University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

If I gave myself, as a high school senior, advise about college, I would tell myself to think honestly and figure out what things I need in my life in order to be happy. Important aspects of a university are a good reputation and high academic standards, however there are many other things to consider. Tons of schools have great academics, however I know I would not be happy at all of those schools. As a senior in high school I applied to universities because they were the most popular, not because I knew they had things to offer that were important to me. I didn't realize how bad the subzero wisconsin winters were and how not being able to go on trail runs could affect my happiness so much. I also made the decision to go to a different university than my identical twin sister. If I could go back I would tell myself to go to the same school as her. There is nothing I would not give for my sister to have been at my first solo flute recital and to have been with my sister as she was going through a hard breakup.

If I received the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to focus on finding more scholarships so that my family wouldn't have to struggle financially. I would tell myself to take more college courses to give myself a hedstart in the type of classes I would be taking in college. This would also put me ahead in classes and I could take less credit every semester. This would help me concentrate more in my courses to earn better grades. I would tell myself to learn my study habits and what strategies are more efficeint for my learning styles. Going back in time would be an opportunity that would help me out academicaly and financialy. I am proud for everything I have done, but I wouldn't turn down the opportunity if I had the chance.

Take your education seriously. Yes, it is important to have a social life, but learn to balance your study life and your social life. Be willing to always choose school over partying. Get your degree while you are young. It's harder to learn when you are dealing with a husband/wife, children, home, etc... Go to your professor's office hours and get to know them. You would be amazed and how much they know and how cool they actually are and how they are willing to get to know you, so get to know them. Be willing to give yourself a break when you need it. Don't stress over minor stuff. Remember there is always someone wiling to help you. Cherish your friendships. Find your community and embrace it.

It does get better. High school is just the jumping off point and who are you in high school does not define who you are in college. Everyone gets jitters and becomes nervous about starting a new period in their life, but it will be easy to adjust because everyone is in the exact same place you are. You will find new friends and even though your life will take a different turn, there is no reason to fear it. You will be just fine. However, make sure you keep on top of all your work. Its easy to put it off until the next day, but having everything finished will make your life a lot easier. It feels like you have so much time to finish everything you need to finish but the time goes fast. Most importantly, don't take any moment for granted because it all changes so quickly. Your life next year will be completely different from this year so just take some time to enjoy life as it is.

Going into college, there are two very important things to remember: always be yourself, and if you're not happy, it's not worth it. If you're not yourself, you will end up with friends who are nothing like you and you may not enjoy this. Being yourself will make you happier in the long run. To be yourself will also help in defining who you want to be in the future. It will make visible the dreams you have and goals you want to accomplish. Live as yourself and no one else. Also, if you find yourself unhappy, fix that pronto! Life is too short to be unhappy. If your decisions dont make other people happy, you have to think about the long run. If you know things won't get better, then change it. It's your life and now is the time to decide how you want it to turn out. Be yourself, happy and content with where you and who you are.

I would advise myself to not get bogged down in worrying about what kind of career to pursue. Instead, explore a number of different fields in your first couple of years. The great advantage to a liberal arts school is the opportunity to take courses in a number of different academic fields. This ability to explore various different fields allowed me to find the field that I was passionate about. Heading in to your first few years, you are most likely to change your mind often about the kind of career you will eventually pursue. Pegging yourself to one specific field may prevent you from finding a different field that you may not have considered before, but ultimately find yourself inspired by the subject matter. It is absolutely paramount to find the field that you truly enjoy, not simply to career that you think you see yourself working in. Finding your passion will ensure that you will be happy in your future career objectives, and you may even discover a side of yourself that you never imagined.

I really wish I could do this exact thing. I would love to tell myself that college is not a cake walk like high school. You actually have to work very hard to do well at all. You have to go to all your classes and do all the reading. Cramming is not really an option like in high school theres too much material. You have to the work as its presented to you or ahead of time to do well. If not you will get to stressed out. You also have to study for tests ahead of time not just the night before. Basically, don't overestimate yourself you have no idea how hard this stuff is going to get. I think my G.P.A. would reflect it if I heard that before i headed up Boulder.

Comparing the person I am now to who I was in high school, I would tell myself to not always take life so seriously. Simply put, I am a workaholic. I get bored easily and therefore fill my time by doing anything from nannying to volunteering to studying rather than just relaxing. I have always worked hard to get the success I desired, and therefore many times I fail to relax and enjoy everything that is around me. As I approach my graduation this semester, I have realized I have not lived college to its full potential but I cannot regret how much I have grown or the person I am today. I wish I could return to my freshman year and stay out until 3 in the morning before an 8AM class or just radomly head to the mountains for the weekend and do some shredding in the fresh powder. I know that I cannot go back in time, but it is a lesson I have learned through my journey through college and hopefully I will rememember to take my time and enjoy life on my future endeavores.

Don't be afraid you are about to begin the greatest journey of your life thus far. You will meet so many people and make so many new friends. You will learn so much in your time here. You will learn who you are most of all. You will struggle at times, especially financially, but that will only build your character; everything will be okay. so just have fun and do well.

I would keep busy with school work over summer break to ease my transition to college level work. I would also assure myself that socially, the transition would be succesful and easy. I would also try and meet more people from my local area that would be attending the same school.