University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as high school senior, it would be an interesting experience. I would honestly have little to say, but what I would sayis: ?Enjoy school, and make the most of it. Be outgoing, don?t pass up any opportunities to excel, and do your best. Challenge yourself, and understand that shit happens, but learn from it. Have fun.? I wouldn?t warn myself that I would transfer Universities because I don?t regret going to the University of Wisconsin?Green Bay. I wouldn?t warn myself that I might not like my roommate at the UW ? Green Bay because it was an experience that I am glad I went through, and I wouldn?t warn myself that I might sometimes dread living at home after I transfer because it saved me a hell of a lot of money. Looking back at these past two years, I don?t regret anything I have done because I learned from it and it is part of who I have become. So, if I could go back and talk to myself, I would not warn myself, but encourage myself to be my best.

I would first tell myself to begin my college career early because as people get older, it will be harder for nontraditional students to adjust to college settings, especially when they had been out of school for so long. Next, I would tell myself the large work load that college brings to students who believe college is "just a bigger high school." The hardest part for me to tell myself would be responsibilities for college and making sure I will be on track with all the courses I take throughout my college career even if some courses are not interesting but are needed for graduation. Also, trying to remind myself not to PROCRASTINATE all the time on which I could had been the master of that sad art in my senior year of high school. Last but not least, I will tell myself the positives of college that are given to students. For example, how friendly students are in college compared to high school students, and how information learned are used to make me a better person and a smarter one in the future!

Dear Becky (in 2006) Get a job now! Do not wait until your senior year. You will need the money to afford college. Start volunteering during the summer as well to gain as much experience as you can in the field that you decide on. College is different from highschool. Make close ties with your friends now if you intend to know them for any length of time after highschool. You tend to be more reclusive during college, no matter what they say about parties. So hang on to the friends you have now. College is hard work and requires organizational skills, start working on that now. Most of all realize that you will have to rely on other people to get anywhere in life. Do not be afraid of making connections with people and asking for help. No matter how hard you try you will not be able to make it in life completely on your own. Try to make connections within your field, which can also be done while you are working or volunteering. Remember that life will go fast once out of highschool. It does for me. Sincerely, Becky (2010)

The biggest piece of advice I wish I would have been told is to try harder to get scholarships. I worked so much the last couple months trying to pay for school. I wish when I was a senior I could have told myself to take more time towards scholarships. This would allow me to be able to focus even more on my grades and education. Achieving more scholarships would also take a huge burden financially off my hands. It would have allowed me to not stress so much about college payments and more time to worry about studying.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, to be honest, I would tell myself to not procrasinate. I would tell myself to make up my mind of what college I really wanted to attend so that I could go and find out more about it. I would visit my college more and make myself more informed of my surroundings. I would advise myself to apply for more scholarships and apply for financial aid as soon as possible. I would prepare earlier for college so that I wouldn't rush myself a day before classes started. I would also prepare myself to be more open to new ideas and to meeting new people. I would also develop a good studying habit so that I wouldn't struggle so much in college. Most of all, I would tell myself that things will work out all right even though the first couple of days are stressful, and just enjoy and don't be afraid to ask for help.

I'd tell myself: Get a well paying job. After living here three years I've finally applied for a career in the police force. It's the closet you can get to my military background without the travel issues. It's hard holding a job without any specific skills, so I'd probably go to school for a career before school for a degree. Also, stay in shape! Transitioning from Germany to the States was okay, but there's junk food everywhere. I know you have no self control, so stay in the gym, or whichever hiking trails you can find. Find friends you can live with, or save up mooney too find your own place to live. What you go through isn't what you deserve and people change. A lot. Finally, at least once a semester, take a simple class that helps you to unwind, and counts towards your Major. So, billards or yoga is a good idea. They both help you unwind, get to know people, and in yoga's case. Find time to exercise. But, both will make sure you find some time to rest before you go off to work, more school, and study.

If I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would pay to take the AP exams and pay college credit for the honor courses. AP and honor classes are easier in high school compare to college because there is home work to back up your grade and in college there are only quizzes, tests and exams. If I had paid for the courses in high school, I would get a better grade therefore leading to a better GPA in college. Also, paying for college courses in high school is half the original price in college. Just by paying for the AP exams and honor courses, I gained the credit I took in high school, a better grade and fewer years to take in order graduate. Another advice would be to not procrastinate in high school because it becomes a habit in college. College goes by very fast and if one procrastinate, it becomes very hard to catch up. Procrastination can lead to failing a class that would affect your GPA and your GPA means a lot when it comes to being selected for your career.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get more involved in scholarship opportunities. I have realized that not only do scholarships help financially, they also look great on a resume. Now that I am finishing my junior year of college I realize how important it is to have items to put on a resume for future career opportunities. Taking out the extra time in high school to complete scholarship applications would have benefited me enormously. I also had much more time back then, instead of having to worry so much about finding time now.

Hey Steph! How's your last year of high school? Believe me, the last year goes by so fast. Make the most of it, because next year, you'll be playing a whole new ball game. Next year you will be going off to college. Right now that probably sounds pretty scary. Don't worry, though. You get into UW-Waukesha without a problem. I know that you are worried about making friends there and not having the normal 'college' expereince, since you will be commuting while most of your friends are living in the dorms. You still will make plenty of friends, trust me. You not only make lots of friends in your classes, but you tutor Math in the Study Center and meet lots of people through there. Also, you join the tennis team! It's great. I love all the professors here. They are helpful and always want to see you succeed. Take advantage of their office hours! They want to help. Even though they may not collect homework assignments like in high school, make sure to do the homework and readings. It only makes studying for exams easier. Trust me, I've learned the hard way.

College is a path that not everyone wants, or should take if they dont want to. I debatedgoing to school after highschool and I'm glad I did. Here's the thing: I listened to my mom and Pastor and decidced to stay in a Lutheran setting. It was the worse descion I could've made. Don't get me wrong, I do love my religion but I have been beat up, and picked on all my life in every Lutheran school I have been to. I thought , this being college the teasing would go away; sadly it didn't. I was still treated badly by people that were suppose to be "adults". I made the decision in switchin to a public university and I LOVE it. It gives you freedom, and no one messes with you (not to mention the price is decent). I love being free from all of the pain that others inflicted on me. So, if I could have told myself one thing as a Senior in high school, it would've been choose UWM; you're gonna love it, trust me.