Cornell University Top Questions

Go into college with an open mind. There is nothing worse than deciding your entire life's plan before even entering freshmen year. If you come in with an open mind and an undeclared major, you can take the classes that seem interesting and academically stimulating to you without feeling obligated to work towards a specific career path. Once you find something that you love to do, the career path will follow.

I would tell myself to be more outgoing. It's really easy to get overwhelmed and retreat into yourself and not branch out when you first arrive, and it just makes things harder to adjust to later on. I would tell myself not to be afraid to go out and meet new people and worry about being judged, because it's not like that. Even though things may seem big and scary, the year is over before you know it. New friends will be made, old ones will fall away, and neither of those things are bad, just different. I would tell my high school self not to be afraid of the changes because it doesn't make it any easier.

I would tell myself that I would be okay no matter what. Whatever college I went to would not define who I was. The people I met, the connections I made, and my overall outlook on life would be a deciding factor of my happiness. I would tell myself that money does not matter: sometimes, the poorest are the happiest and the richest are the hate their lives. I would tell myself to take every chance I had, utilize every opportunity, thank yourself everyonce in a while, reward your successes, and learn from your mistakes. I would tell myself that no matter if things worked out or not, the people you surround yourself with will see you through, count of your family, believe in something bigger than yourself whether it be God or not (once the nonbelievers of college get the best of you), and whatever I do- make it something I could tell my Grandmother with a straight face. When it comes to not knowing, learn it later and don't sacrafice your integrity for a grade. And don't ever doubt your brilliance, you got where you were because of it. No one can take that away.

Don't get lazy or content with the status quo when you get to college. Watch people's reactions when you say things, sometimes different parts of the country can be very different culturally. Don't add too many people on facebook before you meet them, they think it's weird.

Taking a leap of faith or a risk is something that I find particularlly difficult to do, but it is exactly what I would have recommended to myself two years ago as a high school senior and to other students as well. Choosing a school should be based on your perspection of how happy you're going to be your next four years at the college. Academics certainly matter but enjoying life and learning are far superior. I would encourage everyone to take a risk and just follow what your brain and heart intuitively tell you. Everything works out for the best in the end, but only if you take the initial leap and put yourself out there and follow what you feel really want. Otherwise, there is a chance that you will not go to the school that is the best fit for you. Sometimes you just have to make a courageous decision and choose, not knowing all the information you wish you could know about the future, and base it in the facts and your heart.

Be Outgoing. Be yourself. Meet girls.

Really think about what is important to you in the school you attend and how it will help you get to where you want to go in life after college. Do you really want a big sports school? Do you want a school that is more academically focused? Do you want a balance of both? How do the programs the school offers line up with what you are truly interested and passionate about? Can you see yourself living here for the next four years, even during the harsh, cold winter months or the sweltering hot spring and summer months? Does the area surrounding the campus provide what you see yourself wanting while there? If you can answer all these questions, among several others, and you have found the college that fits your preferences, you will almost certainly have no problem adjusting. If that isn't the case, join groups or clubs that interest you and always leave your dorm room door open, because it's the people you know that help you become at successful at college. Surround yourself with people you respect and you will do fine.

I would tell myself that a school with a large oncampus social life is one that I should choose. I ahve many friends who go to schools that rely on the bar scene as their only nightlife and they are significantly less happy than I am. The academics must be good because I really enjoy the difficulty of my classes, but the extracurriculars must also be strong.

Like in real estate, it's all about location, location, location.

Take AP Chemistry and physics! That way, the classes would count towards vet school. Live in a single so you can go to bed early, but be open to visitors whenever you want.