University of North Carolina at Charlotte Top Questions

Enjoy every moment! You hear people say it flys by and you never beleive them, well it does. I would also suggest living in a dorm for at least one semester. You wont know what you are missing if you never have the chance to try it. Make sure you also take advantage of different sporting events or clubs. They are free and great ways in meeting new people outside of your classes.

Once upon a time there was a pretentious 18 year old, who thought a college degree was all she needed to conquer the world. I would give so much to sit her down and convince her that putting in more work and less play would save her years of more 'study' and heartache. I took the easy route my first round of college, going to the same school as my older siblings because it was familiar; joining the same sorities, living in the same housing, taking the same classes. But now, 4 years after graduation, I'm venturing back as a post-bacc student, to fulfill a now-realized dream of becoming a veterinarian. Had I taken a second to stop and analyze I might have done things differently. I encourage high school seniors to get out into the world. Experience life! That's how I eventually figured out what I truly wanted to do. It might just save you an extra 6 years of school, and a couple (tens of) thousands of dollars in debt.

Hey Meade-man! Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Now that I know what I know I wanted to tell you that as much as I hate to say it- mom and dad were right. Life is tough! You're 18 now- a man- a freshman! You got into college. You were scared to death about coming, but didn't want anyone to know. So many changes- you're now in charge- of your life! But mom and dad prepared you for this so you can do it! Mom taught you to wash clothes and cook a bit. They helped you manage your money. They helped you tackle your homework when needed. They expected that you communicate with people so talking to your professors shouldn't be a problem. Over many years, they helped you learn to manage your time. You worked hard your first semester, but you know you do better when you have a lot on your plate. I'm proud of you for becoming an active participant in clubs and activities at UNC-C. Keep that up and continue to work hard to make a positive impact on yourself and UNC-C.

You will screw up. You will fail a class, maybe multiple. You will lose a best friend. You will lose a job. You will experience what its like to be poor, so poor you cant afford a cup of coffee. You will experiment with drugs, just dont let them take over your life. College will teach you not just what you need for your future career, but how to keep moving forward when you feel like the entire world is pushing against you. Make a Goal every semester and turn that goal into a reality. Surround yourself with the kind of people that you want to be. Being social is NOT a bad thing. Talk to a stranger every day. Dont forget the things that made you happy as a little kid. And finally, You are more important than you will ever know, and anyone who tells you different is an ignorant ass with nothing better to do than bring others down.

I would tell my highschool self to always try your hardest in school. Never give up, because your grades are everything. Having education is the best thing for your future. I would also tell myself to either save up money working at the minimum-wage job that I had or apply for many different scholarships, because tuition is very expencive, and the family can't really afford that. I would've also told myelf to get involved with extracurricular activities like clubs and student council. Although I was a very stubborn person I would definitely listen to my older self. I would tell her to also get all the sleep she could, because there is no sleeping in college, it's just studying. There is also no partying in college. However, I probably wouldn't try to change myself and how I used to be, because that would change the person I am today. I am proud how I have turned out to be. I am a hard working individual and I work my best until I succeed at what I'm focused on.

If I could go back in time and give advicce to my high school self I would encourage myself to challenge myself a little more. While I did participate in College level classes, AP courses, I didn't really take them as seriously as I should have. I only did enough to pass the class. Instead I should have done more to successfuly recieve a high score on the AP exam in order to get college credit for the class. Also I would advise myself to not get distracted by little things, school and reaching your goals should be the only thing on your mind at that time.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college I would tell myself to take scholarships seriously. This is something that I did not deem important and now I am paying for it. Unfortunately, I did not have enough money to return to school this semester so I decided to do an internship at Disney World. I love what I am doing here but all I can think about is not being able to return to school when my program is over. Now that I am not in school I see the importance of scholarships because if I would have applied for some I would be in school now completing my first semester of my junior year, Another thing I realized is that loans add up. I am only half way done with my undergraduate degree and I already owe about $20,000. Just the thought of owing this much money already really stresses me out. School is very important to me and I cannot wait to go back and earn my degree but if I could do this whole thing over again applying for scholarships would be my number one priority.

Don't be shy there are people just like you. There's no need to be perfect just do your best. What do you have a passion for? Go for it and do get detered. Their is no perfect road to success, it's rock full of hole, bounds, and leaps. It's ok to say no and it's ok to say yes. Explore your jungle and learn your field. All things come with time and success falls in to place when you need it the most. Just keep smiling and know your not a failure and everythings okay.

If it were possible for me to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would encourage myself to venture on. I woudl tell my younger self that it gets better in college, "The work you are doing now is already at a college level but in abundant amounts, you already have what it takes. You have survived the IB Program then you can survive anything that comes your way in college.", is what I would tell myself. I would also tell my younger self not to be afraid, that I can do whatever I want to do, study what I want to, and be whoeve I wanted to be in college. I'd ensure myself that I'd be fine with the transition because of the social butterfly that I am. I would say, "Sure it's hard at first leaving home but you will grow and prosper beautifully after a week or so. You just have to keep your eyes and mind open to the copious opportunities and various experiences that will come your way in college. I'd end my visit by saying, "You'll be great!".

Work hard in your Advanced Placement classes, and take the Advanced Placement tests so you can get credit for the work you have done prior to college. You're going to make some mistakes in college, and you're going to transfer after freshman year when you change your major, but both experiences are amazing, so enjoy both while you can. Remember who you are, you're going to change a lot and learn to love yourself, so do not worry about what others think of you- you figure it all out in the long run, I promise.

