Stevens Institute of Technology Top Questions

I hope my advice would inspire a passion for Teamwork because I think that is core to success in not just college but also life. At Stevens I learned teamwork was not just important to get assignments done, but to inspire other to enjoy it and grow from the interaction. My excitement for group challenges made other realize they can be fun and a valuable learning opportunity; we found pride in ourselves, new skills, and wonderful accomplishments. I may have doubted that one person could make a difference, but working as a group has clearly shown the value that each individual contributes and how individual abilities can mesh to create a greater whole. Another benefit from sharing group projects is the bonds we form with others. As group assignments became more complex, I learned the value of planning, coordination, and communication. Most important, I learned the value of leading as a partner with appreciative praise, appropriate instructions, and a “Can Do” attitude to encourage and inspire others. I would tell the seniors to take every opportunity to work with others to build their team skills. It will forever change how they remember high school and what they accomplish in college.

My college experience has given me the drive and maturity that I need to be succesful in my life. It has also shown to me that my past academic struggles have all been due to my own fears of failing. Doing so well when I was very young gave my parents high standards of me, and in high school those expectaions were a great intimidation. Taking College Success courses at my community college allowed me to become aware of this fear that I have always had, and it has given me the motivation to push past it all, because what I have found out is that when I actually try my best, I get my best, and I am constantly surprising myself. This skill of consciousness has been applicable to many different aspects of my life, and I am becoming a very independent and motivated person because of it. I owe this invaluable gift to college.

The enormous knowledge, wonder classes nad labs, fantastic teachers and lovely colleaugues.

Knowing what I know now about making the transition into college life, the main thing I wish I knew as a high school senior would be to not stress out and to just relax. Making the transition is not as hard as it may seem. Every college-bound high school senior is going through the same thing and it always turns out the way it is supposed to. College life is amazing. Being on the women's varsity soccer team, I had no idea that my teammates would turn out to be my best friends. Knowing this the summer before college would have been extremely helpful. I constantly stressed about the upperclassmen on my team. I thought they would boss me around and make me feel very inferior but that was not the case.

I would have honestly taken classes more seriously. I was a mundane student, who didn't try hard enough. If I would have studied harder and received better grades, I could be at a better school. My study habits were not as developed as they were when I left high school. Additionally, I would have participated in many more activities. for leadership roles.

College seems so scary and complicated when one is in high school. Thousands of questions constantly run through one's mind. Will I make friends? Will I be able to do all the work? What if I hate my roommate? If I could go back in time, I would try and ease all of these silly questions out of my mind. Freshmen are always worried about making friends, but everyone is in the same situation. No one knows anyone so everyone is friendly. Just keep your door open and be open-minded when you meet someone. Also, if a student does not like their roommate, the staff is very helpful in switching dorm rooms to accommodate both parties. I would tell myself to relax and have fun. College is difficult, but there is a lot of free time to enjoy life. I have a 3.787 out of 4.0 GPA and although I do study, I still relax. Something very important is to keep a planner. Your mom is not there to make sure assignments get done on time and it's easy to fall behind. College is the most important time of your life so just have fun.

Life as a college student is much different than that of a high school student. At college there are no parents to make your meals, remind you of activities, or tell you when to go to bed. You must be prepared to make time for three meals a day, complete your schoolwork, get a good night's rest, and spend time with friends. Begin developing good study habits now. Even though you can cram for tests the night before you take them in high school, you will not be able to do that in college. The exams are much more difficult, so you should set aside at least one hour a night for the three nights prior to an exam. You should begin studying for finals the week before the exam, because they cover so much material and count for forty percent of your grade. Be careful not to immerse yourself in studying all the time, or you will burn yourself out. Try to get to the gym a few times a week so that you can keep in shape. Working out and taking the time to relax with friends are good sources of stress relief.

Hey Cris, I hope wearing that uniform every Thursday and Friday are getting old, it won't have to happen much longer. Rooming with John will be great, and pre-orientation should definitely set your friends for the freshman year, so don't feel out of place talking to them. School work isn't so bad, but keep up on calculus homework, I hate it just as much as you, but you aren't alone so work with your friends. Don't fret about Sam and Sarah, there's more fish to be had at college, specifically Carolyn. You should try to meet her early, we're perfect together. Either way she's in your Chem Lab in the second semester so be yourself. You might be dating cherie right now, but don't let it last past the summer, she has to be stable before you can ever have something. If I could get you to do one thing that's been bothering me, it would be to follow that dream of inventing. Get a notebook and jot the ideas down so you remember. God knows my head is full of them still. Good luck, I love you.

Get involved. There's so many things to learn and do at college - especially at Stevens. And you meet so many great people - you develop almost an extended family. And that helps with the transition - it makes you feel like you never really left home. So get out and get involved - hey, if you don't like something, you can always just say "Hey, this isn't for me, but thanks" , and leave it at that. But at least you went and tried it. There's a saying by Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover...."

That a lot of your friends will forget about you once you go to college, dont hang on too tightly.