Boston University Top Questions

The friends I have met, the issues my eyes have been opened to, and the experience as a whole has really helped me see the world in a different light.

I struggled a lot with being comfortable in my own skin all throughout my childhood. My anxieties and self-consciousness drove me to some very self-harming extremes. However, coming here has truly changed my life. I have never felt more at home and at peace with myself. Going to Boston University was a challenge at first; it's hard being thrown into the city on your own, but pushing through that tough time allowed me to appreciate the tremendous freedom I have been granted. I have always said I want to be independent and on my own and going here reinforced that. I love everything this school has given me. Everyday is a new challenge; I am constantly finding new interests and new ways to get involved. Boston University gives me the perfect combination of challenging and encouraging courses. I feel that school doesn't come easy, but without completely overwhelming myself I can work hard to acheive academic success. I also appreciate that my friends here have the same values and work ethic as I do. BU is where I belong.

I have learned a lot about myself more than anything. I learned that it is possible to get involved with anything you want to as long as you are committed. I learned that the only person who cn help me is myself though there are resources around me, I have to take advantage of them. It has taken me awhile to own up to this and realize it, but I believe that it will help me in the future and in life. I am learning to be independant and finding out who I am, which is more valuable than anything else.

If I could return to being a senior, I would tell myself to apply to a smaller college, and perhaps one with a smaller financial burden. I would explain to myself that the hugh college is difficult, but a medium sized school would probably fit me well. I would sugest to myself that I apply to BC, or Clark. I would also tell myself that my selected major is, so far, pretty good, and to stick to it. I would tell myself that the transition would be easy for me, but difficult for my family, so I should remember to be mindful of them, and to give them a call every so often. Most of all, I would tell myself that I don't have anything to worry about. College sorts itself out, and you find your way; it's just part of growing up.

If I could go back, I would die trying to convince myself that spending time with friends and family is absolutley essential. Coming from Texas up to Massachusetts was an enormous change that I sort of assumed would fly by without my immediate notice. Moving myself in alone with all of my luggage in a dusty, dark dorm room on the 17th floor would have been so much easier with the help of family members and friends. While I got along and was friendly, I didn't spend nearly the amount of time I do now sharing tidbits about my day and my thoughts with my parents. While I can only really go all the way home once a semester, every second I spent there is in the company of my family and previous peers. I now thank my parents daily for their incredible generosity and support towards my education, as well as their unconditional love towards me and my career choice. And if I could go back to relive one day as a high school senior, I would beg myself to not take one second of my life, and that moment, for granted.

Speaking to other high school seniors, I would have told myself that college is the place where you learn the most about yourself and others. This is the place where some of your best friends are made. Also, the word "responsibilities" jumps into my mind and how I have learned how to deal with certain situations by myself and not with the help of my parents. The student must be open to the transition of being responsible for only yourself and your school work. Some advice that I would give myself is that it is okay to make mistakes and take risks now because you will learn what worked for you and what didn't. These events will help you in making future decisions. And most importantly, have fun in college! You only go to this school for most likely four years, make the most of it!

Be prepared to do a lot of reading and staying up late. Most of the courses are very reading intensive and the readings themselves are usually fifteen to twenty pages each. Study hard and get help as early as you can, especially when writing papers. Going to your proffessor's office hours is extremely helpful. There will be courses that you don't like, but you still have to do the work and study to make the grades. Don't forget to get out and do fun stuff to relax. Working out, or hanging out in the common room with the poeple on your floor, going out with friends is a great way to unwind and relieve stress. College food is pretty decent, but it can get old after a while, so explore the restaurant options around campus. Colleges typically have a Student Union where they have different places to get food from. And of course, there's also pizza delivery; just don't forget to eat fairly healthy. Figuring out and knowing the best ways to get around campus helps a bunch too. One of the most important things is, know how to do laundry before you leave home.

I would tell myself to have absolutely no expectations. The first year of college will bring about a completely new lifestyle than you are used to, and you have to go in open to anything. Even though it will take time for you to settle in and really find your group, they will be worth the wait. It will be a hard transition at first, but anything new takes getting used to. Make sure you enjoy yourself along the way, because the time flies by so fast. Most importantly, take this time to get to know yourself. College is the place to discover exactly what you want in life and how to want to live, so try everything and anything you want!

As a senior in highschool the stresses of "the college process" definately took its toll on me. It was not so much wheather or not I was going to get into college, but rather what college. As a freshman in Boston University I would tell my high school self not to worry about getting into an Ivy and forget about the rankings. I would sayn just be happy to get into a college that I really wanted to go to, not one that would look good on paper. As a senior anticipating the college life besides academics, I would say that I had very high hopes and thought all my social troubles would go away. Knowing what I know now I would tell myself to listen to people's advice and their experiences because college is not just one big party all the time. College socially, just as academically, is not easy, especially first semester freshman year. Come to college with an open mind, say hi to everyone, try not to judge people and relax would be the biggest advice I would give my former self and any high school senior.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice on the transition between high school and college, I would tell myself to not be afraid. The difference between these two stages of life is one of the scariest to encounter and it is easy to take a more comfortable approach, like making friends with people similar to your old friends, joining clubs you were part of in high school, choosing a college near home or in a enironment like the one you grew up in. It takes more guts to set those things aside to try things you never had before, or to chose to have new experiences that may frighten you. In the end, you learn more from the things you didn't know before than you do staying in a zone you are comfortable with. College is a time to expand as a person, try things you never have before and to be independent. While these things may be scary, it is important to take that fear that comes along with this transition and harness it into something that will benefit and help you grow as a person which is what college is all about.