University of Delaware Top Questions

I would let myself know that college is going to be hard and really tough sometimes. However, it is easy to make friends and to find the right people to lean on when you need it. It is important to create a support system for yourself and to make sure that you get a lot of internship experience so that you can figure out exactly what you want to do in life. Don't get bogged down by the social scene, because the academics is what really matters.

I would tell myself to just relax and enjoy the moment. Yes it is a big step from high school to college but it is not as bad as everyone thinks. I would make sure to tell myself that while it is fun to go out with friends, your school work must come first. The first semester of college I made the mistake of putting having fun above doing school work and I suffered for it. Although my grades were B's and C's that first semester it was far from the normal A's I get. Once I realized that school comes first and learned to balance my social life and school work, I have never made that mistake again of putting my social life first. I would tell myself that it is ok to go out and have fun as long as you know what priorities come first above all else

Apply for scholarships and grants early, keep ontop of these applications so you can afford to go to school stress free instead of worrying about bills and whether or not you're actaully going to get in this semester. Make sure you live on campus. The worst part of my experience was feeling like I wasn't part of this school because I wasn't physcially living on campus. I literally went there to learn and it meant very little to me. I just wanted to get my degree and move on. The connections and networking that the clubs and organizations offer is invaluable, make use of them. Join them and stay connected with those friends. You'll find that those people show up in your classes and you will value their friendship and help semester after semester. Try to take care of yourself. Stress made attendence and studying that much harder, excercise and find peace! It will all turn out if you give yourself time and space.

In the words of the great English leader Winston Churchill, “Never, ever, ever give up.” A simple statement for sure, but absolutely profound. Of course on some level this truth has to be ingrained into every high school student or no one would ever obtain a high school diploma. However, once in college, the essence of this truth is heavily tested as growing responsibilities and added coursework press even the most talented of students. There are small choices to be made every day for sure. Yet, the battle is often won or lost in those intense moments of do or die. Those moments when you have decide whether to go to bed or stay up and study one more hour, those moments when you have to decide mid-test whether to give up or press on and salvage a grade, this is where the battle is won and lost. So in the end, I do not know that I would tell my high school self anything I did not already know, but I would ingrain what I do. Fight hard, never give up, win the battles, for today’s battles bring tomorrow’s victories. Kyle Nyce

Growing up, I always had a hard time understanding that I may not be able to be the best at everything. While this is a simple and well-known lesson, it is much harder to put into practice than it is to put into words. I expected to shine as I entered college by getting into every school I applied to, having an amazing roommate who would be my best friend for the rest of my life, and immediately diving into leadership positions while still excelling in my classes. I wanted to be the perfect student and have a perfect first semester. However, this year has taught me that perfection is merely an idea, and that not everything will work out exactly how I plan. I may not have gotten into every school or accepted to the positions I applied to, my roommate and I may go our separate ways after this year, and straight As may not be as easy to obtain as I thought, but in hindsight, those things have not prevented me from having a successful and enjoyable first semester. Keep your head held high, and remember that simply striving for perfection can also lead to success.

I would tell him to not go to college, to just get a job for life experience until he feels ready to go to college. Instead of going when I am not mentally ready for it.

If I could tell myself anything as a senior in high school, it would be to take advantage of scholarships. I applied to some, but I know I should have put more effort into scholarships and trying to save more money for college. Instead of doing the many scholarships my mom found for me, I went out with friends. I spent all summer with family and friends and didn't do any work. I would tell myself that t would be a mistake not to take advantage of opportunities. The one thing I regret has to be that I didn't try hard enough to save for college.

Dear High School Senior Me, I want to start by saying live the next year of your life like the Bob Marley song " Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright". Know that when you make a decision to attend a university there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consider the quality of the education you are looking for, and know that no decision to attend a university is a cheap one so be mindful of costs. Second, think about the type of people you want to go to school with. Are you comfortable attending a school in which each face is a new one, or would you be more comfortable closer to home with many familar faces? The social setting you put yourself in will in many ways shape how you feel about your school. Lastly work your hardest and don't be afraid to try new things. For example if you get an email asking about trying out for the women's rowing team (which you will) go for it! Nothing bad can happen from you taking chances, you will either fail and learn from your mistakes or succeed.

When looking back upon my life since graduation from high school till now I would have to say an important piece of advice is to take your studies seriously. Do not goof off in the first two years of college because in the end, your grade point average does mean something, especially when you are trying to get into graduate school. Give everything you do, whether academic, professional, or personal, 110 percent. I didn’t learn this until my junior year of college and trying to bounce back from that choice was tough. The most important advice I would give to my 17 year old self is that no matter how much you plan life, things will not go accordingly. When this happens, do not sit around and do nothing, revise your plan and keep moving. I have encountered many forks in the road in life, some expected, and others not so much. Whether it was pursuing a different degree choice, not getting into a certain program, or getting into a tough graduate school program, take life one step at a time. It all works out in the end.

