University of California-San Diego Top Questions

Currently I am still enrolled. I should finish in December of 2010. From my college experience, I've learned that throughout life we never stop learning. Even when we're not in college. I've found that college is just the stepping stone to your desired field of study and to start a new beginning. Working with various kinds of personalities helps to be able to adapt to any type of situation or work experience. But overall, I would also recommend to others that the college experience is most advantageous in being successful in life.

I have realized that life is not always easy. Things do not always go the way I want it to and when things get rough, my parents are not always there to protect me. I have also found that if I do not speak up for myself no one is going to. If I see something needs to get done, I need to do it on because no one is going to. I was introduced to a more diverse environment and have to deal with people who are polar opposites of me. I have learned that there are people so much smarter and skilled than me; that I am not the best anymore. College is an unique experience to be able to interact with a diverse group of people. It allowed me to better understand others, but even more, it helped me better see what I need to do for the future. College has opened my eyes to new things and made my future even clearer. I would like for everyone to experience college and for them to know that college is not only about drinking and partying, but that it is a stepping stone to better your future.

College is too precious to waste with a bad decision. Clear priorities and a schedule save time; flexibility and focus on achieving daily, measurable goals deter future stress. Pick your teachers? brains, especially the admirable ones. What makes them tick? Learn from their experiences; seek their counsel; take advantage of available resources. Good grades require time, effort, organization, and daily review. However don?t simply study for the grades--you?ll be miserable. Take classes you enjoy, especially those that make you think, speak, read, and write. They make studying fun and are the best tools to help you solve problems. However, good grades and a good job are not everything. Take time to learn your constitution and heritage and to develop your life?s purpose so you can live a meaningful life. Seeking classes and experiences to know who other people are, how they think, and what they want will keep you from being self-absorbed and self-centered. Just remember?while you receive, give back also, and you?ll be given back much more. Lastly don?t forget your loved ones, exercises, sleep, nutritious food, and a good bath. They keep you happy and healthy to finish strong.

College is the next stage of your life, the time when you truly enter the adult world and stand on your own two feet. It really should be the exhilarating, eye-opening experience you expect it to be, although every moment will not be perfect or a step forward. During those hard, homesick times, do not shut yourself away from the advice of friends and family, because that is when you need them the most. Always do your best, but do not be too hard on yourself when you do make mistakes. Let them be learning experiences, and do not forget that others are in the same situation too. Be willing to take some risks, because you will never know who you will meet or what you will learn when you try something new.

If given the oppurtunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, given the knowledge I have acquired over my college experience, I would tell myself to expect surprises. The summer before college started, I had many expectations of college would be: meeting new people, taking a variety of classes , and above all enjoying my independence. College life met some of my expectations, while at the same time surprising me in many aspects. Being independent takes some getting used to; nobody is peering over shoulder telling you to stop playing and to start studying; everything is up to the individual, and this is one of the most satisfying parts of college. It was as if I was entering a new world, but this time without the constant presence of supportive parents. Nevertheless, this new world was waiting to be explored. The oppurtunities are endlesss--joining clubs, playing sports, taking mind-stimulating seminars, finding interesting internships, meeting people who share similar passions, and much more --and the college experience is simply what one decides to make of these oppurtunities. In the end, being open to try new things, and often times getting surprised, is the recipe for the optimal experience.

If I could go back in time and advise myself about the future I would tell myself to stay on the path that I laid out because that got me to where I am today. I didn?t figure out until I was several years into my higher education at the undergraduate college from which I would eventually graduate that things are much less overwhelming if you break it down into smaller bits and approach it one step at a time. Knowing this would have been helpful to expediting my journey to grad school because for a long time I put it off because it was just so daunting to think about as a whole entity. Now that I know this, I can succeed at any task which is set before me. The setbacks have made the success all the sweeter. If I had warned myself so that I could skip over those times I would have short-changed myself the depth of my accomplishments. So, if I could tell myself anything, it would be break it down and enjoy the ride. Its not always pretty but its beautiful.

