Franklin and Marshall College Top Questions

I would tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as possible. College is a lot more expensive than I thought and a scholarship could help with succeeding in college. I would tell myself to talk to the finacial aid before school starts to make sure everything is ready to go and I know how I'm going to recieve my rewards. I would also tell myself to relax. I would tell myself that as long as I work really hard I would succeed in my college classes. I would say that I would have to deal with some finanical issues in college, but I will get through them. I would say not to let the finanical issues discourage going to college, everything will be ok and as long as I work hard maybe someday we will achieve our dreams of becoming psychologist. I would say that most importantly not to give up trying to become a psychologist because I will get though all of the hard things and someday it might be worth it.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to appreciate the little things I have in my life that I do not have in college. Things like hearing a good morning and good night from my parents, having a bed that is not made for a small child, endless free food, and sleep. Before leaving for school, I was not nervous about transitioning because I have always been a very independent person, but I had a glorious image of what I thought dorm living would be like. I imagined dining hall food that was so wonderful I would never need to snack, comfy-cozy beds, getting to bed before midnight, and never missing my parents. Not surprisingly, none of that came true. I love college life and dorm living, but I never imagined how much I would miss the comforts of my home and I realized how little I appreciated them before college. The first thing I would tell my high school senior self is to take some time to think about what my parents provided me with throughout my life and enjoy them while I still have the time to do so.

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell her to realize that just because she had taken ap classes and did good in them does not mean that she will do good in the classes in college that cover what was learned in those ap classes without studying really hard. And I would also tell her that procrastination does not work in college at all. Also to tell her to think about what major she really wants to go for because now as a college student I am still deciding what my major is going to be and if I had really thought about what I wanted to major in before I attended my first year, I wouldn't have taken classes that may not be related to what I want to major when I find out what I will major in.

Min, Get out of your comfortable little shell and put yourself more out there. Spend less time studying and more time learning how to make friends. Try connect with more people, make more real bonds with people.

As a senior in high school, I knew exactly what I wanted. I was extremely goal-oriented, to the point that it annoyed people. I knew I was going to be a Pediatrician. When I received my acceptance letter to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, I was on my way. However, things do not always turn out as planned. As I settled into college life, I struggled with Chemistry and became disheartened. Things changed. My goals changed. Seeing where I am now – starting a BSN/MSN program to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – I would tell my high school self to relax. Plans change. It does not mean that everything will collapse. It simply means that experiences are shaping who we are. And I was offered a lot of experiences along the way. Without the past year of research in a pediatric palliative care department, I might not be going back to school to work in this field. I truly think that my high school self worried too much about little things. That one grade on that AP Biology exam did not end up mattering. What mattered was who I was and how hard I was willing to work.

Dear Caitlin, Congratulations on a wonderful high school career! You are allowed to be proud of your accomplishments. I know you resist change, but embrace the new experiences coming your way. You will live with messy roommates every year except the year you live alone. It will not kill you and you will love them anyway. You and Jimmy will break up. This is not the end of the world; you both become better people for it. Always stay true to your values. The only regrets you will ever have come from times when you let others define your morality. Believe that you can do great things and you will. You will make quite a name for yourself at F&M all on your own merit. You can be proud of this too. Cherish your freshman year because it is the least complicated and least difficult. Cherish your true friends, because they help you through some very difficult times. Cherish your family who support you in all your endeavors. Remember that you are blessed, because you will see so many people who do not have the love and support you do. Work hard. Don't procrastinate. Have fun! Love, Me

I would tell myself to not worry so much about financial aid, and to just keep working on scholarships. Everything will work out in the end, so don't be so stressed out about it.

College is a very interesting place. You are going to meet many new people and take very insightful classes. Dont be afraid to branch out, talk to people, make new friends. A small school like F&M can seem very routine, but if you get involved you will feel much happier. Also, take advantage of your professors they want you to succeed and go ask them questions. Get to know at least one at a personal level, that way you will have a mentor and/ or a new friend. Lastly, for college work time managment is key. Plan your time, dont waste it just sitting on face book. Go eat, do some work with friends, excercise!!! If you manage your time and stick with it, the stress won't affect you as much. Enjoy your time there cause its only 4 years.

They should know that F&M has so many great opportunities for those willing to work to get them. You can get by without doing much work, but then you will miss out on the amazing professors and programs that F&M has to offer.

As a high school senior, I believed the college transition would be a piece of cake. In reality, it was tougher than I thought. Going back to the beginning of senior year, I would have told myself to work ten times harder and to push my boundraries. I also would have encouraged myself to fight for the college experience I wanted. "Never settle", would have been the words for me to live by. In return for not giving myself good advice and encouragement, I find it makes all the difference when I reach out to the current senior class of Milton Hershey School. By giving them the advice I missed, it helps with the transition and knowing that I could be helping them for their upcoming year of college.

-Take as many AP classes as possible. I would have died in General Chemistry if I had not taken AP Chemistry in high school. If I could go back to high school, I would definitely take more AP classes, not just three. -Take classes in different areas. My high school experience was focused on only math and science, so I did have hard times in art, music, and similar classes in college. -Go to private college if possible. I always thought private colleges would be very expensive, and there would not be fun with a lot of activities as at public/state schools. But now I love my school-a private college. It gives me wonderful financial aid, I have good relationships with my professors, and there are tons of activities and clubs available on campus. -Packing for college. Start a to-buy-and-to-pack list as soon as the summer starts. -Living with roommate(s). If there are any problems, talk to each other. -Build strong relationships with your professors. Go to office hours, talk to professors. Be honest and respectful. -Get good study habits and know when to say no.

