Colorado College Top Questions

I would tell myself to relax. I was so stressed out about finding the absolute perfect college, but now I know that a perfect college does not exist. I love my school, but I wish I could've told myself that there are good days and bad days everywhere you go. I would have wanted to tell myself that no matter where I attend college, I will make friends, have fun, learn a ton, and grow. The most important aspect of college is growth, and no matter where I would have ended up, I will grow. As a high school senior, I was preoccupied with grades, admissions, extra-curriculars, and resume-building. I wish I could have told myself to slow down, enjoy life, and live in the moment. Senior year is such as exciting time, and if I could give my high school senior self any advice, I would want to tell myself to slow down, take a breather, and trust myself to do what is right.

If I could go back and talk to my young high school self, I would tell myself not to worry. The best part about college has been letting go, trying new things, and fully immersing myself in things I never thought I would like. Trying new things at college has allowed me to meet life-long friends, and has even allowed me to find the carrer of my dreams! As someone who naturally worries, it would be helpful for my younger self to hear that it is okay to relax and let things happen. Part of making the transition to college has been learning to let things happen and to enjoy the process instead of trying to skip ahead to the end. This is valuable advice that I wish I could give to all high school seniors. Instead of worry about what is coming, just relax and enjoy the ride. You never know who you might meet or what you might discover about yourself in the process. And that is what college is all about!

Knowing what I know now, what would I tell a high school senior? I would tell them to enjoy their 1 hour homework, and short amount of study hours. When you enter college you realize it has a lot different expectations than highschool. You are required to study for more than 3 hours plus for each class you are in. If you are a full time students that is 12 hours a week you are spending on homework and studying. Another thing I would tell a high school senior is, college is also different in a good way, you are allowed to make your own schedule, and choose your own teachers, where in high school you are told when and where you have to be. College is also a lot more laid back. Lastly, I would tell them, enjoy your senior year, it's loaded with fun and exciting things you will rememeber forever!

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self that I am perfect just the way I am. Just because I am going to a new place, does not mean that I should change who I am to fit what others want me to be. Only change if you think it is best for yourself and not for others. I would also tell myself to try out for anything and everything that seems exciting, it will be scary at first, but you'll be glad that you at least tried. Don't take life so seriously, college is not about stressing over every little thing. Take some time to breathe and have fun, and never ever stop believing in yourself because it's hard to recover who you are, so don't lose yourself. Lastly, I would tell her that I love her.

I love Colorado College, so none of my advice would concern my decision on where to go to school, rather what to expect and brace yourself for when you first arrive. I would say one of the most important things is to meet as many people and hang out with different groups of people in the beginning of the year, before groups solidify. Make an effort because everyone is in the same scenario and wants to meet new people. If you don't feel you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, then you should try harder. Another important piece of advice is to get involved as soon as possible. I had a hard time in the beginning of the year, feeling as though I didn't have much of an importance, but once I started joining clubs and playing a club sport, I quickly felt a part of the school community and met more people who have similar interests as I do. Lastly, take advantage of everything your school has to offer, as there are many great opportunities available. You only have four years in college, so really make the most of it while you are there.

I would advise myself to take advantage of more campus programs. I would have attempted to be more invovled in campus life.

Given the chance to advise my past self, the most important thing that comes to mind would be to be less afraid to live independently. Spending time abroad, as Colorado College has afforded me the opportunity to do, has really opened up the realms of "common sense" in ways that high school AP classes never did. Try cooking something--worst that can happen is you have to buy new butter! Talk to people freely, and refuse to let yourself be hindered by the same social anxiety that almost all of the people around you are feeling. Most of all, even though it's terrifying and not every painting is a Mona Lisa (so to speak), create as much as you can. You can passively consume and fill up your time quite successfully, but nothing in this world feels as good as having something you created yourself and know that you can be proud of. Write beyond the guidelines! You've only got yourself to gain.

I have learned a lot of facts in my college classes that even if I still remember them now, I’ll probably forget most of it in the next few years. But I've learned something that I'll never forget. I've learned what it means to know who you are and have enough confidence in yourself to go out and get what you want. College has given me a snapshot of what living on your own really means without the concerns of actually being completely self-reliant. But after nearly four years at school, I am aching to get out and try out the skills that I have learned in a real job and the pursuit of a career. College has taught me self-confidence, and most of the time it had nothing to do with class work. After completing an internship in my field of interest, ecology, I became aware of what I was passionate about and more importantly how pursue a career in that field. Without having attended college I never would have had the oppurtunity to get this internship and I would be lost without that experience.

I have gotten invaluable knowledge and experience that has prepared me for my job as a research technician. It has also given me a thirst for knowledge which has fueled my desire to seek higher education.

I am 28 and just got laid off and in search of a career. I am trying to better myself and my future family with a degree that will put me in a successful career. Financial Aid is a concern for the process in order to afford full time enrollment with a college.

