University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

In order to make the transition into college from high school, I would have encouraged myself to pay more attention. To take school more seriously and actually try to learn what the teachers were teaching me. If I would have known what I know now, I would have been a better student. I would have gotten more involved, looked for more scholarships, gotten a job sooner and taken my time on my SAT and ACT tests, instead of rushing through them and only taking them once. I would have encouraged myself to think about the future, that school is not just about showing up, and meeting friends at lunch, but a place to start being serious about what I want and where I wanted to be in life. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would change my studying habits and stopped procrastinating about everything that I do. The most important thing I would have changed would have to be the free education. To take that for granted and take advantage of the help that was given out. Now that I am in college, and have to pay, it makes me appreciate class and the professors more.

Finding your passion is key to succeeding anywhere, especially in college! Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and pay attention to yourself and what YOU love to do. College provides all the tools you need to succeed in attaining your future goals, but you have to choose to utilize the tools given to you. It does not matter where you are, but what matter's is that you work the hardest and utilize your resources wisely. Do not let anyone tell you "it" cannot be done. As Siri once answered me when I asked her simpily "why?", "You ask why but I ask why not?". Who would've thought I would be speaking to a machine? Someone believed it was possible and made it happen. So, believe in yourself, explore wisely and be audicious. Say why not? All it takes is your intial motivation to accomplish a goal, to claim your passion. P.S. When teachers, parents, strangers, grandparent's, guest speakers, and anyone who has grown wise said to you these things, they meant them. The hardest part is getting started, the rest easy. You can do it! Also, Ratemyprofessor.com, is your best friend.

I would tell myself to enjoy my college years and don't focus too much on school. While it is important, I shouldn't spend all my time studying and getting plenty of sleep. I would tell myself to spend time with friends and don't pass up on opportunities to have fun with them. With my graduation only a year away, I realize I may never see most of my friends again. I have a better understanding of how to balance my time between school and friends, and this is the one thing I wish I knew during my first couple years in college. I do not regret focusing on school and I will get a great job because of it. However, I do regret not hanging out with friends and doing activities with them.

best advice is to apply to a few colleges. dont listen to others experiences as your experience will be unique to you. Be patient and stay ontop of dead lines. Life will take you places you could not possibbly imagine. You can make it happen with faith and hard work. Once in school, work hard because you are very lucky, never fail a class, never drop a class past add/drop deadlines...enjoy

The greatest challenge that I faced as a college student was the transition from a mild academic lifestyle to one involving rigorous coursework. If I could go back in time I would not only give myself a great deal of advice in this regard, but would also tell myself to pursue the studies which best suited my interests and not those that would make me financially stable in the future. In my senior year, I quite often pondered what I would pursue in college. The question of money was always a huge factor in the decision I would end up making. Therefore, I would give myself advice in this regard by telling myself to pursue what ever best suited my interests. I would tell myself that although money is of great importance, being happy and passionate toward a career that was worthy of your best efforts would mean much more and bring the greatest amount of satisfaction. In regards to the academic aspect, I would tell myself to always think critically about everything being presented in any course so as to avoid becoming a "normal" member of society and allow myself to ultimately work towards changing society as a whole.

Dear Ariel, Relax. You are clearly very stressed out, and that's understandable. You have a lot to pay for in the next few years, and you're leaving your family behind. This is not easy for anyone. Trust me, you are going to have a great time. The university is welcoming, and it's all you ever wanted in a traditional college. There is history everywhere, and builings older than your great- grandma. However, the best part is that there are still new discoveries being made on your campus everyday. Your music department will be small, but made up of the tightest knit group of musicians you will ever meet. Don't hold back, trust these people to guide you through each semester (and practice your saxophone!). Study hard, but don't sacrifice good times. Join a sorority, the marching band, student ambassadors, and student government; they will help you make new friends and lasting memories. Be that girl in the stands at a football game who loses her voice screaming for her team, the one who ran the Undie Run, who beat the boys in Sumo Wars, and an example of a happy university student.

The best advice I could give my past self would be to take as much school as you can senior year to cushion the costs of school here at a university. I only needed to take 3 credits as a senior, which left massive amounts of free time that could have been filled with community college courses.

Take your time, visit the schools you would like to attend and sit in the commons to get a feel for the environment. Talk to the students, faculty, and your support system about your options. College is not only a time to learn academically but psychologically and socially. If you don't feel college is for you, try anyway, there is more to than just reading books and taking tests. The experience of attending college develops every aspect of what life is about, exploring and attempting to define who we are and what do we want to make of our selves. Shoot for the stars, anything is possible when you believe.

The advice that I would give myself is to put academics first, it may seem like it'll be easy but it's not as easy as I thought. Just show up to all your classes, pay attention, and do all the assignments and you'll pass your classes. Just because its the first semester of college and you're living in the dorms doesn't mean that you can slack off and blow off school for hanging out with friends. College is when academics get serious, theres no teachers to hassle you about your grades, what you get is what you get and you can't blame anyone but yourself, this isn't high school anymore. It's alright to explore college life and have new experience and meet new people as long as there is a balance between your college life and your social life. Procrastination is even more your enemy in college than it was back in high school. Finding that balance and not blowing off going to classes or doing homework is the key to surviving and thriving in college after high school. These are the memories you'll remember so make them good ones.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice on how college life would be I would say, "Choose your major early and join as many clubs/activities you can." I would also say, "Be calm, relax, and be yourself. This is your time to shine and not worry about what other people think or if you are popular or not. This is a time to make mistakes, go on road trips with new friends and get lost somewhere, you will change you mind many times, but don't worry its normal. This is a whole new start to finding yourself. You were a quiet, shy, laid back girl in high school; now its time to show people who you really are and don't be afraid to show your true colors. Always know that your family is their for you whenever you need them and mom will end up being your college friend and mentor. Enjoy this new experience and have fun. This will be 4 years of your life that you will remeber forever."