University of Washington-Seattle Campus Top Questions

I would say: "Elizabeth, congrats on finishing high school. I'm talking to you now in order to help you avoid the same mistakes I made as a college student. Here's the first thing: I can't stress enough the importance of joining clubs, internships, and organizations on campus. Not only will this help you make friends, but it will help you perform better in your classes and help you get into grad school (yes, you're going to grad school!). Secondly, take advantage of your professor's office hours. Again, there is no better way to do well in class than to get personalized advice from your teachers after hours - plus you can ask teachers for graduate school references if you get to know them. And finally, spend your time doing extra reading! You want to be a philosophy professor. You need to get yourself familiarized with as much academic philosophy as possible because finding jobs and grants in your field is pretty competitive. The sooner you can get ahead of the game the better. If you keep these things in mind, you will make this whole process much easier!"

Be better organized, as time management will make you or break you. There are only 24 hours in a day and getting things accomplishment in a timely manner is the only way to survive. Procrastination will not be tolerated, and sleep is of little importance if good grades are the goal. It is imperative to speak up, get involved in classroom discussion, exhibit energy and passion in the topics at hand. This mindset creates inner happiness and personal drive to produce success. Being involved in leadership positions, volunteer activities, sports/teaming groups, and employment opportunities create a well rounded person. The many friendships and multitude of learning opportunities enhance personal development. This is the college way and stepping up has got to be the mantra to obtain all possible from one’s education.

If I was given an opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would encourage myself to listen and take heed to my parents advice, by prioritizing my time to better organize my academic needs before hanging out with my friends in the community; I would listen harder in class as the teachers are teaching, take better detailed notes and be sure to ask questions when I don't completely understand how to work a math problem; I would encourage myself to get more involved in community service projects while being a member of several merit-based clubs/organizations, which would provide me a better pay off when applying for various college scholarships; I would encourage myself to keep my bedroom at home in a more organized manner by learning to appreciate many space-saving gadgets; I would encourage myself to get better acquainted with the "nerds" outside of my social circle and allow the "popular crowd" within my social circle to disassociate themselves with me... It's a blessing in disguse.

I would advise myself to take advantage of all of the extracurriculars and resources my university had to offer in order to get the most out of my education. While I was in college, all I did was take my required classes and nothing else. I even lived off-campus, so as soon as my classes were over for the day, I went back home. I wish I would've put more effort into trying out clubs or other organizations so that I would've made friends and experienced a lot more. I also wish I would have used the academic and career resources my university offered for free while I attended. I think I would have had a better idea of what I was going to do after I graduated with my degree if I had talked to counselors and my professors more about my goals and aspirations.

Put your faith and personhood first to benefit perspective and relationships. Consider skills and gifts. Regard adversity as an opportunity to learn, grow, and give kindness. Demonstrate empathy and compassion, and participate with loved ones. Confide burdens to credible people. Socialize with people whom you admire to improve. Accept necessary endings, and move forward. Put a process and timeline to indecision, and respect yourself enough to forgive and move on from people who mistreat you. Value sustainable self-care. Say no to that which opposes instinct or character, but adventure beyond comfort zones and transcend group boundaries to connect, network, and achieve. Talk less about yourself, write, inquire, and listen more. Encourage others. Regarding love, be honest even if you feel scared or might lose all: Tell them how you feel, ask for what you want, and ask what they need. Let them choose. Share your life. Ask for help, and contemplate and reflect in solitude. Place yourself in community spaces, volunteer, and scale life beyond you. Laugh, play, and do fun things. Give thanks. Manage your time wisely with an ear to the ground for your future, which inevitably means leaving your world better off for those you love.

If I can go back and talk to my high school self the advice that I would give myself would be to pick classes wisely. It seems pretty general and sort of obvious, but it is very important to take courses based on your interests. It also makes transitioning into college easier because you get to take classes with people of similar interest so making friends won't be such a challenge. The classes won't make you feel so overwhelmed. It's not like high school where counselors put together your schedule, in college you have full control of it. Also, knowing what you are interested in and getting a sense of where you want to head in life would be of great advantage in college. College is no longer a time to decide what you want to do, it is the time that you start doing! Picking the right classes could help you get into the major that you want. College would be a much more enjoyable experience if you're learning about something you are actually passionate about.

