University of Minnesota-Morris Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college is all about time management, study really well for an exam, and live on campus. Students should resepect the deadline because in college there is no other chance if you miss a deadline. When is an exam, you should not study the next day. Sometimes it is hard to find someone to study with you, but always ask the professor if thing is unclear. It is better to live on campus because everything you need is right next door. If only if I could go back in time and tallk to myself, I would manage my time more sufficient, study well for an exam, and choose to live on campus.

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self, I think the first thing that I would tell myself is to really begin to be comfortable with who you are. By senior year, I was not really struggling with trying to be like other people or make them happy, but I was not sure of myself, of my style, of my abilities, or my potential. Looking back I wish I had really gotten to know me, because it does not get any easier in college! I wish I could tell myself that the drama and the fights weren't really that big of a deal. I wish I could have focused more on others than on myself and what I wanted. I would tell myself to not be selfish and to take better care of my friends when they needed me. If I had known how to do that, I think it would have been easier to connect with the kids I've met at my community college. Grades aren't a problem, but building strong relationships doesn't come easy for me, and that is the most important aspect of growing up in college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a High School Senior, I’d tell myself to not care what other people think. College is much more different than High School. People are more open and accepting in College. Nobody from College cares what “group” or “clique” you were from in High School. I spent a lot of time trying to fit in, trying to date, trying to be someone I’m not. Going to college really helped me find who I really am. I’d tell myself to not stress out so much about leaving friends behind, because the most important High School friends will make it through with you and you will keep in touch with them. I’d tell myself to not start dating right before moving away to College. It caused a lot of stress and time to uphold a long distance relationship that didn’t even work out in the end. All that time spent catering to that boyfriend could’ve been spent being worry free and getting involved in more things around campus.

If I could tell my senior self anything about college life and making the transition, I would definitely say, "Don't procrastinate." Procastination was a problem in high school, but I could get by with doing it. In college, however, it's not that simple. I need to study everyday to keep up with all my work. If I would have practiced more in high school about not procrastinating, maybe my first semester of college wouldn't have been much of a challenge. Now that I'm finally getting accustomed to the transition, it's a lot better than last semester. But I still wish I wouldn't have taken it so easy. I'd also tell myself to read my notes everyday, because I have found that reading the notes more than once a week, really does help your grade with tests.

I would tell myself to be more self-motivated, I have problems getting tasks done without some outside push. I know that they need to be done, and I want to do them, but I always put it off, usually for alot longer than I should.

Don't stress out about going into college, it's awesome!

The advice I would of gave myself back in High School, is to broaden my outlook on what i really wanted my career to be. So many high school students choose what career they wanted to do but dont realize that once you start taking classes and learn more what the career is about. You might decide that career isn't for you two semster into. That's what i did and now im paying on those student loans for Marine Biology and I swapped majors to Veterinary Technician. My senior year, there was so much pressure from my teachers and parents on find a career that i wanted to do for the rest of my life. Once i figured out what career i wanted to do i knew where i wanted to go to college. I would tell my high school self to take more time to figure out my future career and not to stress so much about it.

You’re a little lost, aren’t you? I know you are. I know it’s difficult. Your friends are all moving on and growing up and figuring out what they want from life. But you’re as lost as a tourist without a guide. I’m going to be honest- college doesn’t make you less lost. You’ll still wonder how you’ve managed to live this long with depression, you’ll still want to know how much longer you’ll be able to keep it up. Friends will still be hard to make and people are still going to mistake your social anxiety for rude arrogance. And your life plan? Forget it. It gets worse every time you rewrite it. But the one thing college does change is your perspective on other people. None of your high school friends had anything figured out. They were faking it, just like you. There isn’t an 18 year old in the world that has life planned, and life changed constantly. You’re a little lost right now, no doubt about it. But I promise you; being lost isn’t the end of the journey. That's what starts it.

Be prepared for freedom. This new found freedom has two roads: on one road, you can sleep as long as you want, do whatever you want, eat when/what you want to and make your own decisions. On the other road, you choose to work hard, become a responsible adult and take advantage of the opportunities provided to you. College provides you a chance to explore and choose who you want to be. It gives you the freedom to choose your path, easy or hard. Understand that the path you choose sets the course of your entire life. Understand that certain decisions shape who you will become as a person. Choose wisely. Take advantage of your youth and the opportunities before you. Listen to those who have knowledge and experience. In choosing freedom, choose for your future.

Pursuing college credits as a high school senior is a strategy with a plethora of positive ramifications. The more obvious outcomes are lower tuition, for college credits acquired in high school are free and transferability of the coursework. In the latter case, shrewdly chosen coursework that transfers to the undergraduate institution of student’s choice will reduce the amount of time that it takes to graduate. However, there are other benefits which become more palpable further down the undergraduate path. Often, generals completed during high school serve as prerequisites for the upper level undergraduate courses. A freshman who completes courses traditionally taken by the second and even third year students gains a great degree of flexibility during junior and/or senior year of college. Instead of completing a specific sequence of courses to graduate on time, students can expand the breadth and depth of their curriculum by taking electives and courses outside of their major in addition to the basic program requirements. Also, advanced coursework gives students a competitive edge while applying for internships or trying to conduct research. Some otherwise well qualified candidates, miss out on invaluable learning experiences simply because they lack the required coursework.

