Syracuse University Top Questions

If I could go back, I would tell myself to breathe. My senior year was filled with working constantly on all of my subjects, which did help in the end, but was excess stress that I didn't need to go through. I would've told myself that college is important, but it isn't just about working non-stop and not having any fun. I shouldn't have worried so much my senior year, but rather enjoyed it. Applying to college and creating a portfolio was tough, but I think I needed to have taken more time and really put myself through the processes I used for my art pieces and become consumed by them in order to have appreciated what I was doing more. This appreciation really comes in handy in college, and would've helped me to really understand what it was I wanted to do for the rest of my life, instead of feeling pressured to pick one major when applying. Telling myself that it is okay to change majors and not that big of a deal, is something I definitely should've heard. I would have not felt so tense all of the time.

Looking back over the past three years, I would definitely say that it's important to understand how to get the most out of the classes that are important to you. I wish I had taken more time to understand which classes were my priorities, and what I needed to do to get the most out of those classes. Now, I feel I have a great idea of what the expectations are within each course that I'm taking, and I understand what I want to learn from each class. Thus, my life feels more fulfilled and more balanced.

I would tell myself that it's harder than I ever imagined. I would say to prepare to work my butt off in every class and not to expect the A's I got in high school. I would tell myself that college is a new start and a fresh start, and everything that I was used to in high school to not expect in college. In college, everything is harder. Classes are harder, homework is harder, and nothing is spoon fed to you. Nothing comes easy, and you have to be prepared to work so hard to get an A. Don't expect A's either. I would warn myself that design history will be the hardest thing you will ever take in your entire life, and if there is a time to learn how to memorize, it's now. Don't expect college to be all parties and no work, because all the TV shows and movies are wrong. They don't show the all nighters and the empty cans of red bull in the recycling bin. If you do all the work, though; it will pay off, but don't stop. Don't give up.

Don't sweat it. Don't worry so much about where you're going to go to college, or what you'll end up doing with your life, or where you'll live. Life will work itself out, and even though this is probably how you feel right now and what you've been taught, it doesn't all depend on your college essay. The college application process stressed me out so much, and now that I'm in college, it's a lot easier to see the big picture. There are so many options and opportunities out there for all of us, no matter what institution we find ourselves a part of. Anywhere you go, you'll make friends, have great professors, and learn things beyond your wildest expectations. Anywhere you go, you'll find yourself. So don't sweat it. High school builds college up so much as the ultimate goal- the best years of your life, and so forth. But there's even more out there. Enjoy figuring out who you are, no matter where you are.

Make sure you choose the college you want to attend and do not make that decision based on other people. If you major in something you're just good at and not something you love your life might be full of regrets wishing you could go back and change the hands of time. Find what you love to do and let that become your major. Definitley get involved in campus; there is a club for everyone. Make sure to have a good balance of both academic and social life.

You've always heard that college is going to be this great, unique experience, and no matter what, it will be...but make the most of it: Open up your dorm room door and stop by other people's open doors, paint your face crazy colors and go to all the sporting games, go to the dining hall alone and ask to sit with new people - you're all in the same boat, so why not be in it together? As for that person that sits across from you in class that you haven't spoken to yet: make the point to speak to them. Make the point to get to know everyone on campus, and don't get too caught up in the people from back home - they'll still be home when you go back, but you need to make college your new home too, so develop your own little family. Don't take any of it for granted, because it's going to fly by, and you never want to say, "I wish I had done that." You want to end up saying, "I'm really grateful I had the chance to do that. It was amazing."

During my first week of college last year I was more nervous than you could imagine. My turning point for this anxiety happened during my first solo tour of the campus on my bike. I pedaled past the apartments and passed by a guy running around only in his underwear screaming while his friends watched from a distance laughing. At this moment I realized that college was going to be fun. All of my anxieties went away. Don't take life so seriously. Take classes in what you love and try to learn as much as you can about yourself by going beyond self-made limitations.

Be sure you know what you really want! don't limit yourself too much, you should always look for much more and greater opportunities than you think you can handle. work for it, be confident, and believe yourself that you can always make everything happen.

Work hard in high school

If I could go back to see myself as a senior, I would be tempted to tell my younger, stressed self everything will be okay, and to relax and stop working in overdrive. But I think it would be a mistake, because it was all that hard work and late nights spent worrying that got me to where I am today, and honestly, I couldn't ask for more. I look back at decisions I made and there are always things that could have gone better, different paths that I could've chosen and been better off. And I see myself where I am today, and I realize I wouldn't be who I am if I had turned in that application on time, or taken that class in the field I wish to study. If I went back to when I was a senior and told myself things would work themselves out, I don't think I would work as hard to get where I am. And who knows, maybe things would be different. I trust my choices make me who I am, and I've worked laboriously to get here, and I'm satisfied with that.

If I were to be able to go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would have a lot of advice for myself. First thing I would say would be to get invovled in the right extracarricular activities. There are many groups that students can get involved in that may not neccessarily be that benefical to them. I would tell myself to be careful how I represent myself as a peer and as a student. My biggest advice would be to not get too caught up with drinking and partying. Socializing is imparative in college but too much and too extreme can give you a reputation that is not very desirable. I would advise to take on leadership roles early. This will not only help to boost your resume but also give you leadership experience and improve character. I could go on for days giving myself tips and advice. I feel like the one most important piece of advice would be to take every experience and reflect on it, think about how I approached it and learn from it. Always try to learn from past experiences and unfortunately past mistakes.

