University of Michigan-Flint Top Questions

I would like to tell my high school self to push yourself further. Take harder classes. Do an internship. Study for exams. Join the debate team. Do not settle for ‘easy’ as the real world is not this way. Do not do the bare minimum as this will hurt you in the long run. As far as choosing a college and a career, let go of some of the pressure. A part of college is figuring out what you would like to do in the future. Find a college that has good credentials, apply yourself, and grow as a person in the meantime. This is the point in which you will finally figure out what you would like to do for the rest of your life. Finally, I would tell myself to be more involved! Make friends. Go to school dances. Join a sports team. Doing all of these things will make you a stronger more confident person. This will directly help you in the future. One day you will wish you had done more in high school, so be involved, study hard, and have fun!

To start off with I was so excited for the freedom that came with college. Well I got to college and I took my freedom and I didnt go to class and I didn't get in trouble. However, I also failed. In result got put on academic probation, dropped down to part time and lost all of my financial aid. This really hit home for me because I wanted to continue my education but I had to pay out of pocket. If I could go back and tell my senior self advice for college and the transition I would tell them to enjoy it but keep the fun to a limit. Yeah you're "free" but you need to go to class because you can fall behind quick. High School prepares you for college but college prepares you for life, for your future so it's not a joke. Even if you fall you need to get back up. You really need to earn your grades, there are no shortcuts in college. Your professors are there to help you and succeed. Don't be afraid to go to them and ask for help. Most impotantly STUDY!

I would tell myself not to rush into making a decision. While attending college previously I majored in dance, then marketing, and now I am almost finished with a degree in elementary education. It took me nearly ten years to figure out what I wanted to major in. Throughout that time I have been very successful without my degree teaching dance, as a manager of communication technology at a non-profit organization for almost eight years, and as a mother of two. The experiences throughout my life have finally tied together to show me why I need to finish college and change careers. While I have a job that I love, my new dream job is one that I know I will continue until the day I retire. The job of a teacher is a hard one but there is no job that I would rather have. I have finally been able to see what my life events have been adding up to. I now know I can have the greatest impact as an educator, and I can’t wait to start.

I think I would tell myself to prepare more. I was blessed enough to have good grades naturally come me. Because of this, I got really good grades without having to try hard. But now that I am in college, I wish I developed my study habits more. I also wish I had more of a desire to learn in high school. If I had tried to absorb the infromation I was being taught more, I feel like everything would be a lot easier now. So overall, I wish I had more of a desire to really learn in high school. I doubt any high schoolers really have that, but if I could go back I would work on that.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say, "Don't be afraid, and don't be shy!" Focus on what you know and learn about what you don't. The learning experience is important, but remember that communication skills are also important. Find people who can mentor you and be honest about what you hope to take from the experience and how they can help you in your studies. Finally, research what is available to you. There are SO many opportunities available if you just take the time to find out what they are and how you might qualify. Don't take anything for granted. Finally.. use the gym! You HAD the time then!

In high school, I always said that I was going to take a year off and then attend college. Well one year turned into 12 years and now I’m struggling to maintain my excellent GPA, while also working full-time. Although I am older and know exactly what I want in life, which most high school students do not, I also have the added difficulties that many younger students do not have. I receive no financial aid and have many more expenses, such as rent, credit cards, medical bills, and the unexpected expense of a lengthy divorce. As I went through my 20's, I started to depend on other people instead of myself. Now I find myself in a situation where I have no career and barely enough means to support myself. If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be to enroll in college within a few years of graduation. Even if the desired career path has not been chosen, the basic core classes needed for any degree can be taken. This allows students to become one step closer to their degree while still making the decision of what career they are passionate about.

If I could go back in time to talk to my former self, I would warn myself of everything college has to offer. I would tell myself that I need to get involved in school programs, and not simply coast through school. I would tell myself to take more than 12 credits per semester. Also, I would strongly suggest that I test out of the introduction to computer sciences class because there is no sense in taking a class that you already know all the material for. I would need to start learning study skills that would help far greater than what I have been doing. I would also tell myself to refrain from wearing more than six shirts at any given moment because the heat becomes unbearable and it makes it hard to focus in class. I would also make it clear that I should not blindly follow the advice of strangers, or else I may end up walking half a mile more than necessary every day.

I would tell myself to work harder, and to do more research into how college works. I would emphasize focus on my studies in high school, and to pay more respect to my superiors Overall, I would tell myself to take life more seriously. After graduating high school, I was hit with the hard facts of life, and I would urge myself to be better prepared for what lies ahead.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to start looking into scholarships and different colleges right away instead of waiting until the last minute. I regret not applying for more scholarships and taking my time till Senior year to even apply for colleges. Waiting was the worst mistake I ever made. I would also tell myself to save all my money, that way when I got to college and was living off about $200 a month, I struggled but was able to get through it all the same. Help yourself would be wise.

I would advise myself to work much harder than I did in highschool. In highschool, I had a job and earned fairly decent grades, however, I did not understand how much my education would mean to me in the future. I was most concerned with my social life in high school, as most students are. I quickly learned the value of education when I needed to work full time in order to attened community college. My family made too much money for me to receive financial aid, however, they had too much accumulated debt to simply keep the cupboards stocked, let alone put me through college. I would tell myself to make school my first priority, as it is now. I would tell myself that after my studying has been completed, there is plenty of time for social activities. Had I known what was going to happen to my family financially after highschool, I would have made better choices. I would have saved more money. I would have enrolled in teh PSEO program so that three years later, I would not still be attending community college.