University of California-Irvine Top Questions

The things I wished I knew when I was a high school senior are plentiful. I would have loved to be given the advice of actually learning how to take notes back in high school. I had taken AP courses, which admittedly did help me with my note-taking, but in university, you have to go the extra mile. That extra push is what I lacked in high school. I feel as if I have never studied in my life as hard as I did for my midterms and finals last quarter. College gives you a drive that high school doesn't; it makes you work harder knowing that this will lead you to happiness in the real world. I wish I had learned these skills perviously, in high school, to have a smoother adaptation. Additionally, I think all high schoolers should take as many AP's as they can. They really do help in the transition. If I hadn't had those, I'm not sure how difficult it would have been take in all the information given to me. Starting early is a huge benefit, to everyone, not just those who want to be doctors or engineers.

i would change where i went to school because i was always the one picked on in school. i would study harder as well

Reapply to UCI and confirm once accepted. Stay true to yourself and work hard once you get here. Do not get too caught up in extra curriculars at first because if your grades slip, you will spend your entire college career trying to make it up. Surround yourself with productive people. People that spend time not just studying, but people who get out of bed and take advantage of each day that goes by. Also, take advantage of all the resources and benefits of going to such a spectacular school. The beach is only a five minute drive away, campus recreation center offers hundreds of interesting exercise/karate/cooking classes. Make sure to get your work done on time and take advantage and enjoy the free time you get. Do not pick a major where you will struggle because it is competative and someone who is good at the subject naturally or has more experience will set the curve too high for you to succeed. You do not need to be in the Greek system to socialize, just be involved and dont stay in your room too much.

The advice that I would give myself is to stay focused and adjust to the fast-paced environment. I was schocked with the fast pace of instruction when I first started at UC Irvine. Midterms and finals were always around the corner, and I didn't always feel ready. Furthermore, college seniors must learn to understand and evaluate their priorities. Once at a university, partying, hanging out with friends, and wasting time is tempting; however, an individual willing to learn must sort through these distractions in order to achieve higher education.

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to live in the moment, and do not take anything for granted. I would make sure that I understood the importance of studying and making friends with people in every class. Besides education I would make sure I knew the importance of working hard for everything in life, whether it is on the baseball field, or in the classroom, or in the back yard; every little thing that you do can have an effect on the way that others see you and how you see yourself. The most important thing is to find a college that you enjoy attending, thus no longer making it a burden to be there, but a place that you wake up for and look forward to going too.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself that life is not a game. I would ask, "Do you remember what our teacher once told us? How that one should live life as though there was nothing to lose? Well, that was wrong; you see, there is so much to lose. In fact, when you finally see the truth, everything is at stake here. It is time to man up, do what needs to be done, and see the world of knowledge as a gift."

Well this question I have asked myself many times, and have thought it through, and if I were to be able to travel back in time to my senior year, knowing how life in college is, I would have definitely told myself to not only get out of the habit of procrastinating, but to join many clubs in order to be more involved, not only in my school, but within my community as well. The idea of not procrastinating is because high school in comparison to college is like learning how to add for the first time, all though it wasn’t difficult because we could use our fingers we were still vulnerable to making minor mistakes. Also the reason I would tell myself to join clubs is because I think I would have enhanced my abilities to be more social and not wait until college to take advantage of the opportunities out there for me as a student. Overall my experience in high school allowed me to be where I am at today so therefore I’m still thankful and continue to learn as I experience.

Choose a campus not for its prestige but rather its worth. What goal do you have, what do you want to do with your life etc. You don't necessarily need to be a doctor to be successful, but you need to explore and find colleges that fit you and search opportunities that can make you successful. Always ask people when you need advice on applications because no one knows everything. There is no stupid question, and the only regret you can have is the regret of never trying, if anything always continue and move on. Remember your regrets, but use them to motivate you to actually accomplish something else because that's how you can be successful.

No matter what, stay true to who you are. You're going to be confronted with different people, different ideas, and placed in different (and sometimes uncomfortable) situations that may make you question the kind of person you are and the kind of person you want to be--but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. College is definitely a time for exploration and finding out more about yourself. Take classes that aren't required for your major and go out of your way to meet people you wouldn't normally talk to. People are going to constantly tell you about their college experience but it doesn't mean that you're going to have, or have to have, the same experience they had. Take these four years and make it your own. Ultimately, use this time to find your passion. This may take some time, and there may be some obstacles in your way, but don't let them stop you from realizing what you truly want to do. College could be "the best four years of your life"--but it also may not be. It's really up to you how you decide to live it.

I would tell myself to get involved more and don't procarstinate.

