The University of Alabama Top Questions

I moved to Georgia, from Kentucky, my senior year of high school. It seems trivial now, but I think that it affected me more than anybody realized. I sunk into depression and didn't enjoy my senior year as much as I should have. If I could go back and talk to myself now, I would hold my own hand and tell myself that it gets so much better. I never could've imagined the opportunities that I have been given. Being in college has allowed me to experience so much more than I ever thought possible. I would tell myself that if I hadn't moved my senior year, I probably never would've considered applying to University of Alabama. This is where I ended up because of the move, and I couldn't be more thankful for it. I have found my new home. I would love to be able to tell myself a year ago the amazing things that were in store for me, but then again, maybe the fact that I didn't already know, made me that much more thankful for my new life.

Have fun but always keep education first. You will not like every professor or class but push through it. Find what you are good at and try to be the best you can be at it. You have to like what you do to be successful.

Not to get caught up in making people think differently about you. Don't care what people think and they will beg for your attention.

I hear a lot of my friends using the buzzwords "no regrets." Adopting those words cavalierly makes making snap decisions or actions thoughtless. And I have found in my ripe old age of twenty-one that thoughtless decisions and actions result in the ones with the most horrifying regrets. I would tell my former high school self to live spontaneously in the exciting moments of college but not so aggressively that using your noodle is abandoned. I would tell her to always stop and think about the consequences of her actions. This is not to deny freedom but to ensure freedom for lifetime. For unresolved regret can steal happiness. And as for a tidbit of simple and practical advice: Practice diciplined time management!

The only advice I would give to my high school self would be to work more hours at your job. I am extremely happy with my choice of school and would not change my choice for anything. I only wish that I had not cut my hours at my job, to be able to spend more time with friends I don’t keep in contact with anymore. After winter break, I now see how useless that was because I am at school 14 hours away from home and barely talk to anyone from my high school. If I had worked more I would have possibly doubled the amount of money I made for college. I am also trying to pay my way through college on my own without any financial assistance from my parents. Senior year I didn’t really realize I wanted this. Now that I have practically started a new life, I feel like a true adult and want to be able take on some responsibilities that come along with this new freedom. Don’t sacrifice college money for friends. You will make all new ones and be even happier than you were in high school.

I would tell myself to stop worrying what people thought of me so much. I was extremely self conscious in high school about my looks, what people thought of me and what could come of every single action I made. I wish that I would have been a bit more social, I was always the one to turn down going to a pool party and instead stay in and read a book because I was worried that people woldn't like what they saw when I put on a swimsuit. Nobody has the "perfect body" and God didn't intend for any of us to be perfect. I would also tell myself not to date someone just because everyone wanted me to. I know now that if someone doesn't have a positive impact on me, I don't need that person in my life. When I came to college I saw that half of the stuff I worried about doesn't matter. I now have so many great friends that I wouldn't trade for the world and high school didn't affect that at all. Lastly, I would tell myself have faith in God's plan for me.

I would give myself the advice of applying for more scholarhsips and looking for more money for school. Simply so that when I got to college I would not have to worry about how my rent is going to get paid for the next month, or wonder if I was going to have to eat noodles for dinner for a whole week straight. Financial stress is the worst stress that you can have while you are in college it can completely take your focus away from school, and you will fail!

Hello Joey, I have been in collge for about a semester now, and I have to tell you, the transition could have gone a little bit better. For starters, I do not like my roommates. If I were you I would go on the University of Alabama Facebook page and seek out some people that you could see yourself being friends with. Another thing, nurture your relationships with your good friends in Kentucky. You will want people to hangout with when you come back in town for break. I would also encourage you to look into exactly what you want to major in, and find out what you can do with that degree. I picked a business major, but am thinking about changing to something like international business. One last thing, don't worry about girls. Worry about your personal development first. Get involved on campus, and don't force friendships if you're the one putting in most of the effort. Sincerly, Joey Vranicar

Think for yourself. You don't have to be a part of this club or that club just because you're sorority sisters are. Join something that you're interested in because it is what YOU like, not because it will impress someone else. If you aren't interested in what you're learning and want to change your major, DO IT. Don't let money or someone's negative attitude determine your career path. You'll learn this lesson as you go throughout your college career through experience, but try to start out with the right mindset. You are here to learn about yourself, to better yourself, and to ultimately leave with an education and an experience that will equip you with the skills you need to live the rest of your life. So do it for YOU, not for any other person.

