Dickinson College Top Questions

As a high school student, I did not have the easiest time. I stressed a lot about grades, but did not really think about what my education could do for me outside of getting into a good school. After taking some time off in between high school and college, during which I traveled throughout Central and South America, I now realize that grades do not accurately depict what I have learned. I did not learn how to mix cement by hand in my AP Calculus class; I did not learn how to salsa in my AP World History Class; I did not learn how to harvest quinoa in AP English class. Though I am grateful everyday for my formal education and all I have learned in the classroom over the years, I now understand that my grades are not what define me, but rather my experiences in life. Good grades are great, but you're only in school for so long. Being able to apply what you know in new settings and being okay with being out of your comfort zone will sometimes get you farther than that A you got in your math class sophomore year.

I would tell myself that while you won't make best friends overnight, or even in the first semester, you will form friendships that you want to last a lifetime. Don't worry that everyone else seems to love college and have life figured out becuase, first of all, they don't. Second of all, you don't have to keep up with anyone else. Honor what you feel and know that you're doing a good job. Relax and smile. Stop thinking about transferring colleges because Dickinson is going to be the perfect place for you. So, get excited about what is going on around you, becuase more exciting things are coming your way if you just open your eyes and trust yourself.

My advice would be to work on time management. I will admit that I slacked occasionally with my work in high school and I am finding quickly that that cannot happen here, nor should I want it to happen. In order to make the most out of my college education I need focus and truly prioritize my work so that I can efficiently get everything I need done, done. This encompasses all aspects of life such as sleeping, proper eating, socializing (which is hard since I live with my friends), and scheduling extra curriculars. My academics come first so I should spend the most of my energy on that, but because I tended not to do that in high school I have realized that I need a lot of catching up. This education is important to me and I don't want to jeopordize it by not focusing enough on my school work.

You will be absolutely fine! You were totally made for this! You know what you want out of life and matriculating into college is the best thing you can do for yourself. It's what you've worked so hard for. You can't worry about those who doubt your ability at this institution. Success is the greatest revenge for those who doubted you! You must sail your own ship and do what's in your heart. You've got to do what you HAVE to do in order to do what you WANT to do. Although this experience may bring some tough times, remember that it's only temporary. You will look back on those tough times and laugh. Those tough times will help you through your work experience and through the real world. You are loved and have such a great support system! It's time for you to shine. Continue to run through the rain and splash through the puddles. The world is waiting...

My name is Noel Beatty and I am the first generation to go to college, I am the first to break the cycle. When I was in high school things were hard for me. I had four siblings and lived in poverty. My parents fought very often and didn't teach me how important having an education was. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school studentI would make it clear that my education is my future and that's what I need to concentrate on. I would tell myself how dangerous it could be to rebel and that could come back to haunt me. I would let myself know how important an education is by telling myself to develop good academic habits for college, absorb the information being taught to you, and walk out of high school with a good GPA. If not, you are making waste of the most important function of high school. Last, but not least I would tell myself that fitting in isn't everything. I would covey the message that it very important to always be determined, trying your best at everything will make a huge difference .

Looking back, I would tell myself to engage with more students and professors sooner in order to build up a stronger social network. In addition, I would tell myself to talk more in class and find one campus club or activity that I really connected in and stick to this throughout my four years. Lastly, I would tell myself to have had studied a little less and dated a little more.

My college experience has allowed me to discover myself and blossom (as cheesy as that sounds). When I first arrived as a freshman, I had no idea what I wanted to study. I studied economics, philosophy, environmental science, chinese, french, creative writing, business, and probably a couple other subjects I no longer recall. I didn't do very well in those classes (with respect to my standards -- around a 3.2 GPA), mostly because I wasn't motivated. Then one semester I took a computer science course to fill a lab science requirement. I loved it. It didn't even feel like work to me. So, evidently, I took the next course -- and I loved it as well. I decided to declare my major. Now, I'm well known in the computer science department, I have a 4.0 major GPA, and I'm currently taking graduate courses while studying abroad in Toulouse, France. Sure, this school has cost me a TON of money -- but I think it was worth it. Without the small class sizes and the flexibility to test many different waters, I might never have become the computer science geek I am today.

My college experience has been the most influential on my life to date. I came from a home-schooling high school situation and the first improvement to my life came in the form of social interaction. I arrived at college shy and introverted and within weeks I felt accepted and included. This prompted me to participate in classes and ask questions. It greatly improved my self-esteem and from the onset I integrated well into the diverse student body. Living on campus allowed me to transition from adolescence to young adulthood in an environment that granted freedoms but expected responsibility in return. We were given sufficient room to make the mistakes that lead to maturity; mistakes that might be devastating in a “real world” environment but on a college campus are somehow softened. I also took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Italy. That has been the most life changing and invaluable choice I have made. I experienced different cultures, traveling, communications challenges, personal budgeting, among many other things. The results have made me more patient, understanding, open, culturally sensitive and intelligent.

College has been valuable, as I see it as an experience I could not get had I gone anywhere but college. First, the resources available are of a great magnitude, very useful and accessible. The professors have been hand picked as specialists in their areas of study, so they are a great resource from which I can obtain knowledge and experiential wisdom in whichever concentration I'd like. The library is full of books that have been reviewed and confirmed as reliable sources, and are organized in such a way that I don't have to take much trouble of finding the best book. There are centers for all kinds of help from academic, to fitness, to sex, to mental health. Groups on campus are what I think have been the most enriching part of college. I've been able to unite with people of similar minds to work towards a common cause and discuss important problems. Funding from the college enables groups to activate change and bring the discussion to a wider public. Living on campus enables relationships that would have otherwise been contained to the classroom. College presents a myriad of opportunites that I am willing to take.

I would tell myself to approach every day as though it was the last day before I would be kicked out into the "real world". Something that took time for me to understand about college was the incredible pool of resources available to every student lucky enough to attend a school like Dickinson. College students are protected from life's harsh reality. They are given a privilege that so many others are excluded from, and I believe that with that privilege comes obligation. An obligation to utilize and exhaust every resource and opportunity available in their four years. The chance to attend college is by no means a right. It is an amazing privilege and opportunity to gain access to valuable knowledge and experience that can further prepare you to impact the world. If I were given the opportunity to talk to myself I would stress the privilege I have been given. To be able to attend a four year private college in a world where families are starving in Haiti and poverty and homelessness continue to be major issues within the boarders of this great country. I would tell myself, appreciate what you have and work your ass off.