Lafayette College Top Questions

I have gotten more than words can describe out of my college experience. Not only have I broadened my horizons as far as education will take me, but I have been granted a much deeper sense of self-worth, responsibility, leadership, companionship, and job security. I mean, sure you can learn all this on your own at one point in life or another, but college has brought it to such a level that only the select few who do decide to attend college will ever be able to enjoy. And I have been incorporating what I have learned, beyond education, in my life style and future plans. All of which has brought my life to a new extreme. I could not be anymore greatful.

From traveling abroad to Europe, opening myself up to new experiences, both academically and emotionally, and forcing myself to leave my previous personal boundaries, my university experience has led me on a mental journey encompassing everything from my views on love, limitations, strength, weakness, and what truly enhances one's quality of life. College is meant to provide each and every student with the academic ability to acheive his or her goals; yes, my experience has met this destination- this destination which could be equally provided by an intense educational craving with a side of institutional books. However, it has been the things a professor could never teach or a textbook could never put into words which has defined my college experience. This is the place where I have been able to create a life-long set of goals. This is the place where I learned to respect my mind and heart. This is the place where Matt Russell....became Matt Russell.

Believe in yourself. It is a difficult process getting into a college and then staying there. At times I often felt out of place or not accepted. The people around you will always seem more confident than they actually are. College is a place to grow and develop a strong moral and intellectual philsophy. Pick a college that you can go back to in 20 years and feel right at home. You may not know what that is, but with any college you can develop that special bond. College will be a great experience if you let yourself relax and be who you are. Remain open minded but guard your core values. It is important to grow and it is important to work hard. You are attending college for academics and learn the skills you will need later on in life. These skills will be accessed by studying hard, socializing, helping others, working in teams, joining clubs, and being yourself!

I would tell myself to not be as worried. College is a life changing experience and while it is very scary to think about before you have entered into it, once there you realize that everyone is in the same situation. Noone goes to college having a group of friends, everyone has to be open to new people and find the people they fit in with and get along with most. Friends aren't as hard to come by as incoming freshmen tend to believe that they are and many uperclassmen will actually help you out and not torment you like a lot of media suggest. Be yourself and believe in who you are and everything will truely be great. Also, you don't need as many clothes as you think you will. When you're doing your own laundry, there really isn't enough space in your room to let it collect while you wear the rest of your clothes, and once your favorite clothes are clean again, you tend to wear those. Besides that, there is very little storage space for your clothes, so be selective and take only the stuff you KNOW you will wear.

10 Things I Wish I Knew as a High School Senior 1. Don't be a victim of senioritis, even though it is extremely contagious 2. Driving is a privilege, not a right 3. Appreciate showers without having to wear shoes 5. Dinner choices in collge cafeteria: take it or leave it 6. College professors don't accept 'notes from home' 7. Take advantage of being able to listen to your music openly in your bedroom..and invest in a decent pair of headphones come September 8. Your family isn't as embarrassing as you once thought 9. Your best friend is not your best choice for a roommate 10. College is awesome, but high school will be over sooner than you think, so cherish it for what its worth

Knowing what I know now about myself college life, and making the transition I would tell myself: Make sure I go into Lafaytte with an open mind, read and willing to try new things and be open to branching out and meeting now people because that beats sitting in a dorm room all day by myself. A social life apart from academic life is impotant to keeping my sanity! I would also tell myself that as much goals that I have set for myself, realize that it is not always going to work out the way I planned but eventually everything will fall into place as long as I keep going and rememeber that for every step taken that seems to be a failure is one step closer to finding myself, with another goal accomplished nearing to the future even if it wasn't the same one set in the past. Last but not least I would advise myself to remeber that no matter who I hang out with or what I get into on campus just be myself and do not fall under the influence of anyone or anything. Just be me in everyting I choose to do!

As you have heard, going to college means you will more than likely no longer have the restraints placed upon you by your parents. Do not take advantage of it. Do not lose sight of your goals to merely replace them with "freedom." Sleep is not overrated, make sure to stay healthy because if you don't, you will most likely be sick for a month. Take advantages of the different clubs on campus. Keep your mind open to other ways of life, but remain true to yourself. There is nothing that should make you sell yourself short. Think positive. Face time with professors is highly important and extremely helpful. Finally, while there is "no wrong question" that doesn't mean to ask every single question that pops into your head the moment it does. Think of others in addition to yourself.

First of all, college is alot harder than you think. Sure, you only have classes three times a week, and never for a full day like in high school, but the courses cover twice as much material in half the time. Plan your time accordingly. Don't be disappointed when your grades aren't as high as you're used to. More importantly, be sure to balance academics and social life. Don't be so obssessed with grades that you lock yourself in your room all week. Believe me; all that gives you is more stress. If you're having trouble understanding something, don't be afraid to talk to the professor. I know you are stubborn and prefer to figure things out yourself, but it is very difficult to do well in college without extra help. Don't forget; you CAN call your parents when you get homesick. This is the first time you'll be away from your family for more than a few days, and it will be hard at first. But you don't have to break away from them completely, especially in the beginning. Finally, don't be afraid to let loose and be yourself!

I would tell my high school senior self to not be afraid to take risks. I came to college very sheltered and was very scared about making friends and being on my own, but it was no problem at all. Just be involved, find out who your real friends are, and take risks. Take a day trip to New York City. Invite a friend from high school to come visit so that you can show off your campus and your new friends. Go to the football games. Make good friends, but be sure to make aquaintances also. Ask your teacher for help if you need it. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. College is hard. Try your hardest not to procrastinate, because people will probably want to hang out at the exact time that you have to write a paper for the next day. Make your room into your home, and clean your room as much as possible. Most of all, try your hardest to have as much fun as you can. It will go much faster than you realize.

I have a younger sister who is just about to choose a college, so lately Ive been formulating such advice. I think that the best thing to do is take some time your senior year and really research and think about what you want to do after college. Do a lot of shadowing/ externships/ etc. so that you will truly understand why you want to go to college, and so you can also find the right college for you. I wish that I would have researched my career aspirations in high school. I circled around the healthcare profession, from surgeon to researcher to nurse, finally landing on nurse midwife. A little more research in high school would have saved time and money in the journey that is the college experience.