SUNY College at Brockport Top Questions

Don't go to Skyzone and break your ankle.

my be it will be perfect for me -as busy mom for four children- to choose the nearest college to my house to be able to start the early classes at 8:00 am an the most important classes start early or at the evening which impossible for me.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my “senior self” a lot of informative information. The first and foremost thing I would let myself know is that college fly’s by rather quickly. Enjoying every moment on being on your own, living with friends, and having fun is quite important. But, also understanding and realizing that what you do here in college will stick with you for the rest of your life. Making as many connections as possible will only increase your chances on being successful in your specific field of study. Make connections with not just students, but professors as well, will also enhance your chances of getting the job you would like to get post graduation. Also, understanding and knowing that your school work is more then important, grades can make or break your future. Maybe, you want to go to graduate school, maybe you don’t, or maybe you just don’t know. But, graduate schools look heavily on your GPA and your resumes. So weather you want to go to graduate school, or not, these two objects are important just in case you decide to change your mind.

My advice would be to save, save, save. I live on my own due to unforseen circumstances and what I would give to have a little bit in my savings. My other advice would be to apply for as many scholarships as I could possibly find. There are so many out there but that wasn't how I wanted to spend my time as a senior. Now I wish I had. So many times I find a scholarship and the requirement is to be a graduating senior. If only I could go back in time and force the younger me to fill those out when I had the chance. Then again maybe I wouldn't be applying for this scholarship now. Who knows. Anyway, the bottom line is if you save up and apply for what is basically free money now, you wouldn't have had to drop out of school for a year and work your butt off to go back later.

If the “Ghost of My Future Self” visited, she’d say – I am what happens when you skip college. I had a rough life, ran away, won emancipation in court, and finished high school on my own. I didn’t have anyone to tell me about college, dorms, aid or loans. Instead, I worked three jobs to have an almost empty apartment with matching almost empty cupboards. Thirteen years later, I still struggle. I’m not qualified to make more until I finish my degree. I work two jobs and go to school part-time. I can’t afford to work less to take more classes, so I can’t get done faster. The longer I’m in school, the more it costs in student loans and capitalized interest. I’ve missed out on years of earning potential. I have a 4.0 GPA but have not received any scholarships. There isn’t much around for nontraditional students. I’ve missed out on a lot, like making friends; never married or had children. I’ve had so much stress. I even had a heart attack (seriously). Listen to your “future self”: Stick with college. It will change your life.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say that college is precisely what you make of it. If you want to make friends and get involved with the campus, join clubs, sports, or organizations. After high school, the work load only gets increasingly tougher. It won’t be easy and at times, you’ll feel overwhelmed to the point where you just want to give up, but you’ll never catch your dreams if you don’t chase them. As far as making the transition to college, keep your friends close, but your family even closer. Your family will be your biggest supporters in all that you do. They will be your motivators to keep you going, and your sense of securement because you will always have a place to call home.

If I could go back to high school, I would strive my best to read and write a lot so that it would be easier for me in college. As a person, I have learned to grow as an adult in my first year in college. Although I missed a lot of skills like reading, writing, researching, and leadership in high school, it was my responsibility to learn all these to make my college life different than my high school life. If I could go back, I would let myself be disciplined and take responsibilities as the oldest in the family in order for my siblings to learn and profit from my good habits. Discipline and responsiblity taking are very crucial to the development and the success of every student. This is what I would recommend to myself in high school.

If I could go back in time, the main advice I would give to myself is to relax. College is completely different from high school, or anything you have ever experienced, but it's not what you are expecting at all. Everyone is feeling the same thing; nervous, excited, homesick, and scared. So don't get too overwhelmed by all of the information you get when you arrive, or all the advice and horror stories other students will tell you. The college experience is different for everyone, and it has a different meaning for everyone. You will figure it out, but it will take time. You will make mistakes, but learn from them and don't let them hold you back. Be open minded, and try new things because this is your time. This is your time to be selfish. Do the things that you want to do; join the club, or take that class. You will meet some awesome people along the way, so keep in touch. Stay focused, stay adventurous, be happy and shine bright!

In High School everything is announced, schedualed and posted. Things are easy to find and teachers are always willing to help. When i came to college, I became overwhelmed. Keeping hw, events and classes organized is hard. Teachers are never in thier classrooms or one given office. Events are something you have to go looking for, they arn't announced and posted on a single bulletin board. If i had known how difficult it was going to be to keep track of everything i would have come to college more prepaired. Now i have an agenda i keep with me that i record HW, work and test dates. I keep a calender on my wall that keeps track of events and upcomming activities. When i get home i compare the agenda to the calendar and make sure i have time to get things done. Also be sure to keep checkng your student mail and school website. Alot of good opportunities can be missed by simply not keeping up on your emails.

