University of Louisville Top Questions

Since I am an older student making my 2nd attempt at college, I would tell myself to show up for class the first time so I wouldn't have to attend at 37 years old.

How the parking situation works. Underclassmen parking passes are good for the parking lot at the football stadium only (unless you're a resident, then you can park at the dorms), and you have to ride the bus from the parking lot to campus. It really isn't a hassle at all, but it's nice to know before hand how it works.

If I could go back and give my high school senior self advice, I would tell myself that the transition is not as scary as I thought it was going to be. I would also tell myself to focus on my senior year and a little less on college. College is just around the next corner, which means that senior year is going to be just behind the corner before I know it. I need to stop and focus on holding onto those moments because they will soon be gone. Lastly, my senior self needs to spend more time with my dad. Even though I'm ready to be out on my own, my dad is not. He still views me as his baby girl who needs him for everything. Senior self, humor that about him. He needs to feel needed-it keeps him going. Tell him that you love him everyday and send him a message out of the blue telling him to "have a good day!" or "I love you and appreciate you, dad!" It will mean more to him than you could ever know. Senior self, cherich this advice. You will wish you had known it.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would advise myself to have endurance. We have become a society of instant gratification. We expect great big results on little work ethic, we want fast money with little education, we desire marriage and family without chivalry and dating, all of which generally take time. I did not realize the dedication and perseverance it takes to continue your education. Many things, absolutely anything can be a distraction if we allow it to be. I have learned furthering my education is not a sprint of quick learning but a marathon of educational loyalty. My youngest brother is a college freshman and I continue to encourage him by explaining that he must endure all obstacles that come to knock you off your higher learning path. It is important to me to pass down the experience I have gained the last ten years so that he will supersede my educational endeavors. Then, he will pass down his experience to my son who we expect to surpass us both in the educational realm.

Stay focused and try to finish every class you start. You'll screw up a little, but you'll come out on top in the end. Perhaps mistakes are what have made you strong and capable of achieving any goal you set for yourself, but try not to make any anyway, when you can help it. You're going to have to maintain a job to pay for living expenses and college costs, so try to work on your time-management skills and worry less about socializing. You're an intelligent person - everyone tells you so - believe them and be confident in your ability to overcome obstacles.

I would try to work hard and use more baking soda.

I would tell my high school senior self to study AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When you're a senior in high school, you think you know everything in the world. But the first day of college, you realize the world is so much bigger than you thought it was. And suddenly you're a small fish in a big pond. And then you go in to take that first test of the semester in your Biology class, and you realize just how unprepared you are. You thought you could miss a lecture or two, skim the chapter the night before and ace that test. You graduated high school didn't you? You can apparently do anything, can't you? Wrong. Never assume, never get cocky. You are just a high school senior with much to learn. College is a whole different world with a whole new set of rules. Professors aren't as understanding as your favorite English teacher that let you hand in your essay late because you had a game the night before. In knowing this, you have to adapt to college life, and a huge part of that is to study and prepare yourself like never before.

I would tell myself not to rush the college experience like I have been. Taking it easy and getting good grades is better than having to rush through your degree. However, there is a medium. Don't take six hours. Take as many classes as you think you can handle. Also, to put in an ample amount of study time for each of your classes. Study even if you think the class is easy. Once you get further into the semester, it won't be easy and you'll need all of the fundamentals that you didn't pay attention to during the beginning of the semester and will have an extremely difficult time catching up. Put school before everything else, because you're moving to Louisville to go to school. You're not going there to focus on work or have fun constantly. You're going there to better yourself and make a future for yourself. Don't take out loans unless you have to. Work your hardest to earn every dollar by scholarship. It'll help you out in the long run.

I would tell my self to go to a smaller university, out of state. I can be a very out going person, but that the size of UofL is overwhelming and that i will be more challenged if I move away, out of my comfort zone. Also that there are too many things for me to do in Louisville that I wont focus on the university and how I can be involved there. To have the best college experience I need what is the exact opposite of what I thought I wanted, a small school far from home, where I can make new friends and become completely independant.

If I could go back in time and talk to the high school senior version of myself, I would first and foremost tell myself to take my school work much more seriously. Pay attention in class and put all your effort into every assignment you receive. The high school version of myself doesn't know what's coming with college assignments and exams, and I wish someone would've told me. My high school allowed us to exempt out of our final exams if we had good grades in that particular course, but if I could go back I would take those cumulative exams anyway. My first college exam didn't go as well as I imagined and I wish I could've practiced and prepared. Besides academically I would tell my high school self to calm down and relax. College is amazing and there was absolutely no reason to "freak out" or be as anxious as I was. Leaving home was hard but you will develop a whole other family within Louisville through your sorority, your nursing school classmates, dorm mates, and all the people you encounter on and around campus. Good luck high school Kelsey!

I would tell myself back then to not worry so much about figuring out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I would remind myself that even though everything seems like such a big deal when you graduate high school, it's just the beginning of your adult life; graduating is a part of life and you need to continue to focus while you're in school to get the rest of your life started. Don't worry so much if you don't have a plan. You're 17 years old; your plan will change a hundred times before you start to figure it out. Find someone that makes you happy and stick with your true friends and you will eventually figure out who you're supposed to be.

