University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

After less than one semester of college, I now know that it is tough finding a job. If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to apply everywhere, and find a job before college. The worst feeling a young man can have is knowing that his parents still provide for him, knowing that he is draining their bank account. Sure I am going to college for less than $1000 out of pocket per year, but it leaves me with no spending money, it leaves me asking my parents for their credit card to go get gas in my car. I wish I found a job while in high school. I wish I had a source of income before college, so I could pay for all of my own expenses. That is what I would tell myself. I would say "get a job now, you don't want to be having to ask mom and dad for money every single week."

If I were to talk to my high school-senior self, I would tell her that she should really think about where she wants to be when she gets out of college. I spent a lot of time figureing out what I wanted to do with my life, and it really would have been nice to have something in mind and to just go with it. I would also tell her that if she planned on switching from the local community college to the state university, she should talk to the university councilors right off of the bat, because the councelors could help her make a plan and keep her on track to graduate. Finally, I would also tell her that looking for scholarships is more important that you would think, because financial aid doesn't last forever.

I would tell myself that i should look up and apply for scholarships in order to help pay for school.

Apply for as many scholarships as possible!

If I was able to go back in time to my high school self with the knowledge that I know now about college I would tell my self to try harder in school and apply for as many scholarships as possible. I did not take my sophmore year as serious as I should have; which led to a lower accumlative GPA than I wanted. I did not know then that a high accumlative GPA would help so much until I began looking at colleges and scholarships. I did not apply for as many scholarships my junior and senior year because I was oblivious to the price tag it costs to go to college. I know the mistakes I had made in high school and I am focused enough to do and be the best in college.

Enjoy the experience and work hard like I did.

My advice would be to take everything in. Don't try to do too much at one time, because being a college freshman is a one time thing. This is one of the most exciting times in your life. It is the first time where you are out on your own and your parents no longer know what you are doing and where you are. It is fun to meet new people so try to meet as many as you can. The dorms are a very different environment and are a must for at least one year. It is one experience you must have as a college freshman. Go to one of each kind of sporting event at least once so you can say you experience it. And most importantly, have fun!

Don't be afraid. I know you think there's nothing worth existing for and for a few years after highschool, there really isn't. But you can change that. Stop trying to make yourself into something you aren't. Stop trying to be an engineer, stop working jobs that are terrible and stop making yourself miserable by not persuing art. You know what? Who cares if it's not "profitable" or if your parents don't really get it? You are a lot more talented than you think. You're not /great/. Barely even good. But you're getting better everyday. You're trying. And you're happy when you create something. There's something so right about being covered in pastel dust or spending your late nights/early mornings slapping paint onto a canvas. You should be happy and art makes you happy, so you know what? Just do it. From the start, don't screw around for three years and make yourself sick with worry and nuerosis. Pick up that pencil and draw, goddamn it. And don't you dare put it down. You'll thank me later.

If I were to advise and younger and more naive me, I would definitely tell myself that the semester goes by extremely fast and tests mean everything in college. Tests are a big deal in high school, however, in college they are often the only aspect that makes up your grade and doing well on them is essential. I also would advise myself that these tests come upon you very quickly and that you cannot afford to "ease into" the semester and your classes; you must start studying and pound the material right away. I was alwasy a strait A student in high school and graduated with a 4.3 GPA so I clearly already had good study habits. Upon entering college I was dumb struck with the significance of tests in college and wish I would have been better prepared for the first few I took. If I had known this information I would have prevented myself from having to try to save my grade as the semester progressed.

In my past, I made judgment errors that caused me to not be serious enough about applying for scholarships. I was only concerned with activities in high school instead of concentrating on applying for scholarships. Because of this neglect, I had to enroll in a community college. I never had the pleasure of experiencing my first year in a university as a freshman. Therefore, I would propose to my past self to fully concentrate on getting into a university. I would tell him to never be afraid to apply for as much scholarships as he want and to turn to his family for help in a financial crisis. I would remind him that receiving scholarships will help start the building of solid foundation when he enrolls and begins college and that scholarships will allow him to gather the tools needed to be successful in becoming a piano player. I would also remind him of his past and all that he will go through in the future if he doesn't alter my future. Therefore, he should get into gear and do what he needs to do to pay for college and start his journey towards impacting others through his music.