I would tell myself to not declare a major before heading into college unless I was completely positive. I would of taken a lot more niagara university senior term enrichment classes to knock out general education classes. Do not be afraid to try new things and meet new people, break out of your shyness.

An adage goes thus: "The older you get, the wiser you become." This is so true with what we go through in life. If I could turn back the hands of time as a high school senior, I would listen more to the words of wisdom my parents and elders around gave to me. As a teenager in high school, one tends to do whatever he or she pleases. That is when peer group is at its peak; and we do not realize the importance of the most basic institution of all time which is family. Friends may abandon you in the long run; but whether good or bad, family will never leave you all alone. Realizing the love, advice, and support from my family has made my foundation as a college student stronger. College life is so different from what we lived as high scholars. Back in those days, there were lots of partying and having what we thought was good times. However, college is the real thing because it is a stepping stone to what we want to be in life; and I owe my family gratitude for helping me make a wonderful and successful transition to college.

If I could go back to high school and give advice to myself about college, there would be many things I would say. I would have told myself to apply for more financial aid. Though the College is fairly inexpensive in regards to tuition, there are many outside costs that need to be taken into account. I also would have gotten involved in more activities sooner. I am currently involved in many extra-curricular activities, and have made so many wonderful friends and colleagues- I only wish I would have realized this sooner so that my first year would have gone by more smoothly. In addition to this, I would have focused more on my general requirements instead of just my major classes. These requirements greatly affected my grade, and I had no idea they would have such an impact. Going to college was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am eternally grateful that I am taking this journey at the College at Brockport.

If I were to go back in time and give myself some advice I would tell myself to be myself and not worry about what everyone else thinks. Once you get to college you will find people just like you, so dont go out of your way to be someone you are not. I would tell myself not to forget who I am and where I came from. Dont change your values or morals for anyone. Keep your head up and join as many clubs as you can, get involved and you will have more fun. As far as the school work goes, it might seem hard at first, but you will get used to it and in a month or two you will be just fine.

Don"t be nervous because your nerves always get int he way, be sure to proritize because you could miss out on some really great things and take on just a little bit less than you think you can handle because the stress can really take a toll on you. Always smile and embrace every experience because there is no other time in your life where you greatest moments flourish.

I would tell my high school senior-self to get into good study habits right off the bat. I became a library lover, but unfortunately not until around the end of my spohmore/begining of junior year. With all the social activities and opportunities to hang out with people it was hard to set aside time for school work. If I could go back I would do my homework/studying at the library right after dinner so I could get it off my plate and hang out with friends later at night. Besides making sure you give your school work serious time and effort, I would tell my senior-self not to waste any opportunity to have fun and go out. Now that I am graduated, I think that my 4 years of college were the most fun I ever had and I regret the nights I didn't get motivated to join the group fun. It was the best time in my life so far because I had the adult-like freedom (both personal and from responsibility) but did not yet have the responsibility of adult life yet (bills, job, etc). It was the perfect balance to live in :)

Let me just say I love college. I have growin into a more matured rolee of thinking. College is not just about a lengthy process a person must get through in order to get a piece of paper, the degree, so they may continue on to a salaried position. It's about the atmosphere and the people that occupy it. It's about the relationships, both academic and personal that are devloped between people. It's about the opportunity, that not everyone has the advantage of, to be in a classroom and be educated. You have to experience it to really understand. I would encourage anyone, even remotely interested to make the choice to attend college and strive for whatever field of study most interests them.

I've gotten a lot out of my college experience so far, and I'm only a first semester sophomore! I've found new friends, new confidence and a general path of where I want my career to go. I've also found a greater love of dance which is really important. College at Brockport's Dance Department is great! I've really grown as a dancer and learned numerous new things about myself as well. If you are a dancer and want to continue your dance career into college and beyond, the College at Brockport's Dance Department is a great stepping stone for that.

Throughout my college experience I have gained understanding of others. I feel this is critical because I believe the cause of numerous problems begin with a lack of understanding and accepting each others differences.

At the age of 41, I am excited to be entering my junior year of college. Since experiencing college, I have learned that I am extremely capable of succeeding in anything on which I set my mind. I have become more independent and confident in my own thoughts and abilities. And I no longer fear the challenges that are set before me. The experience has proven to be more valuable than I could have ever expected. In January 2010, my husband of 15 years unexpectedly left me and my daughter. As difficult as it has been, I am incredibly thankful that I have an attainable goal and will be able to support myself and my 12 year old daughter. The example I have her thrills my heart. She has seen me persevere through difficult classes and circumstances. She has watched me fall flat on my face and gracefully get up and keep walking. I had no idea that attending college would have such a positive effect in such a distressing situstion. My education is priceless to me.

First I have gotten an excellent education and have enjoyed a majority of the classes that have been required for me to take. Secondly I got great friends including sisters in the sorority I joined, which was one of the best decisions I've made. It gave me opportunities to hold executive positions in the organization and experience running events with a group of people.