Dartmouth College Top Questions

College is a wonderful experience. You will learn new things about the world, and more importantly, yourself. Don't worry about getting into the "perfect" school, because it doesn't exist. Take a variety of classes, because you never know what you will find interesting. You can find opportunities anywhere as long as you look for them. Talk to your professors; they are interesting people who have had many amazing life experiences and are more than happy to share their wisdom. Be willing to try new things. Try a new sport, or join a club that you never would have considered before. More importantly, know that you can make good friends anywhere. Be open minded and you will find happiness.

I would tell myself to go out more often. Being comfortable in a social setting is huge for college.

I would tell myself to get involved, and to not give up on lost opportunities. I would tell myself to fully engage myself in the chances to try new things and to completely commit myself to things that I feel passionate about. I would also stress the importance of maximizing efficiency to get the most out of my four years.

Stick with it! 4 years is not so long!

Focus early and often. Every point counts.

I would advise myself not to compromise my beliefs or ways of life in order to fit the mold presented to me by my college. I feel that I have changed dramatically as a person over the past year and a half, and as a result I am a much less happy person now than I was before I entered college. Part of this also has to do with the fact that the climate here prevents me from doing some of the activities I loved most in high school, like tennis. This could have been remedied had I found new activities more suitable to this college and its climate at the beginning of my freshman year; however, I did not do so due to social anxieties and the desire to be free from all of the unwanted pressures I felt from the many activities I participated in during high school. While I have friends here I feel like part of my life is missing, and if I had to jump back in time and change my freshman year I would have remained my high school self and gotten more involved in things that I knew I could learn to love.

I would tell myself not to be afraid to branch out and try new things. It's the best way to figure out where your passions really lie.

Worry about what school you want to attend AFTER you apply to them all and know which you have been accepted to.

Focus and stick to the plan. Don't second guess yourself. Don't procrastinate, don't make excuses. Just do it. Don't try to justify something to yourself when you know in your heart it is wrong. Don't be afraid. Face the hard things. That that does not kill you, only makes you stronger. Also, don't freaking come to college in a relationship. It's a whole new game out here, and there are new rules. Don't bother trying to beat the system. You're not slick enough for it this time, just do the work and get through it day by day, piece by piece. Don't give into your own demons. Now is more than ever, the time to be strong, to hold your ground, and to know who you are. Don't take opportunities for granted. They will undoubtedly pass you by and you cannot afford that. Older is definitely wiser. Listen and learn, listen and learn. No excuses, just do it.

As cliche as it sounds, don't be afraid to be yourself. Explore the opportunities that your school offers, even if it's something you could have never seen yourself doing in high school. You may find that you have passions you never even knew about. Most importantly, try not to let the bumps that you run into hold you back. During my freshman fall especially I tried out and applied for a wide variety of groups and opportunities. Most of the time I would hit a bump. It was upsetting to be rejected and frustrating for me when I was trying to find my place on campus, but I'm so glad that I kept putting myself out there. I've been able to take on leadership roles in various clubs and these experiences have made me more prepared to overcome future bumps in my college path.