University of Arkansas at Little Rock Top Questions

Dear 25 year old Lisa Marie, Hi Lisa-Marie! If you are reading this, it is because I wrote myself a letter and sent it back in time to give myself advice about college life and becoming an adult. By the way, you age beautifully! My advice to myself is as follows: 1) UNDERSTAND STUDENT LOANS AND DEBT...this is a biggie!!! 2)RELAX once and awhile, enjoy yourself a little bit, it's ok! 3)TAKE CLASSES YOU LOVE and will want to do in the future. 4)SUCK

Michelle, major in what it is that you want to major in. You are the one that has to be happy and enjoy the field that you are in, let no one change your mind.

If I could turn back the hands of time, I would tell my high school self to focus on school and graduating. It is ok to party and attend social functions, but not let it consume and distract you from the main purpose of being in college to earn a degree. College is also a place where you will meet many new and exciting people. If you aren’t ready to be away from friends and family, then pick a school close to home. If you are the adventurous type then travel across the states to go to school. Most importantly have fun, while setting the groundwork for your life. It’s ok to be undecided on what your major will be and it’s also ok to change that major more than once. Remember you enter college as a child, but leave as an adult.

I would tell myself to be prepared, and that procrastination isn't my bestfriend, that I need to be prepared and ready for anything the professors throw at me. To know that I can do it, and that I'm strong enough to make it. That the classes, are challenging and nothing is going to be easy or handed to me. That I need to use a planner to keep things organized ad straight and rember to now wait to the last minute. That high school and college are two differnt enviroments that I can't compare, and I need to be ready and disciplined because it you're not ready college can either be a good thing or a bas one. It depends on how you handle it, you need to be responsible, and trustworthy in collefe and know what your doing.

It's really not as hard as you think. Yeah, you do have to study a little more, but it's actually fun because its what you want to study. Its okay to take a couple years off if you want to, but I promise that you will love it! There are so many awesome people to get to know and you can always have a few more friends. The opportunities ahead are amazing and no matter what, your instructors and other class mates will be there for you if you need them so don't ever hesitate to ask. There are no lockers so you have to carry your books around, unless you get to campus early everyday and get a good parking spot, that way you can just leave your books in your car and exchange them out between classes. Well, good luck. Hope all goes well, I'm proud of you!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school student I would off top say to take school more serious. Take the advantage at getting an education while it is free. Nothing hurts more that knowing you may not reach your dreams because of money issues. A high ACT score and GPA gives you more opportunities. Sports are fun but don't let them consume your life. Nothing is promised and sports can only get you so far. When picking a school, weigh out your options. Go where you want to go! Have faith in yourself and stay positive. God will help you get through the struggles. Never doubt yourself. Sometimes you want to give up but you have to stay strong. Do alot of research on colleges you are intrested in and fill out every scholarship you can. Never give up I have faith in you, I have faith in us.

I would tell myself as a high school senior several things. First, I would tell myself to go straight through school for as long as possible without working. Many of the things I thought were important then (such as clothes, music, etc.) are not nearly as important in hindsight. An education will be important for a lifetime, and the older you get with more responsibilities, the harder it is to balance. Second, keep a record of grades and accomplishments because you forget and will need them on your resume. Do community service. Your community is in need of educated service members and your gifts. The lives you touch just by being a positive influence are priceless, and you may never be aware of all the lives that you influence, but trust that you did as many will say later to others outside of your hearing range. These may even be people that you do not remember, but that remember you. Third, follow your heart and pick a major you love. Never do something just for the money. If you don't like it, you won't be able to do it well enough to see the money.

If I could go back and give myself advice it would be that life after high school gets better. My senior year of high school was rough. My junior year, I moved to a school that promoted creativity and individuality. During my senior year, I was figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be in the future. Unfortunately, there were a few girls in my class that did not agree with me. They made my senior year, a year that was supposed to be special, into a very tough year. I didn’t want to go to class for fear of what they would do/say and I couldn’t sleep due to stress. The fun and excitement that were supposed to go along with graduating just weren’t there. During my freshman year of college, I found like minded people. I made new friends and found a place where I belonged. The bullying that I had suffered no longer had control over my life. I’d love to go back in time and tell myself that life gets better, and that there is no reason to allow bullies to stifle the person you want to be.

For women, never wear HIGH HEELS! That obviously makes you a freshmen because the campus is very big! Always have an umbrella, especially during the fall semester! And never wear pajamas. It is very tacky! Also, get involved with on-campus organizations. It's a good way to get the experience you need and learn different things about opportunities and scholarships.

I would have told myself to not worry about dating and keep your head in your books. Also keep my grades up and go to all my classes.

