University of Delaware Top Questions

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be outgoing and flexible when making the transition to college. College is an entirely new environment, and making friends is important. Get to know the people in your dorm and the people in your classes...someone who's a "stranger" one day could become your new best friend! It's also important to be outoing to take advantage of "professional" opportunities such as TA positions, internships, etc. Opportunities like these are there for the taking, but you have to be bold enough to go after them! It's also important to be flexible; you shouldn't expect your life to be the same as it was when you were in high school. Staying up late, eating at weird hours, and taking random naps all seem to be part of a college student's "schedule," so these are changes that you'll have to adapt to. Lastly, have fun! It's easy to hole up in the library and study all the time, but that's not much fun. It's important to make friends that you'll remember forever.

Going back in time to talk to myself would probably be a pretty difficult thing to do knowing that I'm not very good at taking other people's advice. However, given the opportunity to do so, there are plenty of things I would tell myself. I would warn myself that you really do have to learn how to be independent and know how to do things on your own. Growing up in a single parent family, my mom was my backbone for everything. I'm not going to lie, I cried every night for a week straight when I first got to college. Being on my own was one of the scariest things I had to learn to deal with, but it was also a great experience. I would also tell myself not to worry about so much stuff. When you get to college, you realize how much time you have to sit and think and worry. Being someone who often stresses about nonsensical things, I would warn myself not to do so. Overall, I do feel that I made the best decision by choosing University of Delaware and that is something I would never change.

If I went back 2 years ago I would tell myself: Be confident in your decisions, and don't always second-guess yourself. You are a talented young lady and you have the ability to succeed anywhere. College life may be scary at first, but relax because eventually you will meet great friends and form strong bonds. Don't be afraid to join clubs and get involved with the school because you have nothing to lose and joining in these activities is rewarding. Also, don't feel like you need to know exactly what you want to do with your life because taking college courses gives you a chance to experiment with possible future career paths. Appreciate all the diverse people you will meet because you will benefit from being open minded and understanding, and don't be scared to socialize with people that are different from you. At the same time, be aware that not everyone is worth of your trust, but you can determine which people are truly genuine. Overall, enjoy college because it will go by fast and take time to appreciate even the smallest positive experiences while you can.

The transition from high school to college is a crucial step in every teenager's life. I can still remember worrying myself sick over this magical place called college. "Where will I go? What will I study? Who will I meet?" All of these questions raced through my mind as a senior. I had a vague picture of what to expect, but no one is ever really prepared for it until they are thrust into it's grip. Numerous seniors enter applications involving religion, school size, major, location, and various other feel good checkmarks that are supposed to ensure a comfortable college experience. The truth is, however, college is an experience above and beyond that of sizes and shapes. If I had to go back and give advice, I would say that college is an experience of friendships, knowledge, and self discovery, but most importantly, a time where reality and education intersect. I'd say, "Don't worry. College is everything that you make of it. You can learn, have fun, and meet amazing people. Be bold, even step outside of your comfort level. No matter what it boils down to, college is an experience, and the future is yours."

I would tell myself to not worry about the cost of one college as opposed to the other. Go to the school that you feel suits you best and worry about money-issues later. Most schools have some sort of financial aid to offer, especially if you ask for it. Get off to a good start right away and on the first day of moving in, go say hello to everyone on your floor so you make friends early. Most freshman are just as afraid they're first day as you will be and would really appreciate a friendly hello. Also, get involved with some sort of group, sport, or organization; this will also help you make new friends (and study partners come the finals cram!). Don't sweat coming to school, its not as terrible or intimidating as anyone makes it out to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to look harder for what I want. When searching for colleges, I did not try very hard to find a school that had exactly what I wanted. I ended up switiching the major I wanted in order to go to a school nearby. I had only applied to 2 schools, neither of which had the major I truely wanted. Knowing what I know now, if I could go back to high school, I would do everything all over again. I wouldn't settle. I would try harder to find the school that fit me the best.

