University of North Texas Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of North Texas know before they start?

Tina

If I could go back in time to give advice to my future self. I would tell myself stay focused and strong through the lose and separation. Finish what you start with your education. The uncertainty that surrounds your will dissipate, but not with out teaching you a few things about like. You are more naive to the world than than you could fathom and education is what you need to assist you in opening your eyes, so you can see. Education will help you comprehend what you hear. it will guide you to yourself and knowning more beyond yourself. In the process of expanding your mind you will become better prepared to make those pivotal life decisions that will shape your life. See yourself beyond the difficult now, look for the postive and wise things of life. You arer stronger than you think, you can do it even if you are the only one that thinks you can.

Tracy

You have done a good job making it this far! Now it is time to take a serious look at your future. It is a mistake to base your future on your mother’s life. Things have changed and some couples do not stay together forever. It is very important that you do what is best for you, because there may come a time when you need to stand on your own. Basically, you need to get as much education as you can. Do this while you are young. It only takes four years. The financial aspect is not a concern because there is financial help available. There are even opportunities to study abroad. What could be better than that? This is a wonderful way to gain the freedom that you have been dreaming about. Do this for yourself. If you skip it now, you will always regret that decision. You will end up being a middle-aged adult who whishes she could change the past. It is easy to get started. Call the university and admit that you do not know where to begin. You will be surprised at how many people want you to succeed!

Alexis

I've just recently graduated high school, class of 2012, on June 7th. I still have much to learn about college on my journey through higher education. If I could go back to the beginning of my senior year, I'd slap some sense into myself and plead me to apply for scholarships before the year ended. Yes, there's still scholarships out there that I can apply for, but the ones I qualified the best had deadlines in September and December 2011. Me being a professional procrastinator had consequences which I'm paying for. Although I had that terrible habit, I couldn't have asked for a better senior year.

mariah

Hey Me, I know your nervous, excited, anxious, and maybe sad to leave your friends behind. I got great news though; be yourself and you are going to make so many awesome friends! Get involved in activites around school! Also, dont worry so much about the money and debt, building your career will pay for itself. Have FUN. Don't get so caught up in classes that you forget to enjoy the college experience , and the social aspect. Don't procrastinate. The homework can be overwhelming, so spread it out through the week. Your work will be better quality and you will have more time to relax. Don't take this experience for granted. You have been givin this opportunity to use your talents and gifts to make yourself a stronger, smarter, and more educated person in society. You can do it! If you want to be a Brain surgeon, you can! If you want to be a the President of the United States someday, you can! The human brain is incredible and more then capable, all it needs is motivation and self confidence. Set your standards high and your dreams even higher. Good Luck ME!!

Melissa

I would walk up to myself as I walked across the stage during graduation and just simply hug myself. I was suffering from undiagnosed severe depression. The thought of leaving my little home in Texas almost made me cry as I walked across that stage. If I could, I would go and explain that there’s going to be some rough life events soon. You’ll experience some pretty disgusting sexual advances; you’ll want to kill yourself. But your main priority should always be to keep focusing on school, because knowledge will set you free. I’d also be straight up honest and tell myself that I’m an egotistical goody-two shoes and that if I ever want to get any pleasure out of life I have to admit when I am wrong. Sometimes depression makes you humble. In my case it made me unbearable. The first thing you have to do before you go to college is to stop and ask yourself who you are. It’s okay. You aren’t going to know the answer to that. But if you can’t even ask yourself it, then it’s time to get some emotional help.

angelika

I would tell myself to figure exactly what it is that I want to study, because if you waste time you'll be there way longer than you need to be. Another peice of advice I would tell myself is to take summer classes. The summer is not only time for relaxing, it could also be a good time to catch up on the classes that you've failed or even get ahead. Start study groups and if that doesn't work out than there is always tutoring. I would also say that reading the chapter or lesson before the next class day is always a good idea to do, and if you need to look elsewhere for help then there is always internet resources such as youtube and khanacademy. Lastly, I would like to say , never look at how far you still have to go, alway look at how far you've come. It'll give you great hope and excitement.

Jacy

Apply to scholarships early and have your financial plan in place!

Jessica

First, you need to know that you will be switching majors in the first semester. Don't be scared. The major you choose will carry you through your bachelor's degree. Second, apply to more grants and scholarships. Your parents' livelihood will be tested in the coming years and they will need your support as much as you need theirs. Have fun but plan for the future, it's catching up to you and it won't wait until you're ready. But most of all, learn everything. Take every class you can. Stretch your mind and don't forget the important things. Enjoy your time with friends and the care-free lifestyle that comes from college independence. But know that you're life will not be as glamorous as you think. In fact, you will have to take a big step back in your career plan to realize what you were meant to do with your life. Things will be uncertain for a very long time but you will emerge all the better for. And you will find someone to hold your hands for the entire ride. Don't be discouraged, everything will work out.

