University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

I would tell myself that the worst place to make friends is in your room. The first few weeks truly take an adjustment and the only way to get over the hump and experience your school is to walk around, explore, ask people questions, and try anything (without damaging your morals.) Everything is a learning experience. Study. Hard. Because that is why you're at university. But, one of the best resources are friends and the friends that teach you the most about life are the most important. Professors like to teach. So find a question and ask. They are normal people and want to share all they know. Your enthusiasm for a subject is your ticket to learning. So get out there. Save time to read. For fun. Don't get burnt out. Because all work and no play really do make Johnny (or Sarah) an unhappy person. Experience everything.

I would advise myself to relax and not overwhelm myself. In high school, I attempted to do everything, and be the best at it all, and although in the end it definitely paid off, I could have succeed nonetheless. High school is an awesome preparation, I believe, for college, and knowing that now, I would advise myself to really stay focus and observe my habits in high school because they will come into play again in college. I would also advise myself to manage my time wisely in high school because in college you stay busy all of the time and attempt to do too much in too little of time and I would recommend to prepare for that so you can avoid the overload.

Enjoy senior year while it lasts. And RELAX! You will go to the college that is right for you. If you're killing yourself just to get in to somewhere; it's probably not the best place for you. Also, make sure you get involved in activities that you like. Colleges look at what you're interested in, and while you're at college, you'll be able to pursue those passions even more. The summer before you leave, make sure you have fun. At the same time though, make sure you spend enough time with those that you love because you won't be living nearby for much longer. If you can, I'd recommend getting a job because college is expensive. You're going to want about $600 of spending money for the year at least, so save that money. Make sure that you start getting everything you need for your room settled, and that you've done everything that your college has asked. And finally, when you get to college, enjoy yourself! College is one of the best things, and you're about to, as cheesy as it is, have the time of your life.

Dear Senior Jessica, apply for scholarships. There is so much free money out there and it's important to apply for everything and anything. It's important to talk to everyone you lay eyes on, both to make connections for the future and for friends. Also, try to plan ahead for what classes you want to take because the registration process is difficult to understand and with all incoming freshman applying at the same time, it will be hard to get the classes you really want. Also, don't worry about guys so much, they are not important. Definately take a first year seminar if you can, because it fulfills so many requirements. You should absolutley get a roommate you don't know. It's a great way to make friends and open your eyes about things they were previously closed to.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not be so fearful of the unknown. I remember nearly worrying myself to death this past summer as I awaited "Move-In Day" at UNC, asking myself all sorts of questions: What are my suitemates going to be like? What will my professors be like? Who's going to help me with laundry? These questions would constantly peck at my brain during the summer, a time that was supposed to be quite relaxing. And as the summer began to come to an end, those questions became more and more persistent to try to make me break down into a mass of fear that would never leave his quiet hometown. Yet, I made it. I passed the test that the element of fear had placed before my feet. So now, as I retrospectively think about my life as an anxious high school senior, I realize that the best advise I could have given myself is by saying "Don't worry, pal. Everything's going to be alright. You'll go above and beyond your fears." And I did.

I would tell myself to stick to my values and not get caught up in trying to fit in. I would tell myself to use good judgement on who true friends are. Definitely that I would be sure to utilize Professors office hours for help. That I will make it a point to get to know my Profs for when I need letters of recommendation. To not become so caught up in being independent that I don't keep in touch with my family. That I make it a point to keep in touch with old friends not attending the same school as I do.

If I could go back in time and speak with my high school self, there are a few bits of advice I would like to make. The first is to press on. The second is to learn time management. The third is to make friends. Transitioning into college life is a challenge but it can be made easy with a good attitude. It will be difficult when you are surrounded by new people in an environment you are not familiar with. Be ready to try to manage your own life without the help of those you are familiar with. "Press on." Learning to manage time is difficult as well. You will be given a larger, more challenging work load in every class. Create a schedule of what you need to do and what you want to do. The former should take priority, yet the latter can be just as important. Making friends at the new environment is essential. If you have a group of intelligent and supportive people around you, you will succeed in the new environment. You help each other through moral support. College life is a tough transition but can be easy with the advice given above.

Going back in time to speak to myself, I would be meeting with an ecclectic, independent person who was quite eager to make her place in the world. By hard work and determination, I was very sure that I could accomplish anything. However, there are always some helpful tips that would have been good to know before entering a university setting. Most of my advice would be centered around management of time and money. As a senior in high school, I knew college was going to be fun, and that the classes would be different, which would lead to many learning experiences. College can be expensive, and I would be sure to highlight the need to raise money and apply to multiple scholarships. Take more chances to earn what could really be beneficient for the current time. With the sinking economy, and a questionable job market, scholarships are important now more than ever. On top of money, of course, I would be sure to tell my younger self to be prepared to manage your own time, so as to have a healthy, equal balance of work and friends, which would lessen any level of stress.

Don't stress so much. Seriously, don't. There is so much pressure to have it all figured out, but it will never be that simple. Amazing opportunities will come that you cannot even imagine right now, so don't be afraid to deviate from your original plans. Don't run away from the uncomfortable either; often fulfillment and joy will be right beyond your comfort zone. So try something new. Meet people you would have never been friends with before. Yes, you will fail sometimes, but failure makes success a little sweeter. Be good to yourself. Follow your heart. Concentrate on living each moment as it comes and enjoying it. And above all else, give100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in everything. You are far stronger and more capable than you think.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to form good study habits. I made excellent grades in high school with little effort. Because I did not have to study much in high school, this has come back to bite me in college. I am a freshman in college now and my first semester was brutal. Along with adjusting to a new enviroment and responsiblities, I had to learn how to study and manage my time wisely. I admit that I struggled my first semester but it proved to be a learning experience as well. I have learned how to access the learning resources that my college offers. These resources have helped me tremendously. My advice to all high school students is to incorporate good study habits early in their high school years. This one habit will benefit you twofold. My second semester started yesterday and I am embracing it with all that I have learned from my first semester. My new studying practices and time management skills will make my life easier and more efficient. I wish I would have known this in high school.