University of New England Top Questions

If I could go back to give my high self advice about college life, I would tell myself to look into different types of majors and careers before committing to one specific life. I would also tell myself to not settle for a school that you think you might like because the chances are you probably won't like it. It's best to attend the school you have a good gut feeling about. I would also tell myself not to leave things to the last minute especially the application process. Also, college life is a lot different from high school life because there is a lot more freedom. I would advise my high school self not to take advantage of the freedom because no one is going to be there to make sure you have your priorities straight. The only person thats looking out for your best interest is you and you make all the decisions, so if you feel you shouldn't do something then don't do it. Lastly, I would advise not to give in to Peer Pressure with anything!

I would give myself the advice to get as invloved as I can in school and to give back to the community. Being focused on school and academics is more beneficial and important than just focusing on the social aspect, even as important as that aspect is. There is time for the social aspect of college, but only after the academic part is achieved. Getting involved in the community is a great way to meet people as well as to make a difference in the community. Taking time for yourself and enjoying the time in college is as important as doing well. These are the best years of your life and take time to take in those moments that will stay with you for the rest of your life. If I were to go back and give myself any advice, overall it would be to stay focused on academics and to get involved and give back to the community that you will be a part of in college.

To think back on myself two years ago when I was entering college and wonder 'what was I not aware of?' is a difficult task. The excitement and nervousness about entering college was a great learning experience for me and I thrived in the environment I was brought into. However there are some words of advice I would give to myself that I could take as guidelines to make my transition into college easier and that is to maintain your focus. First semester of college can be overwhelming but also a lot of fun, especially meeting new people and making new friends. One aspect of this I learned quickly was that there are many distractions surrounding you at all times and the most important thing to do is maintain your priorities of: school, health, family, friends, and then socializing. Staying focused and staying on top of the priorities you set for yourself is not only the key to success but the key to making an easy transition into the college lifestyle. I believe every step in life is a learning experience and if I could go back that would be the only advice I would give myself.

Dear Sarah, The college life isn't so bad. I know you have said over and over you'd like to attend community college for a few years and be done because you don't want to be in big classes and leave your family and friends, but please hear me out and reconsider. Choose a small school, for example, The University of New England in Portland, Maine. Only about 100 students dorm , so everyone is close. Having to adapt to new people, screaming girls, the party life, broken hearts, and drama may seem difficult and easier to stay out of, but you learn to make do with what you have. As for classes, although you do have to study harder and the professors don't really care if you go to class or not, it isn't really too bad. If you pick a major you know you'll enjoy and go into class wih confidence, saying "I can do this and I'll love it!" you will succeed. Ten percent of life is what happens and ninety percent is how you react to it. Enjoy what you are doing and the rest will fall into place. From, Yourself

First of all I would tell myself that my work load in college would be much more lighter than my work load in high school. I would also tell myself not to have a nervous breakdown for getting one lousy grade because in the end you'll get all A's and one bad grade won't affect it too much. Most importantly, I would tll myself to hang in there because my first month and a half I cried a lot because I missed my home and family, but I love my college friends and after a while I learned to love it at UNE so much that I missed it when I went home. Thus, I would let myself know that it was worth it to live on campus rather than commute because I needed to experience life away from my family and it helped me to grow and meet new people.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to have an open-mind and be more outgoing. College can be a stressful transition but going into everything with and open-mind and postive attitude only helps to ease yourself through the change. Roomates can get on your nerves but you just look at them like siblings. You may not like the situation all the time but you are stuck with them for the year. You have to make the best of what you are presented with. Being outgoing helps you to make more friends which assists in building a strong support system. This is helpful when you are hit with the bouts of homesickness or your struggling with a class or just want to hang out. It may be a scary change but the indepence and responsiblities can be pretty fun. It is the first major step towards the "adult life" but it it worth the troubles. Take in the good times and the bad, learn from your mistakes. and enjoy the time while it lasts because it flies by.

