University of California-San Diego Top Questions

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would advise myself to study for all my classes and make sure that I can retain the information and not just glance at the information. I would also advise myself to take advantage of all my resources because in college, you have to make the effort to get all your questions answered. There is no one there pushing you and reminding you to get things done. You must take the initiative.

Make sure you study more, college is not as easy as high school. You have to spend alot of time on your studies or else you will not suceed as well as you did in high school. Don't spend as much money either. You are given money for school and you can save the rest for future quarters. Be safe and don't drink unless you know you are with good people.

I would definately look at more college choices , even if it meant going out-of-state. I would make sure to enroll in a college-transition program, so that I'd be well prepared at the beginning of school. I would try to sit through a lecture to get a sense of what I was going to get into. Search the school for their extra-curricular activities they offer. What sports are offered there? Is their carreer center helpful/convenient? Talk to students already enrolled and get some honest answers from them; ask if they enjoy that campus. Make sure you like the location. For ex: Are you into cold/hot weather. Do you like the beach or the snow? Do you see yourself graduating from that college in particular? Do you know what you want to major/minor in? Check out the dorm-living life. Are there convenient ways of getting thorugh and out of campus? Do you like the fast-food places on campus? What type of work-study jobs are available for students? Is the college aiming to GO-GREEN? How are the students giving back to the community in general? What kind of attractions are around?

I wouldn't tell myself anything because what I know now isn't because someone told me something. I went out and learned it for myself and now my knowledge and views are broadened because I have had these experiences. Not having those experiences would have made me into a different person than what I am today and I wouldn't want to change the person I am today, Sure, I am flawed but those flaws are what builds character and makes me, well, me. I guess if I could tell myself anything though, it would be to be grateful for who you are and everything you have because in college you become vastly aware of those around you and the different lots those people have been thrown in life and how long it has taken them to get to that point. The transition from high school to college can be hard but it was a learning experience that I will never forget.

It is okay to go to community college. At first I was ashamed that even though I had exceptional grades in high school, I had to go to community college because of financial stress. I would get those puzzled looks from people when I told them I was going to community college, followed by the response, "But I thought you were smart?". Overall, it was the best choice for me because I was able to keep my mom from going into a huge amount of debt over the past two years. I got a nearly equivalent education, as I was taking my general education requirements, for a fraction of the usual cost. In addition, when I transferred I felt like I was finally ready to be on my own, as compared to the maturity and independence I had coming out of high school. It may not be the decision you want, but it is the smart choice, and it will make you appreciate your dream school even more when you finally get to transfer.

Be prepared as much as possible. When you find yourself going to bed at 3 in the morning more than twice a week, you need to change your routine during the day. College life may seem difficult, but if you really look at it, you will catch yourself wasting unnecessary hours taking naps, eating, or browsing the internet. When you count the hours, the amount of time you spend in class during college is nothing compared to the number of hours that you use by being at school. Also, try to plan out your days a week at a time so that you are able to stay focused on your current situation instead of being distracted by the upcoming break. While everything that I have just said is important, I have to say that the best piece of advice that I can give you is to get to know your classmates and make friends. Having friends in college is vital to keeping you active and focused on your schoolwork and on your social life. In addition, these friends become one of the biggest motivators that keep you going to class--which helps tremendously towards doing well in the course.

I would tell myself to start college focused. People get to college and realize that they are so free they start to have too much fun. This leads to slacking in school and it will hit you hard. People usually have their worst quarters the first quarter of their college career. An incoming student should be focused and commit to doing well early on in their college career.

It's not always the case where a student is accepted to his/her first choice college. If a student ends up somewhere else than where he/she expected to be, the student must make the most out of his/her time there. Never underestimate the school in any way, may it be, the quality of education, facilities, and faculty. Every school has something to offer the student as long as the student is responsiveand open-minded.

I would advice myself to take more AP classes and actually try to pass the test. A few extra units would come in handy. I would also say that I should try to learn better study skills. That college is hard, and good study skills would really come in handy.

I would definitely tell myself to try harder and put forth all my effort, no matter what. In high school I was a relaxed student who was able to score well on tests without really studying. This, on several occasions, led to satisfaction with getting a B+ on an assignment over the A if it meant getting by without an additional hour of studying. I also didn't become interested in what college I wanted to attend until junior year, so current students should definitely do some research in that area early on. When reception letters came, I was rejected by my top 2 schools and had to settle with my 3rd choice. I was seriously not happy for a couple of months, but after attending this school I now know it was the right choice for me. Students should do extensive research on what their top choices are like and even talk to current students to get a better idea. Visits are highly recommended as well. All in all, college is a highly important 4 years of your life. You want to do a good job of deciding where you spend them.

