College of William and Mary Top Questions

I would advise myself to look for a college with a strong department in the area I wanted to work, rather than going to a school based on its reputation or the beauty of the campus.

The greatest advice to give myself is to know what I want. Although I already knew what I wanted, sometimes with the distraction of the college life and the social pressures that befall all college freshmen, it is imperative to be constantly reminded of what you want. I would remind myself that everything that I do WILL have an effect on me, whether it be physically, emotionally, academically or socially. These things are imporatnt ot consider if I want to follow my dreams. I would remind myself that I am NOT like everyone else and that I am one in a million. My beleifs are what got me this far, therefore it is what will drive me to acheive and complete the dreams that I have been working for since the beginning of my academic career. Everything can be blown away with a single mistake. Above all, it is important to be true to yourself and stand for what you beleive in.

Be water, seriously. Water is a liquid, it adapts to whatever environment you put it in. No matter what expecations you have for college when you get here things will be different than you expect. You will face new challenges that you didn't anticipate and the best thing you can do is adapt. The biggest part of adapting is not freaking out. Realize that while school is important is not the most important thing, you will have setbacks, work can pile up and get stressful, it is okay, it is normal, just relax and do the best you can, do not demand more than that from yourself. There is also a temptation to believe that college is the end all, that somehow now that you are college you will be able to break free and be independent of the parents that are driving you crazy. That is not true. Make sure you do not slam the door at home on the way to college because you will discover you are less independent than you think and your family matters more than what you give them credit for.

Go to the school that gives you the most financial aid because no matter how much you think you like a college or campus, most schools aren't that different in what they provide... that is, a degree. Looking back, the experience is what you make it, no matter where you go. Forget about ranking, follow your gut instinct and take the best offer at a reasonably known school rather than be broke at a place you might not even like that much just for it's name and ranking.

If I could travel back in time and talk to my pre-college version what advice would I give? I imagine the first few minutes would involve a lot of loud and sadly unmanly screaming followed by a brief and equally unmanly struggle to contain my Past Self from running away and wetting himself. Once the crying has ceased, and the shock mixed with mild disappointment at Future Me's lack of Swiss bank accounts and Swiss model girlfriends wears off, I would probably have to explain how in just over a decade time travel will exist yet somehow hoverboards are still nowhere to be seen, go figure. I would try to explain that I am only back to tell him important information about his college future. He would most likely make some derogatory remark about how lame I am, and how much he "really cares" about his future. He always was a bit of a wiseacre. I would tell him to save money and not take out so many student loans. Better yet maybe hold off a few years before committing to a school. Most importantly I would tell him not to worry so much... and change his pants.

If I could go back in time and have a long conversation with myself as a high school senior, I'd tell her to go to community college for the first two years to save money. I'd tell her that saving money is more important than going to a big expenisve college just to be with your friends and have fun. That college isn't all fun and games, and she needs to start now if she's going to have enough to attend. I'd tell her to apply to scholarships every day, no matter how boring it is, and to save all of the money that she can, because college is expensive. I'd tell her to keep doing what she does, and be passionate about her art, because good things will happen. I'd tell her to start her own website now, because it's never to early to get your business started.

Hey Tori, I know the pressure is building up and the need to prove yourself grows stronger every day, but hang in there. You have no idea how far you will go, what you will accomplish and how much William and Mary will shape you into a more confident, stronger woman. Never doubt yourself. The work load will be exponentially more demanding than high school, but you have the tools necessary to succeed. You have already proven yourself by becoming a first generation college student. Be proud of your accomplishments and remember that you have the gift of hard work. Next, do not compare yourself to others. This will probably be the most difficult, since we live in a society where the mark of success is defined by beating those around you. Do not believe this lie. Only focus on bettering yourself. Continue to work hard and take advantage of your top-class education. Finally, the transition will be painstakingly difficult. You will be homesick. Reach out to your hallmates and fellow students, they are here for you. Take the initiative, introduce yourself and show others how worthwhile you are. You will have great friends and create unforgettable memories here.

Don't slack off and think you're taking classes that are easy. And don't be afraid to talk to professors or older students. You have to work hard to get good grades, and the small number of test you take will heavily influence your grades.

Going back to my high school self, I encourage myself and remind me that all the hard work I am putting in is really worth it. I worked extrememly hard in high school to get good grades and test scores-and that has made the transititon to college seamless. I did not struggle at all with the course load, unlike many other college freshman I saw struggle, because in high school I took challenging courses and really applied myself.

Every freshman should know that rainboots are extremely valuable commodities in the 'Burg!

Dont stress out as long as you are doing your best

I have been able to meet many different people who have become life long friends and inspiring teachers who have changed my way of perceiving the world. I am also able to relate to my children better because I am a college student and I have become a better and motivated role model for them. I am eager to learn about interesting topics and how the ideas I learn in college can contribute to making this world a much better and efficient place to live in.

