University of Alaska Anchorage Top Questions

Do not let the trepidation and fear of the workload and cost of attending college get in the way of your education. You will become the first member of your family to attend and graduate from college. You should start now. Obtain a part time job that is related to your schooling. Do not let the fear of being accepted get in the way either. Just work hard on everything you do. Everything will work out as needed. Find out who the financial aid instructors are at the College. Meet with them and create a path way to success. You are more intelligent than you think. College is very different than high-school. The struggles you have in High School will not be there when you enter college and you will succede. Go forth and prosper.

Don't be so afraid of college and the unknown! Although college is very different from high school, you'll do great. Try not to procrastinate too often; it feels good to finish assignments early. Don't be afraid to participate in class or to ask for help. There ; really are no stupid questions; the professors want you to suceed. Try not to get too stressed out. The assignments will be tough, and you will become frustrated, but just do your best; that's really all you can do. Your best will be good enough. Don't be intimidated by other college students; everyone has been exactly where you are and felt exactly as you do. Try to have fun and enjoy the overall experience; you will miss it when it's over.

I'd tell myself to be more bold socially. I never lived on campus, and I had heard stories of people living on campus and developing their social skills as a result. Being a student who lived either at home or off campus, I didn't have as many opportunities as I would have had if I lived on campus. I don't regret living off campus, but being a shy student in high school, it took me a few years to grow out of those old habits and feel comfortable talking to strangers. College is a different beast than high school - there are many more people, and most of them you'll only see in one class. To enjoy college and maximize your learning through study groups, you have to be comfortable talking to people and forging connections. So if I were able to talk to my high school self, I'd encourage myself to get out there and talk to people. Because many times, people are excited that someone wanted to talk to them!

I would tell myself to research more about colleges and to have an open mind when it comes to picking a school. I would tell myself to not overlook University of Alaska Anchorage and University of North Dakota. I would remind myself that college loans horror stories are absolutely real, and that it would not be considered a failure to attend an in-state university. I would stress the fact for applying for every scholarship I'm elligible for, and don't be too relaxed on accepting whatever the student loan amount would total. When you get to college, be more open to dorm mates, people on your same floor. Use the Alaska card, everyone is fascinated about Alaska and it is the easiest ice breaker to meet new friends. College is the transition before arriving to your career, I would remind myself to enjoy every bit of it, no matter where I am. Meet as many people as you can, become Facebook friends, and do you best to keep in touch. College is exciting, so take it all in.

Make sure you order your books and supplies before school starts

Go to college now. You are smart, talanted and able to do anything. Pleasedo not wait till you are older to go back to school. With your drive and ambition, you can create the clean renewable energy your world needs. Get started now, do not wait until you get older. Thanks Jack! The world is watching.

Get a part-time job and SAVE YOUR MONEY! Using student loans to fully fund your college experience is not any effective way to go to college. Another thing, make sure to be involved in plenty of extracurricular activities. Get involved with the community, volunteer, this way, you get to know your community and probably encounter people who could possibly change your life.Lastly, and probably the hardest to do, concentrate on the bigger picture. The things that happen to you in high school, the good and the bad, really don’t matter in the long run. It is important to focus on your future, your career, and to not get caught up in the daily drama. It is really easy to get involved with the wrong crowd but if you keep what really matters in mind and focus on your goals, then you can easily avoid going down the wrong road. I am not saying to completely forgo a social life, I am saying to make sure that you avoid those people that can bring you down and emotionally (and sometimes physically) harm you. Have fun, you are young, but remember that high school doesn’t last forever.

In life there's no going back in time. But if there is and I'll go back in time and talk to myself about the good things and bad things. What I should do and shouldn't because now everything I did back then I am very embrassing myself. Because now I'm in college everything will change and I'm going to be in my own world and discover the excitment world. Everything I need to have those things now its really hard to find, because back then I didn't even think of anything. I was wasting my life, my time. Now thinking back it just hurting me. But now I'm on my way. I'm even stronger because this time I knew that I can do it. I'm not giving up.

I would tell myself to make copies of any reference letters I got for scholarships so that applying for future scholarships would be easier. I would also tell myself that even though it may seem like I have a large workload, to take it with a grain of salt and not stress out too much.

I wish I could have told myself to take high school more seriously. I wish I had gone straight to college after high school and completed my degree then.

If I could travel back in time and give myself some advice, I would tell myself the following things: •Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. •Do what makes your soul happy. •Set goals and work towards them. Do great things. •Make good choices. •Step outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of failure. •Opportunity looks like a hard work. •Get good grades. •Save money. Build good credit. •Travel far and travel often, because you may never get the chance to again. •Enjoy being young while it lasts. •Eat dinner at home. •First impressions are very important. •Take care of yourself. Remember to eat healthy and get plenty of sleep. •Learn to balance life, love, friends, school and work. •Don’t lose touch with good friends or teachers that made an impact in your life. •Make new friends, too. •Don’t take yourself too seriously. •Practice time management, there are only 24 hours in a day. •Be on time and punctual. •Volunteer. Give back. Pay it forward. Perform random acts of kindness. •Don’t wait for “real life” to start, it’s happening now. •Make time for your family. •Live, laugh, love and smile!

