University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

To give it a chance. Give yourself a full year to get used to the environment and to make new friends! In addition, I would suggest when researching schools take an indepth look at all the possible majors the University provides. There are so many different majors out there, some you will have never heard of before, but if you take a look at them before you start you'll already be ahead of the game by knowing your options and knowing what is out there to choose from.

I would tell myself that I did not need to know exactly what I wanted to do for my career yet, but that I should begin researching different majors that colleges offered to be knowledgable about them. I would also tell myself that college is very expensive and planning financially is crucial to having a successful time at college.

Don't be so quick to decide what you want. You may be lost in the hundreds of options available to you right now, but you're 18 years old. No 18 year old wakes up one day knowing the path they will take for the rest of their life. You're meant to be lost, to explore what's possible right now, and not to worry about the probability so much. You're meant to dream about what moves you, or go somewhere with enough optioins to figure out what that even is. Don't succumb to the pressure surrounding you; everyone will want to push you in one direction or another, and everyone believes that their advice is the most important and the most vaild, but they're usually wrong. My best advice? Tune it all out, don't sweat a reversible decision like going to college, and explore every possibility without prejudice. Remember that fortune favors not only the bold, but also the open-minded. Be open enough to find your passion or to let your passion find you, and you can't go wrong.

Hey Bob, so you're thinking about school choices. I know that Rensselaer sounds like the best choice (sorry for the spoiler; you get accepted). But trust me, UMass Amherst is the best decision you will ever make. You will meet a group of people that will consistently blow your mind with their creativity, uniqueness, and ambition, while still being cool and sane. This is exactly what you want. And if you're worried about being in the Honors College at UMass and worried that people are going to be weird, trust me, they will be weird. But weird is a weird word, it has such a negative connotation. Weird is exactly what you are looking for, my friend. As Apple's "Think Different" campaign stated, "Here's to the crazy ones." They are the people that will change you for the better, people that will inspire you to look at the other side of things. Do not go to that conceited, pretentious private school in upstate New York. You are nothing like that. Stay true to yourself, and know that you will meet some of the greatest people at UMass.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would say to not be as narrow-minded in my college interests. When I applied to college, I was set on going to a school down south, and I thought that I wanted to be a doctor. After one semester taking pre-med classes in South Carolina, I knew that it wasn't for me. I ended up transferring to a school in Massachusetts, and finally settling on studying to be a high school history teacher. By broadening my horizons and trying a variety of different classes, I wound up on a path I wouldn't have otherwise considered! College is a time to try new things, and I would recommend to my 17-year-old self and other high school seniors to go into their first year with an open mind, good work ethic and willingness to try new things. You have nothing to lose, and you will learn a lot about yourself along the way.

Not everything can be achieved through quick wit and blind chance. Yes, the high school system you're accustomed to is easily toppled through knowing the right people or having the proper personality, but next year your work ethic will be the only deciding factor in your future. Will you make the same mistakes as me, and be content with your relative academic obscurity? Or will you heed the warning and take it upon yourself to mature as not only a student, but a man as well? It's certainly not easy. Mornings in Amherst you'll awaken to the frost, seeing your breath the moment you wake up with your phone alarm blaring across what seems like an infinite dark void. My mistake was placing the covers back over my head, chuckling silently thinking I was in control, and lounging about for the rest of the day. A challenge as paramount as college is not conquered by the meek, but by the bold. It is only hard work that accomplishes hard work. DO NOT be content. Always strive for better, always try to make a difference, make the extra move, becasue it will be worth it in the end.

I would tell myself that the first few semesters in college actually matter the most toward your GPA and should be taken the most serious. These semesters are also the easiest but often taken for granted so spend lots of time in the library! Spend less time worrying what those around you think...you don't meet your best friends until sophmore year anyway. Don't be afraid to stray away from the crowd, take risks and be different. NEVER give up and work hard in school -- it will pay off.

