University of Memphis Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Memphis know before they start?

Meagan

Becoming a University of Memphis Tiger has been and will continue to be an extraordinary experience! I came from California to Memphis not knowing anyone at the school or the city. However, right when I got here, it was not difficult to make friends. The people at the University of Memphis are so friendly and the teachers are extremely helpful. The University of Memphis gave me a different cultural perspective due to all the different types of people that attend. There are always different activities going on on campus and around campus. Coming to the University of Memphis has opened my eyes to the different cultures in the United States. Also, the University of Memphis taught me school spirit... Go Memphis Tigers!

Kathryn

My college experience has changed me completely. I have been brought out of my shell, and am no longer the shy and quiet girl I used to be. College has forced me to be more assertive and outgoing, as well as more independent. I have benefited greatly from the friends I have made and the risks I have taken, things I would never have experienced in high school. I believe college has changed me as a person for the better and will continue to do so up through my graduation.

Kira

Attending school at Memphis is one of the greatest experiences in my life. I have traveled to the TN capitol for class and learned more than ever in all of my social work classes. I have a greater compassion for people than I imagined I had. Through the well-experienced teachers I have been put on a path of education, understanding, and great success in a career of social work. I will be able to make a difference in the world by making a difference in the lives of underprivilaged children in foster care and state custody. The University of Memphis' diverse student population has widened my view of the world and people and I am grateful for the amazing opportunites I have been given here.

Annapoorna

My entire educational experience thus far has reflected my desire to find my true strengths in a useful way to society. College was a while ago, but I gained so much knowledge about my core strengths. I attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign the first two years of college, and completed my undergraduate at the University of Memphis. My Illinois experience taught me about the areas I needed to improve upon in caring for myself- from eating pizza and fries to including some vegetables, from staying up all night studying for an exam to planning out my studying, from 'dropping everything' for a relationship to balancing our interactions with school, and, most importantly, from hanging out in pajamas with floormates to developing a deep love for friends. From a U of I Bioenginnering Major to taking art classes and graduating with Psychology at University of Memphis. For many years afterwards, I felt shame in having taken the "easier route", but as I developed myself in work and school, I have realized the route I took in my early 20's was actually me following my heart. Now, I cannot imagine a different career or life, and I love it!

Quincy

I have gotten quite a bit out of my college experience. First, I have gotten more in-depth learning from classes that I had in high school. I have taken some classes that have broaden my learning experience like Philosophy. I also joined a student support services program where I have a counselor that voluntarily keeps track of my progress in class and that I can talk to about personal things. This program also provide tutoring for academically struggling students in classes such as english, math, and science. Also, student support services provides financial aid help in the form of scholarships that you have to reapply each year. The scholarship is in essay form. To me, it has been valuable to attend the University of Memphis because this campus has strong support that help bring out my social life and staff to help me make decisions to help future my career.

Rashad

What I have recieved from my college experience is a long list of knowledge, an abundance of friends, and many future goals. From the start of college I quickly learned that being neat and prepared was the best bet to be succesful in college. Never be scared to ask for help in college because the more you struggle on one subject the harder it is to pass. college has also made me socially a better person. The longer i attended college the more goals I seemed to have, as I attended I only had one dream in mind; that goal quickly turned into several. If someone were to ask me "would it be smart to skip an eduacation?" I would definately say no because college simply makes you a more rounded person.

Evelyn

I have received many benefits attending college: More knowledge, better career opportunities for my future. A chance to make a difference in the world. I have become much more educated. College is nothing compared to what i thought it would be. It is great. The teachers are amazing, the staff is easy going and understandable. I wouldn't have done it any other way. I am very happy in my decision in attending college. I plan to transfer to a University to get my bachelor degree in Medical Office Specialist. College has motivated and inspired me to keep going. My future will be a great one.

Ericka

My college experience has taught me alot. Throughout my life I have always searched for short-cuts and the easy way out of situations. That is not always the best decison to make. College has taught me that sometimes you have to sit through the hard times to get to the good times. Working hard and being persistent pays off.

Christian

Hello, my name is Christian Paola Alvarez Sanchez, and I am currently a student at Phoenix College. I am in United States along with my younger sister, who is also attending school.My parents are working and residing in the country of Mexico, and the way that they can support us are presented by the costs in the U.S. I also have family in Phoenix, AZ that in the same way support us financially and help us in everything that we are in need. Attending school everyday is something that I think will help me out in future projects. Over the next four years, my plan is to study and complete all four years of college and achieve my career as an Interior Designer. My priority before devoting and study everything about interior designing, is to completely learn English, which is my second language. . Since I decide to come and expand my education here in Phoenix, AZ., I had to re-do all my senior year in high school at Phoenix Job Corps Center and receive my diploma from here, the United States, and most importantly to obtain literacy in English.

Amanda

The number one thing I have learned from my college experience is patients and the will to do what seems impossible. The chance to learn new technique for acting and being able to create friendship that will last has been invaluable. Support from not only from my classmates but also from the teachers and department heads has been something that has helped with my education greatly.

