University of Miami Top Questions

Daniela Dorilus Sounds of pacing feet, lockers slamming, and excited voices fill the narrow halls of Oakville Senior High School. My eyes aimlessly roam the crowded hallways, as I stare, trying to capture the last few moments of being a high school senior. “I just want to graduate and go onto college” I tell myself, but little did I know what I was in store for. “I graduated!” I shouted, and my heart skipped a few beats, more than usual, but excitement consumed me from the inside out that day. Now that I am a junior in college, I could only go back and tell myself to be patient and wait for many things, because college is more than just an out of the comfort zone experience, its rigorous, and more demanding on time. I would go on to tell this “let’s get on with this” type of senior that life after college is not as easy as it seems. Afterwards when graduating from college you will enter the “real world” and would be faced with more complications such as finding work in your field, and a place to call your official home.

There is so much I wish I could tell my 17 year old self. Let's face it-- even though we may not like to admit it, we were all pretty silly at 17 and we all should have listened to our mothers. I wish I could have told myself to be more critical of my financial aid package or to relish the time I had with my family and friends instead of impatiently waiting to move away to college. More than anything else though, I wish I could have told myself the importance of taking risks. Only since I have began to step out of my comfort zone (for example, becoming an English minor and taking more discussion based classes that require me to strengthen my public speaking skills, or joining Random Acts of Kindness, a student group at UM that likes to give out free hugs to random passers-by), have I truly started to grow and flourish, both as a student, and as an individual. It may be hard and it may be scary but the best way to really discover the world (and yourself) is to take a leap of faith, go out, and explore it.

Take school seriously.

I always say to myself, "If only I knew back then what I knew now, things would be so different!" Coming into college/college life I should've focused more heavily on my academics. Freshmen/sophomore year I put my social life before my academic career and now I am having to give up any form of social life to pull up my grades in order to get into medical school. Also, if I knew coming in that if you have a good balance in everything you do, you can achieve so much more. I was afraid of picking up too many extra curriculars because I felt as if it would hurt my grades but know I believe the more you put on your plate - the more you can handle and you learn how to prioritize your time better with what's more important. One academic tip I wish I had was using resources to help you prepare for exams - old tests are the absolute KEY to doing well in a college course! Also, choose the people you surround yourself wisely - they shape who you become in college and are your support and family through the journey of college life.

I'd tell my past-self, "Always maintain a balance in your lifestyle. You will have ample opportunity and freedom to roam around on your own. College life is a true test of balance and self-discipline. Keeping self-discipline is the key to success in the wild college craze that snaps at a young, innocent freshman. Never do what others want you to do. Do what YOU want to do. Your friends may try to convince you to take the day off and put off studying for another day and just join them for a night of fun. If you know you need to study, then study. Do not worry about how they will feel, or what they may think about you, because, at the end of the day, it is your future that is affected with what you do on those deal-breaker nights. Do not worry about not fulfilling the universal college-life bananza that everyone takes part in, that will be completed with time, there is no rush; you have 4 whole years. Always be aware of your priorities. If there is an event or outting that you genuinely want take part in, STUDY FIRST!"

I would tell myself to always work hard and never give up. Enjoy high school because you can never go back, growing up is great but enjoy what you have while you have it. When you go to college, work hard in your classes. Show your professors that you are willing to go the extra mile and do the extra work. And make sure you pick your friends wisely. College is a great place to learn about yourself and what you want. Never doubt yourself!

Dear self, apply for more scholarships! Do more research about how much your tuition is actually going to cost you and your family, and if it is reasonable for you. Get a job and make money to save up towards your tuition. Think about some backup majors besides biology, because science really isn't something that is going to work out for you. Don't worry about how you are going to adjust to the new lifestyle. You are going to make the transition smoothly and successfully.

There are several advices I would give myself. The first is to take financial aid more seriously as I am not a citizen of America. The second is to research not only the school but what type of students attending the school. Some schools might be great academically but they do not have great students that would help you in the future job world.

An adage I keep hearing lately seems to be playing deja vu. That adage is "It's not what you know, its who you know." The best thing that I have taken out of my college experience has nothing to do with the material I've learned, or the classes I've taken, or even the projects I've done. The greatest joy of my college experience has been the people I have met along the way. From the many friends I have made to the countless professors which I have encountered, especially my roommates. Being able to live and spend so much time with these three guys has been an absolute blast, and an incredible experience. This survey asked if I would reapply to the "U" if I had the chance, that answer is an easy yes. The first thing that comes to mind however, the first reason which I think of, is that if I hadn't attended this school, I would have never met this group of guys and I would not want to miss that for all the world. Why has it been valuable to attend university you ask? Because of the relationships I have made.

While going to college is an important educational experience, it is also an important social experience. Much of my most valuable experiences in college have been outside of the classroom. I have been exposed to new people, ideas and opportunities. These experiences have helped shape me as a person.