University of Arizona Top Questions

Close your eyes and think of your 7-year-old self. What did you have the most fun doing? What subject or thing that you'd do did your classmates, teachers, or parents say you were good or a natural at? Do that thing now. Pick a major that lets you do that thing. Listen to me: you don't need to be a math, science or engineering major to be a successful person. Your major should interest you and reflect your passion, and guess what? You'll get better grades, be happier and more motivated to go to class if you're studying something you like. All teachers think their class is the most important one you have. Make them feel that it really is your top priority and they will give you a better grade. Go to their office hours. Look around their desk and try to figure out what makes them tick. Try to build rapport, show them respect, empathy and express an interest in their work. If they like you, they'll be more apt to give you higher scores. The circle of friends you invest in freshman year will follow you throughout college. Choose wisely.

If I was granted the opportunity to retreat back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself a lot of things.Knowing the stuff I know about college I would tell myself to give it all I got as college life is not easy not only educational but life wise. I would tell myself that college is where you must really wake up and learn how to appreciate and value the resources that my highschool provided me with. In highschool the guidance counselour helps you in the transition to college making it easy.But in college no one will care about you , you will be responsible for yourself, you're responsible for going to class and you're responsible for determining what future you want to have. Be responsible with your finances as you cannot depend solely on your parent to pay for college. You're parents may help you but you are responsible for finding the resources to fund your education. I would simply tell myself , you're walking into a new world where you're consider an adult , act like one and behave like one.

Hey Inyene, this is you; from the future. You're a freshman at UofA, a raging wildcat! You're going to love college so much. The energy at the football games is nothing like high school. There's a school dance literally every weekend. There are hundreds of clubs just waiting for you to join. Everything is there for you, you just have to take a risk and try it all out. You are not shy, you're bubbly and wonderful. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself or to crack a joke. See, in high school everything was structured so you were forced to make friends. In collge, everything is on you; so be proactive. Get involved because that's how you meet different people and expand your horizons. And lastly, you may be in a college prep program but college is different. Every point counts, every good grade is crucial. This is your future, a good GPA means a good grad school so don't slack off. Study during your breaks, go to every class, join study groups. Remember you're here to learn, to one day make the world a better place. You can do it.

As a high school senior it is hard to fathom the transition to finally begin college. It has always been a dream of yours to go the University of your choice, but there is advice you must follow to be more successful than where you stand now. Yes, you have made accomplishments but that does not mean stop when life’s barley beginning. As a senior you need to set goals that will be accomplished before starting the University. Do many scholarship searches as possible and make a list of them all to complete before you graduate. Do not get lazy and feel the need that you are done because you still have college to complete then you can feel accomplished. I also recommend that you take Calculus before you start the University because it will help with your major later on. I advise you to take AP classes instead of IB; I’m telling you they are accredited college courses. Go out and do community service, and try out for the track team, I know you want to it’s your last year. Don’t let the sky be the limit, and be active for a better college experience.

I would advice myself to be more responsible, to play the sport I like without being scared of what others think of me. Another advice would be to be more involved in educational programs that high school offers. I would advice myself to be more organized with my time, to be a better student and classmate.

If I were to go back in time and give myself advice about transitioning to college, I would give myself reassurance. Every kid, whether he or she shows it or not, is scared to death when moving out for the first time. Freedom and uncertainty becomes one’s best friend; however, fear holds one back. With uncertainty comes infinite potential, both for good and bad. Even though every wonderful opportunity is placed before us, it is our tendency to focus on the bad—what could go wrong—and fear it, when in reality unfortunate turn-of-events are only half the equation. One is able to sway which direction the pen will fall, and it all depends on our attitude, devotion and work ethic. I spent a little too much time afraid, holding myself back for fear of failure, when, although I never failed, I never really succeeded in some social aspects either. That’s an important lesson I’ve learned and that college has helped me overcome.

Past me- I have a few nuggets of wisdom that I would like to bestow upon you about college. 1) You will be shocked at how much easier it is socially. 2) You are not as grown up as you think. All your life, you were told that at "X" point in your life, there won't be anyone there to hold your hand and help you anymore. In previous "X" points that you reached, you realized that wasn't true. This time, however, it's very true. You are completely responsible for yourself now. My advice is simple. Manage your time- ensure that everything is finished by the deadline. Luckily, when you fail to get things done on time, there's no manhunt for your assignment. Instead, there is a grade drop. 3) Don't overcommit yourself. Two jobs and a full load of credits probably wasn't your brightest idea. Neither was taking nothing but electives your first semester leaving you with two math classes and a lab this semester. Plan your classes carefully. 4) If you take nothing else away from this advice, at least remember this: Don't underestimate the scorn of the financial aid office.

There is only one piece of advice I would give my high school self, and that is to believe in yourself. I spent a lot of my highschool years thinking that I wasn't smart enough. I would slack on my assingments, and my teachers knew I had the brain I just never applied it. Once I got to college everything changed, there was no one behind my back telling me my potential. It was now up to me to discover what I could accomplish. I restored faith in myself, I told myself I could do anything I put my mind to. I pushed myself more, stayed up late and stayed in most weekends. I put in the work and blew myself away. My first semester college GPA was a 3.7, and in high school I barely graduated with a 3.0. I was upset with myself, wishing that if I only would have believed in myself and pushed myself a little further how much farther I could have gone. I would tell my high school self to learn to be proud and know that you really can do anything you put your mind to.

"Hi! It's you from the future, lets chat. I'd like to start off by saying I'm proud of you and how hard you have been working now and will work in the future, but there are a few things you need to know that will benefit our sucess in the future. You did a great job with the college transition, joining a sorority and working hard to create relationships with a broad spectrum of people, but you cannot forget about the importance of maintaing a healthy body which effects your school work. I know that it is fun to go out to partys and stay up late, but these things take a toll on your health which affect the quality of work you produce. Too many times will you sleep though your 8am because you were too tired and as a result you will recieve an 89.1. Not a fun grade to have, so try and remember there will always be another party. Focus on eating right, mom and dad are not there to feed you any more, a healthy diet is essential to maintain mental and physical wellness. Just stay healthy."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to live in the moment. During my high school years, I always stressed out about the future. From the day I walked into high school, I began envisioning what my life would be like out of high school. I began to set goals for myself of where I wanted to attend. However, looking back, even just a semester into college, I’ve realized how important it is to live in the moment and enjoy myself. In high school, I feel like I’ve spent countless hours just worrying and worrying rather than appreciating my high school life. Although it is important to work hard in high school, it is also important to have fun and do things you love. School is not everything. Family, friends, and hobbies need to be properly balanced out as well. Now that I am in college, I’ve learned how important it is to have fun and enjoy all the wonderful opportunities around me. It’s not only made me a stronger and better character, but also a happier one as well.