University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

In the event of the creation of the time machine, going back to my high school senior year would entail a highly enthusiatic dialogue. First and foremost, my senior year of high school was spent tirelessly trying to get into Cornell University. A place far from my hometown of Reno, Nevada. Little did I know, Reno would serve as an excellent place for me to go to college. Not only has Reno opened up so many countless opportunities for me but, the ability to enjoy the people I grew up with, while studying the same things has helped to guide me in what I want to do wiht my life . People come from everywhere to go to my university, and though I hated Reno, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Regardless of how set I was on getting out, I have a duty to do all I can for my home, to help others and to love this town as much as it loves me. If I had the chance to go back three years, I would laugh at myself, and convince myself that staying should't be the back-up plan, but the go-to plan.

If I could go back and actually speak to my younger self as I was hunched over my desk, trying to decide what college to go to, I would basically tell myself, "Don't rush, because you're just going to be unhappy with your choice, and have to start all over again." It's not easy starting over, or at least in the middle of the school year, when you've discovered that you no longer have any passion for your major, have sorely gotten tired of the area the school was in, and that you were getting burned out of just spinning your wheels, wasting time till you could just graduate with a degree that meant nothing. I would definitely tell myself to really consider doing what makes myself happy, instead of taking the easy route through life. Life is supposed to be tough, but taking the easy way out will not help you be happy. So from what I know now, I would've told my past self to be patient, cautious, and think all of the possible choices through, so we wouldn't be stuck in a loop, looking for a way out.

Given the opportunity, I would counsel my high school self that learning is the greatest gift in this life. Instead of focusing on college as a means to an end, I would inform myself that college is an end in itself. The opportunity to learn every day is a marvelous one and higher education should never be about getting the grade. Immersing myself in learning has been so beneficial and doing it earlier would have been more so. My focus as a high school senior was squarely on gaining independence from my parents and beginning a life that was my own. I still consider that to have been a valuable goal but I know now that college could have gotten me there faster. What I have learned in college has helped mold and shape me into a conscientious and successful citizen. My professors and cohorts have reframed the way I see the world around me and what I value. I would gladly invite the opportunity to impart my current approach to life to my younger self.

If I were to travel back in time to three years ago and offer some insight about college to my younger self, I would be most adamant about illustrating how life is truly a beautiful mess of ups and downs. If asked to advise myself on the area I would struggle with most, I can think of nothing more important than preparing myself to be tested and to always look for the silver lining; college is the metaphorical foil to the safety blanket we all call home. “In the next three years of your life you will learn many things, but the most important begin with learning how to suffer, experiencing what it feels like when someone has used you, and accepting the fear of feeling alone when everything is falling apart around you; however, it is experiences such as these that have turned you into the woman you are today, and there is nothing to look back on without smiling in the end,” is how I would open the conversation. “The best part about these experiences though, Ashley, is how they taught you to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day if you simply look for it.

High school for most people is one of the best experiences of their lives. For me, this was not the case. I was not surrounded with the most supportive group of people. At times I felt bullied by the people that were supposed to be my best friends. This left me feeling very alone and more often then not, lost. I never gave in to the pressures of drugs or alcohol that many get caught up in during these years, but instead I felt incredibly alone and had no idea what the future would hold. As high school ended I was happy to close that chapter and move on to another where I would make choices that would make me happy and not worry about what my “friends” were doing. My advice to myself during my last year in high school would have been to not worry so much about these people that were causing me so much pain because they were not going to be a facet in my bigger picture. Making the decisions to get involved in organizations and make choices that made me happy have made my last three years in college worth every minute.

If only I could really go back in time and give myself advice for college; I have learned so much within just this first year of college. If I were to speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself this: "Get a headstart on applying for scholarships-- set aside time everyday to fill out a few. I know it can be tedious and difficult, but it will be worth it in the end when you can pay for college for all four years. I know you're expecting to receive some academic scholarships from the university, but you don't know for sure if that will cover it, and you will definitely need extra money for living expenses. Start looking for a house as early as possible, and make sure you find a roommate that you truly know; living with other people is difficult as it is, and you don't want any trouble because of character conflicts. Most importantly, don't stress! Have some fun. It'll help you relax and do better in school, and you'll just enjoy your life more! Remember, you are human, and things will work out in the end."

Joshua, a quick word of advice: ask yourself WHY you do before you ask WHAT you do; be open enough to explore alternative career paths. That is, engineers are not the only members of society solving world problems. And just remember that intelligence exists within the willingness and flexibility to change- adaptation is essential to present and future accomplishments. Listen to your heart and you will know this is truth. Furthermore, it is as real and tangible as the marriage between nature and civilization, a sacred relationship, but elusive for the mired and distorted perception. Additionally, Joshua, on another note, have the courage to pledge Delta Sigma Phi, but wait until spring quarter. Trust me, the socialization and leadership experiences are necessary and worthy of cultivation. However, don’t feel let down once you get through to the other side. Recognize the growth and transformation provided by the experiences. Other than that, follow your passions and you will become the man you were born to be. At last and not least, call home; you have no idea how much your mother inspires you.

Dear High School Me, I know how excited you are to be graduating this year, but you have not given a single thought as to what you are going to do next. Understandably, guidance is limited for you as our parents did not attend college and have no idea what we need to prepare for, but it is time to grow up and do your own research. Apply for college now! Belive it or not there is special assistance for students who get early exceptance into college, and with your GPA and test scores you qualify for loan forgiveness at many of the local colleges. That's free tuition! Also, start applying for scholarships know! If you knew what I know now, you would have started years ago. There is an unbeliveable amount of aid available for students like us! I incourage you to do this now, because your future is pretty boring without a college education, and it will also be hard. Don't give up, you are a brilliant women and you can do this!!! Love , College Student You (10 years later) P.S. Stay away from the pretty brown eyed boy with the guitar!! Just do it!

As a high school senior, I was tremendously anxious about beginning my collegiate career. I was worried that I would not make new and lasting connections, or that the stress-load would drag me down. Now, after one year of college successfully completed, I wish I could go back in time to my senior self and say "take it all in stride." There is nothing worse than not knowing what's going to happen. Constantly playing out "what-if" scenarios in your head gets you absolutely nowhere. Even though I told myself I was preparing for possible situations that could arise, all I was doing was causing more stress and anxiety. The one thing I learned my first week on campus is that I had no reason to be nervous! Living on campus definitely gave me a great advantage socially because there were constantly people that I could interact and become friends with. If only I could go back to my high school self and tell myself not to worry. I spent way too much time obsessing over things I coudln't control and not enjoying my senior year. Now I realize that all that worrying was for naught.

If I were to go back to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I am going to have a phenomenal experience in college. I would tell myself that the honors program will get me used to working hard and studying hard, as well as making friends with people that I will remain close to for the rest of my life. However, I would tell myself to remember how important it is to prioritize family and education. I would remind myself that getting caught up in friends and social activities that could jeapordize my college degree isn't worth it. I would tell myself to never let people influence me to do things that are not me. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stay focused, and tell myself that getting off track takes a lot of emotional pain to correct. Realistically, I can't go back in time, but I can remember who I used to be in high school, and use that to be successful now.