University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Top Questions

In my short time in college, I have gained an insight into who I actually am and to who I may become. Observing so many different aspects of thought has openned my mind to find out what I truly believe for myself. I am able to think for myself and say what I want here, it is an experience to go to a class where your theories are valued instead of simply learning a set thing. My heart has discovered that I am more dependent on friends than I thought. I am a social person, but I have a hard time finding friends that are as wonderful as the ones I parted with at the end of this past summer. The valuable part of college is finding out who I am. I now know that I can be independent, but that I still need people to support me in order to be happy. And I also know, that what I believe and stand up for will be the definition of who I am in years to come.

Having only completed my first semester of full time college there are many things I already wish I would have known. My two main ones being study habits and resources. In high school if you did your work and showed up to class you were golden. In college things are different. Studying the night before a test or quiz will NOT WORK. Something I like to say and practice is to take "sips" instead of big "gulps." Meaning if you study a necessary amount every night or a week before an exam you will do much better than trying to absorb it all in a short amount of time. Also, using the resources we as students are paying for! There are so many available to us that are free because it's included in our tuition and many students do not use! This is a important tool for me now that I plan on thourghouly enjoying the rest of my time at OU. Not only are you getting what you are paying for, but you're GPA will thank you as well.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself when I was a highschool senior and give myself advice about college I would fill myself in on a couple different things. The first being that scholarships are everything. As a highschool senior I thought money grew on trees, but you really need to get to work on those scholarship applications. I would also recommend to myself that I should not stress over going to a school where you know absolutely noone. You meet so many new people during the first week of school because a good majority of those kids in your classes also have to make new friends. The final thing I would talk to myself about is getting involved. You should always try and get involved as much as you can your freshman year and keep with it because it will not only help you make life-long friends, but it will also look great on resumes!

There are a number of mistakes I have made during my college career, both tactfully and financially. First, I would recommend renting textbooks or buying them from Barnes and noble. The bookstore is too costly and the money you earn back is horrible. Second, do your fasfa every year as soon as possible. That year that you'll forget... That's going to lead to a hecktic and horrible week, don't let that happen. Finally, get out there and meet people. Too long do you just sit back and watch life pass you by; college is a place of finding experiences: you can't just wait for them to come to you.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would reinforce myself for the decision I made to take AP classes and a harder class load than many of my friends who were wanting an easy senior year. The more difficult classes were good preparation for college. I really did feel prepared when I left high school because I had taken these types of classes and taken them seriously. I would encourage myself to take the SAT and the ACT writing portion tests. I did not want to take these test, but found it would have increased the number of colleges I could have applied to. I would also tell myself to not settle for the "easy" decision of staying in my home town, but to apply to several other places, find out more about the other colleges and visit them. I like where I landed here at OU, but I will always wonder what it would have been like had I spread my wings and flown away from my hometown.

Upon seeing myself in reality for the first time in retrospection I would seriously tell myself , "Everything will work itself out." There is no need to live in fear about being homosexual. People do horrible things everyday, because they fiend. Well. being homosexual is what I lived in fear about and I only wish that I wasn't so intimidated by culture and its effects. My enculturation has caused me a lot of spiritual hurt, but I have recovered a lot of that low self-esteem. I now understand that I may become overwhelmed by anxiety or fear, but most of the nightmare is over. I can breathe and freely commit to who I truly am, regardless of negative exterior influences. I can be who I am. I can love me for me. I will do myself that justice.

I would say make sure i start at a four year college or if i go to a junior college first make sure my classes match up with the college i want to go to.Another thing is before i go to the four year university make sure i know how much everything is going to cost so i will have my financial situation ready to go. Also go in school strong and work as hard as I can to make good grades and dont let alot of things hender that such as working to much.Also be friendly but dont easily trust everyone.

If I could turn back the clock and talk to myself about preparing for college, I?d share the following. First, be realistic about your GPA goal for the first semester. Chances are you won?t be making a 4.0. Consider you major. Technical Theater is time consuming. Finding solid blocks of study time will be a challenge. Secondly, if you have a paper due, three tests will be scheduled that same week. This is a given and the norm. Create a study plan and stick to it. Third, e-mail professors or look online to see what books are needed and to get them ahead of time. There?ll be a quiz about chapter one your second day of class. Four, since you plan to join a sorority, prepare for an emotional overhaul. Yes, you are confident, but the selection process challenges your self esteem. Establish your support network before Rush begins. Next, get organized. Look for creative ways to store everything. Living in a dorm is optimal, but space is minimal. Finally, have fun. Don?t limit yourself. Set your sights on expanding your world view and learn about yourself along the way.

For starters, I would stress the fact that college is so much easier if you go straight after graduation. (As I have waited 4 years to start school.) You do not have as many financial liabilities right out of highschool, therefore, less worries. Also, you never know when the economy will turn, and having a degree will help guarantee, or find a job, easier than without schooling. The college life right out of highschool helps you learn ups and downs of life before the real world. Where as going straight into the workforce, you miss out on a lot of that lifestyle. But I'd also tell myself, that life is tough regardless. And I have no regrets. So I'd suggest doing what makes ME happy, no matter what anyone else says.

Dear Former Self, You've almost survived your last year of high school and are nearing your time for higher education! One piece of very important adive that I will give you is that you should NOT stress about your life right now. Enjoy every second you have with your high school friends. Life as you know it will change when you start college, but don't worry! It's going to be amazing. However, you have GOT to stop your procrastinating! You have so many more responsibilities in college so you cannot just glide by like you are in high school now. There is a lot more outside learning here in college. No more simply listening and getting the material down. It's going to be a lot of hard work but you can do it! You will make lots of new friends that you will be able to count on for any help you need. Enjoy life as a senior and be ready to start the ride of your life. Love, Your Future Self