University of Connecticut Top Questions

Stop looking for more colleges ? you already applied to 7 universities! You know the criteria you want and all the universities you applied for have those characteristics, so why are you still applying to similar colleges? It?s not the campus that will make the most of your college years; it?s the students. Universities are good at assembling diverse people with unique personalities, quirks, or beliefs. Never have my friends or siblings from different colleges sighed about how the students there have uniformed character. There are so many unique individuals in every college, come out of your shell and be forthcoming to everyone. That guy who you had a great conversation with at the end of the semester might not have the same class as you again. Take initiative to build and preserve that friendship. Friendships take work to conserve and will decay once both party stop caring. Stop expecting others to be the one to ask for your number, they might be just as shy as you. Don?t lose the opportunity to continue a promising friendship and take charge. By doing that, any college you go to will be satisfying ? so stop applying for more colleges!

If I could go back and give myself some advice during my senior year of high school to better prepare for college, I would tell myself to learn for the education and not for the test grade. High school was very easy for me, and I rarely studied for my classes. I would simply remember what the teacher said, replicate it on the test or quiz, and then forget about it. I fell victim to the belief that I really learned the information, when all I did was remember it. College was no where near as easy as high school was. I can no longer just remember what the professor said. In college, I had to teach myself how to study, something I never did in high school. I now realize I need to learn for the education and not the grade; it would have been easier to start this approach to academia in high school and not college.

I would tell myself that college is not high school. When I was younger, my parents told me that middle school was not the same as high school. When I got straight A's, I told them that it was the same. When I went to college my parents told me that it was not the same as high school. I did not believe them thinking it was going to be the same as high school. This must have been one of the biggest mistakes of my life because college is not like high school one bit. I would tell myself that my parents are right, that college is no joke. You have to constantly study in order to do well. I figured that out my first semester. Another word of advice I would give myself is to join clubs and make a lot of friends. That is going to be my home for the next couple of years and I should get involved in as many things that I can. The most important thing is to maintain balance so that I can study and have fun and enjoy the college experience.

If I could go back in time to advise myself as a high school senior, I would instruct myself to think big. Advisors often try to take a more conservative approach to the college transition. They tell students to ease their way into college by taking small course loads, finding a few activities and getting to know the people living in their dorm. I argue that approach is completely wrong and misguided. I would urge myself to learn as much as I could about my field studies and scholarship, internship, and job opportunities immediately. In college, academic advisors do not tell you what classes to take or programs to get involved with, so the time to take the initiative and find out is senior year. I would tell myself to join groups that are active and diverse. I would challenge myself to meet people of multiple ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Mostly, I would dare myself to be different, to not be afraid of doing things outside the norms and of trying things most would never think to. College is more than just receiving a degree; it is about broadening ones horizon. I would aggressively urge myself to do so.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself a lot of advice. First I would prepare myself more for the transition into my freshman year. I would have met with my roommate before moving in with her so we would feel more comfortable with each other. I would have talked to other people I knew going to the same school as me more and help them with their transition as well. I would make sure I got more involved with campus activities and joined a sorority like I initially wanted to but I got too nervous. I would of built more confidence to do dorm activities with the other girls instead of being shy and staying on my computer in my room. So overall I would change my way of thinking throughout the first couple of weeks of my freshman year.

Some advice I would give myself about college life is to seriously consider the housing application, and not to room with my bestfriend. I didn't believe what everyone said about how rooming with your bestfriend could end horribly, but it did. I found that she was a very selfish person, who didn't know the meaning of the word "compromise." I'd also tell myself not to go to UCONN, not because it's a bad school but because I never get enough sleep there. People walk down the halls at all hours of the day, screaming and laughing, with no consideration for anyone but themselves. They also like to skateboard down the hall. I think the most important thing I'd tell myself is to find a club and join it, because being bored and lonely is something that can make the whole college experience very depressing.

The advice i would give to myself is to stay focused and get involved because doing these things in college had led me to a positive experience. I would also advise myself to explore other majors before actually declaring one. I have had to change my major a couple times because I thought i was interested in certain subjects before I actually new what that subject required. Make friends! Which I think is the most important piece of advice because not only can friends make your college experience fun and rewarding but friends can also be a big help with your academic struggles.

I must confess that there are two pieces of advice that I would give myself if I oculd go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. In college, classes only last for a semester as opposed to an entire school year. Consequently, in the typical college course there are fewer tests than in the typical high school course, and tests therefore tend to carry more weight in a college course. Thus, in college it is imperative that one take all classes much more seriously than one would in high school. Had I realized this, I would have worked harder in college than I did initially. Furthermore, if I could go back in time, I would advise myself to enter college with a tolerant attitude so as to not become angry with my roommate for being much messier than I am. It is not healthy to be worried over trivial matters, especially things that are none of one's business, such as how one's roommate chooses to organize his personal space. Such anger only causes unnecessary stress. Moreover, having an enjoyable college life requires a positive relationship with one's roommate.

Keep up a positive attitude and take risks! You know what classes you like and don't like, but that shouldn't dictate your schedule. Taking new classes, joining clubs, and doing activities that you've never done before are great. Not only will you meet more than the people on your hall, but it's a great experience to have! It might totally change the direction you're going to take, or it could further reinforce that you are the right path. Don't be scared to make new friends who want to make the most of the school too! Sign up for these activities and clubs together. There is a lot of new opportunities available and who knows when they'll come around again so take advantage of all the great things around you. So sign up for the ancient Iraq history class, join the skydiving club, and go to the silent dance party in the quad!

I'd tell myself that everything's okay - that everything works out well to the good of those who believe and have faith in themselves, that no matter what happens, it's going to be okay. I'd tell myself that there would be difficult challenges to face, that moving halfway around the world doesn't eliminate problems you seem to run away from. I'd tell myself to reach out more to people around me, that I'm not the only person who's going through the same thing. I'd tell myself to reach out to ethnic programs, maybe apply for oncampus housing with other "international" students, maybe join an ethnic association. I'd tell myself to relax, that freshmen year is the time to screw up, but that doesnt mean it should be an excuse to allow yourself to screw up. I'd tell myself that I'm only human, and capable of making mistakes and that I shouldn't be too hard on myself. I'd also tell myself not to accept those stupid credit card offers in the mail, and that I should manage my time and money wisely.