University of California-Davis Top Questions

As I was making my college decision, I thought I needed to pick the "right" school. I wanted to feel something click between me and the school to let me know, "this is it." But I never had that feeling, and I eventually just picked a school. I now believe this feeling can actually become dangerous if it alone determines the campus you select. College is less about the school, and more about what you make of wherever you are. Of course you want a good education, but you could attend the top school in the world and gain nothing. So do not worry about picking the "right" school. Rather concern yourself with finding a good school, and then work to make your experience what you desire. Reach outside of yourself to make new friends, keeping in mind you can forge lifelong relationships. Focus on your classes, and give your academics your best, for they are incredibly important, but remember they comprise only part of your experience. Involve yourself in clubs and activities where you can meet people you share interests with. Your choices at school, not the college itself, determine the quality and character of your experience.

Approach people! Chances are, your friend of six years may not be going to the same college as you will be attending. Perhaps not even a third of your friends will be seeing you ever again. So what are your options? Sit in your dorm room going online all day and ruining your eyesight or going out and meeting new people who may potentially be your best man or woman at your wedding a few years down the road. This is not to say that you should cut off connections with old friends, but to say that this is college and you will need someone to spend time with; whether it is studying for the next midterm or working out at the gym. Try to meet as many people as possible; get their phone numbers and invite them to lunch or even dinner. Do not be scared of being friendly and asking for phone numbers because they know that while you are a stranger, you are a stranger attending the same college. No one will think you are out of the ordinary because deep down, they, too, have the same goal; to avoid being lonely on their upcoming birthday.

Take risks, apply to schools with full knowledge of your capability and to which locales you feel comfortable with. Do you like the city or the small college town experience? Ask yourself if you will be motivated in a comeptitive environment or learn better in a less stressed student body.

The first piece of major advice I would give to myself would be to know that the school that I attend will not be leaving so it is important for me to take my time and do things effectively not just doing to rush and be out. I also would take into consideration of majoring in what most interest me, even if it were music and knowing that no matter what major you major in you can still successfully get yourself into a great Medical School. Another very important piece of advice I would give myself would be to maximize all campus opportunities and help around you. There are so mnay different campus resources that people do not know about, but it would be important to set myself up with a mentor to help guide me through my steps at least for my first 2 years in college. The last piece of advice I would give myself would be to never doubt myself and realize that I am not going through college alone and have family that fully supports me so it is very important to talk about things and never go through anything alone!

If I went back in time to give myself advice about college life and making the transistion, I would first tell myself that community college is a great decision, but that I should go straight into a four year college instead. I did a couple years at a community college and I liked it a lot, but I feel that the transition into a four year college was a lot more difficult from a community college.

?Education? at the University level is unlike any prior conceptual connotation of the term. Sure, there are still Mathematics and Literature, History and Social Sciences, but the purpose of ?Education? in college evolves from the universals of high school to focusing on individual development and understanding. This is where you will discover who you are; this is where the identity you will carry for the rest of your life is formed and perfected. Don?t hold yourself back. Don?t anticipate or assume you already know who you are and most importantly, be open to change. Pursue any and all trades you deem worthy, allow your passions to develop, and allow new interests entry into your ever-growing identity. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable, be ready to learn, jump over boundaries and meet as many people as you can. Each and every experience you partake in will become a part of you ? don?t be scared of the bad and make sure to embrace the good. These are the years in which you will learn to define who you are as an individual and determine your role in the society around you.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not worry about what other people think. Everyone makes mistakes, and no matter how hard one tries, they're still going to happen. It's all a matter of getting back up and carrying on. Having the confidence to take actions, even if some are embarassing, is something people won't ague with. I would also suggest to get out there and get plugged into the community, to engage with people and not be afraid but be bold.

Study more and actually learn the material. Actually read the books.

If I could go back to high school and give advice to myself I would tell myself to work harder and do more activities after school. Since I did not try hard enough during high school and did not enjoy my high school years so much; I had many regrets when I went to college. I would tell myself to have better time management. I have many troubles with time management during college, if I start practice it during high school, that will helps me a lot during college. I would tell myself to study and pay attention in class during high school, because I did not study or pay attention in class so when I went to college, there are many things that I supposed to know but I did not have any clue. There are many more advices that I could do to help the transition to college life easier for me and for everyone.

I would have told myself to look into all scholarship options. I felt that there wasn't enough time to look into scholarship information. Now I understand how financially straining university life is especially since my parents were not able to help fund my education. I would have also taken resume seminars to help ensure career employment after graduation.

