Allegheny College Top Questions

Think of the decisions you make during your freshmen year!

If I could go back in time and tell myself then what I know now about going to college, I would say, "Kelli, go to school now while you are still young and don't have as many commitments and financial obligations." If I could have done that, my life would be a lot different right now and probably a lot easier. I don't hold it against myself for not seeking an education when I was younger, only because as an adult now I have a better idea of what interests me and what I would like to do for a lifetime career. I am very excited to go back to school and look forward to what my education will do for me.

Hi. I know that you're scared about college next year, but don't worry because I have an idea. Who says you have to go straight to college from highschool? I know that it's what everyone expects of you, but your life should never planned by other people's expectations. At 17, you have all the time in the world so I'll tell you what, go abroad for a year. Live in another country. Take some classes, volunteer, learn the language, and get to know who you really are. I promise, this experience will be one that you will treasure forever. Not only will you make life-long friendships, but it will give you direction, confidence, and independence. You will enter college with a passion for life and learning that was buried deep before. Just be true to yourself, love who you are, and remember that life has more than one road. Promise me that you'll make your own path even if it means that sometimes you might get a little lost because why would you want to be like other people when you can be yourself?

Dear High School Me, Here is the biggest advice I can give you about transitioning into social life: Quoting Shakesheare, "To thine own self be true." Allegheny is such a small school that you can easily make friends since everyone knows each other already. You don't need to be someone that you aren't because you can find people who will love you for who you truly are. Don't change to fit in. This isn't high school anymore; you're moving past it. College people don't like fakes so don't be one. Be yourself. Here is the biggest advice I can give you about academics: If you're struggling, GO TO YOUR PROFESSORS. If you're having trouble, don't convince yourself that you can figure it out on your own. The professors are extremely helpful; all you have to do is ask them for aid and they will help. Don't rely on them, but don't ignore them either.

Don't stress out about being uncertain so much! Your decision may have taken awhile, but in the end you will make the right one. It may seem like everyone has their entire life figured out once you arrive at Allegheny College, but you are not alone. Plenty of other people are in the same boat as well. Move in day with all of those unfamiliar faces may seem scary at first, but by the end of the year your entire hall will be bonded like a family. Balancing both academics and athletics can be very difficult at times, but perservere; your teammates will be there to encourage you every step of the way and will become some of your best friends. Try not too procrastinate too much when packing and buying everything necessary. Also, be nicer to mom; the unexpected cancer diagonsis in the fall truly takes a toll on her and the rest of the family. But don't worry, she'll be fine, just as you will be, too. Your year will be filled with highs and lows, but at the end of spring semester you won't want to leave!

With my first year of college under my belt, it became clearer of what field I wanted to pursue and that I chose the right college. Although the academic year went well, there are some events that I do want to change. If I could turn back time and find myself as a high school senior, the advice would consist of making time to study, always ask for help, and major in a field that makes you happy. In high school I rarely studied and seldom asked for help. There wasn't a need to do so; my memory was all I needed. College however was a whole different story. After my first exam in chemistry, I quickly realized that my memory wasn't enough. From then on, I made time to study and ask my professors for help when I needed it. During my first year, my heart was set on Neuroscience. By the second semester I switched back to Geology. The reason being was that I wasn't happy pursuing my previous major. My advice to my high school self is this, major in what makes you happy, not what society wants you to be.

The biggest piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is to explore everything and not be afraid of the unknown. Making the transition to college can be intimidating as I found out firsthand. However, as I explored the unknown and met new people I found my fear disappearing. Getting out of your confort zone can be scary at first, but in the end it will allow you to experience things that you could never imagine before. More specifically, I would tell myself to sign up for more clubs and activities. Meeting people that share even a single common interest can help to build the new circle of friends that you'll want to have in college. In addition, any form of motivation to leave the comfort of your dorm room for mysteries of the unknown is always positive. College is a time of exploration, it's best to take full advantage of this while you're here and not let your fears hold you back. You have nothing to fear but your finals, and even those aren't too bad.

Try hard until the end. Do not quit trying once you get accepted into college. That break will cause more difficulties adjusting to the workload in college. Even if it is hard to give it your best effort until graduation you need to do it so that you keep up the momentum you had that got you into such a great school. That great school will have no sympathy for that fact that you have not done any type of school work in six months and when you get there they will pile on the work to you just as they will to a student who prepared for college all summer. Keep up with your work, the topics that can be related to other things may be unknown until you get into a situation where if you knew them you would be one step ahead. Give it your best efforty because starting one step ahead can get you along much easier that trying to start three steps behind and having to relearn topics. Give all of your work the best effort you have, it will pay off in the end.

It wasn't easy dropping out of high school, was it Younger Self? Struggling with getting a job and making ends meet, moving half way across the country, all while trying to get a GED. You worked hard, though, and you acheived your dream of six years. It made you learn one of the most important things: Perserverance. You may have felt down when people criticized you or looked down upon you, discouraged you even. I wish you would have learned to scoff at them sooner, because you ended up proving yourself right. You're now onto the next step of your goal. College is going to be strenuous, especially with all of the activities and classes you'll like to take. Remember how you proved yourself, dropping out and getting a GED, making your own way in this world, and saying "Yes, I can and will." You'll need that same perserverance that got you through the time you had in high school to get you through college. I know you can do it though. You're acheiving great things now, Younger Self. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can only do otherwise.

College is not what you think it is anymore. Therefore, make sure to keep all grades up and pay attention in class, consequently, you won't know how hard it is until it's too late. Just be wise and understand that it's your future and nothing should stop you from what you want to become. Nevertheless, choose what you want as a career that you would be happy with until you retire and listen your heart rather than other people. Finally, just keep your head up and keep trucking through school because, you don't know how college is anymore.