University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I'm currently working through my second semester at Motlow State Community College, and, even though it is one of the cheapest schools in Tennessee, I already feel like the education I'm getting now is the one that I've been waiting for my whole life. There are so many things I wondered about growing up, questions that others couldn't answer for me, and I knew that if was ever going to know enough to make a difference in the world I would have to wait until I could go to college. It wasn't just a goal, I felt a need to learn as much about people and the world as I could. Now that I'm here, my patience has come to fruition, and I am finally gathering up the answer to every question. Most importantly of all, once everything is put together, I will be able to answer other people's questions, the world's questions, the important questions, and I hope that my answers will change the world and the people in it for the better.

I have a degree from a well known college that I can be proud to display.

Dear Jennifer, I know that the pressure to get into a good college is pressing you real hard, but realize that you are the first to ever attend college. Whatever happens you are lucky to even have this option available to you. Take all the opportunities and chances that are provided before you because you may regret it if you don't take it. Remember that your younger sisters and your brother are watching your every move and may follow in your footsteps. Look into art colleges and prepare a portfolio could have allowed you to be in one today. It's okay if you're not sure what you want to do in the future. It's not too late, but do try discover who you are and what your interests are. Study your best because in college; it's challenging and extremely expensive. Your education requires loads of money from your dad's wallet. He's supporting a family of seven working a 10-hour work day to send his children to college where he never had the money to attend. Education is essential for a better future. You can do it! - Love, Your future Junior self

I was seventeen and could practically feel the heat of my diploma?hot off the printing press?in my hand when I decided to follow my dream. It took almost four years, tens of stressful exams, and some really great friends to realize that I had fallen into the high school graduation trap: like many others before me, I had listened intently to the keynote speaker encouraging me to ?establish and follow my dream? and taken her message too literally. I wish I had known then that a dream doesn't involve a title, a salary, or a white picket fence. A dream isn't achieved by material earnings, but simply by utilizing the opportunity to do what really makes us happy. The most effective way to achieve gratification is by pushing our limits hard and often. I have challenged myself and failed more times then I can count, but these endeavors have allowed me to finally realize that my ideal accomplishment involves bringing a smile to the face of another. Knowing what I know now, I would advise my teenage self that this time of self-discovery is ironically most valuable went spent expending time and energy on others.

First off, I would tell myself to be more open in the first few days of school. Everyone I talked to had always said that it would be awkward, but I didn't realize the truth in their words. The uneasiness was unbearable and I instantly became a shy, conservative girl in the back of the lounge. That was never me in high school. I was always loud and outgoing, so I didn't understand where this girl had come from. Luckily a few days into school, a girl down the hall from me came to my room and asked me to go to lunch with her. This act of kindness led to me meeting more and more people on the floor and hearing how their first impression of me was that I thought I was "too cool for school." I was saddened by this, but it made me realize that if I had just made the simple effort of introducing myself or asking someone to lunch instead of changing my personality, the initial transition into college life would not have been half as painful as it was for me.

For those who finish high school and find their way into the work world, I would definately recommend against it. I believe that while still young and unencumbered by life and all the responsibilities that come with life without you noticing like kids, and bills you should go to college. I also feel that while your mind is still relatively "young" also unencumbered that learning comes more easily and you're not as jaded, so you are more open to accepting ideas. College life while young gives you the opportunity to develop life long friends, you bond through a number of situations and just like high school you remain close. Living on campus or within close promity to campus is also a special experience you belong to a select few and that helps you to define who you are. The camaraderie you share with your peers is a lifelong experience. You get to be involved in various campus activities and groups, it's not all studying there is a balance between study and your social life. All this helps with creating a well-rounded individual. Simply put it's really a passage of life.

Wow. It has been 4 years since I had graduated high school. As I look forward to this upcomming fall I realize that by this time I should be graduating with my bachlors, ready to step into my first year of teaching. Though I have gained so much wonderful experiance with internships and working in the schools these past years, I only have my assoicates degree. As I look back on myself as a senior, I see a young lady who was excited that she knew what she wanted to do. Teach; make a difference in the world by creating a unique classroom which tended to all of the different students and thier learning stlyes. I began taking college classes and never looked into scholarships or grants, so instead I had to take school part time, and work as much as possible to make ends meet. I had no idea what the real world would be like, with bills and rent ect. After my experiances these past years I realized that I wish I could of better prepared myself financially, so that I could get through school in appropriate time and become the teacher I have always inspired to be.

I would say, to my young self in High School, "Vouthynar, be ready to change, because who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow. College is a great place to both work on your nest, and spread your wings. There are going to be hardships, frustrations, and inconvieniences. You will be upset, you are going to be pushed, you will be pressured, but most of all, you will have to get over these obstacles yourself. The exciting part is that you will meet new people from many backgrounds and potential futures. You'll have a whole campus to explore and you will even go off campus to experience more. Always stay ahead of you assignments and readings -work before you play. Don't take the opposite sex so seriously or get into a stressful relationship off the bat, it takes much time you need for schoolwork. Get in control of all your time, finances, and from that, you get to have a handle of some sort, your future. Be brave, be kind, be worried, but be sure . You will overcome those hurdles in front of you. Believe in yourself, and act on your belief!"

If I had the opportunity to speak to a high school senior version of myself I would tell myself that I must be wary of the freshmen 15 and to be very mindful of what I eat. I would also relay the fact that classes are different from high school. Teachers do not truely care or notice if you do not attend a large lecture hall, but come exam time you will pay for your lack of diligency. As a college student you must take the initiative and push yourself because there is no longer anyone to hold your hand and no parents to force you to do homework prior to socializing with your friends. The amount of freedom you will soon experience will be a breath of fresh air, but do not become overwhelmed and unfocused. Also remember that school comes first and that if you truly wish to acheive your goals then you must do well in school.

The one thing that I would emphasize to my high school senior self would be to apply myself. To apply myself in my studies, to apply myself in my community and to apply myself in discovering where I would want to be in five years instead of limiting myself in thinking of what tomorrow would be like. I would tell myself to work hard in school because I would have the network of teachers, family and friends to support my goals and help me reach those goals. Because once you enter the real world without a higher education it is really, really difficult to press pause and start all over...it is near impossible. I would tell myself not to let opportunities pass me by, but to take advantage of my youth and the many paths provided to me at the time to attend college and recieve a higher education.