University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

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.