University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

College is one of the biggest transitions that I have ever had to go through in my life. I went from the small town comfort of Alpena, Michigan, to the large city atmosphere of the University of Michigan. I thought that I was thoroughly prepared for this transition, but little did I know, I was far from being prepared. In high school, I was always determined to have the highest grades in the class. This helped me get into the Unviersity of Michigan, but it did not give me the life experience I needed to enter the whole new world of college. Everyday in Alpena was oddly similar to the last. I saw the same people everyday, ate the same food, and talked to the same friends. When I arrived on campus, my life changed immediately. Every single day is packed with different experiences and different people. It's amazing to know that everyday is a new day, and with that comes an opportunity to change my life. If I could talk with myself as a senior, I would advise taking each day at a time, and listening to everyone's story. It may end up changing your life drastically.

If I could travel in time to my high school senior self, I would stress to myself to not worry about what college I will choose. The right decision would come when the time was right and that everything would work out. I would also advise myself to volunteer as much as possible my first year while also to find time to study more and not blow off any classes, regardless of what I originally think the level of diffiulty is (especially for my Women Studies class) and to give myself a break every once in a while. It is okay to watch TV with your roommates and run around in the first snowfall. Take school seriously, but seriously have fun!

Many students, like myself, enter the college realm with a list of goals and plans that must be accomplished. Entering into college as a freshman, I came engrained with a pre-made road map written of my life. I had always told myself I would never stray from this path. It was just unthinkable. If I were to have the ability to go back in time, like Marty McFly, I would rid myself of these preconcieved notions by telling myself to take any and all classes that peeked my interest so that I would be studying something that I truly enjoy. Without enjoyment, success can be limited. Originally, I began college with the "fact" that I would be going to law school by majoring in political science. Little did I know, this was far from the truth. Upon exploring a diverse range of classes the first semester of my freshman year, I came to love the German language and am now concentrating in German and plan on double majoring with a social science. Through trial and error, I have learned that having an academically open-mind only leads to success in finding enjoyment in learning and ultimately enjoyment in life.

I would most definitely tell myself that getting a 4.0 is not the main purpose in college. I was a straight A student in high school and my GPA was very important to me. I stressed myself out to the maximum because coming from a less fortunate background, I really needed good grades in order to be accepted to an achieved University and receive scholarships. Almost immediately, I noticed the increased work-load and as hard as I worked, I seemed to simply not be able to achieve all A?s. Looking back at my freshman year, I think that I really suffered to develop close friendships with other peers because I did make this a priority. If I could go back in time, I would still most definitely work hard for good grades, but I would also limit my time which I spent studying, and actually go out and enjoy my college years. Frankly, it?s not all about the grades. In the end, I really might not have the 4.0 GPA which distinguished me so in high school, but I will have wonderful memories from my college years, instead of the long hours at the library.

Eunice, just because you have a 4.0 now does not mean you're guaranteed to have one in college, so don't get overconfident and think you can conquer the whole world in a semester. You have limits. If you ignore them, you'll only find yourself in a hole that you will struggle for the next four years to climb out of. Be prepared to feel and be alone. Yes, you've always longed for independence and to be away from home, but seriously think about what that means. Don't ever EVER take your family and friends for granted. Your connection to home will help you remain focused and opimistic and steer you away from doing something irrational, like running away. Learn to have fun. Take classes that sound cool. Go see a play or concert every once in a while. Attend and listen to all your lectures. Be friends with your professors and discussion leaders. Don't let your grades make you who you are. Pursue what you are truly passionate about. Lastly...don't give up. No matter what--keep pressing on. You'll make it. After all...I did.

If I could advise myself as a high school senior about what to expect in college, I would place a heavy emphasis on academic studies. I did very well in high school and it was not very challenging for me. In fact, I was able to get A's without doing that much work and, because of this, I went into college with this same attitude. I was given a rude awakening when I discovered not only the sheer amount of work I would be required to do on a weekly basis, but also that the difficulty level had drastically changed. I was receiving less than desirable grades in courses that I breezed through in high school. It took me a little while to adjust to the change in academic standards that comes with enrollment in a top university, and because of this my G.P.A. was punished. Though I was very unsatisfied with some of my grades early in college, I know it was due to my lack of preparedness and if given the chance to correct my attitude coming in to college I would do so in a heartbeat.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice there are two main things I would say. The first is to tell myself to save money. Mainly for books but there are several luxuries that a student wants when at the school. Extra cash for sporting events, shops around town, and restaurants when the dining hall gets to repetitive is always an added bonus. Secondly, I would tell myself that be open to new people and new experiences. Make friends when arriving on campus, because without friends and a release the stress will eat you from the inside out.

I would give myself the advice to truly think about what I want to accomplish in life. I came to college without knowing what I was passionate about and as a result had no clue what to study. It took me two years of bouncing around in general electives and a lot of soul searching to decide on a major. Now that I have my major I am so much more happy in college and I think that even if it takes a whole summer of browsing classes before entering college, take that summer and find a major that interests me.

If I went back in time and talked to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go out and have fun once I get there. I will make new friends who will become some of my best friends that support me. I would tell myself that it is more difficult and a lot more work in college and that there would be a lot of pressure, but I can get through it, even when I feel like I cannot. Everyone is going through the same thing. I would also tell myself that college has raised my awareness of various issues that I learned that I have a passion for and it is so much fun and eye-opening to work toward different causes. Lastly, I would tell myself that I should not worry about being homesick, because my family would come often to take me out to dinner or breakfast!

Do not be afriad to ask during questions during class. Even though it can be embarrassing sometimes, the only way to learn is by asking questions. If you sit in the back row of a lecture with 300 people and are utterly confused with the material, you will be even more confused with the next lecture. Read the book. If you read the book (the proper way), then lectures will just reinforce what you have already learned in the books. Your professor with not cover every thing you need to know for the tests, so you cannot go into an exam confidently if you did not read the book. Be open minded to other ideas. Go to an event that may take you a little out of your comfort zone, you may end up learning something, or you may really enjoy it. Work hard, but do not stress too much over every detail.