University of Rhode Island Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self some advice, I would tell myself to never take opportunities for granted. Like any other senior in high school, I waited anxiously to see if I would recieve the giant envelope in my mailbox from my top pick college. When I got the news that I was accpeted for the spring semester of my first choice school but was able to live on campus for the first semester, I accepted the offer, and of course, was beyond excited. After my first semester there, I decided to move back home because I felt as if a University was not for me, yet. After being home for several of lonely months, considering most of my friends went away to school, I realized that I missed the school I had attended and that was where I wanted to be. While I was home, I was struggling with depression on top of a full time job and school work. I realized that I should have never left the school that I had attended and I wish I never gave up the opportunity. I would do anything to go back.

I would tell my highschool self to be confident, studious, and outgoing. I am a strong believer in getting my work done but that being said I like to enjoy myself and go out with my friends on the weekend. Not only that but I would tell myself "there are many victories worse than a defeat" because in highschool I was scared to fail. I played basketball and I would go out in the mindset to not fail rather than to put it all on the line. I also was scared in picking a college to attend because I was nervous about what my roommate would be like. I overcame my fear and went with a random roommate. In taking that chance I have made life long friends that I am extremely greatful for. Lastly I would tell myself "only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go" because your only going to reach your full potential if you have the courage to do so.

College isn't something that you can exactly plan for, so stop stressing yourself out about the entire process. In highschool, the teachers make it seem like such a huge and difficult transition, but it's really not that gruesome. The week before I started school, I became almost depressed at the fact that I would be leaving all of my high school friends to come to a school in another state. To this day, I can honestly say it's the best choice I ever made. The first month of school, I became extremely involved. I introduced myself to everyone I met, and created an entire new group of friends. Finding my classes was a piece of cake, learning the curriculum wasn't too bad, and living in a dorm with a bunch of strangers has actually been so exciting. I barely talk to more than half of my friends from highschool, which makes me realize which friends really matter. The people I've met here have the same goals as me, and I can see us together for a long time in the future. Overall, don't fret, college is better than you ever imagined.

It is best to use your energy and put it towards Honors and Advanced Placement programs. While I took Honors classes yearly, only two of them applied to legitimate college credit. The best possible way to prepare for college is to indulge in college-approved classes. These classes are tight-knit and demanding, which is by all means how one's college education should be percieved. They are not easy, and should not be considered easy. Atop the benefits of a demanding class, the credits used towards college allow any student to focus more on their major, rather than General Education requirements administered by colleges and universities. Advanced Placement is a necessity for any scholar, and in the long run allow students to save money, learn important facts, and turn their interest to classes that focus on their intended careers. College level classes in high school, in conclusion, allow for a smoother and frugal transition to college life.

My advice to myself would be to relax. There is nothing that college can throw at you that you cannot handle. Going from having your own room to share is not a bad adjustment; it is just something to get used too. If you are lucky, your roommate could become your best friend. If making friends is hard, finding someone with similar interests is easier by joining numerous clubs you are interested in. As for the course work, time management is a crucial part of success. At first, classes seem to be easy and slow, but before you know it the material starts to come fast and it is easy to fall behind. My advice for this would be to always stay on top of your work. When you space the work out, you will not stress about getting everything done. If you are feeling overwhelmed, however, do not be afraid to go to your professor. They are there to help you succeed, not fail. The most important thing to know is to make sure you do what makes you happy in college. College is a short experience to not enjoy it.

Stay focused, study, and don't be afraid to see what else is out there. There are so many different majors/minors and career choices that one can chose, and at 18 years old it is not expected to know what you want to do for the rest of your lives. With that said, explore the different options, seek out the assistance of career services and find out what your likes, dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses are. You never know what you might learn about yourself when you decide to try. Not everything is set in stone when you go to college, so if you try new classes, different subjects, fun activities your college experience is sure to be most you could make of it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself back in high school, I'd tell myself to plan out some days to have fun when college begins. Staying focused in school is the goal, and it's also good to live a little every now and then. I'd also tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as I can, one's bound to be a winner.

I would tell myself to work hard and that grades do count. Grades matter so much and much more than it may seem at the time. Your GPA and grades count to colleges and places you apply to. Also, get involved! Stay busy! Get involved with as much as possible. Volunteer, intern, join a club, run for school president, etc. those type of things look so good on your college apps and give you something to talk about in your essays. It will help you stand apart from other students.

Dear Sam, I know what you're thinking. You're under the impression that you're peaking and nothing will even come close to your high school experience. You're captain of the soccer team. You're the class treasurer. You're on countless committees and organizations. You're an Honors student. You were nominated for Homecoming and Senior Prom court. You've been accepted into your dream school and you've made the best friends that anyone could ask for! But, I'll be the one to tell you that the best has yet to come. I know you're afraid of being the little fish in a big pond after being the big fish in a little pond for so long. Please, you're better than that! I know how much you hate cliches, but the sky truly is the limit and you shouldn't be scared of a change of pace. High school was fun, but do not let "the best four years of your life" prevent you from shaking things up a little. You're in for an even better four years, trust me.

Advice I would give myself with the knowledge I have now would be to have picked my major more carefully. Thinking about jobs and everything more realistically, I would have picked a major right away I enjoy rather than switching later on. Then, I would be more set up for my future. I would also tell myself that college is nothing like high school. I will need to work harder and go beyond my limits to be the best I can be.