Endicott College Top Questions

As a student of a small well known high school, you could say I got by pretty easy in life. I was respected as a great athlete as well as a great person. I was meaning of the word procrastinator in High School. Never did I ever get anything done early and barely on time. Teachers at my high school always gave me second chances, so thats how I managed to get by. I am one to start working very hard at the last minute because I know I have to get it done as oppose to having weeks to complete it. Well as a freshman gone through first semester, I quickly found out there are no second chances. Get it done early and get it done right is the advice I would have given myself. It was hard adjusting to this working habit but I knew I had to act my act together for myself and my mother who is currently struggling to put me through school so that I can have a better life than she did.

I have been in college for one semester and already I have learned so many things. I would tell myself first of all to not be afraid to put myself in uncomfortable situations, because they will only help me to grow as a person. I would also need to understand that hardwork will eventually pay off, but maybe not always in the short run. Through thorough studying, difficult information can be retained for both short and long term periods of time. I would also advise myself to not judge people too quickly, because you never know what one person is going through or how they were raised which may differ from myself. In regards to free time, I would advise myself to get ahead on work as much as possible so that the stress will not build up to the point where it becomes unbearable. I would want to be extremely careful about who I associate myself with because these people can either help you through difficult situations, or cause problems by abusing your trust. Lastly, to utilize upperclassmen who are in my major because they can provide encouragement and support from a firsthand account.

Hey senior girl, You're on top of the world right now, aren't now? Or at least you feel like you are. Have as much fun as you can right now, because before you know it you will be saying goodbye to people and things you're not ready to say goodbye to. Remember to make every moment count. Go into college with an open mind but stay true to who you are. Keep a strong personality and don't cave under the pressure to feel like you need to change the way you are just to make sure other people are happy; make yourself happy. Act on your gut feelings and don't let friends influence the way you perceive yourself. Keep in touch with old friends, but only the ones that you feel put in the same effort to contact you. Don't stay in touch with the toxic friends that brought you down all through high school, they are no longer worth your time. Be nice to mom and dad when you leave, you will realize how much they do for you and how much they mean to you after a few months apart. Sincerley, Me

Hey Kelsie, So I know you're a senior and the last thing you want to think about is college applications because life is so exciting right now but you need to slow down and think for a minute. College is a huge determining factor in where your life is headed and it's not something to be put off till the last minute. You've always wanted to go to California so maybe you should start looking there. If you continue procrastinating you're going to end up at a college filled with people that are nothing like you. It's important to realize this is basically your first big decision as an adult. Make sure it's a reflection of your personality and not just a convenient option. Either way you'll be happy, but you never know what you could accomplish if you actually set your mind to it. After all, we didn't work our butts off since 5th grade to end up at a mediocre school, right? Oh, and remember to always think for yourself =) It's so easy to fall in with the rest of the crowd.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to be so nervous about going to college. Like every other high school senior I knew, I was excited to get out of my house and start my life. The closer and closer I approached my first day of college, the more scared I became to start all over again. Meeting new people and being open has never been one of my strong suits. I had many friends in high school and was extremely happy with myself, but I was not quite ready to start over. Once I got to college, I became shy and quiet, although I was the exact opposite at home. Because of this, I did not make many friends my first semester. Towards the end of the year, however, I opened up and made a few great friends. I just wish that I was more myself at the beginning of the year. Now that I have learned from the mistake I made, I wish I could go back to my senior year to remind and encourage myself not to be so afraid.

Upon arriving at your college visit, you will feel as though you belong. One should not worry about the size of the school, location, or any other facets that are told to a high school student. When visiting schools, if you can't wait to leave, that school is not the school for you. When I stepped onto the campus of my current college, I didn't feel like I was a visitor, but I felt welcomed by the atmosphere of the school. No one can tell you what's right for you, so go out and visit as many schools as possible. You won't know until you try, although the process may be drawn out. Goodluck!

Parents: talk to your kids while they are applying to college about how it will be paid for! I can't even begin to tell you how often I have cried, worried or freaked out about how I am going to pay for college and the amount of loans I am already buried in because my parents and I did not sit down and discuss money. And please let your child become indepedent whether they're 20 minutes from home or 2 hours. Students: choose a college that makes you happy. You will be there, not your parents. Be outgoing, friendly and most importantly, yourself and you will make tons of friends. Roommates can be awful and sometimes you're stuck with them so make the best of it and just remember it's only a year (unless you can switch). School is always the hardest when you first start a new year or class so don't freak out and things will eventually fall into place if you are doing what you are supposed to and you are asking for help.

When trying to find the right college, it is important to first look at the academics of the school, but then look beyond them. A student shouldn't solely focus on the school's academic statistics to make their decision. Instead, college bound students should aim to find a school that provides them with the education they need and a school that they feel happy and comfortable in. The student defines how much they will get out of the college they attend. If the student is in a place that he or she feels comfortable in and enjoys, the student will get more out of the college. Knowlege gained in college should also extend beyond text books and class lectures into actual life experiences. When making the most out of a college experience, it is essential for a student to try new things and surround his or herself with new types of people. Although it is important to be comfortable at college, it is also important for students to get themselves out of their comfort zones occasionally to experience new people and activities. College students should be able to learn in and outside of classrooms, becoming a well rounded person.

Look at a variety of schools that are different in location, size, etc. Also, participate in different activities such as open houses or informational days in order to learn more about the college. Attend the school that you can see youself at, not what anyone else thinks.

Having already found the right college and been exposed to the college experience, I would tell prospective parents and/or students these tips. Finding the right college is like finding the right house: you should not settle on a house if it doesn't have that big back yard or extra bathroom that you want and need. Just as a prospective homebuyer makes a list of what they want in a house with a realitor, the student and parent should sit down and make a list of the qualities they would like in a college. Research whether the college offers the child's desired major, the size of the school, location, and all the little intricacies-such as having a personal or community bathroom- that the student desires. It is important to tour the college while it is in session in order to get a feel for the true atmosphere of how the students and faculty conduct themselves on a normal day. As for the college experience, the student will have plenty of time to have fun with friends-it is very easy to get caught up in the outside influences- just make sure the work gets done first.