University of Hawaii at Manoa Top Questions

The college experience is valuable, because it is during this stage of life where you go to specialize in a certain career. However, it is not the type of career you have chosen that makes an impact on your life, but the things you do that gradually mold you into a rounded out person. College challenges you to be independant and to put forth your best effort. Individuals gain independance by learning how to take care of yourself. For me, this was actually difficult , because cooking isn't one of my best skills by far. Going to college especially tests your initiative to do things; with the many options that colleges provide in the paths a person may take the clubs, research, and the myriad of other activities that could be undertaken there would only be benefits. Furthermore, the opportunities in a college experience expands the perspective of people, and causes this important aspect of evaluating the world around them and to really consider the importance of their decisions. By simply going to college I have expanded the borders of what I can do. I see myself undergoing personal growth, increasing my knowledge, and making the impossible possible.

Having attended three very different colleges (a small 4 year college in a big city, a 2 year community college in a small rural town, and a large 2 year college in a big city), I have a unique perspective of what college life is like. College has been more than an academic learning experience for me, but also a growing experience including: leaving home, dorm life, being the stereotypical "poor college student," changing majors several times, and finding my true calling in life. Among all the lessons I've learned, these stand out in my memory. I have learned that I hate being alone, but, after sharing my bathroom and shower with strangers, relish in having my own private space. I know more about the value of a dollar than I ever did at home, shopping at the dollar store for foodstuffs. I know how to read bus schedules and ride a bus for 2 hours one way just for a job interview. I appreciate home cooking and study groups now more than ever. The best part of college life is simply learning who I am and how I learn.

The most valuable thing I've gained during my college journey is the confidence and knowledge that I am capable of wonderful things.

Wow. The change from being a high school senior to a college freshman is bigger than I ever would have guessed. Not only are you thrown into a whole new group of people; you're living in a different state far from home and taking on academic challenges that are unlike anything you've ever experienced before, even in AP classes. While I couldn't wait to be my own man on my own without those nagging parents around, I had no idea how heavy the responsibility would be and how hard living by myself would turn out to be. You don't really appreciate that support until you don't have it any more. College is not just some big party. While it's fun, you have to take it seriously. You're there to learn, not just play. Let me tell you something that's a huge difference: the teachers don't care if you come to class or do your work. After all, you're PAYING to be there and they get paid the same whether or not you pass their class. You don't want to waste your money. Your goal: to earn that degree.

As a high school senior, I thought I could take on the world. Although I still feel as if I can accomplish anything, it's not quite as easy as I had anticipated. Knowing what I know now, I would go back and warn myself to be prepared to struggle and fight for anything and everything. In high school, you could get by on pure wit; you could get an "A" on a test without studying, or get straights "A's" by just simply doing what is expected of you. However, as I was quick to learn, college is no where near as easy. If I could go back, I would, without a doubt, practice studying, not only before tests, but on a daily basis. I would tell myself to practice the good habits that are required of a successful college student. I would go back in time and tell myself to not make the mistake of taking on six classes and a full time job my first semester in college. With that said, I would warn myself to take baby steps, after all, isn't it always the slow and steady ones that win the race?

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior and highschool, I think I would tell myself to prepare better. When I first started off my first semester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa I was all over the place and definitely not prepared for the classes I had signed up for. I think that I would have said to myself, focus a little more on studying and don't worry about giving into peer pressure and attending certain parties or what not. For the most part, I'm proud of myself for surviving my first semester in college, but if I had a little advice from my future self, I think that I would definitely succeed with flying colors.

It's been said that college is like high school times a hundred. This is completely untrue, because no matter the experiences you had in high school, there is no factor imaginable to compare that experience with college. The twelve years you have spent in school so far have been a sheltered and sparse education, and in the years you spend in college you will learn more than you have in your entire life. The important things to remember are: study what you love, not what others choose for you; a good nights sleep helps a lot more than last minute cramming; and don't trust the professors who say something ?probably won't be on the final.? But most importantly, these four years mark the transition between being a boy and being a man, if you learn nothing else, learn to be the man who you want be.

I would tell myself not to fall for "senioritis" because that really messed up the end of the school year for me. I would also tell myself that when I got to UHM for school that there is no reason to hold back or be unsure, that I should just throw myself into getting involved with school organizations like I was in high school. I know as a senior I said I wanted a break from all the involvement, but now I know that it was all the participating in clubs and activities that really made high school so much fun.

i would have told myself to get ready for a crazy ride but i would not change anything about my life!

UH isn't too big. You don't have to go to community college first. E'veryone at UH wants you to suceed, from your teachers to counselors, fellow students, & staff. They will all pat you on the back. there are only a few jerks and they are everywhere in life. So, don't be afraid, dive in the deep end.