Hofstra University Top Questions

Don't stress. Ironically, if I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I wouldn't be able to stress those two words enough. My entire senior year was somewhat reminiscent of the sinking of the Titanic. Everyone of my classmates and I stressed about everything from the SATs to college visits, from financial aid awards to college major choices. We ran about trying to find scholarships as though they were life boats, imagining that the majestic ship of our childhood was sinking, and sinking fast. We all felt our hearts race when we got report cards, test scores and acceptance letters, each one feeling like it's own glacier which was about to sink our hopes of becoming succesful adults. Now that I've lived through that whole precess and come out on the other side, I can safely say that while the college application process may seem like a sinking ship at first, if you take a deep breath, relax, and stop stressing out about everything, you can finish it all and still maintain your sanity. Don't stress, don't panic. It will all be fine and you'll end up the better for it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior, I would tell myself to bring more stamps, less clothes, to call my mother every Sunday (at least), and to break up with my high school boyfriend because he cheated on me. In all seriousness, I would tell myself to do my homework (ALL OF IT) when it was assigned, and to get to sleep earlier. I would make sure that I understood how important my friends are, and to take it seriously when a friend seemed upset, because she might have gotten herself into trouble. I would tell myself to be more open to clubs, to audition for the Acapella group, and to not be afraid of anything. Because I've found out I'm braver than I thought I was. And it's been a great half a year so far.

I would tell myself to be prepared for a lot of changes. Also, that I should try and meet people from all walks of life since Hofstra is pretty diverse. Be prepared to deal with difficult classes, professors, students and roomates. Even though I've overcome the obstacles of high school, college is a very different experience that requires some time to get used to. I would also tell myself to join as many clubs as possible especially the rowing club, Hofstra Crew, which I am actually a part of, because joining it was by far one of the best decisions of my life. I would explain to myself to enjoy living on campus but to also sit down and study often to stay ahead of the workload from all my classes.

I would advise myself to get a job, and to get my schoolwork done. So that someday, I won't have to worry about anything and I can build the next space ship that could take us to the far recesses of space.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to become more open minded to people who are different than me. I am a small town girl who grew up in a town of predominantly white people, and I was in for a rude awakening when I stepped foot on the grounds of Hofstra. I had to learn the hard way that people do not come from the same background that I do. I realized that I was ignorant of other people's cultures and ethnicities. I would advise the high school me to learn about the many different people of the world, and understand how they live their lives compared to how I live mine. I would also tell myself to become more mature and accepting so that I could make my transition from high school to college more smooth and easy.

Did you really think you would be able to deal with the cafeteria food? I don't think so. Stock up on your usual Snickers and donuts, because 60 percent of the time, the cafeteria is either closed, or never selling the food you want. When you are in luck, the chicken nuggets are rather lackluster, and the pizza is frozen. But do not fear! McDonalds is always right around the corner! Save your money. It is ok to dress down for class, but looking like a bum can cost you. "Oh, you're the girl with the Spongebob pajama pants!". Use the library. Your room can be the biggest distraction. Especially when Jack Bauer is dominating a terrorist on the television screen. CALL YOUR PARENTS. Make sure the laundry machine is working before you save all your dirty clothes of two weeks, and pile them all up on Sunday, only to find the machine busted. This leaves you with soggy, smelly shirts, and shorts in the winter. Ditching class was SO high school, you are not a rebel anymore. Oh yea, did I mention CALL YOUR PARENTS? THEY LOVE YOU! (Bringing back a gift always works!)

Relax and stay focused on what is important to you. Enjoy your time in school, but remember that you are preparing yourself for the rest of your life. Remember that the people around you today may end up as your peers, supervisors, or subordinates, down the road and your actions and treatment of them now may have a serious effect on how they see you, treat you, and respect you later.

I would tell myself to pick a school that is more like my high school - small campus with small class sizes. I chose a large college and I regret it because I feel very out of place because it is so different from what I am used to. I would also tell myself to pick a college that is in an area that is more like where I grew up. The college I go to now is in a very suburban area and I dont feel comfortable there because it is nothing like the area where I grew up. Basically, I would tell myself to focus on picking a school that is more like my high school so that the transition to college isn't very hard.

The advice I would give myself is to be yourself for that is how one finds their true friends and to work hard, stay determined and never give up because anything is possible.

I would tell myself to really buckle down and figure out what I want to do in the real world. I would work harder at what I was good at so it would have a bigger "pay-off" in college. I would tell myself to give it my all and don't get addicted to the senioritus!