University of Mary Washington Top Questions

Its okay if you go to a community college first then to a four year college. In the long run it cheaper.

I would like to make a positive difference in the world by what I have learned so far through my education and pursuit to become a social worker. Social work is an emotionally taxing occupation, but I would consider it a noble profession. Families, single parents, and abused children benefit greatly from social work organizations. What I see that needs change in this world is our living conditions and how humans treat each other. There is so much domestic violence in families now because of things such as poverty and neglect. All these problems can be evaluated and helped through benefit programs. I want to help fix injustices and abuse. What bothers me the most is not the fact that we have a responsibility to change, but that we refuse to accept this it.

During these past 2 years of college, I have done a lot of evaluations on life. In my first year, I dreaded living in the prison-like freshmen dorms where I had no exposure to diversity. I spent most of my time in solitude, reading and asking myself questions pertaining to life. This year, I understood the purpose of the loneliness I had experienced: a spiritual revolution. Many conflicts suddenly emerged in my social and family lives and surprisingly, I responded to them with a wisdom I never knew I possessed. In that solitude of freshmen year, I tapped into a new found strength and source of intelligence that had been dormant for so long. In many ways, a seemingly depressive year turned out to be a series of blessings. It also allowed me to greatly appreciate the friendships I made in the international living themed dorm I now live in. The many things I lacked of during my first year have an enormous amount of significance now. This isolation, that I had never experienced before, inspired a deep philosophical transformation in me that shapes the way I view life and the events that unfold in it today.

I have learned a lot, met some great friends and have had awesome professors who love to teach.

I have gained a broader since of what being outgoing means. Its hard in college to be the 'quiet one' and expect to get out of college what you want to. Breaking out of my shell really helped me to meet a lot of cool people and learn a lot from the people that I came across that I would have not otherwise have been able to experiance becuase of being shy. College has really helped in getting me out of that comfort zone to live my life and not be afriad of what other people may think of me.

College has really broaded and opened my mind to a lot of social, enviromental and human rights issues. Taking this time out of my life to devote to studying and learning is really important because I am able to be educated on the issues the past has contributed to and that our generation is going to be apart of fixing.

I traveled 3,000 miles across the country to attend my college and I could not have asked for a better experience. I did not know anyone but I was embraced by the campus community and have made lifelong friends. At my school I am surrounded by genuine people who know what they want out of life and who work hard to get there. These people have set an example for me and how I live my life. I have learned what it means to make mistakes in the classroom and with friends, but with the support of those around me I have learned from those experiences. I have a growing sense of responsibility and a better idea of what I want out of life. For me, college has been a place of growth. Nothing could have prepared me for the people and experiences I would face.

Miranda, As a college student I have come to realize one huge mistake. Do not take for granted that which was given to you. In high school you worked so hard! In college it is so easy to become distracted from your main goal-to become a succesful person in life. Even if you do not find the same type of great friends in high school, don't loose faith. Get more involved with campus activities. Don't party too much either, it leads no where. There is a difference between fun and too much. I can only say this, you are more intellegent than the grades you will receive, and you worked to hard to get the money to go to school to loose all of it. So put your chin up and remember the potential you have and what you have to offer this world. Don't let any circumstance deter you from finding out who you really are and moving forward to becoming a great and succesful adult. Love yourself and always remember to put your well being first. Love always, Miranda

TIME MANAGEMENT! It is alot of fun. But becareful. The work will pile up and you will be left wondering where all the time went.

I would definitely tell my high school self that even though you probably know the material being discussed in class, you should still study. And read. Professors can be rather picky in what they want, but they are willing to help a student who comes with questions and is concerned about doing well in the class. So office hours are your friend. School is not about partying, it's about doing well and securing a degree that will help you get a good job. Remember how much being a cashier sucks, and let that remind you, even if your roommate keeps trying to persuade you to go out and party with her. She'll stop eventually, as long as you don't cave. So stay true to you and work hard to make those dreams come true.

