Boston University Top Questions

If I had to describe my senior year in one word it would be without a doubt, MIT. My place in the sun. My everything. I was deadest on going. Any other school was not even an option. I applied early, got deferred, got waitlisted, and then got waitlisted again (I didn?t even know that was possible). And then MIT said no. I had sent them a postcard, every single day I was on the waitlist. But they said no. And I was crushed. I stopped doing everything I had once loved. I didn?t run. But once at BU, that all changed. I realized that MIT wasn?t the only option, it wasn?t all that great. I liked BU. The people were interesting to talk to. They were funny, smart, and kind. I was in love all over again. So, if I could go back in time, I?d tell myself to stop being a melodramatic teenager, get over yourself, tell MIT you don?t even want to be on the waitlist, stop writing postcards, go for a run, enjoy your senior year, plan a senior prank, tell your girlfriend you love her, live life.

Honestly, if I were given the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior. I would tell myself to study harder. I lament constantly that I didn't prepare more for my AP exams or even that I didn't take more of them. There are so many interesting courses at university that I have the opportunity to take but not the time, because I need to take care of my general requirements first. I look at my parents who own their catering company and I watch their struggle and realize how lucky I am to still be in college. These are the best four or however many years I'm going to have and I want to take full advantage of them.

Let it all flow. Everything turns out awesome!

Don't feel like you have to fit in and find best friends immediately. Feel it out first. Try out some clubs, go to some meetings, talk to people in class, go to dinner with you floor. Step outside the box, try new things. This is your time to figure out the person you want to be so try everything first! Be open to getting to know everyone you meet, and decide who you click with and who you don't. You can have casual friends you only talk to in class, it's okay. You'll find true good friends, but sometimes it takes time. It's hard, but don't get sad if it doesn't happen right away. It may seem like it's only you, but that's untrue. You will eventually find your true friends, and all the sadness and uncertainty will be worth it in the end!

Really consider the size, location and your major program at different universities. I would advise myself to make the best of whatever place I ended up at and really seek out more resources and take advantage of more opportunities (internships, conferences, talks, etc). Also, I would advise myself to engage and really be diligent and disciplined about my studies because the benefits from having good grades is enormous

If I could go back and speak to myself when I was a high school senior, I would let myself know that moving far away from home is the perfect thing to do for myself. I have learned a lot about who I am and this is only because I am growing up and learning how to deal without the accustomed things. The transistion between high school and college life will not be that different. Yes, you will be moving half way across the country, but the key is to contact those who you miss as often as possible so it doesn't seem that you are too far away.

I would tell myself not to go into the Pre-Med program because it will cause my GPA to suffer and I will not be able to get into the Film program that I love so much. I would tell myself to work harder and not wait til last minute to do my work. I would tell myself to keep an open mind and be more outgoing.

Do not stress too much about the transition from high school to college. You mature greatly in the simple process of becoming a college student-- graduating high school, and registering at a college. If you think you can do it, you can. Even though you are living on your own and are becoming an adult, colleges offer tons of help in any area you can think of. If you are ever worried about something, there is always someone close by to help you out.

I would have been more conscientious about the amount of money it costs to go to school. I would have told myself more about what actually happens when you take out student loans for 4 years, and the possibility of applying to a different school that may have offered me more money. I would have also told myself to not be so shy! And just go out there and do everything I ever wanted to do.

Advice I would give myself is to prioritize my time better by keeping a schedule of what I should be doing each day, turn off the TV, do not eat so much even though the meals are buffet style, to always have back up for documents on the laptop, and to enjoy the city. I would get a printer because it is costly to get assignments printed in college. Another advice is to communicate with roommate early so that it won't be so difficult later on. Finally, always have enough cash on hand so that when there is an emergency, I would be ready. To always have a balance in life between academics and social activities.