University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Top Questions

If I could go back in time, I would advise myself not to worry about the pressures of being in college and let myself know that it is better to do what feels right to you, rather than what others think you should do. There will be times when you?re wondering if you?ll survive, and you think you?re going to fail, but just know you?ll make it through because it?s not as bad as it seems. Just have faith in yourself, and you?ll be ready for what?s up ahead. You have so much to look forward to. The friends you?ll make, the changes you?ll see in yourself. Right now, your scared about the ?what ifs? in life, but spending your time wondering ?what if? this happens will only lead you to missing out on the best moments of your life. Don?t shy away from a challenge, instead, face it head on. Last, but not least, don?t forget where you came from but don?t let your past rule your future, or you will never learn from your mistakes.

The only thing you need to change about yourself when you go to college is? nothing! Don?t worry about fitting in with the sorority girls or football guys. Stay true to yourself! Do what you love and it will lead you to a path of success academically and personally! Stay focused on your work load. Put your ego aside, and ask your professor questions! They are the only ones who know what you must do to reach your academic goals. Don?t be shy! Get out there and get involved in intramurals and volunteering! You have always felt fulfilled doing such things! Open yourself up to new friends, even if they are a little different than you?re used to. You never know, you may end up best friends! Keep in touch with high school friends! Get a job and start saving! Step outside of your comfort zone, and indulge in new experiences! That is what college is all about! Just because you are moving away doesn?t mean you need to change who you are or what you do! Don?t follow the crowd, God made you unique for a reason! Have a blast being YOU!

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would have been to try as hard as I could throughout my senior year and not just blow away the year. That there would be plenty of time when you are out of school to party and socialize. Just take the time now to get the best education possible. I would have told myself to to live in the dorms for two years and experience what that life really is like. I wish I could tell myself back then that healthcare was my career choice and go to school to become a doctor now while you are young and fresh. I would also have told myself that the people who love you and care for you would be there the entire way through your journey. I would have told myself to enjoy the opportunity that is in front of you.

Remember how hard you worked in high school and all of the things you've accomplished. You know what it will take to have a great academic experience in college and don't let anything bring you down. Build relationships with the people on your floor, the people you meet in classes, and the professors you have. Experience as much things as you can, try a new thing whenever you are presented the chance, and in each thing you do make sure it is with an open mind. Make a list of your goals and put them in a spot where you can see them daily, and make sure you are doing the things that will put you in the best spot of reaching your goals. The future is yours, what you do now decides your future. Good luck, work hard, and good things will happen!

Look at me now; a tall, brunette woman at the young age of twenty whose passions center on God and music. Look at me then; a punk-style, fun-lover at the yet younger age of eighteen whose focus was only the several moments prior to the last school bell. We are two completely different characters, yet a soul the same. My current self has rounded the jagged edges and sculpted a much more intelligent and less fragile lady. I am no longer able to wear those baggy boy-jeans I once had. I am incapable of shutting off the world to compose a prose relying mainly on deep focus. But, I can say that I am a better person, now. If I were to meet myself two years ago I would have to teach her that she is not the center of everything. There is so much going on in the world and, as Americans, we have no idea it's happening. We need more than just a school-educated mind (which is important, nevertheless) we need a genuine effort to change to our community, and a hunger to change this world.

I would give myself the advice to start off with a more open mind about everything. Before college I had considered myself to be fairly open-minded. Within my first semester of college I have discovered that despite my best efforts, I was only doing a 'satisfactory' job. I have opened up to so many new ideas and new ways of thinking that I had previously avoided without knowing my avoidance. If there is one thing that I could tell myself as a high school senior, it would be to open up to new paths of learning despite the uncomfortability because, as I would soon discover, I will be exposed to them regardless of my feelings. New ideas should be embraced no matter how strange, uncomfortable, or archaic they may seem. I would have told my high school self that a completely open mind is required before you can asses a new idea with any accuracy or validity.

The first bit of advice I would give myself is to not be so nervous about meeting new people and impressing them. My true friends quickly showed themselves to me, and we all got along despite (or perhaps because of) our quirks. I would tell myself to not feel like I have to impress people by doing the "typical" college weekend night-- aka partying. My best friends and roommates now, in my third year of school, I met the first weekend of orientation, and although we did go out, we all agree: the party scene is not for us, so I would tell myself to not worry about not being "cool" for not going out. I would also tell myself to not be in a rush to figure out my career path! I didn't discover my true calling until sophomore year, and I actually love that it took me three semesters to find my niche, because that's how I really knew I truly loved kinesiology. Bottom line, I would let myself know that this is an amazing time in my life to find out who I truly am and to appreciate every day and every moment.

I would tell myself to learn how to study better and more efficiently before getting to college, and to work harder at seeking out and applying for scholarships. Saving money is incredibly important because there are a lot of costs that come with education, and you need to spend your time as efficiently as possible. Lastly, I would tell myself not to waste my first semester trying to be a Bio major. Otherwise I don't have much advice; the transition was relatively easy because of the environment provided at UWEC and because I am a pretty open and outgoing person. Have fun, and work hard.

If I were able to travel back in time and chat with myself, I would say that I need to take as many academically challenging classes as possible. The more I am exposed to these challenges earlier on, the easier college will be in the long run. I would tell myself to enjoy my senior year and not worry about anything else but my future. I would say that I would need to really preview what jobs are available in my field of study before I commit to it. I would tell myself that knowing more about the real world and what careers lie ahead would be a good idea. Also, I would tell myself to choose a school based on what they offer and not location-don't be afraid to leave home behind! Explore your options and careers, and never regret taking a chance and seeing what is out there. Do not limit yourself. If you feel like trying something new, then do it! Do not hold back just because you become set in your ways. Enjoy high school because life is not free anymore after you graduate. Make yourself proud of what you have accomplished thus far.

I have learned many things since leaving home and starting college at UWEC, and would therefore have a lot of advice to give myself. Getting involved with some groups on campus was one of the best decisions I could have made at the beginning of my freshman year of college. Those groups were where I have made some of my closes friends. That is one decision that I will never regret. The biggest piece of advice I could give, though, can be summed up into one word: Patience. Have patience with yourself. College classes are not as easy as high school, and it is fine if you are not good at everything. Have patience with your roommate. If something is bothering you about your roommate, take some time to think about it before making a big deal out of it. Chances are, something that was upsetting one day, won't be the next. And, have patience with your friends. They are college students too, and that means they also don't have it all together. My final piece of advice would be to have fun.