Dear Kelsey, Lacrosse is the most familiar thing in the world to you. I know it is your security blanket in the realm of social experiences, and I know it is how you identify yourself. I also know that when you attend the University of Alabama you will join the club lacrosse team there, because your entire life you have played lacrosse. You will be interested in so many other organizations and club sports, but club lacrosse will be where you settle because "it is what you have always done". Kelsey, do not ever live life doing things because "it is what you have always done". College is filled with so many amazing opportunities. Get out there and try everything that interests you in the slightest bit. Never be afraid to chose the unfamilar option. Keep yourself interesting by doing things that interest you. SIncerely, The older better version of you.

The only thing I could tell myself to help is that studying is so important!

I would tell myself to put myself out there more. I was shy my first year and even beyond that. This year, as a junior, I have made a concious effort to not be so self-concious. Moving far away from home from the Midwest to the South is a big step. It is important to be aware that things will not be as easy as they were in high school.

Given the opportunity to go back and talk to myself, I would say to not try to do everything on your own. You want to act like an adult and believe that don't need anybody's help, but you're going to learn that you do and when this happens, you need to be the adult you think you are and own up. Stop being petty (because you know you are) and realize that the adults in your life are just trying to help you succeed. You need to not only listen, but take their advice seriously. Accepting help doesn not show weakness, but is a sign that you are growing up and shows that you are becoming a responsible adult.

To do what you want and to not let others determine your future.

Advice I would give to myself as a high school senior: Put school before any and everything. No matter how much time you may think it will take up, or away from your social life take every opportunity and advantage that is given to you to be involved in your school. Don't care what people think about you. You're not there to please everyone, you're there to get your education to help better your future and career. Keep your grades up all year, do everything you can to keep your GPA as high as possible. Don't try and take the easy way out of everything because in the long run it can only hurt you. Stay involved, and join any clubs that you are eligible for.

The advice that I would give myself is to be more in tune of your surroundings than ever before and also study more everyday.

I would tell myself to learn better study techniques so that I would be more prepared for my freshman year of college.

First and foremost, I would tell myself to not worry about choosing a major. I changed my major twice after moving away to college, which I now know is completely normal. Although I do believe I had better time management skills then most due to my busy schedule in high school, I would tell myself to make sure I allow time for relaxation. Life gets pretty hectic once college begins. You're constantly balancing classes, homework, your social life, and campus clubs and activities; it's important to give your body the relaxation it needs to get through all of this stuff. Alongside relaxing, I would also remind myself to make time for the things I enjoy. I really slacked on my blog my freshman year, which was my outlet for how I was feeling. It's so incredibly crucial to keep doing what you enjoy, and that applies to every area in college: your clubs, classes, majors, minors, what have you. College is supposed to be fun and yes, it will get stressful, but only as much as you allow it to.

If i could journey back in time and have the opportunity to talk with myself as a highschool senior, I would explain to myself that I need to focus more on school and put more effort into making the best grades possible. I would explain to learn the discipline of balancing my school work and social life better. As a freshman at the University of Alabama, I have learned that school comes before social and the this teaches the responsibility of putting a future job first and all social activites come after this is mastered.

If I could go back in time, I'd tell my high school senior self that college is a great opportunity to advance in life’s endeavors. I'd say that paying for a proper education in Engineering is a hassle without extra money. I would say I should apply for scholarships because it will allow me to establish myself, educate the black community, and create technology that’ll prolong the life of Earth. I would convice myself that I will be able to acquire necessary programs and research tools that’ll ultimately allow me to continue to pay for my education. I'd say follow your passion so you can someday build a company that will donate money to inner cities through events, teach young black children how to program and understand technology, and represent young educated black men. Jalen, get yourself together so that you can make your dent in the universe. So you can own a company that not only would create jobs, but would create intelligence enhancing technology and convert almost everything into a solar powered format. Get yourself together so you can change the world Jalen.