SUNY College at Potsdam Top Questions

I would tell myself that it is okay to branch out and meet new people. The worst thing you can do is get stuck in a friend group in which you can't be yourself. Do not settle. You can always be nice and say hi to the nice people you meet, but don't settle just because they are nice people. Find the people that make you laugh so hard you start crying. Be brave and try new things. It is okay to do things by yourself. College is a time for new adventures, so go out and try whatever you want to!

Stop being lazy! To be honest didn't care about school nor did I try. I was lazy and I just got by with everything I did. I didn't even think I was going to college until my senior year. I expected to be a used car salesman just like my father. Knowing what I know now about college if I can go back in time I would defidently give school my all. Sitting in chemistry class I have to work twenty-times harder then the person next to me because I didn't learn the basic terminology that you learn in highschool. It's hars for someone to feel like they don't fit in with others. That is the way I felt when i first came to college. The transition was really hard for me. If I could do it all over again I would.

I would tell myelf that this transition is going to be one of the toughest things you have ever done, but you shouldn't worry about it because in the long run you will be able to provide for your family and make them proud. I would also tell myself that just because you are independent now, you should learn how to use your time wisely and make sure to concentrate on your studies. A life lesson that you should keep in your mind always is that friends come and go but your family is always there for you because there will always be people who don't like that you are succeeding further than them. I would advise to join clubs based on your own interests not other people because you never know if you find friends.

The best advice I could give my high school self is to not be afraid, embrace all that college has to offer, and be confident in your abilities. I know now that I am capable of so much more than my high school self expected. I would tell that scared, timid girl to break out of her shell and do as much as possible. Above all, I would say to my younger self, remember to write. Write all the time. I was a writer in my heart before going to college and the professors at SUNY Potsdam helped me to become a great writer. I would tell my younger self that the writer you long to be is trapped inside that shell and when you embrace it with confidence and passion you will accomplish so much. So, to that timid girl who was teased for reading rather than doing what all the other kids were doing, keep going, keeping reading and writing because it will all be worth it in the end. Remember to be you no matter what others say and keep writing.

I would have a long discussion about money. When I left college I had no credit, which is better than bad credit, but not helpful when trying to buy big ticket items like a car. I would tell myself to get a credit card and a wallet with a special pocket in it. The card would come out of the pocket for gas and go right back in again after. Making simple purchases and paying the credit would have slowly built my credit score over the years. Also I would tell myself to save money. When I was in college any extra money was spent on beer or cigarettes. I wouldn't say I abused either of these but when I look back and think about how much money I spent on them it seems like a huge waste, especially because neither is a significant part of my life anymore. There are ways to have fun without spending money and I would tell myself to explore those options.

My advice to my high senior self would fall somewhat outside the common demeanor of thought. Even though college is a huge leaping stone in a person's life, I believe that directing one's focus towards the future will cause this person to miss out on what the present has to offer. Sure, receiving extremely high grades and getting a top score on the SATs may get you into that top school, but there's so much more to life than just a number on a test. When we wake up and step into that school for seven hours of our day, that footstep resembles this person learning the necessary skills to progress through life as we know it. The number that one receives on their report card does not resemble oneself. Rather, the progression of a person's skills and relationships with others is what drives a senior to excel in life after high school. As I always say, "High School is not defined by what is written in an English or History book, but rather the messages that are conveyed in between these lines." This is the most vauable education one could ever receive before entering college.

I would tell myself to truly listen to our teachers in high school. They were not lying when they said they were just trying to prep us for college. Also, start studying because in college there are some classes that you will not pass if you do not study for tests and quizzes. I personally am not a partier but for my friends I would make sure to let them know they better be able to balance both their social/party life and their academic life or they will fail out (like one of my friends did this year).

These Rules or more like Guidelines, will get you through College: 1) Your roommate may seem unbearable at times, but trust me, she will be one of your best friends and closest confidents. 2) DO NOT buy your textbooks....they're like unneccesary and you can easily get them through inter-library loans. 3) Never buy a dell laptop, they break consistentley (just ask your future roommate). 4) Don't give a guy the time of day unless they're gonna take you out on a date off campus. 5) Do not take any classes with Dr. Wetts. He's both a horrible teacher and person. 6) Eat healthy and exercise regularly! Trust me you will go down in sizes and you're gonna look great no matter what your do!!!! 7) The friends you're gonna make are really awesome and quirky! And they will always be there for you when you need them. 8) This one is really important!!! You're gonna graduate a year early and not know what to do with your life. It will all work out and maybe it's best to stay in school all four years since your friends will be there.

I would tell myself to study for at least 30 minutes every night. I would also tell myself the best way to manage my time.

Having gone to a wonderful college prep school I would simply reasure myself that my high school education would indeed be so very helpful when it came to going to college. I would have told myself not to be so scared to go off to college! I would also have warned myself that there is not as much money out there to pay for college as teachers made it out to be.