University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Top Questions

I would tell myself to learn as much as you can in those high school years. In one month of college, I felt I had covered everything I learned in high school. I would also say to study and do your best always. It is your primary goal in life in your high school years to go to school and absorb as much information as you can. The possibilities in the future are endless with a broad range of knowledge. I believe the more a student is exposed to the more choices they have in discovering what they want to do in the future. And most importantly, believe in yourself that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind out to do. I firmly believe that you can do any task in life but whatever you do, do it the best you can.

You're going to make mistakes. You're going to make some bad friends, and do poorly in some classes. The trick to succeeding is to not let that get in the way of finding that balance between your academic and social life, because both end up being equally important contributors to your level of success in college. If you're not happy with your social life, often times your academic life suffers, and if you're not doing well academically then you start having a more stressful social life. Love what you're studying. You're looking at 4-5 years of 12-20 hour days, 4-7 days a week. It's going to be incredibly hard to keep up your grades if you hate your major. Grades are especially important these days because of the sheer number of people in college, graduate schools and employers have a fairly broad selection of students to pick from, which means for the sciences you're going to want to keep a GPA of about 3.5 or higher. Add volunteer work, clubs, and internships into the mix and you're looking at a solid resume for when you graduate.

When I was in high school, I worried so much about preparing myself and studying because I thought it was going to be very hard. Looking back now, I wish I could go back and tell myself to calm down. I would tell myself to not worry so much and college would be a good transition in my life. I also wish I could have told myself that making friends would not be as hard as I thought it would be; and leaving my old friends did not mean that I would never see them again. I was one of those girls who worried about everything and had to be organized. They helped me become who I am today, but sometimes I wish I had been a little more relaxed and had enjoyed my time while I was still at home. I would definintely tell myself to have more fun and make myself happy. But most of all I would tell myself to keep up the good work and let myself know that it will pay off in college.

Dear whoever you want to be, today is just like any other day of your life. Trust me the next few years will go fast. Right now you might think that all the work you do is pointless in high school. I know how that feels, life doesn't seem to reall until your on your own, but I realize now that when you turn your cheek to reality, you lose the sense of what will take place in your future. High school is where you gain all of your own stratagies and tactics to how you will thrive in college and the rest of your life. It may not seem important now, but when the time comes to actually live life, you'll learn to respect the time you spent developing the skills you're using in the present.

I would advise myself to look into getting more scholarships and grants as I am now very far in debt with loans and am only half-way through school. I also would have advised myself to think more about what I really wanted to do with my life because not knowing when you first start college really puts you behind in graduating and in finances. I would advise all high school seniors to create and follow your own dreams and not do what your parents push you to do.

I would have opted to stay in the dorms instead of living at home, because its a lot easier to meet people that way. Also i would have applied for more scholarships because college is a lot more expensive than it first seems. Lastly i would have looked up my entire path to becoming what i wanted to become so there would be no surprises along the way and i could plan more accordingly.

Everyone talks about college being a time of self-discovery- and it is. However, that doesn't mean you should enter college without goals. Take time to think about what you are passionate about and determine which careers might incorporate that passion. If you are unsure, talk to career services and see if they have questionnaires to help you find your interest. So many students spend a lot of time and money taking classes that don't ultimately help them to reach their goals. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, find out what you need to do to get there. Some programs require certain GPAs, others look at volunteer experience, others want letters of recommendation from professors, many graduate programs require taking the GRE, etc. Take some time to talk with your professors-- office hours are there for a reason! Even if you just have one question of clarification, you are showing them that you care. Finally, once you know what you really want to do, don't give up! Some classes are very challenging, but that doesn't mean you've chosen the wrong field. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self that the going to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the best decision you will ever make. I would encourage my senior self to always put my education first and to always make responsible decisions. I would encourage him to get good grades by using a diverse amount of study strategies, making friends in class, and always establishing a good relationship with his professors. The biggest piece of advice I would give my younger self is that he must be financially responsible and should save money at every chance possible. Other than that, I would praise my high school self for all the hard work he's done and reassure him that he will grow more as a young man than he ever could imagine.

Dear Self, Make a list of all the schools you want to attend and creat a pro and con list. Among the pros and cons make sure the items most essential to you are available at the university you choose. Tap into resources at the campus of choice early because it is FREE! Also, start working on your resume and searching for internships your freshman year of college. The economy is tough and you will need work experience in your field of choice before your degree is complete. Most jobs require a minimum of 2 years experience in the field in order to apply. Also, take advantage of opportunities on campus through the Office of Multicultural Affairs. There are free events to participate in confrences and workshops in the Midwest and across the nation.

Katie, As a high school senior, remember college is just the next step along the path of life. Pick the college that will make you happy and choose to be happy there. Get involved on campus, join clubs and meet new people. The best times you may have will involve the people you meet your freshman year so be open. Be willing to meet new people and don't be afraid to be yourself and let others see who you really are. Don't worry, you'll find your niche and the people who accept you, and most likely those will be the ones who become lifelong friends. Make opportunities for yourself. Don't be afraid to talk to your professors or ask for help, they are there to help and are more than willing. Overall, make the most out of your time at college and enjoy this step of your life, you won't regret it. Love, Katie

I would tell myself to spend more time in the library, that it would not be the end of the world if I had to stay in one weekend to make sure I get a better then decent grade on my tests. I would tell myself to apply for on campus jobs in advance, and not wait until the last minute because then they are already filled. I would also tell myself to apply for more scholarships, because my mother works very hard to support two children on her own, and does not have all the money in the world to keep sending me money every month for non school related expenses.