Dear Paul Ojewoye, College is more intense compare to high school. There is a lot more work and stress. To be success you have to be more persistent, focus and discipline. Do not let all the circumstances in life and college put you down. Just constantly work hard using a time table to manage so much work in so little time. It?s also important to have a little fun by going to the gym, playing ball and pool, but do not get carried away, it will put you off track. Having fun helps relief stress and breaks the routine of just lectures and studying all the time. Another important thing is find a tutor for all your classes. Even though, you may think you do not need tutoring it helps to have something to fall back on if the class does go smoothly. Try to study with people who have good study habits and work hard. It is kind of contagious to study if you are around people who are very focus. They will inspire you to study. Finally, stay with RISE and SSSP. The programs give you many advices that are advantageous to follow. Sincerely, College Paul Ojewoye

If presented with the opportunity to return to my high school self. I would seize more opportunities. I would ask more questions, in my current courses I realize that asking the proper questions is essential to gaining knowledge. In high school I never told people my problems and concerns, but since being in college and having been encouraged to talk to my professors and mentors, I have received great advice, so that I can excel, without going through the same challenges they went through. Currently, I am still learning how not to procrastinate. The times that I do not procrastinate I love it, I have more time on my hands, I feel more productive, and my work is of better quality because I have time to review it. Last semester I did not receive the dean?s list, and was disappointed. I gathered myself, and reviewed what I did well and could do better, and improved my study skills and time management in order to do better next semester. I wished I would have applied myself with such diligence in high school, in that way I would have better study habits and could have made the dean?s list earlier.

I'd say, Jessica, you have to put forth your best effort in your classes and get the best GPA you can while you are in high school. Study and read everything so you can increase your general knowledge and score higher on your SAT's. Don't let boyfriends and dating get in the way of your long term goals. Have fun but remember that bad relationships are obstacles to your success. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who will get you ahead in life. You know right from wrong, so choose "right".

If it was possible to talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be a lot I would say. Back in high school, I would always study for all of my tests but my studying habits weren't necessarily the best. That would be the main point I would tell my high school self. In college, I found that the tests are a lot different and I need to study for multiple days before the test, not just the night or two nights before. I would also tell myself not to rely heavily on homework and class participation to keep up my grade. I was used to receiving credit for tests and quizzes besides homework, etc. in my high school classes. I would always give my best and aim for an A on all tests and quizzes, but if one test was a B, I never stressed. In college, if one test is a B, it is hard to bring that up to get a higher final grade since the final grade is based only on tests. These two key points I wish I knew as a high school senior, but I'm glad that I know now.

Sitting with friends senior year. These are girls who know exactly what they want to do, who know exactly where they are heading, and who know that they will achieve success because unlike me, they have a plan. My plan? Well, it was "under construction", until I was accepted into UDel. I've spent my entire life being different. I'm independent, a trait that has been hard to acquire but a blessing to hold, whereas most people I've encountered have had a wealth of parental financial support to keep their plans afloat. This independence was the deciding factor in my pursuit of college, because I knew I'd be on my own in financing it. I've been working since I was 14, and if I could give myself advice about the college transition, it would be this: Save money. Not exactly philosophical, but the best advice I can conjure. I face financial hardship every semester, and I know that if I had saved more and spent less, I might not face such difficulties. Most people will respond to this question with something profound, but in the face of reality, my advice would be to save, save, save.

Honestly, I am not a very social person and although I can be very fun, it takes me a while to open up. I chose a college in which I knew almost no one attending. If I could tell myself what to do, I would have recommended that I attend a college in which I have friends who could keep me motivated to make even more. I would also consider rooming with someone I knew. Although rooming with your best friend sometimes causes problems, I would feel much more comfortable with someone closer in likeness to myself. I would also tell myself to go in-state, because I am already up to my ears in loans and I have not even finished my first year. College can be scary, but one just has to be confident and put effort into making his or her experience genuinely special.

