Hollins University Top Questions

I would tell my high school self to ignore everyone around me in high school. Or, since I did that, do it even more confidently. Those bullies wouldn't hurt me anymore. At the college I chose, the idea of no one being mean to me would be so foreign I would find it to be very weird. I would actually grow confidence as my time at the school went on. High school is a hell hole that my former self has to work through to get to what is essentially a paradise.

You are still human- do not forget that. You have never learned to put down your defenses and you often feared being wounded by others if you ever were to appear weak for once. Intelligence has always been number one and emotions were a sign of weakness. However, I need you to understand that your greatest allies will not care about your grades. They will not judge you if you break down in tears and you must know that you will grow to love these people. Yes, keep up your grades; yes, stay strong when people do attack you with words, but don't you dare be afraid to find friends. Grades are only part of the college experience; you will learn that. Learn sooner than later that emotions are necessary to connect with not only fellow students but professors- and they want to see you feel. You have fought so hard that you have forgotten that you are more than just a grade. Remember that you are a human being and that emotions are natural. Nothing is wrong with a few tears; you will feel better than you ever have before when you learn to share them with others.

Dear Aleena, Trust yourself and follow your dreams. Your heart will show you the path that you need to take and it will lead you to your dream world. Sometimes, along the way, you will get lost, but the sun will arise every morning and you will always find a way out. Many paths lead to one destiny; take risks and explore your surroundings and yourself; don’t just look in front of you. What’s around you is what you need to meet your goals. Bring with you every piece of knowledge, and every lesson you learn from your mistakes to become a better person. Enjoy the experience; share your story and hear what others have to say; learn from each other and support each other. Don’t forget to rest. Moving forward is necessary, but if you forget to eat, to laugh, to try new things, and to build a community, you won’t get far. Throughout your journey, you may discover a new path and you may create new dreams; don’t be afraid to change and start over; it may lead you to a better place. Just trust yourself and know that it will be okay.

To my high school self: STOP FREAKING OUT. I know applying to colleges and figuring out which one is best for you and how you're going to pay for it is super stressful, but don't worry! You'll end up in the right place and it'll all be fine. You have the rest of your life to be stressed (trust me, there's plenty of things to stress out about in college!) Enjoy your last year of high school, your last year with the friends you've had since elementary school, your last summer with absoluetly no responsibilties. Go be young and reckless. College will come sooner than you think, and here are a few tips for when it does. Invest in a blazer/business attire - you're going to have a job interveiw eventually. When someone invites you to dinner, GO. Get as many general education classes as you can out of the way freshmen year- you don't want to be stuck taking them as a senior. Let loose at a frat party, but never skip your Monday 8am. Coffee and naps are your best friends. Join a club. And finally, just have fun!

I would advise myself to try not to stress so much. I would also advise myself to slow down and enjoy college.

I would tell my high school self to study! Even though I didn't have to study in high school, it was required in college to do well. I would also tell myself to learn how to stop procrastinating on homework, papers, reading, etc. Although I did well in my undergraduate work, I think I had the potential to do even better if I had applied myself even more. I don't think I'd tell myself anything else except to enjoy the ride and don't take it for granted - four years goes by in a flash!

Don't assume people are going to come up to you and talk with you right away. You have to get outside and make friends. Remember all those nights crying because you didn't have any friends? Yeah. Could have been prevented. Though you did shoot yourself in the foot with your unbearable shyness, eventually you found a couple friends you could talk to. It's just how things go. You have to give love in order to recieve it. But you will turn out all right in the end. Don't worry. You came here to study, and study you shall!

Apply for scolarships by the priotity deadline. Use all available resourses, including online resources, teachers, librarians, and counselors. Start saving for college early, get a part time job during the summer, and put all the money directly into a savings account so that it can gain interest and avoid the money made from getting spent. Study hard to get a high gpa as many scholarships are merit based, and universities ang colleges especially look at gpa. Start at a community colleege, make sure your classes will transferto two prospective universities you wish to attend, and reviece an associates degree before moving on to a bachelors. The cost is less, and it leaves you with a sdegree to put on your resume when applying for jobs. File your fafsa as soon as possible, and study hard for all standarized tests as thier scores also are considered by most colleges. Apply to your university by the early decision date to have more time to contact school officials about scholarships and other financial assistance. Consider class sizes at your university and the campus size. Visit the campus BEFORE school starts. Build a resume, and volunteer at local non-profit organizations and school functions.

At most college orientations studens are welcomed to their college campus, but at Hollins University we had a scheduled orientation including movie nights and white water rafting. The very first day of moving in the president of the university stopped by each freshman dorm to welcome us new students. I have made many new friends that I consider my sisters. So far I have gained amazing friendships, not only with students, but with my professors as well. I have only been through one semester of college and I already have had so many opportunities here. Here is a small list I compiled of why it has been a vaulable experience while attending Hollins University: - Professor know your name and want to help you succeed - I am not afriad to ask for help - I have made life-lasting friendships - The finincial aid staff really wants to help make it afforable - I have my first job as an employee at my university's library and all my earnings are directly applied to my tuition - There are volunteer opportunities - Students get to climb a mountain with their crazy professors and President - I am on the Tennis team - I am confident and more outgoing

I've learned a lot in subjects I didn't think I'd care about as an English major. I've also made so many new friends and relationships that I know will last a lifetime. The English department here is fantastic and I know that the next three years will be the best.

