Brown University Top Questions

Dear Past-Margaret, Hi, it's me! Well, it's you! That is to say... it's Future-Margaret! I just finished my first semester at Brown University, and let me tell you, you-me: you're going to love it! There's so much to do and to learn. You've already settled in with a great group of friends. But there are some things that you should know: 1. If you prioritize, you CAN do everything you wanted to: classes, theatre, a cappella, community service, friends, sleep... 2. Speaking of sleep, you really SHOULD sleep. Pulling all-nighters is NOT fun, and your work is much better when you're well-rested. Trust me. 3. Rejoice! The infamous "freshman 15" is a myth (at least for us) but still remember to eat your vegetables. Mom will know if you don't. I still don't know how, but she always knows. 4. And most importantly, I know it's hard, because you've never had to be "the new kid" before, so it's scary, but go out on a limb. Remember that everyone else here is "the new kid", too. Your friend in the future, Future-Margaret

"College is the BEGINNING of my life." That's what I told myself all through high school. In college, I was going to pursue my true interests, discover my true self, create a new path for my future . What I had forgotten however, and what I have come to realize in college, was that my life before has always been a part of the journey to where I am now. My international education and my mixed heritage have not existed to close the doors of my past in order to better relate to my peers, but have provided a space for exchange and learning all in a life I thought could only be created once I got here. Rather, my past has only added to who I am becoming at Brown University, and has ALL to do with where I am going. It is important for you to remember this when choosing an insitute of higher education. Stop thinking about how college is going to remodel you and start thinking about what you bring with you. College is just a transition, a turning of the page in the book of life, an opportunity for rebirth, yes, but also for progress.

Dear Alyssa 2008, there is absolutely nothing I can tell you which will sufficiently prepare you for the exhilirating yet exhausting experience that is college. More important than the things you will learn in your classes are the things you will learn about life. You will be leaving your little bubble of high school. You will learn about things you didn't even know existed. You will learn to see the world in ways you never imagined. And the most amazing, confusing part is that the more you know, the less you know. The pillars you built your world on will be torn down. It will be frustrating and confusing, but rewarding too because you will be getting closer to figuring out who you are and what life is all about. And after all, how can you decide what you want to do with your life without first understanding what it's all about? Don't worry, you will meet incredible professors, classmates, and friends. Together, you will figure it out and make lasting memories. Get ready for the ride of your life! Love, Alyssa 2010

As a senior, applying to college can be an extremely strenuous, stressful, and emotional time. If I could go back in time, I would probably give myself this speech: Spencer, take a breath! I know that at the moment it may seem as though the applications will never end, but the struggle yields an invaluable reward. Attending college is truly an experience unlike any other, and while I know you're striving to get into top schools it is my personal belief that in the end everyone manages to get into a school they will love. So relax, bear the load for a while because you too will end up in a school you love. But the end of applications does not mean to stop applying yourself. My second piece of advice is to maintain the good work effort throughout the year. I know that you may have a desire to slow down on their work as senior year winds down. College work is anything but easy, keep yourself sharp by staying on top of your school work. Lastly, when you arrive at your campus next semester please be open minded! This is the most important advice I can offer.

Dear Self: Getting into the college you get into will come with a few unexpected doubts. These are completely normal. Even when you get there, it's going to be hard. The adjustment part of it will be the worst. But with the support of friends, family and the Brown community, you will get through it, and it will be worth it. The homesickness will fade to bearable in time. The cold will be less cold. Just don't let the adjustment get to you too badly. They really mean it when they say these are the best years of our lives. Don't let anything hold you down, and you know what I'm talking about. Just think about things a little bit more. Also, you have NO idea how crucial those scholarships are. Mom and Dad really can't pay for school as easily as you might think. Love, Me P.S. Go to sleep at a decent hour!

I have learned so much in my first semester of college. The transition was more difficult than I imagined, but I can honestly say that it has added to my character. Most importantly I would say to always be true to myself and to be a leader not a follower. There are many opportunities to get off track and I would remind myself that my studies are the top priority. Extracurricular activities that are productive and challenging are an important aspect of college life and will allow me to grow as a student and a person. So I would offer the advise to get involved and to give back. Social activities are important as well but I must consider the ramifications of my actions and my associations, and remember that my reputation is important to me as a person and to my future. I must keep an open mind, be willing to try new things, be supportive of my friends and grateful for the opportunity that I have to further my education.

Study calculus during the summer, you are gonna NEED it!

Congratulations on finishing four years of high school, here comes the reward. College takes everything you like about high school (a wide variety of electives, lots of extra-curriculars, and social growth) to the next level while increasing your freedom. High school is like being a dog on a very short leash. In college, you are on a leash that stretches for miles, allowing you to walk wherever you want. With this much freedom and opportunity come choices that you get to make. My advice is to try to find a balance in your life that you are comfortable with. You can choose your own classes, your own class times, and whether or not you do the work for class. Try some challenging classes, and some easier ones for fun. You can choose to join clubs or read in your room. I would say try both to see what you like better. College is a chance to figure out what things really make you happy. There's plenty of time to do anything you want to, so keep an open mind, try new things, and follow your interests. You'll likely be happy with where that takes you.

There is truly nothing I can think of that would make Brown a better match for me. Whether in the classroom or out with friends, I find it hard to stop smiling as I simply relish every moment I am there. While it would be impossible to pinpoint the exact source of this compatibility, I do believe that a great deal of it has to do with the individuals who surround me. If I have learnt one thing in life, it is that our existence as human beings is thoroughly interconnected. Love must be both given and received, true happiness must be shared, and laughter can only be infectious if there is someone else listening. Perhaps then, the key to finding true joy is discovering those with whom we enjoy sharing it and surrounding ourselves with these individuals. It is only because of the wonderful relationships I have with my peers and professors at school that I can fully reap the benefits of such an amazing academic institution. My appreciation of Brown University goes far beyond my interactions with the people there; however, it is because of these people that I am able to truly appreciate its full splendor.

I?d say to myself: take off those blinders. Actively avoid preconceptions and value judgments, and you will gain much more from your surroundings. The power of a liberal arts education lies in true immersion in an idea, until it relates to everything that you encounter in your daily life?from class to a friend?s story about her childhood. Clear, unclouded observation is the best way to be introduced to an idea. Later on you can analyze, deconstruct and think through every possible permutation of a concept, but in the beginning just keep your mind and senses open. This will help you figure out what opportunities might be influential to you. When I was in college I was an art major, but when the Computer Science department recruited for a National Science Foundation project I became involved and it changed my art permanently. At first glance a videogame about human immunology might seem unrelated to my field of interest, but it taught me a new skill set and showed me the value of interdisciplinary thinking. The more relationships you find between ?separate? fields, the more interesting your perspective of the world will be.