The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Top Questions

After talking to many of my friends from high school after our first semester in college, we all agreed on a few things. First, no matter how good grades were in high school, we were not prepared for college. We were ready to live on our own, independent from our parents' houses, but we were not prepared for the actual amount of studying that is required to be successful in college. My best advice to high school seniors is to learn how to study now and don't wait until you get that first test back before you take that class seriously. Learn what works for you, whether you need to make flash cards or find a special place to study, but learn that now so you can start your college classes with a proactive approach. Be confident in your abilities. College can be intimidating, but having the confidence that you can tackle that project or tough professor will allow you to relax and be successful. Second, appreciate living at home. The independence is great, but we all miss eating at home and clean clothes!

i would tell myself that college is nothing like high school. focus on your grades and not only on friends. college is very hard and not all your professors will hold your hand through thr process like high school teachers. your grade and success depemds on going to class on time and the amount of studying you do.

Do not go into college thinking solely about the party scene. Make sure all of your grades are in order before you set foot in the clubs. It is very easy to get off track. The hardest thing to do is bring up your GPA, yet it is so easy to decrease it. Be friendly to everyone becasue you never knbow what benefit it may serve you in the near future or even in the long run.

The only advice that I can percieve giving to the High School Senior version of myself is not to worry. It may seem rather cliche, but if I had not stressed about college so much throughout my Senior Year then it would have went by much more smoothly, and with an infinite amount less of emotional breakdowns--struggling with the ideal of college level work, and crying over tuition costs--had all been for not. My college offered me grants, work study, and loans to help cover some of my costs. In addition to that, a free-tutoring lab is almost always open on campus for all students in need of assitence; and the friends I've met at college I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I would have forewarned myself about the constant...inconviences of dormitory living--such as leaky faucets, and moldy shower curtains--and would have strongly cautioned to bring a cell phone, as they come in handy during emergencies. Oh, by the way, self? Your 11th Grade History teacher was right when he warned you about the strict essay gradings of college History professors. Keep on moving, you can do it.

If given the chance to travel back to my time as a high school senior, I would tell myself that upon entering college I should keep doing the things I love. Just because you are no longer playing a sport for a varsity team does not mean that you should give it up completely; join a club team or play intramurals. Also, be yourself in every situation; let people see you for who you truly are and they will respect you and the decisions you make. Try new campus activities; they help you to make new friends and network with other people on campus. Do not be bashful about asking someone to room with you; if you do not ask a friend, you may be stuck with someone you do not get along with well. Classes will sometimes frustrate you and you will have more work than you think possible to handle, but do not be discouraged; persevere and you will succeed in the end. When you know no one in your classes, branch out and introduce yourself to those around you; you never know who might become one of your best frineds.

I thought that the transition to college was going to be a lot easier than it was. From the scholastic aspect, it was very easy. the emotional transition was very different. If i could go back to my senior year, I would tell myself that I am going to have to put myself out there more than I ever have before. I have always been a people person, but it was not so hard to be a people person when I was in a place where every one knew me. I upheld many leadership roles in high school like Beta club president and Class secretary, but I was leading a group of people that I had went to school with and grown up with for years. Coming to college put me out of my comfort zone in that aspect. I was not mentally prepared, so I ran to the group of friends that came from my home to the same school as me. I would tell myself to venture out and not be afraid to take chances. Now in the spring semester I am getting settled and more comfortable with college life and meeting new people.

Ciara, when you are accepted to UTC, you will have to venture outside your comfort zone. In order to know what is waiting for you. You have so many options and you must take your classwork serious. You can socialize, but do not forget your schoolwork comes before anything. Especially, before your job. Do not worry about how school will get paid. If you leave it in God's hands, he will make away. School can be fun and learning experience. Enjoy yourself and balance your priorities.

Do not be afraid to let loose a little bit, but just not too much. This is something that every high school should hear before going to their first semster at college. Every part of college is new and can be a little intimdating, especially if you have come to a school where you dont have any of your friends with you. You have to be able to experience new things, and if you dont do that your college life will be less fun and less productive. You can't be afraid to meet new people, raise your hand in class, or go have some fun. College becomes a lot more fun once you have got to know some people, so dont be afraid, just do it and you will enjoy your college career a lot more. Then again you can't always be out having fun, because that happens too often, and, freshman especially, end up not going to class and failing classes their first semester. So have fun, meet some people, and remember why you are in school, and it will be the time of your life.

As a senior you may think it?s all over and done with. What happens now? Do I continue to go to school? This is a critical time in your life. These are all questions that I asked myself and still ask myself today. I can?t quite tell you how college is right now but I can tell you it won?t be easy. You?ll get beat down time and time again. You struggle to get the time, strength, and money to make it happen. Writing essays after essays with a baby on your lap craving for your attention. And you?re thinking to your self, is it possible? Can it be done? I have come to let you know that your stubbornness will work against and for you in so many ways. You are a strong and independent person. With great dedication and determination you will be able to conquer any hard time situation. Your kids will be your motivation. So don?t give up. It can be done.

