University of Montevallo Top Questions

Pick a college that you are interested in and not what your friends are interested in doing. Make sure you don't waste your money.

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell myself to stop, breath, and just live. During my senior year of high school, I pressured myself to dream of college and how amazing it would be. I would have given myself advice to strive and be more involved in high school. I would have given myself the advice to just have fun and stop worrying so much because once you get to college worrying just gets worse. Looking back at high school, I had it easy, school was not hard and life was simple. College confuses a lot of things. The last bit of advice I would give myself would be to enjoy life as it was then. I got so caught up in trying to get through it, I never once look back and see that I enjoyed it. College is fun, but it is more stressful with money, deadlines, and being really involved in clubs and organizations. I would tell myself to enjoy the easy work load and make sure to pay attention to my english teacher more strategically, papers can be a struggle.

I would advice myself to work harder on my ACT test and apply for more scholarships---School is expensive and most scholarships are for freshmen!

My senior year consisted of insecurities and loneliness. I was made fun of everyday in school because of my publicly-known faith and because I'm very socially awkward around intimidating people. I hated going to school; I started shutting everybody out except for my two best friends. I sat in all my classes and put in my headphones, did my classwork, and passed with all A's and on B. I was ready to move on to Montevallo, but I was sad I'd be leaving my two best friends who were staying home and going to UAB. We promised each other we'd always be friends, no matter the distance. I was so sure we'd stay best friends. I gradually grew apart from them and was making new friends at Montevallo but thought about them everyday, and still do. They never reach out to me anymore, I was always the one making the effort. They of course are still best friends, and I'm starting to learn that it's a good thing they have each other. My advice would be to not rely on people. Make new friends, but remember that people come and go.

An old saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." But I say take the lemons, put them in the pantry, and return for them only if you are ready to drink lemonade. The same advice can be appied to a high school senior. Do not rush your transition into college. Many people fear such a big change and attempt to find ways to make it easier. Instead, allow time to get comfortable with your new surroundings, classes, and freedom. Forget what you have heard about college life. Everyone is different and everyone's transiton will be different as well. Before joining organizations and clubs, do your reasearch, talk to previous members and students of the organization you are interested in. Once you have had time to get situated with this new chapter in your life, these decisions will become more clear. College does not have to be scary. If you are wise in how you go into it, it will make your transition much easier. So during the first week of your freshman year when the two blonde, cheery, upperclassmen girls hand you a pamphlet for their club, ask yourself this---"Should I really be drinking this lemonade?"

The years at Montevallo will fly by. Cherish them and make them count. Do your work and try not to procrastinate, even though we both know you will. You will hate roommates, but it gets better. Just have fun and don't stress too much.

To remember to always work hard and do not take anything for granted. College is a privalege not a right.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school I would prepare myself better academically. High school really is the building block to your college career. I would have created better habitats by studying more, doing all of my homework/classwork. I would have stayed at my friends houses more to get myself used to not being home as much. Homesickness is one of the biggest transitioning problems for freshmen. Also, I would have listened to my teachers, and applied the advice and tips they gave me for preparing myself for college.

Chill out and take a breath. College is very important, but it is not as scary as you are making it out to be. Everyone there is trying to help you succeed. You can do this!

I would tell myself to really focus in trying to obtain any scholarship money through academics. While my parents have been the primary benefactors in paying for my schooling, there is only so much money available until I may have to take out student loans. After a recent survey at UM, 64{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are on some kind of financial aid. My primary goal at this point is to work hard in school in hopes of completeing my undergraduate in business management and later my masters in Business Administration. With this I hope to also remain debt free before graduating, so that I have a steady financial foundation in the future. Please consider me for any scholarship monies available.

I would tell myself to not be afraid to reach out to others. Everybody else is in the same boat as you, and there is no need to be scared of getting to know new people. College is an entirely new world, and people really are not as concerned with who is and is not popular the way they are in high school. People will actually want to get to know you for you, not for what you can offer them. I would also tell myself to stay on top of my school work and not procrastinate. You do not have your parents around anymore to make sure you get school work done. You have to be your own motivation. Professors do not take make up work. I would also tell myself to remember to stay healthy and eat and sleep in ways that will be most conducive to having the energy I need to make it through the week.

