University of Connecticut Top Questions

It is easy to look back at my high school days and recognize the numerous mistakes I made. Knowing what I do now, I would advise myself to relax and enjoy high school as much as possible . After a year in college, I have realized how worried and stressed out I was in high school preparing for it. The months would drag on and I couldn't stop thinking about college. What if my roomate hates me? What if I don't like my professors? What if going to college is a mistake? I would tell myself that college is not as intimidating as I perceived it to be. I'd also say that making friends in college is fairly simple and the professors are genuinely good people. Everyone is as nervous about making new friends as you are. I would include that while college is a great experience and loads of fun, you should also focus on class and try not to get sidetracked. I would tell myself you only get from the class what you put in.

I would stay in school and get a degree.

One of the first things i would change about myself would be to take more Advanced Placement classes in high school and to try to do better on the AP exams. This way my work load for my freshmen year of college would be a lot lighter giving me a chance to get ahead and have more time to adjust to the workload in college. I would also work on time management and know how to use my time efficiently to complete all my work in a timely fashion. As i mentioned before i am very open-minded so adjusting to the new college lifestyle was not much of a problem for me. In addition to this i would also try to get more involved in college activities such as joining clubs, taking part in cultural events and community service acitivities. Doing these things would make my college experience more fun and academically successful.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself to become very involved on campus right from the outset. This allows you to learn about your school, make more friends, and get personal and professional connections for the future. I would also tell myself to use the resources available on campus for transitioning to college life and prioritize my studies ahead of everything else. Socializing is important and definitely plays a role in developing as a young adult, but it need not take a front seat in your to-do list because ultimately it is not what you are there for. Also, seeing as how my school is located in the middle of farm country, I would tell myself to learn about all the options available when it comes to recreational activities. It is very important to stay open-minded in a campus environment, because that way the opportunities that are available become virtually limitless. Last but not least, I would say to get out there, have fun, and learn all you can along the way.

Study more. Time management.

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self, I would recommend keeping focus on what is important and the main reason for being at school.The most important advice I would give myself and any student transitioning into college life, is to GO TO CLASS! With the new found freedom that comes with college, there is no one but yourself to motivate you to get up for classes at eight or nine in the morning. Countless studies have shown that students who go to class are much more likely to get As in their classes. One major obstacle I ran into for making it to class in the morning was staying up late, so another piece of advice I would give myself is to go to sleep at a reasonable and realistic time so as to wake up for early classes. I know that sleeping in looks very attractive when you don't have your mom yelling at you to get to school, but that's going to make the difference between making your mom happy with good grades, or regretting your decisions. Find your motivation and stay focused on what's important.

Knowing what I know now, I would first advise myself to apply for more scholarships! The expenses for this school exceed the money that I have (or my family has) so applying for more scholarships in my senior year would have helped me a great deal. I would also advise myself to spread out my difficult classes in order to minimize stress. As an Animal Science major, I learn a lot of information in each class, and it is hard to remember everything. That being said, I would suggest to my senior self to look over class notes the same day I take them. Studying a little at a time instead of looking at everything just a few days before an exam may help my memory. Studying is very important and time management is key. I would also tell myself to take more than the minimum 12 credits per semester so that I dont have to take so many classes in my senior year. All of this advice would most definitely make my college experience much easier!

Thats simple go to a college that isn't to expensive but still offers a good education.

I would tell myself to research all of the programs available in my area of interest, and not be brainwashed by my advisor. I would do more of my own research of various programs in the school instead of accepting my advisor when he promises that the one I'm enrolled in is the "best" one. I would take my advisor with a grain of salt, I suppose.

I would tell myself to always say "yes." Of course there are stipulations to this rule but for every opportunitiy offered to me I would respond with "yes" without a question. Having an open mind is one lesson that only college can teach because you are submersed in a situation where you realize how many other people you have to compete with in order to get a job and how much you have to excel in order to be noticed. I would tell any high school senior that they need to be open to any opportunity that comes their way because there is so much to take away from every situation. Every job, internship, volulnteer opportunity, and social event has a positive outcome or a learning experience built into it. Therefore, I reject negativity and the word "no." You should always be able and willing to go the extra mile and take something out of an experience, whether it be a friend, a quote, or a new thought. Therefore, when somebody offers you an experience, always say yes!

I would have let myself enjoy college a little more. If I could I would do it all over again. But I would be more social, be more out there and really enjoy the experience because you only live once.

Don't do things just because they're expected of you. It's really ok to circumvent the traditional paths in order to first figure out what you really want; that way you'll always know what you're working so hard for. To have real friends and positive relationships with the people around you are so, so important, maybe especially while you're learning. Don't go anywhere where you're not happy or do anything that you're not totally happy about. Stand up for yourself and also make sure that other people know that they're accountable, make sure they know that you're grateful for what they do to help you and that they're able to hurt you when they make mistakes. Reach out if you can. Put yourself around people you can respect, people who act like what they say and do matter, and people who hold you accountable for your words and actions. Learning is best when you're learning what you're interested in, and when you're in an environment with people like this; because in the end, the real learning happens only when you have the motivation to teach yourself.