Dear Alice, This is a letter from the cuture you. Now you are a high school senior, and you are uncertain about your future. Choose UC Davis, you will make a lot of friends and find yourself becoming mature there. Do not worry about the acne problem and your weight; your face will clear up in sophomore year in college, and you will lose weight next summer. You might gain a little bit weight again, but it is okay, you will lose weight again. If you meet guys named Daniel and David, do not date them.Both are hearbreakers. Date the guy named Norman, he is the love of your life. You will have an amazing experience with him. Study. That is what makes you success in the future. Actually, study a lot even though you might not want to sometime. At the end, it will be rewarding. Future Alice.

I would advise myself that the workload is a lot more challenging and heavy; so, be ready to study extra hard. If you want to make friends and get connected, then you have to get out there. You can't just sit around waiting for someone to come to you or wait on someone else to take you. If you want to do something such as go to a football game or other event, then go! If you need help with school work or you don't understand something, then go ask. Go to office hours no matter what; they really help! Be persistent in finding answers, especially when it comes to classes and the way the system works. Get out there and get involved. Follow your own heart. Don't let someone elses dreams get in the way or take over your own dreams. You should-no-need to do what makes you happy. Only then will you enjoy life and be truely happy. And always remember, things are never as bad as they seem. You will get bad grades, but that doesn't signify the end of the world. Enjoy and remember the good times and have fun!

Hey there! Let me tell you something to make your college experience even better than it was. First off, you may want to invest in some good elbow pads and better bike lock. Your classmates are extremely intellegent and very kind, but when in the middle of a bike loop, they like to throw elbows and not use turn signals. Oh, and squirrels think its funny to play "dodge your bike tires" so watch out! You are going to love the smell of Davis, the cow manure reminds you of your own hometown. But most importantly, some big diferences that you need to work on is that college is heavily based on midterms and finals. I know in high school you didn't do so well on tests and relied on your homework grade a lot, but now you need to learn how to test better. Also, there are tons of tutoring so don't be shy to ask for help, and best part is, its free! It's really helpful since tuition is so high (expect to take out a lot of loans, and work on paying them off when you can). You will love your roommate too!

College will be fun, but it will also be a lot of work. There are certain goals you have in mind for your social life during your first year, like getting a girlfriend. The girlfriend can wait. Make sure you have a secure circle of friends you can trust in before you try dating. Those friends will be with you for the rest of college. Also, make sure you always have time for yourself, and although jobs may be enticing, think about them before you get hired. Think about the people you will be working with, and whether you would get along with them, even if the job is amazing. Always take care of yourself first; there are plenty of situations where you can be happy and still get what you want. It just takes patience and some looking around. There's no rush to experience college; it will come as you grow. For now, though, just focus on your last year and that high school diploma. You've earned it.

would tell myself that college is a time to really discover yourself. Its a phase of your life that you truly are the master of. previously life has felt like it has been run by the adults, but now it runs at your will. If you don't attend lecture no one will care, if you, go out partying all night your parents don't have to know, if you take a leisurely light workload it will be you that takes the consequences of it latter on. That's what college is: a time in your life that you have absolute freedom and you learn how your time management decision can really build you to become the great person your college wants to sculpt you into, or a time that will be consumed with cramming for finals in all nighters and an alcoholl dipped social life. Its a time for you to really take charge of your life.

Don't try and fit in with what you take to be the college's image, find those aspects of the school that suit you, and take advantage of them. Broaden your horizons by taking up the school on all of the opportunities provided, but stay true to yourself.

Even if you go to a community college at first, still try as hard as you can and take some classes that require you to be creative or for you to use your hands. Having those classes will give your mind a break from all the research you will have to do.

Explore more extracurricular activities. Don't study so much, but don't procrastinate. Take time to enjoy each day. Buy books online, don't live in the dormitory, hang out with friends more. Do my best.

Relax. There's nothing to be nervous about. Just keep an open mind, be friendly and have fun.

I would tell myself to become more involved in school activities and clubs just because it looks better on a graduate school application. I've been able to stay focused and do well in school without stressing out too much. I'd say that's one of the main things I'd do again, not take classes too seriously and enjoy my college life because it goes by quickly. Grades and going well in class is important but not if you're sanity has to be sacrificed to accomplish it. I would tell myself also to be a little more organized with deciding my major. However, few people really know what they want their major to be and what they want to do in life. It just would have been nice to have figured it out sooner than I did. And one more thing, use the resources that are available. There's a lot that can be learned by simply having a conversation with a professor or a graduate student, or even an upper classman and most are more than willing to help out someone struggling to find their way.