University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Top Questions

I would let myself know that college is different from high school. It's one of the first steps young adults take in becoming independent, and that college is a very good tool for self discovery. Everyone goes through a lot of changes when they go to college, they grow up and figure out the important things in life, or even figure out what interests us most. I would also let myself know that this is a time that we are trying to figure ourselves out and its okay to be different. I'd want to make sure I knew that just because the majority of people do one thing, doesn't always make it right. I'd tell myself to never silence my voice, or fall into the crowd just because I'm afraid to stand out.

I would tell myself I made great decisions about my undergraduate degree. I made the decision to live at home and go to a community college. While at the community college I was able to receive my Associate's Degree and that degree was a huge stepping stone for me. After receiving that degree, I was accepted into another institution to work on completeing my Bachelor degree. I took all the right steps to completing my goal of my degree and I am proud of the college career and path I took. However, I might to tell myself to study a bit harder. Applying myself just a bit more might have raised by GPA from a B to a B+.

The advice I would give to myself is to take more initiative on how I was going to pay for college. I never anticipated it being this stressful to try and manage my finances while keeping up in school. If i could have planned out my finances before It would take a great load off my shoulders. I could have applied for scholorships and grants and been way better off now. Also, I would have been more prepared for my placement tests. Not being prepared put me in a low math class when really I could handle much more difficult math. Doing these two things would have made my college experience much more enjoyable.

The most important advice is to find what you love doing and make it your carrier, or else you will regret the decisions there after. That begin said also practice your short comings to seek a well balanced structure. Time is a fickle friend so make the best with what you’re given.

The best advide that I would give myself is to not room with a friend from high school. I ended up losing that friendship all together. It is much harder living with someone you know, especially your first year of college. It restricts you from going out and meeting new people without the other. I felt that I needed to go places with her all the time, and she felt the same way about me. As time went on, we began to annoy each other but did not talk about it. It made it difficult for me to be in the room with her, and I would go to the study room alone. My first year I had a lot of free time, and I did not spend much of it with her. So, don't room with a friend for your first year of college. Also, I recommend getting a job. It's another way to meet people, make money, and have fun. So even if you do room with a friend, having a job would create some space between you two. That will be needed. College should be fun. You shouldn't feel disrespected by your roommate.

Life is always different when looking back. When I look back to my senior year in highschool, I wish I had known things then that I know now. The most important thing I wish I could say to myself is to dedicate more of my time to my passion; art. Since I was new to the art scene, I didnt know much about the surrounding world of art. I also didn't like to research other artist or try to mediums. Without realizing it, I allowed my close-mindedness to stunt my growth as a student and an artist. This then became a setback since some things were common knowledge for the art students that surrounded me in college. So once I got to art school, I had to spend longer hours studying rather than spending that extra time on practicing and furthering my hands on skills. Looking back now, there is much I could change. But the fact is that those experience have shaped me into the person that I am today and I have learned many life lessons from those experience. So I wouldn't change a thing, even if i had a chance to.

I would tell myself "Micah, this University is yours for the taking but no one is going to give anything to you. When you get there don't be scared, be social and confident. Don't be afraid to ask questions and demand answers from advisors and counselors even if you must remind them that it is there job to do so. Never underestimate the classes you are taking, work hard, work in the library for hours and never, never give up. As far as finances go, fill out your fafsa early and apply for as many scholarships as you can because going to college is putting a lot of financial pressure on mom and dad. Lastly, find your rhythm; get up early, shower drink your coffee and GO TO CLASS, work out, make friends and spend time with them. Remember who you are, where you come from and what you've been through and nothing, absolutely nothing can stop you from achieving this goal."

If I could go back in time and give myself advice it would all be centered around my main goal, becoming a Veterinarian. I would tell myself to get a job as a Veterinary assistant because I had no idea clinics would hire students without a degree. I would also tell myself to take the GRE since a majority of the GRE consists of things I learned in high school. I would then tell myself to look into programs such as vet fast which is where you apply after high school to vet school which is a quicker way to become a Veterinarian. Lastly, I would tell myself to go to a closer and cheaper school , and to look into scholarships because schools are not interested in helping you find any and you must find them yourself!

Knowing what I know now, if I was able to go back in time and talk to the high school senior version of myself. I would definitely say two things. I would first of all tell myself to become more involved in the community. Not so much my community, but other communities. I say so because often times people are extremely scared to step outside of the box. You have people that have lived somewhere for years and never even been a mile outside of their neighborhood; that's absurd! We often judge others and certain areas not knowing the full story behind them. Never did I think I'd be going to school on the eastside of Milwaukee, but I love it. I eventually had to leave my predispositions in the past and see things through my own eyes. I would also tell myself to get more used to studying. My first semester I struggled a bit because I was always so used to getting good grades without really having to study. But in college, classes aren't everyday so you have to train even harder outside of the classroom. My high school self would appreciate my advice.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are several bits of advice I would give myself. I would tell myself how important it is to recieve good grades in high school to open up more oppurtunities for scholarships to help with the expense of college. I would also encourage myself to participate in more student activities to help build character and gain experiences to enhance my overall self. I would instill in myself the thought that a college degree is an essentail in life these days with the competitveness of every career. The last thing I would tell myself before I am deploed back to current time is to make sure I am thankful for those who helped me finance college and make my dreams of achieving a higher education a reality.