Looking back, there are several pieces of advice that I would provide to myself as a high school senior. First and foremost, I would have told myself to stay calm, composed, collected, and not to worry as much as I did about the college experience. While college is a difficult endeavor and as a senior in high school, or even a freshman in college, the experience seems quite daunting, it is not impossible and it is quite feasible to thrive and succeed in this type of environment. Secondly, I would tell myself to never doubt my capabilities. At orientation for college, I began to feel as though I was unprepared for the college experience, which only heightened my sense of anxiety. I think that if I had told myself as a senior in high school that I was perfectly capable and as ready as ever for college, it would have calmed me down a little bit more. Next, I would tell myself to be more outgoing than I was in high school and to make as much of the experience as possible. Having good friends really makes the college experience much better. Finally, I would tell myself to work hard.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would, first, tell myself to relax. I was always stressed as a senior because I was afraid of the changes that college would bring, but I am proud to say that college has brought me nothing but happiness and prosperity. I thought the changes would ruin my life, but I was wrong. These changes help me grow both internally and externally every day. I would also tell myself to not be afraid of leaving home. Living two hours away from my family and friends has made my relationships with them so much stronger and meaningful. I, now, appreciate everyone so much more, and I value each relationship I have genuinely. I would tell myself that although I would lose some friends in the near future, I would also be making new ones. I would tell myself to never take anyone or anything for granted. Lastly, I would myself to take advantage of every second and opportunity I am offered in life because tomorrow is not promised, and I do not want to miss out on anything.

Time: it passes quickly and cannot be recaptured. Senior year is an unforgettable time. It is so hectic and yet so wonderful all at once. Yet, your entire future hinges on the choices that you make in those short ten months and how you manage your time. Even though you are seventeen or eighteen, you have to make very adult decisions. How effectively do you work at the SAT books and online questions? How many times do you take the SAT? How much time do you devote to school work? How much time for parties and sports? I learned that managing your time is the most important path to success. I had to learn it the hard way. While I was a good student that maintained a 3.4 GPA, I know now that working just a little harder, would have opened opportunities to me that I did not get because I did not achieve a 3.8 or 4.0. Sure, parties and sports are important to a well rounded personality, but so is classwork and preparing for college. It is your future.

Travel the world and experience new cultures because you will not regret it. Go out the night before an exam because the best way to learn is from personal experience. Spend a full twenty-four hours with your roommate because she will probably be one of your bridesmaids. Don't skip class and stay in on a Friday night to study more because you will be satisfied with your grades. Kiss the cute fraternity boy because he might be your first love. Be super involved throughout college and try different clubs because you might find a new hobby or calling. Stay busy all the time because you have plenty of time after college to lounge around. Get on a personal level with your professors because they are extremely wise and are there to help you. Part if college is preparing yourself to be constantly stressed, emotional, and broke. An education is an extraordinary opportunity, but it is certainly not cheap. Do everything and anything. Use your time at college to find out who you are and what you want from life. Make the absolute, one hundred percent most of your college years because they won't last forever.

I would let myself know that college classes unlike the ones i took in high school are actually a challenge meaning that i need to actually do all the work, show up to class, pay attention, take notes, and study. I would also remind myself that in college my parent would not be there to set my alarm in the morning, clean my room or do my laundry. Most importantly i would tell myself not to waste all food points in the first month and end up with only single meal per day.

When I graduated high school there were many things that I took for granted. I expected to be done fast, party hard all the time and that since high school was a breeze then college couldn't be that much harder. Knowing what I know now I need to let myself know how much harder things can actually be. The most important thing that I would need to tell myself is that to get what you want out of the experience you need to focus and dedicate the proper time necessary. Really think about what you enjoy doing and take time to pick your future. Just because you're good at something doesn't always make it the best thing to do. Think about what I actually enjoy doing that wont make everyday a nightmare for myself. I made choices for a girl and in the end i have taken longer to get where i need to be while she made the choices for herself and she is further along than I am. So in a nutshell I think I would tell myself to not worry about what everyone else wants and to do what is right for me.

I know a lot of people would go back and tell themselves to pay attention in school and stop partying, but for me I would tell myself the opposite. I lived at home with my parents to save money, and so missed out on a lot of opportunities such as making new friends and joining clubs and things like that. I would go back and tell myself to go ahead and live on campus, but warn myself to study just as hard as I did when I lived with my parents. I think having a balanced college life of studying and fun is important, and I simply missed out on that the first time around. Now that I am a little bit older and getting a second degree, I understand that.

The most important advice I would give myself would be to have faith in yourself. When the school workload hits you that first semester, when you get your first bad grade, when you need to sacrifice your social life; it all can combine into one giant stress ball that makes you loose confidence and loose track of what is really important in life. If you believe in yourself, work hard, and keep your priorities straight (for example, one bad grade does not mean you should give up), you'll go far. Breathe, and don't panic. It'll all work out in the long run.