University of North Carolina at Asheville Top Questions

Get involved in student activities immediatly to meet people and get involved on campus. It is proven that students who are involved on campus have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate.

If I could go back and speak to myself during my senior year in highschool, I would have asked myself to be honest with what I truly want to study. Many highschool graduates do not take the time to research their true passions. It is better to chose career based on a sincere interest, rather than randomly choosing what looks impressive to their peers and parents.

I truly enjoy attending college and am grateful to God for the experience. Though I always dreamed of attending college, I never really applied myself in high school, doing just enough to get by with a "D." But now, I pride myself in attaining good grades and love every moment of the college experience. So I would say to myself, "Keep at it."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would just tell myself to not worry about anything and to enjoy my last few months in school. Even though everyone always tells you that high school is the best 4 years of your life they are wrong. College is so much more fun than high school was. Sure winning State and everything was amazing but most of those people that were around you then that called you a friend won't be the same after you graduate. The memories will always be there but the people in them won't always act the same towards you. You will make so many more, closer friends in college that will be there for you through anything. The last thing i would tell myself is to not be shy in college. You're starting over and have nothing to be afraid of. Be yourself and people will like you better than if you tried to act different. People don't judge like they did in high school and if they do they're just jealous of you.

As a high school senior, I thought about playing baseball at the division 1 level. Now that I have experienced the college life and playing a sport in college, I believe that it would have been more beneficial for me to go to a school that better fit me as a student and as a person rather than one that was just based on baseball. The experience that I have had here makes me believe that if I were a senior again I would have chosen a larger school. This school is a good academic school, but it would have been smarter to go to a school with all the choices I considered for a major rather than just one or two. If I were a high school senior again I would have made the decision to go to a bigger school for my academics instead of a smaller school for baseball. I have kept my grades up really well, but I believe that if I were to go to school at a more recognized university and focus solely on academics, I would be better off after school. I would say choose a school that reflects more of my character.

My life was very painful for me until I decided to take it into my own hands, and when I decided to do this I was only 17 years old. Of course, being so young some of the choices I made were not what I would now consider correct, but I am still amazed at how much my life has changed and how far I have come. Because of serious domestic issues I dropped out of highschool at 16, got my GED at 17 as well as my own apartment and two full-time jobs. Soon after, I began community college and completed my Associates Degree at 23 with a 3.95 GPA. I am now 24 and attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville, which has been my dream for 5 years. My dream is coming true and I will be the first person in my family to earn a Bachelor's degree. So what advice would I give myself after all I've been through? "Justine, your strength and passion to succeed will take you beyond what you can imagine, and no matter what happens strive for knowledge because that is the key to happiness and freedom."

Two and a half years beyond my high school gradutation, I can very clearly see how little I understood the college decision making process, and wish that I could act as the Ghost of College Future to show myself the error of my ways. I was a great student in high school, and still am in college; learning has always felt natural to me, and schoolwork was generally a cakewalk. Given this history of near perfect grades, a spot in the National Honor Society, and a feeling that I belonged in a nationally recognized school, I assumed that only a small private school, preferably from the book, Colleges that Change Lives, could provide me with an education that matched my abilities. When I stubbornly chose to only apply out of state, and got rejected by four of the six colleges I applied to, my decision quickly turned from one of merit to one of tolerance - of weather that is. After moving to Florida, realizing that warm weather does not fill the void of an unsuitable academic environment, and leaving after one semester, I understood that a for the price of long underwear, I could gain a great public education.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would knock some sense into me! When I was a high school senior, I did not want to go to college and waited to apply at the last minute. I was not aware of the numerous amounts of opportunities that were waiting for me. My mom lost her job and I thought I was going to have to pay for a majority of my tuition. Money was a factor. Luckily, I ended up in a university that fits me perfectly. The advice I would go back and give myself is research scholarship opportunities (there are millions and no need to stress about money), look at schools everywhere (plan trips to the campuses and look at the cities), make sure the schools offer ample social opportunities, academic programs and class room settings to accommodate your needs. Ultimately, choose a college that fits you (do not go somewhere because it popular and your friends are going). A little research can go a long way and it can get you out of class! Explore the world so you can know your options are not limited!

Expect to be surprised! So many people you'll meet can teach you something if you're open and willing to learn -- especially from those you may not think. Friends, teachers, and classmates have valuable wisdom to share with you, so keep your ears and heart open. Ask lots of questions, look at ideas from different views, and enjoy this time as new and exciting. Understand that you are on a journey, and you don't have to have the answers! Be in discovery, in the question. Go for what you want in your heart, and always stand in your biggest possibility. Remember that you are closer than you think, you are exactly where you should be, and you have everything you need. Learn from everything that happens -- you can get coaching from a rock if you're always looking for the lesson! Be understanding of where others are in their journeys, and be their champion and challenger. Stand for the success of others, believing in all they are capable of, and you will be successful as a natural result. Know that you are more than enough. You are amazing.

Do not panic. There is often a lot of reading for classes. You most likely won't have time to finish your reading, so skim. If you have a lot of papers and tests and projects all at the same time, prioritize and just take it one day at a time. You will be okay. If you get behind, feel free to talk to your professors and explain your situation to them. Chances are, they will try to help. If they don't seem to care, just try your best. Don't be ashamed to ask for help from anyone. As for social life, just be you. Don't try to act like someone else just to make friends. Being yourself, however you feel on any particular day, will attract people you will get along with. And always remember to breathe and get plenty of sleep. Take naps because they feel amazing and will keep you refreshed. Balance academics and social life. Finally, know your limit and remember you will be just fine.