When I first began college I will admit I was not prepared. High school was a breeze to me! In high school I was one of the top students of my class and I felt on top of the world. When I got to college, I was in a room full of students that were just like me and probably wiser too. I will admit that as a freshmen I didn't take school seriously. I was free, living on my own, and not really thinking about the future; basically I was young and stupid. While I am still young, I am much wiser now! If I had the opportunity of going back in time and talking to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself three simple words, "Do NOT procrastinate!" Beleive me it really does make your life easier. I would have told myself to be diligent and effective with my time. I would have told myself to press forward even when you feel like you are about to collapse just keep climbing until you reach the top because the view from the top is magnificent and well worth the climb!

I would tell myself not to stress out so much because it just gets in the way of having to do what you need to do (especially when it comes to taking tests and studying).

If I could go back in time and tell my 18-year-old-self something worthwhile, I would tell her to not be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. I would tell her to try new things, to grab each opportunity as it comes her way, because life is too short to do otherwise. When I was eighteen, I was afraid of failure. I was sure that if I did everything properly and according to plan, everything in life would go perfectly. Life, however is not like that! I found out about this firsthand when I sustained a brutal injury to my face one seemingly normal day, and my life changed forever. It taught me that life, no matter what we do, is unpredictable, and that we must do everything in our power to live it as if there were no tomorrow. It is too precious to live any other way. Now, I seek not to exist, but to live. The passion to make my mark on the world and make every second count is what really keeps me going, and I would not have it any other way.

The first piece of advice I would give myself is to let go of any hesitation or anxiety when it comes to making new friends. Everyone you meet is feeling exactly as nervous about starting college and there is no need to be shy. Also, do not take every single thing that you own, there will not be enough room for it; that means take only the clothes you plan on wearing, the books you plan on actually reading, and only a few pairs of shoes. Get all of your books after classes start because some professors decide not to use the textbooks and you do not want to waste money on expensive textbooks that you do not need and can barely afford. Make sure not to spend all of your money the first week because you will end up getting really hugnry by the tenth week of school, and nobody wants to go into finals starving. Don't stress out, college is the best time of your life.

Fear nothing, except losing an opportunity. It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of college and become overwhelmed, and that's fine. It's okay to take risks, to try new things, and to have a multitude of options surrounding every decision that comes your way. But to be honest, college requires a lot of balance. And that is something you will not need to master during your four (or possibly 5) years of undergraduate education, but a life skill that will keep you happy and healthy and adventurous. You will always face challenges beyond academia, however just try to be bold and strong. Never be afraid to ask a question as long as you can take "no" for an answer. Always love, and always have faith in those around you. But more importantly have faith in yourself. You are here for one reason, and that is to learn everything you can about who you are and what you are capable of doing. Be forgiving, be mature, be silly, but be real. Once college is over, don't dwell. Take life by the reins and ride off as far as you can go.

I would have probably preffered to have gone to a community college for two years to figure out what I wanted to pursue a career in. It took me almost two years to figure it out and given the tuition difference, a community college would have been much more affordable. As a High School senior, I would have searched for some sort of summer activity that would help guide me into possibly choosing my definitive major sooner.

I would tell myself to go straight to a 4 year university, instead of going to a community college first. I would also tell myself not to worry so much, because their are people who will help make the transition easier.

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would most certainly tell myself to have a solid educational plan. Before I transferred to the University of California, Irvine, I was not career-focused; I did not have an idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated. If only I knew that piece of information when I was a high school senior. I would have been able to get a head start on the required classes for my major.

If I was able to go back in time, I would take more advanced courses so that I would be able to take the AP tests and earn credits for college. I would participate in more clubs to have a mindset of what clubs I would like to associate with in college. Another thing that I would do is apply for more scholarships because tuition is expensive and especially coming from a low-income and single parent family it was difficult to meet ends need for college, and even financial aid does not cover enough for my tuition. Many college students have difficulty in deciding their majors and classes are often stuck in between. Last but not least, if I was able to be a high school senior once again then I would have done more research about what classes that I should take and read more about each major so that I would come in prepared.

First of all, girl you need to get your act together. Highschool has been a breeze for you, there is absolutely no doubt about that. No one has really prepared you for what you are about to enter. Moving away from home and all you know is a lot more difficult than it sounds. College is hard. There are no exceptions or excuses. Mom and Dad won't be there to bail you out every time you screw up, you're going to be on your own making your own adult decisions. You got to sleep your way through highschool, and your GPA shows it all, but college cannot be the same. There is nothing you can do about anything now, all you can do is promise yourself to do better in everything you do from here on out. If you survived the cruel world of highschool, you can survive college. It won't be easy, at times you are going to want to give up, but in the end it will be worth it! So, go get that diploma and enjoy your last bit of relaxation. Essays, projects, due dates and long lectures are waiting for your arival.