University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

College is definitely different than high school. Studying skills are essential and requires hours outside of class. Professors are willing to help you, but you have to be willing to work hard and study hard. Prioritizing is a must. Going to parties and hanging out with friends MUST be put on hold when you are behind in studying or when there is an exam coming up the following week. A social life is a good balance because without one there is a chance you won't have time to release stress, but you have to know how to balance it and not consume your life. It is also important to become involve on campus. Community service and joining organizations that meet your interest is also a good way to relieve stress. Internships are a very important factor especially when you are getting ready to graduate, so do as many as you can. Companies are looking more for experience than education. Plus it looks really good when applying for jobs. No matter what happens just do your best, study, and believe in God and the sky is the limit.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to make a weekly schedule to prepare for school. I would also tell myself to read in my free time and study a couple of weeks in advance for exams.

If I was able to jump in a time machine and give myself some advice, it would be to take a few dual credit courses in high school. It would have made things so much easier to come into college with some of those general requirements knocked out.

If life had a reset button, I would definitely make some changes. Then again, no I wouldn?t. Decisions are made and mistakes happen. If they didn?t life wouldn?t be nearly as interesting and no one would be learning from their experiences. If given the chance to give advice to myself this time last year. I wouldn?t say anything more than, ?Rebecca chill out!? Throughout high school I spent most of my time worrying about how each choice I made that day would affect college and the rest of my future. Now I realize that this lead to too much time worrying and not enough living. Transitioning from high school to college life was hard, but well worth it. My first semester of college has taught me that there is more to learning that sitting at a desk and reading chapter after chapter in a text book. Learning comes from group work, professors, and most importantly loving what you?re doing. Upon meeting my younger self, "I would simply say stop stressing over picking that right college and follow your heart because one day you will know that everything worked out." Mizzou was the perfect choice!

As I look back on myself mere months ago; excited, nervous?standing on the precipice of a grand new adventure in my life, there is much I wish I could say, and much I wish I could have done differently. I would tell what unforgettable experiences were to be forthcoming at Mizzou?reassuring my initially apprehensive self that I had made the right decision in going to such a large school. I would then explain the importance of what I will refer to as the ?magical month.? This is the first four weeks of school, and it is also the most important for instilling friendships that can last forever. During this month, the social barriers the normally exist are lifted and no one is too cool, too rich, too poor, too smart or too goofy to come together in a kind of supporting embrace as each goes through their own adjustments to living outside the protective wing of their parents. Having moved into a fraternity house during this month, I wish that I had taken more time to meet more people outside of Greek life, and thus broaden my circle of friendships and experiences.

Make your decision about where you MIGHT want to go early on and visit many schools to avoid stress about deadlines and receive the most financial aid possible. Also visiting many schools gives you the opportunity to experience many different feels of different campuses and ensures you that the one you choose is absolutely the right one for you!

I would tell myself that I should be open minded to new experiences and get to know other people outside of my group from high school. I know that it's easy to hang with the same people I've been hanging out with for the past couple of years, but I need to move on and meet new people and engage in new adventures. Also, I would say to leave the drama behind me. There will be times that I'm tempted to say certain things, but I should keep things to myself and not cause any trouble between friends. Lastly, I would say to get involved in campus life. There are so many things to do...and for free! College is an awesome time in your life and you need to enjoy it while you can!

If I were to go back to high school and give myself some advice, all I would say is, "Do what you do, and you'll do just fine" (Fink). I wouldn't want to tell myself anything too specific because it would ruin the ride. The best way to learn is to put yourself out there and just go for it. If I were to tell myself about the mistakes I have made so far, then I wouldn't be able to learn from those mistakes. Besides that, I would just say to take life one day at a time and enjoy the ride. Works Cited: Fink, Charlie. Do What You Do. Noah and the Whale. Mercury, 2007. MP3.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice I would say that being the center of the social scene isn't necessarily important and that it is okay to be a nerd and stay in your room and study the majority of the time. I would tell myself to pay more attention to what things are coming up and to study for a test 2 weeks in advance. I would utilized the writing lab more and put forth more effort.

Be cautious but don?t limit yourself. Try new things. Be open to new people and ideas. Don?t sacrifice your values or integrity. More can be gained from personal interaction than computer interaction. Take advantage of the new environment but don?t lose yourself in it. Realize you never know the impact you have in someone?s life; thus, try to make every interaction with someone positive. Thank all the people who have gotten you where you are. Live your life, don?t plan it or worry about it. Love your life or change it.