I would encourage myself to take more college credit courses because I could use them as transfer credits. This would also help me adjust to the college course load, and help save money.

As I reflect on my senior year of high school, I realize that one of my biggest fears about attending college was branching out, leaving home, and taking on bigger and better things. I based my decision of going to the University of Mary Washington based on the fact that it was close and comforting. The best advice that I can give students making the transition from high school to college, is to not be afraid, but to be excited. College is an opportunity to grow as a person and develop interests that will carry you throughout the rest of your life. If you are like I was, and are hesitant to take the next step to adulthood, do not base your college decision on relativity to home and comfort, but instead choose a school that intrigues you, inspires you, and challenges you. If your University encompasses all of these aspects, it is time to take advantage of your opportunities and use each day to learn something new.

When I was in high school, I knew that I loved numbers. My mom and guidance counselor encouraged me to go for accounting. Once I got to college and into the upper-level accounting courses, I realized that I didn't like it at all. It was then that I realized that I should have not been so dead-set on one major. Rather, I should have explored other options. The reason is that I've come to realize that if you're going to be working for 30+ years, then you need to like or better yet, love what you're doing! Also, I would have told myself to finish preferably before having children. I now know how hard it is to work full-time, go to school half-time, and take care of a 5 year old boy! It will be worth it in the end, and I don't regret anything, but it would have been much easier on myself to finish school. I am going for Computer Science and Mathematics now, which was similar to what I was good at in high school and will guarantee me a successful career and life!

As a college junior, if I could go back in time to my high school years, I would not worry so much about living in a dorm because that's where I've met so many of my really good friends. I would take more classes outside of my comfort zone, like computer science, and read more for fun. I would be more open to a more diverse student body, and I would have tried to learn more rather than just get good grades. College for me has been all that I had hoped plus more.

I would tell myself to study harder in my AP classes so I could get those extra credits and be able to register early for classes. I would tell myself to stay organized because I definitely need to get that back. I would tell myself to apply for colleges and scholarships at the beginning of the year so i would not worry about where my funding is coming from and if I have any at all. I would tell myself to have all the fun I can because in college for me, it's study,study,study. I would have also told myself to take summer classes so i can graduate early.

Simply to finish off High School as strongly as possible, and prepare to enter college life confidently, with a strong work ethic, an open mind and a warm heart.

Start keeping a good schedule. Good time management is the best way not to fall behind in your work and studies at college. In high school the teachers remind when assignments are due, however in college, if they even say anything, the professors won?t tell you until maybe the day before. Another bit of advice is to find people in your class to study with. More often than not, they have thoughts and notes on the class that you might have over looked. Be sure when you move onto campus to keep an open mind. College is a lot bigger than high school and has a greater diversity. If you try not to be overly judgmental of different backgrounds and personalities, you stand a better chance of broadening your perspectives and not fighting with your roommate.

Learn what enviroment goes well with you and don't get caught up with parties because it will always be there unlike that class you fail. Another thing I would advise myself to do is to pick classes late in the day rather than early in the morning.

If I could talk to myself at that point in my life, I would tell myself to be open to new people and friends. But, more importantly do not overload yourself as you are making the adjustment from a small town high school to a collegiate atmosphere. The workload and expectations are very different, and room to to adjust is necessary.

Although I am happy about my life now, I would be more happier if I could go back as a high school senior. I would stay home and put much effort towards the following: doing my assignments on time, reading frequently, and study enormously to enable me get full scholarship to attend one of most prestigious schools in the United States. I would not waste my time anymore to follow my friends to places that would not benefit me . I realized later in my life that whatever a man sows he would reap it later in the course of his life. The time spent on girl friends and numerious parties could have been spent towards my studies. I did abuse all the privilleges that my parents were offering to me and now I am paying more than double in terms of money, effort, time and to mention a few to do the same things I did abuse in some years ago. If were to be a high school senioer again, I would tell myself that the beautiful ones are not yet born and the real ones could be seen after college. Working and studying is a hard thing to do.