University of New Mexico-Main Campus Top Questions

If I could go back in time to my high school self, I think I would tell myself not to wait to go to college. There is so much about college life to enjoy when you are young. Do your best in school because good grades will take you far. When you can do well academically it opens so many doors that it is unbelievable, from opportunities to study abroad, to membership in organizations that can advance your future, to scholarships; it is well worth the effort. Study hard, but don't forget to enjoy the time as well. Be a friend and make memories.

Convince my high school teacher to grade a little harder so that it required me to put more effort in my work. If you struggle in your class go to tutoring to help the transition in the amount of school work and difficulty a little easier. Never, think you are unable to do anything cause you can.

I would tell myself not to take more than 15 credit hours for my first university semester. One should be conservative and get to know the flow and rhythm of the teachers and your own performance towards the academic demands before you increase the load. I would remind myself to reflect on what I am learning everyday, not only academically speaking, but also with respect to my social interactions or lack thereof, and the way other people impact my life and how my input may impact their life. I would advise myself to try to help transitioning students because, as someone who has received support by tutors and encouragement from friends, I know how important it is. I also would tell myself to not lose perspective about the competition, because the main competition is myself. I would say that my focus should be on the constant improvement of my own capabilities and that the letter “A” should be a reflection of my understanding of the material, not just an artifact that allows me to move forward. Retaining what you have learned is the foundation that you will continually build upon, so don’t just study for the test.

To take harder classesduring high school and to get to have a better idea of the different colleges and scolarship opportunities. To get as much contact with the professional field in order to have an idea of the concentration you would like to pursue in college and to avoid switching classes and waisting years of your life. ( taking summer camps...) To read more books in order to improve your vision and your cultture. To take a lot of professional writing worshops in order to get ready to the college assignements.

Do not get held back by that stupid religious notion that women should only be raising kids in the home. Realize that you love learning about the brain, you are good at math and have natural ability to understand psychological concepts. Apply for the best programs and push to succeed. You will love it and you will not go to hell.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to work hard in any classes because G.P.A. is very important to scholarships. It’s important to manage time carefully too because you must make time for your homework, assignments, and friends. Remember to always study for each exam because unlike high school you can’t blow off a test and hope for the best. Each exam is important and every grade matters. When it comes to making friends, just be you and be opened to meeting new people. You are going to meet new people who are different from you and different from what you are used to. Do these things and college is going to be amazing, fun, and very liberating.

I would tell myself to stop being so afraid. College gave me so many more experiences than high school ever did. It is a fun thing, not terrifying. Also, put yourself out there more, don't be so withdrawn. Become part of more groups, push yourself out of your comfort zone. And lastly, don't let people tell you what you should or should not study. Study what you want, and you'll be so much happier for it.

I would say take full advantage of the experience. If you can just go to school, just go to school. You have a lifetime to work, just enjoy all the oppourtunities that will come your way. Get involved in campus clubs and activities. The friends you make and the fun you will have is what you will remember 20 years from now...not what history or science class you had. Not to say party and enjoy your social life but not academics, no learn like a sponge, take it all in. The four years will be gone before you know. Think about what will happen after school, after you graduate. Talk to others that are in your field of study, is this something you are going to want to do on a daily basis? Do summer internships, make valuable professional contacts. It's who you know, not always what you know that will get you ahead in this world. Never give up on that dream, even though sometimes you will want to.

Never let the fear of the future or the expectations of society kill your love of learning. I've walked in your shoes before and I know that you're worried and torn. I know that right now studying business seems like the safer choice, the only plausible one, but history inspires you - it feeds your imagination. You can share that joy with others. YOU can choose. Let that enthusiasm for learning drive you, but also try to remember that there is a world outside the spines of your books. Experience all aspects of life as fully as you can. Try to find the balance between learning and living. Always do the best you can in all your endeavors, but remember that in the end you are more than the university you attended or the job you had and the money you made. Yes, those things matter, but there's more to learning than books and classrooms, there's more to life than being comfortable. There's more to you than what others can see. And after all, in your imagination you can live an infinite number of lives, so why be limited to one that others chose for you?

Frankly, "making the transition" would be at the bottom of the list of advice I would give to my past self. I had a lot of other things going on at the time which resulted in my attendance of college at a later age than most incoming Freshmen. However, since that's not the prompt, I suppose my advice to myself on "making the transition" would be to ignore distractions, budget my time wisely, and make a serious commitment. I would also encourage myself to move out-of-state sooner, as this was the decision in my life that was a really pivotal change for me. It removed the safety net, so to speak, and forced me to succeed. It also eliminated those distractions I was talking about earlier.