Hamline University Top Questions

As I moved into campus in the fall, I was the epitome of a freshman. I couldn’t preserve my equanimity. I was nervous that the homework would be overbearing and every professor would be fastidious. Although I am quite sociable, I was afraid that my fellow students would ostracize me. I certainly would’ve benefitted from some additional advice. I would have told myself that college is nothing like high school. College, too, is an opportunity to revel in. Although the classes may be more laborious, the professors are scintillating, and are experts in their field of study. They do a good job of teaching you what you need to know, and the homework they assign is gratifying. In college, the knowledge you can gain is the knowledge you need for your future, and that is exciting. Although what you wore and how you looked may have seemed like the most important thing in high school, you will find that in college, popularity doesn’t hold as much ground. Smart and successful is the new pretty and cool. Simply by being yourself, you are sure to acquire new, amazing friends that you can share the joys of adulthood with.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, the main notion I would stress is to be myself and be open to new experiences. Going to college, I thought that others would judge me and it would be exactly like high school. I was mistaken. The people I have met at college have been more than accepting and willing to acquire about who I really am. Showing my true personality made me unique, and it gave me many new opportunities. I would tell my high school self to embrace those opportunities and take the chance to meet new people and try new activities. College is full of first experiences and new friends. My first experiences ranged from playing on an intramural volleyball team, to becoming close friends with international students, to going to that first party, to holding a clothing drive. No matter what the challenge or situation, whether it’s finals week or helping out a homeless guy on the street, I would tell my high school self not to be afraid. Try new things, listen, believe in yourself, follow your heart, and remember to breathe.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get ready for some of the best and most challenging years of my life. My first year of college was phenomenal, I learned more information than I thought possible, and I made some of the best friends I have ever had. I would say that the overall college experience, cliché as it may sound, is absolutely fantastic: the respectful environment, the fascinating academic work, and most of all the degree of freedom to make your own decisions are nothing short of incredible. On the other hand, I would definitely advise myself to try to be more willing to open up to those around me. I would tell myself that I would have to confront mental and emotional problems more than ever before. I would try to convince my past self of the truth that telling the people close to you how you feel is the greatest relief, especially as you find others with similar struggles, and that the sooner you do so the better it will be. College is a fantastic experience, but you have to work to make it that way.

Be able to make a list of pros and cons. The more pros the better. From there take your time in deciding. Even though you can trust yourself in making the best decision, allowing time to do so is always important. Also take in every experience you have: educational, personal interaction, random experience. They will all apply and help so much with the transition. Also stop judging and trying to fit in. Be open and try new things and always be you. College is a bigger world than high school and no one cares what you do, what you wear, what you look like, what size you are; people won't like you if you are hung up on all of those things. Just live and be you and the transition will make itself happen.

Stop stressing out! There will be a lot to juggle when you get to school: working, classes, social life, family, and any number of other small factors that'll show up to surprise you. But I promise that you can do it. You'll feel a little stretched when you first get here, and you may want to break down and cry. Be emotional, that's fine--but know that you'll have to get up and go at it all again. Because you know what? You'll never let yourself stay down for too long; that's not who you are. They'll tell you the first semester is the big test of whether you can make it. Here's one spoiler you won't despise: you WILL make it. You deserve to be here, to learn, and to be the best person you can be.

The first thing I'd tell myself is that your GPA doesn't show how smart you are, it shows how good you are at completing the meaningless tasks. But when you go out into the real world and get a job there are always going to be meaningless tasks and you're going to need to get them done. So get good at that now, it'll make it so those meaningless tasks in the real world will be that much easier and your job a lot less stressful. The second thing I would say to myself is to not hide who you are, the sooner you are able to accept yourself the sooner you are able to start working to become a better version of that person. And don't worry if other people don't understand you, you are going to make a difference and don't ever stop believing in that. Also, take good care of your dog, she's not going to be around forever.

If I could go back to my high school self, I would say, "Worry less about relationships and focus more on study habits." I am a bright student, and maintain a good GPA, but my study habits are not the greatest and as a result I struggle slightly on tests and quizzes. I believe a social life is imortant, but the necessity of studying should not be undervalued. Secondly, I would say, "Learn what it means to eat well and sleep well and actively seek to do both." I have learned over this past year how sleep effects my ability to concentrate on my classes and homwork, and I have also learned that eating well can keep my energy level higher.

I would say to start looking at colleges early, so you know what's a good fit for you. I would do multiple tours to get to know the campus and the buildings. Also, ask about all the resources for first year students. try to join a few groups so that you can make friends. Try to be involved, and make a schedule so you can get everything done.

I'd certainly take my education much more seriously and would've finished school as soon as I could. I would've planned my education more and looked more into where I'd transfer to.

Well past-self, here we are. I feel so far removed from you, even though it's been only two years. There are a lot of things I can tell you about college. The first is to get involved, and if you don't feel welcome in a group, don't feel obligated to say. You'll just feel isolated. Since you're getting that single dorm room, you should try to interact with other people on the floor. Don't worry about fitting in. Wear what you want. Dress up in a costume for Halloween and insist on being called "Doctor." You'll find the good friends by doing that. Don't sweat the small stuff. You don't need to stay up all night to study for an exam; you need the sleep more. Oh, and stay away from the dining hall pizza. Just trust me on that one. You don't want to try it. Last, there will be two boys that you meet and feel immediately drawn to. One in first semester, one in second. Don't be afraid of them not accepting you; they will. They're my (our?) best friends now.