Princeton University Top Questions

I would advise myself to stay in California for college because I had no idea how important things like familiy and culture were to my sense of normality. I arrived in New Jersey eighteen and alone, and the culture shock of it along with the transition of a California public school to an Ivy League university hit me like a brick wall. I chose to come to the east coast because I wanted to get away from the life I had. I never even realized that what I had was great. I don't regret coming here, but if I had known that a different university would be a better fit for me I would not have set Princeton as my first choice. So, I would tell myself to look at what I had and think about how it would be to lose everything in one day. I would tell myself to think about what I wanted and not focus trying to get into the "best" school possible because it doesnt matter where you go, it's about where you end.

College is unlike high school in that no one is holding your hand, setting intermediate deadlines for drafts of papers or giving you quizzes periodically to assess learning; good time management will be more important than ever. Nonetheless, college is an amazing time -- good luck on making the most of it!

Don't worry about the fact that you like girls, too. The main open lesbians on campus aren't incredibly fun anyway, so making an impression is not a big deal. Take biology in the fall, because 8:30 classes in February in the snow are impossible. Stock up on Red Bull, all-nighters are expensive. Find the right balance between aloof and passionate, because even at Princeton, you might be all alone in your love of something. Don't hook up in the first week. There will always be someone who starts off as a fantastic friend, but then reveals himself to be a complete douchebag; cut him loose. Do your reading. Stay up late to do your reading, even. Don't spend too much time rehearsing your answers in precept; everyone sounds stupid anyway. Learn to love the nap. You might have a great immune system, but that still doesn't make sleeping in a sick person's bed, even if she's not in it, a good idea. Try to be less witty, more sincere. People like witty, but sincere is more lasting. Go to that foam party.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Pray daily and be filled with the Holy Spirit. http://www.tjc.org

Your greatest danger is fear: fear that, perhaps, you will not live up to your college's or parents' expectations; that your talents in high school will not impress your new peers; that your personality will not win over new friends; worse yet, that the admissions department made a sloppy mistake. College should be a great experiment, where others' perspectives enrich and enlarge your own world-view so that you can see what is possible. To make college such an experience, however, you must banish this fear. Do not ask whether Alice will find you intelligent or attractive enoughfor her tastes, but rather what you can learn from her example. Do not ask whether the auditions director will hate the fact that your C-sharps are just a little flat or your quarter notes a bit fast, but rather whether playing violin is a true passion and a worthwhile pursuit. You fear in the moment that others judge you and only later will you regret all those missed oppurtunities. But, while your fear lasted an instant, your regret will extend far beyond the moment and harass you years later with a series of "what if" 's and alternate outcomes.

I would tell myself to understand that what matters is not being the best at everything. While that may have been a focus in high school, focusing on winning while surrounded by thousands of extremely talented students results in unnecessary stress and anxiety. Instead, pursue your goals according to your personal best- all corny-ness aside, it's the best motivation.

No one forces me to go to 9 AM class or stay in before an exam. There is no one to stop me from doing just enough to get by - except myself. Have high expectations for yourself, but believe in yourself too. College is a chance to delve deeper into old passions and discover new ones. Far from detracting from your education, devoting time to groups and projects outside the classroom facilitates lasting friendships, teaches valuable lessons about cooperation and time management, and provides an outlet for real world application of knowledge. Strive to maintain balance between major priorities: health, academics, social life, and extracurricular activities. Never forget that so many would love to be in your place. Everyone deserves the opportunity to study at a university that encourages independent thought and supports its students in every endeavor. Yet only a fraction of the world's population gets a chance - for millions, like an African student whose every penny goes towards paying for his malarial sister's medication, a college education is merely a dream to be fantasized about in rare moments of rest. Embrace every opportunity so that your education will matter beyond your four years on campus.

It might be hard at first, but trust that it will get a LOT better.

If you?re used to high school being pretty easy, get over it. Princeton is VERY demanding of your time, intellect, and energy--but don?t worry, it is totally possible to succeed here. Just stay organized and budget your time (and try to sleep a little), and you?ll do just fine academically. However, those hours you spent in the library are not what you will remember about college. You still have room for a great social life! I can say with absolute certainty that the best thing about Princeton is the people. This place is home to thousands of fascinating individuals with ridiculously diverse backgrounds, interests, and personalities. One of the things I love the most about my school is that you are constantly learning--not just in class, but outside of class, too. Make no mistake, you will learn a ton in the classroom, but just as important is what you will learn from your classmates and the stories they tell. In only one year here, I have become familiar with cultures that were all but unknown to me before, and I have developed new and unexpected interests. Bottom line: be more than just a student.

Everyone around you may be telling you exactly what school to go to or not. Or maybe there's no one to support you or no one cares where you end up going to college. Or perhaps you have no idea what you want to do with your life. Or you've "had a plan" since you were three years old to attend the most prestigious university, study aerospace engineering and become a rocket designer for NASA... Whatever your "or" is, don?t stress it. This is perhaps the most important decision in your life thus far, but you have many more years to live. Keep it simple. Look for the place with the best bathrooms, comfortable (as much as possible) residential living, good food, and most importantly where you can actually see yourself being. Think about your home and all the things you like and don't like about it. You're going be living in one place for four (more or less) years, the environment is definitely one of the most important things to pay attention too. Once you find the right place --whether it takes you visiting 20 schools or just one-- everything else will come naturally.