To myself as a high school senior: Your entire life you have been shaped and molded, just to wind up labeled and placed in a particular group stereotyped as “the athletic band geeks.” Now that is quite the label. While the friends you made in this group are remarkable people, breaking out of this particular stereotype, instead of living by it, is something you will conquer in just mere months. High school teaches you to do whatever it takes to “fit in” and survive through years with the same people, whereas college thrives with students who were meant to stand out and break conformity. Now those people are life changing, and their influence at your college will greatly impact you. There should be no fear about this change however, since you will only become the person you have been longing to be…yourself. I therefor advise to fully embrace this change and know you can arrive at college with a clean slate and no labels. Do not hide, but rather take advantage of the fact that you are not defined by what others think of you because they will not create a stereotype for anyone to fit. Just be yourself.

I discovered a strength in myself and an ability to adapt to new situations and people. During my undergraduate education, I really became more outgoing. Many of my classes required group projects, which helped in this development. :)

I have learned a lot about myself and people in general. College has allowed me be to independent and see what life is like out on my own while still providing me with support if i should need it. It has helped me to be more aware of what else is going on in the world and taught me why it is important to care about not just what goes on in Minnesota or the U.S., but everywhere. It has taught me to think differently and see the world in different ways. It was also taught me that people are different and unique and that just because I don't think the same way someone else does doesn't mean they have to be wrong or unintelligent it can simply be different. College has also provided me with useful knowledge i will apply in my future career. It is giving me the tools I need to be successful in the future and allow me to do a good job at whatever i do.

The most I have personally got out of my experience at college is opening up and finding the real me. I have gotten to know a variety of many different people and I find that I have something in common with each and every one of them. It's nice to go some where and start fresh. Make new friends, explore different places and each of these different adventures helps you discover who you really are. You find out how hard your parents have it with you around the house. And you learn the value of a good education and the responsiblity of going to class that you are paying for and that means a whole new thing. I have gotten the most out of who I am and the things and people who have helped me along my journey. I now know a whole different person than who I was throughout them highschool years and I can say that I am proud of who I've become. And I have college to thank for helping me to open my eyes to find that person.

It's made me a more independent person and much more focused on my academics. I've grown a lot since trasnferring to this college and I'm glad I chose to come here. I am more involved in school activities and organizations (Habitat for Humanity, STLF, Blood Drives, Campus Clean-ups). It has been extremely eye-opening in regards to my impact on the environment, not just in setting out recycable cans but in giving information on other ways to help the environment. Coming to this school has definitely changed me for the better and I'm grateful for that.

I view life differently now. The people around me seem more tangable. My dreams are becoming a reality, and I know I never would have felt this way if I had attended a different college and had been encouraged to persue a different major. The world is changing in front of me, and now I've begun to see that change. I am becoming that change. I strongly feel that attending the University of Minnesota Morris has not only changed my life, but has made me the person I am, and the person I will be.

The most important thing about the transition into college life is to slow down and take things one at a time. Don't try to meet everybody in a week, or join every club you can. Stick to what really interests you, and don't worry about it. You're an amazing person, and you're going to do great. Good luck--You're going to love it!

Knowing what I now know and experiencing the things I have in this past year, I would have a lot to say to my former self. One thing I would definitely say is ?You made a great call graduating high school in two years and taking college courses.? I worked hard to get where I am today, a college junior at 18 years old, and I would make sure my 16 year old self knew that it was worth the effort. The most important message my old self should know is that the hard work and limited play time is always worth the rewards in the end. It is the only way to grasp and keep a hold of what you have been reaching for. Another thing I would tell her, is to always have the courage to talk to a lot of people and never be afraid to show your real self. Having experienced three different universities I have met many people and chosen the wrong friends as well as great ones. My past self should know that she won't always choose the right people but every relationship is worthwhile and teaches a great lesson.

Hey...umm...I know you have class, and this is probably more than a little weird. I am you...but I have to tell you about college. Just listen for a few minutes. Now, you have to take risks. Don't just sit in your dormroom and wait for people to come to you. They won't. You have to go out there and start a conversation. Ask for names and make small talk, maybe bring a game and ask to play (Phase 10 is your best bet). I know, that's not really us, but just do it. And risk-taking applies to schoolwork as well. Don't just take classes that sound easy. College is for a challenge. I know you don't know what you're going to do with your education yet, but that's why you have to pick a wide range of subjects. If you hate them or they are too hard, drop them and take something else. At least you tried! And please balance everything. I know you love friends, but wait until after your homework is done. You'll go crazy otherwise. Just do your best! ...Now get our butt to class!

A chapter of your life ends here, but in that, a new one begins. Don't fret about making new friends - you'll have plenty, more than you know what to do with. Don't fret about your major; you'll figure that out later. Apply for those scholarships; even if you don't get them, it's good to say you tried, especially for your dad's sake. Stay in touch with your friends from high school; they are great people and some very good friends. Remember all of those things that happened in high school that you want to be free of? Be free of them. Leave them behind. It's now or never, and now's a great time to start fresh. So start fresh - be who you are and no one else - and be open to new people and ideas. Be slow to judge; you've heard this before but in this case it is vital. Be accepting of others and learn that you can make a big difference if you use your voice to speak for those who don't have one in this world. Do not be afraid or discouraged. You'll be great!