Syracuse University Top Questions

Many grow up being told that college will be the time of your life. A time where you will meet some of your closest friends and will really discover who you are. I believed in this description. However, when I went away to college the first time, to NYU, it was a huge wake up call as to I had no clue what college was supposed to be. It was awkward, intimidating, and a complete culture shock! Going back to talk to myself, I would say that life doesn?t always go according to plan. You?re on your own; forming your own path in life and that includes a variety of decisions that will come along. Each experience in life, especially college, is different for each individual. You can't expect college to automatically fall into place perfectly with what you had in mind. Once I realized that my experience is what I make of it, I began to move on from my NYU experience and take hold of the new opportunity of attending Syracuse University.

If i were to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself the same things that other people told me. College is fun and college is hard. There are times when it seems as if you are gliding by too easily with no major worries, but then you will experience times where your head will feel like its about to explode. I came into college with a high school mind set. I figured that high school was a breeze and all I did was think off my feet , so maybe it could work in college? Well, think again because this is a completely different ball game. I experienced one of every college students nightmare too early in the semester that gave me an enormous wake up call. I completed a paper a week before is was due and when I went to print it out my Mac froze. It told me that it was loading and I had class in 11 minutes. To make it worst the closest computer cluster was occupied. College is all about time management bottom line. If you cant manage time your in for a rough time.

Attend all the pre-enrollment activities. There are a bunch offered all year round, some just for your major, and you can get to know some classmates before the first day. Seeing familiar faces makes the whole experience less of a shock. Talk more to those who are already attending SU. They can give you tips and personal tours to help you navigate around campus. College is said to be so easy, but you have worked hard through high school to get this opperetunity. Continue to work hard if you want to suceed. You can still have fun, but balance it with school work. Get some information about the surrounding area, and print a campus map, you will get lost but everyone is willing to help. You may miss your old friends and home sometimes, and that normal. Just take each day as it comes and you'll make it. Remember to shoot for the moon; even if you miss you'll land amoung the stars.

"It seems hard to apply for college,""I dont know if I am ready for college,""Will I fit in and what will i do," these are the questions that I am sure you are asking yourself. As a freshman you will ask yourself the same questions. "College is a place where you should feel comfortable expressing yourself". When someone tells you that, you may think that that is just something that everyone is saying. However, in reality, that is the case. You will have the time of your life, freedom that you seek, and exploration that you earge for. As a high school senior, I am sure that you are trying to leave your high school career with tons of memories, but you HAVE to put your attention towards the future, in terms of college. Even with the senioritis, you must complete the requirements to apply for college. If you can, complete them early, especially the essays, recommendations, and scholarship opportunities. Dont be afraid to ask guidance counselors, or teachers, for help because eventually in college you will be doing that on a daily basis. College allows for progression in one's character. Freedom of expression is the key!

I would encourage myself to get a better academic background. Work at least twice as hard, for college continuously raises the bar. What may seem good for high school level is average or bellow college performance. Even though college is expected to be different, I won?t grasp is totality till graduation. Many phases will take place during these years. College will provide opportunities for anyone to discover themselves. How well do you handle pressure, failure, success, difference?? What believes do you truly follow? What type of responsible and problem solving person you are? Embrace yourself for hard difficult times will always come and college is no exception, except for the fact that it?s the beginning of self reliance. Welcoming difference is not as easy as it seems. It is rewarding, but requires more than just an open mind. It?s my fourth year and I am still trying to get used to the snow among other things. Our plans changed a couple of times based on the experiences gained. The college I end up with is OK. I met people I now keep to my heart. You will be refined not only academically, but spiritually, overall no regrets.

First off, I would tell myself to try harder in high school to achieve college credit to make college course easier and less in numbers. Additionally, I would tell myself that for GPA freshman year is the best year to take advantage of to gain a good GPA but also the classes are the easiest so take advantage of the ability to live life and party. Furthermore, I would say that you should try to meet people in your major right away becase they'll be the best resources when it comes to courses and thus quite possibly can become your best college friends (as they have for me). Honestly, I would say to live it up but understand that as much as you may hate a teacher they controll your grade and the teachers in college are less sympathetic than those in high school and don't expect to pass just because you showed up to the class...

The first thing I would say is of course to keep doing work. Doing well in my classes will help me get accepted into college and one of my choice, something my parents did not have the luxury of getting. Second of all, I would really focus on time management and planning the day accordingly. It seems like the obvious thing to tell oneself as they look back in time about how they should learn to time manage, but it does not really become apparent until college, an environment where you are considered the parent and your chid is your education and what you make out of college. In highschool, it was easy to get by procrastinating and recieving good grades. In college, however, the must do everything yourself environment of college is what really gets highschool students who are transitioning. College can be a great experience and an opportunity to really excel your life into success, however, success does not come without hardwork, and most importantly time management. If you manage your time well you will give yourself time to put your best into all your work.

I would tell myself to keep an open mind and just be prepared for all sorts of new people and new cultures. I would assure myself that it's not really as scary as it seems and that leaving home is just another step in life. As cliche as it may sound, it's just another step on the journey in life and you have to keep an open mind to be receptive to the new things you will encounter. I would tell myself to be prepared to face challenges in time managment and to understand that there has to be a balance between work and fun, you can't just put all your work off until later. It's tempting, but it just makes you stress out later. Most of all I would just tell myself to have fun with it all and learn as much as I can in the next level of my education.