If I could go back to high school and speak to my pot-smoking, “The Who” jamming freshman self, I would not say a word. Although I was the furthest thing from an apple giving, front desk sitting student during high school, everything has turned out fine. I am very happy with where I am now and would not want to jeopardize that by killing my own buzz seven years ago. Although, I may sneak a note to myself saying: “Invest in 3D printing while it is a penny stocks It’ll be on the up and up. Good luck bro, have fun in Thailand!” (I have not smoked Marijuana since the conclusion of high school.)

It's important to relax and take things as they come. Don't torment yourself over making the right decision once the acceptance letters come; half of what makes a good college experience is your own attitude and openness to exploring new places and people. On that note, don't forget to look around you once you get to college. There are so many things I missed out on in my freshman year simply because I was so focused on classes and getting to know fellow freshman. While these are both important, it's easy to become isolated and dissatisfied if you don't stretch out and let yourself roam. Check out what's happening off-campus--discover where you are, what sort of town or city it is, and what it has to offer. Also delve into events and groups on your campus, and not just those that your new friends are going to; not only is this a great way to meet new and different people, but you can get so much more out of clubs and groups later on if you get involved early. Be curious and be confident, and you'll have a stellar first year.

I chose to attend my local 2-year community college following high school in order to save money whole continuing to pursue my higher education. At the time, I was frustrated and felt pressured by my parents to take this route. I thought that community college was for people who did not try in high school; it felt like my GPA and all of my studying was a waste. If I could go back, I would tell my high school self that community college was the right choice and to enjoy my time there. The classes kept me challenged, I met some amazing people, and had the most enthusiastic professors. In additon, I am now continuing my education at another fantastic school, but with probably half the loans of my fellow classmates. Overall, I would tell myself that community college would be one of the most pleasant surprises and that I should embrace it.

If the laws of time and space were broken and I could back to my former high school senior self, I would reassure myself that being away from home is not as scary as it seems. I had never been away from home more than a week at a time alone, and even then I was with extend family the entire time. I dreaded living away from home because I didn't know what it would feel like to have complete control over what I did with my life. Now that I live in a freshmen dorm, I understand now that my friends on my floor are my new family. It's not the same as living with my parents, but sharing a home with 300 brothers and sisters. The freshmen dorms at my school take on a "family-like" atmosphere. Even though I truely feel at home back in my hometown, I considered my dorm my second home within the 1st week because of how accepting the people were of me. I feel like if I knew how easy it would be to live on my own, I wouldn't have been so stressed over the summer about it.

I was your typical high school senior, pretty much "done" with high school, eager to move out of my small hometown, and beyond stressed about where I was going to declare my future home and school. Between taking the SATs (countless times I might add), writing (and rewriting) my college essay, and touring what seemed like an endless string of schools, I was a constant ball of stress. What was I going to major in? Would I like my classes? What if I hated college? What if I failed? These questions consumed my thoughts. I was so scared for the future, and what college may hold. If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now about college, I would tell myself to calm down. I would assure myself that it really was going to be okay. No matter what decision I made, it would all work out. College is a land of opportunity. You can make yourself into whatever kind of person you want to become. Sometimes things won't work out. You might fail a test or two, but if you keep your eyes open for all of the oppurtunities, great things will come.

I would tell myself to relax for a day, at least. Don't stress out about every single thing and try to enjoy the days I have left in high school. Also, I would tell myself to manage my time better so that it's not as hard as it was during this fall semester. I would urge myself to do more extracurricular activities or volunteer more often instead of working all the time. Also, follow the schedule I made for myself because in college, I would write my schedule down but not look at it when I plan my extracurricular activities. I would also advise myself to go back to the Philippines to spend time with my family and not to think college is the hardest transition. It's not as hard as I thought it would be other than the time management and I would have liked it if I made time for other activities other than stress out and work two jobs.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to not worry so much about the transition, to not over analyze and worry about making friends or fitting in. I would tell myself that simply being myself and being outgoing would allow me to make friends and meet some of the best people I've ever known. I would tell my high school self that leaving home isn't the worst thing in the world and that soon enough, school will seem like home as long as you let it.

