University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

I would not have worried so much about going out of state for college. I feared it would be inhibiting to stay in Missouri, yet I have come to love it and I love being able to see my family every other month or so. It also makes sense to go where you get scholarship money, especially if you plan to go to graduate school, so apply to as many as possible, even if you don't think you qualify. I've earned a scholarship I didn't qualify for simply because no one else applied!

Assuming that I was able to go back to my high school senior year, I would tell myself to fill out more scholarships, grants, and loans; for then I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now. I would remind myself that my father is not able to help me with my education at this time, and that my staying at my dream college all depended on how many scholarships, grants, and loans I received. I would also advise myself to take out enough in loans to cover my whole academic year.

Be selfish. You need to value yourself and your time more wisely. Keep a planner. Take neat notes. Get sleep whenever you can. Stick to your regular healthy eating schedule, stay healthy. Get regular exercise. Spend more time doing things that you are sincerely interested in, like field trips to observe and participate in working environments. Talk to the professors you like and ask them plenty of important questions. Learn about everything that is available to you. Don't worry about making friends so much, but do be careful about how you treat people. Respect the people who seem responsible, forget the others. Narrow your interests by trying things and deciding what you are compatible with. Remember to do your very best at everything you do, and do not ever hesitate to get help from the best sources available if you are having trouble completing an assignment. Always consider yourself first and spend time meditating on your feelings and impressions. Stay sharp and fit. Do something you love several times a week, and don't let yourself get blue or loose motivation, but do plan for adequate down time to recharge. Don't forget about the future.

Just breathe, the first year will fly by and all the uneasiness, about being away from home, living with people you have never met before and taking courses more difficult than those in the high school, will pass as you find yourself well into your second year. of studies. No matter how many times you get lost the first week, there will always be a friendly face to point you in the right direction. Always remember why you are attending college, to pursue the career of your dreams, and know you will get out of college as much as you put in. Put forth your best effort and worrying about grades will not be an issue because you know you are doing your best. Realize the professors are there to help you and guide you, not fail and intimidate you. Lastly, know you are only limited by yourself; do not be afraid to go out and explore! Meet new people, try out new clubs and never underestimate your abilities! Your college years will quickly become the best years of your life as they pave the way toward your future career and make your childhood dream, of veterinary medicine, a reality!

Don't let anyone make the decision for you. Even though that school has a well known name or is one of the best for your major, consider what will make you happiest. If you have serious doubts, listen to them. It's okay to go to a lesser known school or even a Community College if that is what makes you happy. Don't be pressured into going to "the best school," or getting "the best degree" just because others say you have to, because a) you are the one who will have to live with your choices at the end of the day, and b) they don't necessarily know what's best for you.

I would tell myself to not stress about fitting in and making friends. The incoming freshman class is in the same boat as you. They are all away from home and are all looking for people to hang out with and be friends. You will find people that like you and that you get along with. I would also tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Money really does become an issue. Any and every scholarhship will help to pay for school. I would also tell myself to get a job sooner. Giving up time to socialize might not seem like fun, but it is a good idea. Having a job gives you a sense of responsiblity and it also gives you something to do. I would tell myself to remember to relax and let things flow. The little things are not worth totally stressing about. Sit back and enjoy life every once in awhile.

Don't be so nervous about how the transition to college life is going to be. College life gives you the opportunity to be very independent and responsible, but its nothing to be scared of. College will only help you grow as a person, so go at it with all your might.

I knew that I didn't have a lot of close friends going to the same school as I was and I was very scared because I knew that I was not a very outgoing person. However, after being in college for a semester now, I wish I could go back and tell myself that I could--and had to--be able to open up and put myself out there and make friends. If I had been able to realize this then, I wouldn't have been nearly as worried about beginning the journey of college. The transition is difficult but it is not at all impossible. It takes effort but it is worth every bit. My experience so far has been wonderful and I would want myself to know that all it takes is a little push and everything will work out for the best.

The only real advice I would give myself is to have spent more time working on scholarship applications. I did not fully realized the financial strain college would put on me, and having any extra money for tuition would have been helpful. I am being much more proactive in applying for scholarships this year in an effort to lessen my loans and debt. I would have also told myself to learn better study skills; I have a tendency to cram the night before a test but because we have fewer tests with more information, it is much more helpful to learn it a little bit at a time. I would also have told myself to not stress as much about choosing the "right" college; I believe everyone ends up where they need to and college is what you make of it.

I would tell myself to not get too wrapped up in studying and grades for the first semester. Grades are definitely important, but the first semester should be fun too. A "B" will never be the end of the world.