University of Portland Top Questions

I would first tell myself to not be afriad to get involved in as many activities as I wanted. For the first half of my freshman year I didn't get involved in much and did hardly anything without my roommates and I also was depressed because I had no friends besides my roommates, so I would tell myself to get involved so that I could meet and make more friends. I would then tell myself to not be afraid to stand up for myself. I have had some pretty bad roommates and each time, there have been issues that I probably should have talked to them about, yet I have not wanted to ruffle any feathers, so rarely have I said anything. I would tell myself that it is okay to not miss being home, but it is also okay to be homesick. I have felt both sentiments throughout my time in college so far, and I know that both are normal. And I would tell myself that "out of sight, out of mind" is not true and that I would still stay in contact with my good friends from high school. Finally - YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Take the full 4 years of a foreign language. Pay closer attention in Chemistry. Get involved in Running Start to get some of the basic classes out of the way. Learn to use all the resources made available - that skill is useful everywhere. Learn to be more assertive, ask more questions and get comfortable being persistent when you need guidance. Get a job in the summer that can transition with you - be an excellent employee so they want you back. And keep in touch with your friends but know that some of the people who you thought were your friends will move on and so should you.

Life isnt always what you should assume it will turn out like. Going to college is nothing like attending high school and it was true what other people had told you about college, all the things about always having to read, write, giving in your assignments on time and putting in your own effort will come to work all together in the first semester. Its going to be scary not knowing no body and having to sit in those classes knowing there is nothing else but work to do. On the road to your first semester in college you will have to expirence life, a nightmare that will knock on the door and you will want to wake up, and thats having mom in the hospital because of a stroke, doctors will tell you its the final goodbyes. Feeling alone is a fact, but not wanting to go on is optional. Having only one family member to go to will be tough yet there will be light at the end of the nightmare mom will get better and the first semester will be surprisingly easy and its all because of the little effort that you put in along the way.

If I could have gone back, I would have told myself to focus more on finding out what I want to do with my life. I'm still fairly ambiguous about this, and hope that I will come to better terms over my time in this school. But if I had been positive about my love for Biology from the beginning, then I would have made sure to stay more focused in the sciences. I also wish that I took more AP exams, because that could have helped with my progress here. Furthermore, I should have been trying to set aside more money for textbooks and trying to find more scholarships. If I could go back and give myself advice, it would definitely involve being more aware of the amazing expenses that college burdens one with.

Time travel is an interesting concept. If it were invented, I would choose to go visit myself a year ago and tell myself the essential knowledge to help me improve my transition into college. There is some very important advice I would give myself. First, I would tell myself to make the most of time at home while you have it and stop counting down the days in a negative way. College is a good thing; think of the number of days as that many more that you get to spend at home, each and every one of those days is a gift. Next, I would tell myself to not fear branching out once you get to college. It is important to let go of the past and embrace the present. Don’t spend so much time talking to people back at home and meet many new friends. Finally, don’t lose the study habits that you learned so well in high school from your advanced teachers. They are essential to succeed while in college. Have fun with your transition to college; you are one lucky girl to go to the University of Portland, embrace it! Keep the faith.

Let change happen. College is the next chapter of your life and you will undoubtedly feel changed by the experiences in college. Don't let them hinder you; let them empower you. Your life's trajectory may be changing, but you are surrounded by an environment that supports and promotes success in both professional and personal lives. Embrace each new experience and grow. I went into college thinking that I would pursue something within arts management, but now as a sophomore I have my heart set on becoming a lawyer and social justice advocate. I would remind myself that changes in dreams and ambitions are not only normal but entirely beneficial. College should make you question what you want out of your life; your career, your personal fulfillment and your relationships. These can be hard questions to ponder, but the satisfaction that is reached when you come to a new moment of self-discovery is hard to beat. Enjoy the process and embrace the change.

To get an adequate feel for a college, i highly recomend that you visit it, sit in on a few classes, and if you can, do an overnight stay. Then, choose a college where you feel most at home in the dorms, are satified with the social atmosphere, are excited about the calsses they offer, and feel passionate about finding a future vocation. Once you pick your college, and begin your freshman year, the best actions you can take are to keep an open mind, get involved, take advantage of every new oportunity, make connections with your prefessors, learn all you can from every class, and most of all, enjoy it. There are the best years of our lives, our paths are undeclared and every door is open, we are young! So, have fun, be free, live fast, and enjoy all that life has to offer you.

If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self anything, it would be to set attainable goals and to stay focused on the end. Seeing the trouble I'm going through now, trying to find money to pay for tuiton and working very hard to bring up my GPA from when I gave no care to school, the fun times I had weren't worth it. Knowing that goals, time limits and hard work are what keep you on track, I am now on my way to transferring and receiving an Associates degree in the process. I'd tell myself to keep grades in school up so the process of applying to any college you'd prefer is a much easier process than it would be now with a good GPA and test scores. The path to educational success lies only in you and you have to take it seriously. I would tell myself to strive for greatness and it will be acheived. Taking a fun easy route brings you struggles later on. Start early and things will easily fall into place. Good luck high school me.

I would tell myself to go into college and make friends at the very beginning, lots of them. Through those friends I will find a good friend group, and then have other friends to do things with. I would also let myself know that the first month is rough but it gets much better from there. College is a great place to meet people and discover who you are, I have eto take advantage of that.

If I could tell my high school senior self anything, this is how it would go. "Kianni, do not procrastinate about finding scholorships and ways to pay for school. Finding money and being able to pay for the next 4 years will solve so many problems of your problems. Don't take the easy courses, take as much AP courses as you can! It will help prepare you for long lectures and a lot of reading. Study, learn good study habits and different techniques of studying and taking notes. It might surprise you on how much you learn when you change your study habits. Lastly, enjoy high school. College is fun but, you're also an adult who is thousands of miles away from your family. Don't take advantage of being close to home and always counting on mommy and daddy. When you're away you're all on your own. Good luck and I know you will have fun and succeed in college"