Boston University Top Questions

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I would not tell myself a thing. I loved my freshman year of college, and even though I made mistakes, they were necessary mistakes. I learned so much about myself from my experiences- good and bad. So I would not try to change anything that happened by giving myself advice; I would relieve every last second of my freshman year exactly the same way as I had experienced it the first time.

I was so unsure of myself then, I wish I could've been a little more confident in my wants and needs as a student. I am glad that I ended up at BU, I love the city and I have had some amazing opportunities here. I try not to look back because I am happy with what I have and what I have accomplished. If I hadn't attended this school, I don't know what would have been different, but I would tell myself to be confident in the decision I make, not just choosing what school to attend but in every choice made on a daily basis. Everything happens for a reason, I would tell myself, there really is no wrong choice, it's what you make of your situation, try not to regret things by taking time in choosing but just to accept reality and work with it as best you can. Things are never really perfect but they can be really great, so I would say strive for success, don't listen to anyone else, follow your heart, work hard, dream big and choose well, choose wisely and of course with confidence!

Do not overload yourself Freshman year. Give yourself time to adjust to life and classes. Do not stress about the change or making new friends. Everything will work itself out.

I would give the advice to go to a less competitive college where I would not be required to live on campus. After my high school background, I don't think I was prepared enough for a college of the rigor of Boston University. Also, the freshmen on-campus requirement took a toll on my emotional and academic state. Living with a random roommate may be the "college experience" but it is not for everybody. Sometimes when a student lives with someone who is so different than them, the tension can make the experience more than uncomfortable. Finally, I would advise an incoming college freshman to plan an easy course load the first year because the transition from high school to college is so difficult.

In high school, I easily made friends, got involved in outside activities, and maintained a high GPA. Upon entering my first year at college, I remained in the mindset that everything would continue to come easily to me. Looking back, I wish I could tell my senior-self that college is a different world; the independence is empowering, but college life requires a lot more work and dedication in order to be successful. That said, I enjoyed my time at Boston University immensely and will be returning for graduate school in the fall.

There is not much to say, I believe I made a great choice starting off at small community college and then transferring when I received my associates degree to a larger one. Staying at home for the first two years really helped me transition from high school life to college life, and keep my grades up. Not I am ready to move on to a larger college and get my bachelors, then masters degree. If I had to say anything I would say study hard, keep focused on your goal, and most importantly do not procrastinate. Since I have been in college I have realized that others including myself would wait to the last minute to study or do homework. Thus causing a lot of stress and stopping myself and others from reaching their full potential. If you study early and finish your homework on time, not only is the stress relived but you have more time to enjoy and understand your subjects better. Also making the heavy college load lighter and help you go further in your education.

Looking back, I would tell myself to never doubt myself. I attended Boston University my sophomore through senior year, but I started out my freshman year at the University of Delaware. I hated UDel, but I chose to go there because it was the cheapest option. I wanted to go to BU, but I was scared to take out $140,000 in loans. I was on Dean's list in Delaware, but was miserable. All I could think about was how I was supposed to be at BU. When I was accepted as a transfer student at BU, I remember shaking as I mailed BU my $600 deposit (money I had to borrow at the time). I realized that responsibility I was undertaking in going to a much more expensive school. I had to work two jobs and credit overload to graduate on time with the least amount of debt. I also volunteered, interned, and joined a sorority. Most nights I got less than three hours of sleep. However, looking back I wouldn't have it any other way. As I embark on grad school, I am in a similiar financial position. I hope I've the right choice again.

Dear Campus Discovery, If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there is a lot I would say. I would tell myself to have courage, persistence, and faith. I would also tell myself life goes on despite the ups and downs of high school. I would tell myself that there are many oppurtunities in life. When one door shuts another one opens. The biggest thing I would tell myself is to have faith. To believe in something greater than myself . Have a purpose in life and an unwaivering dedication. I would tell myself to keep believing and working to make the world a better place. Thankyou for your consideration, Blaire Davidson

I would give myself two pieces of advice. First, I would tell myself that believing in your own potential is the key to succeeding at college. After a depressing high school experience, I had no faith in ever finding true friends, an honest boyfriend or reaching the ivy-league standards I failed to reach in high school. The first year of college I spent crying myself to sleep, skipping classes, smoking weed and getting drunk. I was pathetic. Looking back now, I realize how many opportunities I could have taken advantage of if only I had been confident and optimistic. Which leads to my second advice: Take some time to listen and learn from your elders. That following summer I spent some quality time with my grandparents. Through their reflections, I finally realized just how precious time really is. Life is singular and if we aren't taking chances, living every moment and believing in a happy ending, then we're only adding more misery and negativity to the world. This philosophy has helped me meet great friends, a loving boyfriend and find the courage to apply to Harvard for my M.Ed, for which I was recently accepted.