The college experience is difficult to formulate into words as the time spent there is radically different for every student. I thought I had a grasp on who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do until I realized I spent my time in high school strangling creativity in attempt to become the ideal college applicant. College exposed me to quirky people and quixotic courses, like archaeology and mythology, which altered my overall outlook. There is no need to pad resumes with frivilous activites. The experience is advantageous not only for self-discovery and unforeseen opportunities but also freedom from prior influences. The college experience, although expensive, is valuable for the obvious benefit of attaining a degree as well as the necessary vulnerability of being in a wildly unfamiliar place like Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition to creating lifelong friendships, I greatly widened my basis of knowledge. I gained a better understanding of the world's intricacies. I saw struggles and triumph. I felt overwhelmed by the workload and alleviated by the ubiquitous sense of community. My college experience is undeniably life altering and completely worthwhile.

Growing up I have not had the freedom of making my choice since I come from a very conservative family background. I have always relied on people opinions and persuasive attitude. I did not have the time or the right to make my own decision. And, then college happened. The experience I think led me to have a more practical, and analytical mind set. And, of course the sense of responsibility as well as maturity to make decision on behalf of myself without any infulence or supervision from anybody. It also helped me to have the independent mid set that will eventually help me to establish my own personality. It has been a very interesting journey because I am descoverying things I never knew about learn the way applying myself. For the first time in my life I am taking descisions that affect without any pressure or persuation from anybody and that is very thrilling.

I have had a hard first semester at William and Mary, but I am pleased because the college has already prepared me for the professional world. There are many research programs that I am looking foward to inside and outside the campus. School is hard, but the opportunities are definitely worth it.

Going to college definitely was not what I was expecting. There are a few things that I have gotten out of my college experience. One of them is friends. I have met friends that I know will be my friends forever and be in my wedding. I have also learned more about myself. I was able to find out that if I challenge myself I can do anything, even if I think its impossible. This not only applies to my school work but it also applies to my sport that I play at school, swimming. I have also learned a lot in the classroom and I am able to retain the information because what I am learning I am interested in. This school has been valuable to attend because it has helped me challenge myself and make me a better person. I hope in my next two years here, I will continue to grow as a person.

Although the College of William and Mary is known as an university that has a heavy influence on academics, I have received so much more out of my college experience. Not only do I have a rigorous course load with helpful and well-known faculty and staff, but my enrollment at the college has been valuable in ways that has not applied to academics. The college has over 400 student clubs and organizations, which has allowed me to branch out in ways I didn't think a smaller university could possibly offer. I am the Vice-President of the NAACP, President of the Multicultural Ambassadors Council, a member of the fastpitch Softball Club, a campus tour guide, tutor twice a week at the local middle school, and am an Aide to the President of the College. I have been encouraged by both faculty, staff, students, and members of the school's strong alumni base to branch out of my comfort zone and achieve the unthinkable. Before coming to the College I would have never imagined myself to be the person that I am now, and I know that when I leave I will be even greater.

My first year of college has showed and taught me many things that I would have never been able to get growing up in the middle of central Wyoming. One of the best decisions I have ever made was deciding to go to college over 700 miles away. This taught me how how to be an individual and how to grow up. It showed me that I didnt need my two brothers to do everything for me. Growing up I didnt exality have the easiest childhood my father had Multiple Sclerosis ever since I was born and my mother died when I was 12 years old. So I didnt have the easiest childhood but going away to school made me get away from my comfort zone. I had to get out and meet new people, find new friends and become comfortable in a place that I new nothing about. Looking back at some of the connections, memories, and friendships that I have over the past year I would never change anything about it.

I have recently been going to community colleges and not I have decided what I want to do with my education. I want to become a Medical Assistant with Limited X-Ray. I have learned a lot in the past years of attending community college. I learned that I do want to continue on with my education and better my future.

A single year is not much of a “college experience,” but it has been full of a most humbling education. In high school, I was on top: 3.97 gpa; numerous honor societies; officer positions; character awards; varsity sports; etc., nothing was going to stop me. But that was just it—nothing was going to stop me in high school. Nothing was going to make me grow. I was only going to continue sit on the top of a system where I was not the best, nor brightest, but one with potentially the fewest family problems and most free time. In college, however, people with the same story, the same accomplishments, the same potential surrounded me, and I was no longer on top. It realized that it is easy to shine when you are the only light in a room, but no one marks a single light when the whole room is lit. Why should they? Accomplishments do not make people: the experiences do. Do not attempt to outshine, but rather get to know every light—the candle of a history major, the CFL of a scientist, and the skylight of an environmentalist—because friends last longer than plaques.