University of Kansas Top Questions

The one thing I wish I had known, or perhaps I should say understood, when it came to transitioning from high school to college life is this: your happiness depends on you. It really doesn't have to matter if your school is your first choice, if your boyfriend is going to school in another state, or if you don't know anyone else at your school. You can make a choice to be happy wherever you are, whatever you do. A positive attitude is your best friend when going into a new situation, and you can choose to see it as an oppotunity to grow and change for the better. Understanding the power of a simple choice would have made my first semester of college a lot easier and more enjoyable for me, so if I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say this: "So this isn't exactly what you wanted. Chin up, you can make it into so much more than you've dreamt just by opening your eyes to the opportunities instead of focusing on what you didn't get. I promise, you can love it here as much as anywhere."

I would visit other schools and really consider my options closely. I would not wait until the last minute.

Oh my, a question I think about on a daily basis. I would definately have to say to myself that I need to study and take high school more seriously. In high school I only recieved a 2.5 gpa because I didn't think it was worth it to put in my best efforts. Once I made it to college I recieved 4.0's and 3.5's and was on the honor rolls every semester. I would definately tell myself what was about to happen in the future when I gave it my all! High school is so so important, a lot of students just don't understand. Parents and teachers were right!

If I could go back to high school and give myself advice I would tell myself a few things. First I would let myself know that I need to apply for scholarships. When you?re 17 and applying for loans, $35,000 over four years doesn?t seem like too much, and paying them off doesn?t seem difficult either. When you are a junior and beginning to think about life after college, $35,000 is a lot of money. Second I would tell myself how I study best. In high school I didn?t need to study much. When I came to college I had to figure out how I study. It took me two years to realize all I needed was to sit at the front of the class and review my notes every once in a while. And lastly I would tell myself to follow my heart wherever it takes me. Follow it in deciding a major, selecting classes, choosing roommates, and anything else that goes along with college. That?s advice that I still need to learn how to take, rather than fervently research and plan everything.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior, some advice I would give myself is to attend class, study, and set a time schedule. My first semester here at college I skipped class on a regular basis. Even though I passed all my courses I had to cram like a maniac and unfortunetly, I did not recieve the grades I was used to recieving while in high school. I would tell myself that just by attending class there is little to no way you could struggle. I would advice that I study, rewrite my notes and stay caught up. High school was easy for me so I rarely had to study and I graduated with a 4.3 GPA, so I would forwarn myself to save me from the many sleepless nights I experienced. Lastly, I would encourage myself to set up a time management schedule so I could organize my day and still have time for myself. Writing out what you do throughout the day hour by hour allows you to see how much time you waste . It allows you to reorganize and set a suitable amount of time towards classes, rest and yourself.

Nico, when you go to college at the University of Kansas, meet all the people you can. You are going to a university with an abundance of valueable contacts as well as an abundance of great possible friends. Be open to to view points of everyone you come in contact with. Yes you are going to Kansas, but not everyone there is a redneck republican. Lawrence is a unique town that offers plenty of differing points of view, and an overall liberal experience. Focus on school like you never have before. College is hard, much harder than high school, and your GPA in college will determine what happens in the rest of your life. Prioritize what is really important to you. I know you like to have fun, socialize and drink on occassion. But fo rthe next few years, limit that and realize that there will be plenty of opportunity for fun throughout your life. Get immersed in and enjoy your education.

Your college education is going to be the most important thing you are going to plan right now. It is going to be so hard to get into school if you wait 10 years to do so! Do your very best in school. Choose the right career and school and make plans and goals to get this done! Now is the time!!

Dear Senior Hannah, First of all, congratulations on making it to senior year. It feels pretty good doesn't it? As you begin the process of looking at schools, you should push yourself to apply to the top notch schools, not just KU and Marquette because you don't want to exert the effort. And once you find that school that you want to attend, look into the programs and clubs that you can attend. Don't be afraid of meeting new people, as everyone is in the same boat as you. Also, don't spend so much time preoccupied with boys! Focus on schoolwork! It will pay off for you in the long run. Be prepared to study and realize that the workload in college is much different than in high school. And try learning study habits now instead of trying to play catch up once you get to college. Trust me, it will help immensely! Well I hope you have a wonderful rest of the year, and get excited about college! It's way better than high school. Sincerely yours, Hannah WestHoff

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school there are many things I would tell myself in order to make a better transition to college. I would firstly recommend taking at least one summer class per year, in order to make sure that graduation comes on time. I would tell myself to be clear minded, to be friendly with everyone, because everyone around you is going through something different. I would recommend volunteering or joining clubs, in order to meet new and diverse people, to broaden the horizon. I would also recommend standing out, be who you want to be, and do what you want to do. Don?t be embarrassed to ask questions or ask for help, the resources are there for a reason, and that is to help you succeed. Finally don?t be afraid to fail, it can and does happen. If you fail don?t put yourself down about it, but pick yourself up, do it again, and try harder next time. Perseverance is half the battle, believing in oneself is the rest of the battle.

Armed with much wisdom to tell my younger self, but knowing my two second attention span and know-it-all attitude would allow but one simply put assertion, I would tell myself to be a better steward of my time and money. I spent an inordinate amount of time worrying about myself, instead of volunteering to help with real needs in the community or reaching out to other students. I needed to understand that my time in college was to become a valuable asset and contributor to the betterment of humanity. Instead of compassion, I offered little of myself for the needs of my fellow students and the general public. I would also tell myself to set up a budget and stick to it! Given the opportunity to root my younger self in the wisdom that there is freedom within limits, especially when dealing with finances, I would jump at the chance. It would be much more satisfying and beneficial give my student loan amount to charity or help in Haiti at this crucial time. Nonetheless, having learned these lessons the hard way, I will heed my advice, moving forward joyfully and excitedly as I pursue my next educational endeavor.