University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

Stop stressing it. I can remember going through high school, always looking at the future, worrying about what effect each decision and action I made would have. If my grades would be good enough, if I was in enough extracurriculars, what my references would be. Even after my college acceptance I worried about every little thing such as orientation and what other students would be bringing on move-in day. Looking back now I understand that all those things were necessary and part of the process, but I would've liked to have had the assurance that it would all work out. I know we tell ourselves that it will, but we never really know until we actually make the decision and have to accept the consequences. Another thing I would've liked to known back then was that high school does not define you. Once we set a precedent about our personality, such as with me and being "shy", people tend to treat us in a certain way. It feels impossible to break the stereotypes others form about us, and yet it is possible. In college you can redefine yourself and show others the person you want to be.

Take psychology classes and figure out your major faster. Do more research oriented extracurriculars and join a hotline/ counseling program. Take time out and see the sights during the first and second years because the pace picks up during the third and fourth.

Not to use the word freshman. That screams novice. We say first years. Thomas Jefferson believed you never stop learning, so I even know some fifth years! Also, we say grounds instead of campus. Those two terms are vital.

Do not just speak up but speak out. Act on initiatives where the outcome is yet unknown and make it your own. Be electrifying. In your fourth year of college, your mentor, Dean Muth, advised you on your Student United: Bring Back the Spanish Minor campaign and put you in touch with a fearless Dean Laurie Casteen in the office of the dean of students. Dean Muth taught you how to fight for your initiative and also fought with you as we weighed concerns about finances and considered alternative options before exhuming the Spanish minor lying in moratorium. With his support, you investigated and spear-headed the cause, assembled with students to hear their stories, convened with both the director of the Spanish program as well as Student Council to develop and draft a proposal for alternative solutions, and published your views and findings in the campus-newspaper, The Cavalier Daily. You trembled with fixed determination to impact student affairs on your campus. Here’s your chance to get involved from day one. There is promise behind your words to cast startling, provocative impressions. Take the risk and dare to stand your ground.

Try harder! World of Warcraft is fun, but college is going to be some of the most important years of your life and you need to prepare yourself. Focus on your classes, study up on scholarships and admissions requirements, and above all else get yourself that Bright Futures Scholarship! It would have helped us out a lot. And when you finally do get into college, focus and make it your priority! If you graduate in the minimum two years, you'll be that much closer to your dream career and you won't have wasted any time. That's key! Enjoy your youth, but make sure that having fun doesn't become your only priority. Always keep your head pointed forward and make a bee-line for your future! And don't slack off once you graduate, either! Always be working forward!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to explore my options and seriously think about my interests and goals. College should not be something you feel like you have to do, but something you want to do to learn, explore, and to help prepare yourself for the future. I was convinced I had to go, and had to go to the best name school I could get in to for my family and my own pride. I was lucky enough to find a place at UVA, and am much more appreciative of this now, but I wish I had done the research beforehand to prepare myself better for what I wanted to do with my college career. I found myself unsatisfied partway through my undergraduate degree, and it was primarily my own lack of understanding of my college and myself. I would also tell myself to speak up, to get involved in things that might make me feel uncomfortable, and to be open to discussions as much as possible. Attending college should be a very active, engaging experience. The more it is, the more you get out of it.

To High School Julie: Getting the best grades and making sure you're trying your hardest is always going to be important no matter what but don't forget about your dreams. There are going to be a lot of obstacles and setbacks that you're going to face once you start college. Think of being a small fish in a big pond. Don't worry! You're going to find great friends who are going to help you through the tough times that you encounter. You're family will be there for you whenever you need it. Remember to keep doing what you love and you will see that hard work pays off. There will be tears, anger, and long nights at the library but just know that life isn't supposed to be easy. It's hard going to a college where you're competing with the best of the best and it will seem like you're best isn't good enough. That's not true! This transition will only make you stronger and you will be able to get through it. College Julie

Hi! My life at the University is the most important thing right now. It's all about my future and so I wake up every morning for him. Study and take advantage of every opportunity given to me to study what I want. Although I'm going to honest sometimes not so easy to follow and study some classes because they are so strong. Thinking that I'll stay without neurons, bald and lifeless. But I always think I have to see the fruits that grow first, and so was able to overcome all that stress I have. So although I do not give because everything in this life is a process and with it we learn the things we need to move forward in our goal. Finally I want to be like Don Quixote continued his love Dulcinea, but in this case I follow my heart leads me to my dream.Sorry to take you on a literary journey just wanted you know that will not stop if I have to believe and fight for what I also do it although it is not strong or fast as wonderwoman. I am the Heronia of my story are my studies.

As many students from my high school attended the same college as me, I ended up choosing a roommate who I had been friends with all through high school. While other people's predictions of us hating each other haven't come true, I wish I had opted for a random roommate. While it might make me more nervous and shy for a short time, it would force me to immediately start hanging out with a different group of friends.

I would remind myself to get decent grades, and no matter what GO TO COLLEGE and finish!! Find a school where you could do Physical Therapy, and get help with the Anatomy class. Not to blow off classes, when you are going to college! Having fun is good, but when you can't find a job in 25 years, the degree will help you.