University of Vermont Top Questions

I would tell myself to learn study tips better so I would be more prepared for classes. As a college freshman I felt that I missed out on freshman activities because it took me longer to finish my school work and study.... Better study habits really do help in college, especially when you are spending tons of money and need to get as much as you can out of your education.

Everyone in the world always wish to go back and tell there younger something in the future that you want them to avoid or do. For me it would be not what to do, but how to feel about the who process and what not. Usually people and scare, confuse, excitied, or etc, for me it was the first one I was and still am scared about the whole college thing. But that's the thing with me when some situation would come forward I would always let my imangination run wild and I would assume the worst possible scenairo. But most of the turns out not awful as I imangine before. So far all the situations I faced already did not kill me or ruined my life. Therefore should I ever get the chance to go back in time and talk to my younger self. I would tell him the winning numbers for the next lottery drawing. Just kidding nah, I will tell him don't freak out and relax because sure there will a bit more work then usual but it will pass so long as you hold out till the end and keep going straight ahead.

First of all, please be a good listener. Make sure that you are quiet and listen thoughtfully to those you are conversing with; don’t interrupt or just wait for your turn to talk. Though they may not voice it, people appreciate those who actually listen to them, and your conversations will be more meaningful. Second, appreciate how fortunate you are to have the opportunity to take the next step in your education, and give back in any way you can. Third, you don’t have to be the center of attention, and you don’t want to be a one-upper. Even if you have great experiences to share, let others take the spotlight once in a while, and it’s not necessary to always tell all. Keep some experiences to yourself or for those closest to you, you don’t want to look like you are always showing off! Finally, find balance! Work hard on academics and be genuine with your professors. But play as well! Be active, play outside, and socialize. Balancing work and fun make both of them more enjoyable.

I would tell myself that even though change is hard, it is completetly worth it. As hard as it is to believe at the time, the friends that you make in college are people that you can relate to on a new level and help you through the transitioin from home to college. I would also tell myself to take a year off to work before jumping into college without a work experience. It can be eye opening and can help you narrow down what it is you want to study instead of starting with one major and changing it whenever things got too hard or when it didn't feel right. I would tell myself to pursue my passion and to leave some of my logical thinking behind. I would also tell myself that it takes time to figure life out and if you graduate from college, try a field and you decided you don't like it, it's okay to change fields. Just don't forget, change can be hard but it's often worth it.

Travel!

Although this is going to sound corny, I will come right out and say it without any shame. You have got to be yourself. Don't just pick a college because you think it will shape you into who you want to be one day. Pick a college based on how you feel sitting on a campus bench with a cup of coffee and time to kill. Try to envision yourself walking down the library steps and meeting your friends or reading a textbook that you actually enjoy. If you could surround yourself with everything that makes you a happy person, you could certainly thrive in that environment. Your school of choice should embrace your whole being, catch you in a net of understanding, and urge your intellectual growth. Talk to current students in the fields of study you are considering to see if their experiences might suit you well. However, don't get caught up in one field of study that your parents are pushing you to take. Take risks and step outside of your comfort zone every once in awhile. Stop having expectations altogether! You will get to know yourself in ways you never thought you could.

I would tell myself three things: 1) Find friends in college early on who are supportive, positive, kind, friendly, respectful and eager to do well in school because those are the friends you will be able to lean on in tough times who will share your burdens and pick you up when you are at your lowest all the while helping you toward one of the most important goals of your life: a fulfilling and hard earned college education. Be quick to let go of those who are malicious and do not have your best interests at heart. 2) No matter how big your class is or how intimidating your professor is, try your hardest to reach out to him or her. Your professors and other faculty members are vital to your success as a college student and are great tools you can use to do well. 3) Get involved with two or three campus activities that you enjoy and can really dedicate some time toward bettering as a whole. Volunteer your time to a good cause and an organization that is reputable and you will earn lifelong friends and professional contacts whom you can call on later in life.

If I could give any advise to my high school self, it would be to believe in myself. As a biology major, college is a challenge that requires endless effort and determination and pushes you to extend past the limit that you thought you knew to become the best that you can be. To succeed, I have had to grow and allow my perseverance and determination become the fire that fuels the endless hours of studying and work that I must do. Yet, even with this effort, sometimes the results we want are not so easily achieved. When this happens,it's like a striking blow to the stomach that leaves you winded and unbelieving. It's hard to get back up after a hit like a disppointing grade, or when the workload seems never-ending and threatens to overwhelm and drag you down. In times like this, I would tell my high school self to remember to believe in myself. Even the most difficult of times will pass and in college, your best is all you can do but you must believe that you can do it. I would say, "You can, and you will," because I have.

I would tell myself to keep playing sports like tennis and soccer. Because if I practiced more in high school, I would be able to join the tennis team in this school because they are not that good. Also, I would tell that I should keep practicing soccer because I would be able to join the club team. I would also tell myself to bring a lot of warm clothes so that I would not die from the cold here. It goes down to below 0F and did not expect to be this cold when I first decided to come here. Finally, i would encourage myself to study more at school so that I will be ready for massive work in college with my major.

The best piece of advice that I would give myself if I could travel back in time would be that I do not have to reinvent myself. College is not about changing who you are completely; it is about working on the foundation that you have already built for yourself. The transition away from home will be considerably easier if you stay confident in whom you are and surround yourself with like-minded peers. To do this, rely on those who love you and who have been there for you during those smaller transitions. You should not be afraid to ask for guidance, your family and close friends will only ever want what is best for you, but they cannot help unless you start the conversation. Though you should not completely reinvent yourself, you can work on being more outgoing and creating more connections. Only work on the things that you know would benefit your future.