The University of Texas at Arlington Top Questions

If I could go back in time to talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would say, " Good job. Sure there are things you could have done better like studied harder, focused more; but overall you have done good." As far as the transition from high school to college I would tell myself, " Relax, it's not as hard as people are tellin you. Maintain the focus and drive that you have and you will be fine. Don't be afraid to step out your box and make friends. Have fun!"

High school was a pipedream for me. A vision of tests and quizzes that would one day lift me to the ranks of the greatest minds of man kind. With every conquered test proudly displayed to my fellow peers i felt better about myself. I used my academic life as a shield against the world. In only associating myself with one group of people i lost the chance at living life the way i should have. Yes academics will eventually be the key to my future success as a nurse, but if I continued on the path that I once traveled on then I would have wasted my time in vain. A career may fullfill my own personal goals, but unless i have others to relish my accomplishments in then what is the point? So to my former high school self i only have to say, "Live life, when God gives you the opportunity to make a chance then take it. It is only when we let ourselves go do we find out who we are, and hey sometimes miracles happen in the most unforseen situations."

Don't do anything different. UT at Arlington is a great school. You'll love the campus, it has plenty of trees, squirrels, places to just sit and enjoy yourself... although they are making it a smoke free campus, you probably need to quit smoking anyways. There are a lot of interesting people at UTA, it's very culturally diverse and it's good to get to know people from other parts of the world. You can meet plenty of new people, and make a lot of friends. It's that fresh start you always wanted. They have an AMAZING activity center, so you can take kick boxing like you've always wanted. The architecture program is an enjoyable place, and you'll love going and learning there. There are many teachers that you will find to be great teachers. You will love attending this college. It has WAY more things to do than silly Georgetown, and it's right by Dallas and Ft. Worth. Not too far from home, but far enough so the parents can't be popping in on the time. Overall: it's a great institute.

There are many things that high school just doesn't prepare you for, no matter how much it is emphasized to you by people that have experienced and made the transition from high school to college. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the main advice I would give myself is to truly manage my time positively and to realize that no matter how much fun college is and how much there is to do, remember that the reason I'm in college is to get a degree. These 2 things in my opinion are the most important things that cause failure for students entering college. Learning to manage time is vital to success because everything is on your own time and nobody will be on your back making you do assignments and there will be so much happening. Remembering the reason you are in college will keep you focused and remind you that no matter how much you want to have fun and put your work aside, school is the most important thing above everything. This advice would have been very helpful to me if I could've gave advice to myself.

I would tell myself to choose a degree and stick with it, but make sure it's as techinical and specialized as possible. And I would choose the best school possible and worry about the money later, because the name on that piece of paper really does matter. I would also tell myself to join as many clubs and organizations as possible to get a taste of what other people are thinking and doing in life other than being selfish and worrying about their own teenage lives. But lastly, I would join a sports team. I always loved Softball but never thought I was good enough to play college. I think that being an athlete, especially in your younger years, teaches you to be more competative (which seems to disappear with kids today) and learn how to be a better team player. All of these skills are crucial to be able to lead a sucessful, and more importantly, happy life. We have one life to live and college prepares us much more than people think. It's a stepping stone to the rest of your life.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would gently remind myself that high school is not the end of the world, athletics aren?t going to pay for school, and that my education is the most important thing. I would tell myself not to get wrapped up in boys, or drama, and that being compassionate, honest, and determined will pay off in the end. One of the most important things I would tell myself is that my family is always going to be there for me, no matter what good/bad decisions I may make in the future. There are many things I wouldn?t tell myself as well, because if I knew that I was going to make it through okay I wouldn?t have tried so hard to do well, and I wouldn?t have kept going. Mostly, I would just want myself to know that it truly is all going to be okay as long as I work hard and be persistent.

Try out for the softball team. It is your sport and you know that you are good enough to make the team. And don't be afraid to go out for different clubs and organizations on campus. It's a great way to meet people and make lifelong friends.

Well, I first I like to find out what I want wanna be and find the college and apply it. Also I would make sure that my goal is to be a success in life in order to ger something. I would take some advise from teachers, friends, and family.

Well first I would tell myself that life is never easy and it never gets easier without hard work. I would also then tell myself to take as many dual credit classes as I could instead of being lazy (because its much cheaper). Next, I would tell myself to take college classes as seriously as possible because once your school money (from the parents) is gone you have to start taking out loans and its very expensive. I would most definitely tell myself to have as much fun as possible while still being responsible because you only live one life and you can never go back. Finally, I would tell myself to remind myself as much as possible that the journey is hard, and it will keep getting harder, but in the end you can and you will come out on top.

