University of New Orleans Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of New Orleans know before they start?

Kemp

I would tell myself that there is a big transition from high school life to college life. It isn't as easy as just going to class and answering multiple choice to hopefully get it right. College really pushes you to become better at your profession and work hard at what you love. It teaches you the concepts you need to succeed and to keep progressing in your future field. I would tell myself not to give up and see the hard work as a reward and not as a struggle. When I used to study I used to not feel like I was getting anywhere and was wasting my time. I felt like I wasn't meant for college. After maturing and returning a second time I see now the reward from all the knowledge I gain. College pushes me so I can be a great engineer and I love it. I enjoy being a student and all the knowledge that my school has to offer me. I would tell myself that it will be hard, but you can do it. I would tell myself that the reward from all the work is the greatest feeling of achievement ever.

Andrew

my problem is that I did not know what I wanted to major in. I wasted a lot of time. I would tell myself to major in Physics, and to be more diligent about studying.

Michelle

The advice I would give my self is to study for the ACT everyday and practice to score well. This is the most easiet way to get scholarships for college in the future. Before enrolling in college really decide what your going to do in the future. College costs money and if you decide to change majors in the future its gonna waste time and money, so decide wisely and think about what you really would like to do for a living. Take every opportunity possible to learn things over the summer even though your not interested in the career field, especially the medical field. Any career field you choose is going to be hard, but believe that your going to be able to overcome then as long as you try hard. Strive hard for straight As and ask questions. When you take college classes rely on the class syallbus and yourself to take notes ahead of time. Listen to the professors lectures, and actually read the textbooks you buy. It would be a waste of money if you dont retain any knowledge from reading them. Finally ,focus on school work, and work hard to make your parents proud.

Julie

Choose a career that you enjoy. Life and people will tell you that you need to make money. Although that is true, you also need to enjoy what you are doing. What are you good at? What do you like to do? Explore your options in this avenue. Build to your strengths and then diversify as needed. This will not only enable you to finish school; but it will also help you to enjoy what you do after.

Mandy

YOU DON'T KNOW IT ALL! Take the time to stop and listen. Look around you at your peers and take in what it is you see them doing. Enjoy and embrace the changes happening around and inside of you. Think about what it is you really enjoy out of your days and out of your life thus far. Use that passion and interest to fuel yourself and don't be discouraged by setbacks. Change and troubles are difficult, but they are NORMAL. They teach you more about yourself than you knew the day before. They also offer you the opportunity to learn and to offer that knowledge to someone else who may come along your way with the same troubles. Spend your free time growing and learning. Not just your coursework, but learn about the world around you. It is so much bigger than the seemingly big town from which you came. Listen, look, love the world around you. You are stuck in it so make it a beautiful place to be.

Steven

Dear Stevie, You don't have to run away to find the solace you need, nor look for it in another person. You deserve love and support, and you don't have to sacrifice yourself or your dreams to get it. You may not be able to stay at home, but you can find what you need wherever you are if you know where to look. I know the problem is that you don't. So I'm going to tell you, so maybe you can save yourself the road of abuse, addiction, and poverty I walked on my 10 years through college. Remember when your youth leader said you could tell her anything? She meant it. Tell her the truth about what's happening in your home and your relationship, about how scared and lost you are. She can help you get out. Remember the kids who told you about the LGBT center? Go there. They know counselors, shelters, even transitional living programs. Scholarships. Assistance. There is another way. You don't have to do this alone, or figure it out all by yourself. In fact, you can't. Reach out your hand. Someone will take it. Love, Steven

Roneshia

If I could give myself advice when I was s enior in high school, I would tell myself to definetly make better grades than what I did, and to take the ACT more seriously than I did. I would also tell myself to go to a university that I wanted to go to because that was my choice, not because all of my friends were going there.

Hien

College life is similare to high school. You are responsible to pay the unviersity, make your schedule, and manage your time.

Kelea

If I went back in time to when i was a high school senior, I would tell myself to enjoy my senior year and not to stress so much over choosing an university. I would tell myself that college will be a challenge every day but that it is okay to talk to your professors for help. I would tell myself to not be afraid of the transition and to be prepared to get involved in campus life. I would tell myself to join as many clubs as I can to meet new people and make connections. I would comfort my high school self by saying that the more people you meet the more help you have to choose professors and classes. The most important thing I would tell myself as a senior in high school is that college is serious but fun! Although you spend a lot of time studying, there is a lot of time spent doing other activities as well. I would tell myself that the years spent in college will probably be the best years of my life because I will finally know the amount of potential I have.

maiadah

When I was younger, I made a promise to myself to work hard for whatever I desire. My lifestyle is merely a reflection of my passion, a passion that works to benefit everyone, to educate, inspire, and understand others so that we can all work together to live in a better world or at least understand the values the Earth has to offer. I am young; however age does not justify my wisdom, a wisdom that I obtained through hardship and triumphs. All of this has led me to realize my passion for conserving and better understanding natural resources, as well as the importance of protecting natural habitats. I strongly believe this major will enable me to accomplish my desire, by expanding my knowledge on habitat conservation. I have chosen this field of study with great commitment in the hopes to influence others to get involved in protecting our natural resources. I feel as though it is my obligation to take part in protecting our environment. My knowledge, thus far, has opened up my eyes with a better perspective of life. I do not wish to waste time in a world where we only exist once.