I would tell myself that babies and marriage are not your only option. Life is not going to turn out the way you think it will and things will not just fall into place. That hand of yours that doesn't work right now, will grow one of the muscles back. Don't give up on your dream of being an artist because you will just come right back to it after years of yearning. This is a fork in the road so don't break your own heart and don't let yourself be defeated by not exploring the unknown. Your smart, capable, strong, creative and worth so much more than you gave yourself credit for. And when you do this, go big, don't waste your time at a 2 year college. Go to a university get your BA or BFA and not for one minute should you think your not good enough because you will achieve so much more than what you though you were strong enough to endure. Babies will come and so will love, just don't rush it. Wait for the right one to come at the right time. And most importantly FIND GOD!

Hello Self, Back in 1988 I was a very young mother of two beautiful girls. Even through having two daughters while still in High School I managed to graduate ON TIME! I had dreams of attending college once I finished high school but was unable to. I am glad I decided to wait until both of my girls were out of high school before I decided to go back to collge at the nice ripe age of 35. Knowing what i know now about college I wish I would have had the opportunity to live on campus and experiene campus life to the fullest. Working on campus for 3 years gave me an inside look at how much experience college students gain by living on campus. Making the transition into college later in life didn't give me the experience as most get, but I made it my business to join as many clubs as any young college study would. I was very active on my campus. Self, I want to say that "it's never to late" to enjoy college, even if you are delayed.

If I were to go back in time to give myself tips, my bigest and most important tip I would give is stay on top of your grades. I did not give my proffesors enough trouble about getting my assignments graded and given back to me so I could find out what I was doing wrong with my work. This led me to nearly failing some of my courses. Another huge tip I would give is get an early job, and start on getting scholarships NOW! It was to late by that point to raise my class rake high enough to win any merit based scholarships but I surely could have gone back and worked on recieving need based money so I could go to school. The last thing I would tell myself is to be responsible. College is a big step and alot of freedom. I knew this going in and thought I was responsible enough to take it, but I learned that College is much more difficult then highschool and that more time should be spemt on working then it should on personal pleasure.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN DATING RIGHT AWAY! I would tell myself ot focus more on school and less on my social life because it would put me in a better place than I am now.

If I could go back in time and advise my high school senior self on how to become better prepared for the college lifestyle and transition, I would strongly emphasize the best money management and decision making possible. College is a point in life where things become a bit more "real" then I think I had ever participated in before. You have no one there to constantly keep after you, clean up after your mistakes, turn to in some normally easily or difficultly handled times of need, or just to simply remind you of your math project due in the next couple days. It is suddenly all about the decisions and routes you decide to take. Only you can decide and no one else. If you want to blow your money on items such as unnecessary apparel or supplies, or if you choose to stay out the night before a huge test, there is no one there to advise you otherwise. You must be your own voice of reason and decide whether your next choice is turn down the right or wrong road.

While I was in high school I had a huge expectation of the kind of person I was going to be in college. Since I was leaving Alaska and moving out of state, I had this facade going on in my mind that I was starting a new life. I quickly learned that unless you change yourself the person that you are does not become any different by merely changing locations. In high school I was intent on being super-focused earning a 4.0 gpa every semester and not go to college for just the social experience that goes along with it. I wanted to go to college for a purpose and get out of it what I put in. I did have great success in college my freshman year earning a 3.80 gpa, however I can honestly say I was not happy or having any fun while in school. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to lighten up, stay focused but also understand that life is short and no day is promised to anyone. I would tell myself to enjoy each day while also working hard to achieve success.

Don’t be nervous. College is different than high school, but it is not something to worry about. In time, you will meet good people, and make lifelong friends. Don’t concern yourself over the little things. Do your best in every class, and speak up, even when you are nervous. Stay true to yourself and let your opinions be known. Don’t hide behind everyone else’s answers hoping no one will notice. Everyone who comes to college comes from different walks of life. Those different walks will open your eyes to things you never knew. Embrace the differences and learn from them. It is never bad to be different because those differences make us unique. High school may have been tough for you, but college will be better. You make college into what you want it to be. No longer are you limited in your educational experience. Choose the classes you want, and choose the life you want to live. You have to put in the work to make your college experience great. So, give it all you have, and you surely will not be disappointed.

I would say, Please take high school more serious! You only get to do this once. Even though you think you know everything, I promise you college will slap you into another step closer to the real world. Your actions academically today can effect your college and career life. Don't mess up! Enjoy learning. "Knowledge is the most powerful trait one can have" Remember that. and stop thinking that Mom and Dad don't know anything. You will be surprised in a few years, just how right they were and wrong you were.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to never stop being hungry. By hungry, I mean never being satisfied with the maximum level of work I can produce. I try to remind myself as much as I can that there is always room to improve. For example, if I pass an exam with a B, study harder for the next exam and strive for an A. Since I am an architecture major, competition is critical to the success of my career. Not only are my classmates my friends, I also see them as my rivals. Not only am I here to challenge them, they are here to challenge me. If my classmates maintain a 3.5 gpa for the year, that is the bar that I strive to beat. Having a rival is a healthy way of being the best that you can be. We are all human, we all have room for improvement.

Tommi! Focus! It's your last year in high school, you can't let home life get in the way, trust me! I know things are hard and peoplep won't leave you alone but that's no excuse to stop trying. Try harder! School needs to be your best friend right now, nothing else. You don't know it yet, but you won't get a chance to enroll into college for almost 3 years, you need to try and pass with flying colors, it's so much harder if you don't. Your home life and friends will still be there jus as they were, nothing is going to change, just get it done!