I am a fourth year English major and Scandinavian Studies minor. As a result, I spend a lot of my day reading poetry and prose, people's life stories, troubles, genius and woe. Everyday I fall in love, but with little old men in coffee shops reading novels and cute shy girls scribbling notes in scrapbooks over their coffee. Life in a university has taught me - is teaching me - about the infinite quest for knowledge, and how to appreciate and respect that quest for knowledge in other people. Sure, getting a diploma is important to succeed, but that is a minimal concern when I think about how much I am learning about myself and the world around me. At UCLA, I've learned how to grow up, how to embrace passion and be utterly taken away with a perfect sentence or prose that flows like a saxophone. College has taught me how to appreciate the beauty in humanity, and above all, I've realized that I have a duty to do good in the world, and cultivate harmony in the world, as well as my own self-culture.

It goes at a much faster rate then highschool, which I really like. The teachers get to know you on a different level than in highschool as well. Not only are the classes geared towards what I want to learn, but I got to pick them rather than have a set number of classes I need to take in order to graduate that are basic math or english classes. I can now take shakespeare rather then basic english, or a zoology class rather than a biology class. I get to pick my future, and thats what I value most about my experiences so far in attending college.

I have just started college and I am learning alot. It is a challenge, but it is causing me to think outside the box and explore areas that I didn't think were important. This experience is life-changing because I am learning more about who I am.

College helped me grow up into a responsible, thinking adult. It opened my mind and my heart to a lot of different possibilities and ways of thinking and feeling. It helped me sharpen my communication skills, and it taught me the value of diligence and hard work.

Since my very first class at Colorado College, my eyes have been opening to the conditions of the world. We, the students, are taught that although we are living in this fun, safe bubble while on campus, we cannot close our hearts and minds to the people and the issues outside of our little utopia. Nearly all of my classes have encouraged me to stay informed about the events happening in my city, my country, and in the world. Although currently I may not be a person of great power and authority making decisions that will affect the lives of many, I must be prepared and well-informed for when my time comes. I choose not to remain a naive child, totally dependent on those around me. I will educate myself and no longer be oblivious to everything that's happening - the medical and scientific discoveries, the political controveries, the countless crimes, the silencing and ignoring of those in need. My college experience has inspired me to become a surgeon who is not only extremely knowledgeable is the medical field but also an intelligent participant in society.

College has been a great place to get to know myself better and to continue the process of discovering what I am passionate about and what I want to do with my life. So far, I have been drawn to the possibilities of non-profit field, working for greater international compassion. My time at college has offered me incredible opportunities for knowledge and experience that will be beneficial to me in international service. Colorado College offers workshops on fundraising and grant writing for non-profits which I have taken eagerly. I have centered my class choices on cultivating for myself a greater understanding of unique cultures and word-views. My hope is to use my college experience to advance my creative problem solving and organizational skills as well as my knowledge of global conflicts and resolution techniques. I also hope to go abroad at least once during my college career to gain further knowledge and appreciation for international work. In college, I have found an environment full of opportunities for learning and experience that will help me reach my goal to cultivate compassion in the international community.

I would take more AP classes.

If the high school senior me were to meet my college freshman self, I'm sure all she would want to talk about is how her whole school situation panned out. I would have to tell her that I'm still learning, but I'm doing it in an ideal way. I would tell her that she gets really lucky because she ends up in a place that "fits" her, which isn't something everyone gets on their first try. My advice to her would be not to get discouraged by rejection letters from scholarships. Applying and reapplying and applying again is a necessary process for getting what you need, and not just in college. A lot of people are going to say no before they say yes, but the more you ask, the better your odds are of getting something good. Then I would tell her not to worry about what happens or doesn't happen because in the end it didn't matter how much I stressed over application and admission and rejection. What mattered was the work I had done for the last four years and the people who thought that was worth something.

The best words of advide I could give to myself looking back would be to go to a college that is in a location you know you can be happy in. Although the beach can never be replaced, the mountains in Colorado are a pretty good second. Also, look at the typical person who goes to the school and see if you fit in with those kind of people. Being surrounded by people very different from yourself can make fitting in in a new place difficult. Look at the academic rigor of the institution and see if you fit in with that as well. If a majority of people at the school have the same priorities when it comes to studyinng and doing homework as you do you will most likely succeed. If you make friends quickly and get bored of them quickly, go to a bigger school. If you want a lot of close friends that you will keep forever, go to a smaller school. And most importantly go to a place where you know that you can have fun for four years.

Do not be afraid. People in this world are not as frightening or malicious as you might think. Listen to them. They have things to say that you could not think of yourself. The only way to grow is by listening to others and being patient. That is not to say that being loud is necessarily bad. Sometimes you need to shout. Release. Search for what you love academically. Do not waste your time with things that are purely practical, or your life will fall in shambles sooner than you thought possible. Go to the wilderness often. Like Ansel Adams said, "No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied - it speaks in silence to the very core of your being." Never forget the beauty of books. They can transport you, bring you places you could never have dreamed of. People, mountains, books, love.