University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

I would tell myself to stay calm and plan ahead, to really look at my options and to look at possibilities for scholarships and other aid everywhere. I would tell myself not to forget to enjoy every day as it comes, and that each day is an opportunity to do great things.

Okay, where to start..... APPLY FOR AS MANY SCHOLARSHIPS AS YOU CAN!!! College ends up being way more expensive than you can imagine so budget your money wisely and work a lot over the summer before moving to college. Don't assume that since you took college level classes through your highschool that the real college classes will be a breeze. It ends up being way more competitive than highschool and the workload is heavier. Restrain yourself from going out all the time and instead get a good night of sleep and some study time in. 8 a.m. classes aren't a good idea if attendance is not mandatory because I know you'll skip, you rascal. The same goes for night classes. Find a favorite coffee shop or building to study in because you will not get much done in the dorms (try Spyhouse, their coffee is SO GOOD). I know you're a little shy sometimes, but don't be afraid to talk to professors. They turn out to be pretty cool and helpful, and they could make a great reference one day. Good luck, Lauren. Follow future Lauren's advice and you'll do great!

"What do you go to college for?" This would be the first question I would ask myself. Not because I was unsure at the time or because my parents told me not to go to college, but because the experience is invaluable. Everything done at the university, every class is put toward the desired career. Starting my first semester at the university, I took it like it was high school. Attend, do the work, and I'll get good grades. I started out my first semester that way and I almost failed several major courses. This was the biggest wake-up call to actually put work into every class I take because later in life, I'm going to need that experience. I didn't think the universtiy was actually helping me with my career in every class I took. Understanding this earlier on would have helped my GPA and academic work in the courses I took. In response to my earlier question, placing myself in the feet of when I was a transitioning student, I would have answered "To get an education". I now realize that I am here to gain an immeasurable experience.

The most influential event that altered my character was the transition from being significantly overweight to healthy. Up until that point, I was bullied in school and unhappy with my lifestyle. I remember lying on the couch and watching TV on a beautiful, sunny Saturday; in that moment, I decided I was done living my life uncomfortably. Over the course of several months, I worked towards losing weight by drinking only a 16-ounce smoothie for lunch and running every night. After this became a habit, I was expecting to lose weight, but I was surprised by the side effects—I was more energetic, a better student, and extremely confident. So confident that I worked up the courage to ask out a girl, who is now my fiancé, on a date. The changes that I made within myself resonated in the people around me, and the faculty of my school awarded me with the “most improved student” award. If I could talk to my former self, I would let him know that the future is bright, and that the problems of today may seem insignificant in the future.

I would told myself to start early in exploring possible career options that fit my interests and strenghts during high school. It took me a while to figure this out. Thus, I wasted a lot of time s taking classes for majors that I eventually realized I was not interesd. My other advice is to apply for a lot of scholarship as possible. There are thoundsands of scholarships out there for highschool and college students and it is not difficult to get one.

Upon leaving high school and entering college, I had a fairytale like perspective on the world. High school had been simple and I transferred that idea on to my perception of college. What I didn't understand was that there are less factors to control in high school. Once in college I was not solely responsible for school work like I was in high school, but finances, living expenses and time management as well. These extra responsibilities gave me an anxiety overload. In the process of trying to learn to juggle these stressors I began to narrow my mind. I would perform only to the extent expected adhering to an assignment exactly. At the time I didn’t realize how this limited me until my professor made a comment. He said I was too afraid of failure that I wasn't challenging myself. My advice to myself would be don’t be afraid to fail. It is in failure, and with intelligence, the most extraordinary learning happens. Don't let a fear of a grade limit your ability. Work hard and expand your mind.

Jon, I'm here to give you some advice about College next year. I know that you're anxious, excited and maybe even a little bit panicked. I'm here to tell you to calm down, you're someone that always makes sure that your work gets done, so don't worry about the academics, just be ready to read, a lot. I'm here to tell you something else, I know that you always get worried about your schoolwork, I know that you often stay in on the weekends making sure that your homework gets done and I know that you pass up a lot of opporutnities because you're worried about your work. I'm here to tell you to relax. You will always have the time to get your work done. I want you to have a blast in college, go out with your friends on weekends! Never pass up an amazing opportunity that life presents you with! Life isn't all about academics, it's about having the time in your life during the best time in your life. You'll do really well in college, enjoy yourself, take a deep breath and go.

