University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

if i could go back as a high school senior i would take the time to start prepping myself for college, and getting all the college applications filled and apply for many places for financial need. if i were to start again, i would defenately start early and prepare. when i was in high school i had trouble dealing with the fcat, but other than that i had a easy start in all my classes, but knowing about about college life today makes a difference, more dedication and entrigity to be able to shine in your field of study. college is much harder than high school, because you no longer are depending on those saff and members in high school that used to hand feed you all the time while there. in college is adult life, and you are on your own. the advise i would give myself is to study hard and keep a good perserverance.

If I had the opportunity to reverse time and talk to myself as a high school senior my lecture would be centered around these three words: don't give up. Now I know that the road to a higher education will get extremely tough, you need to learn to stay strong and to never give up. I would inform myself of the difficulties of living at home, commuting, choosing classes, making new friends, how to let go of loved ones and lastly how to move on and start completely anew. Even though the transition is hard and at times you feel like breaking down and giving up, you just cant. The future has so much in store for you as long as you hold on and surround yourself with loved ones and great advice.

I have always known I would become a veterinarian. What I have not always known is that the path to that goal would be long and difficult. Now, as an accepted veterinary student, looking back at two application cycles, six years of school, two degrees, and thousands of experience hours, a small part of me wishes the high school me had taken on the college transition a little bit differently. The memories I own of football games, meeting boys, making friends and living on my own are a little bit more vivid than the late nights at the anatomy lab and study sessions in the library. Despite the overwhelming distractions I experienced in my first few semesters, I figured college out, worked hard, played hard, got where I wanted to go and stayed true to who I am. Along with that I have phenomenal memories to cherish and a few lifelong friends. If I could go back to give the high school senior version of myself a bit of advice for the college transition, I would tell her, "don't change a darn thing!"

I was very quiet and insecure even in my senior year and I wasted my fun senior year, so this is what I would tell myself; "Lauren, this is your last year before your life starts! Have fun while you can because life is going to be hard after this. You have still have time to get your act together though. Study hard! Miss. Flippin is going to yell at you during 1st period if you don't get you're english grade up and you will cry. Stop being lazy. You're so lucky to be at this school with all your friends. Don't get discouraged. I know going to college seems scary. School is more fun than you think it is. You can do whatever you want with your life. Doesn't that sound exhilarating? Think about that, Lauren Elizabeth. College is actually fun!"

The first thing I would tell myself is that you should be bold and take chances. If you want to do something, do it. I'd then tell myself to not put so much time into partying with alcohol and drugs, because it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Instead surround yourself with a group of people that you can party with that don’t need these things. Next I would tell myself not to get too hung up on grades, because the farther I’ve gotten in school they are really only good for applying to graduate school, and don’t truly reflect how much you’ve learned. Also by not focusing on grades you can reserve more time to find a passion for something that will carry you much farther in life than that "A" you got in a class you didn’t care about. I would also tell myself to try and develop better relationships with professors and individuals that can help you throughout college, especially later when you begin to look for internships and careers. Finally I would tell myself to really look into joining a fraternity, because it may be worth it.

If I was able to talk to the high school me, I would tell myself to relish in the fact that I'm taken care of for the time being. Although I spent a lot of time feeling too protected, I wish I would have known that afterwards I would be off to fend for myself. College has allowed me to grow in significant ways that I never would have imagined while living at home. I revitalized a super cool student group, met some of the most fantastic people I may ever meet, and developed a confidence in myself I would have never imagined. I do worry about the future a lot still, but instead of being paralyzed by my worry, I face it because I know that if I don't opportunities will just pass me by. I would tell my high school me to not be scared, but rather, be prepared.

I can't talk about college first-hand. High School self, you probably know why, because even if I contacted you in 2007, your freshman year, you wouldn't have listened because you would have already sprouted your doubts about education. Maybe it was because you didn't grow up in a stable home with your 1.4 siblings and your picket fence. Maybe you were fourteen and mad at the World. I can't remember, so I couldn't expect you to know exactly why. When I was your age, I ditched classes and slept in the ones I did attend. You probably did the same, which is why it took me three weeks to hunt down a teacher willing to give a letter of recommendation. It wasn't your fault. The next four years are not going to be pleasant for you. The cynicism you're going to get is gonna cement your feet in the ground, which is gonna make it down-right impossible to jump out of the way when the reality train comes from the yonder horizon. Of all things, I wish I could tell you to enjoy yourself. You do get that break eventually.

If I could go back to my senior year and give myself advice, there is a nice lecture I would spill out. “Stressing is not as necessary as it may feel, everything will work out and I know you will do your best at every single thing you try. You need to learn how to put yourself, your feelings, and your priorities ahead of anyone else. It is not selfish, it is smart. The years you spend in college are the years that could possibly shape the rest of your future so put yourself first. The things that matter so much right in this moment, in high school, will not matter to you in a few years. Be happy and be you; don’t let the disappointments and choices of the people you now call your friends change who you are and inhibit your ability to reach every single dream you strive for.” Most importantly I would tell myself what major I finally have my heart set on so I can start it from the beginning and get into Nursing School without so many setbacks.

Let go of high school teachers. At first I was reluctant to go in and ask my professors for help, but the best thing you can do as a college student is get to know your professors. I found going in and sitting with my professors was not only a good way to get on a personal level with them, but was more helpful than an email was to a previous teacher. Professors are there and they respect a student who's willing to come in and sit with them to better understand the subject material. Next, apply for scholarships. I went into my senior year thinking I had time and it was going to be easy to get schalorships, but at the end there were only a few left. I would advise all seniors to get on it before their senior year starts. College is expensive and without the few scholarships I did recieve I don't know how my parents would've done it. Don't stress! I had this Tom Petty quote hanging above my desk as a reminder to myself. "You have four years to be irresponsible here...the work never ends, but college does."

I have three important things to say. You may not heed all of my advice right now, but it will be good for you to have heard it as you go into the next stage of your life which is probably college. You know, it’s okay to take some time off though. Don’t go to college just because it’s what everyone does. Have an adventure! Go study abroad! Make yourself uncomfortable. I’ve learned more this way than I ever did listening to lectures. I’m not saying not to go to college, but it doesn’t have to be right awayYou will not be with the same group of people all the time anymore like in high school! You have to reach out. Study together with people, have coffeeDon’t fall into the practice of letting things you know are wrong go unchallenged. Doing it once creates a habit. There have been many times where I have an altering view, that may be different from everyone else’s, and I remain silent. You can’t be afraid to defend something even if you don’t fully understand a subject. It’s a key part of learning.