College of William and Mary Top Questions

College has been more than an academic experience that will (hopefully) propel me into the future. Instead, it has provided me with more opportunities than I could ever imagine. It has taught me the meaning of strong relationships, integrity, work ethic, fun beyond my wildest imagination, giving to others, and living out my dreams. As cheesey as it may sound, I have come to realize that anything is possible. When I came in as a freshman, I often wondered what lucky students were the ones who got to address our entire College at events, give tours on campus, serve as Head Residents, run organizations, and most of all, be friends with the President of our College. Today, I've realized that it doesn't take luck - instead, it takes some perserverance and the willingness to try new things. I'm so glad that I've followed my passions, because every day I walk across the yard of the oldest academic building still in use on a college campus (thank you, Tour Guides!), I feel like the luckiest girl to be living out my dreams. And sometimes, just sometimes, I wave to President Reveley on my way to class.

Before my freshman year, I believed that anticipating every possible need by overloading the family car on move-in day with everything from duct tape to freeze-dried ice cream would ensure a smooth transition to college life. Clearly I did not understand how little space a dorm room provides. Naively, I thought that if I had everything I would ever need at my fingertips, then I could easily prepare for any possible obstacle. My first semester produced an immediate change in that mentality. Classes challenged my former standards of success, raising the bar to a new level. Time-management quickly became my mantra as I struggled to balance academics responsibilities, extracurricular involvements, and the beginnings of new friendships. I soon learned that not every obstacle will be expected, nor can it be always be solved with a piece of duct tape or some other material good. Fortunately, the ability to strive for personal best through challenge ultimately strengthens the heart, mind, and soul. Spontaneity improves the college experience. Not everything can be, or even should be, anticipated. Moments spent outside of a scheduled existence oftentimes offer the most unexpectedly, satisfyingly edifying experiences. Therein lies the magic of college life.

I would tell myself to relax and be open to making new friends. I would advise not to try too many clubs, but also to try one club that seems scary, or not like me at all. I would stress being open and not getting stressed out too easily. I would also warn myself about studying for finals, and how to focus and do well, something I only figured out during the last few days of finals. I would probably tell myself about some people at college, which ones are really good friends, and which ones are not how they seem. I would stress the importance of the club Canterbury and the possibility that my roommate could be wierd and hard to get along with. Overall, the most important piece of advice would be to take advantage of new opportunities and experiences that college gives you.

I believe i handled the college application and transition process; however, there is always room for improvement or something to be done better when motivated. I would have told myself as a senior to open my horizons to colleges out of state and try something new. At the College of William and Mary I have met so many people from around the country, even some from other countries and it makes me think of how I should have at least considered other schools. Also I was not very active in searching for scholarships so I would have liked to try harder with getting scholarships rather than worry about them now when I have much more school work than before. Besides that I would like to give myself advice on getting active in clubs. I would have told myself to get more involved in clubs, even if it is out of my comfort zone, it is easier to get involved in these clubs early on in your college life. Besides that advice I would have nothing more to say to high school senior me other than prepare for a great adventure!

All throughout high school, if I felt as though I was the smartest person in a class, I slacked off. Though I received excellent grades, my lazy tendencies began to bring down my GPA. I was so arrogant as to think that I had no real competition that I hardly bothered to put any real effort into my work. I ended up graduating with a high GPA, but for some reason I felt guilty. It wasn't until then that I came to realize that my laziness only ended in disappointment for me and my teachers. If I could go back, I would tell myself to get into gear and put my all into my work. By being too lazy to push myself to my potential, I was inadvertantly disrespecting the teachers whom I had come to respect and love greatly. Coming to college taught me that I will have to work hard to get what I want in the real world and I cannot just expect it to automatically fall into my lap. I have to earn it, through hard work and dedication.

I would tell myself to not be so anxious to move so far away from home. I would also advise myself to transition into the college environment at a school that is not so different from my high school. Unfortunately, I left a small rural environment and a small high school to go far away to a large university. Needless to say, my transition was disastrous. Instead of enjoying my first semester, I felt like a fish out of water and my grades reflected my unhappiness. Nevertheless, I would advise myself to recognize your mistakes and make positive changes, which I did when I transferred to a smaller college after the first half of my first semester.

