University of Missouri-Kansas City Top Questions

I would tell myself to do what my heart really desires, and not what others want me to do. If you is passionate about a particular subject or profession, even though it may not be practical, one should pursue it. It should not matter what others think or say. If you love what you do and work hard at it, then things will work out. I would also personally tell myself to trust God, because He will take care of everything and to not worry so much. Once you let other people tell you what to do, you will waste your time and compromise your happiness. Study hard, but also go out and socialize to make and keep friends for they are the ones who get you through rough times. They are your support group, and sometimes your motivators. Just live life to the fullest, instead of worrying about the future and making "practical" decisions. There is more to life than college, so just view it as a stepping stone and a great experience in life.

Though I have only put one semester of college behind me it has been enough to show me that I have messed up. As I look back at the younger me I think about choices I made and what could have been. Not studying because it interferes with friends, not listening to teachers because "Im the man", and not striving to do my best. If I found a magic lamp, I would use it to go back to my high school years. To tell myself what I do now matters in my future. Start finding a balance between friends and school work, start studying before tests and writing papers sooner to keep from drinking energy drinks to stay up all night. However I can not and here I stand attempting to correct the same bad habits that have haunted me to this day. This semester has been an eye opening experience I know that if I would have done things differently in high school things would be easier now. Instead I face the consequences of my decisions and now I must step up, become a man and fight the habits I have grown so accustomed to. I have grown up.

You cannot change the past, and the experiences you encounter throughout life are what help make you, you. I have thought about what it would have been like if I went to a different college, if I would have chose differently. Maybe someplace with more campus involvement or academic competition. But, don't we all doubt our decisions at some point? It is my sixth semester here at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and I have changed my major four times, made friends that will last a lifetime, been introduced to a city of possiblity, and worked through a work-study job that continually gives me the satisfaction of making a difference in the world, of being somebody. So, if I were to go back and be a high school senior again, I would tell myself to believe in the decisions I make and allow them to take me where they may. It may not always, at first, be what I want, and I will make mistakes, but to always remember that to make a difference you have to take a risk and continue to believe in yourself and who you are.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would advise myself to be frugal and consistent. There is no time like the present and if one stays focused all else will fall into place precisely as intended. There are always options and opportunities for greater success and most of the time they lie within good preparations. It is important that one absolutely, positively never gives up. Always hang in there and see every goal that is set before you through to the end. At times the rewards seem out of sight but the truth is they are always a baby step forward. Remember focus is the key to success. Stay focused and stay successful.

I would tell myself to be more socially active. It's tough in college to have no one to really lean on and study with. I would also tell myself to develop better study skills. There were a few bad tests in chemistry class because I didn't know how to study a subject that to me is so uninteresting. Lastly, I would tell myself to think logically. I should have been truthful to myself and realized that I had really no chance of becoming a doctor. I have always hated chemistry, yet I believed that I could handle so much chemistry. Instead of taking a chemistry class for non-majors, I took the hard chemistry class and it brought down my GPA. It didn't bring me down too much and I'll still finish in very good standing this semester, but I wish I could have saved myself the stress and misery.

I would go back and make sure that I told myself how important and worthy getting involved on campus activities is as a freshman. I believe that if I would have became more invovled my first year instead of waiting until my second, I would have had more opportunities. Getting invovled has given me a lifetime of friends, new networks, and an internship. It has also allowed me to give back to my community and the people in Kansas city and feel good about myself.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself and other high school students, I would say never let your parents hold you back from what you know you want. And always look into the future for growth instead of waiting and comparing yourself with your uncle or mom. My favorite quote would be Don't Sweat The Small Stuff.

I would advise myself to "relax" and not over-rate the experience of college. The anticipation of being on my own for the very first time and feeling the freedom was nice, but soon worn and replaced with a quiet lonely dorm room and too much time. My first year had problems with dorm mates, so I would really prepare my mind for the experience of living with people I don't know and not expected all to go "perfect" like it had been at home. I expected to get along with whomever, but not prepared for them no to get along with me. I would also search harder for employment to levy my expenses and not expect everything to be available through my campus. Finding financial resources have been a struggle and proven to make my college life much more difficult. I would advise myself to search out more friendships from my beginning year so they can be established for later years on campus with those who stay the entire 4 years.

I would definitely recommend learning how to study while in high school. It is something that takes time to figure out on your own, because everyone has different learning styles. It is always good to figure out what works best for you and use it. Something else very important to understand is that even if you know a teacher in high school will go easy on you if you miss a homework assigment or turn it in late, most college proffessors won't do that for you. Know that when something is asked of you, it is your responsibility to do it in a timely and correct manner. To be able to accomplish that, time management is of major importance. Realizing that time for yourself is just as important as getting an assignment done is a valuable lesson, so work it out to have the ability to do both.

I have actually improved as a student starting my first year in college. Really, the one thing I regret is not having clear interests when I started college. I was undecided for a while, then an English major, then a social work major, and finally I have arrived at Urban Planning and Design. To my former high school senior self, I would recommend researching different careers and perhaps doing volunteer work. I feel like if I would have acquired more experience, even randomly, it would have helped this college process go more quickly. However, somehow my indecisiveness has led me in the direction I am currently going. For example, I learned about Urban Planning through a research paper I wrote a year ago. Therefore, I believe everyone has different ways of arriving at their chosen careers. If I would have waited to start college until I decided on a major, I do not think I would have ever started. I know that I have finally arrived at this career path because of my experiences in college.