Chioma
The best way to prepare for college is to remember the acronym TIME. "T" stands for task management. In college, there are a lot of distractions such as parties and concerts. You wouldn't want these activities to get in the way of getting your degree, so make sure you do your work first. After the work is completed, you won't feel guilty about going out with friends. "I" stands for involvement. There are so many opportunities to take part in, such as clubs, teams, and organizations. Find something that fits your interests, that way you have a experiences to reflect on. "M" stands for money. One of the biggest tasks in college is having cash, which isn't limited to just spending it. There's nothing sweeter than having minimal debt after college. Utilize every option available to pay for college, such as searching for scholarships and grants. Also, make sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible. Look into loans if necessary too. Finally, "E" stands for enjoyment. College is a lot of work, but it is very entertaining. Make friends and share memories together. In the end, enjoy the four years you spend there!
Aditi
If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would tell myself many things. For starters, I would tell myself about time management and having a schedule to be successful. Second, I would tell myself to purchase books online instead of wasting money at the school bookstore. Third, I would tell myself to start reading the wall street journal and to read all wall street related books and learn about investment banking on my own because UCONN doesn't really teach much about it. This way, I would've been way more prepared for my interviews with banks than I am now. I would also tell myself to stay on top of my work from day 1 because work cumulates easily and that I can get distracted by the social life here. Another thing I would focus on is that I should join certain clubs from freshman so that way I could hold leadership positions in certain clubs and gain more experience. Lastly, I would tell myself to get an internship the summer of my freshman year.
Andy
The major piece of advice I would give any high school senior is a motto of mine; it is "Break down the barriers". Barriers are anything that holds you back from anything during college like pursuing your dreams or just making friends. When you first get to school, the first barriers you experience are shyness and nervousness. No matter how confident you are, being put into a new situation like college will make you nervous about how hard college rally and shy if you trying to make new friends. Shyness should be easy to conquer because all you need to remember is that everyone is in the same situation as you, at least the other freshmen so be yourself because being shy lets you not show who you really are and this will not let you make the friend you want or not let you make friends at all. Academically, nervousness is the biggest barrier. Break down that barrier and don't be nervous because if you got into the school you are smart enough to handle each and every class you take. It will be a challenge but don't run away; become a better student and succeed.
Chrystina
My advice would be to make good friends and join a club or other group activity to make your expirence in school wonderful. Also remember to study real hard. Don't overwelm yourself. If you have questions on homework go to the teacher. That is what they are there for, tutors are aslo worth it. Don't wait til the last minute to review for your test. Stay up all night a night or two and find a great coffee shop or 24 hour place. You will have some great memories that that you will remember for a lifetime. Spend time studying but remember to have fun too.
Janet
I would tell myself to actually push myself and work hard in school, instead of just doing the minimum and coasting through senior year. I would tell myself to go into college with awesome grades, to have that head start. College is much better than I ever anticipated, but i would probably leave that pleasant suprise for my future.
Kristina
The biggest regret I have in high school was not planning out exactly what my major would be in college. Many high school advisors do not understand the stress of picking a major and creating a course schedule, and to them college is a free for all until you miraculously find your ?niche? after just taking classes you're interested in. Meanwhile you should've been taking 16 credits of prerequisites your freshman year and now you have to stay at college for five years or give up that summer of making money for books to take those classes. Don?t get me wrong, college is a great time, freedom from nagging parents, great experiences and resources and also the occasional party (don?t tell the nagging parents that last one.) But it?s all about maturity and time management your freshman year, so keep those grades up as it only gets harder from here. Tell your roommate when he/she is bothering you, save that summer cash and definitely invest in a Brita, and you?ll have the best four years of your life. Yes, I know that?s what your parents said too, and they're not wrong.
Emily
First, I would remind myself that this decision is my own. It is extremely important to put aside my friend's and family's views on where I should attend. The college that one choses should be somewhere the student can picture themselves growing into an adult; and this can only be known by the student themselves.
I would also tell myself not to judge a school by the average GPA that it accepts. The point is not to get into the hardest school, but the school that offers what YOU want; which cannot be expressed in numbers! I feel that some students think that going to the "best" school means going to a school with a low acceptance rate due to a high average GPA accepted. More important is the courseload once the student gets accepted; what does the school have to offer the student?
Tami
Please Tami ,
Stop procrastinating and apply for those scholarships. Believe me, it sucks to do a last minute scramble for free money!
Stefanie
During my senior year of high school, I often worried about which college I would attend in the near future. I had not fallen in love with any of the universities to which I hah been accepted, and choosing a university to attend was a great struggle. Ultimately, I elected to attend the University of Connecticut, citing its low cost. After attending Freshman Orientation before I graduated from high school, I thought that I had made the wrong choice entirely. The school was very large and taught most of its introductory courses in enormous lecture halls, and everyone seemed obsessed with the basketball program. If I could go back in time and address myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to think a bit less about money, and more about the experience that I am looking for. Additionally, I would tell myself that the "name" of a school should not dictate whether or not I should apply for admission. But most of all, I would reassure myself that college is what one makes of it, and concentrating on one's academics and campus involvement can distract one from an undesirable college environment.
Tabitha
I would tell myself to find a school where you feel comfortable, but will be challenged acedemically. Finding the right school for you can be difficult, but you'll know when you've found it. The University of Connecticut has the school spirit and events that you will love, as well as the academic reputation and majors you will benefit from. It is important to be friendly and open to new people and new ideas, because it is here that you will make friendships that will last a lifetime. You should enjoy the weekends and spend time relaxing with your friends, but you also need to budget your time wisely in order to keep up with your studies and do well in your classes.