University of the Pacific Top Questions

My college experience has changed the way that i think. At my college it is important to look deep into what you are learning and try and understand how the things that you learn can influence your daily life. Changing the way that i think has helped me to better understand other peoples motives and actions.

My college experience has not only afforded me education, but also a real world application for my education. I think that this is the biggest advantage of attending a community college. The small class sizes allow me to get more attention from my professors to ask questions and strike up discussion. I feel that, and have been told by those that attend university, community college is based more in what is happening in the world currently, as opposed to pure theory of what "should" or is "supposed" to be happening. I'm glad I chose to go on to a community college, as I've made valuable friends, both with peers and teachers. I feel that each of these connections I've made have enriched my college experience. I finally ENJOY attending school!

Yes I have definately gotten a very satisfied college experience. My experience has been very personal and also I have learned so much from my professors and classmates.

Make every effort to achieve the highest scores possible throughout high school. Look harder and focus more on obtaining scholarships. College will never be the same as 'high school' - these are not my childhood friends since kindergarten, and there are many more potential friendships and experiences coming my way. Choose my new friends and experiences wisely. Remember to appreciate each and everything and/or person that has helped me get to where i am now. Each day has something new to experience and to expand my knowledge -take time to recognize those as they will only help me to better prepare myself for college days.

The most important lesson I have learned is that a small campus like University of the Pacific is similar to a high school, only that you eat, sleep, shower and see the same people (like it or not) everyday in the same hall. Being so, it is important to know that gossip travels fast, and although it's nice to think that everyone is technically an "adult," and has matured, this is not always the case. It is vitally important to not gossip with your roommate about the cute guy next door because dorm walls are NOT sound proof. Likewise, it is not ok to gossip about anyone at anytime...again, the walls are NOT sound proof. The worst feeling is when you walk by someone you bad-mouthed (and they found out) everyday on your way to the shower. Walking down the halls in a robe and hair towel leaves you in a very vulnerable position, trust me. This is awkward and could be avoided altogether by just being nice and not spreading rumors...even if they are true.

"The most important thing right now is doing the best you can. Not about what other people think about you. Use all your free time studying to achieve the best grades possible. Do not just settle for a standard dioplma if you have the opportunity to get your advanced diploma. Friends come and go but education is forever and the most important thing in your life right now. Your young and have everything going for you. Apply to as many colleges as you can and do it to your best ability. Take your SATs and see where you stand. Go for gold, don't settle for silver. Know that you are the only one that controls your future."

If I was a senior now I would preach to myself on curtain sacrefies I would have to make mainly. How i can not just do work in class an think it is ok to do the work in fifteen minutes. The work would take much longer then that and a lot more memorization. Also would talk to myself about the note taking there is a lot more note taking then in high school and you cant miss a day of it like high school or you will end up falling behind. An many other things will will come with that. In the long run though it is totally worth it.

If I were able to go back and talk to myself about college, I would tell myself to take things a little more serious, and do some research before entering college. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to get into for my major, which made it a little hard to pick the perfect school for me. I knew I wanted to go into pharmacy but I didn't know what it took to get there I thought that I would be taking pharmacy classes now, but once I got into college I realized that I would have to get my degree in biological sciences first and then go to graduate school for pharmacy. If I had known this information I would have applied to more schools that mastered in health sciences instead of just going off of what I liked about the school or what my parents told me to do. If I would have done this I would have been able to go to a school that fits me more as well as my major.

If i could talk to my high school self, I would let myself know that college life is completely opposite from high school life. This ranges from my study habits to my social circles. I would first let myself know that my study habit is extremely unfit and inconvenient for college. It's impossible to study a day before tests in college, and the key to success is consistently studying a little, every single day. I'd also put emphasis on my responsibility of my own body and mind, stressing how important physical exercise is to maintain a healthy body, and also how important it is to watch my diet. In college, everything seems to go, for maybe the first couple months, but the consequences of careless actions and mistakes begin to show up later on. But on top of that, there are also positive factors of the independence and variety that college offers. The student gets immersed in a field of independent, unique, and mature people who are different from the high school students that surrounded you. But at the same time, there are those people with less self-control, and slack-off attitudes that might affect you negatviely.

Knowing what I know now, I would go back and tell myself to be social and make friends while I can but still focus on my classes. The one thing I would have told myself that I feel would have been a huge benefator towards my life and school career would have been to see a therapist when I first started to notice how depressed I was... I had a huge spiral and was actually hospitalized for my depression and it made school and my life harder. Once I got a hold on myself and began meeting with a therapist weekly, I was able to pull my grades out of the dumpster so to speak and start fresh with my fourth semester. My overall advice would be to enjoy it while I can and learn all I can to help me with my career as an Athletic Trainer for the San Jose Sharks (as I know I one day will be).

If I where to go back in time I would tell myself that if you go to a school in a lower class part of town you don't have a chance. To do alot of investigation on your own so you want learn the hard way when you graduate. To plan ahead to what you want to be when you get to be a grown up. To not have children until you graduate from college and worked in your career for a while. I would also ask questions like what is the difference between the vocational path and universal path. Then maybe you be in a better situation.

