University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I would tell myself to be more serious in my studies. i goofed off too much in high school when in all actuality i was very smart. i didnt apply myself the way i should have, and i regret that. college isnt cheap, you really have to be serious about it and about your future. there is pleanty of time to have fun and do things, but i think college should be the #1 priority, all the other stuff can wait, itll still be there when your finished with school. dont take it for granted, alot of people are unable to go to college so you need to appreciate the gift youve been given.

My advice would be to be open. It sounds simple but it can be difficult to do when faced with real situations. High school students are in this bubble of high school for four years and things start to get familiar. When coming to college, things change. New environment, new peoplem, and most of the time, new authority. You are now you're own authority and your parents are not there to guide you. When an opprotunity arises to try something new, with new people, take it. Do not be afriad to leave the safetly of familiarity to try something new. The worst that could happen is that you learn that you are not interested in that activity. Even then you have added experience to your life. I believe experience is the key to a successful and rewarding college career. Experience not only in extra-curricular activities but in subject material too. Any internship, company tour, or guest lecture that seems even the least bit interesting could end up making your view on the world change. It could lead you in the direction of your future career. Take advantage of the nurmerous amount of opprotunities that college offers.

If i could go back in time, I would tell myself to focus more in my highschool class work and time. In high school, I took the time i had for granted. I would cram for any exam at the last minute. My lack of time management followed me in first semesters of college. I suffered a bit with catching up with the faster pace college had to throw at me. After two semesters of college, i finally got the hang of it all. Now, I'm the total opposite of my high school self. I never been so focused. Yet, I still wish i would of listened to the teachers in high school who would try to get into our heads to straigthen our laziness early on.

The biggest, most crucial advice I would give to myself as a high school student after my experience as a college student would be to prioritize and put full effort and commitment into all tasks given: whether it is studying independently, seeking assistance from peers and instructors, or gaining volunteer experience. Higher education should be more valuable, and at the least, it certainly requires more effort and commitment to perform well in college courses due to the amount of work instructors demand from students. Also, life as a college student brings more freedom and liberty with access to limitless socialization; however, socialization is not the ultimate goal while a college student. It is easy to get consumed by socialization compared to taking the necessary time to prepare for upcoming projects, tests, and assignment. Essentially, being a university student is a full time job with real responsibilities to make every moment as a college student meaningful and satisfying. Prioritizing and unhindered effort to perform optimally as a college student is necessary to continue or start obtaining quality and valuable college education that benefits and builds the future ahead.

If I were given the oppotunity to travel back in time to my high school self and give myself some advice about college, I would start off by saying, "apply to as many scholarships as possible!" I have come to learn that there are so many scholarships available out there that it's crazy to understand how people dropout because they cannot afford it. I would then warn myself on how it is important to read ahead and make sure you always understand the lesson of the previous lecture because pop quizzes can be the death of you. Finally I would mention how it is not like high school where you can barely study for a test and still get an A. If you don't study for a test, food chanced you will not like your score.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to put my time to better use by choosing parallel enrollment or to take more classes to help boost my high school GPA. I would tell myself to apply for universities and scholarships regardless of what my future plans were, because going to college can only increase my odds of being successful. I would tell myself not to worry about friendships I've lost, but to focus on the ones being made because they will become more meaningful as time goes on, and the person I met at that time quickly became a big part of my life and one of my best friends. Most importantly, I would tell myself to stop stressing out so much about everything and to stop thinking so little of myself. That everything will work out in the end and there are ways to accomplish the things that I want to do, even though it didn't seem possible at the time.

Dear High School Dionte, Take your time. Don't feel the need to rush into choosing a career. Ask yourself: do you really want to do medicine? Or has your always told you that you want to do medicine? Open yourself up to other options because having such a closed, narrow, minded view of what you think your life should be like is only stifling you from noticing your other talents. Don't be afraid to speak up. I know you have a stutter; I know it's easier to remain silent; I know you're afraid of not being accepted, but it's the only way in which you'll grow and flourish into the person that you want to be, the person that you can be. Lastly, don't feel entitled. Learn to study. I know you can get straight As on little effort; however, college is different (something I just learned). You have to work for your GPA, UMD is not so small that your reputation is automatically known and you're automatically granted an A in the course. Work hard for it. Take your time. Slow down. Enjoy the experience. Most importantly, love yourself.

At the end of the day, it's your life. So make decisions based on your ultimate happiness. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Do lots of research!

Don't take yourself too seriously. Right now, it seems as if the grass is greener on the other side and you cannot wait to start a new life at college. Before you go, be sure to work at those relationships with others in your town before you leave. Enjoy the time you all have together. If not, you will have no one to come home to on those long breaks to share college stories with. Starting fresh is always good, but it is important to remember where you came from and those you spent the last 18 years with. Cherish your old friends. Be open to new things. In order to get the most out of your college experience, you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things. That is the best way to meet new people who will soon become your closest friends for life. Again don't take yourself to seriously. These new friendships offer you a chance to always be honest and always stick up for yourself. You are in college to grow as a person. Make the most out of the experience by always being true to yourself.

In life, there is always going to be a party to attend. The one you think is going to be the best party ever will just be another party. You can drink, do drugs and chase girls your whole life, you only have one opportunity to maintain a high grade point average and suceed. College is so much easier when you work hard and not wait until the last minute because you were making poor time management decisions. College is a learning experience, and I mean that more outside of the classsroom than in. You find out what kind of person you are and which person you are going to be through your mistakes. Everyone is going to make wrong decisions while at college, just don't make it a habit. It's the best time of your life, so enjoy it, but keep in mind the reason you are there: To get a good job.