Loyola University Maryland Top Questions

The best advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is: "Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone." A person's comfort zone varies between individuals, but life begins when you become a little uncomfortable. For me, this was saying goodbye to my high school friends and meeting new people at school. I was unbelievably nervous the first morning of college, but there was no need to be. I didn't know anyone at my school, but I became involved on campus and met great people. Although I was nervous, it was absolutely worth temporary nerves. For anyone entering college, your comfort zone could be joining a club, recreational sport, or volunteering with students. You will gain great experiences and meet friends for life.

Let go. Fear was too inhibitive when I was getting ready for college. What if my plans didn't work out the way I wanted them to? What if I didn't get the right education for what I want to do? What if I don't make friends? What if I don't fit in? What if I can't hande the work? These are the fears that will make the first semester in college unbareable. College is going to be new. It's going to be challenging. It's going to expose you to new people and new situations. You're going to feel uncomfortable. So stop worrying. There's nothing you can do about it. The best way to cope with the new scenarios is to embrace them. You're going to meet new people, so why not make them your best friends? You're going to work hard, so why not engage the material as if it was the most interesting thing in the world? You're going to live alone, so why not make it an adventure? Fear can be binding, but so can your attitude. You get from your experience what you put in.

I would tell myself that it's all going to work out fine. I know that I stress and I get frustrated over things that other people can usually take ther time with and finish without any problems. I know that I don't like to make mistakes and everything I do has to be perfect. However, if I could go back in time I would tell my self that that's okay. In being a college freshman, it means that I'm new to the school and the routine of things and odds are that I am probably going to make a mistake here and there. I would also tell myself that there are people who could help me and that I didn't have to do it on my own. Yet, that's possible too, I can handle anything and all I have to do is take my time and proceed in a calm, orderly fashion. If I could tell myself that so soon into my college education I would be holding down a job, balancing five classes, meeting tons of new people and having an amazing time while i was doing it, I would do it.

20 years. 20 years to step out of my comfort zone. 20 years to actively choose to raise my hand in class. 20 years of lost chances to prove how much potential I contain. 2 years changed everything.Looking back at myself as a senior in high school, I was not ready for college and I quickly learned college was going to be challenging. The advice I would give to myself would be to step out of my comfort zone on the first day. The first two years of college, I did not participate in class and my grades suffered because of that decision. I would tell myself to not care what others think. During the last two years, I did what I should have done going into my freshman year. I raised my hand in class, I obtained a position of leadership, and I achieved socially and academically. If I were going into my freshman in the fall, I would push myself to level of intensity I demanded of myself during my junior and senior year. The overall advice I would give myself would be to have confidence. 20 years is 2 years too long to not have confidence.

I would tell myself that it is a time to figure out who you are and to embrace that.

All of the schools you have been accepted to are good schools for you. (Well, I KNOW that the school you (I) went to is good; I'm assuming about the others.) Ultimately, though, just pick the school's that giving you the most money. If they're all great, go with the cheapest option. Other than that, I know you don't want to know too much about the future, and you know you'll be fine.

Relax. Breathe. You might have these high aspirations to travel far away, but don't go too far, you will get homesick! You are so kind and friendly, people are going to love you wherever you go. Keep those grades up as well. Being studious is a major part of college. Not only that, but professors do not hand out answers here; be prepared to work hard to earn those grades! Also, get involved in as much as you can in order to not only further your own interests, but to also project your personality to others. Do not be afraid to take chances and try things that you would not normally -- no, not those kinds of things, more like joining clubs, talking to different people, and taking classes that challenge your intellect. Finally, be wise about how you are living your life. Taking care of yourself is the most important aspect of college. Eat well, workout regularly, and surround yourself with people who love you. Go forth, my younger self, and succeed!