If I were to go back in time and actually give myself advice on what I would know now, I would tell myself to not be lazy and work hard. I was always an average student but in reality I knew I could do better. As a student I didn't study much and used that free time watching television or something. Now after going to college, I realize now that if I were workign harder during my high school days, I wouldn't be strugling as much in my classes now. I also would say to myself to start thinking about colleges and how you are going to pay for it now. Since I am actually struggling to pay my tuition, I would have to tell myself that applying for scholarships would have been really helpful. It would have saved me a lot of time and money, since I was almost dropped from UOP for not having my tuition money ready on time.

I knew college would be difficult, but I did not know to what extent. If I was able to speak to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to get into a good study habit. In high school, we learned mostly by doing in-class work or homework. However, in a university the way one learns different materials are by attending lectures and studying. If one is not able to teach themselves the materials by studying on their own, they would have a difficult time in college.

Dear Senior Viet, you are still young and oblivious to the future ahead of you even though you say you know what lies ahead. I am here to tell you now that your road to the future has not been a smooth one and I am here to tell you what caused the bumps in the road. First of all, your financial status in the future is not a bright one, I urge you to take any opportunity you can to find financial help via scholarships, grants, or anything else you can think of. Another thing is to become more outgoing. Here in the future it is extremely boring and lonely. I suggest you make friends as soon as possible so that you can study with them as well as socialize with them. By doing these things, I ensure that your college days will be alot better than what I have seen. So as I talk to you from your own eyes, heed my warnings about what you are thinking and change your actions. -Future Viet-

Do not worry about the problems that high school presents. Focus on just getting your work done in class and learning proper writing techniques. Have fun and do not get too involved with relationships that seem like they will not last. Keep your close friends close as they will help you through stressfull times in the next few years. Try to get a job or volunteer somewhere. Apply to as many scholarships as possible. Although it may not seem worth it to apply for $100 scholarships, they do help get that extra book when times get tough. Plan out how you will pay for school before you get to a deadline. Stress with class registration will occur. Talk to your adviser about multiple plans of action, because many of the classes you want are the same as the rest of the freshmen class want. Try to take a class or two at the local junior college to get some units so you are not last in the pecking order for registration. Last of all enjoy the time left in high school.

I would tell myself to take full advantage of all the extracurricular activities that my university would have to offer. Joining clubs and going to campus events would help me make friends and transition more smoothly into the college lifestyle. Also these extracurricular activites would look very impressive on a resume', which could help lead to possible career ventures. I would also tell myself to maintain every single relationship that I make with the people I meet. These relationships are not just limited to other students, but faculty and staff also. A huge factor of gaining success after college is networking and using your interpersonal connections with other people to advance your career. Lastly, I would tell myself to enjoy the moment. It is important and productive to look two steps ahead from where you are so you know where you are headed. However, you also need to assess if where you are planning on going is really the place you want to go and the career you want to pursue.

This year has been a whirlwind, one that I never saw coming. I walked on the Santa Clara University campus during my senior year in high school and told myself that it was the school for me. I was not open minded toward any other school than Santa Clara. With my acceptance I pictured myself graduating from there and going off to work as a school psychologists soon after. All that changed last summer. My aunt, a principal in Sacramento, told me about how desperately school districts needed speech therapists. I started researching online and thinking about my childhood and the years I spent working with a speech therapist. I worked with two speech therapists in my hometown and I can say on that first day I realized it was perfect for me. So I transferred and left the school I loved, but I knew it was for the best. I am now attending University of the Pacific and absolutely love it. I wish I had been more open minded and looked into different schools and professions in high school. I have learned you never know what will happen so you need to be open minded and positive.

Do not panic; not having homework and extra credit to save my grade doesn't mean I can still receive an A. During the first week of classes, speak to each professor individually and ask them for any tips to keeping up with the material. Usually, they don't speak about it in class because they have so much material to cover in lecture, so having a one-on-one conversation with them will not only allow you to have some bond with the professors but also have a source for advice. I also suggest that I find a niche of friends as soon as possible, especially those with the same interests and classes. These people will ultimately become your best friends in the school and they will be there 24/7 if you need any help studying. Also, do not fall behind in any class at any time. Taking 18 units is the hardest thing you can do at U.O.P., so make sure you are on top of the work load every day. Take frequent breaks if you need to, but make sure that you read the material before lecture and lab so you can ask questions.

College life is a lot different from high school. There are rules; there are morals; there are limitations, but it's your choice to follow them. Try everything, do everything you want to do. You only live once, right? Nothing can stop you now. Don't be afraid to dive right in; to talk to strangers; to get involved. Just be careful. College is a test to many, and it changes people. You'll gain friends and you'll lose some. No matter what, you'll meet new people, you'll make mistakes, and you'll make memories. Overall, college is an experience. You're on your own and you will solely take responsibility for all your actions. Do everything you dreamed of doing, be everything you want to be because nothing and no one can stop you now. Enjoy your college years, cause it's a once in a lifetime experience.

I would tell myself to stay on top of things and to really manage my time. Also, I would say to enjoy the college experience as you only go through it once. Really enjoy every minute even though school work maybe tough. These years of your life are going to be one of the best in your life and also some of the most memorable years that you will want to look back on in the future. This is a once in a lifetime experience so enjoy it even if the financial costs can be a little hindering.