Bryn Mawr College Top Questions

I had actually thought of this a couple of days ago-- in high school, I attended an extremely competitive school where people would always try to intimidate you, which affected me in numerous ways. I would always worry about what I had to do to get ahead, but I realized that this action of trying to beat someone else was always wrong. I should have strictly focused on just 'me' and not worry about someone else or trying to beat other students around me in my high school. It was just as important that 'I' did well for myself, not to just beat someone else. That is no way right in living my life. By attending Bryn Mawr, with such an amazing group of women, I have learned to not worry about everyone else and to just worry about 'me,' making sure that I do the best of my ability. So, if I were to tell myself any type of advice while still being a high school senior, I would have said to just take care of myself (and to get a few more hours of sleep here or there!)

After an intense 4 years of high school, I wish I had known to take a break. When classes started at college I realized not only were they harder than high school, but I was not excited about the academic challenge. I was burnt out by the stress of high school, and the all the changes in my life, yet I felt pressure to jump right into college. I wish I knew that gap years are common and can be incredibly beneficial to many students. At college, I tried to do too many new things and didn't have the courage to reach out when I needed help. I found out too late that my professors actually weren't that scary, and really did want to help. Through taking second semester off, I was able to realize that it's okay to take a break, and it's sometimes necessary to ask for help. On my semester off I worked retail, which helped me make money and take a break from intense academics. Now the new school year is about to start. With my energy renewed, I am ready for the challenge!

If I could go back to high school and give myself a single piece of advice, it would be: “Don’t worry, you can handle it.” This statement is vague but incredibly applicable and, as I have found in college, accurate. I have discovered in my now three-year experience of higher education that certain classes, assignments, and social situations can be daunting. I have also discovered that these anxiety-inducing areas of my life are completely manageable and that I excel more often than I fail. I can be resourceful, creative, innovative, and confident even when I didn’t think that I could. The discovery of this independence has been not only exhilarating but comforting. There is a security in knowing that in any situation it is entirely within my abilities to seek help, restructure my strategy, and take the time to work through a problem or challenge. In high school this kind of independence was not absent but rather fledgling, so my feelings of autonomy and personal security were absent. I appreciate everyone in my life that supports me but I’d like to go back and assure myself that I am definitively my greatest resource.

Everything happens for a reason, especially with college, so do not be disappointed if the end results are different from what you wanted. You are the person who will be going through the college experience, so apply where YOU want, and make decisions that are best for YOU. If this does not equate to your dream college, that's okay! There are surprises everywhere, and college is what you make it. There are always other alternatives if you are unhappy, but don't wallow. Be proud of where you go, and try not to dwell on what could have happened. Be excited for your future!

Enjoy every moment! When the stress crops up, you always feel like, "This is the worst! I just want to fast forward through everything!" No. Savor that moment. Every second, every minute that goes by is a second and minute we will never have again. So live life richly, and look back with as little regret as possible. Give yourself lots of stories to tell your grandchildren :) And for goodness sake, smile more, the SAT isn't all that hard :P

The world awaits you, my young self. I know you’re excited and you should be! Everything changes, but most of it is up to you on whether or not it’s a positive change. High school was a hard journey both emotionally and educationally. But college doesn’t have to be the same. I made the mistake of bringing so much of my high school emotional baggage with me over to college. I should have just let go and saw the start of community college as the new beginning it really is. I’m begging you to do it in my stead. Let of go of the hurt and open up to the possibility of new friendships. Try to trust others and see the good in people. As hard as it can be at times, just be yourself, people will love you for it. Get involved! Yes, you need to study and keep up with homework, but there’s so many clubs and organization you could get involved in. Join one; it would be good for you. One last thing, you know that planner you have stuffed in a desk drawer? Get it out and use it!

If I could talk to myself in high school, there are three pieces of advice I would give myself. The first piece would be to take a study skills course and study. College is so different then high school and you can't pass if you don't do the work regardless of how smart you are. I flunked out of the first college I went to because I had no idea how to open a book. The second piece of advice I would give myself is to take Jacob with me. I had my first child at 16 and left him at home while I went to school. I didn't have any reason to take on the responsibility of my life and left that to those around me. I think that had the responsibility of my life been something I had to take seriously, I would have taken many other things in life much more seriously. The last piece of advice I would give myself is to respect myself and my time and to know that both are important. By not believing these things, it left room open to believe that nothing I did was important.

Advice I would give my high school self would have to be, decide to go to college soon, start appling for scholarships and grants long before graduation, and last but not least study more.. Attending a vocational highschool I thought I was all set for the workforce. I decied to work because I didnt think I could afford college. Since graduation I got a full time job welding. Talking with all my friends about when they leave for college and how excied they are to leave our small home town I soon regreted not even trying to get finacial aid and apply for college to persue my dream career. I took the second best choice to my happiness and no one should settle for less when it comes to the rest of your working life. A job wont be a job if its what you enjoy and I never understood that until working in a job I was good at but just wasnt what I was truly passionate about.

College is a time where you learn to live on your own and care for yourself. At Bryn Mawr, you are expected to be responsible and have strong moral character. There is a great amount of trust from staff and faculty to the students. Living in the dorms with or without roommates is a learning atmosphere equal to that in the classroom. You are expected to manage your time, to attend class, and to take care of your needs, such as hygeine and healthy eating. College is a transition between living at home and living on your own, a time when your basic material needs are provided but you are responsible for their proper utilization. It is a time to learn to work hard and also find time to engage in activities that you enjoy and to spend time with friends, who you will keep for the rest of your life. It is a magical four years of exploration, self discovery, and time to make mistakes and to learn from them. Enjoy!

I would tell myself to never be afraid to take advantage of an opportunity.