University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

First and foremost, college is a way to explore who you are in all different ways. One thing will not define you; it is what you choose to do, and not to do, that will shape who you become. Making mistakes is part of the process - it's required for self-discovery. Here, grades account for a lot, and using the resources is required. Also, forming long-lasting relationships is really important. You can't go away to college without meeting new people and experiencing different political, religious, and overall life views. This is how you grow as a person - by accepting what the world has to offer. Your family (and you included) has sacrificed so much , including paying a lot, for you to be able to go to an institution such as this. Make the effort and get good grades. But most importantly, don't forget who you are. Yes, you go to college to discover yourself, but you also come to college with expectations and morals and hopes and dreams. These hopes and dreams may change, and that's perfectly all right, but don't expect less of yourself. You can do it - you've come this far.

If I were given the opportunity to return to myself from two years past, I would only say one thing: listen to what your teachers have to say about their college experiences. In high school I would talk to my teachers and they would all say that college is not like high school; they were completely correct. My life since high school has changed so drastically that it is difficult to imagine that I was ever busy in those days. My teachers said we will study and make choices that can affect us in so many ways. But, as students not yet in college, we did not understand what they meant. All we had ever known was a few homework assignments, sports practice, and good grades. Upon attending college, I soon realized that it is not like high school in the least. In order to be successful, time management became the top priority in order to balance classes, studying, sleep, and friends. I would return to my senior self and say enjoy the free time that has been given to you, but do not worry that college is impossible; you will be okay, even in the most difficult times.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphasis that college is more than just about academics. In the college searching processs, I spent a lot of time looking at schools that did not really fit me, but I thought they had good academic reputations, so I still pursued them. While it is important to attend a school with challenging academics, the college experience is more than just books. I like constant change, so there was no point in my looking at small schools. Being at a school with 40,000 people has been ideal for me, and I wish I had realized sooner this was what I wanted based on my social preferences. You may spend five hours in classes a day, but the other ten hours you are awake will involve you experiencing different clubs and people, so make sure that the school fits your preferences there as well. I would also want to be prepared for the fact that the first month of school isn't easy, adjusting to being independent is a real challenge. But it is definitely worth it to stick through it, you'll grow as a person.

I still would have come to the Univesity of Michigan.

If I were provided with the opportunity to step into a time machine, and turn the dial back to my senior year, there would be many things that I would tell myself. I feel as though in high school, most individuals worry about the label of the college or university and its ranking among the superficial standards of U.S. News and other organizations. Rather, the college experience is meant to help you find yourself as an individual. It compels you to take four years to discover yourself as in the academic, social, and personal realms of life. It is a passage of life that is often frightening, but necessary. It forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and test the waters. You will never know unless you try. Yes, the moment when you say good bye to your parents is disconcerting as the sense of freedom is overwhelming and yet so intoxicating (no, not in that sense). The burden of making the right decisions rests heavily in your juvenile hands. But take it one step at a time, and think about the different things you can try and the open sea of opportunity that lies ahead.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that I needed to stay focused over the summer to prepare for my freshmen year of college because it was not going to be easy. I would tell myself that it would be okay if I didn't spend a lot of time with my high school friends that summer because it is more important to do well in school and be able to get a job after college than it is to hang out with friends all the time and have a good social life. I'd tell myself not to worry about fitting in at college or worry about boys because getting an education and being able to provide for myself in the future is more important. I would tell myself that I didn't need to be totally independent of my family, that they would still be there to support me through college, that I can trust them to be there every step of the way, and that I didn't have to go through the transitions and life changes alone.

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my time in college. I would find fun and easy classes to take my freshman year to fulfil my basic requirements and get involved with campus groups and clubs. I would also not worry so much about what classes I need to meet my degree requirements until all my other graduation requirements are fulfilled. I would not put so much pressure on myself to try and push myself to take really hard classes and get in over my head when I could just take a similar class and get a good grade. I would not take myself so seriously and I would not rely on everything my counselors tell me. I would do my own research and come prepared with questions for my counselor so that I don't take any unnecessary classes or end up having problems finishing on time later on. I would not take classes during the spring and summer terms. Instead, I would study abroad for the summer and enjoy my vacation from school before the fall semester begins again.

study

really think about the money-issue. You probably won't have time to apply to as much scholarships as you can now when you are in college. So go to an in-state universtity :)

Keep going Blue!