The most distinctive thing about Hollins was that it was small, liberal arts women's college. Isn't that a mouthfull? From it being small, I gained confidence in the classroom during discussions, having the chance to ask questions and voice my opinion. Because it was liberal arts, I was required (and liked it!) to take classes outside my major. As a music major, I was taking courses like Greek Mythology and Food Politics! Having this type of education gauranteed me the knowledge to expand my horizons and contribute to most field of education and conversation. And finally, the fact that it was a women's college. This brought many varieties of people with differences in race, culture and sexuality. I enjoyed being dispersed in that and learning about all sorts of women. Also, I found friendships and bonds that I trust will last a lifetime. All of these qualities have taken me to where I am today, studying for my Master's and pursuing my dream!

The most I have gotten is learning that I'm fine with who I am, accept myself, faults and all, and never deny who I am to make others comfortable.

As a high school senior, I thought of college as an evolved high school, a social environment I could escape once I walked out the double doors. During my college search, I believed that if I considered the social atmosphere of a university I would be compromising my academic criteria; in my mind, social activity was in competition with academics, not a complement to it. I have come to realize that I, in essence, chose my family for the next four years, those with whom I will be eating, studying, and rooming. By chance, the small, all-women's university I chose (considering only academics and tuition) nourished the kind of personal, sisterly environment without which I could not succeed. I would not have been comfortable expressing myself (in- and outside of class) at a larger, coed school. If I could speak with my high school self, I would explain that social atmosphere is as crucial as academics, and that the ?small? and "all-women's" descriptions I ignored would soon become very important to my development as a writer and as a person. College is a multifaceted experience in which one is not only learning, but living.

I would tell myself that College doesn?t have to be so intimidating. Yes it is important but it is learning process like anything else. You do not have to settle on a career now. That is not what you are working for. You are working toward gaining knowledge that will apply to what ever job you chose latter in life. Find the school that fits you. Make sure it offers a variety of subject areas that you are interested in. Experiment by taking classes you would never think of taking. They may surprise you with new knowledge or help steer you in a life direction. Just as important is the social life. You will make new and better friends that will help you learn about yourself. Time management skills and better study habits will develop quickly as you find your place with in the world of the school. Stick with what works for you and what you need. True friends understand that sometimes a paper requires you to disappear into the library for a weekend. Most importantly have fun next year. It is easier to get an ?A? in a class you enjoy. So relax and have fun.

I would have told myself to finish high school. It caused alot of stress and low self esteem over the years and even though I did get my G.E.D. I still never felt up to parr with everyone else. That's about it, the only regret I had.

It's surreal realizing that this time two years ago, my sole financial goal was an iPod. Seventeen and license-less, I earned eighty dollars a week caring for five children two blocks from my home in Richmond, VA. Five paychecks and one iPod later, I quit. The children?s father was rude, and the hours--ten a week--were "ruining" my social life, as I?d dramatically explained to my mother. If I could travel to that silver November I'd shake that kid by the shoulders and tell her to get to used it. Life is filled with bad bosses, rude people, and low pay; social lives take a backseat to work all the time. Now, a sophomore in college, I?ve learned the importance of self-sufficiency. While attending school full-time, I have two jobs. My money goes towards tuition, living expenses, and bills; the hours consistently impede my social life. Regretfully, I realize I quit that job out of fear of confrontation, irresponsibility, and laziness, despite calling myself mature. I see now I was just a child, ignorant not only in finances, but what it really means to be an adult.

High School, ah, what a time. I was scrambling for scholarships and trying to find the perfect school. I would have sat myself down and told myself this; "Take chances, work hard, make new friends, learn new things. You need to step out. Try classes that are interesting, break out from who you used to be. People are going to tell you those things anyway, but I mean it. College will be nothing if you don't work at it. Yes, classes can be tough. Yes, there will be late night studying. But something that is really more important than any of that, is that you make this place your home. If you don't make your college your new home, you'll never truly succeed there. You need to want the true experience, because sitting in your room alone because you're homesick is never going to make you succeed. The people that are doing the best in their classes here are trying new things and exploring everyday, they're not just sitting in their rooms. The only way to really transition into college, is to just dive in."

Don't take anything for granted. Scholarships doesn't grow on trees, although loans seem to. Work as hard as you can, and apply for as many awards as possible. Don't reject that chance at a job flipping burgers just because you hate working around food; any little bit helps, and nothing else will come along. Don't take anything for granted. Friends don't grow on trees either; you need to work hard to make and keep them. You can't expect everyone to be your buddy just because you go to the same school. Don't take anything for granted. You're not going to get away with not speaking in class like you did in high school, and you will need to ask the professors for help. They won't think badly of you if you're struggling. Don't take anything for granted. Time is short, and the work will take longer than you know. Don't take anything for granted; your major is not set in stone. Experiment a lot, both in course selection and in extracurriculars. The results will be shocking. Be conscientious, be brave... but don't be too hard on yourself.

College is not the same as high school. You have to be much more responsible for yourself in college than in high school. Try to make your own decision right now, it will help a lot when you become a college student. Try being as much as independent as possible, practice it right now from the smallest thing such as doing laundry, cleaning your own rooms, and nobody will ask you to do your homework, it's your choice, nobody will make sure you attend classes, it's your choice, but remember you bear all the consequence. Professors won't ask to meet your parents if you fail class. Yes, Be INDEPENDENT, be RESPONSIBLE.

I would say to my senior self that self discipline is important. In college, you are considered an adult and so ,for example, you can't rely on your professor to give you additional time to hand in a research paper because you lost the syllabus. Punctuality and prioritizing are important.I would say to really consider and think about all aspects of going to the colleges applied to (e.i. tuition,loans,location etc..) before making a final choice. And once in college, try news things (e.i. join different clubs, take classes that you wouldnt normally take etc..).