a silver platter. If you want to find people you really click with or do well in your classes, you need to put in at least a little effort. Some of the stereotypes are true and some of them are not. It's really up to you to have the college experience you want.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself not to pursue a blue collar career, I wish I had made this decision to pursue a degree when I was a young man. Blue collar work is a respectable way to make a living, but it can take a seious physical toll on one's body. There is more to a career than just earning a living, you should pursue a career that will offer you personal fafillment. To become educated is an enriching experience that can help one to have a greater understanding of the world and it's future trends. The technology in the future will continue to advance at an unpresidented rate of speed, this will nesessitate learnig as an ongoing process.

In pretty much every college related movie/TV show, students are frequently partying, never studying and overwhelmed by drama. That is not UMBC. If you come here looking for the stereotypical college experience, you will be disappointed. There are lots of things to do, but you have to make an effort to find them. You will have to study for your classes. The amount of drama depends on your group of friends. Freshmen should also know that there is a LOT of help available if they need it. The first year of college can be tough at any school. At UMBC, there are tutors, counselors, resident assistants and particularly helpful staff members if they need help with classes or adjusting to college. These people are paid to help you succeed, so don't be afraid to ask.

Fully research the universities to which you are applying to ensure the programs, faculty, resources, administration, finanicial aid, amenities are a good fit for you. Take time to get to know professors who can be great resources and references for your future employment/postgraduate studies.

Rationality is an invaluable tool. Take an objective approach to every tribulation, event, and observation. Rationality will provide you with a mentality that is conducive to professional success, adding longevity to relationships, and perseverance in the face of personal adversity. It allows you to divest yourself of prejudice, which can only be destructive. You will no longer be impetuous, which I have found will primarily result in regret. Too few people have an ideal level of rationality, which would restrict them from jumping to conclusions hastily, cause them to be prudent, and show sympathy for others. I have seen far too many people damaged or begin lamenting over irrational decisions or the irrational act of another. Irrationality is a vice, avoid it as frequently as you can. Refining your rational thought will give you an outlook on life which I can only describe as mature. We face impending difficulties, and approaching them with rationality will not only facilitate the process of enduring personal adversity, but also will cause you to learn from the experience. You realize the inevitablility of trials such as death and illness, and instead of allowing these to be destructive, you can reconcile with life's challenges.