I was afraid that I'd come to the University not knowing anything, desperately trying hard to keep up with the curriculum. It turns out that the UW isn't so scary. Yes, it is a challenge, but it's a great experience that's easily overcome with growing up and taking responsibility of your studying habits.
There are so many resources here. You can pretty much get help with ANYTHING! All you have to do is ask. Something I've been told several times is that the everyone here wants you to succeed. You've got office hours to talk to your professors (asking for help or just to talk), TA's, study centers designed for specific classes and subjects, online forums for individual classes, even study buddy systems in dorms.
Not only can you get help on any subject, but there's so many resources to help find yourself, what major might fit you, internships, careers you might want to consider, etc.
The diversity on campus is also a great source of learning. Just making friends help you explore yourself and learn about worlds you’re not familiar with.
Yeah, there can be some huge lecture classes, but you get separated into smaller classes within most classes where you can ask any questions you have. So it's almost like watching a video in a movie theatre and then being able to talk about it in a class of 20-30 people.
College is about learning as much as you can about yourself and the world in which you want to live in (let it be science, technology, art, history, etc). The University of Washington helps you do all of that. You just have to ask.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I love the UW. The diversity, the range of clubs, the many resources, the architecture, fun professors, the student activity, the restaurants and cafés on campus, the U-Village for nearby shopping, being just a bus ride away from downtown Seattle and many other popular locations (many buses go right through campus), the quad during spring, the history of the school, the Harry Potter reading room... the list goes on.
Yes, it rains a lot... but it's always fun to be able to use rain boots or hear the rain fall on your umbrella. It doesn't rain every single day. The sunny days during school are just right; not scolding hot, maybe 55-70 degrees.
Aside from weather, the UW has that scholarly feel. Even though you're having a tough time in class, you feel smart just being there, and you know that you're getting a good education.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Yeah, it's pretty pricey. But what I've been advised is that it doesn't matter what you're paying, it's with what you do with your time in college, no matter what college you go to. If you're on campus and you feel right, do it. You won't regret it.
The UW is ranked pretty high as a college and I know that there are great people here ready to help you learn what you need and want to know.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
You're going into college. YOU are responsible for making it the best years of your life. Everything is here, just ask for it.
I know it's a given, but honestly, to succeed in your classes you just simply have to do your work. I've changed my attitude to simply Just do it. It's hard sometimes (and sometimes I fall short), but doing SOMETHING is better than nothing. Often times, late work is not accepted or else you really get a low grade. Just do it.
Don't just skip class because you don't want to go. If you're really tired, just sit in the back of class and TRY to stay awake. Believe me, I KNOW it's hard.
Figure out a schedule that works for you. Manage time for studying, eating, sleeping, relaxing, and having fun.
Umbrella. Need I say more?
And something I struggled with was figuring out the systems of the school. Signing up for a FIG entering the UW was probably the best decision I've ever made. I can go on and on about how it helped me transition into college (easy making friends, help on common classes and interests, insight into what the college offers, clubs, studying abroad, etc.)
Read the back section of the planner they give you. I made some mistakes and missed opportunities by not reading my planner. It helps so much. Just read it and it'll make your life a lot easier.
Research classes (find the rating of professors and classes on your school account) before registration.
Don't sweat or stress. There's a lot of fun things, groups, and activities to get involved with. Keep it in your head that college is supposed to be the best years of your life. It's what you make it.
Just be proactive.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
People who...
- like the urban (or even suburban) feel. Seattle is like my small scale NYC. But there are neighborhoods surrounding campus, so you're not smack dab in the middle of bustling streets.
- don't mind getting wet every once in a while.
- appreciates a bit of gothic architecture.
- love to learn and likes a challenge
- are social or who want to be more social
- to wear purple... you're gonna love it here!
I was afraid that I'd come to the University not knowing anything, desperately trying hard to keep up with the curriculum. It turns out that the UW isn't so scary. Yes, it is a challenge, but it's a great experience that's easily overcome with growing up and taking responsibility of your studying habits. There are so many resources here. You can pretty much get help with ANYTHING! All you have to do is ask. Something I've been told several times is that the everyone here wants you to succeed. You've got office hours to talk to your professors (asking for help or just to talk), TA's, study centers designed for specific classes and subjects, online forums for individual classes, even study buddy systems in dorms. Not only can you get help on any subject, but there's so many resources to help find yourself, what major might fit you, internships, careers you might want to consider, etc. The diversity on campus is also a great source of learning. Just making friends help you explore yourself and learn about worlds you’re not familiar with. Yeah, there can be some huge lecture classes, but you get separated into smaller classes within most classes where you can ask any questions you have. So it's almost like watching a video in a movie theatre and then being able to talk about it in a class of 20-30 people. College is about learning as much as you can about yourself and the world in which you want to live in (let it be science, technology, art, history, etc). The University of Washington helps you do all of that. You just have to ask.
I love the UW. The diversity, the range of clubs, the many resources, the architecture, fun professors, the student activity, the restaurants and cafés on campus, the U-Village for nearby shopping, being just a bus ride away from downtown Seattle and many other popular locations (many buses go right through campus), the quad during spring, the history of the school, the Harry Potter reading room... the list goes on. Yes, it rains a lot... but it's always fun to be able to use rain boots or hear the rain fall on your umbrella. It doesn't rain every single day. The sunny days during school are just right; not scolding hot, maybe 55-70 degrees. Aside from weather, the UW has that scholarly feel. Even though you're having a tough time in class, you feel smart just being there, and you know that you're getting a good education.
Yeah, it's pretty pricey. But what I've been advised is that it doesn't matter what you're paying, it's with what you do with your time in college, no matter what college you go to. If you're on campus and you feel right, do it. You won't regret it. The UW is ranked pretty high as a college and I know that there are great people here ready to help you learn what you need and want to know.
You're going into college. YOU are responsible for making it the best years of your life. Everything is here, just ask for it. I know it's a given, but honestly, to succeed in your classes you just simply have to do your work. I've changed my attitude to simply Just do it. It's hard sometimes (and sometimes I fall short), but doing SOMETHING is better than nothing. Often times, late work is not accepted or else you really get a low grade. Just do it. Don't just skip class because you don't want to go. If you're really tired, just sit in the back of class and TRY to stay awake. Believe me, I KNOW it's hard. Figure out a schedule that works for you. Manage time for studying, eating, sleeping, relaxing, and having fun. Umbrella. Need I say more? And something I struggled with was figuring out the systems of the school. Signing up for a FIG entering the UW was probably the best decision I've ever made. I can go on and on about how it helped me transition into college (easy making friends, help on common classes and interests, insight into what the college offers, clubs, studying abroad, etc.) Read the back section of the planner they give you. I made some mistakes and missed opportunities by not reading my planner. It helps so much. Just read it and it'll make your life a lot easier. Research classes (find the rating of professors and classes on your school account) before registration. Don't sweat or stress. There's a lot of fun things, groups, and activities to get involved with. Keep it in your head that college is supposed to be the best years of your life. It's what you make it. Just be proactive.
People who... - like the urban (or even suburban) feel. Seattle is like my small scale NYC. But there are neighborhoods surrounding campus, so you're not smack dab in the middle of bustling streets. - don't mind getting wet every once in a while. - appreciates a bit of gothic architecture. - love to learn and likes a challenge - are social or who want to be more social - to wear purple... you're gonna love it here!