University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

The transition to college, I would tell my high school self, is unusual but do-able. Of course, college presents many temptations that do not exist in the 9-12 environment. Especially in a suite-style dorm like mine now, there are conversations, TV shows, and video games that you feel like you NEED to be a part of, though you have work to do. So, I would tell myself that it's NOT as easy as you think to get work done in the common room; find a nice, quiet place to knock out a bunch of work and avoid the multitasking that turns a 30-minute assignment into three hours. The library, specifically, makes it feel more like homework is your job, not just something in the way of TV, so you can focus better. Having said that, I would like to tell myself not to stress out about the workload that college courses carry. Yes, there is a bunch of work. But you have plenty of time to do it, plus nobody on your back about getting it done. College is overall very liberating compared to high school, and as a result, much more enjoyable.

If I had the opportunity go back and time to share what I?ve learned after my first semester of college, I?d advise myself to put more thought into where I applied. When applying to college, I spent a lot of time considering the reputation and ranking of the school overall, as opposed to examining the individual departments within the university. I wish someone had advised me to spend more time looking at the departments and classes relevant to the majors I was considering. That would?ve given me a more specific glimpse of the academic life at each school. I?d also advise myself to visit more colleges my senior year to personally witness the different dynamics of college life. After all, academics are only one dimension of the college experience. My time at college is also defined by the times I spend in out in the town, in the libraries, around the campus, and with the types of students that go there. Although I am content with my college choice, I would?ve applied to different colleges if I had this advice. My friends that didn?t enjoy their first semester could?ve used it as well.

I thought that I knew everything there was to know about everything, so I figured college was going to be easy. If I could give myself any advice my senior year it would definitely have to be to take more initiative in high school so that when I get to college I wouldn't get shell shocked. In high school, whenever there was deadline or any assignment due the teacher would give a nice reminder either verbally or written on the board. In college, at the beginning of the semester you are given a syllabus with due dates and very important information on it and that is it.There is no one "holding your hand" or "checking to make sure that you are doing the work on time." It was definitely a growing experience and it taught me to be more organized as well as taking the initiative when it comes to doing anything in life. If anything, my college experience so far has taught me that "If I reach for the stars, I will never fall short from the moon!!"

The overall mood throughout senior year among us upcoming graduates was all the same: we were sick of high school, sick of living at home, and way too excited to begin college as new people. ?College? implied so many wonderful things, which left no room for the negatives that we would all inevitably encounter as freshmen. Move-in day and the first week of college were new, exciting and overall very happy. The negatives didn?t arise until the novelty of college wore off, and the negatives arrived all too quickly. I don?t mean to say that college itself has been a negative experience, but it has taught me many valuable lessons.The most overlooked factor about college is the homework. During my first semester of college, I spent no less that two to three hours on homework daily- something that I never did in high school. This realization was nothing short of being thrown into a freezing pool of water, so the best advice I could have given myself or anyone else shortly before starting college is to mentally prepare for the intense amount of homework, but also for a wonderful life learning experience.

Stop worrying about what others think. If you live your life with an emphasis on how things will ?look on paper?, you will make hollow decisions! Even though, everyone else in your high school attends the universities in Florida, it doesn?t mean that they shouldn?t be considered. People from each state attend their respective universities because it is more economical. Don?t try to prove that you are better than them by attending an out-of-state university. Secondly, apply for more scholarships; don?t worry so much about the name of the school, as the form you?ll pay for it. The financial situation is dire three years from now. So attend the school that gives you the most money. As long as you have good grades, you will be accepted to great colleges, so don't stress the small things. There is one last thing you need to do. It doesn?t matter what university you attend. What matters is what you do when you are there. When you finally find your calling remember to be the best at it. As long as you are passionate, energetic, and doing something that you love, you will succeed!

If I could go back in time to give myself advice, I would tell myself to remember that people like me for who I am. My high-school-senior-self was very worried that it would be hard for him to make friends. I was going to the University of Virginia from Chicago, and I was not going to know a soul on campus. I worried that the person that I had been in high school would be unable to make friends at college. Also, I feared that I might not find other students who had a passion for the things that I did; music, theatre, and business. When I arrived at UVA, however, I found that I had nothing to fear. I made friends quickly with the guys in my dorm, many of whom had the same fears that I had. I found that people at UVA liked the same person that people in Chicago had liked. Finally, I was able to find clubs and activities right away that catered to my interests. It certainly was a relief! So if I could go back in time I would tell myself ot relax; you'll find good people everywhere.

As a high school senior I felt blocked in: limited by academic stereotypes, clicques, and class choices. I had heard stories of reinventing yourself in college, giving yourself a fresh slate. As nervous as I was about that, I would tell myself that it really is possible. I would say don't stress about the popular kids, at college you'll find your niche and a great group of friends. You will find that the valedictorian can fit in and that her intellect in the classroom does not hinder her social life at all. Don't be afraid to be yourself: that illusive over-used phrase that I have found to be true. I gave myself a fresh start my first year at college - and have since found friendships and happiness I could only have dreamed of in high school. I can accel in my studies without worrying about becoming a nerd because everyone here takes school seriously. And yet I also party with my friends, and nearly always have a lunch date with someone. College is really as good as you've heard, don't give up.

If I could go back in time as a college senior, I would initially make the college application more of a priority. I would focus less on the academic aspects of colleges and more on the social aspects. All colleges can give an individual a good education, its the other aspects that make the experience worthwhile. I would tell myself that the location of the University is very important in choosing where to attend. In reference to the transition between high school and college, the best advice I could give myself would be to spend more time studying for exams. In high school, tests and quizzes were expected weekly and were fairly simple. In college each exam is vital to one's GPA. This fact was stressed, but the point never got across. Finally, I would tell myself to join a club or organization and experience something new. Every university offers clubs with excitings focuses. I wish I had pushed myself to become involved in one and expand my interests.

Monica, You're about to go to college and I just want to tell you a few things. First off dont act like you know everything 'cause guess what you don't. Enjoy first year however second semester you will need to stay on top of everything. That semester is when your whole world will be changed...but for the better. When you enter college I can tell you, you will have no problems making friends and keeping them...that is except for one. But either way your life, and relationship with Josh will be stronger than ever. Dont be afriad to try new things and just be yourself people will love you for you. Between all the activies just make sure you have ample time to study spainsh and actually do it. Your time-management skills will always be on point, so dont worry about not having enough time, just worry about not wanting to do you work and having senioritist. Work on not being so introverited and try to make more of a sence at events. Oh and last thing make sure to save a lot of money for the oncoming years, I forsee an ecomonic crisis ahead.

Dear former senior self, You are about to embark on the exciting journey from high school to college. As your future self I will offer some advice to help make the transition smoother. There are certain areas that provide a challenge for you: advocacy, communication and managing workload. As a person with a physical disability, it is vitally important to perfect your advocacy and communication skills in order to make the most of the university experience. The main difference between educational opportunities in high school as opposed to college is that high schools care about your success and are required to provide adequate resources. In college, one must ask for the resources that will lead to your success, they are not automatically given to you. You must be your own advocate. There are certain steps you can take to prepare for this difference. One step is to take charge of your educational needs in high school by directly communicating with teachers while improving your communication skills. This skill will come in handy when it comes time to confront professors during office hours. Finally, the idiom, don?t bite off more than you can chew is great advice when entering college.