University of Portland Top Questions

Be willing to put yourself out there; whether that is in class, meeting new people or networking in your professional field. In high school it is so easy to get caught up in what's cool or not cool, who you are supposed to be friends with, etc., but don't let that carry over into college. College is great oppotunity to meet and socialize with people you may have never come into contact with otherwise. Utilize this oppotunity to learn about other cultures, traditions, professional interests, hobbies, or whatever it may be, and then take that information and use it for your own personal developement and growth. Dont ever overlook someone just because they don't fit into the catagory of who you typically would be friends with. Every single individual has something unique and valuable that they can bring to the table, including yourself. Be someone who looks for that value in other people and you might be surpised what you learn about yourself as well along the way. Best of luck!

It doesn't matter what the name of the school is. Don't try to get into an Ivy League (or something similarily competitive), it'll be a waste of your time, tears, and money because in the end we all get the same degree that does the same things. The only thing that is different is the amount of money spent and quality of education you get. If you go to a public university or somewhere that's considered "easier", that's cool. It might even be better, just make sure to make the most of your education and experience. Make the learning experience top notch even if the school is not. And most of all, you don't have to be a doctor or be a bio major! Realize early on if you are a good fit for your major and will succeed, and make the right adjustments! Don't be afraid to ask for help and admit you need a lot of it, otherwise you'll fail some classes. Don't get too distracted (with boys)! Discipline yourself, learn how to study early on, have fun, don't lose your smile.

In all honesty, college students’ lives are unnecessarily complicated. My advice to you? In order to make the smoothest transition into college, be uncomplicated. The best way to do that is to take advantage of your resources. You’re going to a place where every professor, faculty member, staff member, every administrator is set and ready to help you succeed at their university. Even upperclassmen get in on the action. Please please please do not be reluctant to ask for help. Going about any problem by yourself can be so much more difficult than necessary. There are people near you who’s jobs are to solve your problems and make your transition, and life, much easier. Please, take advantage of whatever help you can find, because it will be the determining factor of whether you become stronger or fall apart during your first year at college.

Dear sixteen-year-old Alli, If only you knew then what I knew now. How many times have you heard dad say that? Well it's true. Sure high school prepares you for, and gets you into college, but college determines the rest of your life. In college, it's important to take risks. Join a club, go out with friends, approach a teacher. Everyone on campus is there to help you. I used to be horrible about reaching out to people when I needed help. Don't be afraid to do that. What high school doesn't teach you is money management. You're about to embark on a debt-accumulating journey at a private university. Save all the money you can, and spend it wisely. You probably don't need that new pair of Adidas, or that really cute sweater. One more thing: remember how shy you were in high school? Don't be afraid to cut loose and be real. You have a beautiful soul, and people can't wait to get to know you. Do everyone a favor and introduce yourself. I can't wait to see where life takes you, Alli

Don't worry about the transtion. It's nerve wracking and easy to assume that you won't make any friends or that you're going to hate your roommate. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to relax and let all those worries fall away. You are at the start of what's going to be a great year. You're going to meet a lot of new people and you're not going to becoming friends with everyone, but that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because you will honestly make so many new friends that you're going to feel like sometimes you don't have enough time to see them all. So just relax and enjoy this last year of high school because you're about to start on the most exciting time of your life.

I would advise every high school senior to go into college with an opened mind ready to learn. Most importantly, take advantage of your resources, and learn how to learn!

I wish I took the AP Calculus and AP physics test. I took the AP calculus and physics classes, but my teacher did not push me to take the tests and so I did not even try to take the tests. I am currently double majoring in business and mathematics and I regret not taking the AP tests. Right now, I have to take Calculus I and Physics and that might have not have to happen if I took the AP exams and got a 4 or a 5. My advice to my past self would be to at lest try to take the exams, even when you do not think that you would pass it. At least try because if you do not try, then you will never know if you could have passed or failed. Also, be careful with eatting. Coming into college, there are so many food choices, but pace yourself. You have 4 years to eat whatever you want. Do not get caught in the freshman 15 because it is hard to lose the freshman 15.

Always be confident in yourself. Never change who you are or deny what you believe as the result of peer pressure or a stressful situation. Know yourself. Instead of trying to fit in with the cool kids, develop yourself and your own interests, because you'll soon find out that the cool kids are actually pretty boring. Don't be ashamed of your past, instead, learn from your mistakes and your successes. What you do in this very moment determines what happens in the next. Always be in a state of growth and development. Be reflective and mindful of your current situation in order to discover the path to better circumstances in the future. Friends will come and go and fun times will be had but don't let these factors influence the amount of time you spend on your main priority: recieving an education and ultimately a degree. With this in mind, spend time doing activites that relieve stress, not create it. If this means playing an instrument or spending time with friends, then so be it, but balance everything with the idea that school is the main priority. Decide your priorities, stick to them and balance them out.

I would tell myself to take IB tests. Not testing in IB is one of my biggest regrets. Had I tested I wouldn't have to take any of my core classes. My math, history, and english credits would all be waived and I would've been able to start upper-division nursing as a sophomore rather than a junior. The good thing about not testing in IB though is that I can use my prior knowledge in those subjects to boost my GPA. Something else I would've told myself was to focus on studying more and getting better grades to fully prepare myself for the amount of studying college would entail. Also, I would've told myself to apply for more scholarships and jobs to get more money because there are many unexpected expenses.

When I came to college, I thought I had all the basic skills I needed. I had good study skills, I could balance a checkbook, and I knew how to do my own laundry. While these things are all very important, there are a few other items, although not often thought of, that would have been very helpful. The first is get a bike and know how to use it. Like most freshman, I did not get to have a car on campus, so it was either walk or bike. Sadly, I did not have a bike my freshman year, and it meant a lot of walking to and from the grocery store. The second is know how to use email. It's not that hard, and your profesors will love you. The third is to plan time for yourself. College is difficult, and it's easy to let stress get the best of you. Plan time to excersice, read, and spend time with friends. Excercise and proper sleep will make you healthier and happier. Also, make sure your friends know that they are a priority to you, they will save you when things get rough.