Every semester about a week into the start of classes, I never fail to pass by a group of students assessing the damage that the cost of books inflicted to their bank accounts. They usually compare the total damage and the one with the most devastation wins the sympathy of the group. It is horrible to witness. If I could give advice to my high school self it would be to take full advantage of being a student and look for ways to save money during college rather than waiting until after graduation. For instance, If at all possible, never buy a hard copy book. A little known fact is that most textbooks have a website, and on that website there is usually an electronic version of the book available to students. The e-book version of the very same hardcopy textbook is usually half of the regular price. Some sites even offer the option of renting the e-book, instead of purchasing the book outright. This option cuts the initial cost by another thirty to forty percent. In the past I have paid only $50 for a book that originally cost $250 and saved a bundle each semester!

I would sit down with two cups of coffee and tell myself, "things will get better. I'm not going to give you advice, but there are things I wish I knew a little sooner. Remember those girls who said you were stupid? Remember how many teachers patronized you because of your grades? Yeah, well, that doesn't matter. Grades aren't everything, but it's important to be both smart-working and hard-working. The people with the 'high' GPAs are considered to be the smartest in the shallow, self-righteous world of high school, but you're going to have a high GPA and a brain. You'll be practical scholar." "So, no advice? That's it, then." My former self seems confused. "Listen, you turn out okay -- great even. Really, without advice, you will find a way to thrive. I mean, look at me -- look at us." Before geting up to leave, I pay for both cups of coffee. "But, if you wanted some kind of advice.... I guess you could floss more."

I think overall high school is a time when people lose sight of what is important in life. Some lose sight of themselves, family, academics, or career goals. I seemed to lose sight of them all. Still, if I was only able to tell myself one thing I would tell myself that everything was going to be ok. While I know I should have strived to do better in school I think it was more important for to learn early on from my mistakes. During high school I did below average and I immediately began to struggle upon the start of college. However, this struggle only made me disappointed in previous lack of effort and pushed me to try harder in my academics. By working hard and staying determined I realized I can do anything I put my mind to. I just recently graduated with my Associates of Arts with a GPA of 3.7 and immediately moved over two thousand miles away to attend the college of my dreams, University of Alaska Anchorage. I will be starting as a junior in the fall of 2013 and will be working hard to obtain my Bachelor of Arts.

I would tell my high school self to enjoy my senior year. I would tell myself to have fun with my friends while we are all still together. I would encourage myself to apply to scholarships, but I would also advise myself to not stress out. Senior year is a time to enjoy. It is the last year where I will be with the same people and in a familiar place. I would tell myself to explore all of my college options, to not limit myself. I would tell myself to focus on my own goals, and to not worry about what everyone else is doing. I would tell myself to be proud of the decisions I made. I would tell myself that there are many ways to approach my college education, and all of the options are good. I would tell myself to make memories, to take advantage of every opportunity presented to me. Senior year is a time of transition from being a student to being and adult that is in control of my future. I would tell myself to be confident and know that I will make the right decision.

The best piece of advice that I could give my self is to really really narrow down what you birng. The dorms, not matter how much you think you can cram into them, are NOT that big. I was pretty well prepared for college as a whole I did a lot of asking around about it but I just wanted to bring all of my stuf with me. That didn't really work out very for me. I have barely enough space for all of my things and I have bought a lot since I came here. So even if you say you won't need to buy something because you brought it with you, I promise that you definitely will. Either that or you will buy something else.

I would advise myself to take as many AP courses as possible during my senior year. To enroll in college courses during my senior year and to work two to three jobs the summer preceding fall semester at the university. I would also advise myself to be fully aware of the pre-requisites for my profession to avoid having to take numerous useless courses. I would also advise myself to take summer courses to finish college early. Lastly, I would advise myself to enjoy the journey. Because it goes by very quickly.

Brad, I know that you want to be succesful with your career at Six Flags and attend Carthage next year. The next four years will be full of unexpected twists and turns, however your hard work will pay off. You will travel and live in places you never would dream that you would have and meet amazing people from all over the world as well as gain valuable experience in the business. However, this will not be because you are going to Carthage next year for school. If I could give you one piece of advice, opt for a cheaper alternative with Oakton and you will still be able to open up the doors to all the wonderful career opportunities without paying nearly as much for your first year of school. Carthage is a great school, but the way life will unfold it is not something that you will be able to afford to finish. Keep your eyes, ears, and options open. Always follow your heart: you may be surprised where it might lead you.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself that you'll make mistakes and thats okay. It's the best way we learn. If I were to tell myself that I'd save myself a lot of money and a better academic transcript if I woud just get serious. Depending on if younger me listened (which I probably wouldn't) I would have missed out on living is Hawaii for three years and the great memories/experiences I've gained in my life. I would make sure that I always be me and not change because it is what someone else wants. I'm greatful for the things i have overcome and the adult I have grown into. I may have a couple regrets but I wouldn't want to change me for anyone ever again.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self I would give myself on how to do better in school. In high school I was a procrastinator who did the bare minimum; ever since graduating I have been trying to change myself. I would start with advising myself about time management; how school is more important that work or spending time with friends. The next piece of advise would be ways to become more organized and how to incorporate these skills in all aspects of my life. My final tip to my past self would be useful study habits such as flash cards, study groups, planners, and note taking. This advice I feel would have helped my past self to become more successful.