I would tell myself that I must study longer, harder and attain a sense of pride in my work. I would not rely so much on treatises and quotes and notions that other people have given but instead reflect on what I, myself, has done. I would try not to rush though events and work and take the time to really understand the material rather than just breeze past it and get a b- when i could have gotten an A. I feel that I should have listened to what my friends told me to an extent and relied on my gut instinct rather than what some philosopher wrote in a treatise long ago. I should have been more decisive and also not rushed with my thinking. Trying to be less of a compulsive thinker has certainly made a positive impact onmy college life now. I feel that with this sense of thinking, I am more competant in what I study and how I study rather than to rely on other people and other notions. I have foudn that relying upon one's own mind and instincts is the key to success in all aspects of life.

I would take more AP classes that fulfill the GE requirements at college. Also, I would know what classes to take coming into the college rather than taking classes for fun. I would finish college in less than 3 years if I had known what I know right now coming into college.

Vicki, You should study less my freshman year. Coming into college, three of your four classes are review (intro to chemistry, calc 2, spanish), so going to the library every night isn't necessary. Your freshmen hall is using this time to make friends and you should definitely get to know them. Also, if you break your back this year, you won't know how much you actually have to study. Also, this year will be the easiest, so relax a little! I would also avoid dating anyone freshmen year. I started dating someone as soon as I got there. You're going to change so much this year; it's better to be alone to deal with that, instead of confusing some poor guy. He'll only be angry when you're not the girl you were in September. Lastly, don't be afraid to be a college student; it's not nearly as scary as you think! Love, future you

My college experience has made me into a new person ­ one that I doubt I could have been otherwise. The past two years at college have made me a collected and confident young woman, and though I am still passionate about the things I loved in high school, I am now turning that love into an exciting career-path. The constant support and gladly-bestowed attention of my professors have helped me become comfortable in my own skin and taught me to believe in myself. There have been many instances where I doubted my ability to achieve what I thought to be impossible; yet with my teachers as support, I have not only acheived these things, but I have gained recognition from the local community for them. As well as a stellar education, Franklin and Marshall College has given me a chance to make loving and lasting friendships with the people I lived with as a freshman. Without F&M, I fear I would still be too shy and timid to take charge of my life and fully experience the world around me.

I will be attending the New York Institute of Massage starting January 2011. I am very eager to start school because Massage Therapy is an ever expanding field of work that will always be needed. Attending college will help me become a more successful person with a better future in this falling economy. College, I feel, helps people understand the value and quality of a hard days work, and will give me great satisfaction in my personal achievements. Seeing that I will be the only person in my family who has attended college will help set the standards for my families future generations. College is the next step in my life that will give me many useful lessons in business, finances and communication. Stability and tranquility are the building blocks to a better future, which a college education will lay out for me. Please consider me for this scholarship so i can start my professional career at ease and out of debt.

My college experience afforded me a diverse education that has enabled me to excel in the work force. I was able to expand upon both my personal experiences and my comfort zone to enrich myself and become more accepting of others. While the facts I learned were important, I feel that the communication and interpersonal skills I developed were the most valuable part of my education. These are the skills I use every day, and they tend to be the most difficult to cultivate. It was important for me to attend college both for educational and social aspects. I love to learn, and college allowed me to choose how to augment my high school education. I was also able to participate in activities to which I had never been exposed that led to discovering new passions and interests. My college experience was vital in shaping my youth and I know that my experiences will greatly influence my adulthood as well.

It empowered me to feel capable and intelligent, well-prepared to do anything that was asked of me, or know how to find out if I couldn't.

What have I gotten out of college? Management skills. Of course one of the most valuable things I learned was to manage my time. After all, my parents aren?t there to tell me to study. However, I have gotten much more out of college than just time management. The value of attending college lies in the fact that you learn to manage things you?ve never considered before. In college you realize to manage your money. After months of cafeteria food, delivery sounds delicious. Although ordering out every night becomes irresistible, you quickly blow through your money. What I have gotten out of college is calculating how many hours I have to work at my work-study to pay for that Chinese. Two hours? I think I?ll go to the cafeteria. Perhaps the most valuable lesson I have gotten out of college is how to manage myself. Your parents leave you at a school where you know no one. Exams and essays loom in the distance. You share a cramped room and you run on little sleep. It?s hard not to become overwhelmed. College taught me to manage my emotions and remain composed when life gets stressful.

I entered my freshman year with a general idea of what science major I wanted to pursue. By the time I had graduated from F&M I had completed two majors, the first in environmental studies and the second in ecology and natural resources, which I was able to personally create from three departments on campus. I also completed a summer internship in Washington, DC at an environmental non-profit and earned course credit from a summer environmental field program in the Alaskan backcountry. I was then fortunate enough to have a fantastic experience during my semester abroad in Tanzania with the School for International Training?s conservation and ecology program, which helped to reinforce and develop my career aspirations in international biodiversity conservation. At F&M I felt surrounded my highly motivated and academically focused individuals that created a supportive and nurturing environment. The professors are mentors and friends to the students. F&M helped facilitate the transformation of my early goals and aspirations into realities, possibilities and attainable accomplishments in the future. I am now enrolled for the fall at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent in England for a masters in conservation biology.