University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Given the opportunity to talk to myself in the past, I would say there are many things I wish I knew back then. In my senior year I needed a huge wake up call. I did not take college as seriously as I do now. The most important advice I could give to my past self is to start planning college right away. I believe I hesitated too much to begin college and was afraid of it. I wasn't sure what college to go to or what to major in. I kept changing my goals of what I wanted to study. However, I have come a long way in the past few years and I feel I am much more mature. I just wish I had the knowledge and maturity I do now. I believe I am ready to begin college now, and I have learned many things since I graduated high school. Most importantly, I am proud of myself for getting over my anxieties and beginning my future.

I would advise myself to branch out more and earlier to get involved in the community and branch out past my comfort zone earlier.

Stay in a habit of studying and putting your best effort in your work. This habit will come in handy in college. Nothing feels more rewarding than having your work be graded as one of the best in your class. There will be times where you feel like you're not understanding the material or the work is too challenging. Don't be afraid to seek help from your professors or tutors. They are there to help you and want nothing but your success. You will make a lot of friends during your time in college. Some will help you with your studies and some will distract you. Be aware of who's there to help you and surround yourself with friends who are ambitious as you. Their dreams and goals will remind you of your dreams and goals. Remember, you are stronger than you think.

I would tell myself to stay confident - college is a place to not only learn lectures in the classroom but it is a place to learn about yourself in so many different ways. I wish I had not be so nervous to make good impressions, be extremely studious, say the right things and do the right things, because everyone at UofM ended up being so supportive and accepting of each other. It is extremely important to COMPLETELY be yourself, love yourself and be confident about doing so.

Senior year of high school was quite difficult; I lost my best friends to petty drama, and I struggled with depression. If I could talk to my high school self, I would desperately try to communicate that high school is fleeting, just like the promises made by friends. The people I met in high school hardly make up a fraction of all the people I have yet to meet in my life. So, in the grand scheme of things, it hardly matters if my best friend decides she hates me halfway through our last year together. She is only one of the countless friends I will make in my life. I think this fact is so important. It is hard to project how easily or quickly we, as humans, will move on from heartbreak. But human beings are incredibley resilient, and life moves on. Senior year was one blip on my radar. Now I am in college with many new friends. Some advice high school-me could have benefitted from is that time heals all wounds.

Dear High School Mylaica, You are brilliant and you are unique… you are also a minority. You are preparing to go to college where diversity isn’t like the diversity at Carman Ainsworth High School, there are only about 4{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students “like you” attending your school of choice. Use that you are to your advantage. Don’t forget, college is expensive and your parents aren’t rich. Loans have to be paid back, you know. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, and grab the most useful opportunities that you can. Networking isn’t something that high school students really do, but hey, I know better, get a head start. Read all the assigned readings, Spark Notes isn’t going to be available for much longer. Stay focused and it isn’t necessary to go into college knowing exactly where you want to be and what you want to be. Explore a little. Again, apply for scholarships; the more loans you take out the more you have to pay back. With Love, 2.5 Years into College, Mylaica

Dear Hannah, Please do not be afraid of the change that is coming. Go to Umich with an open mind and an outgoing demeanor. The experience will be what you make of it. Join and remain in organizations that you are passionate about and do not loose sight of your goal! Your goal is to not only survive here but exceed and surpass all expectations. Get to know your professors and your graduate instructors; they will help you in any way that they can. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Boys will come and go but your girlfriends will be there forever, don't take them for granted. Keep up with your faith, it will help keep you grounded when life gets tough. Try not to pull too many all-nighters, and if you are going to partake once you're of age, don't make bad decisions. What you do today could affect your forever. Most of all, laugh when you want to cry and keep your head up - enjoy the roller coaster of your next 4 years! Best, Your Future Self

Dear past me, I would like to take a moment and impart some advice onto you that I wish I had known before I started college. So, here it is: In the first few days before classes start, go out and meet people. I know we have social anxiety and sitting down with a group of strangers is terrifying, but still, try your best. On the first day, talk to the people in your Japanese class. They are some of the best people on campus and I wish I had gotten to know them sooner. The last thing I want you to do is make a greater effort to talk to your roommate Kelly. She is a kind girl, and you share a lot of common interests. Both of you are shy, so conversation may be awkward in the beginning; but I think you two could be close friends if you try a little harder than I did. I spent a lot of time cooed up in my room and now I regret not meeting people when I had the chance. The transition is exponentially harder than you expect, but don't get too depressed; it gets easier. I promise.

Though the transition to college is difficult, get out there and make friends. People will tell you to get over your high school friendships and relationships and they are both wrong and right. You do not need to minimize the importance of those relationships, but you need to recognize that they will change. Focus on being present and creating a life at school.

My first year of college was difficult. I started the year bumpy. Trying to understand who I was made things so complicated. I did not want the choices of the past to affect my future. It’s strange grasping the idea that the person I was before is not the person I am now. If there is one piece of advice I could give anyone, it would be to remain true to yourself. I can't recall how many times I seemed to wander away from who I really was and in those moments I seemed to loose so many opportunities. I have made many mistakes and now I need to learn to live with them, however I woud encourage everyone to set some time apart for themselves every week. On a college campus things become hectic and remember your personal values can become a challenge. Remind your-self of your goals and remember the type person you are is defined by your actions.