Asa hih school senior, we all live in a mental state where we think we are at the top and nothing can get better. This attitude usually leads to what I like to call senioritis. Senioritis is when, as a senior, we get too lazy to complete assignments or even go to class. Something that is crucial to one's success in college. Community involvement definately plays a big role in the life of someone going to college because you have interaction with so many different kinds of people everyday that you need to know how to get along with them. For this, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself that I'm going to have to come in contact with people that I won't necessarily like so I might as well try to deal with it now before I go away to school. I would also have told myself that no matter what to make sure the bonds you share with your friends are stong because you will need them when you are far away from home and in a new place where you don't really know anyone.

Never pass up a free meal! Study your ass off, its going to be super hard! (but do-able!) Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is a question not asked. Study groups. A good way to start one is to pass around a sign up sheet and email them later. Go to office hours! A sure fire way to make an impact on your teacher and TA. Friend that super-nerd in the front row. Chances are they could use a friend and in return would be happy to help you out! Use RateMyProfessor.com when picking classes. Have a good way to relieve stress (sport, gym, reading, music) Get on a first name basis with your academic counselor. Party or Ace that test? Be ready to make some social sacrifices. Don't be afraid to get a tutor. Don't freak out if your first grades are lower than they were in high school; it takes time to adjust. Manage your study time. Plan a study break ( facebook, TV show). Find friends/classmates on your same path. they are going to be making similar choices and will be a good addition to your life.

I would tell myself: don't bring so much stuff to college (it's not going to fit in your little cubicle of a dorm room), enjoy your family while you can (you are going to miss them when you get homesick), it is better NOT to have a boyfriend in college (too much uneeded stress), don't forget your comfy slippers, bring plenty of snacks (for those all-nighters), don't procrastinate!, develop better study habits (you will need to become a sponge of knowledge) , have as much fun as you can before school gets going (because afterwards you will have almost no time), think twice about spending money on things you don't really need (besides food; this is what keeps you going), get a summer job (you"ll regret it later when you need to call your parents for money), GO TO THE BEACH!! (La Jolla is beautiful!), get prepared for a lot of walking up huge hills, try to hang out with your friends as much as possible (your most likely not going to see them as much once you're in college), lastly get prepared for the ride of your LIFE!!

People assume college is hard but they have no idea how hard it actually is. The things you learn in high school do apply to the things you learn in college. Moving away from home won't be easy but it's part of growing up and wanting a better life for yourself and your family. You're on your own so don't waste your money, make your education worth the money you pay.

Never be afraid to try new things. The experiences you make whether good or bad will help you grow as a person. Have self-confidence and be open to try many things, whether it be majors,activities,clubs,etc. There will be times that will bring you down and you might believe that you have failed but never believe that failure is the end. Learn from your mistakes and breathe in a new day. The world does not end, it begins.

I would tell myself that in life there will be many obstacles. Some of these obstacles will seem like they will never pass. No matter how hard something is though, you have to remember that you are not alone in the world and that your family and friends love and support you. Everything that happens may not always seem good and helpful in the moment, but in the end your life will be better because of them. It is those exact things that are so difficult that they may even make you cry; that you need to take a deep breath and use all your courage to keep moving forward because in the end you will have grown as a person. Learning is a lifelong process and in the end it will not matter where you went to school, but what you were able to get out of it and apply to your everyday life. College is not just about your degree, it is about the type of person you want to become. As long as you keep your head up and your heart open you will learn how to live and become the best you possible.

Dear Senior Highschol Angelina, Unlike of what you dream college would be, it is completely different. It is not some scary place where you are isolated and alone. In college, there are many chances to make friends and you should make the effort to keep in touch with your friends now. Additionally, work harder in your courses. Believe it or not, they do matter in college, especially calculus. Also, try to research more into computer classes so that you know what you are getting into. Pass those AP and IB tests with flying colors! It will get you ahead! Moreover, apply more for scholarships and grants. There are plenty out there and college is not easy to pay. You don't want to be drowned in debts and loans while you are in college. Enjoy being with your family, because when you are in college, you see them less because of the distance. There is nothing to worry about when you are in college though, the seperation is an essential part of independence. Brace yourself for college. You thought your highschool campus was big, college is about ten times bigger!

Kirstie, remember when you were thinking about how you wanted get away from your family and be as far away from them as you can possibly be? Well you weren't wrong but you weren't right either. You're going to love college because of all the faces you're going to meet and all the chemistry and anthropology classes you get to take. However, you're going to feel home-sick after you've realized that momma's home-cooking is no longer down the hall, you don't get a tub for bubblebaths anymore, and classes actually require real work. You're going to come home for the breaks and realize how much you've missed out on and you're going to be bitter about it all. You'll be so surprised at how life just keeps going on at home while you're a plane ride away. You see yourself growing up as a senior, thinking that life can't get any better than this. Life gets better and then it gets worse, you'll love it though. Do not choose a school close to home if you want to grow up and experienc more.

