University of Maine Top Questions

Be yourself. It sounds cliche but it's true. It is very easy to lose yourself when you change locations and meet new people. You want them to like you, you want them to accept you so you compromise with yourself and change who you are. Don't. Root yourself in something as simple as writing. Or running. Or painting. Anything that is special to you and cannot be tainted by others. Keep part of you tucked away for you, for the moments you need to remember yourself. Also, just get the damn tattoo.

If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now about college life and making the transition I would tell myself to keep my priorities straight, even though you hate working in a call center it pays the bills and makes finishing college in December 2013 worth it. I would tell myself to hold my head high and not sweat the small stuff because it’s not worth your time. I would have to tell about how even though your teachers are not going to stay on top of you and homework only counts for thirty percent of your final grade its still important to do it and study your brains out. In the end I would just have to tell the younger scared me that it will all be okay.

I would focus more on going in knowing what i want to do. Not changing my degree and partying. If i would not have gotten pregnant at 19 and then having my son die i would not have failed a year of school. But i must always remember very day no matter how hard it is find something or someone that inspires you and go after your dream. Do not let your past hold you back weather a few bad grades or a bad teachers keep pushing foward. Apply for more scholarships because school is expensive. Hard work and dedication every single day

Concentrate. Forget the games, leave the book at home when you go to class. You actually need to study this time around. Do not be too proud to ask for help this time around. It's turning around, but it shouldn't have had to be turned around. Don't get set back like your future self.

I would tell myself to practice better study habits, specifically when it comes to studying for tests. I would also tell myself to not waste money on little, unimportant things because now that I am in college I value money a lot more. I would get a job before I got to school up in the Orono area so that I was not stuck jobless at the beginning of the school year, and that would also help the financial struggle I have acquired. I would tell myself that it is a lot harder to adjust and succeed than everyone in high school made college out to be. It is not easy and requires a lot of hard work, determination, and motivation.

Dear Emily, You can take a deep breath, college life is just like you imagined it would be. Although, your plans will change dramatically. You will not get the financial support your thought you were going to have so APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! I'm serious! Just because you're a poor white girl doesn't mean the government is going to throw money at you. You will have to work hard and spend countless hours writing essays and working on projects. Don't get discouraged, you'll find a job on campus, ironically at the financial aid office. You will have to take out loans sadly, but there is no helping that in this economy. Also, start thinking more about what you want to do with your life career wise. Don't listen to those counselors that tell you "you have time to think about it", because you don't. You need to be serious about this so that you can make a good decision when choosing your major. I suggest looking into careers that you have not thought about before, possibly physical therapy or pediatrics, you like babies! Your Future Self, Emily P.s. Do not procrastinate!

If I could go back and tell myself one thing as a highschool senior, that would be to work and master time management. It always gets the best of me at college. I'm currently a member of Navy ROTC at UMaine and I know balancing that and schoolwork is without a doubt the hardest thing there is. Everything is on a set schedule here for me, because if I screw off and relax for even a minute I get side tracked and forget to get things done that are a priority in the first place. I now have a calendar, planner, and check my email at least 4 times a day. I would tell myself to leave the fun for the weekends when I have more time off and push hard during the week to finish every to the best of my ability. I would tell my senior highschool self, work hard play hard.

Books are expensive, so don't buy the books unless you absolutely have to. Wait until the first week of classes to buy the books. Freshmen year I went ahead and pre-ordered my books from the campus. I didn't even end up using some of them and was then left with a $70 textbook that was totally unnecessary and worthless because the professor had made it. To top it off, the bookstore wouldn't even take it. Another thing is to look for your books online. Try half.com. The bookstore rarely has the best prices. This semester I looked online and found out that I saved over $100 on the same books I would have bought from the bookstore.

They should know about the website ratemyprofessor.com. They will learn what classes or teachers they should or shouldn't take. The other thing is Maine day, what it is and what it represents.

Spend as much time with your friends and family as possible. You wont even begin to understand how much your going to miss them when they're gone. They are your support, your compassion, and you humor. It's hard to make friends after years of not needing to, so cheerish the ones you have now while you can. Technology makes it easier, but it's not nearly the same. To have you mom to cry to when you have a bad day, or you dad to joke with when you need a pick-me-up, or that best friends that you could tell anything to and would give the best advice, or how amazing it is to be in your boyfriends arms, or even your annoying little sister. You'll miss it all, more then you can imagine, so love it, every minute of every hour you spend with them, because it will be gone before you know it.

