University of Nevada-Las Vegas Top Questions

If I could talk to the younger version of myself, I'd encourage myself to get invovled sooner and more often. College has so much to offer to a student, and I think the average person doesn't take advantage of that. I would tell myself to not treat it as a job or burden, but to see college as a fun experience that you'll never forget. College may be some of the best years of someone's life, so I believe you should get as much out of it as you can. I'd also tell myself to establish more relationships with my professors. These are some of the smartest people you will ever come across in your life, and I think you should take advantage of those relationship opportunities. I'd tell myself to keep a solid balance between school and social life, but also understand that your education is extremely important and to take it seriously. I'd encourage myself to not sleep through my years in college. This is the time of your life to be active and involved. You should be creating relationships, having fun, and building your future.

As a high school senior I made the best time I could of my last year. I made sure I was surrounded by friends and participated in all that I could. I was so wrapped up in my high school life that I didn't even begin to think about what college would be like. If I could tell my high school self anything it would be to make sure that I am preparing myself for this huge trasition. Don't cling onto your high school life when such a big change is coming. Do everything you can to be involved with UNLV activities before the semester even starts. Make sure that you have a healthy balance of hanging with your old friends and making new ones. I would tell myself that high school was such a small environment and it was easy to meet new people, college is huge and it isn't going to be a breeze keeping in touch. So make sure that you participate in your new adventuree as you did in your old, that way the trasition will be easier with the new friends you have made.

I would tell myself to enjoy your senior year as much as you can. Get involved with school, apply for many colleges and apply for scholarships. As a high school senior i thought i would have all the time in the world to think about college and apply for scholarships and that was not the case. I let time slip on by and in college thats one thing you learn that you can not do. I would also tell myself to take college prep classes because you arent really prepared in high school for how different the enviornment in a college can be.

I would tell myself to focus more in biology and other science classes. I would also suggest trying to do better in math in order to pass the necessary math courses and be able to position myself in upper division classes in college. I would also tell myself to enjoy life a little more.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self to get in the habit of not procrastinating. I would also tell myself to start on the scholarships early and get as many done as possible. Procrastinating is something I would want to tell my past self not to do because doing work the last minute is really stupid and could hurt your gpa. I would tell myself that since I am paying for college I should get all the work done and to start early. I would tell my past self to start taking notes better. Taking good notes will help in college. Many classes requires to have notes and to have the book chapters read before class the next day. I would tell myself to get a skateboard or scooter so it will be easier to get to class on time. I would want myself to know that if I dont have a skateboard then I would have to watch out for them because it hurts when you get ran over by them.

Honestly, I feel as though my teachers, mother, and siblings prepared me very well for both the academic and social strains of college life. If there's one thing I would tell my younger highschool senior self it would be "its not as bad as you think." I was so stressed out my senior year of highschool. I would worry about having to pay for tuition, what major to choose, how scary college math classes looked, and all the complaints of my older friends saying that they had no social life. I was afraid of college. However, now i'm here and i've been going to school full time, while working to pay for tuition and keeping up a relationship with my highschool sweetheart, things don't seem so scary. I haven't had to choose between my academic and social life as younger me worried about. All that stress was unneeded, and if I could time travel in a tardis with the Doctor to meet my younger self, I think I would tell her how great we ended up.

I would pay much much more attention to my studies and work ten times harder. I wasn't motivated enough as a high school student.

Dear me, Life will not work out the way that you are planning and that's okay. You will suffer great losses, relish successes and discover bits of yourself along the way. Don't forget that education is the most important thing. People will tell you not to do it, but believe me, it will be all that you want to do. People close to you may not believe in you. You must believe in yourself enough for everyone! Don' t give up. You will struggle, that is to be expected, but just fight harder. Learn from your mistakes and your failures. That is what they are there for. Trust your instincts. Be patient and kind with yourself. You've got this! Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do something just because they couldn't. Don't stress the small stuff... actually, don't stress at all! It just makes things worse! Take time to take care of your body. It is the vehicle that will get you to where you are going. You are a strong, intelligent and innovative individual. Make me proud! Love, Yourself.

Hey Steph! I heard you're getting ready to start as a freshman at UNLV! Let me tell you - it's going to be a big transition. College isn't like high school. Here's some tips to smooth the transition: Firstly, be organized. Get a full year calendar and before the semester starts, go over your syllabi and write down every single assignment (no matter how small). Always look ahead at least one week so you aren't suprised by what's coming! Next, go to see your professors during office hours and develop a personal relationship with them! I know you think you can do it all by yourself, you can't. They have so much knowledge and they want to help so take advantage of their free information! Lastly, don't forget to take time for yourself. I know you will be trying to achieve the best but don't lose sight of yourself in the process. Go out with your friends and take a breather every once in a while! Get ready girl - I know you'll do great!

That teacher who stayed on top of you about doing your homework, that assembly about finding out what you want to do, that career fair you dreaded, that lecture from the counselor about your grades, and that boy that broke your heart.. these were all important. I know you could not see this at the time but they all are playing a part in preparing you for college. So pay attention, learn what you can, take advantage of the help that is being offered now. The routine of going from class to class and having a tardy bell, or even having a bell at all. I know it all seems ridiculous but in college there are no bells, there are no manuals on what to do, there are no teachers that will stay on top of you. College is all about YOU. So I say again, please pay attention and stop taking these small things for granted. Figure out what you want to do now because college caters to no one. Prepare yourself and pay attention to the adults that are trying to help you better prepare now. I promise you that it will all make sense very soon.

