University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, my advice would focus on financial aid. First, I would tell high school senior self to start applying to every scholarship for which I am eligible. I would tell myself that as a college student, you can always use some more spending money. I'd also advise that extra scholarships would save my family money that we'd need the following year when funding for certain need-based aid gets cut. I would also say that the transition into college is incredible and it's great to relax once I'm there, but I should do more than just go to class during the first week of school; I need to apply for a work-study job. I'd tell myself to attend the first work-study info session and start applying for on-campus jobs immediately thereafter, if not before I even go to the session. What I didn't realize the first time around is that campus jobs go quickly, and if I don't start the search as soon as I get there, I'll miss out on work study money.

Please take the SAT’s seriously. If you can be in CollegeBound or SAT prep programs do it! Study instead of having alot of social activity. Become a part of a student organization that can help you gain access to scholarship and post-secondary networking opportunities. If you can develop a mentoring style relationship with any teachers or advisors at the high school you should cultivate that as best as you can. Please apply for as many scholarships as possible, that is so crucial. Please understand the way the FAFSA works and where you fall with regard to “need-based” eligibility and Merit based scholarships. Your GPA is not everything but it does count against you at the wrong times and will exclude you from a lot if you don’t take it seriously. It is good to be sociable and have friends but don’t feel bad if you don’t stay in contact with them after graduation. Only invest into them what they are willing to invest into you. Having a romantic relationship can be fun but don’t be with someone who doesn’t want to help you achieve your goals and encourage them to achieve theirs.

Dear High-School Self, Relax; everything will be okay. The college application process is difficult, but don't get so caught up in it that you are not living in the moment. Remember where you are right now: You are a high-school senior. You are strong and capable. You have been through so much in your life already, but you have so much more yet to discover and experience. College is the next step in this journey. Live in the moment; be present. Put yourself first, but don't get so caught up in yourself that you forget those around you. Care about others and see things from their perspective. But don't care too much that you neglect your own needs. Assert yourself. You are valuable. Above all never forget that everyone is worthy. We have all made mistakes, done things we regret. We may be as diverse as the fall leaves that fall outside your window as you fill out those lengthy applications, but we are not so different. Remember that. Love, Your Best Friend, Your Partner in Crime: Your Future Self

I wish I could have the opportunity to go back in time and talk with myself as a high school senior. Life would have been easier for me. I would have excelled compared to that I encountered in college. I would have advised myself to be more industrious in my academics, to be focused, to be hard hardworking, to learn various skills and to be with a good spirit. I have wasted a lot of time during my high school days. I partied almost every weekend, went after friends, skipped classes, forgot to study, and failed to use available recourses. Each time I think of these, I feel very remorse; If I had known. I would have planned my life better because I now have limited skills, I didn't develop my brain power. It is advisable to make hay when the sun shines. Do not procrastinate, study hard , be involved in activities, meet good people, ask questions from professors, do well on exams, get textbooks needed for every class , and read textbooks for every class. I would always wish it is possible to go back in time but time spent can never be regained. It's a pity!

My high school senior self didn't understand the beauty of a good, solid education. Going into my freshman year at the University of Maryland I was ready to join a sorority, club running team, attend all of the best parties on campus, and show up to my classes. I mean, you just have to pass to get your degree, and that's all that matters right? Wrong. This mindset is completely flipped from the one I have now, but I didn't change until about half way through my first semester of freshman year. First semester I pulled out a decent GPA but didn't get much substance from my classes. Second semester I really focused on understanding the content and I fell in love with science. The advice I would give myself, and anyone else who is going into their freshman year of college, might sound cliche but it is definitley something that needs to be headed; don't focus just on your social life, enjoy school. It's cool to be a "nerd" persay, and it pays off in the long run when you have a job that you are truly passionate about. Focus on your studies.

First, I would place more emphasis on the courses research for my prospective school. Knowing what major was back then, I would stress the need to visit the main website and get info on all of it's classes. Finding out all the courses would have given me more of an edge than I did when I first signed up for them. Second, I should definitely check on all of friends who would be attending the same school as me, and make it a priority to try and get a room assignment with them. College Life can always go smoother when you're rooming with a person that you know, since I decided to live on campus. Third, I would learn about all the clubs I would be interested in before the official first day. It would be beneficial to be involved in them as quickly as possible and it helps to acclamate yourself to the school environment.

I would tell myself these exact words..."I am going into my senior year at the University of Maryland to obtain a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I wish I knew before I came to this school how fast the experience was going to be, and how important it is to try as many different activites and classes before deciding what major to focus on, your major is not as important as gaining experience in different environments, meeting new people and building relationships, having fun and learning to work hard while having alot of freedom. Focus hard in your labs and dont miss classes. There will be plenty of time to hang out with friends and extracurricular activities. Dont ever drink alcohol the day before a big test, and for heaven's sake, do your assignments when you get them dont wait til the day they are due!!! Good luck and dont go out with any girl's named Stacy."

If I could advise myself four years ago, I would tell myself that every class is important to your development as a student and a person. My experiences in the professional world through job opportunities and internships have shown me that my academic classes will benefit me in my career aspirations. By realizing this connection, I would be more motivated to truly understand the concepts and lessons that my professors taught me. I would also advise myself that although there are many opportunities available, it is unnecessary to take them all. I initially had the problem of trying to join every club or organization that I found interesting, however over the course of the semester, I began to fall behind in my studies. By learning to time manage better, I would be able to enjoy my time more efficiently, and not be overwhelmed with everything I was trying to do. If I had previously applied this knowledge, I would be in better position in my education and life by being closer to achieving my goals. Even though I cannot change the past, I can still apply these insights to my current and future endeavors.

Reflecting on my years as a college student I can't help but think about my expectations as a incoming student and the realities I discovered. Often the last year of high school turns into a robotic process of fulfilling both college applications and the standard senior social requirements. We follow the advice of our friends, family, mentors and alumni in hopes of making the transition between high school and college easier. Many times the advice we are given becomes repetitive and automatic - choose your major, stay out of trouble, try to complete everything in four years, plan ahead- so much so that we develop a lack of understanding of the true realities of the opportunity college provides. There are few 18 year old students that have truly figured out their academic plans and passions. I thought I was one of those few 18 year olds. I wouldn't have believed anyone who told me I would stray away from science to enjoy art history or that I would be interested in electronic literature. My advice to myself as a high school senior would be to expect the unexpected and never assume you know who yourself. Explore and learn!

How does a heart grow fonder towards loved ones? I wish I would have known to never take for granted the love for the ones around me, especially my parents. Parents provide love unconditionally; something I never quite understood. This love weighs heavy on my mother, and as a stay-at-home mom, she is the most selfless person I know. During my senior year, she fell ill to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a debilitating skin disease. She chose to refuse hospital aid insisting that it was her most important duty to take care of our family. I desperately wanted her to get better, and with her blistered body, she forced herself to continue taking care of the family as if that was more important than her health. This decision angered me and something had to be done. Transitioning to college life, I have to think on my own. I realized that it is pointless to criticize her decision because I was holding an unhealthy grudge. I have to appreciate her devotion through my love because my mother made this decision to love me unconditionally. The period of distance between us helped me to cherish her presence as a dedicated mother.