Dear me, ten years ago: You've received two college acceptances and you're having a difficult time deciding. A part of you wants to remain in your comfort zone and attend the in-state university. Another part wants to explore new horizons. Take the plunge and discover a new place. It will be the best decision of your life. At your freshman advisor meeting, be bold and decide you're going to double major even though you have no idea what lies ahead of you. This decision will allow you to graduate with an unexpected three majors and one minor, all because you were focused on your goal. When the opportunity presents itself junior year to study abroad for either a semester or a year, do the year! Everyone always says one semester is not enough, and it's true, it really isn't. The five month mark is the time when you finally start feeling comfortable with your surroundings and integrating into the culture, don't rob yourself of the opportunity to blend into life in a foreign country. Plus, you'll end up meeting your future husband! Most importantly, enjoy, because time flys by too fast.

Dear past self, The first semester or half of the year was hard. For one thing, look a lot harder for scholarships. That way you won't end up crying in the hallway 2 weeks before the semester ends. Trust me, it was embarrassing. The second thing is don't take highschool for granted. I'll tell you a lie that they tell every freshman; it's easier to make friends in college. That is the biggest lie, typically most kids have friends already or are apart of organizations and make friends. So join some clubs, don't be me and have only one friend by the end of the semester. It sucks and I know it, I mean I've lived it. Lastly, keep working hard because that work ethic will be tons of help. Also make schedules because college life is twenty times busier. I lied, lastly, have fun. Make sure you have fun in college. Something I didn't do a lot of and regret. Sincerly the all knowing college freshman, Destanee

Be yourself. As cliche as it sounds, just be yourself. Don't worry about other people's perception of you because a less than a year from now, there is a good chance you may never see half the people you are graduating with ever again. Be spontaneous, ask that girl you've had a crush on all year out on a date, be a goof ball, crack jokes, don't hold back your thoughts in class, you're smarter than you think, and stop second guessing yourself. You've been second guessing yourself your whole life and nothing good has ever come from it, count to three, take a deep breathe, and do whatever it is you're worried about. It will change your life. Perhaps most importantly, learn to say "no", and better yet, don't always feel the need to explain yourself. Before you spend your whole life trying to please everyone else, make sure you take care of yourself first.

Push yourself in high school to take the harder classes. Doing so will allow you to jump right into classes required for your specific minor or major. In the long run, this will also help save money and time spent in college because AP classes count for college credit. Knowing what AP class, and which scores on the AP tests, will count at your particular college is important because many of them overlap on certain requirements. To amplify the effort put into high school, be sure to take as many classes as possible to fulfill the liberal education requirements, and work closely with and advisor at the college to make sure you are making the most of your time in high school. Keep in mind, high school teachers can be extremely helpful as well. They have gone through the college process and have, generally, worked at the high school for years and know things that can help. Take their suggestions seriously and explore the options they tell you about. Overall, focus on working hard in high school and doing your best, because it will help you in your future college career.

Don't panic

You should take the PSAT and apply to more places. You completely botched applying to school and it almost cost you the academic career that has been going superbly well so far. Also try a bit harder in school, even if the courses are a tad easy there it's not good to slack in them for only that reason.

Hey you there, yes you (to myself). Don't dawdle around like that. Make the most of what you can now. Look for scholarships now, visit the school you want to attend more often, and most of all don't lose heart. You will make friends, find your classes (except on the first day), join groups and have fun all the while you are also learning. Remember, never give up. Things in the future may make look bleak, dishearting, and most of all terrifying. However, you keep on moving forward, and never regret your choice. I know that you won't, even if you have to say good bye to your friends and family. Just don't give up on your dreams, and remember that many people believe in you too. So, walk in to that dark and vague future, embrace what you have choosen because it's not so scary once you take that first step.

