University of Wisconsin-Madison Top Questions

"Laura, I know you can't wait to get out of your tiny, overcrowded house but you're going to miss your sisters, and you'll even miss your overprotective parents! Don't be so eager to leave; take the time to enjoy your family's company and remember to call them once in a while. Mom gets really worried about you. Don't try to completely erase your past; reinventing yourself will only make you feel lost. I know you don't believe it yet, but you're pretty and you're smart. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. Have a little more confidence in yourself and don't be afraid to talk to the cute boy sitting behind you in Psych class. He's a really nice guy. Some days when you'll feel so stressed you'll want to cry, but a late-night excursion to the lake with your friends will make you feel a lot better, I promise. Just trust in God the way you used to and study hard! Oh and don't nap before work. You won't wake up in time for your shift."

If I could go back in time and speak to my high school self, I would tell myself to get more involved with and aware of international affairs. I would tell myself to stop caring about what other people think, because in college I would be able to be myself without feeling judged or different. I would ask myself to please not wear that bright blue ugly dress I wore for Junior year prom. I would tell myself to lay-off the late-night pizza freshman year of college. And most importantly, not to worry, because everything will work out and that I will be truly happy and successful at Wisconsin.

I am very lucky because I loved my college experience. I went from a small private school, to a fairly large public high school, and then to a much larger Big Ten University. I think the best advice I received before I selected my school and transitioned to living out of state was from my AP English teacher. Mrs. Peterson said, “You have to pick a place where you can see yourself.” Whether or not this advice impacted my final decision it was certainly the most memorable and one I have shared with others. I pictured myself on the Wisconsin campus and I could see myself living and learning there. Looking back I would also remind my high school self to take advantages of opportunities. These words of wisdom are not extremely original, but I would remind myself that you never know how the relationships you make will support you in the future. Making friends in the dorms, trying out recreational sports, getting a part time job, and varying studying location with a study partner are all activities which facilitate personal growth and build networks. These networks make a large campus community feel smaller and more connected.

Take more AP classes in high school so I can earn credit for college. It will make the corse load easier. There will be less time spent on general classes, and more time focusing on my major.

My schedule was filled with AP courses. On some days, I didn't even have lunch. My friends thought I was crazy, but I justified myself by saying "I'm preparing myself for college." Now that I'm in college, I realize that I overworked myself in high school, unnecessarily pushing myself to the extreme limit. Of course, my intensive courseload probably helped me get into my desired university, but it also had a detrimental effect on my GPA - it does not reflect the student I really am. If I were to advise my high-school self, I would say to relax. Instead of finishing my school's entire core cirruculum, I should add some breaks in my schedule to make sure that not only am I taking challenging courses, but I also have enough time to excel in them. Because of my choices in high school, I now qualify to finish my four-year degree in two years. But that's not something you want to do - college isn't a place to pass through as quickly as possible, but a place to realize your true identity and what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Looking back at my senior self I would give myself a few pieces of advice. The most crucial bit is to have self responsibility, theres no parents pushing you to go to class or do your work. Going to class was at first the toughest obstacle due to the increase in responsibility. I would most definitley recommend not taking an online math course in my first semester (specifically college level algebra). Overloading your courses and taking core classes and requisites early on in college was not a great choice. It places unnessecary stress on a brand new student. Honestly I didnt really talk to many people about the academic aspects of college so therefore I was unprepared. I should've asked about what classes to take and how to approach my schedule. The last few words of counseling I would tell my past self is to go into the whole experience with an open mind and enjoy the wonderful experience that is college.

The most important information that should be given to students leaving high school and entering college, is that the lifestyle is radically different. You enter an extremely different atmosphere that centers around you making all of your own decisions and figuring out your own life. Finances can be very difficult, so remember that too. There is a very large emphesis on making you responsible to attend class, know the material, and receive good grades. Many students aren't held responsible for similar things in high school, and that is much different in college. The caliber of learning and tests are exponentially higher, and you must really make an effort to push yourself to do well and stay on top of everything. I know that I didn't really try in high school, and entering college was a huge wake-up call. Because you are on top of your own lifestyle, it because extremely easy (and temptating) to just slack off to lounge and enjoy your life. College can be an truly helpful and unforgettably amazing experience, but it has to be done right. So remember to enjoy your time, but know that it's not free.

I didn't have many choices of where to go due to my annxiety and depression. It caused me to go to a community college instead of a four year. Even though I regret not being able to go to a four year college, I think the desicion to go to a two year was excellent finacially. My family isn't really in the position to help pay, since my dad runs his own construction company and my mom is retierd from the U.S. Postal Service. Neither of them attended college and wasn't prepared for the financial investment for my education. Since i'm only in my second semester, I can't say a lot about college. If I had to give myself any advice it would be to go to a community college, then transfer to a well respected university to get my bacholer's degree. Hopefully the path i've chosen is the right one. Only time will tell.

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I have learned that what you put into your college experience is what you get out of it. If you choose to take a class solely because it is easy, you will not learn. If you take a class because you love the topic or professor, then that class is the one you will remember when you graduate. Take risks in college, whether it is joining a dance class even though it scare you or answering a question in a four hundred person lecture hall even though you are not sure of the answer. Also, continue activities you did in college, such as sports, writing, or music, because this could help you adjust to a new environment. Most of all, ask questions, because that is when opportunities will arise. Ask the financial aid office for scholarships if you need help; ask your academic advisor about internships in your field; ask your friend how they got into the school's honor society. You must always be your advocate, because no one will until you prove you are worth it.