University of Washington-Seattle Campus Top Questions

I would advise my eighteen year old self to take control of stress. Stress can be the spark that lights the fire of motivation. Or, the taunting devil on one’s shoulder. The difference is mentality. One cannot eliminate stress from their life; it is a fact of life. Applying to colleges, keeping up with classes, and being a competitive athlete was a good learning experience. I used stress as a motivator, and I am very happy with the result. I was a Division I athlete at University of Washington my freshman year, and now I focus full time on school and work. I should have been grateful for the opportunity, instead of fretting about possible rejection. Needless to say, I spent the remainder of my senior year stressing about getting into college, even after I sent in my applications. Complete. Waste. Of. Energy. I realize in hindsight that it distracted me from my classes, as well as robbing me from enjoying the fruits of my labor. I don’t have a time machine, so my only option is to implement this advice going forward. Stress can be an undermining force or a source of strength.

It is difficult to know exactly what I would say to myself as a high school Senior because it took me 10 years after that to realize that higher education was a necesisity and something I would be successful in. I would tell myself to continue to work hard at the things that I am pasionate about and spend more effort in trying to make college and my studies a priority. I am grateful for my experiences but wish I had someone to cheer me on and tell me how important college would be to me one day. I would want my younger self to understand that college would give me opportinities to interface with people that can help me succeed in the career of my choice. The straight A students in high school are NOT the only students that will be successful in college. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it is aboslutely possible for you.. or myself to be successful in College. Just go for it!

Don't be afraid of your own potential. Start a business. Tell her how you feel. Start longboarding. Stop adapting and just be who you are. Say no. Start a group on facebook for those coming to UW who go to high schools in the area to create a network.

Dear High School Self, Your mind is full of 'what ifs.' What if this isn't the best college for me? What if I'm not smart enough for college? I am here to tell you to stop. Stop stressing about the 'what ifs.' You worked hard to get to where you are today and you need to take a moment to be proud of yourself. Now, here are a few key things to remember to be successful in the transition to college. First, make sure to set goals that are for yourself and not anyone else. It is YOUR life, and you are the only person that knows what will make you happy. Secondly, push yourself outside your box. That can mean anything from participating in study abroad to trying rock climbing. Don't let your fears hold you back from things you may fall in love with. Finally, make sure to enjoy yourself. College is as much for personal growth as it is for academic growth. You will discover who you are in college, so don't get your nose too stuck in those books. Go out there and rock this whole college thing! Love, Future self

I would tell myself to start saving a lot of money because college is really expensive. I would also tell myself to study harder and always do my own work instead of using a friend on some assignments.

If I could somehow communicate with my high school self, I would emphasize, more than anything, that I devote myself to my schoolwork. I thought I was a "smart" kid, who could maintain good grades with minimal work. Out of that mindset, awful habits develloped that really crippled my college career. UW demands much from its students, and that high school attitude would not prepare me at all for what was to come. That being said, there are many opportunities that will present themselves in college that are not at all as exciting as you might think them to be. Stay away from drugs. Above all else, say no to drugs. The mystery and danger they present might be alluring, but they are nowhere near as exciting as you expect them to be, and not at all worth the cost. Not only are they financially taxing, they place a physical and mental burden on you that is not only unnecessary but also extremely difficult to overcome. In the end, you won't feel any wiser or more experienced for having experimented with them. Certainly go out and make friends, but always ensure that school comes first.

After completing my Fall Quarter at the University of Washington, I flew home to my hometown, San Clemente. Visiting my high school and speaking with my high school friends, I gave them one important piece of advice. In high school I was always concerned with what people thought and how successful I would be. However, after being in college, I told my friends that none of that matters. The most important thing to do is to be yourself and do what you want to do. Ultimately you are in control and whatever you choose to do, you have the opportunity to be successful.

As a child on family hikes, I loved to follow rabbit trails off the main path. Usually, they dead-ended with blackberry bushes, but sometimes I made jaw-dropping discoveries, like a giant, abandoned tree house. By high school, I had forgotten how to follow rabbit trails. I was on an honors track, involved in Wind Ensemble, and church activities. I assumed once I began college, I would be a real adult who knew exactly where she was going. Actually, college is much more about accepting that you will always be a person in progress. It's about goals and exploration, ambition and flexibility. College broke down many assumptions about myself, the order of things, and what success should look like. I switched my career path from music to social work to English. Writing a poem abroad at the coliseum and helping children make paper machete balloons were my unexpected tree house moments. These moments have led me to where I am now in pursuing Elementary teaching. Now, I would say: high school self, don't be afraid of rabbit trails. You will never have everything figured out. Embrace the messiness of an unknown journey. Enjoy the person you become.

If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to prepare for college in advance. I would have done much more research and tried applying to more scholarships. I would decide much earlier in advance what I wanted to study and what I wanted to become. I would do this so that I could do more research on what goals I have to accomplish and what requirements I have to meet. In general, I would tell myself to be more prepared.

You need to sit down and think about your future and what it is going to take to get there. Because your parents have not attended college, you do not have the same guidance as other kids on how to prepare for college and what to do once you get there. You have big aspirations, and with those big aspirations come a lot of hard work and thorough planning. Doing your research is very important on what it takes to become a doctor and the standards that come along through your education. Knowing what is coming will help tremendously so you won't start college without a clue what you are doing. If you knew what to expect, then you will not waste time and money. Most importantly, you will know the importance of grades and studying and how dire they are to your success as a doctor and even just getting into medical school. Advice for anyone getting ready to go to college is to know what you want and take it very seriously because it is a whole new world completely different from high school.