University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

When I was a high school senior in 1998, I decided not to attend college directly after completely my first 12 years. I fall into the category of the "untraditional" student, and I do not regret any of the time that I allowed myself to experience the working world. In fact, I believe the expectations on high school students to enter college and get a degree in order to participate in the working force until they retire is unreasonable for many. The pressure and belief that there is no other option to that chronology forces young adults to choose careers hastily, thus often resulting in eventual unhappiness. I do believe that as a country we must foster an intelligent and inspired population. The difference lies in our attitudes of what defines success and happiness. Some people benefit from taking time to understand themselves and the world better in order to choose an appropriate career path. I am an example of that model. If I visited myself in high school, the first piece of advice I would offer is to take chances and believe in yourself. With that positive mind frame success and happiness will follow. Secondly, it will take time.

Knowing what I know now, I would maybe tell myself to stress a little less, and to live out my final year surrounded by the people I love. However, I feel that I handled my senior year well. Everything that I did lead up to this point, and added to the person I am now. Who knows how my interference would have impacted me, would I even be the same person? I do not know. I have no regrets, and I did what it took to make my grades as close to perfect as I could. I lived and learned, so maybe... Yes, maybe I would not tell myself anything. I would let myself go through the same things, to become who I am, a person who I am proud of.

If I could go back and talk to myself senior year, I would tell myself; Nicole, never stop applying for scholarships or jobs! Trust me you will need the money. Also can you please just break up with Mark, he is just going to break your heart once you leave. But do you remember George, your best friend? Yeah, you should give him a call. May I also suggest you apply for a triple room instead of a single, you will probably move out of the single by the second quarter anyways. In a triple you?ll be able to socialize and make a couple new friends right away, while in a single you?ll most likely end up hiding and sleeping in it all day. Look for a girl named Edith, she will turn out to be your best friend. Don?t be afraid to go knocking on peoples doors, you can meet some cool people that way as well. All in all Nicole your going to do great in college, the first year and a half are going to go great for you, so simply keep studying and have fun. Always, a good friend.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time, and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have much to say. First off, come out of your shell earlier. There are going to be many things you'll regret not taking part of in your first year of college, things that will never come about again as long as you're here. And secondly, don't take for granted those friends back home. Take care of yourself, watch your own back before others. Don't fall in love with your friends. It's only going to complicate things. Friends are priceless, and so make as many as you can. Expand yourself, get out of your comfort zone. Be adventurous. Take scuba diving immediately. Keep applying for those internships. Also, stop and smell the seawater in the air at least once a day. Appreciate this beauty, Andy. It won't last forever.

As an individual and a student here in UC Santa Cruz have learned and experienced much my first year. I will advice my self to understand the importance and the characteristics a college student. I will talk to myself about the importance of attending class regularly and on time, do extra credit whenever, assignments done neatly, if I need help solicit my instructor, be attentive in class, courteous, and polite. Also comprehend the imporatnace of speaking up in class, identify what needs to be study in detail, set short-term and long-term goals, see teachers before and after class, time management, and that I am responsible for my own success. The transition that I made in my writing was difficult, but now i have an idea of the structure of a formal college essay. I would also take as many college class as possible so that I may have more units whenI start and get a heads up on my major. Dedication and persistence will be what will help me be successful in college. I know that nothing is impossible and that nothing is to big and that every goal is reachable if one gives all of their heart.

Take advantage of college counselors and department advisors. They are very informative and friendly. If you can, try to live off- campus; it's actually less than half of what you pay for on-campus and meal plan expenses. There's a lot of housing available, just make sure to explore all the possibilities. Don't be afraid to inquire. Everyone here is ready to help students. The professors in particular are usually eager to get to know students; make sure to make yourself known - they make very good contacts and don't forget a good student. Courses tend to be a lot of work... if you want to get an A. Learn how to manage your time, and always make sure to make space for fun and extracurricular activities. Learn the bus schedule. They are essential for your transportation and are often reliable (98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time).

As a senior, I worked harder than any other year of schooling. Unfortunately, I was not the most excellent student in previous years. At first I would tell myself to focus and excell in all that I did. In college, I have learned that my high school study habits would not allow myself to do well. In high school, those same study habits got me through with decent grades. Applying those study habits in my first quarter of college proved to be devastating. I did not fail any of my classes, but at the same time, I did not do well in any of them. My high school senior self will need to understand that not everything will be easy like high school. Instead, he needs to begin improving study habits, begin focusing on lectures in class and taking good notes. I would also tell myself to be prepared for temptations and to have the courage to make right decisions. Putting my faith in God, my family and friends has allowed me to become a better student and make great decisions. My advice would be to never lose sight of my faith and goals.

I would tell stories of redemption and sorrow, stories of love and kindness, and stories of laughter and fun. Having experienced all that I have in the last few years at college, I would recount stories of hard work and late nights, nights where sleep was never an option. Through these stories I would tell the senior version of myself to work hard, but more importantly, to have fun. I remember being such an uptight kid, but it was a needless hindrance to what the beginning of my college experience could have been. I could have been more outgoing and experimental, but was overly cynical about trying anything new. Having experienced quite a bit, I would tell my high school self to take every opportunity as a way to meet new people, make new friends, and to have a fun time at UCSC.

I would tell myself to apply for more UC's (I didnt think I would get in) because the high school I went to was more academically competitive, so a lower GPA is worth more than the same GPA from a regular high school. Also, taking the AP test gives you credits that help raise your status and sign up for classes earlier than others.

The time that I have spent in Santa Cruz has made me realize the capability I have to be as intellegent and educated as a more priviledged classmate. I was raised in an immigrant mexican-american family which recently endured some economic hardships. I am also the first of my family to go to college and at first I felt limited by this situation. I was unaware of all the possibilities that I could have taken in order to further my academic success. I am not saying I was given a poor education, no, I was just not informed of things I could have done. I would tell my senior self to have looked for an SAT prep course and take more AP classes to finish the first requirements for college. I would also have told my freshman self to begin community college and get rid of classes that I knew for a fact were not in my major interest but still satisfied some general education coursework; so as to ease the stress and give more effort to your major; to have more time. Now as a double major, I know that my family members will not be misinformed.