University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

If I could go into the past and talk to my former self, I would tell myself that college is a give and take relationship. It involves more effort from you to find yourself and become the person you want to be in your college career. I would convince myself that the University of Maryland is the best choice with the best resources and opportunities, and let myself know to take advantage of them from the start. I would also remind myself just how important getting good grades are from the beginning. I would tell myself no regrets and everything is learning experience that will mold you into a better or wiser individual.

AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR I KNOW THAT I AM SERIOUS ABOUT MY LEARNING AND WANT TO ATTEND A UNIVERSITY TO GET THE FULL BENEFITS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. STAYING ON CAMPUS WILL BE EASIER BECAUSE YOU CAN GET TO YOUR CLASSES EASIER AND WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PARKING PASS AND IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A CAR AND DRIVING. IT MAY BE HARDER TO MAKE FRIENDS BEING ROOMED WITH JUST ONE OTHER PERSON BUT THAT EXTRA EFFORT WILL ALLOW THE MAKING OF FRIENDS EASIER. AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE IT MIGHT BE WISE TO START LOOKING FOR A PLACE OFF CAMPUS, THERE ARE BUS SHUTTLES EVEN IF YOU STILL DO NOT DRIVE. LIVING OFF CAMPUS MAY GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO LIVE WITH MORE THEN ONE PERSON, AGAIN ALLOWING A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MAY BE LIKE YOU AND HAVE THE SAME SET OF GOALS AS YOU.

We have all been there. That second semester senior who no longer has a care in the world because those horridly long college applications have finally been sent, there is no more need to study for the SAT's or the ACT's, and because our grades no longer matter unless you completely fail your second semester. But if I was to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to not procrastinate on those SAT's in early November. I would also tell myself to not bother my parents about money to apply to SAT study programs. That money could go to books for college classes, an expense that was not on our mind as much my senior year. And most importantly, I would tell myself to start applying to as many scholarships as I can as early as possible, because even those $100 earned can make a difference in just one college course book or even a weeks worth of dinner at the diner. That is the most important advice I would give myself if I went back in time to talk to myself.

Growing up in New Hampshire where diversity is not prevalent, my advice to myself would be to learn about different cultures. With so many different ethnicities I was truly missing out on important knowledge. Knowing about other cultural traditions and values is extremely important and before going into college I was ignorant about them. When 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the state consists of white population there is very little chance to see cultural differences unless you know someone. However, after attending a college such as the University of Maryland (that prides itself in ethnic diversity) I have come to meet and know many different ethnicities. Meeting these people of different backgrounds is one of the best experiences that I have had so far college. Discussing different customs and understanding why different cultures believe certain things is tremendously interesting and essential to becoming a better scholar and individual. If a person does not understand different cultures then they fail to understand a large part of the world. I would tell myself to read and try to learn about as many different cultures as I could, so that way when I go to college I?m not ignorant of many other people?s beliefs.

Don't be nervous about college. If you can keep up with the coursework, you'll get good grades.

I would tell myself to go straight to a university. I went to a community college first and hated it, the courses were too easy and too much like high school. Now that I'm going to a larger, more academically focused school, I am a lot happier and more focused. Plus, I feel like I missed out on a lot of the freshman things and as a transfer student it is harder to meet people.

I would tell myself, don?t worry about having fun it?s your senior year but you need to prepare for the rest of your life, suffer now, so you can party later. Start looking for scholarships, because once you graduate, it?s too late. I would tell myself, to follow my mind and not my heart. That going to Penn state even though it was the Best experience of my life and the closet set of friend I?ve ever had. Was not the best decision I could make for myself finically and educationally. I would tell myself to study for my placement tests to save myself time and money. I would help myself make a four year plan, I would be my own advisor/mentor until I could help younger me find his own, because being a first generation college student is not easy. I would tell myself to be more proactive in my own future, that these schools only want to help you when you?re an athlete, and since that's changed now you have to help yourself. I would tell myself make a checklist of what needs to be done ever week and DO IT.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would have some very choice words to say. I would remind myself that even though a college experience is vital, college expenses come first. Sacrifices have to be made sometimes and I would tell myself that. I would make sure that I understood that I should look into some cheaper schools. At that age, I was being a little selfish only accepting to go to my dream school despite the cost. I assumed I could find a way and if not I would rely on school loans. Now I see that it was foolish of me to do so. I am now overwhelmed with the costs and I might even have to transfer which would break my heart. So if I could talk to my former self, I would tell him to make a compromise: to choose a school I liked that was affordable. I love the school I am at, but I will not love the loans I will be paying off for years to come. And if I know myself like I think I do, I know I will take the advice to heart.

The first thing I would tell myself is to take more Advanced Placement classes and to pass the exams. This would not only give me college credits but it would put me ahead in studies and most of all save me money. My senior year in high school I was active and I ate a better balanced diet. But when i got on campus the is pizza, steak and cheese and lots of other fatty foods are always available. I would tell myself to keep eating healthy foods and to excercise more often because once the weight comes on its hard to get it off. Finally i would tell myself that i must study. there are a ton of distractions and i just need to focus on my school work there will always be time for fun later.

Get ready to live on your own. It isn't really that bad when you get used to it, just live their and you will automatically adjust. You will develop your own daily routine for when to eat, when to go to class when to play. The biggest thing about college that a lot of students fail to account for is wasting time. College classes are extremely difficult compared to high school courses. If you have a professor known to be difficult. Read the book before every lecture. Don't just read it comprehend it. Make sure you truely know the material and use the lecture to reinforce what you know. Health is number one. If you arn't healthy, it's difficult to do anything else. Keep your body at decent shape and never skip any meals. Don't skip out on sleep. You will feel miserable the next day. Also careful to not get addicted to caffiene. Caffiene makes sleep hard to come by even when tired. Make as many friends as you can in your classes. They will be helpful as long as you help them back. Be nice to your TA's and professors.