University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

I would tell myself to be prepared for the world. I wouldn't say things to confuse myself,or to scare myself, but I would just explain that this is a part of your life where you get the chance to see how it feels to grow in the world without mom and dad to be there to help as much as they did in your past. College is nothing like high school. You don't have mom and dad there to make sure you are up and ready for school on-time. You also don't have the high school teacher's there with you who helped you by demonstrating things over and over just for you to get a better understanding of your work. I would tell myself to be prepared for whatever life has to give you, because there some tough situations out there, just don't give up on yourself at anything.

Be dilligent in all that you do. Make friends but only do so with individuals who can support you in the midst of your weak moments. Take heed to the wisdom that your instructors, colleagues and classmates give you. Accept fear willingly, for fear is not a precursor to failure but a motivator for greatness. Be ambitious beyond all else, remember the goal for this moment in your life and keep a firm grasp upon it.

So you grew up in the suburbs. Being black doesn't mean acting like the characters you see on tv. You don't have to sag your pants and throw the "n" word around like dollars in a strip club to fit it. You are black. Being who you are is being black. You don't have to put on an act.

The advice that I would give myself would be to never be afraid to ask questions and learn the importance of time management. Asking questions is a great way to get answers and meet new people. Everyone pretty much feels the same way you do when they enter college - afraid and reluctant to step out of their "safe box." Asking questions will help you to meet new people and help yourself as well as others. Time management is the most important thing that I would stress. I am a full-time student, I work 2 jobs, and I am apart of 5 organizations. I rely on my planner to guide me through my weeks at school. If you do not learn the importance of time management, you could find yourself missing deadlines, falling behind on assignments, and losing much needed sleep. Asking questions and time management are the keys to unlocking the doors of success while in college.

Given the means to speak with my younger self, the only avowal I could give worthy of the effort is this: “Do not be tempted by the words of your parents. Do not live at home, commuting thirty miles to and from U of M in the interest of saving money. On paper, it is a marvelous proposition: the comfort of home, a promised freedom to go out when you choose to, and saving thousands of dollars. If you believe your parents lie, your freshman experience will be five a.m. mornings, hour-long commutes, sheer lonelines as you trudge through throngs of your classmates, and withdrawals from campus upon class ending. The bitter grip of depression will overcome you; you will soon throw yourself into comfort food and just as soon throw up those treats multiple times a day, every day. You won’t opt for therapy until January, and by then, when you discover you have bulimia, most of your throat will have already eroded. Even with therapy, by March, you will attempt suicide. Your body will survive; your mind will endure, but only having relinquished your youth. The message is simple: whatever it takes, live on campus.”

Dear High School Senior Me, I have some important advice that will help you make the high school to college transition. Time management is going to be a major adjustment for you. Now I know you're used to having everything structured for you, but college won't be like that. You will need to make a set schedule for yourself and follow it to the "T", otherwise, you will struggle. Another thing you need to watch out for is properly preparing for your classes. I know high school was a breeze for you, and you rarely had to study, but college will be completely different. Make sure you spend a suffiecient amount of time studying for all of your classes. Trust me when I say it will help you a great deal in being successful in all of your classes, and in acheiving your goals. Also, do not try to take 18 credits your first semester. That's too much for a freshman. Last but certainly not least, don't lose yourself in the excitement of extra-curricular activities. You will need to find that balance between getting your work done and having fun. Sincerely, 20 Year-Old Me

Appreciate the ease of life you currently have. Soon, you will have to completely take care of yourself, a task that will prove much more difficult and less exciting than it sounds. Simply upkeeping the cleanliness of your dorm and maintaining a constant stash of snacks and drinks in your room will surprise you with its ironic complexity. For now, keep working hard, but allow yourself time to hang out with the friends you may only see annually at best after graduation, the closest confidants that you will have to resort to conversing with only by telephone or skype. Most importantly, bask in the warmth and welcoming feeling of your home and family because very likely you will never truly live there again. Your parents will become bystanders instead of active participants and your comfortable bed a much desired vacation. Watch TV, lounge by the pool, take long drives, and simply loiter around as frequently as possible. The lesson that I have gained from college that most emanates in my mind is to never take for granted these two things: leisure and loved ones. You will certainly become busy, and you will miss these two things more than anything else.

If I were able to give my high school senior self advice I would tell them to listen to my parents seriously. I would warn them that college life is full of distractions and opportunities to make bad decisions. That the trendy term "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out) should not exist because missing one night of seeing your friends make fools of themselves is less important than a good grade on your chemistry exam. I would tell her that joining a sorority was the best decision and that it is allowed to keep friends from other sororities. Going out because of a boy you like is really not as important as it may seem and next semester there will be a new boy. I would remind her that if you like a boy don't dismiss it because you think having a boyfriend in college is stupid. There are always going to be more nights to be social and make bad decisions, but there is only one chance to take an exam. When you decide that going out sounds better than studying and you fail an exam or class that it is ok and never to stop believeing in you.

Girtha you will not believe what potential you have. What experiences you is going to embark on. Please, I suggest that you get as much information on college now. Or if you don’t have the information takes your time and figure out what you truly want to do with your life and career. One of the advices I would give is to do internships into the fields you love like fashion. Do that and see what area you would like to get a degree in. Then from there ask for help from your High School Advisor because they really want to see you succeed. You have to believe in yourself and know that things always work out for the best. No matter what keep pushing to pursue your dreams. Even if you don’t know what to do they will work out and you will see. Whenever there is darkness there is light. You are struggling on what you truly want to do with your life but that dream is in fashion. Get going and take risks. Don’t be afraid. You can do this. I have faith in you.

When I was a high school senior, I really felt the need to get away from my hometown. I had already spent thirteen years going to school with the same classmates day after day after day. I wanted a change. Since entering college, I wish I had not been so eager to get away from my childhood. I would tell my senior self to really work towards solidifying the relationships I had with my high school friends. College brings with it new friends and new relationships; but it's also important to stay in touch with the friends who created your childhood memories. I would also tell myself to not focus so much on schoolwork. Yes, grades are important. Getting a perfect 4.0, however, is not the most important thing. You can only live life once, so make the most of it while you can. I would tell myself to always remember to take a moment and just relax, step away from the textbooks, and enjoy life.