University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Focus. That is all I would tell myself. I need to make the best of my first year, but at the same time I cannot forget why I am here. I am here to succeed, to make a future for myself so I can support my mother and father who have supported me throughout my life . They have taught me what to live for and how to earn what I desire. I need to focus on the task in front of me and conquer each small battle whether it be academic, or social. I must study diligently, listen actively in class, and look past the textbook to find solutions to question because that is the difference between a student who wants to learn and a student that wants an A. I should not let people who do not care about me affect my daily activities and know that adversities fuel people to change the world in a better way. I would tell myself to stay true to the values that you were brought up on, and always have the vision of reaching my dreams in the back of my mind motivating me to never give up on a daunting task.

If I could go back to talk to myself in my senior year I would tell my past self to relax. Yes, college is hard, but it's not as hard as you make it out to be. You're only psyching yourself out. Take a deep breath because college is just like high school except you don't go everyday and they teachers are more laid back. You will do just fine. Yes, adulthood is scary but you'll get through it because everyone does. You know in your heart that you will make a great Elementary School teacher you just have to work your butt off and believe in yourself. If I could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self I would make sure to tell her to have confidence in herself because confidence is what helps you motivate yourself to keep going on with what you are doing. Confidence is key.

Take your friends and never let them go. Distance can do quite a number on friendships, and you don't want college to destroy companionships that you've worked so hard to build. They always say, "You'll meet your true friends in college," but that isn't always true. There are so many people to meet on such a huge campus, so of course you'll find some fantastic friends, but they could never replace the ones you made in high school or even before that. Middle school is the darkest time in anybody's life, we all know that--so any friend who has known you then and sticks with you through high school is definitely a keeper. Any friend that says you saved their life is also worth keeping, a million times over. The friend that offers you a place to live for a week after a hurricane passes by is one of the greatest friends you'll ever have. Having friends in college is important, but not more important than your high school friends. And they never will be.

Hattie, College is a chapter where you will have make decisions, more specifically decisions about relationships. Right now at this point in your life the most important thing to you is your relationship with your current boyfriend, but trust and believe honey your dreams and goals are more important. What I can tell you now is that you're going to be tested and forced to make decisions that will affect your future, try to see the long term consequences of you decisions, as opposed to your short term gains. Another way to state this is, when you're approaching an argument with your boyfriend, DO NOT let him distract you from your studies and homework. I can promise you that each time you engage in a stressful and emotional battle with him, it will negatively impact your academic performance. Sweetie you are too pretty, smart, and ambitious to let someone's insecurities hinder you from academic, social, emotional, and personal growth. With all of that said, advice: the moment you're unhappy call it off! You will only have the precious moments as an undergraduate once. My second piece of advice is, to never let anyone stop your dreams.

Listen Up Tiffy! If you asked high school Tiffany how her senior year was, she would have answered, "Okay I guess. But wait until college. I can start over again!" in an excited tone. However, that Tiffany was a procrastinator and had much to learn about being herself, forward planning, and financial blunders. So, to that truly blind Tiffany I dedicate this advice: "Tiffany, on that August 1st when you're watching hair care videos, STOP. Find out about Scholarship Experts and get to work! You'll save your memories another dark day of doom with mother. Oh yeah! Remember when you said your intuition is always right? It IS! That guy you thought was too perfect, that party you should have gone to, that guy that you think is for you... Don't deny yourself! And just because you think you're alone doesn't mean Project Change Yourself. Remember that friendships are stronger when you allow them to form naturally. And lastly, complete your assignments a week before. Yah, that's possible now. So don't declare and don't do. You'll at least keep your promises to yourself, won't you?"

I would tell myself, "Relax. College is not a race. You were accepted into a world-class institution because you're an academic. If you feel pressured by others, that you're their inferior or you aren't as intelligent as they are, remember that you are where you are for a reason. You deserve to be there. Take your time discovering your abilities, and hone them to become your very best. Only you define your prowess. "Don't be shy around other people. College is the time to meet friends who will stand by your side for the rest of your life. And if someone comes along whose ideals collide hideously with yours, it's alright to bid "So long." "Don't fear the professors. It's their job to provide worlds of information and coach you to become your very best. Who knows-- even some professors could become lifelong friends! They are your coworkers, confidants, and professional connections. They've been in your shoes. They understand that you're still figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. It's okay to make mistakes. They will guide you through the confusion."

