SUNY Cortland Top Questions

I would tell myself that making something productive out of yourself doesn't mean you have to leave home and take the biggest leap you can. When I moved four hours from home and took on a major I couldn't stay passionate about I became a different person that I didn't like and hated the entire experience. Once I finally realized that I needed to move closer to home to be near my family and do something I was more passionate about, I was much happier and far more successful. I would tell my high school self to truly look into what you're interested in and passionate about, not just traditional fields or by subject matter. Also, don't discredit two year schools, they're the first step in gaining a cost effective degree and transitioning yourself for the next.

Balance. That's the one word that comes to mind when I think about college. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself how important it is to have balance. Everyone knows you go to college to learn and get an education. But it is more than just that. College is about having fun, meeting people, trying new things, and stepping out of your confort zone. But in order to successfully do this, you need to have BALANCE. You need to be able to balance the fun and the education parts of college. And fun doesn't always mean partying like people think. Whether it's going to the library, hanging with floor mates watching TV, studying for an upcoming exam, grabbing a bite to eat, going to the gym, meeting with a club you just joined, or the tons of other things that college campus's offer, the most important thing is to be able to balance all of these things. If you are able to balance these things, I think you would make the most of your time at college. That is the advice I would give myself if I could go back in time.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice in highschool knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to cheer up because college is so much better and more fun than high school. I would tell myself to find something that I'm passionate about (basketball) and stick with it. I would also tell myself to stick it out and play basketball in college because playing a sport in college is so much more impotant than anything else (besides school) that's going on in my high school life. I would tell myself that high school is not even the start of my life, but once college starts, I have 4 years to get it right and work as hard as possible to graduate on time from 1 college. There are many things that I would do different, but the biggest thing that I wish I could change everyday is rewinding to my last high school basketball game where I decided to "throw in the towel" and suck it up and play in college. I had an opportunity to do so, and I turned it down. If I could di it again, I'd play basketball.

I feel that I got a lot out of my college experience, but there are a few things both socially and academically that I would change if I could go back in time and tell my high school self. Acadmically, I did well in college, but I would tell myself to really get to know the professors. You never know when you need a reference letter or connections to benefit yourself int he future. I'm not saying to 'use' the professors, but to go to their office hours and create a relationship with professors that you tend to get along with and they will be there to help you in the future. Social life is a huge part of the college exerperience. Honestly, if I could go back I would tell myself to not go to college with a boyfriend that was controlling. I missed out on a lot my freshmen year because my boyfriend did not trust me and did not want me going to certain social outings. College is a time to discover your independence, make decisions for yourself, and meet new people.

Become more knowledgable about the college process. Work harder to get scholarships and financial aid at a school that will make you happy. I was forced to transfer colleges and hate the second more than I hated my first school.

My advice would be to just learn for the sake of learning rather than just getting by for the degree and career possibilities. Go to the library to read and do research. They have these sources on campus with endless information that we will not have access to once upon graduation. Talk to people in your field and seek out as many possibilities as you can find to improve your skills. The best piece of advice is simply to ask more questions. By constantly questioning everything you can learn so much more than by just listening and taking notes. Ask your professors, classmates, and people that you work under questions about what it is your doing and what it means. You are paying to learn, so make sure you get your money's worth.

Apply for college now, please don't wait. Choose what you know and go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you cant, go. Life without a college degree is not fun, nor is it easy. Work hard at it and you will see the rewards for your work. Make friends, get out of your comfort zone and talk to people. Join a club, it's a good way to make more friends and get involved in something. Don't worry to much, have faith in yourself, you can do it.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL COLLEGES TO ATTEND AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION. DO YOU WANT TO BE CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY? FAR AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY? MAYBE YOU WANT TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. KEEP THAT IDEA IN MIND FIRST AND FOREMOST. REGRETTING WHERE YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO GO TO SCHOOL AS A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE IS NOT AN EASY FEELING TO DEAL WITH. I PERSONALLY CHOSE BETWEEN TWO COLLEGES BASED ON DISTANCE. I KNEW I WANTED TO BE FARTHER AWAY, BUT INSTEAD I CHOSE THE SCHOOL THAT WAS A LITTLE CLOSER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER WHEN IT CAME TO TRAVELING HOME FOR HOLIDAYS. I REGRETTED MY DECISION, AND WAS NOT HAPPY WHERE I ATTENDED. MY FIRST CHOICE WAS WHERE I ENDED UP TRANSFERING TO AFTER MY FRESHMAN YEAR IN COLLEGE, AND I AM GLAD THAT I DID THAT. GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING, AND YOU WILL END UP HAPPY WITH WHERE YOU ARE.

Transitioning from high school to a college or university involves a drastic change in a student’s life. College does not resemble high school. A student isn’t in the school building for the entire day waiting for a bell to ring, they have to budget their own time and money, and basically have the freedom of making their own decisions without someone looking over their shoulder to guide them. If I could go back and give advice to myself about what I have experienced in the transition, I would say to manage the time you have. Make a schedule of what you want to do that week, like charity or sporting event or going to the gym. Begin the readings that you are assigned in class before the professor talks about them—you will know what they are actually saying and it helps when a quiz or test seems to creep up on you. Meet as many people as you can in your classes or in your residence hall and eventually pick a group that you enjoy being with and want to make part of your close circle. Enjoy yourself, but don’t forget why you are there, too.

Apply to every college and get all the education you can before deciding on your future career.