Being a senior in high school is very easy; we want to rush through our last year in order to be independent and "in college". If I could go back, I would teach myself to develop better work habits. I would enjoy the activities of high school and the ability to have the "safety net" of home, when I had parents and teachers to catch me immediately if I made a mistake. It is also very important in the last years of high school to establish who you are as a person and what your values are, and to set boundaries for yourself. Otherwise it will be very easy for those to be manipulated, or determined by someone else. I also would not have brought so much stuff my freshman year, because most of it you do not use! :)

College is important not only to advance one's career, but also to grow in every aspect of your life. After all, college should be a time of learning, fun, and meeting new people that you would otherwise not know or see without the experience. While acadenics and career enhancement are important, getting involved as much as possible in social activities whether they be clubs, organizations, or the frat/sorority scene. College is all about growing in every aspect of your life should also be apart of the college experience. Such activities teach one valuable skills such as networking and being more sociable in public settings which will be integral in both college and beyond. There are skills not taught in the classroom, but nevertheless are important skills in life, namely having an engaging and outgoing personality that will help an individual in succeeding not just in the classroom, but in life generally. As a result, college is all about learning and retaining life's lessons whether they are studying for that midterm or final or landing that first job post-graduation--namely that you as a person can determine your future and not someone else.

Do not procrastinate! I know in high school that I could get away with waiting until the last minute, but I have more than enough time in college to do work and to study. I would also tell myself to definently be outgoing! I know I was really shy in high school, but college is a great time to bust out of your shell and start over. Don' be afraid to talk with someone new and sit by someone different in class. Also, don't stress about senior year and all the applications. Just work your hardest and try and enjoy youself. College is more than you can imagine, and the freedom is great, but take the time to spend with your family and appreciate how much they love and support you. Don't forget that college is just the beginning and take the time to find yourself.

I?d be willing to bet that right about now your life is an absolute whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and expectations, so here's a small piece advice from a bonafide, experienced collegiate You four years into your future: relax. There will be plenty of time for you to learn the ins and outs and the college ropes. Don't worry, you'll even have a leg up on everyone else, because there's a secret that I guarantee you will make your transition easier, and here it is: Ignore me. Ignore me, and everyone else who is giving you advice. We all mean well, but no matter what we?ve all been through before, your experience is going to be your own. You?re going to do things, meet people and learn new ideas that you?ve never even dreamed about. I?d tell you what they all are, but I don?t want to spoil it for you. The best part about your college experience is that you get to mold it into a wonderfully unique adventure that truly is your own and no one else?s. So go on and simply enjoy the ride of your life.

When I was in high school all I wanted to do was be an artist and go to art school. When I couldn't afford it I was devastasted, but it ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me. I went to a community college and learned about myself. I found out I excelled in more than just art. Now I'm at one of the best schools in the country. Everything has worked out for the best. I wish I would have known that then.

The transition from living at home to being on my own at college was not an easy one for me. I was accustomed to the comfort and cozy nature of my family and was thrust into the foreign and diverse lifestyles of my peers. Like many incoming freshman, my initial reaction was to shy away from differences. In hindsight, one of my biggest regrets from my undergraduate education was doing so. That's why if I could go back in time and give advice, I would drive home the importance of immersing myself in the community around me. In other words, just get involved! Freshman hall counsel. Greek life. Intermural sports. The French club. It doesn't matter! By jumping right into the fire upon getting to school, you will be exposed to unique people that will contribute to your personal growth. I only began to do so later in my undergraduate experience and the perspective I gained truly cultivated me into the person I am today. Instead of avoiding the cultural and other background differences, I learned to embrace them and push myself out of my comfort zone. I only wish I had done so from my first day.

Having finished my first semester with a 3.59 GPA, a little lower than I would have liked, but above the 3.5 standard at most schools for retaining scholarships and avoiding academic probation from honors programs , I have to say that I am satisfied with how I have begun my college journey. I do not have enough information to analyze and critique my position. I have made numerous friends, am on the verge of joining a prestigious fraternity, enjoy my studies, and have not gotten into trouble. If anything, I want to continue doing what I have been doing and when something unfortunate happens, I flunk a test or get into an argument with a friend, I will learn from it. Life is about learning from mistakes, but as cliche as that sounds, I have no desire to go back in time and warn myself to act differently; otherwise, "future me" will not learn anything. If I absolutely had to give myself advice in transitioning, it would be to watch what I eat and exercise more...the freshman fifteen is real, and fifteen is a bit of a stingy estimate.

