University of North Texas Top Questions

(1) Take duel credit classes - I graduated from the Richland Collegiate High School in Dallas; best decision I've made. I went into College as a Freshmen with Senior status due to my 92 hours that transfered from my Duel-Credit High School. (2) In college, it's extremely important to keep everything organized and on-hand. Keeping a big binder with separate tabs for each class comes in really handy. Organize each section similarly so that it becomes habit and intuitively you are able to easily access anything you might need. (3) Go to class - even if the professor doesn't take roll he is giving information that is important. Many classes require attendence - classes that do not are sometimes the worst to miss, as they will have pop-quizes and bonuses for those that diligently attend. (4) Work hard - you feel better when you put the effort in and get the results you want. So keep your head up and stay focused on your studies, especially as an incoming freshmen!

Every day read this quote: Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. -Calvin Coolidge. Embrace hard work...nothing is more rewarding than overcoming an obstacle.

I know you are insecure. I know you feel like a misfit in plain clothing. You don’t subscribe to the norm, you question authority, and you are quite curious. STAY THAT WAY! I know it’s hard at times, but I promise, you will flourish. The Lord is going to capture your heart your freshman year of college. You will make forever friends, you will feel loved, you will be disappointed and hurt, you will go through some rough seasons. But the most beautiful and most important part about this journey is that it is yours. It has been dull, it has been exciting, it has even been dramatic at times. But it’s your journey. You will become increasingly more self-aware, and with that brings about change. It’s so wonderful and to be cherished. Do not allow yourself to be blinded to the immense love and support your family and friends have given you your whole life. You may lean on them at times but please, oh please, don’t put your faith in anyone but God.

Dear High School Sam, I know that going to community college after doing so well in high school is a huge let down, but don't think of it as an insult to your intellegence or a blow to your pride. Your there to take the financial burden of the first two year of college off your family. Don't blow community college off just because you feel your time would be better spent at a university. Study hard and attend class. Continue to strive of excellence and a 4.0 GPA because in a couple of years you are going to be transferring and looking for scholarships and a 3.0 just doesn't cut it. Allow yourself to enjoy school and just think of this as the next step forward instead of a hurdle. Always, College Sam

Dear High School Julie: The best advice that I can give to you is to stay home. Go to Brookdale Community College from the beginning and figure out what major is the best for you. Eventually you will end up transferring here anyways. Also, take a marketing class your first semester. I promise that you will fall in love with it. When you see the signs up for the Disney College Program internship, APPLY FOR IT! It will end up being the best decision you ever make because it will show you that business of the hospitality industry is exactly where you want to be. I understand how going to community college has such a bad reputation in high school. However, Brookdale will help you grow into a stronger student and you will grow to love it. I know that this is what will be best for you, because I am you! One last piece of advice, when everything seems to be going the opposite of where you want them to go, relax and let things fall where they may. I promise it will all work out for the better. Love, Julie

High school self, do not go to college for one year then leave. You have another whole year to decide what you want to do. Also don't give up on english it's important , and you can do it. You are much smarter than you think. Forget how hard something is because it only makes you want to give up. Instead focus on how simple the task is in comparsion to much larger problems in the world. When deciding what you want to do don't look for what you like, but what you what to see done in the world. Then choose a degree in what you can do to help solve these problems. Do this so that you life will have purpose and meaning. This is the path to real happiness. Lastly listen to what I say because I know how you like to ingore others.

Back when I was a senior, I worked hard and set goals for myself. I wanted to be determined and prove to everyone that I was at the top of my game and that I had goals that I wanted to reach to be successful. Knowing that the next year I was going to be in college, I thought I had somewhat prepared myself. College is nothing like high school. Back then I would've told myself to apply myself more to work, because in college is all about whether or not your willing to do the work, because no one is going to check up on you and no one is going to take late work (necessarily). If your willing to do the work or not will show how much you will apply yourself in whatever field that you study in and how much your interested in it. Overall, I would've told myself that I have a future to keep in mind and that I have certain dreams that I want to accomplish so I must apply myself even more than what I did my senior year of high school to make that dream come true.

Take a year and attend community college to find out what you really want to do with your life. Apply to at least 3 or 4 universities when the time is right. Make your health your top priority, and find some part time work to begin saving for the future.

First off, I would tell myself that it is very important to apply as early as possible for college applications, the minumium being at least three. At the same time I would tell myself to apply to scholarships as well. Next I would tell myself to really look into what career I want to pursue in order to get the best education possible from the right university. I would then tell myself to prepare myself for the lare amount of time and work I will have to put into school to be able to acheive a near to perfect GPA. I would then tell myself to join as many extracurricular activities as possible, make new friends, form study groups, improve study habits and stay goal oriented through out college. I would also tell myself to take summer, maymester, and wintermester classes to get ahead in school. And finally, if time permits, I would tell myself to study abroad which is a neat oppurtunity that offers staying focused in school while at the same time being able to travel the world and visit new places.