The most important thing i would tell myself is do not pick a school based on its ranking in Forbes or something of that sort. Base your decision on where you could picture yourself excelling, the specific college based on your major, and where you will enjoy yourself. I would tell myself to join lots of clubs and to get involved in the college community. Colleges are big and you want to make friends before people form their niches. Go to your professor's office hours. Classes, especially lectures can have hundreds of students, you do not want to get lost in the crowd and just be a face. Attend every class and lecture, attendance is important, plus you are paying good money for these classes you better make the most of them. Last of all, HAVE FUN, college is the last time of your life until you enter the real world so make it last!

When you come to campus, explore everything. Try the different clubs, meet with your advisor, and plan ahead. Since you want to be pre-med, start working on volunteering hours. Also, do what I did--introduce yourself to your classmates, and your floormates; they will become your best friends and great study buddies. When it comes to academics, plan your time accordingly. If you pay attention throughout the course, the exams won't be as hard and you won't have to cram so much!!!

One advice I would give myself would be to take college courses starting from High School. This would be beneficial in terms of finding what I really like and enjoy studying. The reason behind this is that I wasn?t sure what I wanted to major in when I came to college. I believe it?s not really important to know what you want to do or major in when you enter college. However it?s important to realize what your really good in and what you really enjoying doing as you take certain classes in college. But knowing this earlier in life makes things easier. So having as much experience and taking as many classes in High School as a senior or as a junior can be really helpful and eye opening in terms of what I want to do for the next four years.

I would advice myself to pre-read the college books and develop a good habits of reading different kinds of books.

Apply to more schools and vist before enrolling

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work hard and gain more knowledge from High School in order to better prepare for my college. Then, I will understand the information and materials esaier and faster even though the professors are going really quick. Additionally, I would suggest myself to do more internship and volunteer in order to figure out my interest and dream job, then I can choose my major and work on it right away. Beside, I also think we should spend more time with our friends and teachers because we cannot see them in college. And enjoy our high school life, go to senior trip and proms, take more pictures in order to have a colorful and wonderful memory. So, whenever I think back to my high school, I would not be regretful and upset that I didn't have 4 years of best high school life.

To begin with, my girlfriend is a sophomore in my old high school and I counsel and advise her almost daily. There are things I would tell her that I would probably like to have done. They include joining the national honor society, volunteering, doing a sport, and make as many friends. However, some of the more important things would be what type of classes to take. The wise thing to do would be to take both AP Englishes to get finished with writing 105 and writing 205 and AP chem. Basically, any of the core classes pertaining to my major could be taken care of in High School. These are all things I would have told my Diana. As for specifics about me, I should have stayed in the robotics team, I should have done a better job at being vice president, I should have gone to more tutoring sessions, and I should have gotten a job. However, I can throw all that down the drain if I had just one more chance to be a better best friend to my three favorite buddies who have been there for me since the fourth grade.

I would tell myself to think through my decisions and really try to appreciate those around me. Don't get angry due to stress or simple things such as games and sports. Games and Television are only one part of life, enjoy other activites. Create a plan for work, activities, and balance my time. Try not to be so impatient, and while I say take it easy, don't slack off too much. Try to enjoy what you are doing and think of others.

The advice I would give myself would be to "live as if I'll die tomorrow, but dream as if I will live forever". I would give myself this advice because it is very meaningful. Throughout college people tend to get caught up on all the small things in life and tend to lean away from the outgoing opportunities put out in front of them. Fighting with loved ones, having second thoughts on different things based off the theory that people judge appearances, and pressure about weight and working out are all big stresses that I see everywhere. If I knew that the highschool drama was going to continue throughout college, it would have helped to have had that advice. I would have not focused myself around situations where the drama and judgement would take place and just go out and live life at college to the fullest and do me, my own life, my own things that I love, because if you live each day like it is your last, you will weed out the chance to regret something, and you will also widen your opportunities by dreaming huge and reaching your goals at a faster pace than others.

If I had to go back in time, the advice I would give myself would be from the aspects of academics, social, family, and just all around personal life. I would tell me as a high school senior to cherish every moment with my family because when you leave for college it truly is a new experience with being away from your family for months at a time. Also to take the high school curriculum serious because it truly prepares you for the academic life as a college student. By remaining strong and true to yourself regardless of the social pressures and influences during high school, it becomes an effective segway into the many decisions you will have to make alone as an adult in college. Be prepared for new experiences, hurdles and struggles, fun times, but remember that there is a plan for you in life that college definitely prepares you for. Have fun in high school but remain focus because college is not just the fun you see in movies.

Prepare yourself mentally for college. In a serious way. College is the most incredible moment of one's life. Be social. It is very important to engage in as many different groups and types of people in college, for getting stuck with the same groups of friends limits oneself. Be adventurous when selecting classes. I have had great classes be the ones I selected because of a pre-recquirement. Also, spend those moments to reflect your college years while IN college. You accrue great memories, meet amazing people, and learn so much about oneself and who you want to become as an individual. Knowledge and the democracy of college is incredible opportunity for growth and fun. If you have a passion, make sure to thoroughly engage within it-whether that means start out in the school of your passion or not, engage it with as many classes as humanly possible. Also, don't forget to do those crazy things late and night and go to social events. Get ready for an amazing ride. Always keep in mind that even though it may be a lot of work, having college is life's greatest freedom.

College is a very fun exciting and challenging experience all at the same time. There new things to do and to adjust to but you will eventually find your niche and be happy where you are. It might not come at first but it certainily will over time. There is a large diversity of people here at college. You need to be open and accepting of all differnt types of people and you can not be the first to judge them if they are not like yourself. It is very hard to be away from your family and friends at home, but you need to keep in mind that they still love you and when you do return they will all be there waiting for you.