Jessica

I want to good job, a lot of the classes in my field that I have taken have helped me out a lot to understand more about the career I want to go into. I don't agree with all the electives and undergrad classes must students tend to drop out due to these classes that have nothing to do with their degree, I for one wanted to drop out a coupld of times, I am a psychology major not a math major or fine arts major.

Amanda

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself not to be nervous about college. I think every senior has that same feeling ready to grow up and be in college, but it is a change and not to many people like changes. I wish I would have known how much better college is compared to high school. There is more freedom and people can actually express their feelings and individuality with out getting in trouble. I would tell my self that high school is not even close to the best time of your life like many people say. Overall, I would just explain what college life is like and how much fun it actually is.

Kristi

If I could talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to not be hesitant about declaring a major and taking the classes I want. I am more sure of myself now, but the things that I wanted to start studying then are the same things I truly enjoy now. I allowed advisors and friends to caution me about taking on too much, and keep me from doing what I really wanted to do with my education. Had I known college would be so easy, I would have taken the maximum course load from the very first semester and already be done with my undergrad degree. Instead I have accrued more debt than I would have thought possible in such a short a time.

Courtney

I would tell my high school senior self to not worry so much about making friends and being deferent . Worry more about how to pass the class and not how many friends you have in that class. I would also tell my high school self to manage my time better. If my time was spent studing and finding a job insted of in front of the computer so much, I would have succeded more. Lastly I would tell myself to care more about how the money was spent because I spent all my dinning dollars on crazy food and went hungry in the last of the year.

alicia

If I could go back and talk to me as a senior in high school I would tell the younger me to be more serious and I would have participated in more school activities. I would tell my younger self to be more social and I would have taken education more seriously. I would tell the younger me to take the ACT?s earlier rather than waiting until my junior or senior year to take them. I would tell her to manage her time more wisely and to start looking for colleges and scholarship programs more in advance. I would let her know that education is very serious and to survive in this world it is a necessity to have it.

Louise

Going back in time to advise myself, I'd say go with computers. Don't play around in engineering, architecture or geology. Computers is where you'll make the most of your personality, passion for drawing, and environmental concerns. You will soon learn more about computers, personally but a college background will help emensely. Your proffessional life will be much better if you would follow this advice. Also study hard as you will not get this opportunity again for a long long while. Get involved with some extra campus activities such as clubs or just go and hang out with people once in a while. Your a very social creature. Make the most of everything offered by your chosen school. Finish what you start. And apply for as many scholarships as possible, because so may of them go unclaimed. Go for a vocational school that offers specialties like computers.

Jamie

The only advice i would give myself is to go ahead and not wait. I am 27 years old when I finally made the decision to go back to school. I had the opportunity to go a long time ago with a "free ride". Because I didn't take it now I am responsible for paying for college myself. I now have a family .... husband and kids, and am pregnant with our fourth child now while attending. I started college my first semester 5 months pregnant and I am due to deliver right in the middle of my second semester. I have to admit the before I wasn't fully ready for college and that is why I made the decision to not go then, but boy oh boy is it hard now with a family to support. But my determination to make our future better is one of my many motivations. I have a 4.0 GPA andI work. I just would like to tell my younger self that "Try to go to colleg now and take it seriously, but whatever you decide is ok, because you can do it. Don't let ANYONE tell you different."

Tom

With the knowledge that I have now, as a college sophomore, I would tell myself to walk through college just like I did during high school. The classes that I have taken and am taking right now are not harder than the ones that I took during high school. Likewise, the teachers are just as enthusiastic as my high school teachers. I would also make myself aware that, though it is very similar to high school, the main difference that has given me trouble with grades is the freedom to do whatever I want. Even though I will have the freedom to do anything when I want to, I still need to stay focused on my education and attend all of my classes and participate as much as possible. So long as I remain in the mindset that the courses are very much alike, I could roll through college with an easy 3.5+ GPA.

Kiara

Procrastination has always been one of my weaknesses. If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to stay on top of my work and prioritize better. I would also tell myself to improve my study habits because the freedom of college can cause you to stray from your studies. Having strong study habits before entering college will be giving you a leg up so you won't allow the freedom to get to your head. One other thing I would advise myself to do is be prepared to get involved on campus as much as possible without taking too much away from your studies. Getting involved is an easy way to meet new people in the present and possibly network for the future.

Cody

Cody, sign up for more scholarships, because the lawyers in charge of the Bolton Trust hate you. Also, apply to some schools of actual academic merit because it turns out that you are in fact good enough. Do not let your depression and overwhelming fear of failure stop you from achieving something worthwhile. However, assuming you still come to Memphis, get involved in something you actually want to devote your valuable and precious time to. Do not join a bunch of worthless clubs that do not matter because that is not impressive or intelligent or useful. In making the transition, figure out all of your study abroad plans, and calculate the logistics of adding a physics major and a German minor. Do not forget the lessons and study habits you learned and developed this past senior year of high school. Study now. Fun can come later, when you retire.