University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

Dear high school senior self, First of all, congratulations for making it to your senior year! I know how you like to worry about everything in creation so I will try to relieve your worrying just a little bit. I want you to breathe and know that you will make it past high school and into college. The first thing that I want you to do as you enter college is stop worrying, stop taking yourself so seriously, and start enjoying the important things in life without letting the small things in life get in the way. Secondly, when it comes to college and your life, use your head to follow your heart. Figure out what you are passionate about and head in that direction; however, remember to be smart about it. Make a plan for your education before you start your first day of college but be flexible because unexpected things will happen and plans will change. Most importantly, find your purpose. Once you firgure out what you want to live for every test you take and every paper you write in college will be done for a reason.

The immediate advice I would give to myself is that more than anything else, take the rest of high school seriously, making sure to develop good study habits, a normal sleep schedule, and to take any classes that would help to prep me for college (because believe me, the first time through I took nothing serious). I’d tell myself it’s important before starting college to take any orientation tours they offer and become acquainted with the layout of the school (it’ll save me loads time not getting lost the first few days). Also, I would advise myself to join the SIFE and Math clubs to help with meeting other people, learning valuable information for the future, and it’ll look great on my future resume on even for another college (as both of these clubs will add value to my areas of strength). Finally, I would say to the past me, now is the time to get an education, whatever you do, do not put it off for anything because you’ll regret it and one day you’ll wake up and your 34, laid-off, needing an education and you’ll realize your me.

If I could go back in time and talk to the old me, I would tell myself to not be afraid of the unknown. It's ok that you don't know what the future holds or what you want to do with your life. There will be a day when it all hits you and you'll know, "This is it". You'll think it's funny that you didn't see it all along when it was staring you right in the face. I wouldn't tell myself anything that could change the outcome of the present because there's nothing I would want to be different in my life. If I changed my past I would most likely have a job that I hate, my career would have been chosen for me. Now however, I'm working towards something I love and enjoy. A career that I will be happy with for many years to come. Before I would end our conversation I would tell me with a smile on my face, "It will be ok. Learn from your mistakes and use them to grow. Everything will work out in the end. Trust me, I should know."

I would tell myself that I should have tried out for a leadership position. In college I am very involved in clubs and am planning to run for a position in the next semester. Having previous experience would have been very helpful. I would have also told myself to take AP English. I would also tell myself to study more and get good study habits!

There is only one piece of advice that would have bettered my college experience that I wish had been imparted on me while I was in high school. I wish someone had told me to do more research about different areas of study, decide on one before entering college and stick to it regardless of what college advisors said. Although I had a very fulfilling college experience by getting involved on campus I was told that my initial area of study was going to be difficult to conclude and spent the next two years trying different courses to find another major that would work for me. College is enough of a transition between leaving your family and moving to a new place to have to change your career plan, as well. If you have a strong career plan mapped out before you begin college you will save yourself four years of uncertainly and you will allow for those four years to help you better understand and plan your career.

Dear Elizabeth, College is the time where you need to learn how to figure the world out for yourself. Although this unknown adventure may seem scary, you can fall down without judgement from your peers, or criticism from adults, and get yourself back up to where you left off. As a rising freshman, you have decided to room with one of your best friends, someone who could help you to figure out this new world and serve as a saftey net if you fall. This is not becoming independent. You and your friend will not follow the same career, social, or emotional path through college that you did through high school, making the college experience mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. Starting over at a new school does not mean losing everything you had before, you can still keep in touch with old friends but now it the time to create new experiences. One thing you have closed your mind off to is making new friends. I understand nothing is wrong with the one's that you have now but these new people will not replace the old ones. They will only contribute to your evolving experiences through college. Sincerely, Elizabeth

I wish I had told myself that college is something you can do, and that I would have gone to college right away. I would tell myself not to be scared, that there are people to help you. I would tell myself to set high expectations, because I will meet the expectations I set for myself, both low and high. I would also tell myself to really think about what I want to do, and to do as much in that field as possible.

Do not be afraid of failure. College is school, too, and the entire point of school is to learn things, including learning things about yourself. So when you get to college and you find that you're in a major that you just can't seem to grasp, it's ok. All is not lost. Don't be afraid to take a step back, reassess yourself, and move in a different direction. Take your time and explore all the options that are open to you. Don't set yourself on one single method to success; there are tons of ways to graduation, and don't be afraid if during your time you find that you've switched paths toward the end goal. Just stay focused on making it through and doing the best that you can. And make sure that YOU are happy with what you are doing. YOU are the one who is going to get this degree, so YOU are the one person who has to be happy with it. Don't worry too much about others' opinions. Focus on you, and learn what makes you happy.

College may seem like all fun and games, but it is serious stuff. College is about preparing you for a career; it sets you up for the rest of your life. Honestly, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take more AP classes and learn to get involved in school. My senior year, I didn't want to take hard classes because I wanted to have a fun last year. Coming into college, I learned how much those AP classes could help you advance in your college career and fast. I also believe its important to learn to get involved and communicate with others because that is what college is all about. It is about meeting new people, having new experiences, and making connections for the real world that will help you later on in life. In high school, I was too focused on keeping my same friends and the same routine. In college, you learn there is no routine. Different things and experiences happen everyday. The advice I would give myself is to work as hard as you can senior year, get involved, and try new experiences as much as you can.

Please remain focused! You have so much potential and you will truly be able to benefit from the education that you will get while you atend college. I understand that you are very much concerned with your social life but the friends you have made in high school will not ensure a good quality job quite like a good education.