Remember two things: first, be responsible with your social life. Don't party too much or too hard but take the time to make lasting friendships and give yourself frequent restful breaks from work and study. Be mindful of the interface between all of these things and don't let things like your socioeconomic background become as important as I'm sure you want them to be. Second, keep reading. It is going to push you ahead. Fiction or non-fiction, whatever it is, keep on reading because you are doing it right. All through my college career and through the break between when I left and then recently came back, it was my affinity for reading that made that last difference, whether that was the right thing to say at a job interview about David Eggers that allowed me to bond with the interviewer, or whether it was that extra familiarity with the material that made my paper an A instead of an A-. It isn't as hokey as it seemed all these years of compulsory education; reading really is going to set you apart in a sort of echelon of other avid readers.

Recognize your fear. Appreciate the work which has delivered you to this point and understand the poignancy of unprecedented independence. You are afforded an opportunity rich with chances to explore your desires and passions. While thrilling, this can also be unnerving. When faced with choices that will shape your future, some will be more difficult than others. Do not choose the complacent path. Revel in your cunning and vivacious spirit and reach for opportunities that celebrate it. Challenge yourself to persevere in pursuit of your ambitions, and trust you will emerge wiser for it. You are forging a path, and as you make meaning of life around you, you will discover inspirations that point you in new directions. In questioning your future, you will experience fear of the unknown. Recognize it and understand it is temporary, then turn to the things which give you strength. Explore disciplines that intrigue you, which call upon your talents and challenge you to grow. It is this growth that will give you the confidence to succeed in the long run. Recognize your fear, and trust yourself to see through it. With practice, you will only grow stronger for it.

I will suggest myself learning more about biology in high school senior. Because the biology courses in collage is difficult and confused. And I will suggest myself to learn another foreign language to make more friends and study foreign culture. Moreover, I also will susggest myself to never stop playing piano in high school senior.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in highschool I would tell myself to prepare to have no one hold your hand. college and highschool are two completely different places. In highschool you have one on one interactions with your teachers almost daily, whereas in college you have to seek out one on one attention with professors and tailor youre schedule to fit to theirs not vice versa. Another aspect of college that I would tell my high school self about is how important effect time management is. In highschool you have a set schedule every day. but in college you have the freedom to make your own schedule and along with this freedom comes the time management aspect. for example you may only have one class on tuesdays but this doesnt necessiarly mean that the one class you have that day is the only thing you have to focus on. This accompanied with distractions from peers and social life can make managing youre time very difficult. That is what I would tell my high school self about college.

My college situation is quite unique. I moved into a school two hours from home, freaked out, and moved out two days later. I then enrolled in a college close by to home and commuted, and am now transferring to UMass Amherst. I have had severe anxiety about being away from home my entire life. In high school, most students wanted to attend colleges far away from home. I felt pressured to live up to my classmates and to do the same, so I chose a school that was out of my comfort zone. I told myself that it would all work out there, and it didn't. I was ashamed at myself at first, but now I see it as a learning experience. I wish that I could have told myself that it is okay not to be ready to be away from home. Some people, including myself, need a little more time to feel comfortable living far away. After spending a semester commuting and staying with friends in dorms far away from home, I know that I am ready to make the adjustment. I cannot wait to move into my new home, and finally become more independent.

When I started applying for college my head was full of delusions of grandeur and wild ideas about what I would accomplish in school. I sent out eight applications but was certain that my top choice would accept me in a heartbeat because--clearly--we were made for each other. Of all those schools I received only one acceptance and it definitely wasn't from my dream school. I was heartbroken, certain that I my entire life was now doomed. One semester later found me the happiest I have ever been in my life. I may have only been accepted to one school, but it was the only school that mattered. If I could give my past self any advice it would be that you'll end up going where you're supposed to. No matter how desperately you want that dream school, if they don't think you're a fit for them, then they definitely aren't a fit for you. Don't worry about what you think you want. Instead, accept what doors open themselves to you as they are the ones that will help you most as you grow in this world.