What might have been? Please avoid asking the former question. How? There is no magical formula, but here are three simple guidelines: First, strive for progress daily. Time, a non-renewable resource, decreases with age. Capitalize on every moment. Second, eat healthy, exercise, and study your ass off every day. You only get what you give. Third, think before you act. Be ready to live with decisions and the ensuing consequences. What does the future entail? Success, happiness, and self-actualization are attainable in the future by hard work right now. Focus on school, do extra homework, study more, and prepare for class every day. Perfection is elusive, but reach for it anyway. Challenge yourself, and hold yourself accountable. The best feeling in college is knowing that you maximized your efforts. What else should you do right now? Teach yourself new things, be yourself, network, listen, volunteer, and stay organized. Create a to-do list of things that YOU want to accomplish or experience. Did you make the list? Go take action. The list will not complete itself. Do not sit around. Do not wait for things to happen. Oh, the places you'll go if you follow your dreams.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the advice of most definietly paying attention in each and every class, striving to keep a 3.5 or higher GPA, save a lot more money while I worked in high school instead of spending it on items I wanted, and take scholarship opportunities more serious. In college it sucks to have to pay for school without any help and/or not much to lean on due to the lack of good grades and money. As a college student now, I know that having a higher GPA could have reflected on my financial need, by being eligible for more scholarships and opportunities in financial need. Saving money would have been extremely beneficial now, every dollar I spent then, could have been an extra dollar toward the struggle of financial need in college, now. If I would have taken that advice I think the financial need for college would be alot less stressful than it is now.

I would tell myself to take the time to pay more attention in my AP classes, becuase it would have helped me better with my study habits that I have now. I would tell myself to take the anatomy class instead of physics because it would of help me understand the anatomy class I am taking now and I probably would of gotten a better grade in the class. I would also tell myself to be serious about the classes you are about to take because it will be on your transcript forever and it costs a lot of money to have to retake a class.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to my high school self I would say to save as much money as I possibly can. No, you do not need to go out every weekend with friends/eat take out every night. You need to save more money to help pay off the student loans you will have. I would say to also remember to make school the priority and not your job. It takes much longer to finish your degree when you lose that focus and mentality, and in the end it will cost you more money. Finally I would tell my past self that even though it seems impossible, it really it is. That even though it seems like it won't be worth the trouble, you will eventually look back and realize it wasn't bad at all.

Dear "High School Amy", College is a whole new world. If theirs any advice or wisdom "College Freshman Amy" can give you it would simply be this, be open to trying new things. This transition in your life is meant to be fun and exciting. Eveyrthing won't go perfectly. They'll be times you'll make the wrong decision but NEVER hold back from an experience just because you're scared of failure.The only things I regret are the chances I didn't take. Everyone in college has the same fears and anxiety you have, so don't be afraid to make mistakes and emarass yourself. That's what life's all about. So go out there, come out of your comfort zone, try new things. You'll never know what could happen if you don't try. Trust me. Sincerely, "College Amy"

Do not let your boyfriend or girlfriend influence your decisions. I am one of those girls who followed my boyfriend to college; a military college. Although I intended on joining ROTC, I did not plan on attending an obsure military school thousands of miles away from my family. I spent an entire year being yelled at and endured deplorable living conditions. The relationship that I thought would make my life better, ended up complicating my life for years to come. As my luck would have it, that school went bankrupt, forcing students to relocate once again in order to finish their degrees. I also signed an eight year military contract despite the fact that I knew deep down it was not what I wanted. However, my hope was that my relationship would help fill the void that existed after my parents divorce, and absence of a support system. Eventually, my boyfriend jumped on the opportunity to leave the Army because of a minor heart issue, leaving me alone to finish my service obligation. I wish that I had the confidence to pursue my own path in life, and not fear being alone. Have no fear.

Don't let the depression get the best of you. It walks like some great spirit in your wake. I know the way is gnaws at your heals and causes cave-ins on the inside, but it is only a temporary burden. A demon sent to fail you, to overwhelm you with the trials and tribulations you will face ahead. Have courage, don't give up and the world will open to you like the vast arms of an ancient wood, where the brooks speak words of wisdom, and the trees are elders that tell stories of their time. You are worth more than you think, and have capeabilities beyond what you could ever imagine. Right now, you seem insignificant, a grain of sand against the solid shore of the bold world. However, you have it in you to grow beyond that. Focus on your soul, and your happiness, and you will surpass the dreary restrictions you once set for yourself. The human mind is an enigma, we are strange, and brilliant among organisms. With that mind you were given, remember, you can conceive of a brighter world. You can find your infinity. Have Faith, have stength, keep moving.

Know your major, don't go in undecided. Also determine whether its cheaper for a meal plan or not. Go for alot of scholarships even ones you think you can't go for, do it because you never know.

Try harder. I know you got all A's senior year and were involved in every club you could but try harder. Start filling out scholarships. All the tiny ones that you don't need to have FASFA done for because even though your parents said they were going to pay for school, they won't and you'll be struggling so much by the time everything you have saved has run out. Don't over look those 100 dollar scholarships, they add up and you'll wish you did them when your only a couple hundred short. Try getting involved in organizations, not only can they help with money, but they can also help your social networking and make these struggling times a little more bareable. Times are going to get bad, but just roll with it and dont panic.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships at I could. Even if you think you don’t qualify for it. It will be worth it in the end. That you should hold off on the loans if you can, because you will need to take more out in grad school. You should enjoy every aspect of college. You should also join a sorority and go to as many school events as possible. To try and make as many friends as you can, but to also keep focused on your schoolwork. You should get a tutor for biology and any other class that you felt you needed extra help in because failing a class can have a huge impact on your GPA. Last you to have fun and cherish these times, because before you know it these four years will fly by.