University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to my high school senior self I would first tell myself to not slack on my grades because they do count when looking for colleges. I would then tell myself that I need to be myself the first quarter and to not act like someone else to get people to look my way. In colege people don't look at you and place you in groups, they accept you for you, race doesn't matter. We all are in college to make something of ourselves, not to judge and put others down.

Don't be afraid to grow up. I know everyone around you has said this at least once, and maybe you've given it thought but from me, to you, it's the best advice I can give you. You might think you're a grown up, applying for college, going out with friends but you have not prepared yourself for what the real world is going to throw at you. From learning to handle money, to juggling a social life with school, college life isn't just attending classes and taking tests. It's about paying bills, ignoring the speed bumps in the road that might push you from the path of education, finding out who you are and where you want to be. It's going to seem like a lot and you might want to throw in the towel, but don't give up, this is the time to try and succeed.

The most important advice that I could give to my high-school-senior-self just before the cusp of college would be to ignore his fear of change. Rather than making the more prudent choice of a smaller college close to home, in lieu of pursuing his perilous dream of moving to the city, I would convince him to forgo safety in favor of a risk with the possibility of a bigger reward. To instead apply to the college of his dreams, and if accepted: to just GO, with no second thoughts or hesitations. In the final stages of my Associate of Arts degree, I am realizing how much more I could have learned if I had taken a risk, pushed my personal boundaries, and succeed brilliantly or failed as equally gloriously. I could have learned so much more from this than the safer and ultimately duller path I chose. The advice I could impart to that distance KC of years ago is the same advice – as I plan to move away from what I know and begin my Bachelor’s degree – I give myself now: to take risks, to fully embrace mistakes and successes, and to live without fear.

I would tell myself to take advantage of AP classes because they help you gain college credits! I really missed out on those and now I wish I had taken every AP class that was offered at my high school.

Life in college have to be serious than in high school. If you fail in college you have to retake that class again, but in high school only retake the test.

Dear high school Camille, Don't give up. Time is going to fly by faster then you can image and you will never see it coming or going. College is a lot different but you'll like it. The people you'll meet in the classes actually want to be their learning and so learning yourself will be a lot easier and study groups will actually consist of studying. You are going to have a lot more time on your hands because there is virtually no homework in most of your classes, but make sure you use this time to study! College is a lot more on your shoulders than high school was. High school tests consisted of everything the teachers told you was on the test, college tests have a lot of information on them that you should know from reading and asking questions and digging deeper into meanings than a typical text books goes into.

Dear high school Noah, What is wrong with you?! Why are you not concerned with your education?! Do you really think friends, "fitting in," "keeping it real," and being "cool" are really going to benefit you in the future? I can tell you that all certainly will not do so in any way. In as short of a time as four entire years, progession and growth will only be made by those who focus on their education and studies. Only the lives of those who strive to achieve and reach a certain educational goal will be taken to new surroundings, valuable adventures, and rich experiences. Think of all your "too cool for school" friends with whom you prefer to revel with in substitute of your daily classes. Know that many have not attended college. Many have not received a high school diploma or a general education degree. You may be schocked to know that over the four year period of changing from adolescence to young adulthood, none have changed one bit. They are preserved as high school youths, and they remain exactly in place. Heed this warning. Focus on that which will produce a fulfilling life. Don't dtich.

Looking back and knowing the major I chose I would give my past self as much advice as possible about choosing a major. I knew during my senior year and even upon graduating which major seemed right for me. I chose to get a Fine Arts' degree in Digital Animation, which still seems like the right choice, but I didn't think about the costs. I would tell myself to explore other majors that suit my interests in movies and video games. I loved my first year in Animation, but i didn't realize how expensive it would be across all four years and how much financial aid I would receive. I would tell myself to look into a film degree since I love different aspects of movie production, especially digital effects. In knowing this I could have started as a film student, started at a lower tuition and wouldn't have had to waste a whole year putting so much sweat and stress into a major I wouldn't be pursuing long term. I would make myself understand and realize that a degree in film would have been a great choice from the start.

Dear Kirsten of the past, When I first walked on the UCD campus, I new I had made it. The soft background noise of the city, the beautiful mountains to the west and the exciting scenary of campus with the happy students and welcoming atmosphere. Every office I went to was so helpful and kind. The Campus Village, where I am living, is far better than any other "dorms" in its comfort and luxury. Just a few tips for you! Senior year must be your most academically outstanding year! No slacking, learn as much as you can and study hard! Build your study habits! It is definitely hard to first get into good study habits in college. Your job at Wendy's seems like only money to fund your social life, but you seriously have to cut back on that and save it all for college! I really wish now I hadn't eaten out every day as a senior and had it for paying for my books, housing, classes, supplies, and tuition. You do not want to build up loan after loan. And finally DO NOT STRESS. University is only a continuation of your education and a fun experience!

David, time will be the most important aspect of college and life. Time is the controlling factor which will ultimately reign on your ability to progress with life. Time is continuous and does not wait. Time ignores tasks and has no remorse for you or your "petty" deadlines. Learn to manage it. Time is inconspicious, slowly crawling behind you continuously as if to pounce. Get left behind, and time will pass you. Learn to differentiate between what you NEED to do, and what you WANT to do. This is the foundation of progress in life. If you postpone what you need to do, taking an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality, you are simply delaying what you need to do. The work will still need to be done, and your wants will ultimately shift to other desires. Manage time well, and everything else will fall into place. Love, Your future David.