Sweet Briar College Top Questions

Dear Highschool Bethany, I know you have heard the phrase "old habits die hard". That statement is more true than anything. Study your hardest and do not ever blow off your homework to go get icecream with your friends. Those friends are not going to get you a degree or pay you for keeping them company. Quit misplacing your pencils and always use a pen to take notes (highlighters smear the pencil lead). Invest in notecards! It is easier to flip through a hundred small cards with one subject on each one as compared to a decrepit notebook. The last thing I have to tell you is to never take the meals mother makes you for granted. Treasure those homecooked meals. Forever yours, College Bethany

High School Me, When you look in the mirror you don’t see yourself. Instead you see what society sees- nothing; nothing as in invisible, invisible as in unseen, unworthy, unable, unattractive, and unheard. Yes, I am aware you are a “double whammy” black and female and underestimated. Don’t let that stop you. Stand up straight, keep your head held high, and have some confidence in yourself and your abilities. I know this is easier said than done, but I urge you to try. You are an intelligent girl with a passion for learning, a hunger for knowledge, and future that is as luminous as the moon. Although you have trouble seeing the light inside of you I implore you to take a closer look. Remember: if you do not believe in yourself, no one ever will.

I would advise myself to not get caught up in the idea of what you think you are going to become in college. So many individuals think they are going to go to college and be a different person than whom they were in high school. While this is true for many individuals, there is always part of you that is going to remain no matter where you go. Don't choose a school because you like that it embodies the eprson you hope to become and you can see yourself fitting in there eventually. College is a huge adjustment and you can't completely alter who you are during that transition. Also, don't deny that you are going to be homesick sometimes. Everybody thinks that they won't be and many people just want to escape where they have grown up but a part of you will always be where you came from. Choose a college that you can truly see yourself at, not only the idea of being there.

I would tell myself: Spend more time with your family. You don't think you're going to miss them, but you are, and it's quite horrible sometimes. They aren't going to visit often, and you're verry close to your family so make the most of the time you have left. Also, try to get the books ahead of time so that you will have the books on the first day of class and so that you will be able to try to start getting ahead right away. Getting ahead on the work in college really pays off, because there is so much of it. Once you are ahead in the homework, you don't have to stress as much over it. And remember, try not to stress so much. It gets in the way of actually doing all your homework, and Mom says you're going to get an ulcer if you don't get it under control. Exercise regularly. The physical activity helps. Exercise after you've finished your homework, so that you can exercise without worrying about it. And try to enjoy school. It's scary, being away, but it's worth it.

I stare at my younger reflection, amused by my rotund, protruding cheeks and brilliantly clear sclera-- the alabaster shade that only youth possess, clear and resilient and not yet yellowed and reddened by college-induced all nighters. My lesson to myself is simple: one that I learned even before high school in Ms. Sweitzer's 7th grade english class when reading the coming of age novel, "Walk Two Moons". I gaze into those pristine eyes and sagely advise, "When making decisions, it is important to put it into perspective and consider the impact in the following way: 'in the course of your lifetime, how will this affect you? Too often one dwells on the benign, menial issues and does more harm than good, all the while not realizing the impact of a broader issue. '"

If I could tell my younger self about the first year in college, I would say; “Tiffanie your first year in college will be challenging, but enjoy the process. The challenge is the transition to a new life without your parents, and the enjoyment comes from the journey. Most people say that your first year of college will be the hardest, Tiffanie believe me they are right. Yes it will be hard but you will make it. The most important thing to remember is that your parents will always be there to listen during those tough times and encourage push forward.” Next the benefits of the process would be explained. I would tell Tiffanie, “Though the first year is tough, the benefits are out of this world. You will be stretched, which will help you mature and gain confidence your newly discovered abilities. Become open minded to your new life. Don’t be afraid about fitting in or trying to look and be perfect. Know that every other student feels the same way. They feel scared and alone yet; it won’t be long before you find friends. So take one step at time,knowing you willl reach the top.

Traveling back in time to visit my high school would be great. I would tell myself that choose Sweet Briar College and go with your heart. Also I would tell myself to apply to tons more scholarship and that financial aid only covers half and you have to come up with the other half. That is one mistake and over site that I wish I could go back and change.

Don’t be nervous! It’ll all work out. That sounds so cliché, I know, but it is true. College is one of those turning points in people’s lives, and being a very responsible high school student you will be able to handle the new environment with ease. Use everything as a learning opportunity so instead of making simple mistakes take the following advice. In a few months you will be leaving your family, so spend more time with them. You will learn that they are actually funny people and support you and all of your decisions. Don’t waste your time on Facebook. Instead of looking at your friends’ lives in pictures, go spend time with them. Go with your gut instinct and stop being so logical; second guessing yourself is not going to land you in the right place. Also, a social life is just as important as maintaining good grades; sustain a healthy balance between the two. College is a great opportunity for you to show your independence. You will succeed if you keep your mind to it and don’t lose focus.

I would tell myself to plan out things beforehand. For instance in High School it was suggusted by my teachers that I should write out all the due dates of my assignments in a planner. However, I could always get by with keeping the dates in my head. However, at Sweet Briar this is not possible. One thing I learned was that more than one long paper will always be assigned and atleast two will always be due on the same day. In sum I was only able to get through my first year because I planned out my papers and projects way before they were due. I also would tell myself to take less items with me to college. When I got to my dorm it was smaller then I thought it was going to be and I had issues placing all the items I brought so they would fit. Lastlly I would tell myslf that an essential item is a mini-file cabinent. It is amazing how many papers you aquire during your first year of college. If you don't have anywhere to put them then the dorm becomes quite overwhelmed with paper items.