In college, I knew my approach to classes would need to be different. Instead of being reactive to my studies as I had been in high school, I knew to be successful I would need a new stategy. My new approach included: 1) taking more time to thoroughly review the course syllabus for each class at the beginning of each semester, 2) making a calendar of all the work for all my classes for the semester so I could balance my work load and avoid becoming overwhelmed, 3) going to classes prepared each day, 4) becoming a regular contributor, and 5) making an effort to be known by my instructors. In high school, I had taken many classes that I had little interest in, that were required for graduation, and where I needed to earn a good grade, so I could get into a good college. In college, I came to the realization that I would be studying many more courses in which I had a very high level of interest. It made how I studied and interacted with my professors integral to my success. College is like a new computer game; those who adapt gain the greatest success.

I would have been sure to tell myself that moving on to college is simply a transition in to the next phase of life. Coming into college, I was so worried about losing all of the aspects of my old life (friends, traditions, family) that I was not able to be myself at the start of college. I was more worried about talking to my old friends in high school than I was about making new friends all together. Because of my close-mindedness coming into Loyola, the transition was much harder on me than it should have been. I had trouble making friends and keeping up with my schoolwork. It took me about two months to relax and realize that college is simply opening new doors for me, not closing old ones. By Christmas break, I was having a great time at school and could hardly wait to get back for the second semester. I wish I had come in to school with that mindset instead of resisting change so stubbornly.

College is a great experience in so many ways. The biggest (and best) change from high school will be in your social life

I have gotten the knowledge and drive to become the best person I can be from going to Loyola College. The college teaches us how to be people, not just cogs in a machine. The philosophy, math and religion courses all helped me to understand the world that I have entered in to and the people that I deal with on a regular basis. Loyola is a great college that made me grow as a person to understand the world. I am a better person for the education I recieved at Loyola, not just in accounting but also in life.

The most beneficial thing I have gotten out of my college experience at Loyola University in Maryland is the ability to adapt and learn in the 'real world'. Loyola has a diverse core requirement, as well as other requirement for each major. These classes and experiences are difficult because they challenge students in ways they did not expect, but I am thankful for that. I have had to force myself to learn subjects I did not think I was good at, but suprisingly became interested in new things. I also have had great experiences through Loyola's center for community service. They encourage us to volunteer whenever we can, and my eyes have been open to the different types of people in Baltimore. Also, through studying abroad, I have had to adapt to a new environment, but in turn I learned much about myself and other cultures. All of these unique experiences Loyola encourages students to take part in have shaped our college experience. Loyola promotes learning as a whole person, and I think i have experienced this. I believe I am now able to assert myself in different situations, and know I can continue to learn from all experiences.

The college experience has been a inherently fulfilling one for me. I left high school with the mindset to fail because, frankly, I hated school with the deepest, darkest, blackest hate I had in me. I assumed that working straight out of high school would be the path I would most certainly take -- a path that the past three generations of my family had taken. Despite this, I wanted to give college a try, so, I attended Harford Community College, located about ten minutes from my home. Something ignited in me; a fire, a beautiful violet flame of passion took hold of my mind. A miraculous change happened, and I was enthralled with learning. I went from being a straight C student with no motivation in high school, to a straight A student with the deepest desire for knowledge almost overnight. After completing my associated with honors, I attended University of Maryland, College Park, which I found to be an overwhelming sea of people. I finished a semester with a 4.0 GPA, and now I am moving on to Loyola. This whole experience of transferring and learning has taught me to be an independant, open-minded, and engaging person.

The best thing I have gotten out of my college experience so far is just a healthy dose of the real world. It's very different than high school; I could say that I feel judged on other things besides the way I dress, or talk, or what new cell phone I own, but I don't feel judged at all. I go to a community college and I notice at other large university campuses that there still seems to be a feel of cliques. In all colleges it seems though, it's different from high school because it prepares you for the real world; high schools say they do that, but that's not true, they prepare you for college. In college, professors don't care what your excuse is, you have to learn to cope when you make a mistake. But at the same time, there is so much more independence and college is the time to learn to balance what you want to do versus what you need to do.

