University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Make every single action...every single minute...count. In high school, we tend to not realize that we've been growing up the entire time---from pre-school to high school graduation. The wonder years--the adolescent years--are all but a memory. Not only have we, hopefully, gradually attained the knowledge necessary to graduate, we also have learned how to think logically and to do what is necessary to become successful , well-rounded adults. Unfortunately, there is no primary instruction on time management, on how to plan a successful life strategy, or on how to not accept unnecessary loans that wind up hurling you into financial ruin. If every public school had three key courses: Marriage and Family Planning, SAT Preparation, and Financial Planning/Investment Strategies, more students from disadvantaged households would succeed. Take your education seriously. Search and apply for scholarship opportunities. I've had two student loans totalling $50K, and I'm now a college senior with about 25 units to go, AND I am going on 3 months behind in rent. If I don't receive some type of income soon, I will have to pull out of school. Do your own research. Planning is key.

I would definitely advise not only myself and others to take as many Honors and AP classes as possible. In high school you are forced to take "college prep" classes that are supposed to do just that. But when you compare the level of difficulty and the workload from high school to college, the difference is a substantial one. I wish someone had warned me for the workload that was about to be put on me, this way it wouldn't have been so difficult to adjust. I would also advise myself to stay open-minded and not be so shy. There are so many people who are just like you, not knowing anyone and looking for a friend. It's so easy to make friends you just have to be open and always smile.

If I could go back to be a high school senior, I would tell myself to take all the AP test. When I came to my college orientation, they were asking everyone what kind of AP Test they took because if they passed them with a 3 or better a part of the GE's would be cover. I was really mad because some of the classes I had to take my first year of college were classes that I took during high school. Also I would have study harder for my SAT's. I think I would prefer to go back to my freshman year though because I want to remind myself to try harder because college is in my reach, and it is in a place I love to be.

You are nervous, but anxious for a new adventure at the same time. Well this is it, and you have to make the most of this exciting time in your life. I assure you that your transition will go smoothly, but my advice to you is this: make the most of every opportunity put in front of you. At times you may shy away from the unfamiliar, but the best thing for you to do is build up your confidence and put yourself out there. You will be invited to numerous events, so go to them! Meet everyone in your hall, join a few clubs, and take advantage of freshman seminars. All of these events will lead to more friends, more knowledge, and more fun. You will not regret a single moment if you stop thinking so much and just try new things, even if you are on your own. College will be a great adventure, but adventures require taking risks. Although I tried a lot of new things, I wish I had done even more. So go out there, be confident, make the most of your experience, and show them what you have got.

It would have been advantageous to know which specific major I wanted to pursue. This is not the kind of advise that is personal because I'm almost certain that most students rely on financial aid to get through college. Recently, the state of California and its' elected officials have proposed a budget cut which will result in the cancellation of Cal grant and an increase in tuition fees. Being aware of this situation, it has come to my attention that grants and scholarships are becoming scarce and unattainable. The reason why choosing the major of preference in advance is beneficial is because when it comes to registering for classes, one is able to avoid taking random classes just to fullfill units required to be a full-time student. This way, each quarter/semester becomes productive with the assurance that you are that much closer to graduating. In addition, the loans that are taken out as an account payable would be considered essential and not just some money borrowed to stay in school.

One of the hardest things for me to adjust to when I went to college was being away from home. I've moved so often and lived in so many different places that it never occured to me that I could get so entirely homesick. It soon became apparent that I was never going to be great friends with my roommate and I always felt left out when she did things with her friends. I felt more alone that first year than I've ever felt before. If I could go back in time, the advice I would give myself before entering High School would be to keep trying no matter how hard it would be for me to make friends. There are so many opportunities on campus and I was so depressed so quickly that I never managed to take advantage of them. I'm still trying to recover from that handicap. UC Santa Barbara has a wonderful community and I never should have let myself feel left out.

To do exactly what I did before, as the time that I spent out of school enabled me to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of collegiate education. I'd also tell myself to calm down a little and not be so uptight and stressed about the future.

If I was given the chance to go back and talk to my high school self, I would start by asking me to describe the kind of person I am. I would have said that I am a dedicated student, a loving daughter and sister, and a young woman of faith. Second, I would have asked me to reflect on the type of friends that I have. I would have realized that my close friends are very much like me; intelligent, loving, and self-less people. Finally, I would have asked me to come up with certain university criteria, considering how I felt about myself and my friends. I would have wanted a school where I could earn a good education, remain close to my family, have access to other Christians, and create long-lasting friendships. Having come up with these criteria, I would have advised me to find a school with the following; (1) relatively small class sizes for optimum access to professors, (2) close to home so as to visit family often and remain with my current church (3) variety of programs and recreational sports so as to get involved and make friends.

My advice to myself would be that no matter how hard things get, no matter what life throws at you, you have to dig deep and be better than you ever thought you could be. It's amazing what you can achieve, and you will discover skills and strengths that you never even knew you had. Keep an open mind, a respectful disposition, and a firm tenacity to succeed. No matter how difficult things get, act with class, respect, and integrity. With all of these, there is no limit to how far you can go, and the things you can accomplish. It's never too late to be the person you've always wanted to be. The best is yet to come.

