University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

If I could go back to the high school senior version of myself I would make sure that I knew how important all aspects of my senior year of high school were. It would be prevalent for me to know that school, friends, and sports were all equally important aspects of senior. School work is obviously important, but I would tell myself to put down the books every once in a while and relax. Grades seem very important in the moment, but your life is not going to be defined by whether you got an “A” in a class. Friends are the most important thing you take away from high school. I was lucky enough to realize this while in high school, but I still wish I had made more time for my friends. If I could go back to my high school sports career I would have told myself to slow down and enjoy it. It isn’t always about winning the game. It’s about how much enjoyment you get from sports, and the memories you can take with you. I had a great senior year, but there are still things I wish I would have known.

Don't expect college to be easy because high school was. It is a lot harder to get an A in college than it was in high school. It is important to take notes, study and get to know your professor. Also, make an effort to make friends during that first week before classes. It's hard to make friends once class starts because balancing a social life and schoolwork is almost impossible. Also, meet with your advisor often because they know more about what you want than you think. They're only there to help you and can tell you good classes to take and classes not to take based on other students' experiences. And buy a lot of Flexdine because food is important and you'll probably be eating at Panda Express at least once a week because it's that good.

The most valuable piece of advice I could give to my senior self would be learning can extend outside the class period, so take advantage of these sources. Throughout senior year if a lesson was esoteric, I believed there would be no other time or place to understand it better, but during college orientation I have now learned such resources did exist. At my university, there are peer study groups, a writing center, after hours with professors, etc. for whenever students need an extra session in difficult subject matters, all possible options I had in high school, but foolishly disregarded. Had I participated in these additional education opportunities, my grades would have surely improved and my feelings toward senior year academics would not be nearly as bitter.

“Pay attention, give it your all, and realize that your education is an investment in yourself.” These words would have been invaluable to the High School senior version of myself. I’m sure I heard variants of this from my parents, coaches, and teachers throughout my schooling, but the High School mind has a sense of utter knowledge and wisdom. Unfortunately, I had neither in large amounts at that time. I was always a bright student, but referring to myself as a scholar would be false. I was much more concerned with girls, athletics, and weekends rather then studying or test scores. But college has a way of shocking a young mind into reality. No longer are you protected by youth or innocence. And that last precious year of High School is expected to guide you into adaulthood. I would tell myself to think how my actions would affect my life ten years later, rather than ten minutes. And I would drive home the fact that although your senior year can (and should be) somewhat fun; it needs to be equally productive if you plan on excelling in the next step of your education. “Take it seriously Brennan.”

If I could advice my high school self about how to prepare for college there would be a few things I would say. The first would be to make sure to dedicate a few hours a week during the summer months to refresh my memory on math and science. The reason for this is because the beginning of most freshman courses are review, and if I retained that information from the previous semester I would be ahead of the game, rather than trying to re-learn everything. The second thing I would tell myself is that while registering, not to enroll for seminars or classes that seem interesting, but are not under my major requirements. Even though these classes are fun, they do not help you graduate. The third, and last tip I would give myself is that while in school to make sure I not only study way ahead of the testing date, but to make a bit more time to socialize. This is something I will regret not doing, because making connections with others in your field is, and should be, part of the college experience.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, high school could have been a little different for me. I would tell myself to be yourself and do not pretend to be anyone else. Fitting in is very important in high school but, teenagers seem to lose themself while fitting in. I had a hard time accepting myself for who I am. I wanted to lose that ten pounds and look like the other girls but, I have realized today that I will never be like them. I am unique and I do not need to be someone else. I would also tell myself to have fun while in high school. High school may be only four years but, it does go by very fast. I got caught up in homework and worrying about tests but, I wish I could have let loose and enjoyed high school a bit more. Lastly, I would tell myself that you can overcome procastination if you have the right mind set. You have to be postive and set aside time for your studies because it will only get more difficult as you grow up.

Keep an open mind about everything and try anything that interests you. If your friends aren't going that is ok because there are tons of new people to meet, you are attending one of largest universities in the country! Try new things on campus and explore everything Minneapolis has to offer because these four years will fly by and you won't be able to do everything you want but you most certainly can try. The beauty of college is that there are so many diverse people and you will find the perfect niche of friends. Although everyone is vastly different you will come to appreciate these differences and they will be a huge help to you and you will value the differences immensely. The biggest thing is don't be afraid. College is not high school and what you may have disliked about high school will not be a problem in college. Enjoy every moment because it will truly be four of the best years of your life.

Dear Khalifa, For one thing, tell that guy that you have liked since the seventh grade that you like him. You don't know how much that will affect you in college. You will think about not doing that everyday, and it will severely affect your mood, happiness, and self-esteem. It definitely makes you doubt yourself and your confidence will plummet. That self-doubt will destroy you as a person and kind of your grades too because most of the classes you have to take are based on participation points. Yikes! Also, it makes you doubt your intelligence which really sucks because no one enjoys feeling stupid all the time. Just remember the person that you were before entering college. You are smart, pretty, fun-loving, and capable of doing anything and everything under the sun. Never, ever, ever lose sight of that girl! Just let loose and sieze the day. Listen to "Sideline Story" every morning before school and take your favorite quote, "Feel the fear, and do it anyway." to heart. Don't let go of your champion attitude, and KNOW that you are amazing!

I would tell myself to slow down and take it easy. I would tell myself not to worry so much about the future but to focus more on the present. High school was the last thread of my youth and I nearly wasted it worrying so much about my future success or lack thereof. I would tell myself to find a better balance between academics and fun. The best advice I could have given to myself would be to let loose and enjoy the moment. I am thankful that my grades were high enough for me to be accepted into a very prominent University, but I am sorry that I was often so high strung and anxious. I would also tell myself to listen more to the adults in my life because they had more life experience than I did. I had a rather large teenage ego and thought that I knew everything, but I have learned now the ways of adult life the hard way.

Taking myself back in time to my high school years knowing what I know now about college; I would tell myself, "Give yourself time Adriana. Choose your college wisely, look at all the possibilities, and make sure you will be satisified with your choice." There are many options and plenty of resources which I did not look into. I would tell myself, "Do not settle for the minimum." I would transition my decisions by double, triple checking my options financially and I would have explored what the college has to offer more throughly because there are some activities or organizations that I would've loved to be a part of and I think that is a big college expierence that I missed out on because the college I choose did not have any organziations nor activities to join. Although, I would not regret my college expierence, I can say that I met a lot of new people and did my best at the college I chose but if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life, that would be the advice I would give myself.