University of North Carolina at Asheville Top Questions

I was really uptight in high school before graduated early and went to California to live in a tent and volunteer with the American Conservation Experience. The four months I spent away from the people I grew up with was life-changing. I realized that I loved traveling, meeting new people, and helping to clean up the environment which is why I am majoring in International Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies. Going to college was easier for me because I realized I could make it on my own. My high school self was insecure. I would tell myself to relax and "you will find your way." I am still finding my way, but with so much more certainty that whatever life throws my way, I will be able to thrive.

My adcie to my high school self is this: don't give up. I know it was hard when he died, I know that the teachers only wanted the recognition to go to the athletes, I know that your self esteem was so low even the teachers looked at you with pity. Don't say that you couldn't do swim team in tenth grade because your thighs were too thick, don't say that you couldn't take time off when your father died, don't give up in a class because the work you do doesn't even compare to the work of the cheerleaders. Don't let them walk all over you, don't stay at home because you think that no one wants to be with you, and don't miss out on life because of what the people might say. Life is going to keep moving, take the time to notice the scenery.

Note to self, I love you, but sometimes you need to take a deep breath, sit down and relax. College is nothing to worry about. Just think of it as a large bubble filled with mature adults and not insecure, immature children. I know high school was tough for you. But college, UNCA more specifically, is where you will discover so many new and exciting facets about yourself. College will guide you out of your shell. Trust me, you will no longer be the shy and timid child after you experience life in the academic sphere. I will not lie though, their will be times of emotional turmoil but the lasting results are worth it. College is what you make of it. Its like clay, it can be easily molded into whatever you would like. I know that was cliché, but its true. Just remember to stay true to yourself, strut your stuff and know that it will be all worth it in the end.

Advice To My High School Self If I were given the opportunity to travel back in time, I would offer myself the following advice as a high school senior. First, I would tell myself to trust and embrace your genuine optimistic outlook on life. It’s a rare quality to have. In a world that is bombarded with negativity, you understand that keeping a positive attitude can make the difference. It can also be extremely contagious. Next, I would remind myself to value the education that comes with every moment of success, missed opportunity, and hard lesson learned throughout life. Understand your expectations and focus on the difference between each outcome. Practice the art of forgiveness and patience daily for yourself and others. You will learn more from your failures then you will your successes. Finally, I would ask myself to solicited feedback from others and truly listen to what each person has to say. There can be a difference between one’s own perception and the actual reality. If you take heed to the above advice, the character of the person you want to be will take shape as you transition into college.

You was only born once. Think about it. Ask yourself are you gonna repeat the same crap you did last year or are you gonna wise up and rise up? Stop crossing your will. You got a right to live by nature's way not this man way or mankind's way. You do a lot of stuff that is unnatural. Stop crossing your will. You gotta be natural and be yourself by living nature's law and universal law, and everything good will come into your life. Trust me. Keep putting natural food on your plate. You can't love yourself, because you keep crossing your will or watching television. You are not doing what you are suppose to do. Once you realize change is more important than money, then money will come.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to study harder than what I did. I also would tell myself that having better grades than what I did would of helped me get more scholarships to pay for college. What I did not realize then was how expensive college is. I think if I would of have realized that when going through high school I would of done things a lot differently. I also would have told myself not to wait as long as I did to start college.

The advice I would give to my high school self would be to cherish my friends and spend more time with them. I came to college and only knew three other people on my campus. I have made wonderful new friends in just a few months' time. However, I truly miss my high school friends and wish we had shared more time together before going our separate ways. Also, I would have told myself to be more involved in high school clubs and organizations so I would feel more prepared to join clubs and organizations at college. I am satisfied with my transition to college life, though, and am proud to hold true to my high school self who was in control, did not have to follow the crowd, and gave my absolute best to my school work, my friends and family. If you are comfortable with who you are when you graduate high school, you will transition well into college and be ready to face the challenges college can bring.

Don't be afraid to dream big, and don't make decisions based on "playing it safe." Don't worry about finding your husband right now, God will bring the right man into your life when the time is right. Please remember to think of your parents in your decisions, but don't be afraid to spend weekends away from home. Set your sights high, and prayerfully consider God's will in everything, don't run ahead of Him.

If I could go back and tell myself about college, I would say really sit down and think about what you want to do in life. I just jumped ito a major that everyone expected me to be in but my passion lied somewhere else. I would have said don't hesitiate to go out on a limb and try something new and dont be afraid to give college everything I have. Now that I know this is strive so hard everyday to make the best experience I can.

Almost everything you learn in high school will show up again when you go to college. The transition between high school and college could have been made easier if you had just buckled down an applied yourself when you were a freshmen. Sadly, it is too late for that now. You have done a good job at improving your grades over the past two years, but you need to take your preparations for college more seriously. Your mother isn't going to be there you take you by the hand and guide you through college. Start applying for colleges now, look for scholarships, and stop worrying so much about your social life! I guarantee that even with the extra work involved in applying to colleges and scholarships you will have plenty of time to hang with your friends. It is your job to be the first person in our family to finish college. You are an incredibly bright young man, after all, I should know. You have so much potential, and it would be a shame to see that potential be wasted. I promise it gets easier, but only if you are willing to hustle, and build a better future.