Always wear a friendly smile and don't be afraid to eat lunch alone. No matter what, don't forget that your studies come first, but make time to be social and participate on campus, (you're going to love being so involved). It's hard to remember sometimes, but call home atleast three times a week. You will miss your mom and dad more than anything, and that's okay, they miss you too. Surround yourself with friends when you are homesick. Stress crying is a real thing, and you will do it during finals. Start studying for a test far in advance. DO NOT wait until the last minute. Work out three times a week; it will relieve stress and keep you healthy. Most importantly, all the future plans and goals you have will change, and that is terrifying. Through these years of college you will grow and mature and find who you really are and who you are meant to be, and that might be different from your original plans and goals. So most importantly remember; change is scary but it's also good.

The advice I would tell myself is take risks and chances. I've learned that being afraid to try something new, or not talking to that unfamiliar face can keep me from living life or even making new friends. Do not follow the crowd, be yourself. I would tell myself to do what I am comfortable with, but also go out of the comfort zone once in a while. Each person is in control of their own happiness, so if I am not happy then I can fix it. Do not be so afraid to make mistakes because not everyone is perfect and if you do not make mistakes then you never know what to learn from them. Most importantly, I would tell myself to live life to the fullest each day and love myself through everything, because in the end I'm always going to have myself to love and this is my life.

Do not stress out. College is very important , but it is also meant to be a fun, memorable experience. Do not be afraid to ask questions and make sure you find the answers. Do not procrastinate. It is important that you make friends at whatever college you attend. It really makes the transition a lot easier and more pleasant. Apply for scholarships and work really hard to earn them. You will love college as long as you do not make it a job. Choose a campus that fits for you and do not let anyone persuade you to go elsewhere.

Considering I had my daughter before I began college, I was unable to join a soroity or be apart of college life. Knowing what I know now about the college life, if i could go back in time, I would definitely wait to have a child so I could enjoy college life and focus more on my academics. It is very difficult to study, do homework and succeed in my academics while being a mother. I would advice anyone not to take your life for granted and the opportunites that you can be given. Your future is extremely important and with that said, put your academics first, and your enjoyment last.

I find it interesting that this is the prompt chosen for this scholarship as it is now a research project I am working on: the transition into college. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not rush headlong into getting involved in everything possible, but rather to do some extensive research, both about the positions and the organizations on campus and internal research. The key to life is knowing yourself. I would tell myself to spend some intense quality time with myself in order to know for sure, without a doubt, what I want out of life, and the steps to getting there. This would have prevented all the Major changes I made, and I would've started out in the major I love: Communications. I would also tell myself to not concern myself with other people's opinions in the sense that I need to love myself for me and not let anyone affect that. Finally, I would say to take advantage of the gift given, and embrace the college life and community around you.

The number one thing I would tell myself would be the demanding feel you get form the academic level. It's far different from high school and if you don't know how to manage your time, you will have a long and painful experiance. Academics first, fun second!

More than anything, I'd want to remind my younger self that she has time. There is no need to rush into anything. See the world, try out a few jobs, explore different hobbies, make lot's of friends and date lot's of people - there is something of value to be learned from every experience. It is imperative to understand yourself before you can hope to make solid life decisions. I would tell her to utilize her college counsellor as much as she can and to take the SATs seriously. I would advise her to pick a school that she loves - not just the most convenient one - and then to stay there, since, apparently, the more you transfer, the less federal aid you will get. Finally, I would tell her to live in the moment. Don't waste time regretting what can't be changed and don't waste energy worrying about an unpredictable future. Right now - this moment - is all there is, so give it all you got.

I would tell myself not to worry about being prepared to take on the next phase of life. In high-school I was so terrified that I would get to college and fail at every aspect of it. I didnt know if I could keep up in the classes, and I wasnt sure if I could make friends like I had in high-school. Every part of college scared me to my core. But looking back on my life just a few short months later, I can see that I really was well prepared for everything I have faced here. College is awesome. It is a fun time but also an exciting one. I am deciding what I want my future to be. I have all of these unlimited possibilities that not one living soul could keep me fom reaching. If I had been able to see that from the start I think the transition into college would have been much easier and more productive.

I would tell myself, "Even though it may stress you out and seem like a burden that you paid money for, it will be worth it in the end. Dont give in! Take baby steps if you need to! Its still another step closer to your goal".