I would tell myself to join more school activities, they are a very good way to meet people and I have found without them my social group is much more limited. I would also tell myself to apply to work study jobs sooner, because all the good jobs are gone before long. Combine this with an ability to manage time in order to get schoolwork done, and you will do well. Finally, don't worry so much about being liked. The kids here are usually very accepting, and the professors are not as scary as their title suggests!

If I could meet my past self, the first thing I would do would be to reassure myself that everything happens for a reason, and regardless of what school I go to, I will succeed in my studies and find a niche for myself. Classes and GPA isn't everything, and life isn't based on a scale of one to four. You must remember that life is a journey, and you never know what curves you will face. While I was once most concerned with classes, I now know that you can only learn so much from a teacher and a text book. You get out what you put in, and the only thing you can put in is your very best. In the end, just do what makes you happy, and you will get the best college experience you can hope for, while still succeeding in life.

The most important advice I would give myself would be to be myself. Resident advisors at college always warn about the "honeymoon" act students put on when first arriving at school. Roommates don't disagree about anything and issues are swept under the rug in an attempt to insure your roommate will like you. This only sets up for disaster a couple of weeks later, when all the pent up emotions can no longer be held back. I experienced this first hand when my roommate became upset and threw my things across the room because I had failed to pick up after myself again. For the first month of school my roommate didn't mention her annoyance with my lack of order because she didn't want me to dislike her. However, the whole situtation could have been avioded if she simply asked me to be neater sooner. Being myself would also help with making new friends. Being reserved and quiet in the corner will not allow people to see who you are as a person. Putting yourself out there and opening up to new people will allow you to make new friends and enjoy college even more.

Fill out your financial aid materials on time by your state's deadline. Make sure to get really good grades in high school and study, even if you don't have to. TRy to be more friendly and keep God on your side.

The one piece of advise I would give myself would be to make acidemics as competitve as sports are to me. It took me a year and a half to figure out that mindset, and it really worked. I could only imagine how much more I could have learned during the last two and a half years if only I had been as sucesseful as in the early years of school as I was in the years leading to graduation.

Start looking earlier and go to more schools to find exactly what you want. Pick the aspects of the school (how many students, location, size of the school, classes, etc) that you want as well as the schools that fit your major. Take more classes that broaden your horizon to new possible majors and don't expect teachers to always be there to help you.

be organized and have time management.

The advice i would give myself would be on an emotional level and well as an academic. On the emotional level, i would tell myself to bring more comforting items from home so i would not be as homesick. On the Academic level, i would tell myself to prepare for the amount of work. It is much more then highschool. It is also more demanding and time consuming.

Keep the choice you made.

Look at as many colleges as possible. If you think you found your top choice, go look at it again and talk to people before you make your final choice.

That no matter what go for the cheaper school because the education is really basically the same almost no where you go, it is just what you make of it, unless of course you can afford that top notch school or get enough financial aid that you will not be in the slump after.

Choose a college that feels right. Think about what you want before making your final decision. For example class/library size, dorm rooms, transportation, faculty/staff, available activities/ sports. Ask yourself if you can see yourself living there and taking classes there for an entire year. Most importantly, determine if you can afford it and if you need scholarships and loans to go there. College will be one of the best times of your life so you have to enjoy it, but also know that it is a lot of work. The key is too know what you want and go for it!

Visit and tour all the schools you are interested in going to that can help make the decision easier for them.

There is a few words i would like to tell parents out there who have children that are looking at colleges. Do not force your child to go to a school you went to or would have liked to go. Let them go to the school they want to, where they can get the best experience not you. Its all about us and the rest of our lives. It is a big decision that you should let them decide for themselves. Of course you can give them advice nothing wrong with that but let them have the final word.They know what they want in life and even if they dont going to the college they want may give them the nudge they have been waiting for to figure out where they want to go in life. And all students out there when you find the right college, trust me you will know.