University of Mississippi Top Questions

College has been a benefit to my life it allowed me to realize that there is a lot to accomplish if you want to. Its very valuable to attend college in order to secure your future by having job security, a good job with great pay and a boost in confidence. It has encouraged me to continue long term and complete my goals. It allowed me to prepare for the reality of the real world. I have decided what I am going to major in since I started my associates degree. I would like to major in political science and minor in international business to further my education in law.

When I chose to travel down south for college I expected to experience traditions of football and sweet tea. I expected to meet new friends accepting of differences and optimistic of future change. However, to my surprise and disappointment I found steadfast racial tension and prejudice lurking in all four corners. This is not to say that every southern student and professor is a part of my findings; I am simply refering to the dark rain cloud in the distance always present even on the sunniest of days. My eyes were opened to a reality that changed my vision of the world. Throughout my years I gained not only an awareness of the challenges that many still face, but I also acquired an urgency to make a change. I battled uphill for four years in the sake of equality of all races, genders, and differences in humanity. I was inspired by the people who joined in the fight for justice. Through my experiences I realized the impact that one person can make in the lives of others, and for that, I believe my college experience has been not only valuable, but, priceless.

Study hard and don't give up on your dreams. Visit colleges early on in your college career to decide where you want to go and what you have to complete in order to go to the college of your choice. College is a fun time but you need to get your priorites straight so that you get the job you want. Don't worry about what other people think when you ask questions, questions help you understand the material better. Speak up in class and voice your opinion sometimes you will be surprised to see what other people think of your ideas. Most importantly make lots of friends and stay in touch with them, you never know how helpfull a friend can be in a stressfull situtation. The friends you make in college are the friends you will have for the rest of your life, you can never have too many friends.

I have learned how important it is to be self-disciplined and to work ahead because procrastination can hurt you. I have also learned how to work as a team to complete tasks and not be timid to ask for help.

If I could talk myself as a high school senior I would tell her that when she goes to college she should not sweat the small stuff. When I first started classes I found myself freaking out over the tiniest things. If I didn?t understand a part of my homework I would spend all my time worrying about if I did the work correctly, rather than simply talking to the professor for help. There were days when I would worry that I would be late for my classes, so I would leave twenty minutes early for what was only a five minute walk to the classroom. The stress from all these little problems started to add up, taking a toll on my health. If I had calmed down and rationalized these issues I would have been able to use my time more productively, causing my grades to improve, along with my health.

My advice is to open your mind and heart to the variuos types of people out in the world. Don't be too shy to ask questions or give opinions. It is really not necessary to worry about insignificant things like "matching dorm room decor" or worrying about what your towels look like! People are going to like you for you- not for anything else, but for who you are as a person and what you have to offer. If you be a good friend to others, you will get good friends. Don't be so caught up in the partying, that you lose sight of what is really important-your academics. After all, that is the underlying reason you go to college. You hope to come out with the ability to make something of yourself. The experiences you gain along the way are invaluable.

Going to college was the best decision I made but if I had been better prepared I would be a better student. If I were a senior in high school, things I would consider during my transition to college are to have a better support system, apply for more scholarships instead of loans, and expect more studying and homework. In my senior year I only had a few classes so the college work load was overwhelming. I should have gotten my books early and started reading ahead so I would be prepared. Being in foster care was also a disadvantage while transitioning to college. Having a good support system is crucial with the decisions about what college to attend, what financial aid options are available, and just emotional support when things get stressful. I now know that I should have reached out to more family and friends for help. Financial aid was major when considering which college to attend. I attended twelve schools by the time I was a senior, so local scholarships were denied because of restrictions and I had to get loans. I should have applied for more federal scholarships or ones that required essays.

Roommates can make or break the way you experience life outside the classroom, so be absolutely sure you're comfortable with who you're living with. Also, learn to like cereal if you're living on campus, because there is always cereal at the dining hall.

If I could go back in time, I would be more active and more outgoing as a freshman. I am a very shy person and in order to get out of that, I should have been in more organizations as a freshman. I would also follow my dream in trying out to play basketball. Now I just think it's too late for me to try out because I believe I'm out of shape or not good enough.

College is a time of discovery, discovery which is encompassingly social, intellectual, and painful.; this has been my experience over the past four years, and I've enjoyed both the insightful revelations that have come along with it and suffered the consequences of not knowing what to expect. Had I been approached in high school by a slightly older doppelganger, made haggard by the stink of Camels and the stress of research and literary analysis, I would have been shocked and terrified at my future prospects and demanded the ratchet standing before me to detail the collegial path she had taken so that I could pursue another one. I, in my current incarnation, would happily oblige and offer the following advice: Take it as easy as responsibly possible. That is, in specific terms, six courses per semester is too much; a hermit-style social life is too limited. Embrace the college experience, because although college in itself is an educational and intellectual grooming measure, it is first and foremost a valuable experience. I would warn my younger self of the pitfalls of not preparing to accept and enjoy the experience: insurmountable pressure and the stigma of smoking too many Camels.