Eighteen-year old Jonathan, In order to succeeed in college make sure that you try to open yourself more during freshman year. Don't think that you have to stay locked in your room studying because you feel that you might let your parents down if you don't get high grades. Although they are investing money on your education, an education is another path of discovering who you are. Yes, you can get high grades, but back them up by being an affable person. Esepcially if you want to go into business and/or communications, you have to make sure that you need to open up to everyone. I just realized that you should branch out to more people and luckily, Syracuse fosters that kind of environment. In addition, be assertive and not passive when you approach people. Although you don't want people to think you are too confident, there are definetely a lot of cocky people in college that you can raise your assertiveness to an extent. Knowing that you are a go-getter, try to reach that balance in assertiveness and approachability in college. - College Junior Jonathan

Be more determined. Do everything to the best of your ability. Everything will get harder and be more important than it it now, and you will need to care.

If I could return and talk to myself as a senior I would not only encourage myself to continue with what I am doing but to make even more of life. I would tell myself to get out there and experience all Syracuse has to offer, all of the clubs and orginazations, all of the on campus events. As a junior I would explain that there has been so much I've been missing and once I figured out about everything that I would learn to love life even more. Even beond the social aspects of the school I would encourage myself to get experience academically too. I would say get to know the professors sooner rather than later, get out there in a lab and really learn what true education is. I would really try to drive home the fact that this is the time of my life and there really is so much to do in the world that its never too early to start. Once I told myself all of that I would just say to go out and live life to the fullest.

Hey Kary, I have to tell you a few things about college that no one really tells you. First semester is definitely going to be your hardest. You?re going to have to get into the rhythm of how things work in college and you?re going to be feeling lonely but you?re not going to be the only one feeling that way so go out and make some friends to build up a support system for each other. Sadly enough, procrastinating until Sunday night to do your homework won?t work as well as it used to because the work load in college is huge. Your professors will not care how many other classes you are taking so don?t bother coming up with excuses for why you didn?t complete the assignment. Don?t be discouraged when things get hard. Some classes will be extremely hard and others will be easy but just try your very best and you won?t have any regrets. There?s a lot of other things I can tell you about college life but it?s best if you figure it out by making your own mistakes.

Last year, when I was applying to college, my greatest fear was that I would not be able to handle the college-level courses. Everyone would tell me how the work load was significantly greater than in high school and that I would have no free time left. Though there is truth to that, I wish someone had told me that college really is just the next level up from senior year. Also, becuase you get to choose your classes, they tend to resonate with your interests better. Even though the work load is greater, the work oftentimes is more interesting that high school homework. Plus, the work is not busy work. The classes are a faster pace, but it is easy to forget that much of the slow pace in high school classes can be attributed to days for review as well as, keeping everyone on track and paying attention. In college, students are there because they want to be there. It may be more challenging, but that is what keeps the classes interesting. As a college student, you are always kept learning and questioning. The entire environment of college encourages such enthusiasm, making the difficulties more bearable.

Knowing what I know now, the most important thing I would tell myself is to never doubt your decisions. I went through most of my freshman, and part of my sophmore year second guessing myself about my choice in a major. I would also advise myself to work hard, and choose one extra activity because balancing time is important. I was on three dance teams last year, and I was close to reaching burnout. I know now that I cannot do everything, unfortunatelly I am not super woman! I would say that making friends is very important. In high school I had a lot of trouble making and keeping friends, but I have self-confidence now, and some really great friends that keep me grounded. The thing I would say, is to enjoy college, the experience is once in a life time and to remember never to doubt your confidednce. It is the single most important thing that will guide you through decisions, and help you to make long lasting friendships. Once last thing, you and your freshman year roommate will be long lasting friends. You are in great hands at Syracuse University!

Attend the campus that FEELS right, and everything will work out. Above all, don't be afraid to take risks and meet new friends. College is an excellent time to start over on your own terms, but don't make the mistake of falling into what other people expect of you. Be your own person, be nice to everyone, and build lasting realationships with friends and professors.

I would tell myself to be more open-minded and don't be afraid to try things that you have never experienced. As soon as you step on campus, search out for the many resources that your campus has to offer and attend a variety of events that will open your eyes culturally, mentally and spiritually. Take advantage of the opportunities that both the business and communication colleges have to offer & don't be afraid to ask questions! Enjoy your time, because four years surely flies by fast!

Charron, First off let me start by telling you that college is not high school. COLLEGE IS NOT HIGH SCHOOL! You better get this through your thick skull before you step on to that campus. Look, you have a full-ride to one of the best institutions in America. This being said you must start off with a bang. Not like the "Big Bang", bigger than that. You must make sure that you study like you never studied before, because we both know that La Salle Academy was too easy for you. Studying is a crucial factor to success at SU. If you study hard and put in the appropriate effort for all of your courses you should be in good shape. I know that social life will not be a problem for you, it never was. However, make sure to not let it interfere with your studies bro'. SU is big on social life, in all aspects of it...lol. So make sure you keep you "eye on the prize" and remember why your there. Life is life and time is money, you know how that goes. Work hard, play hard and be master of all tasks. Best, Yourself