If I could speak to my high school self, I would tell her to not be afraid when she finally leaves home. I was so scared when I got to Eau Claire because I knew no one. I mostly stayed shut up in my room, hiding from the world, asking myself why I even came to college. This culture shock was really getting to me, until classes started. Although I was not great at meeting people, I excelled in the classroom. Through classes, I started to meet many people. I realized that everyone was in the same situation as me, and I decided to take a leap of faith. After the first few weeks, I finally broke from my room and started going to campus events and clubs, where I met even more amazing people. Now, I am constantly meeting new people and think of it as an adventure. It is always nice having a familiar face in the crowd, but when there are none, I learned that it is time to make one. I would tell my past self to go and greet the world because if I do not, then how will I ever truly know it?

I would tell myself that everything gets easier. The first week being away from home is the harderst for everyone, even people who think they don't get homesick. I would encourage myself that no matter how hard it may be, to push myself outside of my comfort zone, get to know new people and get involved on campus. I would also suggest (no matter what my new friends are doing) not to go home for at least two months. Time will fly by and the sooner I get to know my new campus and surrounding community, the sooner I will be able to feel at home in this new place. A final piece of advice I would offer to myself is that although the social aspects are important, remember to make time to concentrate on my studies. Doing all these things will ensure a great experience in my new environment.

I would tell myself to apply for every scholarship that I can. I would also tell myself to not be worried because everything isn't as scary and impossible as it may seem.

If I could travel back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would have so much to say about the new and exciting period of time I would be about to enter. I would tell myself to not worry so much, because I tend to be a big worrier. I feel like I have grown so much in the few years that I have been attending my university. I would tell myself that college does not just stress hard work and dedication but can teach me some of the most important lessons in life. It has taught me both things specific to my major (Education and Spanish), like how important it is to work hands on in areas that interest you, and things that can help you in daily living, like how important it is to contribute to your community and how big of a difference you can make on others. I feel that I had no idea during my senior year of high school how relevant and intriguing college life can be. It would have been comforting for me to know then how wonderfully college life fits me.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that all the stress involved in the college application process is worth it. The ACTs, the numerous college applications, and the scholarship deadlines are overwhelming at first, but in the end college is so worth it. Unlike high school, it's a place where you can be completely independent and not have to worry about what other people think. The ability to be yourself is the greatest reward.

The first thing I'd tell myself is to take every advantage of a situation that would allow me to learn. I might have taken this for granted in the past. Now I know how important it is to learn something new each and every day. I plan on doing this the rest of my life. The next thing I'd tell myself is to seek out leadership roles in school and volunteer organizations. I have done this over the past two years and the experiences have proven to be truly rewarding. I have benefited by developing leadership skills and I have helped others in need. It's truly rewarding to see appreciation on the faces of those less fortunate and to know I might have played a small role in helping someone's day be a little better. I have also benefited by meeting several new people and expanding my circle. This has exposed me to new ideas, cultures and value systems making me well-rounded. I've found it extremely helpful to listen to other points of view. It helps me understand the big picture.

"Well look who showed up," I imagine I'd hear my past-self say with a pompous look plastered on her face. However confident I appeared when concerning my future departure to college, I can't really fool myself. I know underneath that tough exterior I was frightened at the thought of leaving my home, friends, and family to join a mass of underage-drinkers, pretentious brainiacs, and then the curious people like myself. "Look at me now," I'd say to my past-self. "Look at how far you will come! Making the dean's list, declaring an art major--who knew you could make such a big decision?! Don't fret now about the future; take each day as it comes to you. Yes, you will have moments of extreme stress, but look at those times as opportunities to overcome the challenges that life sets before you. Trust me, this valuable skill may be the only thing you learn in college that will apply to life thereafter." If I knew then, what I know now...I wouldn't have had the exciting challenge of adapting to new people, new surroundings...a whole new stage in life.

Prior to attending college, I was all about trying to get a high paying job and attend college to please my parents. Throughout my experience here I have learned more about myself than I ever did in my eighteen years prior. I have learned what my beliefs are in humanity, politics, race, gender and other areas that involve such intellectual depth. I now have changed my goals of college not to just get a diploma that reserves my rights to a well paid occupation, but to develope myself to become the best person I become. I have become a person that does not care so much about pleasing my parents, but about how I can find an area of expertise that truly makes me happy. I want to find an area that I can recieve self-gratification, not just a pay check. For all of this, I have UW- Eau Claire to thank.

The most that I have gotten out of my college experience is a feeling of accomplishment. Also, my substituting teaching job that makes me be proud of myself. I like how students admire me because I feel special. Moreover, a feeling of security at my work place because I have Bachelor degree. Furthermore, I can use the skills that I learned at college to tutor youth at schools. I am enjoying volunteering and helping younger students in successful learning. I am proud that my major is mathematics because I feel needed at schools where I tutor and teach. I am confident that I will achieve my goals as long as I work hard. It is not only been valuable to me that attend college, but is also valuable to diverse students that I can inspire. Youth see me as a role model and it helps them to believe in themselves. Diverse students have a proof that they can make their dreams come true as long as they accept their differences and work through struggles.