University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

My high school senior self thought that college was going to be a new beginning. I had child-like fantasies about how I would wear preppy clothes, walk through the historic "grounds," take notes from lectures given by brilliant professors, and read every page assigned to me, while making new friends, going to parties, joining new clubs--the "full college experience". If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to have expectations about what college is "supposed" to be like. The truth is that college is like a birthday. You're another year older, but nothing feels different or magical about it. It's just another step in life. You learn and grow and have new experiences, but you are the same person you were in high school. Having too many expectations sets you up to be disappointed, so you should just enjoy each moment as it occurs. Take lots of opportunities, but don't stretch yourself too far because it's what you are "supposed" to do. Don't beat yourself up because college wasn't what it was "supposed" to be. You are where you are supposed to be.

Israel, when you apply for college, consider your own wants and desires. Do not do what Dad or Mom wants, do what you want. If that means you do not go to UVa, so be it. Follow your heart. When you get to school, ask questions.You will never obtain information unless you ask. People cannot read your mind. Learn to express what you feel eloquently. Words are a powerful thing, learn to use them. Learn to discipline yourself early! Stick to your plan, you will love yourself later. It will prevent many mistakes and prevent many pointless late nights. Lastly, you are not weak if you ever need to go to a counselor or get consultation for any sort of problem you have. Catch problems early on to prevent them from escalating. Continue to enjoy life like you always do. Your love for life will get you through the worst situations.

I would tell myself not to worry. After high school I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. So, instead of going away to a four-year school, I went to a community college. This is where I found my love for all things marketing. I realized that through marketing I would be able express myself academically but also creatively. Through my hard work and dedication, I ended up at one of the best schools in the nation, and I could not be happier with my decision to attend community college. However, it was not always easy. There were days where I could not figure out what to do at all. I thought I wanted to be a nurse, or a teacher, or a psychiatrist. It was a hard place to be; constantly worried and stressed out over not going anywhere in life because I did not know what I loved. Through the hard times, though, all I needed to do was look inside me to see what I really enjoyed, and I am happier than ever. I would tell my high school self not to worry. I end up exactly where I should be.

I would definitely advise high school seniors to look ahead to the programs they may be interested in and take the AP courses that could get them out of some unnecessarily difficult college courses. For example, I did not take AP Stat in high school, and college the course was not really well taught and was a hassle. I wish I took the course back in high school. I would advise high school seniors to get involved in a lot of extra curricular activities because that is a great way to meet people and make friends. The adjustment to a new environment can be really difficult, especially if it is far from home or without familiar faces. Getting out there and meeting people is so important. I also want to advise high school seniors to not limit themselves to the schools they apply to, you never know what could change financially or within yourself from what you wanted at the beginning of senior year to what you want in May. The most important thing to remember is that you will be okay no matter where you end up if you work hard, are positive, and kind to those around you.

Flexibility. Embracing flexibility is key in college. You never know how your schedule will turn out or what kinds of friends you'll meet. With your meal plan, you won't know what you'll eat for dinner most nights because even the dining halls can be unpredictable. Now, I know that being flexible is difficult for you because of your anxiety issues, but it is crucial that you practice it now because it will help you, not only in college, but in life. Life is a roller coaster of experiences, some more unexpected than others. You can either utilize them to learn more about yourself and the world around you, or you can allow them to break you and make you resent the world that continues spinning around you. If I were you (which I am), I would go with the first option. Even though grasping the concept of that option is not the only thing that'll help you succeed in college, or in life for that matter, you'll grow as a well-rounded individual if you: 1) take on life's challenges with a flexible, realistic, and postiive mentality, and 2) learn from them. Trust me.

Mariah: college is a time in your life where you are afforded rare opportunities unlike any other. When you first learn of the wide variety of unique and amazing groups you can join, events you can attend, and projects you can take part in, you'll ambitiously aim to pursue an absurd number of them. But as the semester proceeds, because you are bombarded with ads for all these activities seemingly everywhere you go every single day in the form of flyers, handouts, fairs, announcements, emails, free tee shirts, word of mouth, flash mobs, and more, they very quickly seem common place. As you become comfortable with your schedule, your friends, and what you already know to be your main interests, you always assume that these activities and opportunities will be waiting for you to join 'next semester', completely forgetting these opportunities are rare outside of the college experience, especially with such freedom to truly dive into and absorb yourself in them, and with such extraordinary resources available! So seriously! ALL those clubs, concerts, events, fundraisers, lectures, organizations, sports etc. you see/hear about that 'might be fun' or 'interesting'? TRY THEM NOW! There's no chance like college!

Everyone is telling you to take your time- to take some classes in community college and then you can decide on a more specific educational path. They are wrong. When it comes to figuring out your future, you're almost always behind where you should be. Do your research, reach out to people, and most importantly, push yourself to learn as much as possible about what interests you. While planning is a very important thing to begin, you must also work on learning about yourself. The older you get, the harder it will become to remember how you were before starting college. You'll forget what it felt like to hear the final bell of the school day, rush out of the building, and come home to a nice bedroom and a stock of delicious food. The passion that once burned so fiercely for medical school may begin to shrink and flicker. Remember these feelings. Remember how it felt to be fresh out of high school and ready to begin your life. Learn to appreciate the old and the new, and it will make the journey of life that much sweeter.

Come with an open mind! You don't have to have a plan. Take easy classes and have fun. It's your first year. It is the easiest this place will get.

I would tell myself to learn as many foreign languages as possible. Although it may be impossible to become conversationally fluent in a language during my senior year, I realized during my first year at University of Virginia that it is beneficial to have a basic grasp of another language. Although my school is a state university, University of Virginia is known for its diverse population; its reputation is well-received overseas in Europe and Asia, especially in China. As a result, there are many international students and foreign exchange students at University of Virginia. I want to befriend them because I want to learn different cultures and languages; however, I do not speak their native languages and they tend to speak English in fragmented sentences that are hard to comprehend. As a result, I was not able to get close to many of these students. Therefore, not only would learning other languages would educate me and benefit me academically, but I would also be able to socially interact with more people and help develop a social life in college.

Everything will work out fine. You have to put in effort, both in high school and college, but no matter where you go, the resources can be found. Whether it be professors with innumerable connections to help you network, the perfect courses to inspire your creativity and spur you into a new path, facilities and technology to enable your passions, or just friends to push you along the way and show you what you can achieve; it's all there. Be passionate about something, but don't worry if it changes over time; college is for growing. It'd be great to leave school with a guaranteed job, but if you learn things (both technical knowledge and practical skills) and have a record of what you've accomplished, you'll be able to succeed. Networking. The biggest thing you can do, and one of the easiest. Just make positive impressions and you'll continue to impress and meet new people. You never know if that guy you met once for an interview will recommend you somewhere - you might not be perfect for his job, but he can put you in contact with the right people. Good luck!