I would tell myself not to worry and stress as much about my act scores or where to attend school. College life is all about self motivation and worrying about scores or places did not help my situation.

I have given the same speech for two years and I'm not sure if people listen during orientation. "REALIZE THAT COLLEGE IS NOT HIGH SCHOOL, THE OBJECTIVE IS TO OBTAIN YOUR DEGREE." Your teachers are not going to baby you in college. You need to do your work and attend your classes. You also should keep copies of every single assignment you have until the end of the semester. It's always sad seeing students during grade appeals. PAY ATTENTION TO THE SYLLABUS!!! The syllabus outlines everything you need to know for the semester. If you don't understand something or need help let your professor know the first day. HAVE FUN!!! College is a learning experience. Have fun and don't be afraid to take chances. This is the time where you learn more about yourself and are molded into the person you were meant to be. If you don't know what you want to do, it's okay. Take something you like to figure it out. While you do that, make sure to take your core classes as well.

At the time I was a senior I was focused on going to college instead of actually worrying about the financial difficulties. Therefore I missed out on academic scholarships at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The more you apply for the higher the chance you have of actually getting a scholarship that could help you financially in college. I would also tell myself to try to get in as many community service hours as you possible can because colleges look at how many hours you actually have. If I could go back I would surely make a great deal of changes so that I wouldn't have missed out on so many opportunities.

If I could go back to my senior high school self I'd have to say that I would only tell myself to keep my chin up. The reason I would not give myself any words of advice is because who knows what that would change in my current life whether for bad or for good. No, I would keep my mouth closed and allow myself to experience all the craziness that comes with enrolling in college. Without making a mistake or two along the way nobody learns anything. I think it's fair to say that even with the warnings from older siblings and my mom I still ignored them when they said college would be different. Life is always about learning. No matter how young or old you keep learning all the way up until you kick the bucket. So again I say I would not tell my past self anything about the future in college so that I would still learn on my own all over again.

Pam you better go to college right now. It is very important to your career and how much income you will make. Always pick something you are interested in. If you don't like what you study you will be trapped in a job you hate going to day after day. Worse than that you may decide to go into a totally different direction and not be able to get ahead as fast as you may have if you had studied it in college. There may be people trying to influence you not to study as you should, so that you can go out with your friends and have fun. There will always be times for that but you also need to set aside some time for your studies. If you have it planned out and know exactly when you are going study you will have something to tell your friends. They will understand as they are there to learn too. When you have achieved your goal you will feel a sense of acomplishment.

"Dana, college is serious business! My strong advice to you is to not start drinking and partying as soon as you get there. You have time to experience all the fun stuff. Also, I strongly encourage you to wait to have children. I got pregnant my 1st semester in college and left at the end of my second semester. I am just returning to college after being a single mother for 6 years. The freedom to choose is enticing and can be overwhelming, but the ability to stay focused is much more rewarding. As a mother of 2 now, I am aware that my time is valuable. I believe that if I would've waited to have kids a little longer I may already have a degree and a well paying job. I don't regret my choices because they made me an amazing woman, today. I am just advising you to be conscious and continue your education now while it's fresh and oportune. You'll be just fine and I have every confidence that you'll succeed in your next endeavors! Keep motivated, good Luck and God Speed."

Advice to My High School Self By: Sarah J. Cook If given the opportunity to advise my high school self about future obstacles and life in college, I would encourage the joining or forming of a study group to both further the development of interpersonal relationships and gain a better understanding of the material through the different perspectives and opinions of the other members. The forming of a study group would serve not only a social and academic function; it would promote the development of life skills such as organization, self-and group- motivation, leadership, and cooperation. In addition, I would also caution myself against conflicts between attitude and assigned work. Regardless of how an assignment personally affects me, it is more important that it be completed and done to the best of my abilities. I would give myself encouragement that even if it seem that everything was closing in on me, things would get better. I’d remind myself that whether or not I believe it at the time, there are many people out there rooting for me to succeed. I would also thank my parents for giving me the ability to be self-reliant.

Stay at home and not try the dorm life!!

Name brand degrees cost more for a reason. If you already know what you want to do with your degree, then a cut-rate or off-brand degree might be sufficient. However, if you are ambiguous about where you are going with your professional career, then having a name-brand degree plays into your advantage, as people will recruit you on the sole basis of having completed a specific program at a certain university. Consider the marginal mark-up of designer colleges to be the cost of doing business in order to obtain a marketable skill from a reputable institution. Also, employers look for participation in collegiate level organizations. It is in your best interest to involve yourself in these programs, specifically programs that cater to honor students.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior I would tell myself to be more open and make new friends and not just stick with the ones I know from high school. I would also tell myself to get ready for the change because college is not like high school and you have to put more effort into your work and not do just enough just to get by.