University of Minnesota-Duluth Top Questions

I would tell myself to never give up. Just try your hardest. Thats all you can do.

Learn better study habits and make sure school comes before fun because school is very expensive.

Think hard about your major and make sure it's what you really want to do and what your interested in

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would beg myself to consider many different things. First, I would tell myself to quit slacking in my senior classes. Second, I would tell myself to stay on the wait-list for all those great Universities that I was wait-listed for (instead of getting indignant and not returning the wait-list request letter), I probably could have gone to some great colleges had I sucked up my pride. Also, I would have told myself to apply for alot more scholarships than I did, I was busy enjoying my senior year, with the result that i didn't do as many things as I should have to financially prepare myself. Lastly, I would have told myself to study hard, pass my classes with A's and not party so hard that first freshman semester, it makes a huge difference in what classes you can select and your future.

As a high school senior, my biggest goal regarding college was to go somewhere respectable that was also a distance from home. For this reason, I didn't attend the U of M in the Twin Cities, but instead came up to Duluth, a town that I figured was close enough to my family where I could visit them whenever I felt the need, but far enough away to become my own person. I would tell high-school-me to remain in the cities because the opportunites offered at the U of M are much greater than those at UMD. Although my family may have been more involved in my new life than I wanted, I would have been exposed to a great variety of people and activities that I know nothing about because I'm in Duluth, where real culture is sparse. I also would have told myself to get involved in more on-campus activities, because I feel I lost a lot of the college experience by staying in my dorm and going home too many weekends. I would have said to not be afraid of trying new things and meeting new people.

First line of business get to know the teaching assistant who conducts your Friday morning 8am biology lab. He will become a great friend and true assest when you barely can comprehend what is being discussed in the 300 student biology lector. Which leads to you question the degree in Biology you where so set on pursuing when choosing this University. Second line of business become great friends with the women in career services she opens your eyes to other opportunities. Also she understands that not everyone is cut out to be a Biologist and maybe your future career goals can be found in another field. Leading you to pursue a major you felt challenged by and has led to future professional endeavors. The biggest piece of advice I would give my high school self is to open your eyes to possibilities and take on new challenges. With out taking that first step and finding out what opportunities are out there high school self would have missed a lot of great experiences. One last very important piece of advice...stay away from the credit card sign-ups for free t-shirts. No college student needs that many over sized shirts.

I would have told myself not to worry so much. I was so scared that , coming from a small town, I was going to have a hard time making friends and coming out of my comfort zone. I picked a great college that really helped me feel like I fit in and I cant imagine being anywhere else. I wish I had not focused so much on everything being perfect and instead kept my thoughts on the now. Life is too short to worry about what is going to be going on years from now. If you make a bad decision, you work it out. If things are hard, you get help. You are never going to be alone and in the end it may not be like you originally planned it, but it will have been an experience regardless. You just have to make the best of it.

I would go back and tell myself to enjoy college because there's not many more chances you'll get to meet new people and have a good time. I would tell myself to focus hard on school, for it's the main reason you are in college. I would tell myself also to join as many clubs as I can. This will allow myself to meet more people and have plenty to do while at college. The last thing I would tell myself is to go to college with an open mind. You meet so many great people that it's hard to pick a "group." Follow your dreams and make the best of it!

Take a tour, ask questions, ask current students and alumni about their experiences, attend a lecture, and explore the surrounding area as well as the campus.

It is going to take time. You may go through three different schools before you find what you are looking for. Some campuses have a very diverse and exciting environment and others do not, you just have to know what you are looking for. Students when you get to college, do not be shy. Open up and meet new people, join in intermural sports or clubs. In the long run the people you meet will end up being your best friends. Also do not be afraid to take that trip with people you do not know very well. It weill be one of the best things you can experience. Parents do not make the desicion for your child, help guide them in their direction. You may think it is not right for them but they are old enough to know what they want. They will succeed and have fun while doing it.