University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

Mary, stop worrying about the FAFSA. You?ll figure it out. But don?t blame your parents because they can?t help you with the form. You know they?re working hard and their only dream is to send their daughter to college. Relax. When it?s time to make a decision, remember that the school's quality matters just as much as the financial aid packages you receive. Schools are prestigious for a reason and the networking opportunities are priceless. Even if money is an important concern, consider all factors equally. Above all, don?t judge a school based on its perceived stereotypes. You might be surprised by the diversity that exists within a seemingly homogenous student body. In any case, explore your past and make your voice heard. This means be proud of your background, and use it to change any negative attitudes at your school. Don?t be afraid to use your personal experience as the daughter of immigrants to take a stand on critical issues- in a classroom, a student organization, or among friends. After all, college is a time to discover yourself?and to use your personal narrative to inspire others to do the same.

Dear High School Senior Self, Congratulations on your accomplishments and near completion of high school! The first piece of advice I'd like to give you is to work hard your last semester. Yes, Self, you are probably thinking you are entitled to a little slacking off. However, unless you crack open that Calculus book, your future university might demand an explanation to your grades--stress you don't need. During your first year, the simplest, easiest advice I can give you is this: to be yourself. Certainly allow yourself to grow,; change is fundamentally what molds us and makes us into the adults we become. Be flexible and nonjudgemental in your views on others. But most importantly, also be true to yourself. The first year you may wish to fit in with your peers, but once you leave the freshman dorm you will realize that people like you for who you are, and not for whom you imitate. Do not be afraid to explore multiple areas of your personality. Study abroad! Take risks! And don't you dare take your college experience for granted. Now I only have a year to go, and I miss it already. Carpe diem!

Be committed to being who you want to be and doing what you want to do. With the transition to college comes a great deal of freedom as well as responsibility, and it takes a lot of courage to be undecided, and pursue all interests wholeheartedly. In high school, college was the next natural step in my life, I didn't think about it. You owe it to yourself to THINK. Consider things you have never considered: regardless of how "impractical" or "ridiculous." The transition to college grants you more freedom than you can actually fathom, so take life seriously, but not so seriously that you become afraid to live it exactly as you want. At the end of the day, the only person you are accountable to is yourself, and why not try everything you possibly can? In college you are in pursuit of much more than a degree, you are in pursuit of what is the beginning of your concept of self. The college experience can be taken advantage of in so many ways: it can help you discover who you are, what you love, and what you want to become or do. Let yourself experience your life.

I would tell myself first not to get too excited for college that I miss out on the end of my senior year and spending time with my friends. Next, I would tell myself that the transition is easier if you know a few people before you come. Take advantage of opportunities to find a roommate before coming, and make the most of relationships at orientation. Also, try to rekindle friendships with people you know that are attending your college but you have not talked to in a while. Try new foods before you go to school and be prepared to try new ones once there, or you will have a hard time eating in the dining hall unless you eat the same thing every day. Be familiar with the area before coming to school because when upperclassmen give directions they often forget that freshmen do not know streets and buildings. Lastly, whatever it is that makes you happy and feel like YOU, whether it be a hobby or a favorite shirt, make sure to take that with you. It will be so much easier to transition if you are confident and happy with you.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that God will reveal Himself to me in more ways than I could imagine. I would express my excitement for how much I will grow in my relationship with Him over the next two years with the help of my fellowship group and my incredible, lifelong friends I would make. After talking about my spiritual growth I would bluntly express how all of my worrying and striving for perfection is like dust blowing on the side of the road; it is pointless. I would say how although I am going to college for an education, the most important things are the friends I will make and the personal growth I will experience. To wrap up the conversation I would sympathize with the ?scared to leave the nest? girl and make me realize that so much fun and excitement is just around the corner. Although it is a sad transition, college will be the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will mature into a woman.

Every year a select few college freshman are invited back to our high school to speak to the graduating seniors and give them some advice. My one piece of advice that I would have liked to have is, "give yourself time to adjust and explore." I know lots of people always talk about how college is great and thats all they say. I however, am one the students who is quiet and says everything is fine. The truth is at first I questioned my decision and was shy about making friends. Its not easy to put yourself out there and explore, but with time you gain courage and find that you made your choice for a reason. That reason is different for everyone and it takes time to find. On returning to high school I heard of a girl who left school after two weeks and my friends and I agree that that was a tragedy. Give it one month at least and if you aren't comfortable at first it's okay because we aren't all friendship making machines. College is a time to do what you want and be what you want to be.

There are two things to consider in transitioning from highschool to college. The first is that in deciding on the right college, you need to have a solid grasp on who you are. Why go to a huge D-1 school if you don?t like football? Why go to a small college when you learn better in lectures? Why go to a Southern school if you have no interest in joining a sorority? Your extra-curricular interests, learning style and social preferences are what make you unique. Your choice should reflect that. The second is that you have to go in with the right attitude. It?s normal to be nervous, but don?t let that deter you from trying new things. High school is about figuring out who you are; college is about testing yourself. But I don?t mean seeing how many beer bongs you can do; I mean doing things that you never thought you would and taking advantage of your last four years of freedom. Study abroad, learn a new language, meet all kinds of people and get the very most out of your college experience. College will challenge you; you need to challenge yourself.

If you don't end up at your first choice university, give the one you are attending a chance. The transition from high school to college is difficult, especially if you didn't have to study much in high school and have to learn this skill at university. Take chances on new things and be brave. Get involved in things that really interest you--school clubs, volunteering, jobs--this is a great way to make new friends. Be patient with yourself during the transition and reach out for help when you need it, that's why advisors and RAs are there. Most of all, take advantage of all the things going on around you and enjoy yourself!

Dear High School Kristen, Relax. The classes will be challenging, but you will be able to handle it if you try your best. The girls you will live with next year are going to be great people from whom you will learn a great deal. You are not going to lose touch with your family and friends back home; if anything, you will become closer to them because leaving them will make you realize how much they mean to you. You will also make countless new friends as your college experience plays out. But most importantly, do not worry about that guy you are dating. You are going to part ways soon after you leave for school, but you will realize that a high school relationship cannot compare to a mature, adult relationship. The breakup will hurt a lot, but you will become stronger and learn a valuable lesson. It will take a few months to get over it, but after those months pass you will truly know who you are.

I would tell myself three things: Manage your time, relax and spend your money wisely. I already often look back on my college experience so far and think about the things I could do over or at least wished I had more knowledge of at the time. Managing time is a skill I was not used to in high school because although I was working and involved in clubs and played sports with my friends, I had a lot of free time. I would tell my high school self to practice making set schedules for studying and doing homework and I would tell myself to start reading at least 40 pages a day to get myself used to that kind of reading assignment. I would tell myself that learning to relax is crucial to success in college. Go out more with your friends, take yoga lessons, play more tennis - take it easy and don't be afraid of failure or embarrasment. SAVE YOUR MONEY. This is one of the biggest things I would stress in givning advice to my high school self - budget because you are going to find that this money will be useful in cases of emergency.