I do my best work and am most sucessful when I am working toward a specific goal. In high school, I worked extremely hard to get into a good college, and I did well. However, when I got to college, I was completely undecided about my major or career aspirations. I took the advice of others and spent my first few years of school completeing my general courses. But without a specific goal, I floundered. My academic enthusiasm faded and my grades suffered. If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to take the time to decide what I wanted out of college and a future career. I would have deferred school for a year and spent that time considering all my interests and goals. With a clear plan at the beginning, I think my college experience would have been more enjoyable and certainly more sucessful.

The best advice I can give as you prepare for your first year at W&M is this: Don?t be afraid to open yourself up to people who are different even when doing so requires that you venture outside your comfort zone. I know it?s easy to feel insecure in a new environment, amongst people whose beliefs, interests, and backgrounds are unquestionably different from yours. Even so, don?t spend all your time hanging around people from high school because it?s comfortable or getting to know people who are like you because it?s easy. Embrace people who are different, seek them out, and take the time to really get to know them. In doing so, you'll be surprised how much you have in common with these people, how much you can learn from them, and how many of them will become your closest friends. Embrace people from Smithfield, Nepal, Taiwan, and New York, people majoring in neuroscience, Hispanic studies, history, and economics, people with a passion for Jane Austen, nude portraits, lacrosse, and gangster rap. Thanks to these very people, you might just discover that you love Naan, indie rock, and Nelson Mandela.

Now that I have lived one semester as a college freshman, I definitely have a lot of advice for myself as a high school senior. Throughout high school, I was generally taciturn and introverted, traits that would be especially detrimental in a college setting. As I have learned, a significant portion of college is about making connections, meeting new people, and making your own decisions. Therefore, I would advice myself as a high school senior to be more personable and communicative. Having this advice as a high school senior would have definitely eased the transition from high school to college and made it a much smoother one. At present, I am much more extroverted than I have ever been and I'm enjoying myself. This sense of accomplishment is definitely helpin me achieve more in the academic realm of college, as well.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself.... Not to stress out! Most schools are essentially the same, and if you really hate the school you end up at transferring is really not a big deal. Even if you're upset about being weight listed, send in the paper work to stay on the list. It's a huge bummer to get a call saying that you've been accepted.... oh, wait, you never sent in the paperwork so we actually cannot accept you... Pref a dorm close to all of the other freshmen dorms because it makes meeting people SO much easier! Pack duct tape! It can cover up creepy holes in your wall, replace the missing pieces to your shelving unit, hang up posters, and so much more. Establish ground rules with your roommate on day one. It's a lot easier to put stuff out in the open initially instead of doing damage control later (and then maybe you can avoid some really awkward situations ;) Study hard, have fun, and try new things!

I would tell myself to involve myself in more clubs and extracurricular activities. Finding common interests with others is a good way of starting friendships. I would also tell myself not to freak out about grades during the first year. High school work is different from college work. As a result, it is not uncommon for a grades to be less that spectacular freshman year of college. I'd tell myself to continue to do my best work. I'd also tell myself to create a well organized schedule. Merely getting an agenda where I can plan out events has made my life much easier. I don't have to worry about due dates sneaking up on me.

Remember how you felt that night before you started high school? The overactive butterflies, the numerous times you checked your bookbag--notebooks? Check. pens & pencils? Check. Loose leaf paper? Check.--the ridiculously early hour you went to bed, but somehow never... quite... fell asleep? That's how the night before you move into you dorm will be like--minus the bookbag checking, plus checking the packed-to-bursting minivan so many times, it's a wonder the neighbors didn't call the cops at 3AM. But, really, college is like high school--just better. Yes, you will get a sudden bout of homesickness at the most random moments, but, think about it. You're free to do as you choose--an overwhelming thought at the beginning, but something you will definitely long for when you return home during extended breaks. The hardest part of the whole thing is actually getting situated--and, don't worry, that's what orientation is for. The first step to talking to the unknown roommate, getting to know the people on your hall, memorizing the layout to campus--giant steps, yes, but conquerable ones, they are. college? you're going to love it.

Your first year of college is going to be one of the most challenging and rewarding times in your life. You will make new friends the moment you arrive and at the end of that first year, some of those first friends will just be mere acquantainces. That's okay, too, because that first year is all about finding where you belong and who you are as a person. Go in with an open mind and be willing to say "yes" to as many opportunities that you can. Take a long walk around campus by yourself, get to know your professors outside of the classroom, close the books and socialize every once and a while and above all else, open your heart. Allow yourself to love and be loved, allow yourself to say things that you are terrified about saying to another person, allow yourself to live. For if you come to college and just do everything the way you used to, then there is not point. College is the time for personal development and growth, so do not let it pass you by. Take charge!