Syracuse University Top Questions

I would love the chance to go back and talk to the high school me. I would definitely tell myself the importance of being prepared with clear goals and a path in mind, as I entered Syracuse with very vague career intentions and am just now figuring out what I want to do, yet am scrambling to accomplish everything and get my affairs in line. While no one knows exactly what they want to do when entering college, I wish I had put more thought and consideration into majors and minors when I first entered in order to give me the best advantage and opportunities.

If I were to go back in the past and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say to work harder to obtain college credits to be more ahead of myself when I enter college. I would also say to be more outgoing and be involved in as many clubs and organizations as possible. I know that when I participate in clubs and organizations, I will become more active and gain confidence in making new friends. Now I enjoy gaining new learning experiences and develop social networking. Become more open to people and not shy away from meeting new friends in dorms, classes, clubs, and organizations. You never know, those people could be you friends you will be with forever. Participate in class, whether in lectures or small classrooms, to gain an understanding about the topic. If having any concerns in class, make an appointment with a professor or meet up with classmates in a study area to discuss your circumstances. Academics always comes firsts. Make any sacrifices, such as missing out on a football game or not attending a social event, to keep your grades up to an A. Always make yourself and your family proud.

I would tell myself to slow down and not be so focused on finishing college to work. The time will come when you graduate and go off to working in your career field. The best thing I have learned since I have been here is to appreciate the moment and to slow down to take notice of the things around you. Enjoy the moment and appreciate all the things that are around you from the buildings you walk in to the people who pass you by everyday. College is one of the greatest experience you will ever have but you have to let yourself enjoy it. You will learn more about yourself than you ever could have thought if you just take the time to slow down and enjoy every second of life, because you won't have it back.

Don't panic when you get the first B of your life on the first graded paper you get back. Always leave your door open when you're in your dorm, and talk to everyone. Find all the cafes on campus, and figure out which one has the shortest line for coffee. Don't waste your time on facebook. Call your friends from home, even if you're angry that they haven't called you! You will lose contact with many people- including some of the kids you considered your best friends; don't worry, you'll make better friends here. Don't run home every weekend, and especially not the first weekend. Enjoy the good weather- it'll snow soon enough in Syracuse, anyway. Get used to procrastinating and b.s.ing papers- it's not about how much you can do, it's about how well you prioritize. Talk to your professors. Remember that this is a beginning, not an ending. Don't trust your roommate to be careful about your stuff, and be clear with her that you will report her for breaking University policies. Don't worry when not everyone likes you. Don't panic. Enjoy.

Don't be affraid to leave your room and talk to people. College life is much better than high school life. The students don't find themselves obligated to insult you, the teachers are helpful, and the staff is actually considerate. There are people out there who will accept you for who you are. Just be yourself and people will find you. You may have had teachers who put you down, telling you that you want succeed. Don't believe them. The future is wide open and nothing is set in high school. Simply put, don't think the world is corrupt and unethical just because your high school decided to be that way.

Be Prepared. High school it was easy to get by just listening in class and still get good grades. College is where the real work starts the work is often long and there are sacrifices that have to make to made to your social life. Time management is even more important if you do want to have a social life. Get the work done early and always have a plan. There is alot of competition in college and as long as you have a plan to get through it all the stress won't get to you. The most important advise I could give any high schooler is not to stress. Keep calm. College you get your independence but its no reason to be afraid but rather excited. Get out there and enjoy your work and your fun. You are finally getting to move directly towards your dream.

Partying is great so long as you know how to balance academics and fun.

I would tell myself not to sweat the small stuff. I've had a great time in college - far better than at my high school, where a generally depressing attitude was difficult to cut through. I was nervous entering college - compounded by my choice to commute right from the start - but the first week of classes were genuinely interesting and fun. Until I sent in my admissions packet, I constantly second-guessed my choices (which turned out for the better, since I would have attended RIT, but chose SU at the last second). I didn't know what supplies I'd need, what paperwork still needed to be mailed, or how I'd fit in when I did start. So I'd tell myself this: you don't need supplies (just go with the flow and get it as you go), the paperwork is messy but worth it in the end, and you won't even care to fit in once you start. College so far has been one of the few places where I truly don't care whether I fit in or not - my program and good friends don't mind either.

I would tell myself to stay true to myself and my personality. This will allow you to find the best group of friends, clubs, activities, and major. I would also focus on getting involved in campus activities, as well as the importance of interning and gaining experience for my future career path.

