University of Arizona Top Questions

I did not attend college right out of high school. I married my high school sweet-heart, when I was 19, right after he joined the Army and I would do it over again in a heartbeat. My first thought on advice I would give my high school self was to go to college right out of high school and stick with it until you receive a degree. But then I started thinking about my past life experiences and I decided to change my answer for this question. I decided I would not tell myself anything. The truth is, I did not know what I wanted to do right out of high school. It took my life experiences to show me what I am destined to do with my life. If it wasn't for my life experiences, struggles and mistakes made along the way, I would not know what I know now. I have learned to care for and to understand people. Life has taught me to expect nothing and appreciate everything. So to answer this question, it would simply be to know that you can do anything you put your mind to and when the time is right.

Honestly my biggest piece of advice to myself would be to not double major. I am currently pursuing both a business and music performance degree and a lot of the time I’m not sure the music degree is worth it. While I love music and playing my instrument the classes are so hard and more work than anything else I have ever taken part in, which on its own isn’t a problem, but it keeps me from giving my full attention to business. If there was a way I could convince myself to just minor in music then I would do everything I in my power to do just that. It’s not because it’s just a boat load of work with two majors, it’s just the music program specifically. Studying music theory takes the magic out of casual listening to every day music. If I could, I would save myself from analyzing everything I listen to.

I was most concerned about being away from my family. I wish I could have told myself that the transition away from home is easier than I originally thought. Being away from home I still get homesick, but after I talk to my family for awhile, I realize that I am in a spot in life where I have a lot of freedom as well as have minimal responsibilites and I should be enjoying it, not worrying all the time about missing my family. Don't get me wrong, I miss them like crazy, but I wish I had known that the transition is not as scary than I thought.

As a senior in high school I believed my college plans would work themselves out. I was accepted to the University of Wisconsin Waukesha and had my mom by my side as I signed up for my first semester of classes. Then all I had to do was wait for school to start. Looking back and assessing those first two years, I wish I could tell my senior self to take matters into my own hands. Transitioning into college meant putting my big girl pants on, and not being so dependent on my parents throughout my educational career. I’ve learned that I cannot depend entirely on others to plan my classes and manage the time required to succeed as a student. As I’m only halfway through college, I can already see that I’ll still be learning well past college graduation, and it is up to me to remain organized and figure out what is next for me. Making my own decisions would have helped that transition into college be an experience of adventure and a journey on my own. After all, college is the first step in life to maturing into an independent.

I would tell myself to always follow your heart and never make a regretable decision. The decision was made for a reason.

Dear high school self, I know that right now you can't wait to graduate and college is the furthest thing from your mind. It is okay to take some time off to figure out what you want to do. But make sure that you go back to school. Don't give up on your dreams to help other people. While college may seem like a daunting task, make sure you hold your head high. Don't try to blend in and be invisible. Be the person that I know you can be, kind and outgoing. This will make the transition easier and you will make friends who will always be there for you. Enjoy this time because it will go by quickly. Become active in the college community, this will help you to make connections that will benefit you in the future.

I would tell myself that family is more important than you think. Your parents do so much for you that you will soon appreciate. College is harder than you expected, so get ready for some all nighters studying. You are WAY more capable than you think you are. Your GPA average by the time you are a junior will be a 3.7 and you will have been invited to the national society of colleigate scholars. You will drift away from your friends, but thats okay because you have made smarter decisions than they have. Your career choice will soon become your obsession. You are going to do whatever it takes to get into the best Occupational Therapy program. You will be doing brainwave research, and you will be learning and understanding things that you never thought you would have even encountered. You are a great person and an outstanding student. Your college self will show you that.

If I could give myself advice my senior year of high school to prepare myself for college, I would tell myself to be outgoing in my classes. The first few weeks of classes are great for getting to know people because nobody wants to be the person sitting in an hour and fifteen minute class alone. I tend to be shy and quiet when I am in overwhelming situations such as the first couple weeks of college, so I didn't make any new friends my first semester of my freshman year. But my second semester I wasn't so nervous because I already had one semester under my belt. On the first day of each class, I introduced myself to at least two people in every class. The people that I introduced myself to those first days were the people that I talked to every class and studied with before exams. If I had made friends in my classes my first semester, I probably would have enjoyed going to my classes much more and done better as I did my second semester.

The best advice I would give myself would be to explore more major options. Now I’m heading into my junior year and I’m unsure of my major. It is crazy but I wish I would have looked into med school and careers more before deciding on one thing so quickly. I still fear that I won’t like my career in the future, but my plan is to return to school if that is the case. My roommate of 2 years has changed her major 3 times and it has made me doubt mine. I wish I would have looked into volunteering, interning, and researching my major prior to going to school.

College is typically the natural progression after graduating high school. I, on the other hand, had other plans. I took two years off. Although I eventually made it to college, I would tell my high school self not to be afraid. After I graduated I had no interest in attending college, at least that is what I told myself. I tried to convince myself that it was not for me. I was unsure of myself and my abilities. I was lost and confused. Ultimately, I gave into my fears. I turned my back on school. Now I would tell myself never let fear get in the way of living your life. It is alright to be uncertain but it is not alright to give up. I know that you are scared, but you cannot afford to waste your time. You have plenty of resources; you just have to take advantage of them. You are not alone. Thousands of students are just as lost as you are. You will never know how great you can be if you do not try. Do me a favor, just make one appointment with your advisor and I promise you will not regret it.