University of Hawaii at Manoa Top Questions

I would have told myself to work hard and try not to procrastinate. Procrastination plays a big role in college. Most students procrastinate and get side tracked of what they are doing and it affect there studies and grades. There is free time available, but the right time would be when all your work is done. This is the biggest challenge in college because there are times when i get lazy and tell myself that i will finish the work later. Sometimes i forget that i have homework and i forget to finish it and i get a bad grade for the assignment. Midterms are escpecially the worst time to procrastinate, but after a full year of college, i learned ways to prevent procrastination and to get things done before I do anything else. I would have prepared myself a little more if i was in high school and told myself to focus on your goals more than anything else.

I would tell myself not to worry about deciding what I want from my future. As long as I have determination, it won't matter what path I take. I have changed my mind so many times within the past few years, that it doesn't matter. As long as I get to know myself, and what I'm best at is the important thing. Then I will find a path thats most suitable.

I suggest that you thoroughly research the university (and possibly visit) first. In order for a new student to adjust and do better in school, there needs to be a supportive staff and academic faculty that can empathize with your situtation. Unless you are a commuter student and are from the area, I suggest finding a school that is much more diverse in that aspect.

Be very open minded. Looks can be deceiving and not always what you think.

Make sure the student is happy with the place they will be living. Don't make too drastic of a move from where you grew up. Do research on what you want to study and talk to college counslers early! Don't waste time and money on classes you don't need. Try to figure out a career path as early as possible so that even if it doesn't work out, there is time to switch majors. Be friendly as possible, now is the time to meet new and interesting people. New friends make the college experience fun and they very likely may become lifelong friends.

Choose a college with students and professors you would enjoy interacting with. Some colleges are more studious while others tend to be more relaxed. The people you go to college with definitely determines much of your experience there. The schools geographical setting also important from the weather to the types of activites and jobs available outside of campus life. Get involved with the school and community and take advantage of any advising, social, and extracurricular activities offered. Join clubs and make friends with people who have the same interests or career goals as you. College is a great place to meet people. Also look at class sizes, think about if you prefer large lecture classes or smaller class sizes. Look at the graduation requirements and professor profiles. Make sure the college has your intended major or will help you toward your future career goal. Look at the scholarships available at certain colleges as well.

I would tell them that they should research colleges that complement their personalities and accomodate their living arrangements because then thy would feel comfortable living there and be able to do their best. I would also tell them that they should go to any new student orientations and visit the campus to get a general feel of where they're going to be doing their studies as well as other things. I would tell them to make a schedule of what they are going to do for the semester so they could balance out their studies and personal life. They should find out the different opportunities such main attractions, malls, and other places that they may enjoy. Overall, I would tell parents and/or students that they should research all the colleges that they would like to attend so they know what to expect when they start living there. Furthermore, they should create a plan or schedule so they know what they're going to be doing for the time they're going to be there and be productive yet enjoyable.

First and foremost, understand what it is that you want in life. What do you want to accomplish? What type of lifestyle would you like to have in the future? Think about these things before making a stern decision on the college or university you choose to attend and what you plan to do with your time. Time is precious. What you choose to do for the next 4-7 years of your academic life will affect your professional life and so forth. Clearly define your objectives and interests. What kind of life do you want to have? Once you have defined what it is that you want to do with your life, take action. Browse through all the various college choices available that will allow you to get where you want to be. Don't be conservative. Dream big and do what ever it takes to get what you want. Be very particular in your choice. Consider the campus life, academic programs available, prospectives for post-college employment, etc. Once you have fully investigated the options, apply for the colleges you are interested in. Once in college, take advantage of every aspect of the experience; and enjoy the ride.

Though a student may look at dozens and dozens of colleges, I believe that the choice should ultimately come down to what the student feels is right in their heart. Campus visits are the most effective way of choosing a college. If the student can stand on the campus and say "Yes, I can imagine myself walking on this campus every day and graduating here after 4 years", then it is the right college. Many students choose a college they have never seen before and this usually results complicated transfers and applying to different colleges. It is also important to research other available options such as financial aid, extra-curricular activities and study abroad programs, but most importantly is choosing the college that feels right. A student should always bring their parents along to these campus visits so they too have the opportunity to feel like they will be attending college alongside you by seeing what you will see every day. After you find the right college, the next four years of your life will be years that you will never forget.

My advice is to have the student consider all possibilities despite the cost of tuition. Because ultimately it is the campus environment, and surrounding people that make every student's college experience either enjoyable or unenjoyable. Also, i would tell them to find a campus that specializes in their major. Because if you have enthusiastic professors, it makes going to class, and learning the material that much easier. And once you have decided on a schoool, make the most of it and participate in as many campus activities as possible. It opens the doors to new people, new experiences, and life long memories!