My college experience has guided me in many aspects of life. It has provided me with and extensive well-rounded education that allowed me to pursue several fields of interest while focusing on my anthropological studies. The variety of anthropology, history and religious courses that I was enrolled in provided a substantial outlook into many avenues to learn of the various historical and religious perspectives of both ancient and modern day cultures. I have obtained great friendships and professional connections with several of the faculty members. Their research has influenced my avenues of pursuit and cultural interests. The value of my college experience and education is one that is priceless in my mind. Without my education and experience through my university, I would not be where I am today. It has allowed me to grow as a person and really evaluate life and what it has to offer. Through all my studies and experiences I have realized what specifically I would like to pursue further in my career and how I can approach it from an anthropological perspective. Without my valuable education I would not be able to further pursue my career to a graduate and professional level.

In only a short amount of time I have aquired a wealth of information and knowledge that I will be able to use for the rest of my life.

My junior year at the University of Louisville, I was sitting in a Sociology of Murder class awaiting the arrival of my professor, and lo and behold a middle aged man (who could pass for actor Andy Garcia’s twin brother) came into the classroom. Dr. Shawn Schwaner entered the classroom with an old 1980s “boom box” on his shoulder with the sounds of “Let Me Clear My Throat” radiating through our ears. Dr. Schwaner made learning fun and interesting. He had such energy and passion in the classroom and I wanted to be able to give my future college students this same energy and passion for teaching. It wasn’t until the end of the class period that I realized what that one class meeting did for me—it made me believe in a dream. My dream was born in that moment and space in time. I was immediately fascinated by the idea that teaching in the college classroom could possibly alter learner’s lives, affect their appetite for learning, and perhaps even give them what Dr. Schwaner gave me—a dream. Had I not attended the University of Louisville, I wouldn't have had this opportunity.

I was blessed to turn 50 years old in 2010, although I may not be financially wealthy by some people's standards, I believe I am rich beyond my wildest dreams. Faith and family are most important, but education has done more for me than anything to help me grow and live life to its fullest. The University of Louisville provided a rich and diverse opportunity lto earn and be exposed to so many things. Although I didn't appreciate it that much at the time, it wasn't long after graduation that I realized the value of learning as much as you can--even learning about things unrelated to my field of study. I realize college is not for everyone, but I am committed to living the remainder of my life encouraging, supporting, and investigating opportunities for others to take advantage of the educational opportunities that help make their lives more focused, productive, rich, and philanthropic.

As I type this my sons plays in the other room, he is almost 4 years old and in his few years here on earth has been both a joy and inspiration for me. I graduated high school at barely 18; I never would have believed it if someone had told me that by 23 I would still be working to earn my AA degree. In high school I was an honors student and graduated 4th in my class, yet when I reached Stetson University I was shocked to realize that it takes more than just being smart to pass a class. After several years of hard work and hard times the birth of my son showed me the importance of a real education and through the hardships prior to his birth I had learned the value of true hard work. As I entered back into college I realized that my intelligence was nothing without the hard work and determination needed to succeed. I have implemented a no fail mantra into my life because what I have learned at my college if I am determined to pass then I will and that is true for all things in my life.

This student’s education in psychology has helped her develop a strong sense of self and purpose. Her undergraduate education led her to seek a Master’s degree in counseling. Through the Master’s program at Capella University, this student has been afforded an education that not only gives insight into how the human brain processes and internalizes stimuli, but how those processes can become problematic behaviors that can require the compassionate and competent hand of a professional. This student’s education will enable her to be an important contributing member of her community. Her education has taught her the importance of ethical behavior in the therapeutic setting, the need for increased mental health awareness in the workplace, and the importance of self-awareness. This student’s Master’s program has moved her from simply echoing expert opinions to researching and pondering those expert opinions to truly forming her own opinions. This student has taken on an internal responsibility for personal and professional growth. She has begun that process by becoming a member in the American Counseling Association, reading journal articles in her free time, networking with experienced professionals in her field, and taking her education seriously.

College has taught me self-motivation and time management. Both have shaped, and will continue to shape, me into a hard worker and ultimately a better person. I plan on attending medical school after undergraduate school. I want to attend medical school at UofL and getting my undergraduate degrees there increases my chances of being accepted. The study skills that I have learned so far will help me for the rest of my education.

My college experience has enriched my life in multiple aspects. It has been mentally engaging and I've learned so much in just a couple semesters because of the wide array of classes offered at UofL. It has been physically enriching because of the student gym and healthy food options. On the social side, I've made many new friends and developed professional relationships with campus staff and faculty. They're all dedicated to helping me succeed and truly go out of their way to see that I do. I've become a tutor on campus, which has taught me that teaching only helps you better understand your major. It's also been valuable to attend UofL because of the future opportunities provided to me by obtaining a double major in History and English, allowing me to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a history professor (preferably at UofL of course).

The college experience has provided me with an opportunity to be amongst some extremely bright and intelligent individuals. In the process, I have been able to grow as a person and will, upon completion of my education at the University of Louisville, be able to go out into the world and to give back. I have been enlightened by some of the most phenomenal scholars, met lifetime friends, and have been exposed to many cultures and traditions. Hard work and discipline pays off, and add time management and a little fun, and college has been a blast.