It hasn't been very long at all since I was a high school senior. I think I would tell myself not to rush things and enjoy the moment because once you're out of high school, it's over and it will never be the same. As far as going to college, I would say that it's not as complicated as people make it. I guess my summary would be, "Stop worrying so much."

As a high school senior, I had no idea how much I really needed to plan for the future. As a high school senior, I did not even know what came CLOSE to what real academic hard work was about, and I should have prepared myself more. Most importantly, I would tell myself to research more and more on what I could consider majoring in. I am an Undecided student now, and college could not be any harder. Although I am told that being Undecided isn't always a bad thing because many students change their majors later on anyways, I wish I would have at least started off with something! I find myself lost and confused and am just now starting off the researching of my options, when I could have started this throughout high school, when my work load was much lighter. But through my mistakes, I know I can easily break through. I have already narrowed my options down to at three. My first semester of college, I made the Dean's List. With my determination now and learning from my past mistakes, I know what I need to do to continue to have a successful future.

I would have put forth more effort so it wouldnt have been such an eye opener to actually study. I would also tell myself how to manage my time, and how some things aren't as important as they seem. Ultimately school work should be your first priority. I would have also taken the AP exams to give me a head start in college.

I would advise myself to not stress about the small things because, no matter what you go through, there will be stress; especially in school. You shouldn't make college a stressful time. It is supposed to be the "time of your life" so live it up!

Honestly, I wouldn't really change anything. I got out of High School fairly well, got my classes done, always did my best, didn't fool around with anything dangerous or damaging to my future career, and I got into the college that I wanted. I've met some amazing people, and love my classes, and am transitioning at a healthy rate. So, collegiately, I wouldn't change a thing. But if I were to give myself advice about anything else, I'd definitely say to apply for more scholarships, so I could spend more time on learning and growing rather than grinding for cash to pay for the classes. Other than that though, I wouldn't alter a single thing, because other than a shortage of funds, I'm really happy to be where I am.

I would have told myself to relax, do not stress about the transition to college. You are going to love the university you have chosen and you are going to have a lot more fun than you expected. You will meet good people and make friends quicker than you think. Know this, work hard and change those bad habits as soon as possible because, there will be a point in time when things will get hard and those habits will come back to bite you. One last thing, stay on top of everything.

Assuming I had an awesome time machine, I would go back in time and tell my senior self to not get super involved in my last year of High School. I was so involved that it actually hurt my chances at scholarships. I never had time to fill out scholarships because I had other obligations I was so worried about that I only filled out one! Being involved is not bad, but you have to remember that scholarships can save you thousands of dollars that go to a solid, stable future in life. I was so worried about my friends and current grades that I am now feeling the debt of not filling out any scholarships. I would also tell myself to relax in my last year of high school, because college is a whole other animal. I'm not saying to kick back and let your grades drop... because that would defeat the purpose! Do your best and make time preparing for a whole new world. Look into careers! Think about what you would like to do the rest of your life. Find a college that meets all your standards and try your best to get in.

Plan for college. Do the best you can do - even if there aren't any adults to guide and/or help you.

One thing i would definatly tell myself is to study study study. In high school i did some studying but not very much in college in order to pass you have to study and do all your homework eben though some professors might no collect the homework you habe to do it because thats the only way your going to learn.

Get out of the dorm. My dorm was pretty great; there were nice people, and the food was pretty good and always available, and there was always something to do. But I had much more important things to do than sit and watch TV with some friends my first semester. That time should have been spent praciticing, or finding new, awesome things at the library, or meeting people in my major that I can connect with and talk about things that really matter to me. College isn't a place where it's fun all the time; it's the place where you become an adult, and that means doing as much as you can with the time you have, and being resposible for promoting your education and your professional image.

First I would explain to my high school self how I was able to travel back in time; after all that is quite the accomplishment. Once the high school me had calmed down, I would inform him of his possible future with the following statement. I am, in most respects, a very successful student. I have earned two associate degrees, one in general studies and one in mathematics. I am applying to several highly respected universities and most importantly, I feel as though I genuinely enjoy the study of engineering. Knowing the future you has accomplished these things, does not mean you yourself will automatically earn them. Furthermore, my accomplishments have not come without sacrifice, failure, and hard work. I am diabetic as of sophomore year and I advise you to take care of your health first and foremost, so you can enjoy the knowledge you have earned for many years. Be honest with yourself, and overcome your challenges one at a time. Don’t forget what mom and dad said, “We are not behind you, we are right next to you.”