The University of Texas at Arlington Top Questions

My total college learning experience has been a journey. I have developed and trully have obtained wisdom. Traveling away from home for the first time was, I have to admit, was scary, but I have met some incredible people along the way. Attending the University of Texas at Arlington has helped shaped my values and outlook on life. I try not take things for granite anymore and count all of my blessings. Coming to college, I was honestly undecided what I wanted to do, but over time I have developed a passion for children and now have decided to go into education to become a Math teacher. After teaching for a couple of years, I wish to start my own school focusing on of course, academic excellence, but the needs of students emotionally due to their various environments, and creative arts. I hope to help students world wide to be successful and reach for the sky without limits.

Through my college experieced i have learned the importance of the health field and i have learned more than what i thought i would know. I think it has been vauable to attend because it will help me get a good job in a hospital to care for the needy. I have also learned the policy and laws that apply in the health care field too. It is very important that i follow these rules so that i wont hurt anyone and also get myself into trouble.

I have come to realize that paying for my own college without the help of family members is something to be proud of. I realize that adequate education is important to aiding life goals. In my short 2 years in college, I have learned not only to gain knowledge, but to gain character to help me be a positive impact on our society.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to live at home with my mom and save my money. I was so eager to prove myself as an individual that I ended up waisting my money on rent, car payments, and other bills that may have been avoided if I would have stayed home. It would be so much easier to get through college without having to worry about a mortgage. Not only did I waste money, I also wasted precious time. When you live on your own you spend more time working for someone else than yourself in order to pay the bills. Had I stayed home, I would probably now be a college graduate with a promising career.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to my naive senior self I would have many recommendations to say. The first recommendation is to use online rating sites or fellow peers to find the best professor for your learning style. Each professor and each student are different, and some would have benefited me more than the one I chose. The second is to join a student organization and be active in it. Not only would you make friends, but you would have more connections with students and faculty across campus. Third, visit your professors during their office hours. They will more time to help you if you have any problems and might be more forgiving in giving you that one extra point on an assignment. The last advice I would give is to not wait an entire semester to find out a very good friend?s name.

If I could go back in time to my senior year in high school and advise myself I would have given myself the following account: Armando (today): "Armando, it is imperative that you hear what I have to say because your college experience depends on it. Education is a wonderful tool which will provide your foundation for the rest of your life and that is why it's important you give yourself the best experience possible. As a high school student you have the luxury of living financially carefree, but do not be naive as you well know your parents will not be able to bear the financial burden of a higher education. Begin by contacting your financial aid office at the school of your choice as they are a great source for information regarding scholarships and grants. It is also important that you keep an open mind because you will encounter people with different lifestyles and different ways of thinking; being judgemental is ignorant. Be vigiliant in your pursuit of an education and do not give way to silly temptations which will only delay you. Stay the course and you will succeed." Armando (then): "Uhh...thanks, Armando"

As an older American returning to school, I would tell myself to stay focused and learning at a higher institution is not a unstructured as high school. I would tell myself that the benefits of continuing eduction would have saved many years of hard knocks; working at minimum wage and living paycheck to paycheck. The investment now of delayed gratification of a job and income will pay off exponentially in the future. College life on campus can be as social or serious as you want. Making the transition from high school to college (immediately following) is a growth opportunity and a challenge to become disciplined and focused. As an older student now, I have the enjoyment as a mentor yet still embracing the youth and energy on campus. As a high school senior, make a successful transition by finding a strong mentor. Whether in a dorm or in your classrooms or in advising; look forward to the experience the next 4 years will provide. You'll thank yourself for it. (Lori Kohler)

Dear Delia,

Actually just go to college NOW! My family held me back, then my social economic position in the world held me back. I just make myself go then

If I could talk to myelf as a high school student I would encourage me to not get lazy and give up. I was involved in the International Baccaleurate program at my school and was in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class, so I thought that I did not have to try on my SAT or IB tests becuase I was automatically accepted into any state school anyways. However, becuase I did not adequatley prepare for my SAT and IB tests I did not get some scholarship money that i could have gotten to pay for school. I did not take that into consideration when I was a senior, and i really wish I would have.