I'm in my first months of college and things are getting stressful already. I wish I had prepared for the financial burden. If I could go back and talk to myself senior year, I would strongly encourage myslef to apply for every scholarhsip. Worrying about money instead of chemistry test is not productive. When you have to worry and cry about not having money for textbooks and food, it is not easy to concentrate on classes, joining student organizations and enjoying college. I would tell myself "Be smart now or you will regret it forever". If I had scholarhsips my college experience would have been better, I would have been able to afford living on campus instead of communting two hours and I would have more time to focus on learning.

I know you've got a full plate and the future is looming over you. I wish I could give you some advice to make everything easier, instead I'll give you some advice to make things harder: "the only way to know where your limits are, is to push yourself past them." Don't be afraid to reach. In Tae Kwon Doe, one of the first things they taught you was how to take a fall, and that's an important lesson to learn for life. Face rejection and failure head-on; they're both inevitable and you can grow a thicker skin in the meantime. Apply for everything that you can: scholarships, prestigious universities, jobs and internships. The worst thing that they can say is no, and you have so much to gain. Come out to your parents, it will be scary and hard, but you'll feel better afterwards. They say you never know unless you try, so don't be weak. Don't confuse humility with cowardice. Reach!

Take as many AP classes as possible Apply to more, and less competitive, schools Eat more ice cream.

Unlike high school, college has lots of distractions. Remember the goal, whether it is to find a good job after graduating from college, to learn a subject well, or to network with other people. Focus on your goal. Still, keep relaxation in mind. Rest is for the further road in front of you, but do not get lost in the field. If you feel difficult to survive, utilize the resources available. They can be your instructors, classmates, alumni, school utilities, libraries, labs, and etc. The Internet is useful, too. Think, and you might find a way to go through the hard time toward your goal. Best wish.

I would sit myself down and insist on a conversation about likes and dislikes. I think that this would lead to passions and life goals, which is a hard focus when you are 18 years old. I would make it clear to my past self that its truely important to study something that is important to you and not just something that will make you secure financially. I would also stress the importance of money and staying on a budget while you are in college. It is very easy to take out loans while you are in school but you need to be aware of the implications that this will have. Becoming financially responsible is a part of growing up and college is a great way to facilitate that.

I would look her right in the eye and say, "Girl, you need to listen to your parents, teachers, and counselors, they know whats best for you. Stop trying to just squeeze by. You make good grades, but you're taking the easy courses. You're capable of much more. Don't settle for Business English and Math, take English IV. Learn how to write that paper, some day you will wish you had. Get all you can from your classes. Just because you can make B's and C's without studying doesnt mean you shouldn't work hard to get all A's. You may not want to go to college when you graduate, but one day you will, and you will wish you had gotten all you could out of this year. It's fun to be a social butterfly, but one day you will wish you had been that little book worm. You will wake up one day with 3 kids to take care of by yourself. Dream big and achieve all you can now, while your young and your mind is open to learning and not clouded by this crazy world around you."

I would tell my high school senior self to try my absolute hardest, and do not slack off on any type of work in any classes. I would say to join as many clubs and extra curricular activities as I qualified for, and to branch out because that will help when you get to college life. I would also tell her to apply and research more than just one school and explore options as far as majors go. I would tell her it's okay to be unsure and to go in as an undeclared. I would say to do your best and to not fear what the future holds, but to embrace it. Most of all, I would tell her to enjoy high school because she will miss it once she's done but to also enjoy college because it's the last step before starting your own real world life.