Attending Loyola College in Maryland has been valuable to me for a number of reasons. Firstly, I learned how to properly and effectively study for intense science courses, which will strongly help in graduate school, and secondly, I learned to stay true to the person I was brought up to be and to not be influenced by those with differing values. The science courses I took at Loyola were great practice for those I will soon be taking in pharmacy school beginning this September. Science professors at Loyola said they aimed to have students learn detail and actually understand the material by teaching as if they were professors in medical schools. Loyola tends to attract very wealthy and sheltered students. I found myself surrounded by people who had never had a job and seemed to have had everything they needed handed to them by their parents. At first I found it somewhat difficult to not feel out of place, or even inferior, but as time went on, I realized how much I appreciated how I was brought up. In the midst of these students, I kept my priorities straight, remembering the significance of compassion and the insignificance of extravagance.

I have learned a lot about myself through my experiences over the last three years of college. Academically, I have consistently proven that I am extremely hardworking, goal-oriented and determined to learn. I have also discovered that I am motivated and not easily discouraged when faced with a challenge. Whether it was an ominous chemistry class or finding a healthy balance with a tiresome schedule, persistence and the ability to ask for help when necessary have led me to great overall success. Outside of the classroom I have engaged in numerous leadership and community service activities, including athletics, leading a weekend retreat, tutoring marginalized youth in Baltimore, planning and leading freshman orientation, and co-founding a club on campus, that have further clarified my strengths and interests. I have a passion for working for and with others in all aspects of my life. Attending this school has taught me the importance of collaboration and the amplified power of multiple minds working together. Attending Loyola College provided me with a challenging yet nurturing environment which fostered my love for the sciences as well as giving back to my community. I discovered who I want to be here.

Even today, I can't believe that I am here persuing my masters degree in a profession I love, living with friends I made my freshman year, in a city I never knew about, but is as ingrained in myslef as my own hometown. If I could talk to my 17-year-old self, confused and scared, I'd tell her what 4 years in college has taught me...and what I am still learning. "Be open to change, be honest with yourself, and strive for balance. The future seems daunting, and you might not know it, but you will find a major that incorporates all of your interests and talents. You will feel like you don't fit in, but if you let your guard down you will meet your lifelong friends here. You will also become closer to your family despite the distance. Be someone other people want to count on, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. There will be academic and personal challanges, so study hard, pace yourself, and remember to think before you act. Believe in yourself, stay motivated, and believe in the good of others, and things will always fall into place. "

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the main thing I would tell myself is to apply to more scholarships because paying for college is very expensive. A person doesn't know how expensive college is until they actually start to pay for it. I would also focus more on the diversity of the school, and the number or type of core classes that need to be taken. I would tell myself as a senior to not get so caught up with one or two mind blowing things that I hear about the school and to dig deeper to know if this is a place I could spend four years of my life in.

The first piece of advice I would give myself is to think about my future goals and what I want out of life, before deciding on the college of my choice. I think you need to know what is important to you and what kind of experience you want to have, in order to decide on a school. When you know more about yourself, the easier it is to choose a school that will offer you what you need and what you want. And the one thing to always remember is that as long as you have a goal, you will always be working towards something. Even while you are working towards one thing and another opportunity arises, you will be able to take it, but if you don't have any goals set in the first place then more opportunities will never be able to unfold and present themselves. Things happen when we take action. It isn't about luck, it is about setting yourself up so that you life is able to unfold. You might even find something that you didn't even know you were looking for!

If i could go back and talk to my high school self, I would say that college life is a great experience to should not be wasted. I would say to do as much as you can in college because it only happens once. I would stress getting invovled with lots of opportunities like studying abroad, volunteering, and clubs because they could help decide your career choice and expose you to things you would have otherwise missed out on. My advice would be to make good friends that you keep in touch with forever and can always reminisce about the wonderful college experiences with. I would say to always put your education first and don't follow the leader by skipping classes and missing assignments. Take the oppoturnity to engage in your learning even further than the class. room. To sum it up, Do and Learn as much as you can.