If I were to return to high school and give myself advice on how to be better prepared to make the transition to college I would definitely give myself lots of advice. I would tell myself to focus on my strengths and not worry on my weaknesses. For example, personally as a went through my high school years I was more concentrated in quantity instead of quality. I went on to take multiple Advanced Placement courses. Some of the times it was hard to keep up with all the work and study for the final exams given at the end of the course. It would have been better to focus on what I was capable of doing and to have success in those classes. I would also tell myself to have more patience in life. I wanted to grow up too fast, but we shall know that there is time to do everything in life. There is no need to rush your life. Lastly, I would tell myself to have faith in my abilities to success. Having confidence is one of the most important components of success. This is all necessay advice that would be halpful in movong to college.

Walking down the mundane hallways of high school, I couldn?t wait to leave and go to college where there were new faces, classes, and lifestyle. I was done, checked out. Colleges accept you starting January and then we all make our decisions, get excited, talk with friends about how you?ll never lose touch, buy a sweatshirt for your school and ?Bam!? you're no longer a high school student, but billboard of what school you chose, what future you picked. When I made my decision, I bought the sweatshirt. I still went to classes, attended my club meetings, but went through it in a daze. For the last six months I was there, I missed out on the life of high school that I had once enjoyed. It seemed pointless to go to the game or spirit activities. ?Why go? What?s the point?? The point is, high school happens only once. You become who you are, and at times think it?s the worst place in the world. You?ll reflect on it with other students in college and talk about your memories. Looking back, I would have been more involved in high school until the end.

Do not slack in your short years of high school. Focus and take the necessary classes in order to succeed. Try to open your horizon and try out new things to see what you are good at. Do not depend on others to carry your work, but study hard and acheive that 4.0 that you deserve. Do not cut yourself short because of laziness or procrastination, because its your persistence that will get you to the future that you want.

The biggest advice that I would have given myself was to have gone to a four-year university instead of a community college. My community college, unfortunately has a very high retention rate and a low transfer rate. I never knew the meaning of these terms until I experienced it. I thought I would successfully finish within the projected two years but like many, I failed to do so, even with my impressive 4.6 accumulative GPA. I would have told myself to work harder and to not let others influence what sort of activities I do. If I need time to study, I shouldn?t feel bad for declining an invitation to go out. I should have been more proactive in my choices which may have led me closer to my goal of becoming a doctor. However, in lieu of everything, I do not regret anything I have done, it has made me a better decision-maker, wiser, and appreciative of what I have accomplished and what I will continue to accomplish in life.

I would emphasize the importance of financial aid. When I was a high school senior, I believed that the environment of the college would completely alter my life socially and academically. This was not the case. Because I am still the same person, my life in college resembles closely my life in high school. I would advise high school students to consider financial aid more strongly in picking a college; attending a slightly less prestigious university and paying significantly less may be a viable option. I believe that the college experience has less to do with the surroundings than with an individual's personality. In addition, I recommend that students fully delve into the housing situation. Living in a triple is not a joke. There is always the possibility of clashing with roommates, and spending even the night with two others in a cramped space may result in sleep deprivation and lower grades. Students should seriously consider if they need time alone, or if they can handle the stress that results with in such a living situation. It may not be possible to study in one's room. In conclusion, focus on yourself, not on the college.

Let's face it. You need 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night to keep up that 4.0 and your sanity - you're not the kind of person who can handle dorm life. Get a quiet apartment off campus and save yourself the stress that could cause you to shoot up 15 pounds by October. And once you're set, get out and explore like I know you want to, but don't let your carousing take precedence over your career path. The Regents aren't going to hand you a full-ride scholarship for your life after college, so take some business classes in addition to all your foreign languages - because even if you become fluent in Japanese and move to Japan to get a job, you're not going to have a thing on those natives who already speak the language if you don't have other practical skills. You don't want to let the real world hit you in the face four years from now - this is your chance to make a smooth landing. Don't forget to be street smart while you're making those grades!