Relax. Take a deep breath. As stressful as it may seem right now with all the crazy scholarship packages there are to fill out, take time to enjoy yourself. Get excited! This is the next giat step in your life, and it is approaching more quickly than you make suspect. The time you spend with your family, friends, and boyfriend is so valuable, so charish every moment. Asa heads up, the Bursar's Office doesn't known what they are dpoing, ut don't let that get in your way of achieving greatness! They are doing their best, just remember that you are one of a few tousand students with the exact same concern. Just remember, you are great, and there is nothing that can get in the way of following your life long dream! Go save all the large animals with medicine!!!!

Do not be afraid of the unknown because with the unknown comes great experience and a new knowledge of life. As a current sophomore in college if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say just that. During my senior year in high school I felt that I was always scared. I always feared that I would never be good enough for myself or others. However, I have proven in my college years that I can accomplish anything as long as I allow myself to be successful. For example, as a Florida Hospital Emergency Department Volunteer I have gained much experience. I have learned that jumping into the fear of the unknown does come with great rewards. I have helped and meet many great people as a volunteer and I would never trade this experience for anything. It is only a matter of having enough confidence in my abilities. With that said if I could go back in time knowing what I know now about life I would tell my “high school senior self” to never be afraid of the unknown because tackling that will lead to many great beginnings.

Take Spanish 2 in order to go straight into a well credited Univeristy instead of transfering from a community college.

I would tell myself to relax a little bit, or preferably a lot. College can be tough but do not take yourself so seriously that you get burned out. Yes, studying should take up the majority of your time, but don't forget that people can't live without friends. And when you left your textbook and notes 200 miles away at your parents house and you have a quiz tomorrow morning, they will be there to bail you out! And straight As are not as cosmically important as you think they are- grad schools really don't care as long as your GPA is 3.00 or up. More important for getting into grad school is the ability to support yourself by working. And one last thing- take all the trips with the outdoors club that you possibly can!

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior I would say, don't procrastinate. One of the first things that need to be learned when going to college is that if you don't do the work you will fail. High school and college are different; no one will be there to make sure you did your homework.

I have been the first in our home to go to college, and I chose one over 1,650 miles away. I have really had to learn how to do things for myself and do not have the opportunity to just run home on the week-ends. I use most of my extra time studying and just trying to keep up with a full load of work (17 hours and Honors on top of that). Overall, I would recommend that everyone needs to experience being off at college to learn how to survive out in the world. I have learned some really valuable lessons about growing up; but also that the friends you make are some you will have for a lifetime, no matter where we live. Another lesson I have learned has been keep up with your studies and your syllabus. The syllabus is probably one of the most important pieces of paper your teacher/professor will give you, and it is your responsibility to read it and follow directions. Last, but surely not least, love your family while you can, because when you leave home you see how much they really mean to you.

I have been able to grow as an individual because of the diversity I have been exposed to at this school. There is a group or club for everyone as long as you put yourself out there to do it. Also, you can learn a lot from your classes, even if you hate them; the key is effort and an eagerness to learn.

To be honest with you i never though i would be where i am now. Where i come from, not many people get to graduate high school or go to college. I knew when i came to America about 7 years ago that this would be a new beginning for me and my family and since then i have tried to be the best person i can in everything that i have done. Looking back at my "past" life and seeing the poverty people endured was like looking through a window to another planet. I was ecstatic when i got accepted at Regis College but i admint that i will never forget where i come from and what my parents went through for me to be here. While at college, i have done everything in my power to do good in school and get involved in as many events as i can on campus and i think my professors will vouch on my love for school, learning, and education. I am only a sophomore but i feel like i have grown tremendously in the last year. I now consider myself as that glass-is-half-full kind of guy.

I have learned alot from others, such as most people are compasionate towards others and their hardships. I made some friends that are the most real people i have ever met. i left school for the semesterwhile my mother was terminally ill,and the college was able to help me with everything including paying back all my finaces for the time i was there. I recived letters from staff and fasculty of the college wishing me well. I have also resived all the informatipon possible to come back in the future. I have decided to go back and i hope to learn more about what the college has to offer me, including sports and extra carricular activitites. . Iduuring thew time i was there,i learned to be a more organized and responsible adult. I feel that in going to college i have the knowledge to surive on my own in this world.

My college experience has taught me that learning is fun. The environment your in is very important and is'nt something you should take for granted. The lesson more than from school is find what you love, and do what you love Once you find it take a hold of it, never letting anyone take pleasure is taking it away. If you do what you love getting up and enjoying every minute of ever breath is so much easier. When your making dinner you dont make lamb when you would rather have steak. You are the cook of your life's kitchen. Find a person, a place, a thing that makes you happy and encorporate it into you life. Thats what college has given me. The ability to incorporate the things I love into my life.