University of California-San Diego Top Questions

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to prepare myself for the long and rewarding journey ahead. I am proud to have gone to a community college first, each experience has been a stepping stone towards the real world. From getting my first job to my first 6:30 am class. I would never have known college life had its unique hardships but it has defiantly improved my character and taught me to cooperate well with others and that homework should come first. If I could go back I would tell myself to not procrastinate because that habit will carry over into college and bite me. I would say prepare yourself for hyper organization and planning for which the likes of my younger self has never seen. To better prepare myself for the big change in my life I would say learn balance with social life, work, and studies. Putting my priorities in order, Im not getting education for free anymore. Also discovering resources at the school are lifesavers, often times high schoolers will never know all the resources they really have. And never giving up on anything will take you so far in life.

Looking back, I feel that my high school life was both easier and harder. It was easier in terms of academics, but also harder in terms of social life. Relationships in high school were complicated and easily damaged. I was often stressed in high school over the friendship dynamics between me and other people. It was difficult because everyone felt like a close friend, and even when they did something cruel, you couldn't say anything without offending them. In college, relationships are hard to begin, but once begun, they're pretty resilient. It becomes much easier to distinguish between the people who care about you and those who don't; in the end, when you need help, they're the ones who are willing to help when no one else is. It was only after I came to college that I realized this fact, and this is the knowledge that has helped shape me as a person now. If I were able to go talk to my high school senior self, these realizations are what I would share with myself.

The best advice I could give to my former self about college life is to take advantage of the extracurricular opportunities that a large school like UCSD has to offer. By becoming more involved in clubs and organizations you can gain more insight into the field of work that you are interested in. Additionally, I wish I would have started an internship or professional position immediately upon entering college because it can help you straighten out which career path you might want to take. It also helps you network in the field you are interested in. For example, during my senior year in college I worked as an intern at an environmental non-profit and was offered a full-time job upon graduation. I have now worked for the same company for almost two years and am starting to realize that the work my non-profit is involved in is not really what I am interesting in pursuing for a career. Had I started interning in the beginning of my college education, I may have realized earlier on what career I would like to pursue.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to truly make the best of the 4 years in college because it truly goes by fast. To help make the transition from high school to college, I would make recommendations such as: spend your first semester/ quarter focusing on your studies; check out a lot of potential clubs/ student orgs, but only get involved with a selective few that you are passionate about; and don't be afraid to seek help, be it from other students or from professors. The most important thing for a college student to learn is how to utilize their available resources. Knowing what I know now about college life I would advise myself to continue volunteer work to give back to your community, take more classes outside my major because it is important to become a well-rounded person, extend your study abroad experience to one whole year- a semester is not nearly enough, and lastly, save up money for medical school!

Erika, you should really think about majoring in Economics. It's a versatile degree, and very practical, and it will help you understand what's going on in the world around you better. Second, be open to other people. You've lived in one place your entire life. Make sure that you actively seek out people who are different from you and can offer you a different perspective on life. Join at least two student clubs and try to take an active role in each. Never study on a Friday night. Part of school is learning that takes place outside of the classroom. Don't loose sight of that. Get off of campus once in a while, become part of the community you live in.

One should always take advantage of the programs that the university offers such as Summer Bridge or other transition programs that are offered to freshman. These programs usually last for a month or so and it helps students slowly adapt to the campus environment by allowing them to start making friends and connections at the school. One should also apply to FAFSA, grants, and scholarships as soon as possible. One many not always be sucessful with scholarships but it never hurts to try and receiving one is better than receiving none. Also, before applying to any colleges, one should definately research about the various campuses and even visit these campuses to make sure that you feel comfortable about the surroundings. While applying to various universities, many also starts to panick about having to set a definite path for oneself; but ,this should be the least of the worries and allow oneself to explore their options while in college and decide later on what they believe is right for themselves.

First of all, take the other English AP test. Even though you don't like your english teacher, and you think he's a prick, he's right about this. You'll hate taking English 1B later on. You're making the right choice by not applying to anywhere and going to Foothill, so relax already! Listen to audiobooks, it will make the commute shorter. Also, you can take much more than fifteen units per quarter. You'll be bored then and stressed later on. Try to edge in a political science course, because I still haven't taken one yet. DO NOT TAKE ACCOUNTING 1B. Just don't. There's a theatre conservatory program, but try out next year and for god's sake don't wait until August to do so. Trust me on this. Start applying for scholarships right now. No, really. Apply to ten a year and you'll breathe so much easier by the time you're me. Try out for plays your first year! Not at Foothill, but closer to home. And start researching colleges earlier. Check out 'Peterson’s guide for Performing Arts Majors.' Good book. I hear Boston University is really nice.

Hey you – you with the stars in your eyes – relax! You have nothing to be afraid of. College is not the terrifyingly alien thing we all are made to believe it is. You will find your place. You will succeed. All you have to do is continue to be the person that you are. Work your butt off, show up to every single class, and get involved. That's the recipe for collegiate achievement. High school does end. Really, it does! When you graduate it is completely possible to move one and rise above. You didn’t have many friends. Life has been hard, full of suffering and pain. But the good is overwhelming. Pay attention to it. It’s all around you. Keep your heart and your mind open. Your life is really just beginning. Keep loving and trusting – you have nowhere to go but up.

My college experience has given me an education, lifelong friends, real world research experience, and the tools to succeed in the next stages of my life. UCSD's cognitive science/neuroscience department has given me what is ultimately the end goal of college: an opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, study in a supportive, yet competitive environment, and access to resources that allowed me to educate myself in addition to what I was learning in class. My college experience also gave me lifelong friendships with my Fraternity brothers, who I know will be a huge part of my life and will always be my family. I was also lucky enough to conduct research in aneuroscience laboratory under a leading cognitive neuroscience professor. I learned the skills and techniques necessary to conducting successful research and was given the opportunity to lead my own study. I also was confronted with challenges throughout my college experience. I learned how to overcome these challenges, some as simple as time management, and others as complicated as interpersonal interactions. Holistically, I took away experiences I will never forget and skills and tools I will always use. My college experience was challenging, enlightening, and exhilirating.

I have gained a sense of independence and pride in what I do. As a dance major at a science based school, there is not much support or funding for the arts, because of this I have learned to defend and explain as best I can my art and my choice to be a dancer. In UCSD's dance program you have to take the initiave to be involved, you have to set up your own auditions and own rehearsals times and there is often no one there to tell you how to do it. I have become more of an individual and more independent because of it. I feel that is has emotionally prepared for the real world, to take initiative and if I want soemthing done I will be the only one who can do. I now know what I want out of my life and how to get there.