Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Top Questions

My senior self spent countless hours looking at colleges which were high ranked on typical "college listing" sites. While this seemed like a good idea at the time for post-graduatation job placement, it stressed the first half of my senior year. College is not about rank, its not about who does the most book learning; rather, it is a life experience that lets you be on your own and truly discover who you are as an individual. I did manage to get into some top-ranked schools, but I do not regret rejecting the offer of acceptance. I knew after visiting that ACPHS was the university that would let me grow into myself; there was no competition among my schools from which to choose. If I could go back I would tell myself to apply to more schools which fit my personality and learning style and remove colleges to which I applied based solely on rank. College years are some of the greatest years pople have in there lives and its important that those years are spent doing what you love, not reminding yourself how "great" your school is according to polls and rankings.

I would tell myself to learn how to study because not studying much in high school really hurt me the first few weeks here. I would also tell myself to enjoy the simplicity of high school because college moves much faster and it is a lot easier to get behind.

Given that my experience after high school involved transfering between two colleges, I would advise myself to apply directly to the second college, Albany College of Pharmacy. While I did enjoy my time at the first college, the task of adapting to a new environment farther away from home seemed more frustrating after I learned that most of the credits I had earned by that point could not successfully be transferred. After explaining to myself that using one school as a stepping stone to another simply makes matters more complicated than they need to be, I would also encourage myself to take more challenging classes even in my final year of high school to avoid becoming complacent. As I have discovered recently, college courses such as Physics are considerably difficult without any prior background knowledge of the subject. Such simple advice would likely have spared me from the misfortune of obtaining a few less-than-ideal grades that could easily have been much better.

"School is important. You have big dreams and I know you can reach those dreams because of the dedication within you. Never lose hope when the journey gets tough, but remember to keep your eyes on the finish line. Through all of this, do not lose yourself as a person, and lastly, give yourself a break when you most need it because you deserve it." These are the exact words I would tell myself as a high school senior. Since I could remember, school has always been a priority in my life, so much that I sometimes forget I need to give my mind and my body a break. I realize that when I struggle I cannot always beat myself up over it. As long as I try my best, that is what truly matters. Although I was never given this advice before starting college, I am content to have learned all of this throughout my college experience. I would take this advice and not only give it to high school me, but I would give it every other high school student as well.

I wouldnt change a thing about my life or how I have done things in my life. I have faced many challenges due to a heart defect which required me to have 2 open heart surgeries and one more in my future. I would tell myself, just to continue to work hard like i always have. I have always taken my education very seriously. Just dont get caught up in to much of the partying, you can have fun in college, but my future is what I make it. Noone else, just me!!! Always remember where I came from and what I was taught, right from wrong and just follow my heart.

If I was in high school all over again, I'd give myself plenty of advice. For starters, I'd tell myself to be friends with the people I am friends with now and to not trust other people that don't want the best for me. I'd tell myself that popularity gets you no where and that majority of the people I want to be friends with, are losers and mean. I would tell myself that family is everything and to not argue so much with my parents. Next, I would spend more time with my little sister. I definitely would have forced myself to cheer each year of highschool, and to never hang out with people who do drugs. I would make myself try 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} harder in school, because I probably could've been validictorian. I wish that I wouldn't have cared about other people, so I would make myself forget the people who hurt me. Lastly, I would let myself know that boys are trouble, and to only focus on my success and COLLEGE!

To the past David -- If you're really a high school senior, that's flat out amazing, because you and I both know you never got to your senior year in high school. No, you went on ahead and got your GED in your sophomore year. School was too problematic for you, because the school refused to accomodate your depression and anxiety, despite them giving you an Individualized Education Plan that promised certain benefits for your needs. Anyways, things now are ten times better. I am happy and content, and am most likely going to get to go to our dream university, the University of Amsterdam, to study English Language and Culture. The lasting impact on world literature we dream of is finally going to happen. Just keep your head up, pal. Things are going to get much, much better. Much obliged, Future David

Do not freak out when you get a bad grade. Be prepared to fail. It is part of being in college. You may have gotten all A’s in high school but now the workload is harder and there is more studying to do. Do not be afraid to ask for help from your professors or other students because chances are you are not the only student who is not doing well academically.

Throughout my three year of college, I realized importance of academics and relaxation. As a pharmacy student, studying and homework became my first priority. Although studying may seem dull, it is actually quite fun. Everyday, I am face with a different challenge and something new to learn as my professors introduce a topic to the class. As each year goes by, the workload becomes heavier and the stress starts to add up little by little. But all this is worth it in the end knowing that I will receive a PharmD degree upon graduation and that I will be able to reach for my goal to become a pharmacist at a women's and children's hospital. My school prepares each student for the future, and it stresses the importance of our career. Even though the workload is excessive, the school tries to alleviate our stress by introducing us to a variety of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and hikes. All this gave me a wonderful college experience, I learned that academics is important, but playing is also needed in life. In short, "Work hard, play hard" is the balance a student needs to become successful.

What i have gotten out of being at Pace University is that they hold your hand and help you through the preogression into college. It is also a very small community but it is better that way. Pace has helped me figure out what i want to do in my life and has pushed me through challenges academy and to heights were i never thought id be. If i had gone somewhere else i wouldnt think i would of become as successful as i am.