I would tell myself to stop and smell the flowers. Also, appreciate your family even though they might not necessarily understand the kind of arduous road you are heading down when aspiring to become a doctor. I very much enjoyed my time in college and had fun through it all, but sometimes there would be low points in school where I would put myself down if I did not meet my expectations. This caused me to always work; relentless in my studying and attacking the books. Whether this made me more knowledgeable or not I cannot prove, but I do believe I know myself well enough now that when I becomed burdened with anxiety, my test scores will falter; and sadly that is the only measurement schools have when defining your aptitude. My advice to myself would be to slow down and relax. College is one of the best times of your life and you only have one opportunity to live through it while you are young. Gaining wisdom about life is the true measure of knowledge

Life is good after high school. Have a steady job, a family and a house. But that Bachelor's degree would make life even better. Think about the possibilities once you have a bachelor's degree. The doors that will open for you, the greater the opportunities it there will be. Starting college right about high is the best option for a, no....the only option for a better life! Dont believe the "I'll take a year off and then go back to school" theory. It wont work. Once you have that itch for making money working a daed end job, it'll comsume you. Starting college right after will give you the edge and chance to accomplish greater things at a younger age. It will be easier for you, right out of high school, you'll still have that school-mentality and not the "I have to work because I need money" mentality. Other have tried, I have tried and I am not 29 years of age, barely starting University. The greatest school accomplishment at the age of 29 I have to show, is a high school diploma. Dont make the same mistake twice. Good luck in college!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior; I would tell myself to focus on your career and make a better life for yourself!!

First of all I will tell myself to quit messing around. How hard or how much easier the future can be will be determined by what you do today. Success is not something that just happens over night or in a few months let alone a couple of years, it is a life time pursuit. You must begin now for the future. You can not erase what happen's and replace your regrets. Life is not all about you, its about something much greater than yourself. You will have a wife and children to love and care for, you will have a family that will depend of you to provide for them the necessities of life you will have enormous responsibilities lying ahead. It is the one with greater knowledge that will be far better prepared for the storms life, the more you learn know and apply, the far better of you will be, so with more knowledge comes endless options. Do you desire a safe more secure future?!

Oh Past Self. If only you could see a glimpse of your future self, would you be able to believe that eventually you will someday be me? I do not want to spoil the excitement of the life experiences you are about to encounter as you enter university life. However, there are some suggestions you should consider as you begin to have independent thought and begin to make your own choices while you are outside of your parents’ home. I strongly advise you to begin reading and asking questions about what you know and those new things being taught to you. Outside of your course work, study different cultures and beliefs. Do not be afraid to explore your own beliefs as you experience streams of consciousness. Accept who you are and be open to new ideas as you encounter them. Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to draw different conclusions compared to those beliefs found by the ones you love. Trust yourself, be involved and offer what you have to your community. You will discover a love and passion you could never have imagined. Keep this in mind, and your college experience will be everything you need to learn and grow.

I know you are scared but let this school sweep you off your feet. Don't let your fear of stretching yourself too thin prevent you from joining all of those clubs you were interested in at the begininning of freshman year. Not everything you do has to directly relate to science or medicine for it to be worthwhile. Maybe you will find a new passion and that time you spend smiling because of it will be time that you remember better than that one math exam you got an A on. College is a time to explore so keep your goals in mind but be open to falling in love with something unexpected. You took classes with the same people for years but now, your classmates change every three months so by getting involved in a club, you can have some constancy in your friends. You will make great friends in your classes but make the effort to stay friends after the quarter is over. On a different note, invest in some rain boots. I know Toms are cute but your feet will get soaked in the rain.

Hey Eric, Now that you are about to graduate high school, I have a few tips on furthering your education. First off, stay organized and dont loose your paperwork -especially loan paperwork and transcripts! Speaking of loans, you really don't want to take out any. That means your going to have to step up the scholarship searching. Try campusdiscovery.com's scholarship, its a good start! Trust me, a few years down the road when you have a third the debt of your friends, you will thank me (yourself). Also, I know you really want to move out of state for school, but it may be good to think about sticking closer to home; tuition is crazy expensive for out of state students and it is really nice to have mom and dad close enough to use their washer and dryer! Lastly, don't sweat it when you change your major four times. I did and I'm still getting along fine. Trust me, you think you know what you want to be when you grow up but as you do, that will change. College is about learning more about who YOU are!