University of Northern Colorado Top Questions

If I could go back in high school I would tell myself to get more involved in sports and take advantage of all the clubs provided, because when you get to college time is hard to mannage. I was known to get stressed over my homework assignments, but if I wouldn't have procrastinated I would have been just fine: same with college. I have learned to be more organized and on time. I would have told myself to talk to my parents about more independence, because when in college the world is your playground. I would have told myself to at least one or two AP courses because when it comes to college you get more benefits and the relief of extra credit hours. I would have told myself to ask more questions about college, because really I had no idea about majors or minors. Make sure you know what you want to do in life. Yes, you have eight years to figure that out, but it makes college life so much easier if you have a plan. Last, I would have told myself to loosen up because college will be the best experience of your life.

Don't be a rebel and wait because CSUSB is going to call saying that you are accepted. Also apply for a lot of scholarships and keep your fastwebs file up to date. Study harder and reach for A's and not just a simple little C. Excercise a whole lot more to keep yourself in shape and alert. And lastly, try art because you are very great at it you just don't know it yet.

Knowing what I know about myself now, and what I know about me a year ago when I was a senior, there are a few things I could give as useful pieces of advice. The first thing that comes to mind is, go exercise; work out, run, and lift weights as much as you can but so much that is still enjoyable. I?ve found this to not only keep me in shape and lookin? good but it keeps me busy too. During this transition its primitive that you keep yourself busy doing productive things that further yourself in life so you don't fall victim to laziness now that you don't live with your parents anymore. Second, go have fun! Keep in mind not to go overboard though, and definitely don?t fall into the ?party trap? many freshmen find themselves in. Meet as many people as you can, but keep a few close friends and concentrate on those relationships the most because they?re the people that will stick with you after college too. Oh, and make sure you do your homework because that is why your here in the first place!

I would tell myself to pick the size of school I was comfortable with, and make a list of the schools that had my major. As soon as I had that list, perhaps hundreds of colleges and universities long, I would tell myself to mix all of the names up in a bowl and choose. I would give this advice because college is so much more than an education. The experiences I'm having now are shaping my life and future, and I am learning that life is what I choose to make of it. I think that if I could tell my highschool self to mix up the names and choose, college would be more of an adventure. Perhaps I would be leaving Colorado, going to school in a big city, or a rural town. Hopefully, I would be going off on my own, blazing my own trail, and marching to the beat of my own drum. More than anything, I would tell myself not to be afraid to step out. Switching schools is scary. Making friends is hard. But settling...settling didn't get me anywhere, and that is what I would tell my highschool self to avoid.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high-school senior, I would probably start by trying to calm down the frantic past version of myself that had just witnessed the rapid manipulation of time as we know it which resulted in presenting a slightly taller and more facially rugged version of himself. Once that had been taken care of, I would warn him not to slip into the phenomenon known as "Senioritis", because that might prevent his eligibility for some scholarships, and believe it or not, a scholarship can go a long way! Then I suppose I would tell him that big college parties are not all that they're cracked up to be, and that he shouldn't expect to have a blast in a crowded room full of people that he's never met. I would also tell him that certain classes are a lot easier to do well in if you show up to them. Finally, I would tell him not to worry so much about meeting people, because he's going to end up knowing a few kids that will probably turn out to be life-long friends.

After completing the better part of my freshman year, I have already wished for a magic wand to reverse actions. I have many friends at my university, but when I first started, people I met in high school were the only ones I talked to. They started partying, and left me at the dorm alone all weekend. I was betrayed, and worse- I was lonely. I long to tell myself pre-college self to get involved sooner! Join clubs I never thought of joining, like swing dance club. Reach out to new people that are in the same situation, look around the dinning hall it may seem like you are the only one alone, but as scan closer and recognize other homesick and withdrawn students. I reached out to them and in return, made a group of friends, and also study partners, instead of partiers. Most universities have a student union in which one can easily ask for a list of clubs and organizations, its easy to get involved when you can visually check out all there is! My School has Renaissance to herbivore to hiking clubs. Ask other students to go with you, not just high school ?BFFs.?

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college, I would tell myself to start studying sooner and not socialize so much. I would tell myself to start looking at my major requirements first sememster and start working on them first before the fun and easy classes. For me the transition hasnt been that hard for me. I was always taking care of myself in high school and this year isnt much different other than I am living by myself.

If I could give myself any advice it would be to not worry about grades so much and instead partake in more campus activities and social events. During high school I developed good study habits which were transfered over during my transition to college life. Because of this I never had a problem with grades because if I needed to know something I would study it until I had drilled it into my memory. However, this didn't boad well for my social life because I would often over study because I was so obsessed with getting good grades. As a result I got incredibly stressed out and it just seemed to build because I wasn't doing anything to relieve my stress. This actually made me have to study harder because I was so emotionally drained. Without balancing your time between school and recreation it is incredibly difficult to succeed in college because you may eventually have a mental breakdown from being too stressed out and it will hurt your studies in the end. In addition to this it will make your life miserable, something which you don't need when you have just moved to a new environment.

When I was in high school I did not study as much as I should have, but still came out with ok grades. Once I went to college I learned that I could not get away with not studying. If I was to go back in time it would to better prepare myself to study. Other than that, I have no regrets or anything that I would change.

Speaking from experience I must say that college has taught me well. In summary here are ten things I?ve learned the past year. One; sleeping is overrated. Two; Its ok to drink five cups of coffee in one day! Three; Roommates can either be your best friend or worst enemy. Four; Studying for a test the night before quickly gets you in trouble. Five; Foil does not belong in a microwave! Six; Girls thinks it cool if you know how to play the guitar. Seven; Condiments at restraints count as free food?right? Eight; Textbooks can cost more than a small car. Nine; Ramen noodles are the best friends in the world. Ten; When all else fails laugh. If I could go back in time to my high school day?s I would tell that stressed senior to relax, and simply laugh. Laughter is the cure to everything. Believe me I am a college student.