University of Oregon Top Questions

Be aware that while you are going to study abroad during your sophomore year, most of your friends will do so their junior year. Get involved on campus instead of just relying on your dorm crew so that you will still be able to enjoy your time while the people you know are gone and you are dealing with the affects of reverse culture shock.

If I could go back in time to give my senior self advice, I would urge myself to make social bonds the first term of college. It?s so hard to do once the first term is over, because everyone has settled down into their cliques, and they generally don?t like including new people. I would also say to get more involved and to be friendlier to your hall mates. You?re stuck with these people for a whole academic year; nothing is worse than getting on their bad side!! Academic-wise, feel free to challenge yourself, but make sure you aren?t in over your head; get help when you need it! Don?t be afraid to ask about tutoring opportunities; it?s better to ask for help when you?re beginning to feel uncomfortable in the class, rather than wait it out so you get even more lost. Always stay in contact with your academic advisors as well as any other people whom you are assigned; if you build a bond with them, they are more likely to remember who you are and think of you when opportunities arise (such as scholarships).

All through the college admissions process I worried about where to go. While getting in is the biggest problem for some, I was still trying to narrow down where I wanted to go. I spent a year and half walking around college campuses all across the country, imagining my life at each one. The Ellens I met there were each different: at Gorgetown I was worried about appearing in the same socioeconomic standard as everyone else, at Evergreen I was taking hikes and studying physics on the lawn, and at Humboldt I was in a lab running test on salmon roe. I believed that the school I chose would define the person I would become. If I could go back and give myself a wake up call I would tell myself that it doesn't work that way. There are people who I could be friends with at every school I applied to. When I finally decided on the UO I still had apprehensions about making friends here. Had I known how easy it would be, that within a week I would go everywhere with a gaggle of friends, I could have gotten several more hours of sleep.

I would tell myself that taking a year off of school is the smartest and best decision I could make. My growth as a person comes notonly from the knowledge I gain inside a classroom but by the experiences I have out in the real world. The journey that I'm about to embark in will play a tremendous role on who Ibecome and what direction I head. I would emphasize that the key to future happiness is to trust my gut instinct. I would also hope that during the scary transition to college to not forget who I am and the experiences I've had. Lastly I would tell myself that adjusting to college is not going to happen overnight and that I'll probably still be adjusting as my first year comes to an end.

It's not always going to be easy, but there is truly nothing to fear. Those are the words I would begin with, talking to my nervous, uncertain high school self. College life is about discovering new things and becoming independent while learning...and it's surprisingly fun. Some people say college is like high school, only bigger. They are wrong. You don't need to worry about popularity, what others will think of your clothes or who you're hanging out with. That's what makes college so great; you don't need to concern yourself with your appearance to others. Therefore, you can focus on yourself and find who you really are and what you like to do. It's hard to fully prepare yourself for where you're about to go, but you're not supposed to. The only way to adjust to college life is to be thrown into it and adapt as you go. And one last piece of advice, the cheesy griller sandwiches are amazing, and you shouldn't wait until winter term to start buying them.

I wrote a blog on this very topic: http://auzigog.com/2007/08/24/9-survival-tips-for-college-freshman/ and it got 40,000 views in one day! I would take every AP class available through my high school. I would meet everyone in my hall the first day. I would leave my dorm room door open all the time. I would go to every activity they offered during the freshman orientation week so I knew what opportunities existed on campus. I would join many student groups to find the one I liked best by the end of my first term. I would use google calendar to organize all of my homework due dates and extracurricular activities so I didn't forget anything. I would create a system for managing a large load of emails. I would install a Firefox plugin (leechblock) to block sites that distract me when I need to write papers and study. I would not buy the book until I actually needed it for that class. I hold a sign that says "free hugs" in the middle of campus every Friday and meet tons of new people.

Zach College is not all fun and games. You will have a lot of free time and it will seem like you have all the time in the world to get your work done. But in reality you need to spend every day reviewing just a little of your notes so the information will stick in your head. Do not worry; you will have plenty of time to do all the things that you have dreamed college would be. Just make sure to get your work done on time and review your work so that you are well prepared for the very important exams you will take in college. Your first terms of college will be tough at first but I believe you will find away to adapt. You will not get all the classes you were expecting to get at first, but it is important to explore different categories of classes in order to find out what you want to study later on. College will be difficult at first, but you will adapt. Study hard and you will be successful.

Honestly, don't stress about college and how you're going to pay for it. I know it sucks paying for college by yourself, but the system is designed to help you pay for it. Also, stop caring about where your friends are applying and where they want to go. Choosing a college is YOUR decision and shouldn't depend on other people. In the end, you are the one that has to go there and it doesn't matter if your friends go to the same college because it's basically impossible to not meet friends. This is your last year in high school and you should try to have as much fun with your friends as you can. Stop locking yourself up in a room studying for tests and go out and just hang out. After everyone leaves for college, nothing will ever be the same. Instead of trying for that A+ on a test, go out and sit around a bon fire with friends and just enjoy eachother's company. Your're a smart kid and you will get into college, so STOP STRESSING! Hakuna matata.

High school often can be distracting to students, as it was to me. I had not thought about college very much, especailly not the one I am attending at the moment. I resorted to Junior College and transfered which I found to be a great alternative to completing my lower division classes at a large and very expensive university. I am happy with my choices but if there was anything I wish I had done differently I suppose I may have been more involved with school and my community to begin applying for scholarships, even if my plan was to go to a Junior College. Many High School students are to scattered to be phased by the reality of a yearly tution that ammounts to a 5 digit number. If I had done that sooner I would be under far less stress. Having to worry about the expenses and getting a job make the transition far more difficult and can be overwhelming as it is for me at the moment. If I can give any advice it would with out a doubt be to start applying for scholarships as early as possible!

I would tell myself not to be afraid to try different and new things, they are more fun than they seem. Also I would say that even if you feel bad not hanging out with your best friend all the time, it really is beneficial for you. You will meet more people and have many more new experiences. Also try to convince your friend more to follow you because she might be more happy with life. The last thing I would probably say is that you need to fill out more scholarships or get a job because your family is really struggling with money and needs every little bit of help they can get.