- Apply to everything: scholarships, school programs, internships. You can always decide to accept or decline later, and not applying is the only way to guarantee you won’t have the option. You never know what you’ll interested in or ready for in the future - Ask everyone for their story, especially adults; ask how they got to where they are and what advice they have. Recognize that no path is straightforward and there’s no exact formula for success - Be eager to learn, inside and outside of the classroom. You got into college because you are good at learning inside the classroom, but college is best at teaching you things completely unrelated to academics. - Be the person you want to be. College is a fresh start; although entering a class of completely new people is daunting compared to the network of lifelong friends of your hometown, it means you have no reputation or expectations. Make the changes you want to be the person you want to be. - Commit to your school and your experience. Be proactive about getting what you want from your school, because the value you get out of anything is equal to the commitment you put in.

I would say be open to as many new experiences as you possibly can. Try and get involved in a variety of things, be as diligent as you were with colleges as you are with your extracurriculars in college. Don't define yourself or limit who you could be by friends from high school or orientation. Seriously, do something weird or expose yourself to a new crowd of people, it opens up who you can be friends with and what experiences you'll get to know about in college.

If I had the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to be prepared to move out. It is not easy financially and school is expensive. I would tell myself to get a summer job and save as much as I can. I would also tell myself to rent books online and buy them only if they are truly neccessary because I spent a lot of money on books that professors did not even end up using.

To try harder in school.

Well the first advice would be to never give up. Always have your dreams ahead of you, and never look back on your failures. Studying is going to be difficult, but you can do it. Pay attention in class, no matter who the professor is, take notes. Prioritize you life correctly. Make sure to seperate time to lock yourself up in the library and work. Do not procrastinate! Get papers done early enough to get them checked by the writing center and/or teacher. When things get rough, sit back and take a breather, but get back up. Go to class, try not to miss any classes, it is hard to make up those days. Be ahead of the game. Do not be afraid to ask questions, it is the only way you will learn. If the subject is difficult, get a tutor. Take as many classes as you can, but do not burn yourself out. College is not about having fun, and throwing your life away with careless actions, rather it is the time to grow up and become the person you have dreamed of. Lastly, surround yourself with people who will encourage your to do your best!

Dear Miriam, "Courage is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding." ~Dorothy Thompson. Although the true value of this assertion does not in itself encapsulate some grand epiphany, it offers a peripheral view that if taken can often unlock everything from the safes to the towering gates along life’s path. Adversity knocks on the door of every life at one point or another and it is very rare that it bypasses an address. However, the way in which we meet it, determines the course and shape our lives will ultimately take. While obstacles often transform a journey in ways one has little control over and may never anticipate, if followed through there is nothing short of a rainbow waiting on the other side. Remember, if God helps and grants you the strength and ambition to push your limits, why settle in accomplishing any less? Signed, My time at the University of Michigan

Don't worry so much about the ranking and reputation of the school you choose. Don't limit your college search to US News and World Report top rankings. There are other factors that make a college a good fit - explore these possibilities. Some smaller and less well know schools are great and may be exactly right for you.

With experience comes truth, knowledge and understanding. Although I was a high school senior less than two years ago, it is a fragment of time in which I would compose a large range of advice! At every point in life, there is a constant pressure to prepare for what is to come. I was no exception to this; at the time of my senior year, I was overwhelmed with applying and getting into colleges, interviewing for jobs, staying connected with friends and spending time with family. Understandably, my mind was consumed with a multitude of situations. Yet, I was at such a significant point in my life, and ironically enough, instead of living, I was focused on where I was going to be later in life. Living in the moment, emersing yourself in gratitude and smiling at every obstacle that comes my way, would be the advice to put forth to myself. Breathing in the beauty of time is of the utmost importance, for it is an aspect that we won't always obtain. Pausing throughout the day and being thankful for the conveninces I aquire, the people I know, and the life that I live.