If I had the oppurtunity to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior to give myself some good advice it would have to be first and for most, soak in all the knowledge you possibly can and do not take your education so lightly! As a high school senior I was still in "high school" mode and took my education for granted. When college came 'round and I was footing the bill it was all a different story. I valued my education and was interested and eager to take in all that I could. Having a genuine love for knowledge and truly understanding the importance it was/is and will always be making in my life has been something I learned with age and maturity. So I would honestly have to say the most important advice I would have given myself (or maybe just gave myself) was and is to never take education lighlty or for granted... Education is the foundation for a prospering world! Education is a progressive discovery of our ignorance. ~Will Durant (1885-1981) U.S. author and historian Thanks for your time. Ashleigh M. Keiser

I would say myself that student life is the best life and whatever the lessons we learn in school will become the basic and fundamental foundation of our career. If I learn to work hard in school then my level of hard working will remain at least the same in the future. Whatever we learn in mathematics, science, moral science and so on, those teachings will form a strong background in future that will help any student to progress inlife. The teaching of respecting seniors, the teaching of generating strong ideas to create different creative projects, the teaching of solving problems related to the pragmatic life, creating solid line of self disciplined, self dependent are the kinds of knowledge that we acquire during school which will be relevent till the end of life so I would say myself I wish I would have learnt all those special skills which form the basic root of life.

Dear Gisele, I know that you are overwhelemed with all the changes that are going on right now in your life. The idea of moving to a new state is scary. However scary that idea is, i promise you will be fine! Your transition to college will not be easy. Everyone has told you that college is amazing! They have told you that you will make friends fast, always have things to do, and that living on campus is the most amazing thing ever! In our case, those amazing stories are not the case, at least not at first. Your first month of college is going to be one of the hardest times you have ever experience. You will feel more lost and alone then you have ever felt in your life. When this happens, Be yourself; keep your head up and smile, stay dedicated to your school work, and be strong! I promise that once you get through your fist semester things will start looking better. Don't forget that life is what you make it and that tomorrow will always come! Love, You :)

I would tell myself not to worry about picking and staying with a particular major. It's not the end of the world and my parents would respect my decision to change it to something I love learning about, not something I feel I have to be. Its common for people to change their majors throughout college. I would also tell myself not to get caught up in the fast life of college partying. Its not as glamorous as its seems. It's dangerous and not worth losing respect for myself. I would say to explore all job careers in every sect, not just in the medicial field. And most importantly, not to care what others will think of the status of your major or career. As long as I'm studying a field that I love, it's worth it.

Start taking schoolwork more seriously, and study harder, it will pay off when exams come. Prepare by working similar problems over and over and form study groups so that you can learn more. There will be time for other things, but work on school first it is more important.

Keep it simple, all the hype that people have made it seem that it is. Also, don't let the pressure that a university brings go to your head, hence that is why you need to keep it simple. Don't be afraid to use campus resources because their sole purpose is to help you out with your studies and also to help you with the all important exams.

As a high school senior, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I would consider taking all the core classes that I could and then travelling to gain valuable experience of other students from around the world.

Karen, When you go to college, please have a planner with you. It would be best to actually use the planner and not just keep it in your backpack. Also, it would be very helpful to print out powerpoints before class and not after class. That way you can write notes while the lecture is going on, and you can use it for studying. Do not do work last minute, work on it little by little that way when it is time to turn it in, you will not be pulling all nighters. Also, read what you are assigned and do not try to read the chapter last minute! I know you like to sleep alot, so do take naps everyday, they are not helpful when you have homework. I suggest you go straight to the library when you do homework because everytime you try at home you end up sleeping! This will be your biggest challenge! Remember, don't quit no matter how hard it seems and do not underestimate yourself! You can do! Do not be afraid to ask for help!

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to take better care of my legs to prevent injuries during track season. My senior year I pulled my hamstring and have had issues with it and both of my knees ever since. I had to give up track recently but I do miss it terribly. Therefore, if I could tell my past self anything it would be to take better care of my legs and take it easy the week before the state track and field meet.

Do not be afraid to apply for scholarships, you do have a great talent and you deserve the money. While Baylor University does provide Deaf Education as a major, seriously consider if you want to teach the rest of your life. With that in mind, consider going to University of Texas at Arlington; it is close to home and you can always go to TCC for American Sign Langauge. Also, start looking into Social Work; it is THE profession of helping others. For at least the first year, live on campus; it will allow you to make wonderful friends, get connected with UT Arlington, and learn how to be in charge of your own education. Also, definitely get your license before college starts; it is not terribly difficult, just get in and drive. Lastly, apply to the honors program; you will love the rigorous work and wonderful discussions associated with the heavy academics.

Get involved earlier. Don't wait until you are a sophomore/Junior to become Student leaders in clubs and other organizations. Don't wait to "Take the classes needed" to join technical teams. You can pick up what you need to know when joining groups that compete in technical competitions.