Carnegie Mellon University Top Questions

Thus far, hard work and dedication. I have always been committed to my work, but going the extra mile is really worth it when your in a school like this. The reason I am even filling out this is so I can attend summer courses offered as well as continue my education.

I would tell myself not to be concerned about what others think, including faculty, unless I respect their opinions. I would rely more on my intuition and the advice of those who care about me. I would concentrate on learning and less on grades. I would spend more time cultivating friendships.

Decide what things define who you are and hold on to these things more tightly than you hold onto your slowly shrinking piggy bank! If you do not decide ahead of time where to draw the line when it comes to changing who you are, you will become someone that is merely a reflection of all of the people who influence you. College may be about redefining yourself, but always remember that your past defines you as you begin to experiment with who you are.

It is important to really take the time to consider all of your options. Being caught up in the love for your high school is not an excuse for not putting in the effort when looking for a college. While you may get into a great school with a great reputation you should not base you decision on that alone. Additionally choosing a school for financial reasons is never a good choice. It is so important to visit the schools and get a student's perspective. Within the first few minutes of being on a campus you will know if you can be happy there. College is about developing your social skills just as much as it is improving your academics. If you don't feel comfortable, you will never achieve your personal best in anything. I was the student who had everything going for them in high school however my lack of effort towards making the right decision for college resulted in a lot of second guessing my first year. The name on the diploma means far less if you didn't actually use the four years to find out more about yourself and develop as a human being.

If I could go back and give myself some advice as a high school senior, I guess the first piece of advice that I would have to administer would be: ?Don't worry about all of these stresses that you go through. One day, they will all be worth it...? I'd say, ?Please, don't lose sight of who you currently are and ? even when others bring you down for voicing your opinion ? even still, deliver your voice; help others find theirs. Make sure not to keep your aims on simply making a living, but instead, on enriching the world. Strive to improve yourself in any way you can. Know that all the experiences which you will have ? even the bad ones ? are experiences that you have to have if you are going to help others from them. Learn from your mistakes, and give others the gift of learning from your them as well. BE BOLD but, don't disrespect people in the process. Just go for it ?shoot for the sky ? because even if you lose, you won't lose the lesson. If even but a little, I hope this advice can help you nonetheless...?

Looking back, I do not think I had the traditional college experience. As my friends raved about parties and discovering a new social life, I often found myself questioning my own choices and experiences here at Carnegie Mellon, one often filled with more anxiety than alcohol. However, now finishing my most rigorous year yet, I've come to realize that many of original doubts about college were in fact just a fear of not being like everyone else. Some are born to jump into new experiences like a hot tub, while others inch in as if any change in movement would suddenly turn the water into ice. And I, without a doubt, am the latter. My high school senior always regarded this self reflection as something to hide. As if, not jumping immediately, was cowardly. But having learned more about myself than I could've ever imagined in these past years, I have realized something great. Taking the time to appreciate new experiences requires great patience and also a great deal of confidence. To my high school self, life is not a race. And if nothing else, entering the hot tub slowly can only show off your swimsuit even more.

Knowing what I do now about the independency in college, I would advise my high school self to begin understanding that education is truly based on your own determination and willingness to learn. Although there will be many great resources available, ambitious students, and knowledgeable professors to help you, it is up to you to push yourself to learn. However, I would also tell myself that I should not expect learning to be perfect. Mistakes are a major part of learning, and especially of life. Therefore, I hope that I could have seen that it would be inevitable, and also reasonable to make mistakes while transitioning into college. The mistakes I will make are only worth it if I learn from them, and push myself to work harder. This self-realization will help with the first piece of advice to push myself to work harder. After all, education is an individual experience that lasts much longer past the college years.

I would say go back to highschool, it is less complicated than getting a GED.

Rob, you need to focus more time on getting a job and finding scholarships to pay for Carnegie Mellon. You're going to have a lot of work to do when you get there and you need to be able to support yourself. You should also know that it won't be how you think it's going to be. You'll be let down in some ways, but very suprised in others. Keep yourself open to new things and try to not harbor bad memories from the past. Always remember that your music is the key to everything in your life. Follow your heart's song.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice about college life, I would tell myself that studying hard is important, but that making friends and having a good time is more important. Going to a difficult and challenging school, you can easily get swept up with work, grades and papers, and it can all become overwhelming very quickly. However, having people that you can trust and an outlet, whether in the arts or sports or greek life, will help you maintain a balance between school work and a social life. With that balance, it is actually easier to get work done because you are not blinded by the amount of work and lack of free time that you have, but rather you know that there are people around that can help you, and something that you can do to take your mind off all your stress and just relax. Ultimately, if you spend all your time studying, you will forget to have fun and really that is the most important thing to do while at college.