University of Arizona Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give myself advice I would tell not to be afraid of stepping out and furthering my education. I would explain how beneficial it would be for me to go to college and how much it would help me to grow into a respectable adult. I would also let myself know that regardless of my fears about not being able to pass the classes, that college is possible and that I was able to pass college level classes. I would go back in time and help myself to understanding that I was and are capable of a lot more than I thought. Another good thing to explain would be how to manage money and time well. Most importantly, I would teach myself to learn how to study correctly because that can be very important in every class. College has been a vital piece of my life and my growing up. It has taught me to manage money, interact with others, be responsible, punctual, and hardworking. In fact, if I could go back in time, I would want to go back and encourage others to attend college as well.

Stay focused! There will be distractions, wether they come in the form of guys, jobs, morning sickness or babies, stay focused. Don't forget who you are, you have talents and knowledge that need to be shared with those who surround you, don't be afraid to be different. Love yourself, for once you can love yourself it's easier to love those around you. Last but not least, don't give up, things will be hard but that's what makes them worth it when you finish, the Lord never said it would be easy he only said it would be worth it.

Thankfully, because I have two older brothers that have gone to college before me, I knew how important it was to become involved with clubs and make new friends when I entered the university, which is an essential part of adjusting to college. Therefore, if I could go back in time and tell my high school self anything, I would focus on the change in the structure of classes at the university instead. I would definitely recommend going to office hours to ask questions and understand the material more deeply, as intimidating as it might seem at first. I would also tell myself to study for weeks in advance before a test, since grades depend heavily on tests in college, and since many test weeks overlap. Finally, I would tell myself to calm down. College is fun, so let it be fun! Don't worry about not being accepted, because everyone is very friendly, and there are so many clubs and events that connect similar personalities together, if you just look for them.

Perspective and Realism jacob: You are the last person I ever thought would be telling me this. JACOB: It’s something you need to hear. It’s not every day that you get a glimpse into the future. jacob: But why now? What changed? JACOB: I’m not saying you have to change, just that you need to be reminded of what actually constitutes reality. Eventually you get to a point in life where things aren’t so… attainable. You pride yourself on being a realist. jacob: I am! It’s the one thing that has kept me out of trouble all these years. JACOB: And also what has left you inexperienced! You will change when you suddenly realize that the aspirations and ambitions you once had in high school, under someones wing rather than out in the cold, when life was easy, dreaming… are easier idealized than realized. jacob: I’m not completely vulnerable... Jacob: Don’t be naïve, just understand. You’ve never been good at open mindedness, or even tolerance of other perspectives than your own. All I’m saying is be prepared, and focus, embrace the real world. I once thought I was invincible too.

There is stress from the tangible. Exams, paper deadlines, or relationship woes; we all have matters to balance. Stress from the unknown, the unfamiliar is simply wasted energy. We fear what is foreign, but when we don't know what something has to offer, what tides we may be forced to combat, then the fear is only holding us back. Don't fear college. The immensity of college is strangely concealed. It's easy to get lost in attending classes and then heading back to your dorm to study or waste away with Netflix. For some reason, this seems hectic. Don't be deceived by this. There is more to uncover. We all have a niche, and maybe high school didn't support one, but I promise that college will. You just need to be willing to find it. The truth is, college will grow into a safe haven. Living on your own like an adult, but still being under the financial blanket of your parents is ideal. This doesn't last forever. It shouldn't. Once you graduate, what you spent your time doing here will dictate what you spend doing for the rest of your life. Remember that.

Don't live with who you did your freshman year. Don't waste your time, and get all your homework done.

If I could go back in time I would first say "Way to go Carley! Who thought you could do so well". I would, however, tell myself that the transition would be harder than I think and to not let little things get in my way. I would warn myself that my medical conditions would continue to get worse to try to prepare myself. The last thing I would tell myself is to not let medical conditions and family issues get in the way of my goals and dreams in life which includes doing well in school. "Good luck Carley, I know you'll be just fine!".

If I could talk to my previous high school self, my initial thought would be to tell him to get into college immediately after graduating, but that is not what I would tell him. The only reason I started attending college is because of the life I lived after high school. Through my life experiences of working and living in the adult world, I discovered a new motivation for life. When I re-entered school I was a different person with bigger goals and the drive to achieve them. Without experiencing life as I did, I would not have studied this hard or cared so much about my future. Therefore, if given the opportunity to visit my previous self I would hug him, tell him to have fun and live, and when the time is right you will know what to do, because I did.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take school more seriously. Attack every class as if it were the most important class in my life. Take more time to not just study, but to actually learn and understand what you are studying. Good study habits are crucial to success in college. You will be better off on day one by applying those study habits as if they are part of your daily routine. Also make sure you complete your homework and study before you do anything else. Getting together with friends, playing video games, should be a reward for the job well done studying and completing your homework. That way, when you transition to college life, where nobody is there to tell you to study, you will get off to a good start. Because we all know how hard it is to bring your grades up after not doing well early on.

The number one advice I would give myself is taking scholarships very seriously. College is not cheap and there are numerous fees you are required to pay for. Applying for scholarships will not only save you a lot of money, but you will be able to use your money for other important necessities. Another important aspect I would tell my high school self is to utilize my time wisely and to learn to stop procrastinating. In college, depending on your schedule, you may have free time in between classes. This is the time to do any homework that may be due, or study for any quizzes or tests. Time is everything and procrastinating in college not only will cause you to lose sleep time, but stress you out for all the homework you may have to do. Ultimately, just learning to stay focused and prioritizing your time right will cause starting college an easy transition.