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.