I would tell myself to be prepared for a very challenging yet bearable experience. Make sure to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and keep in mind the work ethic that you exhibited throughout high school..continue this way of thinking and it will benefit you with all the classes you take. There will be forms of peer pressure here and there, but you have never been one to give in; therefore, do not let that change now or ever. You know what is best for you, not anyone else, and you are aware of exactly what you want to get out of college. Work hard and know how to enjoy yourself within a certain limit, but never fail to remember the goal you have set and that you have dreamed of for so many years. Everything you do right now will affect your future and as long as you do not lose sight of this, then everything else will work out. It is your responsibility to make things happen for yourself and to seek out helpful opportunities. Put in your best effort and use college as a tool to achieve all that you have ever wanted.

Stressing over which college to choose is somewhat futile, because in the end the college will choose you. You will apply, and get into the colleges where you will fit best. Live in the dorms as a freshman--you will make so many friends and have so many memories there. Do not be an undeclared freshman! Even if you feel your major will change, have an idea of what you want to do. Avoid taking useless classes. Be on top of your academic work. Get involved and have some fun!

I feel like I did the right thing by completely making new friends here and not staying too attached to many people at home (other than family of course). My first year college experience was amazing; however, I wish I had realized just how much I need to work to get the grades I want and need for my future. I was used to getting good grades without really having to try too hard in high school, but once i got to college, I learned just how important and time consuming studying is. I wish someone would have told me to really prioritize and not procrastinate. Also, I wish someone would have pushed me to become more involved in my school, because I can make a difference in the overall picture here. But, since I have realized these things now and I still have plenty of time left, I can now change my bad habits and study more, as well as beocome more involved.

Dear senior year self, you think you know everything at this moment, but trust me, you don't. College will be everything you thought it would be, and more. Much, much more. Please remember that failing is not the end of the world. Remember that although it is a huge part of your life, school is not your WHOLE life. Talk to people early on in the school year, they will become some of your best friends and your support system through the school year. Take advantage of the beach, it's a beautiful thing not many get to experience, let alone live on. Don't shut yourself in your room; socialize with people. School is going to be a great outlet for the many thoughts you've been scared of thinking. It will push your beyond your boundaries. It will entice you, scare you, enthrall you, and help you. Your biggest problem is you will be torn between your two homes. Between your family and your school. It's natural, it's normal. You will eventually learn to become independent even though you already think you are. You are far from it. Be grateful. Be helpful. Be your best.

High school me, take your time with selecting a college. Tour more than one school, don?t just decide that because your mom went there, it will be good enough for you. She was more of a partier than you are. Don?t let your personal pride affect what schools you apply to, applying to only the top 4 UCs is a stupid idea. Consider lower level options if they feel more comfortable. Do NOT enroll in a school blindly. When you find out you have been accepted to UCSB, don?t jump and scream and accept the admission without getting more information. Consider the state the economy is in, you won?t be able to get the classes you need. Do you want to be an undergraduate for 5 years instead of 4? If you aren?t ready to party your head off, don?t go there. Check out some private schools from the start, or you?ll end up at UCSB desperately applying for scholarships so that you can afford the transfer to a private university. I know you aren?t religious, but some religious schools aren?t strict about it. Consider them, you?ll thank me later.

For every hour of class i will spend at least three hour of study time. I know that i must be on time for all classes.

I would tell myself to stretch before I exercise (every time), and to get more involved with the Christian groups on campus; namely Real Life. I would also tell myself to meet a lot of new people in the first couple weeks; talk to the people in your classes. Always remember that you are at school to learn, but also to have fun. So, study hard, stay healthy, meet new people, and have a good time.

College has so much more to offer than high school. You'll meet people that grew up in completely differnt circumstances and it will broaden your perspective on the world. The past 12 years were not a waste of time, don't take all that you have learned for granted. Education builds upon itself, and you're just about to get to the most interesting part! High school seems like such a grind but before you know it you'll be on your way to bigger and better things. College is a great opportunity that not everyone has a chance to experience; consider yourself fortunate.

Study more, even when you think you know the course material. The "just read everything once and pass every test" thing won't work in college. Seriously. Also watch out for girls. Don't screw that up again.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not be nervous and to go out and meet as many people as I could right at the start of the year. It's gets to be more and more difficult to connect with the people around you once everyone has become settled into college and has established a group of friends. Though I have plenty of friends here, I do wish that I came in with a better mindset of really putting myself out there to experience all that college has to offer. I feel like I may have restricted myself a bit because I was a little apprehensive about how people were going to be like here, seeing as the college population makeup at my school is much different from what it was back home in high school. The biggest piece of advice I'd give myself would be just to be open to all the new situations that will occur, as they will inevitably happen.

Be confident in who you are and know yourself. Take the time to find things that you enjoy doing because so many people use drugs and alcohol as cheap substitutes. Establish goals regularly, even if they are simple things. Keep yourself motivated because it's your life, no one else's. Stay on top of work and you will have more time to have fun and you will succeed more in everything. Above all, take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you can't take care of yourself, no one else will do it for you and you will miss out on so many things.