University of Maryland-University College Top Questions

The best advice I could give is to study more for the ACT and SAT. Having a better score allows you more opportunities in classes and scholarships. Next, I would tell myself to make sure I am taking a math and science class in the last semester of high school. Math and science alike are easily forgotten if not utilized frequently. If there was going to be down time between graduation and my first semester in college I should set time aside to refresh on those skills. Planning is everything and thinking that the school is going to do everything for you like your highschool is a huge mistake. It would be advisable to talk with family members and friends who are in college or have been through college and ask what kids of things that should be planned for in advance. Lastly, having a budget and sticking to it is crucial. There is no reason to have every new thing that is trending at the moment it is a waste of precious funds. Managing your money will be hard but it will be rewarding when you are through with school and have no student loans to pay off.

To complete college while I was young.

“Don’t give up. Paying for school will prove to be impossible, I know, and you’ll end up with quite a bit of debt in student loans because financial aid won’t cover everything, or even most of ‘everything’. You’ll have to work full time and pursue your degree full time – but it will be worth it. One day you’ll have that degree in hand, you’ll be pursuing the job of your dreams, making a true difference in this world, and you’ll look back and realize that it wasn’t that bad. A few years of overload is worth a brighter future for you and your family – you must remember this! Apply for scholarships and hope that the committees that review them will recognize your potential; even if they don’t, you must always have faith in yourself. You are deserving of your dreams, and your goals in life are only as obtainable as your drive. Speed forward, and don’t ever slow down.”

Be patient. You will achieve your dream of getting your BS in Accounting with hard work and persistence. Finding an education/work/life balance is important. Education is important and gives you opportunities. Work will get you experience (don’t underestimate experience) and help pay for the education and life you want to have. Life is a wonderful thing to enjoy, especially your children. Take the time to enjoy the experiences. Patience, your life will be all that you hoped for with time. As a side note, fill out for financial aid and buy your books used … save a little money.

Pay attention, take the basic classes first, and try a few classes you think might be interesting to see if they represent a career path you might want to follow.

As a college student now if I could go back to my senior year I would have done things much differently. I would have told myself to take more duel enrollment courses to not be afraid and underestimate myself because I did take 3 courses and passed them all with honors. I would have told myself its ok to enjoy my senior year but to make sure I take time to look for scholar ships because financial aid is not always certain and that it can be taken away from one day to another. I would have told myself to join more clubs where I would get a big amount of community service because just that can make the difference between you and another applicant applying more the same scholarship. Overall I would just explain to myself this is the finale year but it counts just as much as the past 3 years so to keep it up and fight till I get that diploma. Thank you for your time in reading my essay, Carine Castillo.

If I could go back and provide my high school senior self with some advice, I would recommend taking things more seriously. In my high school honors and advanced placemene courses I didn't try hard enough and I didn't realize how much of an opportunity I had to excel. Additionally, I would tell myself to appreciate my family more. Family is the best support and should not be taken for granted. If I had actually listened to my family members and solicited advice from them, I could have been in a better position after high school.

Were I to chat with my high school self, I would tell her to think very carefully about which university she chooses. Instead of choosing a school solely based on reputation and curriculum, she should look at the social landscape, student diversity, and class size. In my experience, these things have had so much more of an impact on how I measure the learning experience than anything else. When I was a senior, I was so ambitious about my studies, but I found my chosen school to be too large and the class size overwhelming. I ended up leaving before the end of the first semester. If I had found a school that was much smaller, I may have been more successful.

Joel, You should take a break, go to explore Europe or get a full time job. 12 long years of school can be taxing and you are burned out from learning. Find yourself and come back to taking classes when you are ready and have a hunger to gain more knowledge. I know that you think lacrosse is life and that you have to keep playing; but Joel, lacrosse is not life. Do not make your future decisions based off lacrosse, you can't make a career out of it. Apply to more schools in your time away and perhaps take some entry level courses to find something you like. Give yourself as many options as possible and not just school A or school B. I think if you take this "vacation" from school and find your passions you will lead a much more happier and successful path through college and down life's path. Sincerely, Joel Giljam (8 years wiser) ******P.S. If you made it this far I am surprised*******

I know that you love your family very much, but you should follow your path of what you want to do. Don't let your fear hold you back. Go to University of Maryland College Park and finish school there. Family will always be there to help you out and support you when you're there. If you still can't take the big leap, do two years of College of Southern Maryland and transfer to University Of Maryland College Park.