University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Top Questions

If I could go back to that time in my life, I would have made the decision to enter college and not join the military. While joining the military was fun and rewarding and allowed me the chance to see the world, once I left the military I really didn't have any college education to fall back upon. I would also tell myself to take more math classes so that I could better understand the various forms of math that are used on a college and business level. Today, looking back, having made the choice to pursue algebra and other forms of math, would have made it easier for me today entering the Psychology Degree program at my current university. By making those preparations earlier on in life, I think that would have made a larger impact on what direction I am taking in my pursuits today.

I would be more careful with my spending, my credit cards especially. Also, travel more, this is the time to do it, take a study abroad class and enjoy your time learning about other countries and other people. I spent way too much time worried about getting the right kind of education that I didn't enjoy the time I had to just explore who I was and what I wanted to be. It took me a while to figure this out, but now I'm back in school doing what I'm finding I really enjoy and that's perfect. But again, my main reason for these scholarships is because I had to spend a lot of my own money to get through school. My parents are amazing and supportive, but not rich.

Entering into the doors of college is not a step I took lightly. My goals and objectives thoroughout high school and then college is to take a rigorous course load, find the area of study that best suits my abilities, and be the best I can be. I am a driven individual. One of the main influences that have brought me to a focused, hard work ethic was my family, also the transition from home-schooling to public school. Attending public school for the first time was a change for my learning style and social life. My teachers were unsure of my prior knowledge: my algebra teacher requested that I meet with him once a week to he could personally evaluate my skills. "How do you isolate the X in this equation?" he asked me. I was so scared that I said, "Just erase it."? I look back and laugh, but it makes me think about how far I've come. Academically I've adjusted well, taking Honors classes and holding a 4.0. Socially, I've made great friends. The only thing I should have done is, learn to do my laundry and cook something more than Ramen Noodles.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, the advice I would give would be plentiful; -join student orgs (but not too many that you get overloaded) -leave your dorm room door open (and meet great new people) -talk to your professors and get to know them (believe it or not, they're normal people just like you!) -do something unexpected (join the college's knitting club, you'll meet tons of cool people) -study, study, study! (befriend the library and all the resources within) -say yes to random activities (college is the only time you can go sledding at 1 o'clock in the morning on cardboard boxes and not get made fun of) -call your family (and remind them of how much you love them) -smile at strangers (you never know who's day you might brighten with your pearly whites) -be yourself (find out who you really are and don't let anyone change that) -have fun (it won't be hard) College will be an amazing experience. Just be yourself and enjoy it (and since I'm your future self, I can guarantee you will).

You're a senior in high school and you should make the most out of this time. It seems like an awful lot of hard work, but it is meant to prepare for what is to come, which only gets harder. Try and have a lot of fun during the summer before starting college. Get it out of your system so that in the fall, you are ready to focus on classes. College classes are hard, but they are worth every bit of effort that you put into them. Follow the sentiments of the quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," which you have memorized since you read the book in sophomore year: "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" ("Don't let the bastards get you down"). The little tragedies that seem to rock your world now are really only hurdles that expand your horizons, build character, and make you an even more awesome person. Instead of allowing them to crumple you, rise up and claim victory over them, and show the world who's boss. You will never regret standing up to a challenge, but you will always regret turning around and giving up.

I would tell myself that change happens and that there is nothing you can do to change that. If you continue to live in the past or can't accept things the way they are without having the determination to change them you will be deeply disappointed. Even if you want to change things some things are very difficult to change and some times it is in your best interest to let them be. Life moves on whether you do or not and if you ar e stuck in the past you will miss out on a lot. I'm not saying to forget about the past, remember it learn from it, but certainly don't try to live in it. Remember the only thing you control in life is how you react to what life gives you.

If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I'd advise myself to pick the school where I wanted to go; not where family and friends wanted me to go. I would go to the school that had the best program, that would suit me. As a senior, there's a lot of pressure to go where everyone else wants you to go, and to pick the school that will be the best for you financially. In the end, you have to be happy at the end of the day. It took me awhile to figure that out, but now that I know that, I would've picked the school that I am now currently at. I started out at another college and it wasn't the right fit for me. But now that I'm at the right college, I am much happier than I was originally. I'd also encourage myself to be more outgoing and to get involved in the silly activities that the colleges wanted you to get involved in. Also, knowing that no matter what, you have to pick a career that you'll enjoy for the rest of your life.

BE YOURSELF. College is the time to find out who you are, and you will never discover yourself if you spend all your time pretending to be someone else. Get active in things that interest YOU, even if that means you might not know anyone when going into a club or a classroom setting. Put yourself out there and get to meet new students and teachers. Don't be afraid to try anything knew, you'll never know what you truly enjoy until you try something new. Make your decisions based on yourself so that you can set yourself up for the brightest and most exciting future for yourself. And never be afraid to try something new or take a risk, it's what life is all about!

I would tell my senior self to simply, be yourself. Making friends and connections takes time. Be paitent and make sure to put on a smile everyday. The cost of college isn't something that can be easily paid off for most people. So be happy that you got the chance to go. Don't be afraid to ask for help either. There are plenty of people there, willing to support you. Join clubs! That also helps with making new friends. And remember that homework is the most important thing, you'll be getting a lot of it, make sure it's done right, and that you allow yourself enough time to do it.

I would tell myself to really buckle down. I would tell myself to save my money and look into scholarships and grants a lot sooner. I would want myself to really look into schools and majors, so when I finally chose what to do, I would be happy with my choice. I would make sure that my little self knows the importance of joining clubs and sports, and tell me not to stress on being 'popular'. I would tell me to actually go to school every day and to try my hardest. To not only get good grades, but to understand what I am learning. Mostly I would again stress the fact that college is so expensive. I would tell me that my parents aren't going to be helping out like other parents, because they have their own finances to control. I would tell myself to start building my credit as well and try to gain more hours at work and actually start a college fund!