Rachel

Enjoy your last year of high school, especially the time you have with your friends. After you graduate your friends and you will all go your separate ways. Keep in touch with them. Make lasting relationships. Be open to making new friends, too. When it comes to working do what you enjoy. I don't know who, but someone once said "If you do what you love, you won't work a day of your life." Always remember you work to live, you don't live to work. As for school, you already know the drill. Don't procrastinate. Manage your time wisely, you have no idea how valuable it is. A social life is nice, but doing well in school is more important. Prioritize. When it comes to money you should learn how to budget. Also, knowing whether a purchase is a luxury or a necessity is pretty important. Buy what you absolutely need first. Save the rest of your money not on "stuff" but on lasting memories like family trips, studying abroad, or even a pet. Don't be stingy, though, be fiscally responsible.

Lauryn

There is not too much I would say to myself. I would reassure myself that everything will be okay and that it is very easy to make the transition to college. I would tell myself to not worry about things that hapened in high school and not hold on to the drama that happened. College is a new start and a fantastic experience filled with new friendships and relationships. I would mostly say to apply for scholarships and do as much as possible to get money where ever it can be found. That is the absolute hardest part of college.

Amanda

None. I planned everything perfectly.

Johnathan

knowing what I know now in college I would go back into time and tell myself to get more involved into programs and orginizations and socailize more. I say this because in college you have to be a open minded person willing to get along with everyone, you cannot be conservetive and quite because you will not know how to express yourself to your friends and teachers. Now I'm in college, there so much to do, such as football, fraternities, parties jobs volunteering intern and they freedom of being on your own. I also would tell myself that I need to start learning how to cook because the cafeteria food is not always the best; it closes really early and its cost effective. I would teach myself how to cook instead of ordering out all the time because it really more money to eat out. I'd buy some grocery and cook food for the week I would balance my meals and I can eat healthy foods into my meals. I would also tell myself to always ask for help and dont get to comfortable even when your grades are straight A's becuase comfortability can make you lazy.

Callie

If I had the opportunity to advise my high school senior self based on what I know about college today, there are several things I would highly emphasize to my younger self, in order to help me become a more successful student. First of all, I would be sure to tell my highschool self that school, not fun, must be my number one priority, and that whether I am tired or not, I have to be disciplined enough to go to every class. I would also stress the point that the TOPS scholarship is truly an invaluable gift, and that I must do whatever possible to keep it. Finally, I would tell my younger self that there is no such thing as an umimportant class, and that I should make the highest grandes possible in each of my classes, since my GPA will be a crucial factor in my education, and ultimately, my future.

Nhu

Go on ratemyprofessors.com and really use that as a reference in making a schedule. It really helps out on picking the right professor for you.

deshondra

If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself that I am on the right path. I would tell myself to relax a little because everything Im worried about will all play out in my favor down the road. I would have probably told myself to apply for more scholarships, though. Saving as much money as possible for college is a must! So many things in life happen without your control, so you should always have "back up" plans. But I would tell myself to keep up the good work.

Nicole

I was such a clown in high school. I didn't care for anything but making people around me laugh. Studies were not important to me. College was never on my mind. And now, knowing the difficulty it takes to be a college student, I would tell myself to understand that life after high school is truly a beautiful struggle. Preparation and planning the future as early as you can in high school is imperative because as soon as you graduate, college and adulthood hit you hard. I would look myself in the eye and tell myself to apply for scholarships, and spend time finding a career path to focus on in college. Making the transition from a free high school education with general subjects to an expensive college education focused on a major, was the hardest for me. That doesn't include the tranformation from a dependent student to an indepedent adult. Suddenly you worry about balancing out work, responsibilities, finding time to sleep and studying. After practically warning my younger self, I would reassure her after the struggle, a fulfilling sensation that consumes will make everything worthwhile. Especially knowing that you're finally doing something and going somewhere.

Rebecca

That the world doesnt want uneducated people, even when you work for McDonalds. The world wants people who can think, respond, be responsible and know a little about every field. The world is 300 times harder when your uneducated and to be educated you must go to school and get a degree.

jonathan

i would of ask for more information about the career you want to study for and find out what classes will help you to succeed your career goal