University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Top Questions

I would tell myself to learn as much as you can in those high school years. In one month of college, I felt I had covered everything I learned in high school. I would also say to study and do your best always. It is your primary goal in life in your high school years to go to school and absorb as much information as you can. The possibilities in the future are endless with a broad range of knowledge. I believe the more a student is exposed to the more choices they have in discovering what they want to do in the future. And most importantly, believe in yourself that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind out to do. I firmly believe that you can do any task in life but whatever you do, do it the best you can.

You're going to make mistakes. You're going to make some bad friends, and do poorly in some classes. The trick to succeeding is to not let that get in the way of finding that balance between your academic and social life, because both end up being equally important contributors to your level of success in college. If you're not happy with your social life, often times your academic life suffers, and if you're not doing well academically then you start having a more stressful social life. Love what you're studying. You're looking at 4-5 years of 12-20 hour days, 4-7 days a week. It's going to be incredibly hard to keep up your grades if you hate your major. Grades are especially important these days because of the sheer number of people in college, graduate schools and employers have a fairly broad selection of students to pick from, which means for the sciences you're going to want to keep a GPA of about 3.5 or higher. Add volunteer work, clubs, and internships into the mix and you're looking at a solid resume for when you graduate.

When I was in high school, I worried so much about preparing myself and studying because I thought it was going to be very hard. Looking back now, I wish I could go back and tell myself to calm down. I would tell myself to not worry so much and college would be a good transition in my life. I also wish I could have told myself that making friends would not be as hard as I thought it would be; and leaving my old friends did not mean that I would never see them again. I was one of those girls who worried about everything and had to be organized. They helped me become who I am today, but sometimes I wish I had been a little more relaxed and had enjoyed my time while I was still at home. I would definintely tell myself to have more fun and make myself happy. But most of all I would tell myself to keep up the good work and let myself know that it will pay off in college.

Dear whoever you want to be, today is just like any other day of your life. Trust me the next few years will go fast. Right now you might think that all the work you do is pointless in high school. I know how that feels, life doesn't seem to reall until your on your own, but I realize now that when you turn your cheek to reality, you lose the sense of what will take place in your future. High school is where you gain all of your own stratagies and tactics to how you will thrive in college and the rest of your life. It may not seem important now, but when the time comes to actually live life, you'll learn to respect the time you spent developing the skills you're using in the present.

I would advise myself to look into getting more scholarships and grants as I am now very far in debt with loans and am only half-way through school. I also would have advised myself to think more about what I really wanted to do with my life because not knowing when you first start college really puts you behind in graduating and in finances. I would advise all high school seniors to create and follow your own dreams and not do what your parents push you to do.

I would have opted to stay in the dorms instead of living at home, because its a lot easier to meet people that way. Also i would have applied for more scholarships because college is a lot more expensive than it first seems. Lastly i would have looked up my entire path to becoming what i wanted to become so there would be no surprises along the way and i could plan more accordingly.

Everyone talks about college being a time of self-discovery- and it is. However, that doesn't mean you should enter college without goals. Take time to think about what you are passionate about and determine which careers might incorporate that passion. If you are unsure, talk to career services and see if they have questionnaires to help you find your interest. So many students spend a lot of time and money taking classes that don't ultimately help them to reach their goals. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, find out what you need to do to get there. Some programs require certain GPAs, others look at volunteer experience, others want letters of recommendation from professors, many graduate programs require taking the GRE, etc. Take some time to talk with your professors-- office hours are there for a reason! Even if you just have one question of clarification, you are showing them that you care. Finally, once you know what you really want to do, don't give up! Some classes are very challenging, but that doesn't mean you've chosen the wrong field. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self that the going to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the best decision you will ever make. I would encourage my senior self to always put my education first and to always make responsible decisions. I would encourage him to get good grades by using a diverse amount of study strategies, making friends in class, and always establishing a good relationship with his professors. The biggest piece of advice I would give my younger self is that he must be financially responsible and should save money at every chance possible. Other than that, I would praise my high school self for all the hard work he's done and reassure him that he will grow more as a young man than he ever could imagine.

Dear Self, Make a list of all the schools you want to attend and creat a pro and con list. Among the pros and cons make sure the items most essential to you are available at the university you choose. Tap into resources at the campus of choice early because it is FREE! Also, start working on your resume and searching for internships your freshman year of college. The economy is tough and you will need work experience in your field of choice before your degree is complete. Most jobs require a minimum of 2 years experience in the field in order to apply. Also, take advantage of opportunities on campus through the Office of Multicultural Affairs. There are free events to participate in confrences and workshops in the Midwest and across the nation.

Katie, As a high school senior, remember college is just the next step along the path of life. Pick the college that will make you happy and choose to be happy there. Get involved on campus, join clubs and meet new people. The best times you may have will involve the people you meet your freshman year so be open. Be willing to meet new people and don't be afraid to be yourself and let others see who you really are. Don't worry, you'll find your niche and the people who accept you, and most likely those will be the ones who become lifelong friends. Make opportunities for yourself. Don't be afraid to talk to your professors or ask for help, they are there to help and are more than willing. Overall, make the most out of your time at college and enjoy this step of your life, you won't regret it. Love, Katie