University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

I would tell myself to be open to new experiences in order to meet more people. I would also say to hard as hard in your classes as possible in order to acheive the best grades possible.

"Never take for granted what has been given. " I would try to guide myself to fully realize the value of everything around me. My family never had much; so often I let my mind plague itself with thoughts that I wasn't good enough, that I didn't have enough - and that, if only I had more, I could be what I wanted to be. I would stress to myself the value of self-cultivation - to focus on the people and activities I love, engage in life with passion, and thus truly begin to actualize potential. I may have started this thinking as a senior, but adolescent selfishness often clouded my perception of reality and really caused me to overlook much I had to be grateful for - my mother, who would do anything for me; the relative safety and security of my environment; my own higher qualities of curiosity, imagination, spirit. To enter college, and live, with the concrete understanding that all life is a gift is to act with the constant awareness that no single moment may ever be felt to have been wasted - each moment a paradigmatic instance of that gift of life; a blessing manifest.

To follow my dreams. I would have done a greater in depth research on different colleges and applied for a greater array of schools. I would have chosen to go to my dream school in florida rather than staying local.

Take advantage of the new student orientations, attend as many events as possible. Budget your money wisely (ordering out pizza three times a week is not budgeting wisely). Don't go home for the first two months so you can build friendships and get used to being at school. Don't go crazy because it's your first time away from home. Get used to Ramen noodles and pop tarts.

I would focus on developing positive relations with both students and professors. Especially, if I knew in advance that I would be seeking a graduate education after my bachelor's, I would have worked harder to find mentors. Relationships literally make or break a student looking for a long-term academic career.

Academics are not the most important thing, so don't fret about getting rejected from those high tier, pretensious liberal arts schools. Its the college environment that is most important for success. If you dont like where you are, than whats the point of being there. Make sure that you find a place where you can be happy and where you fit in.

Make sure you go to classes and don't get sidetracked by your social life.

If I was given the opportunity to go back in time and give advice to myself senior year, I would address several things. First, I would remind myself that nursing is the right fit for me, but I would emphasize how much work it actually it. Although the work load would not deter me from deciding to major in nursing, it would just prepare me a little bit more. I would also suggest applying to smaller schools. Although UMASS has something for everyone, often times I feel that I school is too large for me. I would still, however, probably come to UMASS because they offered me a substantial amount of financial aid. Finally, I would tell my senior self that although being a nursing major in college demands a lot of work, that I should remember to relax and have fun too!

Don't Panic! Moving into school and making new friends will all seem very overwhelming at first. As long as you relax and be yourself things will turn out in your favor. And I mean be your true self. Don't be the person you pretend to be in front of teachers, your parents or even some of your friends. Just be the person you are with the people you are really comfortable with. I know it won't be easy. You have spent so much of your life being the person you think other people want you to be, you're starting to worry if you know who you really are. You know. Maybe you don't know how to describe yourself to another person, but the best way to do that is just to act like yourself. So relax. Make friends. Talk to strangers. Go to events alone and meet people there. Go to class. Be safe. Don't get caught up in worrying. Just have a good time and do your work (all of it). Live and learn and good luck.

For undergraduate college don't just look at the expensive private colleges. While they may look the best on the outside, the cost of attendance may make be too much to make it worth it. Save your money for a good graduate school. The world will take you in weird directions and you have to roll with the punches. Definitely consider state schools! At whatever college you choose they are always resources that will help you transition, use them. I know it may seem like you have plenty of time between classes and it will be fine to hold off on school work. This is a misconception. Write out somekind of time schedule to keep you on track write away before you get distracted by anything else. Even if you find yourself backed up on work don't attempt to complete it all at once. If you need to take a break and pull back for a bit then do so, but always go back to your work. There will be some people that may try to force you to declare a major, don't right away if your not ready. Pick something you enjoy and go with your gut!