Syracuse University Top Questions

From what I know now based upon my college experience, I would tell myself in high school to prepare to be extremely busy with school work. I would tell myself to make the college transition quickly and to get on top of my school work as soon as possible. My engineering courses in my first semester of college weren't easy tasks to complete. I would definitely inform myself about this because so that I may do better in my courses. I'm not disappointed in myself with what I have achieved and done in my first semester of cellege so far. If I did have a chance to go back and talk to my senior self, then I would basically change minor things and try to improve my study and work skills for my college life. But most of all, I would tell myself to have fun and to enjoy the experience even more than now because my college life only comes around once and I would want myself to make the most of it.

Having gone through my first semester at college I would go back and tell myself to relax and to take things as they come. It is extemely important to understand that everybody is in the same situation and have been exposed to a new environment outside of their comfort zone. It is very much a learn as you go experience, and while meeting other people everybody helps eachother and you begin to learn from one another. It becomes a much more stressful transition when one is overwhelmed and trying to make everything work at once. I would also go back and tell myself how to manage my time. Being thrown straight into classes and learning a study method that woks for you does take some time, but everyone will learn in their own time what works for them. Going to college is learning experience for everybody, but going in with the right attitude wll help make the transition period much easier.

If I could go back in time I would give myself the best advice possible. First I would definitely have to emphasize the fact that no one in college really knows exactly what they want to do after college when they are only in there first year. I would tell myself to really research different jobs that interest me and try to talk to professionals who were in those careers. Also perhaps the most important piece of advice I would have to give myself would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible because now that I am in college I realize that it is not cheap. I would say that senior year of high school is not the time to slack off becasue there are other students working as hard as possible to achieve their goals. I might also have to punch my past self for being so lazy and not doing more work with all of my free time.

As a high school senior I had no idea what kind of a transition the transition to college would be like. I had been away to camps before and I thought the adjustment would be somewhat similar, but I was totally wrong. I really didn't know how much I would miss my family until I was actually away from them for two months. So I think preparing myself emotionally to be away from my family would be the start because there is no one in the world who cares about you more than your family. By starting there I would also let myself know about the academics differences between high school and college. The first thing is you can not fall behind becuase once that happens there is almost no way of catching up. Reading is also big in college and although most of the reading is not required I would strongly suggest reading everything that is assigned to read because it greatly helps with homework assignments and tests. Going to class is also important because I am paying for each class and they're expensive and falling behind isn't recommended if you want to succeed in college.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, the advice that I would give myself is carefully analyze. With this being said, I would seek counsel, make the best decision and pursue the career with perseverence. I was not totally aware of the full purpose for highschool counselors. As a matter of fact, my counselor approached me and put me out there in the college world. I would have talked to my counselor sooner instead of being extra timid and to myself. I am glad he identified the matter though. I had too short of a notice to decide which of the 3 colleges I would like to attend in my transitioned area. I would have made a better plan than regarding the college of my choice. I would have visited the site before attending. I would have gotten affiliated with the college school status. Making the best decision would have carried me a long way. It would cause me to have the driven energy to attend college non-stop. It would encourage me to stay abrupt in my studies. Decision making is a touch of wisdom. I am purposed minded that a winned never quits!

As you are challenged by new experiences throughout your college experience, one must remember to remain confident in his or her abilities, creativity, and ethics. Allow yourself to experience the world wisely, and never be intimidated by a new professor or a lesson. When you talk to new people, speak confidently. When you are confronted with conflicts, react calmly. When you are exploring new subject matter, remain courageous. Most importantly, do not lose sight of your goals. Do whatever interests you, and never let an opportunity pass unexplored. Opening every door in your path leads to many possible journeys. Give yourself a chance and enjoy every moment.

If I could go back in time, I will tell myself to read more books. In college there are so many textbook readings for each class that sometimes there is not enough time to read for pleasure. If I read more in high school, I can improve the pace I read, improve my vocabulary and most importantly just reading for fun. Although some of the texts I read in college are interesting, sometimes having the time to read a juicy mystery book will provide a variation and thrill while I read. Now that time is limited in college, it's really hard to find excess time to just sit back and read. If I read more in the past, I will probably read at a faster pace and save time to do things that I enjoy.

As easy or as clich? as it may sound, the best piece of advice any high school senior needs to hear is only three words long. After completing my first semester at Syracuse, I have realized that these three words are the key to getting A?s in college. ?Keep working hard?, no joke. Many people think they are going to goof around in high school and then once they get to college, where the grades ?count? for the real world and getting a job, they will start doing work. If only it were that easy. To me, education is cumulative and it begins the moment you absorb your first piece of knowledge. If you do not develop study habits or good work ethics, you can?t just change that once you get to college. It takes years. Those who didn?t do well in high school or thought it was acceptable to not do work because they were seniors, are struggling now. I always asked myself why I worked so hard until the day I graduated, but now I know. The study habits I developed throughout my entire education are what have made my transition into college education seamless.

Dear Catherine, I hope you are having a fun and exciting senior year! I've been able to look into the near future and provide you with valuable advice for the quicly approaching tranisition from high school to college, so listen up! Do not worry about making friends, it will happen naturally. Make yourself available and be open minded to the menagerie of opportunities that will be out there. Get involved! You'll learn more about yourself and what you stand for by surrounding yourself with new and exciting activities or events. Network, network, network! Whether it be socially, academically, profesionally, start building connections at all levels. They may come in handy at any stage of life! Lastly, use this experience not only to pursue your passion for education but to explore. Audit classes you've always been interested in, and to reinforce a previous statement, GET INVOLVED! Good luck, you'll be great! Sincerely, Catherine

Do not expect anything because if you do, you are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. First of all, when applying to colleges make sure you actually could see yourself at those schools and don?t just apply to them because they are so-called ?good schools? or because a search engine told you it was a good match for you. Do all of your research ahead of time and figure out what it is you actually want to get out of the college experience. Don?t just apply because somebody told you it had a good program for whatever field you want to go in, but take location, weather, social life and the distance away from home and friends into consideration. Once you have chosen the right school for you don?t expect the transition to be easy, even if you are used to being away from home. Be open to new people and personalities and don?t be scared to break out of your comfort zone, especially if you are doing the college experience on your own. Finally, although it may seem like it at the time, parties aren?t the only place to meet new people.