My road to college was not easy! I hit some bumps, and lost control of the wheel along the way. If I had the opportunity to talk to go back through time as "me" now, a freshman in college, and speak with me at the age of fifteen, a freshman in highschool , I would say to myself wake up and get busy! Knowing how I am I would probably argue with myself as I did with those who tried to tell me to stop dragging my feet ! Then I did not realize how expensive college was as i do now. None-the-less I made it on my own, I simply wish I would have started sooner. I am happy with my choice in schools, but I am displeased with the way i had to get here. Loans are no fun ! If I would have started sooner I probably would have had more scholarships. Not realizong how important my G.P.A. was I slacked off then and I am paying for it now! If I had the opportunity to I would tell myself to work hard and play later!

I would definitely tell my past self to consider all my options for the future instead of only being set on a few choices. I was set on a great school in another state and when I could not attend because of financial reasons, I felt like I settled for a state school. I had reservations about being here but I am very glad I chose UTC and do not regret that decision. I realized in my second semester that I made a great choice and that my choice created the perfect balance in my life. I also would advise myself to be more active in high school. I instantly became involed when I got to UTC and I regret not being more involved in clubs or staying with some in high school. I would advise the past Chantel to take more chances and be more open with others so that I can be more social in college in every aspects. It's never to late to do something different and I would strongly advise my past self to take heed to those words.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I now know about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give to myself is to overcome my fears, be more confidant in my capabilities and potential, and pursue more opportunities or create volunteer opportunities in my areas of interest. Now, I understand the importance of taking chances and trying new things. For example, I was extremely fearful of a high school AP English course. I was concerned about meeting the course?s requirements, teacher?s expectations, and possibly lowering my grade point average. If I could go back in time, I would enroll in that course and take as much from it as possible. My grammar and composition could?ve been challenged and matured in high school, rather than my second year of undergraduate. I would?ve also volunteered more. There are several benefits of volunteering, such as networking, mentorship, applied experience, and insight into a particular field. If I had volunteer experience or information prior to undergrad, I would?ve been positioned for better internships and employment.

What advice I would give myself is study hard. I would tell myself it's okay to go out with friends, but don't forget why you here in college in the first place, for your education. I would say be careful in college, make your choices wisely, choose your friends wisely, cause remeber everybody is not your friends!! If you need any help go to tutor or meet with your tecachers one -on-one, that way they will know you are trying hard! Also, make a study schedule , for everyday, maybe even use a planner, and sit down and plan out how manys hours of days will you study. Study hard and ask questions!!! Be careful , don't leave off with strangers, stay with friends at all times, especially if your in another city that your not familiar with. Never walk by yourself alone! Find a place you can study, if your roomate or roomates are too distracting, I suggest the library! Remeber that you can have fun, but education is always first, remeber that you came for an education. Don't make any bad deisions cause you see the others students are, you just be yourself! Good luck!

If I could go back in time, one year, to when I was a senior in high school, I would mention the freedom that college offers. The ability to live on your own, to do what you want when you want, and learn in the meantime is a wondrous experience. I would mention the fun times to be had in and out of class. But overall I would voice how college is not a joke. I would prepare myself for extended study groups at all times of the night. I would say how difficult post-calculus math can get, and maybe try and teach my past counterpart some mathematical tricks that I know now, just to make things easier. This is what I would tell myself about college if I could go back in time.

Don't worry about college! It is totally doable. It will be challenging at times, but it is nothing you can't handle. Definitely get involved in campus ministries- IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

study study study. you have your whole life to party and have fun but for the next four years you need to settle down and hit the books. studying equals good grades which equals good job. good job equals good money and happiness. you don't want to get stuck with a terrible job where you're unhappy. bad grades equals loss of scholarships which means to no more school for you.

I would tell myself to save as much money as possible and to work hard because if you don't, you WILL lose your scholarship so fast. Make smart choices, watch out for unnecessary expensives, and pick a school you will enjoy and later classes. I would also make sure to always remind myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to and work hard for.

In my first semester of college I took two hard classes and I struggled in both of them. So, if I could go back I would tell myself to take "easier" classes in the first semester just so I could get a feel for everything that college brings. I am currently in my second semester and I feel much more comfortable with my situation. But because of my struggle in the first semester, I feel like I am already behind. By taking easier courses I would have been able to transition a little more smoothly. I am currently retaking those hard classes and am doing much better because I feel much more comfortable where I am.

Dear myself, Make the best of your years that are coming soon for they are going to be the best of your life. And stop taking life so seriously because no one else does (other than your professors, of course). Study hard, enjoy learning and don't spend a Friday night catching up on work you should have been doing 2 weeks ago, instead go out and meet new people! Your potential is great and expectations of you are bigger than ever so whatever you do, don't disappoint yourself because only you know what you're made of. Be someone that you want to be not who you think you should be or who others think you should be. Relax, because you'll fall but I'm almost sure some one else has tripped there before....Have fun, YOU'RE IN COLLEGE! Love, Your future self P.S. - Get back to studying! You're not in college yet...

The main difference between high school and college is time management. In high school, over half of my waking hours was school. With only a few hours a day of class in college, I have been faced with long hours of nothing to do. It is important to use one's time wisely, getting everything I needed to do out of the way first, then have time to relax and hang out with friends. Another thing I would highly recommend that goes hand in hand with time management is a personal planner. They are invaluable during a class in which I would need to quickly write a homework assignment or important reminder. Another thing I would highly recommend is to find something not relating to school work, for instance a sports team or club. More importantly than that, however, is finding something outside of school completely. Several nights, my friends and I would ride bikes all over the empty city streets, over the river, to the park, we could go anywhere. We felt free from the daily routine of school and work. It truely made that first semester more bearable.