New England College Top Questions

If I could go back in time to my high school senior self, the advice I would give to myself is to stop procrastination, take the SAT/ACT one more time and actually sit down and study for them, last but not least, apply to only schools of my major (engineering) and nothing else. The reasons these are my options are because I know that if I didn’t have these limitations three years ago, my future would be entirely different from what it is now. Being a senior in high school and having all my requirements for graduation done, I was lazy and senioritis hit me early. I had a ton of time on my hand but when I was assigned with something, I would wait until last minute to do it. Just like studying for the SAT/ACT and/or applying for colleges early enough so I can get a better financial aid packet. I would tell my high school self to buckle down and begin to think about the future because it is essential and when done correctly, could set me on the path to success.

"It's going to be alright." These are the first words that I would use to assure my younger, worried about choosing the right place (out of 12 applications), self: "It's going to be alright." I would tell her that part of the worries she had, didn't matter, because half of it wasn't the school that I was going to choose, but her, herself: the student. I would tell her with confidence, that SHE would be the one to really make the difference, not the university. Regardless if she chose the right place or not, I would remind her that home was within her, her family and friends - that wrong or right, it was part of her journey, and traveling, she would still succeed wherever she was. So, I'd tell her not to really worry, because there is no wrong choice. As long as she pushed to form connections with her faculty and those she met, she would be alright. I would say lastly, before I go, "You're going to succeed, you're going to make friends, and you're going to make a difference. It's going to be alright."

If I were to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myelf not to stress. College is fun and you will make a lots of friends. Filling out collge aplications may seem daunting but once its done and the acceptance letters come in all will be better. While you still have to decide where you want to begin your college education the decision will come easy in the end. Staying calm is the key to success. It important to remember that its okay to ask for help, and there is no shame in not knowing what comes next. Life is one great mystery but the best part of it all is that there are people all around you who only want to see ou succeed and are their to help in every way possible.

Use your time wisely

If I could go back to my senior year and give myself advice I would say four things. Overnight visit, ask to showdown a student in the science department for a day, take a tour (do this for every school), and don’t let money stop you! I chose these tips because when I applied to my colleges I didn’t tour all of them only the one I am currently at because I saw where I would be attending. I also feel now that if I was able to see the other schools and how the professors taught I could make a better decision. Toward the end of deciding what college to attend I let money decide where I was going to go. The school I am attending now offered me a few thousand dollars more than the school I determined as my top school. To this day part of me regrets that choice. If I had to pick just one this to say to my past self that would be it money isn’t everything. Go with your gut and worry about the money later.

Dear 15 year-old self, The day you stepped in your high school was the day you promised yourself that you would do everything in your power to make the best of your high school experience. You vowed to yourself that you would have no regrets as you walked to the podium to accept your diploma. You tried new things, met new people, made many friends and along the way, developed into an intelligent, independent and beautiful person. But, you missed one very important thing. You're worth is not determined by who or how many people are around you but rather it is determined by the quality of person that you are. Never let anyone influence your decisions and never put your self-worth on the back burner for others. I promise one day you'll figure it out. It is said that experience is the best teacher and that as life goes on, clarity will come to what is important and what is not. With much love, Your 20 year-old self

Save your money, kid. College life is fun, and there's tons to do. You should take advantage of this time in your life, but don't go overboard. You can learn a lot in the classrooms of the University, but you can also learn a lot about life during these years. Make friends, explore, GO TO CLASS. Don't get so involved in extracorriculars and fun that you take your eyes off the reason you're there. That slip of paper you'll hopefully earn in four years isn't just proof that you've learned something; it's a testament to your ability to complete something you start. You'll be an asset to a company or organization if you can show that you were an asset to your college. So forget about having the chick-mobile. Forget about having the great party house. Get the things you need to succeed in the classroom, and you'll still be able to have your fun, too.

Dear Stephanie, I am well aware that you’re quite busy with all of your college applications and other important obligations, but please just hear me out. You are about to go to college, one of the major milestones that you’ll encounter in your life that might just change you as a person. I know you’ve Googled plenty to prepare yourself, and, don't get me wrong, Google is a wonderful source of information that will surely help you, but there is one thing that Google will not tell you that I want you to know. Learn how to play the classic table games—I’m talking ping pong, foosball, pool. You don’t have to master it (yet), but at least know the basic rules for each game. The point system, the rules, which ball is the cue ball—these are all essential pieces of information that will allow you to ease into the college experience. Best of luck (No worries, though, I know you can do it. Literally, I’m from the future, remember?) Stephanie

My advice to my past self is to not be so worried. You shouldn't stress so much about college, because you will make friends and you will do well in school and sports. Still work hard, but don't stress out so much and have a little fun!

if i could go back in time to myself as a high school student i would change everything. i would change my work ethic and get myself into the flow of college work. like i would have tried to take college classes while i was still in high school. in high school i had alot of time on my hands i could have started really early. like i thought college was going to be easy as pie. i would have changed my thought process as well. my organizationing and time management would have been improved awhole lot. then once i get here to college i would be on point with everything. see sometimes you cant make people follow your advice even if you are talking to yourself. all you could do is tell them and hope they follow it for the best and change for the better. thats how we as humans learn through life experinces. its like failing and then the next time around you pass with flying colors because you saw where you made misstakes and you will not fall for it again. in a way im glad i made misstakes and know that perfect person isnt me.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself how important it is to work hard and do everything possible to achieve my goal. I would want myself to strive and make challenges to reach as each semester moves forward. I would remind myself that it is important to work as hard as possible my senior year and make an impression my first year in college. I would tell myself that I make the right choice to go to New England College because the classes are small; the teachers are willing to work with me when I have questions or problems with a class. I would want myself to know that I make great friends who help, there are difficulties throughout the years and that no matter what someone is around the corner to help. With all this in mind, the most important thing I would tell myself is that when I first start school, do not lock myself in my dorm room, to go out to make friends and be part of the school community. By going out, I will find more things to be interested in.

