Emerson College Top Questions

The most important thing to do is be open to new experiences. Never be afraid to try things for the sake of trying something new. Because you will be majoring in film, learning about yourself is just as important as learning about filmmaking. In the end, film is just a medium...a means to an end. What you really need to be learning is how to tell stories and all of your new experiences will help you bring understanding to the stories you want to tell. Life is will always take you in directions you didn't plan on and your college years are a perfect time to practice making wrong turns take you to where you wanted to go in the first place.

Don't be afraid of change. When going to a new place, especially somewhere far from home, things are going to be different. You won't have the food you're used to, the personal space, or all the comforts of home, but it's okay. You're going to get used to it and be just fine. Don't worry about the whole "finding friends" thing. It isn't difficult when you're around people who have the same passions as you and all you really have to do is (as corny as it sounds) be yourself. Trust me, you'll have someone to talk to in every class if that's what you desire. Speaking of classes, expect them to be harder than what you're used to and a lot more work. It is college, after all. You're going to do a ton of writing, and it's going to have to be good. Just know that as long as you keep up and put forth the effort, the rewards are sure to be great. Do your work. Don't procrastinate on it. And don't be afraid to go for the things you want.

Hello, Ashley, I'm you from the future. You're probably looking forward to college and all of the wonders it does have to offer but I can assure you the partying will not last for long. It's crucial now more than ever that you start learning how to prioritize your time. The real world doesn't call for senseless meandering. It's important that you rank what is most important to you (school work and your job) and focus on those two things before you get to having fun and going out. With that said, be sure not to over work yourself. Yes, college is stressful but it's only as stressful as you make it out to be. Allow yourself to take breaks and relax and also have fun and maintain a social life. When you become a work freak you lose yourself in the process of trying to attain success in a small amount of time. Success will come when you are patient and reward yourself for all of the small things leading up to it.

My high school senior self was shy, inhibited, and afraid of change. My excitement to go to my dream school, Emerson College, was tempered by fear that I wouldn't make friends, that I would be lonely, and there wouldn't be a place for me. Now, in my second year at Emerson, I think I would tell myself of two years ago to take a deep breath and relax. I would tell her that the first month or two of college will be scary and probably lonely, but that the worst thing you can do during this time is to stay in your comfort zone. I would assure her that, despite the cocky rhetoric of her peers, everyone is terrified. I would tell her to forget the "college is the best time of your life" and "all college students do is binge drink and party" stereotypes and remember that college is just another phase of life. Don't put pressure on yourself to conform to what you think college should be, but instead focus on doing what makes you happy, remain open to including new people in your life, do your work, and the rest will fall into place.

If I was able to talk to my self and give my self advice I would say that college is a great way to and that I should have started earlier and that I should have taken the oppertuinity to go to college from Job Corps. but the one major thing that I would stress to my self is that when every thing is looking down going to college is the right and best thing for me to do and to be happy that I am making a great choice. and that my family and friend will be there for me and will support me no matter what and that they are going to be the greatest assest that I am going to have.

Dear diary today as I think about college life and all things that are changing, I must stay on track and focused on my goals. What is important, what is it going to take to achieve my goals. SAVE MONEY....I never knew how expenses college truly was going to be, I should have worked harder on scholarship forms in high school. School work is not about wasting your time, it is about building your future. A future to support yourself, a family. Set your sights high, build bridges and friendships along the way. Allow time to help others through volunteering. Start each day ANEW DAY. Remembering my faith in God and family will give me strength and peace. Make time for myself each day.

Go for it! You didn't give yourself enough credit. You worked so hard and you really do have an edge over other students because of it. You had the drive to start your high school's internship program and become the first student there to hold an intern position...that's special! You should travel more. Spend your senior summer interning in New York because your college summers fill up quick with study opportunities, plans and work, so do WHATEVER YOU CAN NOW! Go one trips, use your car to visit places you've never been (you don't have a car in college!) Please, please, please save your money! Those shoes you bought last week...they'll wear out in a months. Save your money to make buying an apartment, books, and travel easier on yourself. Take any opportunity you can, you rock!

Graduate early, Em! High school didn't challange you enough, and you knew it! There was no need to waste time there when Emerson was waiting for you all along. You never gave yourself credit for your talents until college, and I've learned so much now that I wish I could have been more confident before and done more in highschool, or just get to college sooner. You actually ARE a great writer; everyone here agrees. You have a real talent for doing make-up and hair too! Who would have thought? Try it out! You'll really like it. You actually become the head-stylist at YourMag, an awesome magazine on campus. You should start one in high school, it'll look great on your resume, which, by the way, you should work on NOW while you have time. It took me a week to perfect once I got to college! You don't need to stress out so much, you're great! Try some new things while you have extra time, and please TAKE AN ART CLASS. I've always wanted to try and now I'm way too busy. Good luck, girl. You'll be great.

Knowing what I know now, I would have told myself to remain in Ohio and earn my associates there where I had a full ride scholarship to Sinclair Community College instead of moving to Texas. I was just naive and thought there would be more opportunities here in Houston away from my small home town.

If I could talk to myself as a college senior, I would tell myself that my instincts are correct; Emerson College is the college for me; however, I would also tell myself to seek out community. Excelling in my field is wonderful, but people to spend time with are equally as important. I'd recommend to myself that I join a community service organization and look for a religious group where I can more comfortably be myself without judgment. I would also tell myself to consider proactive thinking when confronted with problems rather than retreating into myself in an effort to keep the peace. There is always a responsible, positive solution to a problem; the trick is figuring out what it is.