University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Top Questions

College did not seem like the best choice for me right after graduation. It seemed like a ball and chain, like a new list of unwanted obligations to my high school self. I remember being told a handful of times that "college is not for everyone". I remember hating the connotation of that stinging statement being directed at me. I spent August of 2013 feeling like an absolute failure. I was never the student to not try, to no excel. It felt so wrong that I did not want the natural extension of high school success. If I could have told my high-school-self anything it would have been reassuring words that this semester break is necessary, now is just not the time for college. I wish I could have shown my past self my email from the Dean's office saying that I have made the Dean's list or my straight A's on my transcript. I would tell myself that being eighteen is scary and now is the time to explore. Wasting time being upset and frustrated with yourself is not helping you to grow as a person.

If I could go back in time to my early high school years I would tell myself to work harder and take on as many opportunities that were given to me. I would have challenged myself more academically and should have studied alot more then what I had originally intended.

Dear Mai Cheng, You are an amazing person. I know you are. Do not worry about friends, boys, or whatever you are going though. I know you will make it out fine and become a lovely person. You should work hard in school and do your best. Keep going strong. Keep taking notes and studying for those exams as tests. But most of all, keep your motivation strong and alive! Keep being passionate about your education because YOU my dear will go far. I just know it. I love you, and stay well. Sincerely, Future Mai Cheng Her

As a high school student, I would tell myself that I am more capable of completing a degree than I realized. I came from a family where no one had earned a bachelor's degree. My father even attempted to discourage me from attending a four year college. I had to overcome negativity and push forward. As I high school student, I would tell myself to not take everything so seriously. I would tell myself to learn how to balance my course work, social life and need to earn money. My strategy would be learn from others and every class offers knowledge that was not known until the experience had been completed. Goals are important, yet not everything works out in a rigid plan. Life is too short to be too serious and you will end up where you are suppose to be at the end of your education journey, yet it is up to you to make things happen. To sum it up, "Don't sweat the small stuff."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax and not worry. Campus life is something that one cannot prepare themselves for ahead of time, rather one has to experience it first. In addition, I would try to tell myself to put my classes as a priority during the first semester, learn to manage time better, and take better care of myself. Try to meet others on campus, actually participate in events that occured on campus, yet still find time to focus upon my schedules. Remember, University life is where one begins to learn even more about themselves and get to claim a bit more independence. Don't be afraid to do so. My mother actually came to campus one time, in order to yell at me to take better care of myself and work hard in class, not spend my freetime online gaming. The first semester was a trial and error, despite the fact that I never failed a single course, it allowed me to realize how campus life worked. From there, I began to learn better studying habits and taking of myself efficiently.

Stay focus, pay attention, and get as much information you need to prepared yourself for college. My teachers always said well when you get in college it's gone be different and harder. I was a little hard headed so I really didn't listen. Don't get me wrong I did all my work and got good grades, but if I could go back I would listen. This my second semester of college as a freshmen and i'm not doing to good, but I'm not gone give up because in order to get somewhere in life you have to work for it, nothing comes free.

I would make sure that my mini-me is done with their ACT's/SAT and Financial aid. I would stress the importance of completing finacial aid early, because it is a first come first serve. I would also inform him on scholarships and college pre-preprograms. The reason why these things were mentioned first, is because they are needed to attended the college of choice. Doing your financial aid on time will make sure you know how much you are recieving. Once recieved, you can budget your semester accordingly because BOOKS are expensive. After reminding myself about the expenses of college, I would go into the social life. I would remind myself to not get so carried away with friends. Having friends is a good thing in college, but you need those other friends that you can have awesome study days with. I wish I could have more of those instead. Another thing I would explain is how to use the tutor centers and professors. They're always there and they are willing to help. You have to be willing and get off your butt to actually reach them. It's all up to you.

If I were to go back to my high school self, I would make sure to tell them that life turns out better then this. I suffered from depression throughout a few years of my high school career and it was really hard to keep focused. I was a pretty good student, but boy did I have to crack down once I came to Whitewater. I would tell my past self, "to sit down and study more and not procrastinate". I met so many life long friends when I moved to college, but my first semester was a LOT harder then I was used to. It was a fun, but hard transition and I think I'm still trying to get in the swing of things. But, I would let myself know that college is awesome, and I would do it all over again!

The advice that I would give myself would be to save as much money as possible, and to remind myself that attending college is not cheap; everything costs. Knowing what i know now I would be able to share future expenses with myself, such as food, text books, gas money or bus money to be able to come home on breaks. I would also tell myself that you should look for a job as early as possible and to not wait until you are on campus like so many students choose to do, but to have a job as soon as possible so that you are able to pay for all of your expenses and responsibilities that you may have. These are things that some high school students fail to notice before getting on college, so I would prepare myself by knowing them early.

One thing that I have not been able to overcome , and I don't think it will happen anytime soon, is my problem with procrastination. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would make CLEAR to myself to finish my papers and assignments as soon as I get them or atleast work on it a little bit at a time. The feeling that you get after spending hours of dedicated time on an assignment from school and finally finishing it is way better than coming to class and realizing that you forgot to do something that was due or didn't spend as much time on something as you could have. I would also advise myself that if I need to study or get something done, to go to the library and leave my phone in my room to shut myself off from the world so I can concentrate better. The last thing I would tell myself is to relax and not get over-stressed when there are many things to be done and not enough time to do it. Keep calm and prioritize.

