University of Minnesota-Duluth Top Questions

Hope, Relax. You'll eventually figure out where you want to be, who you want to be, and what you want to be.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, there are a few key things I would emphasize. I would first talk about the importance of early involvement in community service projects, since I would not be the person I am today without the character I’ve gained through volunteering. I am grateful that these experiences have helped contribute to my passion I have for helping others and reaffirmed my pursuit of Physical Therapy as a career, which I know will one day present me with the necessary tools to do so. I would also emphasize early invovlement in extra-curricular activities such as participation in intramural sports, on campus student organizations, or even work as a campus tour guide. It was these specific activites that allowed me to feel connected on a deeper level with my campus and I only wish I would have been involved sooner in my college career. Lastly I would make it a strong point to say that drinking alchohol for fun on the weekends is not the only way to make new friends, and that there are always endless other options for entertainment.

I would tell myself to get more involved on campus. Join a club/organization or start your own. Don't be afraid of standing out and don't try to stay in the background. Professors are there to help you. If you do need help, don't be afraid to raise your hand in class or go to their office hours for some extra help. They want you to succeed in school and in life so they will be more than willing to help you. You can also go to the tutoring center or even your fellow classmates who the subject comes easy to them. Don't let anyone tell you what to do and go ahead and experiment. Here is your chance to become yourself and to really learn who you are and what you want in life. Really enjoy yourself because after college, you will have plenty of bills/loans to be paying and won't have much time to relax and have fun.

I would tell myself that I should have focused more in highschool and prepared myself for college financially more because I didnt't know that my parents weren't able to pay for my college. I would have got a summer job to help pay for my college myself because many people didn't think I was going to attend college because no one in my family had attended college my mom dropped out in the 9 th grade when she had me and my daddy in the 11 th grade. I would also have encouraged myself to be more goal driven. I also would have motivated myself more and believed more in myself more because everyone was telling that I wasn't going to graduated highschool but I did it and graduated with honors and 3.0 gpa. I also would have pushed myself to go to a college away from home to become more independent, gain new experinces and I would have also taught myself how to manage my own money and save for hard times.

As a high school senior, I thought that I wanted to go into Pre-Medicine or Pre-Pharmacy and have a really intense major, just because science and math always interested me. But I did not really know how heavy of a course-load this really was. Although I think this is an excellent goal to have, I sometimes wish that I did not commit to a major so fast and maybe go into college as being Undecided. It would give you more ideas of what kind of other careers are out there after taking more generic classes rather than taking hard core science and math courses right away. I also think that being Undecided at first allows you to ease into the college experience a little slower. People are just trying to figure out what they want to do with their life and are trying to discover new friends who have the same interests as them. Instead of just hopping right into hard, five credit classes right away, I would suggest maybe taking things a little bit slower just to see if you really know what you want to do with your life.

I can say that most of all UMD has given me a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of content. I have been able to get away from the family drama and get a great education (so far). I never feel alone here and I defeinitly feel like I will make it in the real world because of UMD. I am a responsible, calm, compassionate and hardworking college student.

I have learned a lot about who I am and what I want out of life. My love of the arts have been reinforced while my love for teaching them is just beginning. I am becoming better as an artist and developing more skills in the trade.

Thus far, my college experience has taught me that to achieve my goals in life i will have to try my hardest. I have learned that to make it on my own and get a good career i can enjoy i will have to put out all of my effort in school. i believe that attending college has been very valuable to me as it has taught me many lessons, and new skills.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience. One thing i have gotten is new friends. Friends are important in your college career because they make it more enjorable. Your college experience should be enjoyable because you will be more likely to succeed. Another thing I have gotten is knowledge. This is valuable because it will help you in your future career in the work place. It has been valuable to attend this college because the professors know what they are talking about and there is many good people here. The classes are of good quality and a degree from this university is revered.

During the time I have been in college, I have learned that it is a lot tougher out here in the real world than what it had seemed to me while still in high school. I go to school and have a job. With having to work my way from bottom to the top I understand now why it is important to earn my degree. Because in the end, all my hardwork will pay off, and I won't be starting off at the bottom anymore.