University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

You are not the only one who will be nervous for classes or who doesn't want to go to the dining hall alone. Have confidence (or fake it) and take the initiative when it comes to meeting people. Find out where people are from, what they did in high school, what they hope to do in college. Know that everyone is more or less going through the same thing! You are going to have more free time than you know what to do with. Try to fill your schedule (but don't over do it) whether it be with a job, club or organization, exercise, or maybe even study groups. It will make the transistion a lot easier if you stay busy or have a meeting or intramural game to look forward to. Getting involved will also let you meet a lot of people outside your dorm that share some of your interests. Lastly, be spontaneous, try new things, learn from mistakes, use this time to find out who you are, what you like, and what you want to do for the rest of your life. Enjoy college while it lasts, you will make it through just fine!!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself to buckle down more. I would advise myself and my peers that this year is the most important year and that it can either make you or break you. I would say its okay to spend a little extra time stuying for that act or sat because thats something thats going to help you into a brightr future. I would also advise myself to have fun! This is the time of our lives and once youre in college, youre in the real world now. College is going to be the most amazing experience of your life, but its also going to be one of the toughest. Its going to take lots of hard work and dedication, but in the end its all so worth it.

I would tell myself to go in and not be scared to try new things, no matter how scary they may seem. I would also say to get involved as fast as you can on campus in order to meet people and figure out who you are as a person. When scheduling classes try to find friends so you have someone to study with, but do not depend on just them for everything. Make sure you save money during the summers and breaks because if you do not have a meal plan it can be hard to budget when you are trying to eat like you do at your house. Make your room your own and how you want it, or you and your roommate want it. Be flexible and understanding with all the people that you meet, because everyone has different opinions. The last thing I would say about college life is have fun and explore things you might never have a chance to later in life.

I would tell myself that the best thing to do once you get to college is to be sure to attend class no matter what. I would also tell myself that notes are crucial and to be sure to keep up with the reading. One of the best things to do would be to get the partying out of the way within the first two weeks of classes starting; that way you can get a taste of the college experience and then dive into what you're actually there for-school. By reading the books ahead of time, you are going to be more prepared for lecture and you won't have a hard time keeping up with the material that is being discussed in class. Aside from the studying, have a good time in college. Meet the people on your hall and have a good time while keeping the focus on making good grades insight.

The one thing that I would tell myself about college life would be how hard things can be sometimes. Usually you might not want to get up on certain days, but you have to get up and work harder than you did the day before. If you don't do this, then you would not have the future that you see now. Besides getting up for school, you should to listen to some of your college classmates. The reason why is because they can help you become a better artist and a better person through communication every day. The person you might sit next to might do someting better than your own work, but don't let that discourage what you want to achieve in college. And finally, keep your focus on your work. You have plenty of time to have fun when you finish college.

The advice that I would give myself would be to stay with the same major I applied under instead of changing it and to live on campus because it is a great experience to meet so many new people from all over the country.

So you're freaking out about what you think is the biggest decision of your life - COLLEGE. Surprisingly, it's not this one decision that makes the difference, but after you've gotten to your chosen school, it's the many, seemingly less significant decisions, that will make or break your experience. So, as a satisfied University Junior, let me provide some advice from some of the best "little" decisions I made on my way here. ~ Visit your choices! If possible, take a class in the field you're interested in, eat in the cafeteria, and take some time to walk around. If you can't visualize yourself there, you won't want to do life there for 4 years. ~ Don't try to plan your entire life out before your HS graduation. If you're not set on a major (and it's OK if you're not), pick a school that offers several of your interests. ~ Everyone says it, but DO get involved! Living in a dorm, visiting organizations that interest you, and doing something you've never done before are all great ways to acclimate yourself to the campus and maybe even meet friends for life!

If I could go back in time to the year where I was a senior in high school and talk about the preparation needed for college, based on my current knowledge, the number one thing to point out would be that in all aspects, college is absolutely nothing like high school. It is necessary for you to prepare yourself mentally for the great deal of time and attention it's going to take to be successful. There are a plethora of differences from the textbooks down to the work ethic needed to become an outstanding student. As a college student you are given more freedom of choice, as in choosing what times you want to schedule your classes for and choosing to get to there thirty minutes early; But if you are not careful, the wrong choice, such as partying the night before an 8am exam, can set off a downward spiral. Most importantly it is your objective as a responsible adult to make sure that you can handle the outcomes of the choices you make.

Kristen as a College Student (CS): I am so happy you took AP/dual-enrollment classes in high school! The study habits, not to mention the credit hours earned, have helped me make a 4.0 my first semester. Kristen as a High School Student (HSS): Yeah, it?s a good thing mom and dad encouraged me to take those courses. They say it will save them money when I am in college. CS: You're very involved in high school with the school newspaper, student government, and science team. It?s good to explore your interests early on. But you should also be involved with activities outside of high school. Volunteer at a hosipital, for example, this will put you one step ahead of the other pre-med students. HSS: It seems like there will be oodles of free-time in college because I'm not in classes from 8-3:30 like I am in high school. CS: Many freshmen make this mistake. I would recommend a light class load for your first semester. Also limit yourself to only one or two organizations. You don?t want to start off with a low GPA and lose scholarships.

I've found several important factors have contributed to a successful transition from high school to college. The first being to take challenging courses such as the advanced placement program courses as they better prepare you for the course workload at the college level. The second is to learn solid study habits and to be organized. The third is get to know your teachers as they are valuable resources for academics, references and advice. Fourth to get involved in what is happening at your school and enjoy it. Fifth get involved in your community as outside influences really help you prepare for the diversity at the next level.