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.