“Ring! Ring! Here’s your wake up call! This is where everything counts; this is what really matters. You’ve done pretty well in high school, but college is a whole different league. The classes will get A LOT harder, but you’ll be able to manage them. The thing that will hit you hard will be the social life. It’s oh so tempting to go out too often or to ‘relax’ the weekend before a test, but you MUST resist. College weekends start on Thursday, but lucky you has classes on Friday so suck it up and don’t go out! The key to thriving is balance; work hard during the week and enjoy yourself during the weekends. You must be smart and if you have a test coming up, ACTUALLY STUDY FOR IT and don’t go out that weekend! You have years ahead of you! You need both the academics and the fun, but you can’t let either one dominate your college career. Take advantage of all the opportunities, but don’t overload yourself. Keep adding activities until you are busy, but not stressed. Most of all, maximize your time at college!”

As a high school senior, I was very distracted by my social life and wasn't too concerned about college (although I knew that I wanted to go). I didn't spend much time on scholarships, didn't take AP classes, didn't apply myself; and because of this, I lost out on a lot of money for school (which I suffer greatly from) and had to go to a community college for a year. Once I finally applied myself to my school work, I became a strong student and I remain that way today. In high school, my GPA was around a 3.2~3.3 with average classes. In college, my GPA is a 3.812 and I have taken difficult classes such as; General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 2 (UD has a very difficult chemistry department), and received an A in each one. So if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to strive for great grades, enroll in AP courses, and take that final year of high school seriously.

If I could go back and give my high school self advice, I would say be confident in yourself. The first few days of college is scary, no parents, new people. You have to assert yourself into the kids your'e living with in your dorm, they're all in the same position as you are. Make sure you come out of your shell a bit. Thats the best way to make friends on the first few days. Also in regards to education, it is imperative that you make a schedule for yourself on the weekends. Make a to-do list of what you have to accomplish so that your social life does not impede on your academics. You have to find a nice balance between school time and social time. Lastly, just because its college, doesn't mean you shouldn't be safe when out at a party. Never put your drink down, always stay with friends, don't take any drugs, and don't feel pressure to take a lot of shots or play "catch up".

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I think that I would tell myself to calm down. I remember that senior year was a very stressful time because I worried constantly about which college I would attend and how I would fit in at a brand new school. So, if I could go back in time I would tell myself to enjoy senior year and to have as much fun as I possibly could. I would remind myself that while education should always come first, there has to be room for fun and relaxation. I think that I would also say that college is scary and amazing at the same time, and getting adjusted may take awhile. Most importantly I would tell myself to give everything and everyone a chance. I would say that it takes time to make friends and to find your niche on campus, and it takes even more time to get used to the different teaching styles of professors. I would tell myself that I learned that college is all about time allocation, and that if I manage that I will be just fine.

My advice that I would give myself is to plan ahead. Know which colleges you are interested in and do research in order to find out what you need to do in order to get accepted into a university/college. Take this time to improve all your grades and boost your GPA.

College is synonymous for change, but a lot of people do not realize that it is not new change being brought upon us by life. Young adults do not become completely new and different individuals when they enter college their freshman years. Instead, they become more of who they have always meant to be. Everything around a person will be changing during his/her first year of school-- level of independence, scenery, friends, favorite things, etc. but one must remember that all this change is natural and will not change who we are unless we let it change us. We do not have to welcome these changes with open arms, because it is understandable as to how scary it can be, but we still must be give them a chance. College is a time to discover ourselves and that discovery cannot be made without the help of these changes.

Don't be so focused on making people like you, instead focus on liking other people. That is, do more for others and be more positive, improve on yourself. It doesn't matter if these people like you if you arent a kind person that likes herself. Use this year to grow into yourself so that by the time you get to college, you're more comfortable with who you are. And share that comfort.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work diligently in the classes I am enrolled. Study to get the best grade possible and if you need help to do that, don't be afraid to ask your teachers for assistance. That is why they are there. Practice for your SAT test as often as you can to try to get the best score possible. Always keep an eye on your GPA. I think that being involved in clubs and sports is an important objective. But one of the most important things is to always try and give back to the community as much and as often as possible.

I would advise myself that you need to study harder. I would advise myself not to have slacked off the first few years and focus more on my studies instead of my friends. College is a whole different ball game and while the pressure on you from the teachers is less, you have to put the pressure on yourself in order to keep up. College teachers do not play games when it comes to learning the material they are teaching, and if you don't dedicate your time appropriately you will miss out and most likely fail the class. This is a huge deal when you are actually having to pay for these classes and you are on your own. After high school, life does not slow down or get easier. Life moves on and progresses and you have to keep up or you'll be left behind. Friends don't last forever and neither do the good times, and I know its hard to see the future when you're living for the moment, but what I'm saying is the truth and only you have the power to change your life.

Looking back at myself as a high school senior, I'd advise myself to enjoy the college experience and actively network. While I was in school, I focused so intently on academics, that I allowed my social inclinations to be stifled. I'd advise my high school self to manage my time more effectively, and accurately balance my schedule. Specifically, I'd suggest to make time to socialize with my peers, to explore the variety of extra-curricular activities, as well as to consider the research opportunities that UD offers. Armed with my undergraduate experiences, I aim to put my recommendations into use during my professional studies as an aspiring Optometrist.

The advice that I would give to a high school senior is to go through the process of choosing your college based on your own true inner opinions not the opinions of others. You should choose your college based on your inner person and what you know you want in a college. You should also choose the college that will help you the most financially if you need the money. Also, consider the ease or difficulty and the expense of getting home for the holidays etc. Make sure it has the major that you want.