I would tell myself to always stay true to yourself and who you are. There are morals and standards that I live by and I'm not going to compromise them for anyone, not even for myself. College comes with a new life; you're constantly surrounded by drugs, sex, and alcohol. However, I came to college knowing who I was and what my limits were. I would never touch drugs because I find them to be useless to my life. I've decided to be celibate until marriage because I believe that waiting will ultimately show true love. I don't drink because I actually want to remember my college experiences. I would also tell myself to never forget your friends and family. They were there for you before college and they will stick with you long after. Tallk to them often, so that they know you're okay, and let them know that you're always thinking about them. And, above all, have some fun! College just isn't about books and papers. It's about learning things about yourself, and the world, that you never would've experienced otherwise.

Stay outgoing! I know you think it's going to be easy making new friends in a new state where you don't know anyone, and to a certain degree it is. But you absolutely have to keep in mind that other people are in the same boat as you are, and sometimes you have to play the outgoing type if you want to have friends. The people at school aren't out to get you, and most are actually really nice, so go out there and have a great time! But for as much good times as you have, you're in school for a reason: to graduate! You cannot forget that school is the reason you're in North Carolina, and as such, you have to study and do well (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you refused in high school). College is waaay harder than high school, but it's also more fun, so make it all that it can be!

Not onyl have I gain new friends along the way, but I also have learned new stuff that high school didn't taught me well. Being in college has made me more responsible and also it has taught me how to prioritize and manage my time. When I first came in to the college I was very lazy and procrastinated all the time, but now that I know that college is not a joke I take care of my prioroties first.

I have learned a lot about the sociological path the United States is headed towards. I do not want to be stuck in a downward social movement. I feel that I need to go to School so I can be sure I will have a succesfull future. I want to move up the social ladder. We need more educated people in the United States to make sure we do not get taken over, and we can protect our freedom. I hate what the things going on in other countries, like Sudan, so if we are all educated we can stop things like this long before they happen. maybe just maybe if more people are educated we can make a difference in the world. Maybe even in places like Sudan. Education, air, food and water are the things we need to survive,

I've realized the importance of real-world experience. More empahsis is put on my work ethic, diversity training, campus-oriented behaviors, and relationships/networking than GPA and ability to write long research papers. I love that I am encouraged to push harder, and do more, but also realized that college is supposed to be fun.

Every time i leave a classroom at UNCA my head is filled with much more knowledge than it had going in. I have learned to become passionate about the topics that i really care about and have had teachers along the way push me into believing that i can acheive anything that i put my mind to. Along with learning so much more about myself, college has given me the oppertunity to meet so many new friends and with these new friends come new ideas. My eyes have been openened to other peoples views and thoughts and I have learned that experiencing what other people believe can give you a whole new prespective on life.

Hello my name is Taylor Cramer, I am 22 years old and live in Sebastopol California. I have been attending Santa Rosa Junior College since fall of 2006, and will be transfering to Sonoma State University this fall to earn my B.A. I have found attending college to be a very valuable experience in personel developement. Being exposed to so many different types of people, cultures, ethnicity's and age groups. Having this type of exposure has really helped prepare me to understand and deal with real world situations. For me attending college has been a very valuable experience for one of many reasons, one of those being that I am the first in my family to go to college. Another is that I have emersed myself in every moment of my college experience. And knowing that the time I spend attending college are going to be unlike any other that I will ever experience in my life has driven me to do the best I can, and enjoy every moment of it. No matter what trials face me along the way, I have chosen to have a better life by earning an education.

I have gotten not only great friendships, but my eyes have really been opened. I get to see people who really do not care what goes on around them, or if others look at them. Here, you can be whoever you want to be and not be judged. This is very valuable because it has made me less shocked by people I see that I would consider "abnormal."

I am barely two years into my college "experience" but I can already see how this has turned into alot more than just a simple excursion. Going to a movie is an "experience" but what I have, here, has been a growing process. When I began, I thought that I was just going to school to get credits, to get my BFA and teaching licensure and then to get into the real world. However being here made me realize the importance of the steps along the way. I began talking to professors and finding out their backgrounds. I questioned, for myself, where I wanted to end up. The day I realized that all of my best professors seemed to know everything about every subject was the day that I decided that I never want to stop learning. I just want to know everything. So whether I end up somewhere down the road teaching Elementary School Art , or whether I become that really old Humanities professor who knows everything, I know that I will be happy in it and do it well because I have chosen to soak up every opportunity that has come my way. This is who I am.

Don't be afraid. Do not feel pressured into making a decision, such as your college major, that could affect the rest of your life. You're 18, you have plenty of time to make that decision. Keep your focus on learning, and go to school in order to learn, not to fashion what you learn over a preconceived notion of what you want to do with your life. You may surprise yourself in discovering what you actually love isn't quite what you think you are simply good at. College is the time to find yourself and to find those that best fit your personality, have fun with it!