University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Save your money and don't blow it on stupid stuff. Also, if you have roommate problems bring them up right away so you don't get stuck putting up with them all semester and resenting your roommate for stuff she doesn't even know she's doing. And STUDY, you really do need to do the readings and practice questions if you want to succeed in college.

My advice to my past self would be to not be afraid of approaching people. When I first went to college, I did my best to explore the opportunities available to me, but my only regrets were the times where I decided to hold back on talking to someone “intimidating” (whether it was about a club or even talking to a cute girl). College is the time to find yourself; you need to maximize every moment of that experience. If you want to try something, you need to meet people who can help make that happen. Almost every time that I approached an “intimidating” person, good things have happened. By gathering the courage to do so, I eventually was able to join a highly selective business club, gain acceptance into a fraternity, and, most importantly, I have met people who I will be friends with for life. With confidence comes an important social skill—the ability to meet new people. I would advise my past self to talk to and meet as many new people as possible in college. By doing so, I have learned that a person can locate incredible opportunities, build lifelong friendships, and truly find themselves.

Looking back on myself as an entering freshman, there is a lot of practical advice I could give. The most important piece of advice, however, would be the fact that it's easier than you think to not be influenced by peer pressure. As a college student that made an early decision not to drink alcohol, I thought it would be an extremely difficult challenge to have fun on campus while refraining from drinking. When I arrived on campus, I realized that there are many on-campus events and other ways to have fun without consuming alcohol. More importantly, I realized that not everybody drinks. Because of this, I would tell my younger self to stay true to who you really are, and never to give into the pressures of others for the sole reason of feeling excluded from the majority. I am happy with my decision to not drink while in college, and am proud to report that as a second semester sophomore, I have still not consumed alcohol on campus.

I would tell myself to learn how to a stronger reader. Learn to critically read and hone some kind of system to take notes as you read. I would also strenthen my study skills. Enjoy yourself, work hard but take time to enjoy the experience.

If I could send a letter back to my high school self, I would prepare myself for the difficulties of transition to college. It doesn't matter how independant you want to think you are, it is a learning experience. You will not only learn how to be responsible for yourself in simple ways, but also in complex ways as well. I have learned the everyday tasks of being sure to get to class on time by managing the bus schedules. I have learned to do laundry, seperating the whites from the darks. So my whites, stay white. And my darks stay dark. I work a job and maintain a budget. I grocery shop for small staples, and find the good dinning halls for the good food that doesn't taste like "cafeteria" food. I had been under the weather and had to seek care and visit the local CVS. And no matter how old you are you still miss family and the comforts of home. To my high school self, you will love college life, the football games, and meeting new people. You will also miss home, so text often, and call mom when you can.

I would reassure myself that switching from a very small private school to a very large public school is going to be a great new experience. Although you won't get along with your roommate, you will make a lot of new and fun friends across the hall. Be prepared for a lot of reading and studying on the weekends! The hard work will pay off eventually! Don't be afraid to meet new people and try new things. You will sign up for many volunteer opportunites and each one will be just as rewarding as the next. You will learn to grow more as a person and become more independant. Don't be afraid to go to parties and refuse a drink. There are other great people you will meet that don't drink either. Don't be worried! You'll have a great time and a rewarding experince!

Hey, Sarah. You might think it's kind of scary to live on your own, but don't worry. Warren isn't as far from Ann Arbor as it seems at first, and even though it'll hurt to see your family's van pull away, you're going to meet some amazing people on the very first day to help you put together your Homesick Collage. It balances out. Make sure you talk to new people whenever you get the opportunity, because sometimes they're incredible and otherwise you'll just be jealous when Sheppy knows absolutely everyone on campus and you don't. Still, don't put off your coursework! It's only daunting if you stare at it like it's going to eat you. Also, anime club may seem like a good idea at the time, but honestly, save yourself the trouble. You're too lazy to go and they screen boring shows anyway. Don't put off finding a good job, and work hard once you're there! It won't be the cafeteria forever. Above all, never turn down midnight pizza with the gang. It's always worth it.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take hold of the opportunities I have before me and not to let go. There are many distractions that college life can create to interfere with student studies. It is so important that you focus on your school work, while still allowing yourself some "me" time. Everything in moderation, and balance is the key to success. I would also tell myself to take advantage of all the resources the school has to offer in order to maximise your experience.

Dearest Amanda, I know you see college as a place where you can flee from your past and your parents for the first time. Try to recall, college is also a place to investigate your interests and learn what you are good at. College is a place, where if you are proactive and creative, you can make anything possible. Hardships you have faced will not just disappear because you have relocated. ADD will still cause you to have trouble taking notes, prioritizing, and staying organized. Plan ahead, review your assignments before you submit them, and get extra help at the counseling center and/or the tutoring center. Get to know your professors, attend class, and complete your assignments. You are intelligent, caring, funny and a hard-worker. Make decisions you are proud of and treat yourself well. If you do, you can excel at any endeavor. Eat your vegetables, exercise, and get 8 hours of sleep. Although you will make mistakes, do not be too hard on yourself and learn from those mistakes. Remember, your parents will always be there for you, even if they get frustrated. Finally, try not to party too much. Alcohol is not worth the calories.

My advice would be to keep my eye on the prize -- the ultimate prize is to become a brighter, well rounded and educated person. I would remind myself of how rewarding it is to learn and to teach. I would also advise myself to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities and resources available through our colleges and make sure to enjoy and take in the true essence of college life.