University of San Diego Top Questions

From my college experience, I have learned a lot about myself that I did not know before I attended college. In my time at the University of San Diego, I was able to discover what it is that I truly enjoy doing with my time, and ultimately, what I would like to end up doing as a career. Without my wonderful professors who truly engaged me in the classroom, I would have been at a loss as for what to study. With their help, I was able to choose a major that truly interested me, while at the same time giving me valueable skills that will actually be applicable in the real world. I feel that my education at USD has been valueable because it set me up to be able to excel at whatever job I end up choosing to do after my graduation.

I would tell myself that college is about myself. It's a time to grow, explore and learn. Yes I need to get good grades and graduate with a degree. But always remember who I'm getting that degree for. Not for parents, friends or anyone else. Make sure I give myself time to decide what I really want to do. Take a variety of classes and explore various interests. Most importantly if I have a passion, go for it! Don't let anyone tell me I can't , or it's not a safe choice. I will be living with the concequences of my choices, not anyone else. Of course I would tell myself to work hard and be diligent in my studies; but also get involved! Networking is so important. Now and especially after graduation. Finally, I would say to myself, make sure I have fun. This time in my life only happens once-take it for all its worth!

Do what makes you happy. It sounds simple, and kind of to be common sense, but it really makes such a difference in your college experience. Some people spend their time in college trying to impress their peers; that is not the way to go about life. One needs to find a way to do things that make YOU happy. Study what you want, just have a way to orient it towards the future. Have a little fun; fun is what you will remember the most, but your education is what will advance you in the next steps. Learn. Learn about people, events, those around you, and most of all, learn about yourself. Let yourself grow in character. Your college years will be some of the most formative. Embrace everything that comes your way as an opportunity for you to become a better citizen. It is not necessarily what you do in college; it is what you do with that in the years beyond. Mark Twain has always left an impact with his words, "Explore, Dream Dsicover." Take those to heart and live life that way in every moment.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would first and foremost advise my high school self to take initiative. Whether in college selection, class choices, connecting with new friends, or disconnecting with old ones, taking charge in decisions should be a primary concern. If I let someone take me by the hand at the last second without any critical thought or self-reflection, I risk letting life-changing decisions fall by the wayside. And to that end, I would additionally advise my high school self to practice constant self-reflection. This practice will help him outline his future in a manner that not only benefits him in terms of potential professions and corresponding classes, but others as well, in terms of coming to understand his inherent desire to volunteer his time to the college's surrounding community. Finally, I would reiterate to my high school self that college is about being responsible for oneself and one's future ? others can act with him but they should not act for him.

So, here you are filling out college applications clueless of what you really looking for in a college. I am here to give you a few tips. First, think really hard on how conservative or liberal you want the Univeristy's politics to be, since you know that you want to major in political science. Another detail you need to consider is what religious atmosphere you want to be immersed in, because even though you do not realize it, you are a religious person and want to go to a catholic college. Next, please look at the class size at the colleges that you are looking at: the smaller the better for you, since you love the personal relationship with your classmates and professor. Futhermore, make sure you look at the colleges pre-law programs, which will help you in 4 years when you are filling out applications again for law school. And finally, visit at least 3 campus of the colleges you are considering, this is going to ease your concious when you are finally at college, which willl let you know you made the right choice. Remember, this is your choice, so dream big. '

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself not to underestimate any college classes I will be taking in the near future just because I have taken an Advanced Placement course in that subject or class. Overestimation does not help either, especially in a college class setting, for you do not want to be intimidated by a class you have not taken before or a teacher; alwasy stay a positive thinker. Furthermore, procastination will not get you anywhere in an undergraduate school because each class is highly demanding and straying behind one assignment in one class can almost surely cause a domino effect in other assignments in other classes. The trick is to learn time management for it is one of the keys to success as it will then aid you in your college courses and prepare you for upper-division courses you will take later on. It is also helpful to join clubs or a sports team that you are interested in for it will help you meet other people who share your passion and who could possibly be contacts for a future intership or job.

First advice: please learn the value of time. Time is something that even money can't buy. If I waste my time on something not as productive, then I would regret it later on in life, specifically speaking, for me, in a few days. I would choose to use my time on computer, websites such as facebook, youtube, are a big time waster, as my mom would call it. I never understood why my mom always hated me when I am on computer, but now I do. In my first quarter at UCSD, I would spend most of my time in front of the computer, staring at the screen, while the time is ticking away. Then when the midterms and finals came, I panicked. I blamed the professors on their bad teaching skills, and never realized my fault. Now when I retrospect, I was the one at fault. It was my choice to waste time instead of studying. Time is extremely precious; it is simply irreplacable once I lose it. If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to use time efficiently and not to make the same mistake twice.

Trying as that final semester of high school was, with picking a college and preparing for life in the adult world, I would choose to return to it. During my college selection process, I chose a highly rated school close to my home with a well-respected program in my field of study. On paper, the school looked like a sound choice. However, I feel I might have made a different selection if I had looked at the school more holistically and factored the student body into my decision. I found that many of them came from economically privileged families and had not been exposed to the sorts of diversity I had been. Many hold very narrow-minded views of humanity and the world. I wish I had evaluated this situation before I entered. Since arriving, I have found it hard to find like-minded people. This has made the college adjustment process more challenging than it seemed for many of my peers. I feel I would have been able to create a better support system for myself if I had attended a school where students held similar beliefs and took an interest in global change as I do.

What I would say to myself if i could go back in time to my senior year of high school is, Buckle down and get your work done you only have one year left and your friends won't take you very far continue to socialize but in smaller amounts, try your hardest to pass every class and make sure to do all of your homework. Once you graduate look into massage school i bet you will really like it. Your life will be hard but nothing that you can't manage just buckle down and try you hardest to succeed at everything. Keep in mind you want to create a good future for your husband and future children, you are going to do great! Good Luck!

The advice I would give myself would be to get involved early in student organizations. I was so shy coming into college and didn't really join any clubs or sports teams and now I feel like an outcast and don't have a good social life. I wish I could have made better relationships earlier on in my college career. I think having these friendships would be a backbone to my success at my school in making my social life better and also help encourage me in my studies. I would also have told myself that being independent does not mean that you can't ask for help. One of the most important parts of becoming independent is learning that you are dependant on others for some things. I have now learned that I need my professors help no matter how much I think I can study on my own. And I need my roommate and close friends to be there for me when I am having trouble either in my personal life or academically. I wish I had known that independent doesn't mean you are out there on your own.