I would tell the senior me to make sure to look for work as soon as you can and make sure you have a fool proof plan while your getting prepared for school and while your in school. Make up a good finacial plan and stick to that plan unless you need to change it around for a valid reason. The last thing I would suggest is don't wait until the last minute to finish your work and do it right then.

Stop procrastinating!!! I know it's really hard not to with this new "Window of Opportunity" thing, but trust me. This is a habit you need to get rid of ASAP. Procrastinating in college is proving to be a very stressful habit. Cherish your friendships and connections. Spend some time with Luis. He won't be around much longer. Don't let Jeni hide from Caesar in the movie store. That's the last time she'll see him again. The people you are close friends with now, the ones who have been there from the jump, are the people you can rely on. They're the ones that are going to help you out when you need favors and advice, like they always have. You're making the right decision by not having a boyfriend when you get to college. There's bigger and better here!!! Stay the person you are now. Over the summer, check your morals and what you stand for. Review your goals. You're going to be tested, so you have to know who you are. Most importantly, stay motivated and balanced.

Yes, your world is tiny; you know everything about it. Don’t bring that know-it-all viewpoint into college; the world outside your own is vastly larger. You have lots to learn, kid. A lot of students are still trying to figure out life, too. So when you see someone who looks lost (literally and figuratively) offer your help willingly. Then watch your web of friends grow! KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE COUNTER! The people behind the register or counter appreciate and it. Keep the clerk in mind. You might find yourself in the same job one day. You pay $300+ per credit. Use it! Study your books, engage in conversations, pass the class. The purpose of college is to prepare you for the REAL life. With that said, don’t go to class just to ask, “When will I ever use this in life?” Statements like that are annoying and suggest immaturity. Everything in life has a positive side. There aren’t many exceptions. The positives won’t always show. It’s your job to find them. Finally, listen to Joseph Campbell and “FOLLOW YOUR BLISS”. It will never lead you astray.

Hello Katie Koubaddy. You may believe you do not know me but the truth is you know me all too well. I am one of your potential selves. I am here today with the opportunity to give you some advice for your future endeavors. I know very well how nervous and anxious this time is for you. Being the only child in your family to graduate high school, none-the-less go on to college, is quite nerve wrecking. Above all, you need to know that you are a capable and intelligent person who is capable of so much good. You have come so far from the life you grew up with and you are now moving forward with your life progress not by mere steps but by leaps and bounds. Take pride in your progress and growth. Build your path based on what feels right in your heart. Go with what is in your dreams and know that if you try your hardest you will not fail. Appreciate every step of the way.

I would say work hard in high school so therre wouldn't be a lot to change in college. You should be use to studying in college if you are studying hard in high school. It will be easier to adapt to.

As a college student now talking to my High -school self I would send a message of warning on how being a uncaring student will lead to a life of failure. If you want success in this life you have to give it your all and do the most you can to succeed. If you dont do that then you will struggle with things to come. The only good thing that can come out of that struggle however is the changing of your mindset. But if precautions are properly taken and you do not have to make major changes in your fist year or two in college you will be better off and lead a life of success.

While my college experience to date has been rewarding in so many ways, it has been challenging as well. To start I would have applied to more than one school, don’t get your heart set on just one. Well as it turns out I wasn’t accepted at that college, luckily my high school business teacher recommended his alma mater University Wisconsin-Whitewater. It was to be a perfect fit in all aspects, money, distance, and most especially an excellent business college. More advice to self would be, don’t procrastinate do assignment in a timely manner, it may seem that you have a lot of free time but you really don’t. Develop good organizational skills they are essential to accomplishing all that you will have to contend with on a daily bases. While your parents, friends and senior teachers think you’re stupendous, be cogitative of the fact that you’re now a small frog in a big pond and act accordingly. For the first time you get to make all the decisions. Just don’t jump in with both feet, give yourself a chance to learn all you can about any situation before you act.

My college education to date has been very rewarding. College has had a huge impact on how I view life. It not only is providing me with the necessary qualifications to become a successful businessman, but has also enhanced my over all awareness of humanity and its plights. This environment afforded me the opportunity to recognize and value concepts which here to for would not have occurred to me. It has always been my dream to attend college and complete a post secondary program. I have worked towards this goal my whole life. Graduating from college will be the culmination of my life’s ambition. With my degree in business marketing I will seek a position in the corporate world. My sense of conscientiousness acquired in college will be invaluable when I seek a position in the corporate world. Companies such as Nike, Target or Johnson and Johnson are corporations for which I would be honored to be a part of. They are all very successful businesses who make massive profits, but they also commit a portion of their earnings to community, employee, global, and environmental causes.

From my college experience so far I have gained many new perspectives on world ideas and people in general. I have met many new people which is great as well. It is valuble to attend college because first of all it makes you a better, more well rounded and organized person. Secondly attending college allows you to have many new experiences both within and outside the classroom. Thes experienes are both enjoyable and enriching in many ways.

From my college experience, I have gained a new family from the UWW Warhawk community. I have felt challenged to succeed academically and athletically, and would do it all again in a heartbeat. I have been given countless opportunities to give back to my community and feel included on campus. I have enjoyed the close-knit relationships developed with my teachers and advisors, and know my education acquired at UWW will lead me to a succussful career in the journalism field. I take much pride in calling myself a Warhawk, and plan to continue to support the school as a proud and involved alumni.