University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

Breathe. College will be the best time of your life. You will make friends, you will learn, and you will graduate with a good job. Continue to work hard, but also give yourself the time to have the college experience. You have four years to grow not only intellectually, but as a person. Don’t wish time away, you will be working before you know it, and you will have a lot more than four years of full time work. If you have questions, ask. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there. Not everyone is going to like you and you won’t ace every class. It’s ok, just make sure to continually learn from everything that may not go your way. Learn how to be on your own, learn how to budget, learn how to make friends, and learn how to succeed. Take risks, now is your time! Again, breathe. With all the stress you will face during exams, during social scenes, and so much more, remember this is an amazing time in your life. Always work hard, always strive to be your best, but always do whatever it takes to be happy.

I have two undergraduate degrees: a 2003 B.A. degree from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), and a 2010 B.S. degree from University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphasize the importance of forming strong relationships with people, and developing the social skills needed to function within society. I grew up in an Asian immigrant family that was withdrawn; I was not encouraged to be involved within my community. While at JHU, I became emotionally isolated and dissatisfied. My shortage of previous life experiences hindered my attempts at interacting with my classmates. After I graduated from JHU, I needed to reassess my talents and learn how to personally connect with people. I learned how to play tennis and volleyball, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and became socially aware through listening to FM/AM talk radio. I got over my shyness by talking to the new people that I met while volunteering. While at UMD, I had greater confidence in my social abilities. At UMD, I found out that I enjoyed talking to university students about God. I now desire to go to seminary to become a pastor.

Repeat after me, “You don’t deserve anything just because you’re smart. But you can earn everything through hard work”. Pam, I know you want to go to Arizona State University but it’s probably not the college for you. You don’t want to be away from home that much and your best friend is not enough of a reason to just get up and go. It’s going to be hard at times to remain focused and diligent when it seems there is no way that you will succeed. There are financial roadblocks that are already in your way even though you can’t see them yet. However, God is on your side and he won’t leave you. Parties won’t be a part of your future and dating will be scarce. Your focus never weans in these next few years and sacrifices had to be made to get where you are now. But, that associates degree is within your hand as you stand contemplating your future.

If I were to travel back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have so much to say about college life and making the transition. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to make sure I’m not afraid to meet new people. I would want myself to step out of my comfort zone and realize that students are going through the same thing I am going through. The transition away from home can be scary but it can also be rewarding if you look at all of the opportunities it offers. I would also tell myself to make changes in my living arrangement if I do not work well or get along at all with my roommate. I would want myself to be comfortable where I am living and not have to worry about living with someone who wasn’t working well with me. It’s important to step out of your comfort zone but in the process making sure you’re comfortable while taking the giant step onto college.

If I had the opportunity to go back and give my senior-self advice, I would give three points of advice: hold on to your convictions, work with excellence, and be generous. Going into college, there are many beliefs that will be challenged or presented before you, and while keeping an open mind, be sure not to compromise yourself into things you feel are wrong. Also, do not force your convictions into other people. Rather, learn from other people around you, and if you disagree with someone’s point of view, it is not right to try and change who a person is or their beliefs. Neither is it their place to try and change yours. Also, always complete assignments with excellence, and don’t procrastinate! You don’t have to be THE best, you should be YOUR best. Lastly, always be generous with your friends and classmates. Allow people to help you and make yourself available to help others; academically and non-academically.

The advice I would give myself would be to stay focused. Freshman year although it is suppose to be fun is a very important year. I would remind myself that the things that I do or do not do can affect the next 3 years of my college career. I would tell myself that I can party and have the best social life and then spend the next 3 years trying to bring up my GPA or I can have a nice balance of partying and studying to make sure that I do not have to play catch up. I would also advise that I get involved from day one. College has so many different activities, organizations, and wonderful things to offer. I would also suggest studying abroad as this is a wonderful opportunity. Overall i would just suggest that I take advantage of any opportunity that I am presented with and that I make these 4 years the best 4 years of my life.

Enjoying the last year of High School right? Well let me tell you something, life is about to become much more difficult. You will now be required to take care of yourself. You will no longer be able to depend on "mom and dad" to pay for your needs. Being an independent adult does not equal freedom as you thought. The most valued advice I can give to you is to save your money! You will need it for textbooks and supplies. Teachers told you never to worry about the expenses of college but the fact is that you will need to make that your first concern since you will have no financial support from your family. Look for scholarships and grants to avoid personal loans. If you must take out loans apply for federal loans. Finding a job will be difficult once you earn your degree so network with people in your field and volunteer in positions relevant to your career. Last but not least, always keep in touch with your friends and family. College will be a very emotionally draining and strenuous time for you; Having a support system will unquestionably help you restore your determination and courage.

To go back in time I would tell myself that I was giving up great opportunities to better myself and my family. I have worked in Higher Ed for 15 years. I have counseled students, highly encouraged them to seek education. I used my own struggles in life to push kids into attending college. West Virginia, there are alot of parents who don't have a college education and don't know where to begin. I educate parents on the enrollment, financial aid and housing needs of their child. May, 16, 2012, I turned 45. It was a wake up call to myself. I realized I was a hypocrite by not taking advantage of what was right in front of me TOO! So I said to myself, you have at least 20 more years to work, how do you want to spend it?? So I enrolled in Concord as a first time freshman this summer. It is going to be a challenge for me , I have not been in a classroom in 20 years but I am commited to doing my best and obtaining that college degree that I so strongly preach to the kids around me.

I would tell myself just go for it! No matter how daunting the financial needs and amount of years it takes to go to college to achieve my Masters Degree as a Speech Language Pathologist, just go for it. As a new college student check out the many available and helpful opportunities that I may be eligible for to help in my educational pursuit. I'm not looking back anymore with regrets that I didn't pursue college sooner. I am excited and look forward to my college life. I am going for it!

The most important thing I would tell myself as a high school senior is, "Don't be afraid to take risks and put yourself out there." I've always been shy and uncomfortable in social settings, and it has really held me back. The University of Maryland is a great school, but it is up to the students to take advantage of opportunities and get involved. The most difficult thing for me is getting involved because I have social anxiety. However, the rewards from being involved are worth the risk. There is a huge opportunity to be involved with something life-changing on campus, whether it be research or social or political change. I wish someone had told me when I first started college that being involved on campus is an incredibly enriching experience. I am just now starting to get involved, and I wish I had started earlier. Being on such a big campus, it can be difficult to meet people with similar interests. Being active in the campus community is imperative to the college experience, and helps to alleviate the stresses of academics. College is stressful enough without the added social pressure, and extracurriculars can alleviate that pressure.