University of San Diego Top Questions

I would tell myself that I need to go to college right away. I made the wrong choice of not going after I graduated from high school. I ended up working dead end job after dead end job just to make ends meet. I always told myself that "someday" I would go to college. "Someday" I would make something out of myself. Years flew by before I even realized just how quickly they did fly. I graduated high school in 1997. I didn't go back to school until 2009. Now, I am almost done with my associate's program in criminal justice and I am wanting to do what I can to continue my education to the fullest. I am finally making something of myself, and I am proud of my accomplishments thus far. If it is to be, then it is up to me.

Coming from a background where neither of my parents went to college, I had no idea what to expect from it. The biggest thing I would tell myself would be to not procrastinate. Stay on top of the work from day one and stay organized. The work load is no joke and nothing like high school. It is not easy, but if do what is supposed to be done when it should be done it is a phenomenal place to go to school. It is very enjoyable when your not swamped with work. Staying organized is key to doing well and staying on top of work. There is a lot of help on campus, and knowing when professors office hours are and where can be a great source of help. Planning when to study for tests is important also to tie into the work that still needs to be done. This being said, not procrastination and having everything organized will create a better opportunity to get involved on campus and off.

Go to school where you want to go

I would tell myself to recognize who I am as a person and fully accept myself. I was unsure of who I was in high school and it was not until my college experience that I figured out who I was. I would tell myself to be calm and just do the best I can do in school. I would tell myself to stop procrastinating and get things in on time with my best possible effort. I would tell myself that the transition to college will not be easy, but you must never underestimate your ability to succeed.

keep studing hard and never give up on my dreams even when my path gets harder with the time.

If I could turn back time and talk to me as it would give me advice, to put much effort into my classes, I will not surrender for anything or anyone. University studies are very important to us because they will lead us into our future. Think twice the level of study you want to reach and choose the profession that you like, whether an associate degree or a doctorate, the most important thing is to get a college degree to have our own jobs and thus to form a beautiful family and have a better future.

I was in the position of choosing a college just a year ago so I am very familiar with being in that position. I would tell myself to pick a college that you would be comfortable living at because it is hard to get off of campus freshman year. I would also say to not have too high of expectations for your college roommate experience. Even though I have not become great friends with my roommate, it's okay because we are still able to live with each other and respect each other which is more important than being close friends. Also, when you first get to college try to make as many acquaintences as possible because then it will be easier to make friends later. I wish that I had been more open and friendly during orientation because that's when first impressions are made. Most importantly, do not take your school work lightly. You are only in college for a few years, take that time to educate yourself and get the most out of what your professors have to offer.

Dear Christina, You will soon be entering the real world and will feel fearless. It may be like this for a short period of time but sorry to say, complications will soon appear. One day you will fail a quiz, a test, or a class. It is destined that this will happen at least once but do not be afraid of failure. Keep in mind that everyone in the university you will attend will come from different backgrounds, which means different schools. Every elementary school, middle school, and high school expects more or less from its students than other schools. It is destined that you will fail but it is also destined that you will rise above your failure and do great things. Just because a piece of paper says that you have failed does not mean that you are a failure. Just persevere. Look at Walt Disney for instance. Disney was told several times that he was not creative enough and look where his dream is at now. This great man did not truly fail. He learned something every time something or someone tore him down. Sincerely, Your Future Self

Any college graduate will tell you that many of the classes they take are inapplicable to the career they now have. I already know this and I am just a sophomore! I took a few Advanced Placement classes in high school, but if I could go back, I would take as many as possible. I would take chemistry and calculus III and history...the list goes on and on. These credits would allow me to better focus on the classes I am truly interested in and those that pertain to my major. Heck, I could even double major!

The advice I would give my high school self would probably be to apply to a university right out of high school. Coming in as a transfer student poses a lot of challenges that I was not expecting. Yes, I saved a lot of money going to a community college and it was a lot easier at a junior college, but as a transfer student you are not eligible for any merit based scholarships. You have limited options for financial aid no matter how hard you work in your studies. Another thing that you face as a transfer is that you feel a little like an outsider because everyone on campus knows each other and have formed bonds already and you may have a hard time feeling included, so make sure you get involved in anything and everything on campus. Junior colleges are also a lot slower paced than a university so even if a class seems easy at a community college make sure to apply yourself 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} because once you get to a university you are stunned at how much faster it is than a JC. If you do not have a study system established you will sink.