Rider University Top Questions

I would tell myself to stop worring so much about my classwork and go out and have a good time. You only get four years here and when its done, its done. I would tell myself to get involved earlier than I did and make friends outside of your team. Don't let your whole life revolve around one aspect of your life cause when its over you will feel like you have nothing.

I would tell myself there's no one to keep you entertained. Sometimes between rehearsals and homework you're going to feel overwhelmed but that feeling doesn't last long. The work may not be as hard as it was in high school but it will definitely require more attention and detail and will NOT do itself. Have fun. Meet new people; explore the new world of friendship because you?re going to be spending a lot of time with these people over the next four years of your life. Don't be stuck in the world of "I came here knowing people." Enjoy the semester it will be over very soon and you will wonder where it went. Make study guides and learn the art of studying every night instead of only for test. But most of all have fun, enjoy the time you have at school but it will be over very quickly. Make the most out of the experiences in college, whether good or bad; they make you a stronger more cultured person.

Don't panic. As a high school senior, I feared attending college for two prominent reasons, but during my college freshman year I found those fears weren't as realistic as I had expected. The first hurdle overcame was homesickness, and it was conquered (surprisingly) with ease. My college matched me with a fantastic room-mate, and I was immersed in a dorm- community filled with friendly people pursuing majors similar to mine. Most students (both freshman and upperclassmen) were socially open to me, because they were or already had been dealing with social adjustments I was facing. The second aspect of college that provoked dread was an increased workload. Though the thought of higher education delighted me, I had this terrible assumption that I would be given too much coursework to manage, everything would snowball, and that my future would be forever scarred by academic failure. To the contrary, my university actually enabled me to succeed with the combination of free tutoring and a low student-teacher ratio. Also, I was allowed to drop courses early-on if I felt overwhelmed taking them. Overall, I became comfortable during my first semester of college, and advise attending college with confidence.

If I were able to go back in time, I would be sure to tell myself the importance developing time management skills. Balancing class work and studying while trying to hold down a job and trying to take advantage of the many clubs and organizations offered by the university can seem very overwhelming. However, with a little planning and some organizational skills everything becomes much more manageable. Being able to manage time well makes the college experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

In high school, I hadn't a clue who I actually was, let alone who I wanted to be. I was terrified of not having a plan, so I did a very good job of convincing myself that I wanted to be a music teacher. After a month in the music ed program at TCNJ, I knew that it was a wrong fit for me. However, I thought I had to keep going with it, just to have a plan. Well after a few years and a good many bad grades, I finally 'faced the music' and realized that I needed to start over. Rider was one of the few schools that would accept me with my GPA. If I could do it again, I would have given myself the chance to come in as an undecided major. I also would have asked to see syllabi for a variety of courses and program planners for multiple majors before matriculating. If I had a chance to see whether or not professors were lecturing on topics I care about and whether the courses offered would truly prepare me for a career, I would have made a better deciscion and saved myself years.

Be a more well rounded student, join clubs, organizations and do a lot of community service. Paying for college is an expensive proposition, and if you arent fortunate enough to be born to a wealthy family you will be applying for student loans. When you are done paying it off you will be in debt to the tune of about 200,000 if you go for a masters degree. I am in the unenvious position just now of scrambling to get the money to stay in school because I didnt listen to my parents and advisors in high school. Honestly the hardest lesson ive learned to date wasnt one learned from a teacher, it was humility. It is an incredibly humbling experience begging for money to complete your education. Honestly your parents know more then you do, they have been around longer and have accumulated more knowlege so LISTEN TO THEM.

I would have enjoyed high school, but would have cracked down harder on getting really great grades. I am smart; and fit into the average catagory of the student body. I am not into sports because I am little, and not into art/theatre, so the only advantage I had for myself was to get better grades. I think the high school students today want to enjoy their high school life and are afraid to miss out on the growing years of high school and they don't take it seriously; we took grammer school more seriously! I enjoy where I go to college and it fits me as a person; but in the teaching of getting ready for college, I tell my brother you need to study and work harder than I did in high school. I feel as though you can be a great student in college even if you aren't that well rounded student, being involved in clubs, associations, etc. You can work at your grades, your friendships and try to hold down a job and the college itself should respect that idea as well. I am fortunate that I can go to college today.

Commuting to college is the best way to go to college. Living at college creates too many distractions for people on learning.

Choose a collge that you would feel comfortable at., the worse thing ever is to be attending a school that makes does not fit your personality. While visting colleges interact with the people to get a feel of who you will spending a great majority of your time around. If you can talk to teachers as well as students. Ask as many questions as possible. Figure out a plan to pay for the college you select. While at college get involved join clubs to make new friends. Make sure to attend any events that are happening on campus. This wi;; give you a better sense of community and make you feel more comfortable your first year at college. Parents should as about the security at the school. In order to feel at ease while their child is at school.

Do not look for the most popular univeristy/college because you would probably end up partying which will cause you to slack on your grades. Look for the university/college that supports your major and provides professors that are available to assisst you. Make sure its in a good area.