University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

If the laws of time and space were broken and I could back to my former high school senior self, I would reassure myself that being away from home is not as scary as it seems. I had never been away from home more than a week at a time alone, and even then I was with extend family the entire time. I dreaded living away from home because I didn't know what it would feel like to have complete control over what I did with my life. Now that I live in a freshmen dorm, I understand now that my friends on my floor are my new family. It's not the same as living with my parents, but sharing a home with 300 brothers and sisters. The freshmen dorms at my school take on a "family-like" atmosphere. Even though I truely feel at home back in my hometown, I considered my dorm my second home within the 1st week because of how accepting the people were of me. I feel like if I knew how easy it would be to live on my own, I wouldn't have been so stressed over the summer about it.

I was your typical high school senior, pretty much "done" with high school, eager to move out of my small hometown, and beyond stressed about where I was going to declare my future home and school. Between taking the SATs (countless times I might add), writing (and rewriting) my college essay, and touring what seemed like an endless string of schools, I was a constant ball of stress. What was I going to major in? Would I like my classes? What if I hated college? What if I failed? These questions consumed my thoughts. I was so scared for the future, and what college may hold. If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now about college, I would tell myself to calm down. I would assure myself that it really was going to be okay. No matter what decision I made, it would all work out. College is a land of opportunity. You can make yourself into whatever kind of person you want to become. Sometimes things won't work out. You might fail a test or two, but if you keep your eyes open for all of the oppurtunities, great things will come.

I would tell myself to relax for a day, at least. Don't stress out about every single thing and try to enjoy the days I have left in high school. Also, I would tell myself to manage my time better so that it's not as hard as it was during this fall semester. I would urge myself to do more extracurricular activities or volunteer more often instead of working all the time. Also, follow the schedule I made for myself because in college, I would write my schedule down but not look at it when I plan my extracurricular activities. I would also advise myself to go back to the Philippines to spend time with my family and not to think college is the hardest transition. It's not as hard as I thought it would be other than the time management and I would have liked it if I made time for other activities other than stress out and work two jobs.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not worry so much about the transition, to not over analyze and worry about making friends or fitting in. I would tell myself that simply being myself and being outgoing would allow me to make friends and meet some of the best people I've ever known. I would tell my high school self that leaving home isn't the worst thing in the world and that soon enough, school will seem like home as long as you let it.

Remember two things: first, be responsible with your social life. Don't party too much or too hard but take the time to make lasting friendships and give yourself frequent restful breaks from work and study. Be mindful of the interface between all of these things and don't let things like your socioeconomic background become as important as I'm sure you want them to be. Second, keep reading. It is going to push you ahead. Fiction or non-fiction, whatever it is, keep on reading because you are doing it right. All through my college career and through the break between when I left and then recently came back, it was my affinity for reading that made that last difference, whether that was the right thing to say at a job interview about David Eggers that allowed me to bond with the interviewer, or whether it was that extra familiarity with the material that made my paper an A instead of an A-. It isn't as hokey as it seemed all these years of compulsory education; reading really is going to set you apart in a sort of echelon of other avid readers.

Recognize your fear. Appreciate the work which has delivered you to this point and understand the poignancy of unprecedented independence. You are afforded an opportunity rich with chances to explore your desires and passions. While thrilling, this can also be unnerving. When faced with choices that will shape your future, some will be more difficult than others. Do not choose the complacent path. Revel in your cunning and vivacious spirit and reach for opportunities that celebrate it. Challenge yourself to persevere in pursuit of your ambitions, and trust you will emerge wiser for it. You are forging a path, and as you make meaning of life around you, you will discover inspirations that point you in new directions. In questioning your future, you will experience fear of the unknown. Recognize it and understand it is temporary, then turn to the things which give you strength. Explore disciplines that intrigue you, which call upon your talents and challenge you to grow. It is this growth that will give you the confidence to succeed in the long run. Recognize your fear, and trust yourself to see through it. With practice, you will only grow stronger for it.

I will suggest myself learning more about biology in high school senior. Because the biology courses in collage is difficult and confused. And I will suggest myself to learn another foreign language to make more friends and study foreign culture. Moreover, I also will susggest myself to never stop playing piano in high school senior.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in highschool I would tell myself to prepare to have no one hold your hand. college and highschool are two completely different places. In highschool you have one on one interactions with your teachers almost daily, whereas in college you have to seek out one on one attention with professors and tailor youre schedule to fit to theirs not vice versa. Another aspect of college that I would tell my high school self about is how important effect time management is. In highschool you have a set schedule every day. but in college you have the freedom to make your own schedule and along with this freedom comes the time management aspect. for example you may only have one class on tuesdays but this doesnt necessiarly mean that the one class you have that day is the only thing you have to focus on. This accompanied with distractions from peers and social life can make managing youre time very difficult. That is what I would tell my high school self about college.

My college situation is quite unique. I moved into a school two hours from home, freaked out, and moved out two days later. I then enrolled in a college close by to home and commuted, and am now transferring to UMass Amherst. I have had severe anxiety about being away from home my entire life. In high school, most students wanted to attend colleges far away from home. I felt pressured to live up to my classmates and to do the same, so I chose a school that was out of my comfort zone. I told myself that it would all work out there, and it didn't. I was ashamed at myself at first, but now I see it as a learning experience. I wish that I could have told myself that it is okay not to be ready to be away from home. Some people, including myself, need a little more time to feel comfortable living far away. After spending a semester commuting and staying with friends in dorms far away from home, I know that I am ready to make the adjustment. I cannot wait to move into my new home, and finally become more independent.

When I started applying for college my head was full of delusions of grandeur and wild ideas about what I would accomplish in school. I sent out eight applications but was certain that my top choice would accept me in a heartbeat because--clearly--we were made for each other. Of all those schools I received only one acceptance and it definitely wasn't from my dream school. I was heartbroken, certain that I my entire life was now doomed. One semester later found me the happiest I have ever been in my life. I may have only been accepted to one school, but it was the only school that mattered. If I could give my past self any advice it would be that you'll end up going where you're supposed to. No matter how desperately you want that dream school, if they don't think you're a fit for them, then they definitely aren't a fit for you. Don't worry about what you think you want. Instead, accept what doors open themselves to you as they are the ones that will help you most as you grow in this world.