Stephens College Top Questions

Don't worry about going so far away.

I would advise myself not to worry about the transition. Although it is different, college, especially at Stephens, is not so scary or threatening as high school teachers like their students believe. Academically, there will be work, and there can be a lot of it, but ration it out so it's not left to the very last, and you will breeze through. Most importantly, know that what you're doing is what you love. If you love your work, it will be fufilling, no matter how hard it is. Accept the unenjoyable bits: the research papers and readings. They will never be fun, but neither will teachers cease assigning them. Don't stress about papers; you have the skill, and it's always improving. Socially, it is undoubtably daunting to plant yourself , alone, in an unknown group of people 300 miles away from everyone you know. But it's easy to forget that they're in the same position, and your classmates at Stephens are to become your greatest supporters. Finally, take enough time to relax and regenerate energy. Prepare to explore yourself. Your time in college is your time to locate your philosophy and begin living by it.

It may seem silly, and you probably don?t want to hear it, but listen to your parents. They know far more than you give them credit for. Be careful which crowds you start getting involved with. Stand your ground when it comes to your beliefs and morals. Don?t change any of it for anyone. Start looking now for what you want to major in, and keep your options open. Then narrow down all your choices, always ask yourself ?Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life??. Start looking into 4 year universities now, it?s never too early. It?s also never too early to begin looking into ways of paying for college. Scholarships, Grants, and other forms of aid are out there for you. Student Loans should never be your first choice. Check the security on campuses and crime rates around the campuses, knowing those details can give you a peace of mind. Avoid being too shy, and try to open up a little more to your new classmates. Don?t let anyone keep you from persuing your dreams. Have a great time in college!

Hello Michael, I am from the future and while you probably won't take me seriously, so to prove it your fasicination to chocolate milk stems from not enough money to buy milk as a child and being only allow to drink kool-aid. To provide for the future embrace what you like in computers and electronics to learn all that you can to become a top earner and provider for your family. Beleive me that you will have a wonderful girlfriend that will give you everything you want. Make every attempt to learn from your father as he is a computer programmer and a wealth of knowledge. while your father can help you to get to where you want, your beautiful girlfriend will be your inspiration. To once again prove ... in the near future you will get bored and drop out of school, but will get a GED before everyone in your class. Computers is the future ... be a nerd and you will be rewarded. Also remember those close to you will call you Mikey and no one else. Mike M. Mahoney II

High school is not even close to what college is, u have to prepare to the real life. Do not take high school as a joke and a easy way out.

Save, save, and save your money! There are so many little things we never think about having to buy in order to function from day to day. On top of the tolliet paper, textbooks, and other misc. things students have to buy, we also want to have fun and go out with friends. I wish I could have told myself, "Don't go spend that extra cash you have on those nice jeans. You'r going to need it for food later."

As a high school senior, I believed that my schooling would be paid for. Whatever wasn't covered by scholarships, my parents would help me with. I was wrong. My parents hit financial difficulties and the scholarship money just didn't stretch far enough. It is hard enough facing a new lifestyle without having to juggle a job and school work. If I could go back to my senior self, I would tell her to fill out more scholarship applications. I would tell her that every little bit counts. Don't count out the $100 scholarship just because you don't think it will cover anything. It will cover a lot. I was not very money-wise as a senior in high school. One year of college has changed all that. I now look at every dollar I earn as a key to my education. I have learned in this past year that education is not a right, even for those who love it. I love to learn, and if I had filled out more scholarship applications, and had earned more money, my education could be my main focus again. But instead paying for my education is my main focus.

If i could go back in time to tell myself something that i know abou college life is to just start early on getting things ready for college. With taking your ACTS and really getting free money wth going to college and really knowing that math is not my strongest subject in college or as it was in high school it would b to ask for more help then so that it would not effect me now thats really the thing. those would be the the things that i would tell myself and with going to college i would tell myself that studying is like the biggest thing in college and thats something that i need to do more of and making sure that I don't put things off til the last minute thats the one thing in college that you really don't want to do at all seriously it will put you behind on things and in college its some thing that you don't do it can and will mess up everything mostly your GPA and you must keep it up in college. Those are the things i will tell myself in college.

"Hello, Caitlin. This is Caitlin 2010. I know you think you will coast through the transition from high school to college. I am going to give you some advice anyway! First, let me congratulate you on your choices in high school classes. Your AP work will ensure that you will have no problem adapting to the academic rigors of college. You definitely should focus on picking up as many hours as you can at both of your jobs. There are so many hidden expenses. You can't always rely on Mom and Dad for funding. You will want extra money to enjoy the off-campus social activities a small city offers you. There are so many cultural activities, festivals and restaurants to enjoy. Also, make a point to enter every scholarship contest and sweepstakes you come across. You'll find that picking up $100 - $1000 through smaller, lesser known sweepstakes and awards really helps offset your incidental expenses including books and sorority fees. Most of all, realize you'll be in a new environment, and you will get homesick. It's okay. You will make new friends, and you will adjust! Just give it a couple of weeks."

The transition to college is not easy for anyone and no two people have the same challenges. I grew up in a small town in Colorado and moved out of state to a small college . At first, I felt free and alive. Shortly after the midterm a High School friend of mine passed away. I felt alone because nobody else knew my friend and therefor I felt they could not be there for me. While these people were getting to know me, they did not know me ?when? or how it was that I came to be me. I guess the best advice I would have is not to try to hard to compare your new friends with the old ones. Every friendship has its purpose. With patients in yourself you will meet friends for life. I would also say to give any opportunity the college offers a try. Join clubs and go the study groups. Get involved and have a great time. College is actually one of the best times of your life. And while they may not have known you ?when?, they will watch you grow into the woman you will become.