Whitney

If I could go back, I would tell myself that all I have to do is have a little faith in myself and one day, not only would I be in college, but I'd make dean's list pursuing a career I had deemed "unattainable" at age fifteen. I would show myself that pre-calculus was not the end of life as we know it, and I would challenge myself to question everything. My high school self was confined to a neat little box and afraid to step out of the lines of what others had planned for me, so most of all I'd tell myself that life is only what we make of it. I can be happy being me, pursuing my dream, or I can live in that box and never feel the sunshine beaming down on my face. That's probably the most valuable lesson I would impart: I am not what others make of me; I am what I make of myself.

Darian

The advice I would give myself if I were to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior would be to watch my spending, wear a helmet, and not be so trusting. I would tell myself to watch my spending because I blew through all my high school graduation money my first semester in college and am still suffering from doing so today. I would then remind myself to always wear a helmet. I say this because one day at softball practice my first semester, I forgot to wear it and was hit in the head by softball that a teammate hit. I suffered a severe concussion and was pulled from school for over a week. My final advice to myself would be to not be so trusting. I say this because people, especially immature young men, tend to take advantage of trusting people. A prime example of this was I trusted the guy I had been dating to hang out with one of my teammates while I studied. The consequence was me walking in on them in her dorm after they returned from a party!

Keeli

Keeli, Focus, study, and work hard while you are in high school. Take as many advanced and dual credit classes as possible, so you can test out of certain classes, and therefor graduate college sooner. Begin your college search and application process early and dig deep to find as many scholarships as possible. You may have "Senioritis", but DO NOT let this take control and hinder your ability to work hard in order to obtain your goals. Good luck as you transition into the college world! Love, Your Future

Isabel

Pay attention in math class, you do NOT want to go back to remedial classes in college! Nobody really cares what you wear to school! Volunteer and join some organizations that will help in college! Your friends and boyfriends will not really matter a few years from now. Stop stressing because in a few years you will achieve everything you want to achieve, because you want it badly!

Vivian

You never fully understand a person until you live with them. It began second quarter right after we submitted our roommate contract for the following year. At this point, stress began to burden me and my two roommates, cleanliness habits began to deteriorate and tensions between us roommates began to grow. None of us expected this. We all loved each other to pieces and, from an outsider's view, we were the roommate match made in heaven. But placing three girls in a tiny room for a year creates emotional conflict in one way or another. I will admit, when I first went to college, I was pretty excited about the idea of living with new people and in a sense creating a new family. I was looking forward to a roommate situation where we would live in peace and harmony. But, life simply doesn't work that way. Even if there aren't any obvious problems, the emotional turmoil and experiences we were going through individually makes our relationship difficult. It was unavoidable. Therefore, I would probably advise my past self to mentally prepare for the complexities of the housing dynamics.

JoNell

Knowing what I know about college life, I would tell my highschool-self to take it slow. I was so excited to get started and completed, I flew through my years at college. I took advantage of some services and outlets, but not to the level that I could have. The time is going to pass whether you want it to or not, there is no reason to rush it. Take time to take in what is going on around you. Invest in the relationships that you are building, because it's a good chance these people will be life-long friends. Take time to actually learn from your teachers, not only in the classroom, but outside as well. These people are invested in your future and you can rely on them in the future for references and job opportunities. Overall, don't be so focused on the future that you miss out on your present.

chantel

I would tell myself to never compromise your future for others. Believe and your self and have faith.

Sadie

I would tell myself to research other possible majors and how I would go about getting them. Also, I woudl tell myself to learn to drive and try harder to convence my parents to get me a car.

Kelsey

A word of advice Kelsey, don't stress! All the turmoil that you're putting yourself through now isn't worth the heartache and your time. Enjoy your senior year of high school, make memories, don't worry about tomorrow just yet, live your life today. Make sure to take every opportunity that's thrust upon you, don't let anything slip out of your hands. And if you want something to happen, then get up and do something about it! Don't just sit on your rear, hoping it'll come to you! Take chances, ask for help, be brave! The worst thing that could happen is that somebody tells you, "No." Don't live in fear! Your parents door will always be open, so if you get homesick, get in the car and start driving! Lastly, work hard and do great things. You are blessed, loved, and have a great support system behind you so go out there and get it!

Rebekka

always try your best

Michael

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to reach out a hand and show everyone a little kindness. Many of my high school peers could have benefited from other high school students reaching out a hand to say "hello" or "how are you?" I have come to learn that just the smallest gestures of kindness could have helped to change someone's life. Some people who did maybe feel like it was the end of the world or that they were completely alone could have been shown that it was not the end of the world and that they were not alone if they were shown just a little bit of kindness. I would tell myself that just the smallest gestures of kindness could change someone's life, and maybe even save their life. If someone was getting picked on or if they were sitting alone at lunch I could have stood up for them, or told them to sit with me and my friends. I would want the high school version of me to show that I cared for more than just myself like so many others did.

Chipo

Take all to as many Pre-AP or college advanced classes as possible. This will save you money and time when you enter college. If not then you'll have to take them in college along with your other classes and it seems eaiser to get them out the way at an earlier time.