University of Portland Top Questions

Dear Imee, You are capable of anything you set your mind to. Don't take classes because you know you will get an A. Take classes that challenge your abilities. Take AP Chemistry! Don't listen to the people that tell you you're not good enough. Remember to love yourself first and share it with others. Listen to your heart not what your friends are telling you. Take advantage of every opportunity you see! There aren't going to be a lot once you start college. Be friends with your teachers because you will most likely contact them for advice when you're in college. Don't be afraid to be yourself. I know it's hard with all the peer pressure to be perfect. When there's an assembly, participate when the guest asks for a volunteer. Be the leader you want to be not what you see on t.v.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school student I would probably tell myself that I don't need to have everything figured out in life. Since being in college you truly find yourself, who your real friends are and who you really are. If I could go back to my high school self I would say stop pretending to be someone you are not and just be yourself. I would also tell myself to get creative in not spending a lot of money or start saving. You hear all the time how college students are "broke" but you just kind of laugh it off as if it is a cliche. Well since being in college that is definitely not the case and getting a job can be difficult. So you have to be really creative at making your own fun. Finally I would tell my high school self to start cooking and figuring out CHEAP recipes. I never realized how much of a pain it is to cook a meal every day. I give my parents a lot more credit because I did not realize how much of a hassle it is.

The world is nowhere near as impossible as it seems. Trust your instincts; do not fear what you do not know. Within you is greatness, don’t believe the old adage that some people are born with it some people have it thrust upon them. You have a choice, so choose to be great. Do great things in everything you do, no matter how small it matters in ways you may never know. Be your best, don’t slack. If you try to be great in everything you do, you will never regret it, and others will look to you for amazing things. You have plenty of time to rest and relax don’t stress about it. Always choose to kiss the girl when you aren’t sure if you should or not. Your either right or your wrong and you won’t wonder about it later. Most importantly, you do know what is best for yourself. If you are not comfortable with it, don’t do it. If it makes you happy, no matter what or who it is that makes you happy, fill your life with it. Wear comfortable shoes, your feet can take you around the world.

-take advantage of all the opportunities that college can offer you -don't be afraid to try new things -take a leap -STUDY ABROAD -work hard but also focus on friendships -get off campus at least once week -network -join clubs and activities -get to know your professors

It is hard starting over and making new friends but you have to give it time. The first couple weeks, talk to as many people as you can because everyone else wants to meet knew people too. Finally, don't worry if you dont have a core group of friends your first week or you dont have as much in common with your roommate as you had hoped. All this takes time.

Be sure to stay focused and do not underestimate any classes you take. There is a new set of teachers, and they expect different things than what was required at high school.

Two things that I would strongly advice myself if i were to speak to myself as a high school senior is financial education and the college system. I would advise myself to apply to as many scholarships as possible. Im a full time student without a paying job. I just recently starting applying to scholarships and hopeing my hard work pays off. In high school i didnt care about my financial struggle nor had a clue on how hard it would be since I do live with my parents. The most impotant thing though is registration, advising, addmission and testing. I am the first in my family to go to college so i had no guidence on how, when and where to get registured at. I meet with my adviser alot, to the point where they memorized my name and I ID#. I feel like a bother but had no one else to turn to. I still dont have all the answers on how the college system works im 20 years old with an associates degree, transferring to UTEP and feel like i will also meet with my adviser from there until she knows my full name as well.

It’s great to save money by living at home, but don't do it. Live in the dorms at least one year and then a house with friends, if possible. So much of the "college experience" is missed by living at home and having a girlfriend back home is no excuse, you will meet so many new people. Next, high school may seem like a joke because homework is easy and you pass all your classes, but take your work seriously because college requires a lot of focus and hard work. Give college your all from the beginning, but don’t sacrifice a social life. Find a balance between the two. It is ok for some days to be all homework and others to be completely social. Mechanical Engineering is perfect for you because you will get to do design and manufacturing, which you love. This degree will open the door to a range of possibilities as an engineer. It’s a great idea to get your Private Pilot’s license for your senior project. You won’t have the time or money later and the ladies will like it, trust me. I have faith in you, young Padawan.

Be prepared to have everything you believe about life change drastically. Embrace the fact that you don't know anything, and embrace the fact that what you do know and believe--even your deepest set idealogies--will change and warp, be it for better or worse. Be open to new ideas and concepts and embrace contrasting opinions. Nothing is set in stone. Embrace the changes as they come, don't try to fight it, because in the end, the changes happen whether you want them to or not.

The one piece of advice I would give myself is to not be so strict about plans. In college, life is malleable. Plans change, the people involved change, and things can take both more or less time than you think. Also, the counselors and teachers in high school lied. You do not need to study for three hours for every hour in class. The time needed to study is based upon your own needs though the amount of studying in college compared to high school is somewhat higher. Also, homework in upper division engineering courses can take several hours.