University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

The one piece of advice I would give myself is simple; calm down. Starting college isn't as scary as it's made out to be. It's like starting highschool, you see highschools in movies as this scary place where people get shoved in lockers and are weighed down with homework. After your first week as a freshman you realized highschool was nothing like the movies. College is the exact same. There's no need to stress or become overwhelmed by what you've heard about starting college. Everyone starts off differently, if you simply start of calm and open minded to college ways, you'll realize the transition isn't anything to be intimidated by; it's the beginning of a new chapter in your schooling. Enjoy it.

To lower my expectations for the University of Nevada, Reno, or to apply to and attend an out of state university. A more in depth searching of college options would have been constructive.

Dear Chase, You must be enjoying your senior year, being on top of the food chain in school year wise, and your easy high school classes. I must warn you that when you get to college you will no longer be on top and your classes won't be as easy. In high school you see your teachers just about everyday and are spoonfed information enough to where you don't have to study. However, in college it's different because your teachers only give you so much and you might only see them for two or three days. Also if you want their help, you must visit them during their office hours. If you think one hour of studying the night before a test is enough, then your wrong. You have to study way more for your tests in college. While your transitioning into college, I suggest you find a job and start saving for little minor things in the year. Be warned college is not easy but it is very exciting and you should talk to someone who has to college about it. Sincerely, Chase Carthen

Dear Eddie, When you were a senior in high school you were hung up on what others thought of you. You were concerned with the way you looked and whether or not you were popular. You were the center of your own universe. As a senior in college in 2010, the universe and indeed the world has dramatically changed. The economy is worse than it has been since the Great Depression, especially on a global level. Politics are in transition. There are wars, famine, health issues, and poverty that are coupling with natural disasters like the Haitian Earthquake. It is clear that what you think of yourself is far more important than what others think of you. Now is the time to settle on a career that can make a difference in the world. Hopefully, your choices will have a ripple effect from yourself to your family to your community and State, to the Nation, the World and even the Universe.

If I could go back and talk to myself a year prior to now, I would have a lot of advice to give myself. I would tell myself that college is indeed tougher than high school, and that slacking off is not a wise thing to do. I would tell myself to keep my goals and dreams in mind as I journey through what lies ahead, because I may lose my way at times, but I have to remember why I am here. I would tell myself that the road ahead is quite bumpy, but that I will get through it and I will make new friends who will help me pull through and not let my mind stray from where it needs to be. I will tell myself that it will seem scary at first, but after a week, I will become acquainted with college life and things will seem to fly by. If I could go back a year and give myself advice, it would be to embrace every aspect of college and to not let the time slip through my fingers without succeeding in everything I do.

Knowing what I know about college know, I would go back and tell myself that I need to take high school seriously and do as well in the classes that I was taking that I could. I would also tell myself that I need to study as much as I could to get better grades on my exams. If I was able to change my classes to take Advanced Placement classes, that is also another thing I would tell myself to do. Advanced Placement classes would have given me a more challenging experience in high school and give me a taste of what college is like.

If I could speak to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to ignore pretty much all of the expectations the high school teachers tried to establis. I would say instead that the idealistic, best years of your life attitude that is instilled in students before they arrive at college is really not useful at all. I would remind myself that there is more to education than what I will learn in the classroom, and that some of the most important lessons I take with me may be gained waiting at the bus stop or on the days when class gets canceled. I would also say that the education I will get is less dependent on the school I attend, but really relies on how passionate I am about the subject and how much I want to get out of a class. Lastly, I would prepare myself early to be open to the opportunities that present themselves in college, and to follow whatever keeps me interested and motivated to keep coming to school every day in spite of how tired I may be and how long the commute is.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to go about college similar to the way I did the first time. I attended community college for two years and completed my associate of arts degree before transferring to a 4- year school to complete my bacherlor's degree. I think this gave me the opportunity to transition into college without the full on shock of being on your own as well as adjusting to a new school and workload. Also I think it is very important to have a major declared going into your freshman year. You can always change it but, if you don't set a goal then you have a higher likelyhood of dropping out after a semester. Transferring to a 4-year school is easy after that. College is more about balance the high school. There will be more work but don't get bogged down in homework all the time. Allow yourself time to do things you enjoy so you don't get burnt out. The time goes by quick so take in the experience and participate in as much as you can.

College is both a great and challenging experience. It is important to have fun, but it is even more important to keep your focus. High school is somewhat challenging , but don't think that you can come into college with the same attitude. You must excede your expectations, and always stay a step ahead.

College is a constantly evolving entity. You learn so much as you go through the semesters, such as how to study better and how to manage your time wisely. Your confidence continuously improves and develops over time. Here are a few tips to help you discover your place in the college world. Don't get so caught up in the grades, papers, tests and assignments. Try to focus on the process of graduating instead of obsessing about the end product. Be sure to remind yourself that you are still young and deserve to have fun once in a while. Your studies will still be there the next day if you cannot complete them all at once. Also remember that sleep is good. Pulling an all-nighter is not healthy and will burn you out faster than ever. Try to eliminate added stressers during your time in college. Spend time with friends and family instead of isolating yourself to get homework completed. University life is always exciting so get involved. Look up events and participate in extracurricular activites whenever possible. You will meet more people that way and it is good for networking when the time comes for job hunting.