I have gotten a new perspective on people from other places and it's helped me know how to interact better with others.

The most valuable advice I would give myself is to never compromise on my ambitions, even if they seem unattainable or unrealistic. The United States' fast-paced society is often difficult to predict, and the career one may want in high school, such as a journalist or graphic designer, may be obsolete by the time one enters the work force. Oftentimes, students who have insuffiecient knowledge of the full nature of their "dream job" become disillusioned and confused once they realize what the work entails. Fortunately, there are jobs that are still waiting to be created, and all it may take is one talented individual who has the drive to succeed. While I say that some jobs might be non-existent in the future, it is also important to never give up on a goal just because it seems fruitless. Even if journalism, for example, is outmoded in ten years, there will always be a market for great writers. Likewise, there will always be a place for problem-solvers, engineers, and artists. As long as one strives to be the best in one's field, there is still room for them in the workplace.

Knowing what I know now I would go back in time to convince myself to be more confident. I had a very stressful senior year due to the anxiety over the application process. Making such an important life decision as where to attend college and what to study made it hard for me to enjoy the last days with highschool friends, and participate as fully as I would have wanted. I would show myself how much Ive accomplished and that I did make it into the school of my dreams. By being more confident I would have been more apt to join clubs around campus and be an active member of my college. This would have made the transition ten times easier since I could make friends that were passionate about things I am, and get have an active role in the community.

I always did well in school, and I was well-prepared for adjusting to college in another state and studying hard. However, I wasn't prepared for paying for college. I regret that I took my comfortable lifestyle for granted and didn't save money like I should. As I write this, tears collect in my eyes and my stomache aches. I don't have anyone to help me fill out my FAFSA, so I can't get Federal aid. I pay bits of my outstanding tuition by working as much as I can, but I owe almost $10,000 until I can return to school and finish my education. I feel useless and hopeless because I'm not in school. I've been volunteering with my free time, but I know that with my degree in neuroscience, I could do so much more to help people. I'm such an intelligent and passionate person, but it's devastating to me that finances are inhibiting what I could really be doing in society. Ultimately, I would go back to my high-school self and advise her to save money, get scholarships, and learn how to use private loans.

Brittaney, Believe it or not, it's you, just older, wiser(ish), and slightly better looking! When looking at your schools, keep in mind that yes, colleges and universities have images, but it doesn't matter if you go to Harvard and you just don't like it there or feel at home; the name or image of a school isn't what makes the experience. This is four years of your life that you're going to be spending learning, working, interacting with people, and just living and trying to make the best of it. Choose the school that excites you, stimulates you academically, and just gives you that sigh of relief that you've found "the one" - or pick whichever one comes close! Don't worry about how your roomate keeps her side of the room because it says nothing about you. Decorate! This is your home away from home, you want it to look and feel that way! Make sure to buy lots of padding for the bed, splurge on this one because though you may not sleep as much (ha!), you want it to be amazing. Keep an open mind, and DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Enjoy it.

Knowing what I know about college now. I wish I had of been more prepared for the transition from high school to college. I wish I would have pushed myself in high school to take more challanging classes, maybe took highschool more seriously than i did. Then maybe my first semester in college would not have been such a shock to me, it would not of been so stressful and as hard as it was. I really would of also advised myself to study a lot more and have better time management skills.

I would warn myself about how easy it is to get distracted in college. Everyone in highschool warns you over and over about how hard college courses are, but never once mentions how easy it is to procrastinate there. In the dorms, you are just next door to your friends, your mother is not there to keep you on task. Spending the whole day online or hanging out with friends is a temptation that is all too easy to give in to. Just when you really hanker down to get some good studying in, it is inevitable that one of your friends will swing by and distract you. Another thing that I was never warned about was that college makes you lazy! Freshman girls who put a lot of time into their hair and makeup in the beginning of the year now wear sweatpants and ponytails all the time. The lack of boys takes away a lot of motivation to dress up in the morning-- not something totally life-altering, but something I wish I was told before coming in to college.

When I turned thirteen I told myself all my dreams could come true, and they certainly are (slowly but surely). Think about what you want most out of life and, I think you'll find right now "it's the whole world." So do it. Apply abroad, look at schools based on their study abroad opportunities. In the long run I wouldn't do anything differently. This was my chance to travel the world, and I did; for three semesters. The school I chose gave me that, a dream research opportunity, and a fantastic internship. Sure, there was drama and hardships but what all-girls school wouldn't? I made the transition just fine, I am a great person and I am actively improving myself. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Work hard from the beginning and keep working hard until the end.

College isn't like highschool, it's about bridging the gap between shelter and controlled events and facing the unexpected tumultuous "real world." Don't be afraid to go far (literally and figuratively), but know that the friends you've made will be your anchor. The friends you will make will be some of the most impacting of your life. And no matter what the over-achiever inside says, you will *know* deep down when you're doing the right thing, whether that's staying in all night to get ahead or going out for a couple of hours with friends. In the long run it's the practical skills of socializing and being responsible that you will use in the future, not as much as an academic essay or the theory of relativity. Without socialization and human contact we would not, and could not, exist. Without contact we would not have any form of education, literary, academic, or otherwise.

Going back to talk to myself, I would encourge myself to be more outgoing with meeting new people. Coming to college made me enteract with brand new people and if I was more confident earlier in life that would have made me more comfortable during my first few weeks. Now that I have been in college for two years, I feel able to accomplish more socially and not as anxious around new people. Orientation at Sweet Brair lasts approximatley one week for the main purpose of allowing the freshmen to get accustomed to the campus and each other before the upperclass women arrive. Giving myself the advice to be more confident around others would have made things easier in that I might not have second guessed myself in how to interact with others.