University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

Be very prepared and eqipped for an entirely different experience than highschool. Professors and teachers are not as willing to let you slide. Obtaining a decent grade point average can make all the difference in the world. You will be able to set your standards high and allow a little bit of room for sliding if courses become difficult. If you find your path in life takes a different course, and you are looking to transfer to another school, some colleges require a high grade point average. Applying for certain scholarships also require that you obtain a high grade point average. Also don't ever allow yourself to fail. If you believe, you will achieve. Negativity and self-doubt will only cause you to try very little and believe that failure is alright. Stay away from all of the drama. College is not necessarily a place to make friends. You are there for self-discovery, to gain confidence and achieve success. If you possibly make good friends along the way consider yourself lucky. Making friends in college is an excellent way to find support when your personal and college life becomes difficult to balance.

As a 35-year old going back in time to my 17-year old high school senior self, I would first reassure myself that life is not to be taken so seriously all the time. Life definitely is a journey, not a destination, and we learn so much in the paths we take over time. Specifically, I would have encouraged my younger self to pursue several non-paid internships at architecture firms to determine whether that is what I truly wanted. I would not second-guess my actions, and always listen to my instincts; they have been true every time. Any time I don't take heed of my instincts, I mentally kick myself afterwards. I would advise to remain steadfast in the pursuit of my goals, and not be swayed by outward distractions. I would praise and encourage my passionate dedication to my goals. Lastly, I would advise to be wiser with credit cards, and to make every effort to pay off the balance every month.

I would give anything to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would tell myself to take going to college more seriously. At the time, I didn't apply for scholarships because I thought my family had enough money for me to go. They had enough for my sister so I figured they had enough for me. They didn't. I already had my schedule for my classes at college. But when the due date for payment came around, we couldn't pay. I was crushed that I wouldn't be able to go to college that semester. While all my friends moved on to college, I was left behind. It makes me feel alone and like I'm missing out on everything. So, if I could go back, I would tell myself, "work harder, apply for scholarships, and do everything you can to get your education." Those words would have been so helpful to me.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would look at schools that were not just the best in what I studied but the ones I felt best suited me. Also, I would have visited all the schools I thought were the best fit and then decided to apply there. In addition before going to college I wish I could have learned time management a little better.

Traveling back in time to give myself advice would be the most life changing experience. As a high school senior you truly know nothing about the college experience unless you hear stories, but college is different for each person. I would tell myself that trying to have long-distance relationships in college are implausible and someone will end up hurt. No one tells you that you need to experience new things in college and meet new people. Guess what, you do. College is what you make of it so go places and meet new people, this will truly enrich your life in college. Not only will you have friends to go out with but you also have new found family, whether you are in state or out of state, college is a scary place with out a few friendly faces to come home to at the end of the day. No one wants to be the alone so meet new people that make it so you are never alone. Another piece of asvice I would give myself would be to RUSH! Sororities are a huge way to meet new people and experience something new and interesting. Lastly just have fun!

The time machine that I would use would become unstable and break during the time I would take to explain to myself the challenges of being in college. Sleep, time-management, stress-management, getting a tutor right away, attending study sessions with peers, taking advantage of office hours, genuinely getting to know your professors and TAs. Eat healthy, get a job, budget your money(this especially) use money saving techniques like coupons and the like. There are really so many things that i would have liked to have known going in to my first year in college, learning them the hard way was not very fun at all. also, dont do drugs!

Don?t worry. It?s not the end of the world. When I was a senior I had near panic attacks about what I was going to do with the rest of my life. People told me that a college student can change their major 5 or 7 times and a career just as often, however that advice never calmed me. So I would tell myself to just take general classes at first, physics, programming, circuits, materials and energy balances, etc. A major can be declared at the beginning of my sophomore year, so I still have a year to decide on that. Also, CU has great professors with industry experience and a good career service center. Decide on a major first and what I want to do with that major can be decided later. Fields of emphasis or study can be decided be listening to what the experts say about industry. You can?t decide on a career until you are ready to graduate anyway. There is still time to make up your mind and find a field you like and want to stay on. You are on the right path, just keep studying hard and stay focused.

I know your passionate about what you do, but make the smart choices in the future. I'm not gonna tell you which way you should go or what your gonna face when you get there because I already what you've decided to and which college your going to pick. But what I can tell you is to keep going. Even when everything seems like its going downhill, keep fighting for your dream. You were not meant to be ordinary so don't settle for an ordinary life. Remember your favorite Nike Slogan: JUST DO IT! Don't make excuses, Don't cry or complain. JUST DO IT

I would tell myself to pay attention much more in my high school classes as college is not as easy as I thought it would be. Also I would've told myself that not going to class is the biggest waste of money and one of the stupidest things to do in college, no matter how many of your friends are doing it. I'd also say to always remind yourself of why you are there, for SCHOOL, and not to PARTY, although they both can go hand in hand as long as school is the number one priority. There are a lot of distractions in college but always stay focused on the task at hand and remember that in these times, a bachelor's degree is almost necessary to get a decent job after college, so study hard and go to class. Also I'd say to take advantage of all the academic help you can get-tutors, professor office hours, and study groups are a good idea, and they do not make you look like a geek if you utilize them. I would finish with study hard, but always remember to have fun.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, in regards to college life and making the transition, I would tell myself to be prepared to meet people with completely different backgrounds, interests, and personalities than what I was used to my entire life. I would also tell myself not to rely on my parents too much or go home within the first month of school. Although being away from home can be tough, simply waiting it out, meeting friends, and getting involved will make the transition so much easier. Additionally, I would tell myself to take classes that interest me, especially if they fulfill core requirements. I took a philosophy class last semester even though it didn't interest me, and that was a big mistake. Enjoying the course material will help make the first semester a success!