Honestly, my main advice would be to apply for scholarships in high school! I'm having a very tough time finding good resources, whereas in high school they basically fed it to you. You take for granted the fact that half the teachers know you well enough to write a recommendation, at minimum know your name. My transition was a bit different because I decided to take a year off in between to travel and work full time. Being independent and working as an office temp really gave me a taste of the adult world. In a sense it sent me into the future a couple of years and made me realize how low the ceiling could be if I don't apply myself and do well. (Great decision!) Talking to my senior self I would reassure myself that college is not like high school. The people are different as well as the relationship you have with them and that Uconn is far enough away. I would also suggest getting a job (I had time) and being WAY more careful with money. I may suggest moving in with Tara and throw in a lotto ticket for the hell of it.

I would tell myself not to worry so much about social life. IN the long run it is not important. Don't worry about not having a million friends and going to parties. That life is not for everyone. Don't feel like an outcast or a loser if you'd rather not drink or party like all your friends are doing. Learn time management! Do not put your work off until the last minute. It will catch up with you and become overwhelming. Do not be ashamed or embarassed to go to tutors for help. Ask questions. Find other students who would like to form study groups. Sometimes it is more helpful when one of your peers can explain something to you rather than a teacher or professor. Try to get involved in campus activities, clubs and sports. It is a fun and esay way to make friends. Overall, blanace is most important. You have to create a balance between school work, friends, fun and sleep

Some advice that I would give myself is to look at all of my opportunities before making decisions that may not be the best for my future. I would also tell my self to start searching for scholarships early, therefore you have a better chance of submitting them before the deadline. I would tell myself to stay on top of my college applications and really research schools before applying to them. I would want to research the particular programs that I am interested in to know if the school is really right for me. I would also research lower priced schools so that I would be in less debt when I graduate. I would go about looking for schools differently then I did at first. Instead of looking at schools with prestige, I would look at certain programs and prices because that is really what is most important to me, a good education.

Try and pick classes that you really enjoy, there is no point to sitting through a lecture and not paying attention the whole time, its a waste of time and money. Make sure that you go to class, it helps you absorb the information, even if most of the notes are online. If you have any kind of choice make sure you get a roomate that you will get along with, roomates make all of the difference in how happy you are your first year.

As an experienced second year college student, there's a lot of things I wish I could tell my high school self. I'd tell myself to get used to studying more than a few hours the night before a test, or all of that petty drama isn't worth my time, or that being seen with my mother in the grocery store isn't the fatally embarassing. But most importantly, I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to get ready to ADJUST. The number one thing I had trouble getting used to, (along with many other college freshmen), was suddenly finding myself being a completely new indivual. My family, my friends, my four-year routine, was all a safety net that was cut the instant I was left by my family in my dorm room. Every day I was filled with choices, silly things like, what and when to eat, and serious things like taking notes instead of doodling in class. That life changing adjustment, which came as a stressful shock during my first semester of college, would have been a lot more bearable if only I had known of the interesting road ahead.

Looking back on my life as a high school senior, after attending college for one and a half years, I would have plenty of words of wisdom to give myself in order to better prepare myself for the college experience. I would tell myself, first and foremost, to prepare myself for change. In the course of my 2 and a half semesters at the University of Connecticut, I have found that life is much different from what it was in high school. Alcohol and drug use is much more prevalent in college than it is in high school. Also, classes are more challenging, requiring several hours of studying every night. However, while things may change, I would also tell my high school self that there's no reason to be afraid. College has been a wonderful and exciting experience for me. The challenging and interesting classes, coupled with the competent and helpful teaching staff, makes college academics both enjoyable and educational. The social aspect of college, although somewhat different from my high school days, is fun and serves to stimulate my interpersonal skills. Plus most colleges provide plenty of alternatives to drinking so students can enjoy themselves above the influence.

To my somewhat naive but well intending 17 year old self: I know you're kind of scared and you don't want to move on. You're afraid of changes and pretty content to stay nice and high up in the pecking order at Stamford High School. You like having lots of friends, knowing all your teachers and easily navigating around the 6+ floors. Well stop dragging your heels already!! Nothing you do can change the fact that time passes by, and you're ready and more than capable of moving on to 'bigger and better things'. Get your act together! Do more research, apply to more scholarships (if you're gonna face the inevitable, might as well do it with more cash in your pocket!). Don't treat UConn like your only choice and death sentence. Don't be so caught up in the past, and for God's sake don't give so much to your boyfriend back at home by making that hour and a half commute every weekend. - Your future and only slightly wiser self, Jessica P.S. Don't be so nervous about college academics, we have a 3.9 GPA now!!!!

I would advise myself to not think that college will not be as easy as high school was. I need to do a lot of work to keep my grades up and always pay attention in class and not slack off. I would also advise myself to talk to other students to find out about my professors and see if they have heard anything good or bad about them. This advise would have made my transition easier, however, I did not find the transition that bad.