Courtney there are certain things that you should know about college. College is like getting you first job. It is scary and intimidating the first few days but after the first week it comes natural. Always keep your chin up and never forget your books! One of the most important things to remember is to make friends. Your friends are going to be the ones who help you with school work and can help you adjust even more at school. Never be afraid to speak your mind in class, professors liek that! If you have differences with your roommate, talk them out. It is better to deal with a roommate who bearable rather than one your koing to regret for the entire year. Don't blow off homework, projects, or papers til the night before....It never works out for anyone. Never be afraid to get help, see a tutor! Tutors are the best resource for anything! Above all else, enjoy yourself, work hard and strive for the best results!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would let myself know that college is different, but it't not as hard as people make it out to be. I would focus more on enjoying my last year of high school. Enjoying my time with my friends and getting the most advice I can from my teachers. I previously went back to my high school in order to get an unofficial transcript and I had walked through the halls, remembering all of the fun times I had. I seen some of my old teachers and I do admit that I missed it. I would not take the moments of high school for granted because I will never forget them. I do wish however, that I didn't rush graduating from high school because once your'e out of high school you begin the real world. There are not going to be teachers telling you to stay on the right path. You are now the only person that can determine how your future is going to end up being. I would enjoy high shool as it should be.

I would advise myself to just be true to myself, and not to worry so much about being able to fit in. No matter what college you choose to attend, there will always be some niche in which you fit, a group of friends you can just be yourself with. Take time to meet people early on--when everyone still feels awkward, a random hello in the dining hall or sitting next to a strange person is much less uncomfortable than it is a month or two in when everyone else is already acclimated. Don't go to class late just because your friend is running late and you don't want to walk there alone. And most importantly, give yourself time to define yourself as an individual before becoming part of a notorious pair--being known only as the kid who dated that guy or the duller of two friends isn't the way you want your college experience to be defined.

After completing my freshman year in college, I realized there were a couple things I could have done to better prepare myself for college. If I could go back and mentor my senior self, I would be sure to stress the importance of scholarships. During my senior year, I did not give scholarship applications proper time and effort. My original intent in attending community college was to transfer with no debt; however, while I am saving money I am currently in debt and owe $3,500 for my freshman year. In addition, I would advise myself to stay focused. During my senior year, I got distracted by the idea of graduating and finally being finished with high school. I stopped applying myself as much and did not think of the negative outcome. When it came time for college to start I was not properly adjusted. It took time to get back into the swing of things. I have since decided to attend college every semester; summer included to prevent laziness. Had I known these things prior to my freshman year it would have relieved unnecessary stress during what is already a stressful time.

If I could go back in time like Michael J. Fox and talk to myself as a senior at Hopkinton High School, I would tell myself that I am capable of much more than I thought at the time! Unfortunately for my eighteen-year-old-self, I didn’t know what I was capable because I had not tried yet. During my post-secondary career, I have discovered that I am motivated and academically capable of pursing a doctorate degree in medicine. As a high school senior I did not believe that, and I would love to go back in time to tell myself that I can excel in a pre-medical school and continue onto a graduate degree. We all know that time travel is not a feasible option, however I am capable of going back to my high school and talking with juniors and seniors about medical school options and maybe ease their hesitations regarding medical school and hopefully helping a student have the confience to pursue their goal. I will be graduating with a bachelors degree in the spring of 2013 and then attending medical school and I plan to return to Hopkinton to do just that.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say to work hard in the last year of high school. Also I would tell myself that transitioning is not as easy as I thought it would be. When students go to orientation it is a major way to become lasting friends throughout college. Since students usually get put with students they could relate to it is necessary to not be shy the first few days. I would also recommend to get involved in as many extra-curriculurs as possible without having them interfere with school work. I found this important because it provides a good way to make friends and the extra-curriculurs that reflect your major will help in the long run. I also found that it was important to enjoy life at school and not just focus on schoolwork twenty four seven because it will make life seem boring.

If I could give my high school self advice about college I would tell how interacting with teammates, classmates and professors would be the way to succeed at this college. I would also advice myself to take the good and the bad times as the come, that college is full of fun and promise, but also life-changing events that will shape the rest of your life. The beginning of new relationships, the end of others, and the reshaping of so many more will occur during the fast-paced years of college and making every situation, good or bad, into a positive experience is what will help you through these years.

Coming into college I did not really know what expect, and not a clue of what was to come at me, but luckily I had a friend who was also attending this school with me. My experience at college was really good; i had a class schedule that fit in with my own personal schedule which was great. Also the teachers were amazing because they were so passionate and really enjoyed teaching the students about the course subject, and personally I gained a lot of knowledge from. Meeting new students and not just from different part of the States but also from many parts of the world, was an enriching experience for me because in doing so I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about their culture. College was like a big test for me to see if I was able make it on my own with out depending on my mom assistance to help support me, and I have come to to the realization that I can do it. Now that I look back at this experience I feel I made the right choice of coming to this school.

i got out a greater knowledge of things both social and academic. I value my time here because of the friends i have made and the sucess the class work will help fuel.