The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

First of all, a GPA isn't everything and there are many opportunities that you would enjoy and would look good in a resume, but you won't get it with just a very good grade. Try your best to be involved in leadership activities and community service. Join clubs or organizations that will help you with your studies. Start applying for as many scholarships as you can as early as possible. There are so many companies or foundations giving out many scholarships, it just takes for you to take an effort to apply. One very important thing is to have a good relationship with your professors because you will be needing a lot of recommendations for scholarships, job opportunities, or internships. Besides applying for scholarships, it would be a good idea to get a part time job to catch up on savings for college. Scholarships and money saved from work help a lot when you get into college. Besides saving you from getting into loans, it will also keep you more relaxed. It's always good to have spare money for any emergency. Take your time to find what's best for you in regards to school or housing.

If ever I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would honestly leave everything the way it was. Although there are some things that I would be able to tell myself as a senior that would perhaps help me in the future at college, I would prefer to go through the process of making mistakes and learning from them. Making mistakes is an important part of learning, in my opinion. Entering college, I felt that all my high school teachers prepared me well to take on the challenges that I would be facing. I have had a great experience at college so far, and I would not want to change a thing about it. It's just perfect!

I would tell myself to stay focused and finsh college. Marriage is important, but in the long run my education would do me the best good in having a great life. I would tell myself how I did not finsh my college and spent the past 20 years working in telecommunications and trying to raise a family through two failed marriages. How after 20 years of working the market in my industry dropped and I was left making less than $6 an hr. All of this to be left with nothing to show for the past 20 years except three great kids. That because of all this I am now back living with my parents and I am back in school finishing what I should have 20 years ago.

College isn't ordinary. It is impulsive. It is adventurous. But most of all, college is the ultimate experience. Looking back, as a senior I would probably have told myself that college isn't a place to just have fun. I knew I was going to be enduring more difficult coursework but what I didn't fully understand was that the coursework was going to take over my life. That may be an exageration but I would have preffered the exageration in high school to prepare myself now. I wasn't used to the all-nighters I now spend in studying or the 8 a.m. classes that I have to wake up for. I would have told my senior self that in order to pass, and not only pass but make As, I need to learn excellent study habits because most classes consist of 3 exams and absolutely no extra credit opportunities. Besides education, college is a wonderful place to make lasting friendships. An important piece of advice would be to ensure that in college, I meet as many people and be involved with as many groups as possible. Networking is key while in and after college.

I was just telling my Mom, I wished I would have AP statistics and Biology in high school. I advise my younger sister to take ALL of the AP courses offered in high school. The more advanced classes you take, the better prepared you are to be successful at a major university.

I'd tell myself, first and foremost, to open up. People are not out to get you, no matter what you think. I'd tell myself to be open-minded and to always look for friends no matter where I go. I'd tell myself to really try to get to know people, because in a world where you don't have your family, your friends are your greatest support system. I'd tell myself that boys will be boys and they will still be boys after college, so to not worry and just have fun. I'd tell myself to make those friends, have those good times, but to also not forget to study. I'd tell myself that, no matter how smart I think I am, I have to study, because the good grades aren't easy to get. I'd tell myself that college may or may not be the best years of my life, so to not worry if things don't go perfectly. I'd tell myself I'm not perfect and that I shouldn't expect myself to be. Lastly, I'd tell myself to get ready for the best college experience available.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not graduate as a Junior. I graduated as a Junior because I felt that high school was just a waste of time and the real education began in college. This is obviously not true. When I graduated from high school, I really had no clue as to what I wanted to study and what career I wanted to pursue. Because of this, and the fact that my hometown had a university, I did not bother researching or applying to other universities. I ended up transferring to my current university after two years, after I finally knew what I wanted to study. The advice I would tell myself is to not graduate as junior, and take the extra year to discover what subjects really interest me and what types of careers fit well with those subjects and interests. Then, once I have an idea what I want to study, I should start researching colleges and universities that can fulfill my academic interests. Finally, I should apply for to those universities.

I would tell myself that being perfect is not necessary to be successful in life, and that sometimes we learn the most from our mistakes.

I would tell myself to prepare for change. Coming from a suburb, it's hard to imagine how you will live without the friends you grew up with your whole life, your family, and your familiar surroundings. It is possible to accept new best friends into your life without feeling like you are replacing your old. Furthermore, get out of your comfort zone! Join a club or social group by yourself without depending on your friend to introduce you to her friends. Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to open up to these strangers. They may become your child's godmother! Don't be stubborn. Be open to changing your major, your career goals, and even friends (especially if your all your high school friends go to the same college as you). But most importantly, stick to your values and morality. You may lose yourself at some point in time, but don't be afraid to admit your mistakes and return to your roots.

I would tell myself to calm down. I really freaked out when I was applying to colleges and was really upset when I didn't get into the college I wanted to. But once I got to UT Austin, I fell in love. Now I firmly believe that you end up at the college that you are suppose to be at. I have learned so much and feel so ready and prepared for life outside of UT. I don't know where I would be if I had not gone to UT.