If I'm allowed to travel back in time and talk to my high school senior self, one of the few advices I would suggest is to not hide in your room and perhaps try your best to meet people and learn about the great event the university has to offer such as Mayfest, Homecoming, watching sports game...etc. After going through the year of sophomore and half of junior year, I have come to realize that friendship and meeting new people are few of the most powerful ideas in the world. Not only broaden your horizon on the world and the changes way you view it, but also allow you to be more socialize, and through conversations and understanding different cultures and view points, you become a better, mature person. You will also learn knowledge regarding your pursue career, techniques successful people developed during their education that may help you. In a way, through knowing others, you will be educating yourself, though not in any way GPA or school transcript could recognize, but the results will show through your actions and words.

I would tell myself to draw and study works of various architects, and also contact students there to get a better idea of the curriculum and the full educational goal i would be undertaking so i could get a head start. I would also tell myself to start making models of constructs to elevate my skills prior to studio. I would also tell myself to set goals in my study such as focusing my time on certain subjects

If I were to go back in time to give myself advice on college, it would be to take your search for college seriously. As a high schooler it is understandable that your college search is not very high on your priority list. When you do find the right college, you need to prepare yourself to become more independent, there will be no more hand holding in college and professors will expect you to meet deadlines with no excuses. As for social life, there will be times when you will be offered to do something you have reservations about, it is important to stick with your convictions and think ahead before your decisions.

Do everything on time, don't leave anything for the last moment. Organize myself from the beginning in other words manage my time since the beggining. The secret to success is time managament.

As a current college student, I would go back to be a senior to work harder. College is serious and things and fun that could be enjoyed in high school can no longer be enjoyed daily. I would learn to understand how college classes work in terms of lectures and scheduling of classes. As a current business student, I understand the meaning and importance of presentations as I would prepare myself for my future early. Failing to present a project successfully may be one of the most embarassing moments in one's life, but with early notice it does not have to happen. As a high school senior I was very reluctant to ask for help for teachers, but now as I struggle at some points in my year I appreciate help from others. In this case I would tell myself as a high school senior to seek help early whether it be academically or for personal reasons.

I would tell myself not to procrastinate and to get my work done as soon as possible or else I would fall behind. I would also tell myself to get know people who are in my major and also people who are outside of my major as a way of networking and making life-long friends. Also, if I am stuggling with something, I should seek help right away because it is always there.

If I could give my high school self advice on college life, I would tell him that he should not assume that he'll be happy anywhere. In order to discover what he wants in a college, he should really think about the things about his home town that make him happy. In high school, I lived in a small suburban community. I had ample personal space. I knew that I wanted to go somewhere exciting, but I did not know that trading space and community for excitement would not be worth it. At Syracuse, they pack us into horrible, horrible living environments. There are too many people in such a small space. Sickness and disease spreads quickly. The dining hall food is repulsive and there are no kitchens in the dorms for one to cook his own food. Freshmen are not allowed to have cars and the nearest grocery store is a 20 minute bus ride away. If I could go back and give my high school self advice, I would tell him not to go to the place with the best academics but go somewhere where he could live happily.

So I randomly find a time machine, plug it in, decide that it works, and go back to being a high school senior? Awesome! I would definetly use this special privilege wisely. Now that I have experienced college life for a few months, I would love to tell my senior self a couple of things. The first thing I would mention is to take time in choosing a college. A college should not only be chosen based on location or activities, but based on what you are majoring in. That is one mistake I made because now I am considering other majors that my college is not able to accomodate. Another thing I would tell myself is to get all the childhood stuff out now. When you're in college, school and work are top priorities and there is little room for fun. When I was a senior, I had all the time in the world. I should have been just fooling around and enjoying being a kid while it lasted. After my trip and I return back the present, I will feel satisfied because I have made the right college choice and I am enjoying some senior year memories.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work just as hard in senior as I did throughout high school. I would tell myself not to take senior year so lightly especially in the AP classes, even though I know that I've already ranked in the top 20 of my class. Having taken so many AP classes throughout highschool, I would tell myself that the transition to college will be pretty smooth, and the workload is about the same. The only difference is I will have to manage my time by myself and not get caught up in the freedom of college life. Lastly, I will tell myself that in college you meet a range of people, some who you might get along with and some that you won't. I would say to have a open mind and try to handle every situation as mature as possible.

"Do not slack off in sophmore year." If i hadn't done so poorly in sophmore year, my GPA would be higher and my chances of getting more financial aid would have been higher which would be a real help.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to be prepared for the curriculum, to study harder, get a job, and be ready for the transition. As back then, when I was a senior, I was dependent, and I was not the brightest but I was the most hard working. I would always give any work I have to do my 120 percent. Also since my family and I did not have money at all for me to attend this school, except for the financial aids offered and loans then I was able to attend this school. My past self wouldn't have worried about anything at all. And I definitely would've told my old self to change, and also to get a job to help support my family. College education is definitely a lot more different then High School education, I was not ready for the transition as I had no idea. But now I do.