University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

When thinking about college listen to others who have gone. If going far away realize that you can't come home every once in awhile, so I feel it's best to be involved. Being a rugby player I feel like I have another family , but realize that if I didn't play a sport I would like to be closer to home. It's nice to sleep in your own bed and be pampered once in awhile. Being away makes you grow up and take on more responsibility, which in the long run can only help. Thisa is something so you always keep that in the back of your mind.

I would tell myself that it is important to get involved in student activities. It was overwhelming for me because there were too many chocies, but I wish I had done more volunteer work and other activites that interest me. And if you do not find anything your first year make sure to keep looking the next years. It is important to be involved and get interships and other activities that can be put on an application. That way you stay active and are more likely to say on track with schoolwork and get a balance in your life. Berkeley can be overwhelming, but it is important to stay focused and self motivated to do what is best for yourself.

I would tell myself to be okay with a grade less than an A. I would tell myself to be honest with people and to always remember to ask questions of those you meet. I would tell myself that there are more important things in life than grades; namely, people. I would tell myself to be honest with myself and to be direct with people. I would tell myself to not get too stressed but rather to do consistently well instead of attempting to be stellar at the end. I would tell myself to take a deep breath and relax when needed. I would tell myself to admit when I'm wrong and to try to make amends. I would tell myself that I need people in my life and that one must reach out to others. I would tell myself that not all professors know what they're talking about. I would tell myself that it's all right when people are smarter than me. Most importantly, though, I would tell myself not to forget to take care of people who drink a little too much at parties or who are lonely and miss home as much as me.

I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that I am given. Be thankful for the things that you are given. Work hard for the things that you want and be willing to put in the work and effort to get them. No one is going to come up to you and just hand you what you want.

I would tell myself to take it a little easy and just learn how to prioritize my time and balance everything out. Don't procrastinate, just take things as they come and everything will work out well and smoothly.

College is an extension of school. It is supposed to be a place where you continue to explore areas you are interested in-and that's the key. Don't overload yourself on AP credits (i.e. AP Bio, Chem, Physics in one year) because if that really is your interest, you have to retake it all anyway once you get to college because if you major in one of those areas, the AP credit does not count. Relax some more while in high school, hang out with friends, do more activities. A Pre-med and double major path in college does not allow for much leisure time. Recognize that in high school, and relax a little but stay focused. Also start looking a bit more at what you want to do. With budget cuts, there is less room to explore in college before deciding (at least for most people, due to financial). Basics of it is to relax more, think ahead, and be focused. Work hard, play hard, because after college, it's time to hit the real world.

Stay focused. Do not catch "senioritis" -- it will bite you once you are in college. You need to keep up with an academically-rigorous structure, otherwise you will have a difficult time re-focusing yourself once in college. Develop not just good study habits, but fool-proof ones. Learn not just what you need to study, but how your own mind studies best. Learn how to manage your stress because I can guarantee you that there will be days where you will feel it most. Score high on those AP tests because taking those same courses in college sucks.

I would tell myself to relax a little more and just remember to study and write lists to remember all the things I have to do. It is really mportant to divide your time well.

I would tell myself to take a year off and figure out what direction I really want to head into before just jumping into college. Take a break first before just starting more school. Have fun and take up every opportunity that you can because college is the best years of your life and you should be learning what you need to know for your profession aftwerward. That will make studying a passion rather than an obligation. Make sure your school campus is right for you and always consider alternative options with your living situation. Joining a club or a sport would be beneficial with meeting new people but a big time commitment so weight your options and wants. This is why taking a year off before college is so good. You can learn yourself and your want better and make a more comprehensive plan to follow and aim towards. I felt so unprepared with what I wanted to study and am still conflicted even though it's time for me to declare. Take classes that really interest you and shop around. Taking what comes may be easy but it's not worth the time and money you spend.

Don't take Chem! Unless you love watching balloons explode in class - trust me, it gets old after a while. And bring a lot of vitamin C because you're will get sick living with in a little dorm and sharing a bathroom with an entire floor of college students. HAVE FUN!!