I would tell myself to be open to try many different things and in meeting new people. Do not be quick to judge because people have much more depth to them and they only need to be given a chance. Most people here are fairly friendly so all you should do is be brave, make the first move, and introduce yourself. Do not be shy! Being shy and quiet never got anyone anywhere, therefore be loud and friendly so you can attract many different people. Making new friends is wonderful, but do not forget your old friends. Old friends are not like old toys that get thrown away as soon as you grow out of them. Try to understand that if you change, or want to change as soon as you get into college, that true friends will keep on being your friend because they understand you. If they do not understand you then maybe they are not your true friends. Treasure the friendships you make in college because the people you associate yourself with in college are probably the ones that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

If I were to go back to talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself that you are about to start a new chapter in your life. You're going to meet new friends and go to a new school out of state. Don't be nervous or scared about starting a new school because it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Also I would tell myself that school will be amazing and everything that I hoped it would be.

Do not procastinate. You are a really smart student but by putting everything to the very last minute, you are hurting yourself of succeeding.

The best advice I could give is to research what type of universities you're applying to. Don't just apply to the all the well-known schools because just cause they're well-known doesn't mean it's the best choice for you. Though, don't take the reputation of the schools you're applying to out of the equation either. If you are interested in the biological field, you should research schools with reputable biological programs. Also, since that university is known for it's biology program, you would find lots of other students with similar educational goals, which will help you start relationships with people. Another way to gain new friends is to live on-campus. Most people hang out with their roomates or suitemates so living off-campus your first few years makes it harder since you're out of the loop right off the bat. However, most universities have large commuter populations too so it won't be impossible to make friends, just more work.

Don't take it as seriously as you did. The beginning of college life is merely to get acquainted, make new friends, and begin a new chapter in life. Don't think that it's the beginning of the rest of your life. Rather, think of it as a new adventure. Go out, take the time to meet new people and make new friends. Don't have the mentality that you need to be so focused on school work that you can't go out. Instead, find that right balance between school work and your social life so that you can make friends for life and still handle your course work. The transition between high school and college is only made harder by a lack of new friends to soften the blow. Go out! Make those friends.

First and foremost, if I can go back to high school, I would take advantage of all the AP classes they offered. But as a senior, I would tell myself to work on time management. College life is busy especially if you have a job, and the old high school habits, such as procrastination, can get you in serious academic trouble. Also, I would tell myself to practice my note taking skills. In a big college, the professors constantly lecture and you don't want to write down everything they say because your notes will be more difficult to read later. Therefore, learn to summarize important facts in your head then write them down. And last but not least, don't be afraid to speak up if you have a question. In high school the average class size may be around 30; however, in college it is around 300, and that is one of the reasons why people are intimated and afraid to ask questions. Bu t if you practice speaking up in front of 30 people, sooner or later, 300 would be just as easy! With these tips, you'll be one successful student.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior and had known about college life beforehand, there are a few things I wish I could give myself advice on. First and foremost, I probably would have taken high school classes more seriously. Although Los Angeles doesn't have a good public school system, I found ways to get A's in classes without doing too much work. However, I do wish I challenged myself a bit more by taking harder classes a lot earlier. I do regret not working enough to pass my AP Calculus test. If I had passed then, I'd be very far in my studies in college considering my major is economics. Perhaps I could have been in the process of double majoring. Secondly, I wish the money I had saved up from jobs was spent more wisely. I could have helped my parents more now.

Hello James. It's your senior year and you could definitely use some advice in terms of transitioning to college. You are in the football team, volleyball team, wrestling team, key club, christian club, symphonic band, and the drumline. Your schedule is tightly packed. You are busy. This is a good thing. In college, classes are bigger and there are fewer of them. Amazing? Not really. I know you think its awesome right now, but you will have so much extra time in your hands that procrastination and boredom will become a daily habit. My number one advice to you is to get involved immediately. This will help you feel productive and even your grades will benefit. How do you get involved? There are tons of different options. You love sports. Play some imtramural football or volleyball. Go check out some clubs. You will probably like Intervaristy. Try some new things. You've always wanted to surf. Take lessons. In the end, college is really what you make out of it. Stay proactive and study hard. Oh and don't forget to call your mom once in a while, because you will get an earful. Your you, James Jun

I would advise you not to be in a rush to decide on a major or a school. It is best to take your time, and discover what you are most interested in and what you really want to learn about. Also, study habits in high school and curriculum are so much easier. At the university you need be more self directed and self motivated about your education. You should start to save up money now, as much as possible and not spend it on things you do not need, because then you will have to be working a lot during school and not have as much time to focus on school work. The ideal situation would be to work as little as possible while attending the university so that you will be able to take more classes at one time, and also have time to just be on campus more and really get the whole "college experience."

I would tell myself not to get too stressed and to prepare a get-well kit and immunity kits for myself.