Before coming to college, I was so afraid of starting a new life in a very unfamiliar place; as I spent my high school years in the United Arab Emirates, I knew almost nothing about the United States. I thought I would be so hard to make friends, get along with my roommate, and do well on the exams. I guess I felt more intimidating because I built up theses negative images of my life in the university. Now, as one semester passed, when I think of the time when I first came to college, I can smile. I learned that it was not only me who was nervous and afraid of meeting new people. If it is possible, I want to tell myself, as a high school senior, not to worry, relax, and be confident; everybody is nice and would want to know more about you. I wish I could tell not to lose the chances to enjoy the transition and be excited about it so that the moment would last as an unforgettable, precious memory.

As a high school senior, one thing I wish I had known would be the importance of finding your passion and devoting a large amount of time and effort to that passion. Too many high-schoolers enter college simply looking for a job that pays well or go to college only because it seems like the next logical step in the educational procession. The important thing is finding the one thing or various things that you love and doing them to the best of your ability, and in terms of a college major it is about finding something you enjoy doing so that during your lifetime as you work you will get a sense of satisfaction regarding whatever career you chose to pursue. Explore yourself and who you are in your last year of high-school, ask questions, seek answers, and overall prepare yourself as much as you can for whatever challenges and opportunities may come your way as you transition from high-school to college and eventually adulthood. Make your life worth living, experience it in its fullness and make an impact on the world in a positive way. Don't just settle for average, work to be extraordinary.

“CONGRATULATIONS—You’re IN!....How does it feel to be a Wolverine?” 3 years later, you will feel the same amazement as the first time your read those words. Brace yourself for massive stress but also massive leaps in knowledge gained, people met, and passions realized. You will be surrounded by astounding talent, intelligence, and dedication. Soak it all in, and take advantage of the incredible opportunities and resources campus will offer you. You have been given the liberty to explore and develop your dreams, so go! It is reasonable to fear being overwhelmed, but don’t underestimate yourself; if you want to do something badly enough, you can, so do it! Take deep breaths and remind yourself how blessed you are be studying for that final, writing that paper, or responding to the 57th email of the day. Appreciate your place on campus where you are working toward becoming one of the leaders and the best. Lastly, commit to the fact there is no excuse to not take care of yourself. While your goals are important, your body, mind, and spirit should always be top priority. Your spirits should be high, because it feels great to be a Wolverine.

Write in your journal. Write something every day about where you went, how you felt, what you ate, saw, did. Write it down because you will not remember it, impossible though that may be to imagine right now. And you will want to remember.Find the thing you love to do, and find others who love it too. Commit to it, work on it, talk about it; make a community of it, a hobby of it, a passion of it. I know what it is now, but I could’ve known earlier – you can know now. Find it and go after it now. Don’t wait. And don’t be afraid of failing. Try all that appeals – keep painting and drawing, keep dancing, writing, running, keep telling stories and keep expressing your creativity. Keep trying all these things you enjoy and don’t let fear of failing stop you. As long as you are trying you are already succeeding.

If I could travel back in time to give my high school self some advice about what it takes to survive college I would be nostalgic because there is no other person in the world that can relate better to you than yourself. The first pointer I would give myself is to decide. Make a decision. In high school, I was not quite sure what major I wanted to pursue. I switched from law, to journalism, and a few other things inbetween and when I started college I had no sense of direction which made the process kind of difficult and overwhelming for me at first. The second pointer I would give is stay true to yourself. What I mean by staying true to yourself is to stear the course, stay focused on what is needed to complete the college courses. This also means to practice delayed gratification. Doing this will enable anyone to complete their college career at a much faster pace and a much better academic standing.

Think about what will engage you best. Do you struggle to pay attention, if so go to a smaller school. Do you want to do more outdoorsy stuff, go somewhere that will push you, perhaps a smaller school. Really think about who you want to be around and where you will succeed. Accept what limits you have (procrastination, focus etc) and try to find something that will be condusive to that.