Joe, I know you must be getting pretty nervous about taking the next step in your life...the four years of undergrad life. You've heard amazing things about college, and some not-so-amazing things. Trust me when I tell you, you are right to be nervous. Take it from me...the first semester of college will be extremely lonely and awkward. That can change however, as soon as you get your feet wet with student organizations. This is one of the best ways to meet people; friends that you will likely be in touch with for life. As soon as you can get involved this way, your second semester will surely bring a completely different attitude out of you. As far as academics are concerned...trust me...though your high school seemed like a breeze, BU is not. Do not take your classes for granted...but in the same vein, don't freak out if you get a C...its all part of the learning experience. Lastly, take advantage of the time you have...study abroad, volunteer early with professor's work, and most importantly, don't forget to have the best time of your life. Joe

Turning your tassel at the end of your graduation is not closing the doors to your future, but an opening of your professional preparation! Take a look into your heart and declare the anxiety you have for teaching in an elementary school! Your preparation for your future is yours to transform! There are many colleges waiting for your subscription, willing and well prepared to answer your questions! Yes you might feel that you are leaving your group of friends behind, but hey, invite them to also pursue their dreams of becoming professionals. College is not just reading and writing. College is many other things. College is academic tutoring, student housing, resume preparation, job fairs, and student clubs! Make calls, turn on your computer, ask questions,and get yourself informed. Do not let this opportunity slipped by. Transform your dream into a fact! Do not wait for others to bring college to you! Just take that first step and everything else will fall into place! I assure you; at the end of your college journey you will look back and congratulate yourself for making such a wise decision of pursuing a college degree!

Dear "high school senior Lisbeth", Remember how in high school in our small town everyone knew everyones business? If a person made one small mistake or hooked up with the wrong kid at a party they were labeled for the rest of the year. Trust me on this one, where you're going you need to think less about the drama of high school. In college you'll find that most people are there to actually learn and do well at school, whether it be for Mom and Dad or to keep a scholarship or for themselves.You'll find that getting good grades in college is going to feel better for you than it ever did in high school because you did it on your own. Dad wasn't there nagging you to study for a midterm--you did it on your own and were disciplined and because of that you succeeded! Like you did in high school, you need to stop worrying about whether people are going to be talking about what happened over the weekend, because come Monday nobody judges you! Focus and put your effort into your school work to earn the weekend and stellar grades!

I've gotten my future out of my college experience. I've committed years of my life to an amazing school and now that graduation is only three months away I'm confident, relieved, and so excited! The diversity of my school is the biggest contributor to my personal growth. BU has a large, diverse student body. Being able to work with this broad cross-section of my peers has taught me what an amazing place our world is and inspired my dreams for its improvement! I start graduate school in the fall and will study Urban Planning with a focust on sustainability. The liberal arts education I received at BU has given me an awareness and confidence to successfully deal with my chosen field's complex, interdisciplinary problems. Thank you for making this scholarship opportunity available to students like me, and have a great day!

I have learned how to take my education into my own hands; by attending a large university, I now have more responsibility to meet my professors and seek help since these things that seemed so easy in high school prove to be much more rare at the college level. I like to think that I am not getting an education, I am taking the education I deserve, and I think this outlook is the best thing that my college experience has given me.

I have truly gotten a feel for being part of a community that comes to exsist soley by choice, and being somewhere where I have all the possiblities and opportunities available to me that I could ever want. Even though I have just started, I already feel like part of the BU community, which is possible because everyone is so set on making you feel at home and helping in every way possible.

Although costly and at times detrimental to my health, going away to Boston University has helped me forge a new identity for myself. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, as a son of two immigrant parents, academics was never the means of getting anywhere. Nearly everyone in my extended family either immediately got a job out of high school, or dropped out of college to work. Going to Boston University meant immersing myself in an academic community that fully embraces the leverage of education. Through hard work, and considerable support from established professionals, I have been able to establish an identity of myself that is rooted in intellect rather than ethnic background. The established members of academia and industry in Boston embrace the fact that they were once aspiring students, and will not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Were it not for the support and intellectual maturity that I gathered at Boston University, I would not be able to return home as a pillar of inspiration to the younger generations in my community.

I've gotten the friends I have today, I've gotten a great education and new experiences. I'm from the suburbs so it's interesting to live in the city. Boston University has definitely been a good choice for me.

While I have been in college for only 5 months, it so far has been part of some of my best memories. Unlike high school, I no longer feel as if my classes are just something that I take because I need a certain number of credits to graduate. Instead, I see each class I take as information that I will be able to apply for running my own company in the future. It is not always easy, but I know it will pay off in the end, because my energy is being applied to exactly where I want it too, rather than busy work. College is also rewarding for the people that I have met. My high school was diverse, but it did not have students from other countries, such as Ireland, China, Egypt, and Zimbabwe. I fell that if I did not go to such as large school as Boston University, I would not have been able to experience different cultures from the individuals who know them best. I hope that I will be able to make and keep friendships with people from many different countries so I can understand different cultures more fully.

College has been a valuable experience because of the unaccpected lessons you learn. For the first time you are on your own. You feed yourself, you do your own homework, you study for your own exams , and you do it all on your own schedule. The most important lesson that college has exposed me too is how I perceive myself. You learn how you do things, how you interact with people, your study, sleeping, eating habits. You learn that college is your big first step into adulthood. While you arn't completely on your own, you do have a certain independence unexperienced before. College is important because you learn how to be you. And that in itself is incredibly valuable.