Okay, the lanyard they give you is NOT going to go around your neck- the keys go in the pocket and the lanyard hangs out. Ratemyprofessors.com is where you're going to go WHILE

You will grow greatly as a person in the next 4 years, let me give you a jump start. Start reading literally 5 minutes a day in a book that challenges you to become the best version of yourself. Believe in yourself; because you have healthy priorities, a passionate heart for service, and an encouraging conscience that will take you far. Ask her on a date, and find closure; your friendship will grow over the next 4 years, but no more than that. Believe in making good friends and in taking action, and you will find the perfect woman for you; and it will be great fun down the road. You are made up of your habits and your choices. Start now in building good habits and breaking down bad ones; the sooner you do this, the sooner you will begin experiencing a richer, more abundant life. Read one chapter a day in the gospels; and remember that the most influential people in history spent their lives pondering what is in the gospels. Make love your first reason for taking action and make everything else secondary. Ponder the difference between a nice guy, and a good, dangerous man. Take care.

When I see him, I'll begin by complimenting him on his good looks and his future sense of fashion, then I'll slap him and tell him to take studying seriously in college, then I'll tell him to slap me, for having to say that to him. After the look of confusion from his face and the stinging sensation from our faces subside, I'll tell him to sit down and begin to tell him a summary of my/his freshman year of college, which will begin by telling him that it's not going to be like anything he expected. He's going to waste money on a shirt he thought would look good on him, he's going to get lost for 5 hours trying to find a thrift shop 30 minutes away, and he's not going to make any friends. He's going to be too shy to join a club and too scared of social interaction to find a job, but then as I say this, I'll tell him he could change, then, knowing myself he'll ask if I'm different now. Then, silently, I'll say you'll find out.

The most important piece of advice I could give myself would be to invest more time in actually planning out my college career. I would tell myself to focus less on stressful interest surveys and put more focus inward--on finding what would truly make me happy. The second piece of advice would have to be to really work for scholarships. I formed a number of strong relationships with my high school teachers and advisors and letters of recommendation can go a long way. A small amount of time and effort dedicated to earning money now is better than taking out a loan--especially if you're not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure you'll stick with your first major and school choice. Spending money you have is better than paying back money you don't--with interest. Living a life that's as close to "debt-free" as possible is ideal. Lastly, I'd tell myself to be okay with making mistakes. Tired stories about truly growing and learning during your college years exist for a reason--because those lessons you learn are inevitable. Take a breath, be kind to yourself, grow, and learn to let things go.

I would be more open minded and less fearful - procrastinate less, try new things, and be proud of who I am. I think that there were a lot of unknowns in my life at that time, and I allowed myself to become very consumed by the uncertainties. I would tell myself that I am valuable and that difficult situations are temporary and sculpt us into deeper individuals. I think it is important to embrace the transient nature of that time in life and accept one's self in those moments. There really is nothing wrong with being in an ephemeral stage in life as long as you know it, embrace it. There are going to be uncertainties. There will always be questions and options and little bits of character in every piece of life. The important thing is to allow one's self to be surrounded by life and experience it fully - to keep moving forward and enjoy the process as such. I would limit myself much less. I would learn about subjects that scared me and not set parameters in which to define myself. I would grasp life as it is, real.

To my high school self I would advise two things: first, involve yourself more in your community, and second, to apply to essay scholarships rather than simple chance drawings. Had I involved myself more in my community, I'd have discovered many more passions; my knowledge of which would have greatly simplified my choice in major and potential career choice. In addition, this involvement would have created a stronger resumé and provided me with many valuable experiences in communications, community organization, and potentially public speaking. On the subject of scholarships: throughout my senior year, I convinced myself that I simply did not have the time, nor the energy to commit to essay scholarships. Instead, I poured those hours into my many AP courses and our drama department's productions. However, I now believe that that time could have been managed more effectively-had I split my hours between extra curriculars, schoolwork, and scholarship searching, my financial transition to college would have set sail more smoothly.