University of Utah Top Questions

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself, “don’t be afraid”. When I was eighteen, I was afraid of distance. Moving away from my home town, seemed unbearable and terrifying. When I was nineteen I was afraid of time. A four year degree sounded like it would take forever. Here I am, ten years later, going for the same degree I was unsure about my senior year. All I keep thinking is, “I would have been a nurse for six years”. When I was twenty two, I was afraid of rejection. I put off applying for the nursing program because it was “competitive” and I feared I wouldn’t be accepted. There will always be something that causes hesitation or fear. Don’t let the fear stop you from becoming who you want to be.

I would tell myself that I should take more concurrent enrollment classes and Advanced Placement classes. If I could achieve an Associate Degree by the time I graduated it would have saved me a lot of time and money as I had to retake similar classes in college. On a similar note I would tell myself to explore career options to find out what I would like to study. I ended up switiching majors, which is quite common, but it lengthened my educational career. Lastly, I would tell myself to search harder for scholarships. Education is expensive and student loan debt can be daunting.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to really think about my actions and put more attention on my future. I would tell myself that college is going to be a piece of cake, if you just give it your best. I would tell myself to really start having some good study habits because college is the real deal. I would tell myself to understand that college life is really different from high school life, in high school they're few people who put effort into their education while in college you're surrounded by people who motivate you, who have the same interest in becoming someone. I would also tell myself to really appreciate the fact that these past 12 years my education has been free unlike in college where classes and books cost money. On that note, the last thing I would like to tell myself would be that the college life is about really about being on your own for the first time.

Coming to college, I was nervous; the pressure of adjusting to new schedules and making new friends were weighing me down as I left for this new journey. Then there was what worried me the most, I was moving alone to Utah from California, where I had lived my whole life. Being young and adapted to my life in California, I was not sure what to expect in Utah. After a semester in new surroundings, I have so much I would tell myself as a high school senior. First, I would let myself know that moving to a different state is a wonderful experience. I never thought I would go to college outside of California, but I have had wonderful times and have grown so much here in just one semester! I would also say to take every opportunity for what it is, and become involved in everything I can. Along with striving to get into the nursing program, I am a member of the Utah Dance Team, and Pi Beta Phi sorority which has helped me immensely. From what I have experienced so far, I can't wait for what else my time in Utah has to offer!

I would tell myself to not get discouraged and to stick with seeking out different experiences and opportunities. I'm really glad I got involved with the band, the volunteer organization on campus, and the bible study group. I would tell myself to get involved sooner and take involvement more seriously. I would tell myself to take research more seriously and to not be afraid of getting an internship. Finally, I would tell myself to take the probability class!

If I were to give my High School self advice, I'd say that time is precious. I would tell myself that despite my uncertainty and fears about the direction of my life, I will only find my purpose if I go look for it. I would warn myself of the false sense of comfort and security that comes from believing that if I simply wait, purpose, love, wealth, and happiness will just come to me. I would urge myself to understand that I have the ability to actively shape both my present and my future - that I am not some Sea Sponge, able to merely exist - static and passive. I would call on myself to be acutely aware of the kind of life that I want to live, and to be the kind of man that knows how to take what he wants, because time is precious. On either side of this life lies an infinity of unknown and it would be grossly remiss of me to allow uncertainty, fear, and inaction to keep me from wringing every last drop from this existence that I know I have.

I would tell myself that getting an "A" instead of just getting a passing score is extremely important to getting into an accredited university. It is also important in getting scholarships from the college to help pay for your tuition and books because college can be very expensive, especially if you get admitted into a private university or medical school. Getting good grades is also very important when it comes to getting a job using your degree because you have a better chance of getting hired over someone who got through school with a "C" average instead. I would also tell myself to focus on school more than paying attention to what other people think of you. As long as you are happy with yourself it shouldn't matter what others think. Not putting so much time in trying to please other people and worry what they think of you will make it easier for you to focus on your classwork instead.

My flawed thinking during adolescence was an error in itself, So here’s some advice I would give to my high school self. Only boring people get bored, apathy isn’t synonymous with cool, “Cool” kids are just labels and are usually a bunch of fools. No need to care for fitting in and hanging out with jocks, At the end of the game, the king and pawn go back in the same box. Talk to the girl you had a crush on and ask her on a date, Instead, you succumbed to your fear and ended with an empty fate. Why concerned about regrets when after couple of years, 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of faces disappear? Enjoy your time, be passionate and you’ll guarantees a wonderful career. Aimlessly staying up till dawn, you stated sleep was for the weak, Foolishly depriving yourself of rest, you trotted to class looking like an antique. To project a tough image, you disagreed frequently and looked for a fight, Teachers and parents aren’t always to blame, just realize you’re not always right. Remember your tendency to catch cold easily; so wear a sweater, Above all things, don’t stress, it does get better.

Dear Senior Sam, I know it's hard right now. I know your friends suck and your classes are hard and it seems like there will be no end to this high school misery. I know you want to give up and take the easy classes and hang with the easy friends. Don't. You have no idea what those classes will do for you. They will give you an incredible advantage in the years to come, and save you thousands (yes, I said thousands.) in tuition money. Keep working hard. Those good grades and high test scores are worth your weight in gold. SLEEP. You are literally throwing away money and time by not paying full attention in class. Meet people in those hard classes. They will push you to do better in everything, they will make you smile and you will have the best memories with them. Not the easy friends. But most of all, do what you know is right. You are strong and smart and your hard work is opening more opprotunities that you could ever imagine. Everything will be open to you, all the hard work will be and is worth it. You're ready.

This question is the number one thing that I have been answering to friends that are still in high school right now. If I went back in time, I would really sit myself down and lay down the basics on how to survive college. Just after 4 months of going to the University of Utah, I have learned that the two biggest things to focus on are learning to study effectively and networking. Sitting my high school senior self-down, I would first put a great emphasis on making sure that I apply to as many scholarships as possible. Second I would tell myself to really research and find the best way for me to study, not only effectively but also efficiently. Finally, I would tell myself that no matter what kind of sociable fear I may have that I have to get out there and meet people for networking purposes. The reason for this is, when finals week come to happen the best advantage that one has for studying is with a person that knows the subject. By getting involved and making sure that I find people such as this then I will have a better time through college.