University of Arizona Global Campus Top Questions

Given the opportunity to speak to myself as a high school senior about campus life I would reinforce opportunities present and future. As the senior version of myself I realize that the opportunities of friendships, relationships are unique as a college freshman; I would reinforce to my younger version the need to enjoy and cherish the campus fun life withoug comprimising other opportunities. Friendship and study opportunities like attending study sessions, forming study groups, and developing relationships centered aroung school work are the major misses that I experienced in my younger college years. As a senior version, I would help my junior version understand the campus learning opportunities as well. As a first generation undergraduate student I did not fully comprehend the goal of achieving a Bachelors degree; because I did not understand I did not set goals to maximize the opportunity of attaining a degree at the low cost when compared to future finaicial and opportunity costs. Learning and developing without the burdens of full-time work, and fatherhood was limited and unique to my first two years of college. I would help my younger version understand the importance of seting goals to maximize learning, friendship, and educational opportunities.

The advice that I would give is decide early what your career goals are in life, but not just what you like doing but also look at the job openings and decide for a career that is in demand and also that you would like to work in.

If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be to not wait to finish my college education. The single biggest mistake I made was to drop out of college after one year and put off my return as an adult student. Another four years of college after high school seemed to be such a long time when I was eighteen; however as I have learned four years is nothing compared to the rest of your life. The idea of taking out student loans to fund my education was very intimidating back then as well, and I did not qualify for grants since my parents made too much money. Looking at the larger picture I can clearly see now as an adult that taking those loans out back then and finishing my education would have already paid for itself, and more than likely I would already have had those loans paid back in full. Hindsight really is 20/20. This is the advice I would give my eighteen year old self if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior.

Don't wait until you're in your 40's to get a Bachelor's Degree! Find out while you are in high school what you would be good at and focus on a goal and direction. Don't let your parents ruin your future because they don't believe in you. Learn to dream and go for it!!

To constantly stay on top of going to college and not let any semesters or classes slip away so that I can finish on time.

Go to college once you graduate. If you try and convince yourself that giving yourself a little time before going to college is best for you, I would advise that it is not. Many things can change in such a small amount of time. Opportunities change and life can take a full 180 degree circle and spit you out the other way. Education first, career later. With college knowledge behind you, more career opportunities could be available. Don't procrastinate on school work and keep a time-managed schedule to be on top of things. Study in moderation rather than cramming all at once. Participate in school activities and which could teach you many life lessons and are great for meeting new people and experiencing new things. Live life with a straight and focused mind to lead your in all sorts of awesome directions and opportunities.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice on college life, I would tell myself to go with the degree which my gut told me to do since I was a little girl. I doubted myself and finished an Associates Degree in Accounting although since I can remember, I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I could have been done with my degree already if I did not take a detour. I would have also told myself to be prepared for juggling multiple things at once. I got married and am having my second daughter in a couple of months. College life is challenging, especially when you are trying to balance a family life, but I put my mind to it and I am getting it done. I would just reassure myself to put my priorities in order and finish what I have started. Lastly, I would just tell myself to never give up. Education is so important and I hope to be a great example to my daughters that you can do anything that you put your mind to.

I would have to tell parents or students to check out the colleges alumni. Make sure that they are all using their degree to the best of their ability. If they are you will know that this college inspires the students to be all they can be with what they will learn. It will also prove that the college has a great track record for helping the students retain the knowledge they receive in their classes.

I believe that if you plan ahead and apply for as many scholarships as possible you can succeed. Parents push your children to start school early and to pay attention to their GPA and their grades it will make a world of difference.

Make sure to figure in all immpossible cost because they will come up. Be frugal with your extracirrcular activities the first year in order to adjust to the chnage. Make friends with your academic advisor because they can be so much help when noone else seems to care. Be truthful when dealing with your professors no matter what. Make the most of your breaks. Rest at least one day of the week. If you work keep expenses down and after paying for expense pay everything you can with the remaining financial aid money you have left before anything else.