Syracuse University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Syracuse University know before they start?

Alynda

The advice I would give to myself or to any high school senior is to be confident with your decision. Regardless of your college choice, it would require some life style adjustments, a lot of maturity, and the ability to make good decisions. However, don't be quick on making assumptions or judgments. You have to give yourself a chance to adjust to the new environment and learn the new culture. You will learn so much and will make many new friends during this four year period. Just remember it takes hard work to make things work for you. No one place will give you an ideal college experience. It is up to you to select what is available and make it your own perfect experience.

Amanda

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior is that it is a struggle that has to be dealt with everyday. During this time in your life different experiences are going to happen that you would not believe. It will be a time that would test your character as a person and your personal character as a woman. Ever morning when you wake up just say to yourself I am going to try my best and give it my all. In time you will be truely satified with your education because it will be an education you get for yourself.

Judith

Judith, Starting at a community college and transferring to a four year university is a smart choice. You will save so much money by doing so. When it comes to choosing a major, choose one you will actually enjoy and will get excited about each morning when you wake up to go to class. It will be worth it (especially when you have to pull an all nighter to finish a group project). I encourage you to take electives that will allow you to learn new things, explore growing interests, and meet different people. Take risks. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and don't be too hard on yourself when you make the same ones again. Live outside your comfort zone. Study abroad and enjoy every minute of it. Seek wisdom and receive counsel from trusted individuals, but try not to base your decisions on other people's experiences too much. Live. Learn. Grow. Help others unselfishly. Send thank you cards. Remember the real learning begins after you graduate. Seek a job for what you will learn not what you will earn. Be financially reasponsible and strive to be debt-free. Don't forget to have fun!

Idia

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior , I will advice myself to never slack off . Senior year was a joke for me, because in my junior year I finished all of my requirements inorder to graduate. So I never took 12 grade seriously. I rememeber getting good grade without even study. I was going into my first semester of college with that mentality. Boy O Boy did I get a reality check. It is neraly impossible to pass a test with out studing. you have stay on top of your course load, or you will fall behind. I wish I took senior year more seriously, because it would have made my transition from highschool to college much eaiser. It's really hard to stop procastining when you've been doing it for a year straight, but first semester of college really made me break that habit. The habit of slacking off and procatination will not carry on in the next semeseter or the semesters to come.

Tanesha

As a senior in high school, college seemed like a fun place to explore the world on my own as well as learn new and exciting things. If I can go back, I would tell myself to be certain to always have my goal in mind, and that goal is to pursue academic excellence. With so many different people and social activities on campus, it is easy lose focus of what we have came to college for. I would tell myself that i need to work hard and not be dragged into the social aspects of life. I must always stay true to myself, and remember who I am as well as the principles that my parents have instilled within me. This will help me to stay focused. It will also help me to develop strong leadership skills, as I rise above societal limitations and aim towards creating academic excellence. I would also tell myself to embrace the educational opportunities offered to me as it will benefial for my future endeavors.

Suzannah

Well, past self, here are 5 tips from your future self: 1. Jump in at school. Your first week, everyone is going through the same things: missing home, making new friends, living with a roommate. This is your best chance to meet new people, join an organization, and try new things. 2. Naps are your friend. Sleeping at night for a full 8 hours is rare, so sleep whenever you can along the way. 3. Keep your door open when you're just sitting in your room. Don't leave your room unattended, but an open door is a great way to meet people around you. 4. Keep peanut butter and bread in your room. Even though you plan for it, you might not get time for a quality lunch. A quick sandwich has saved me many times. 5. Keep your family informed. Without them, you will be isolated. They are interested in what you're doing, and happy to hear from you. A mass text, group email, or quick call between class keeps family invested and aware of what you are doing. And remember, there is more than one right college choice when you're looking for a fit.

Kelly

Time management. Two words that I heard countless times as a high school senior and thought I understood what they meant. In reality, I had no idea. My first semester at college was absolutely the busiest I have ever been in my entire life. Balancing schoolwork with club field hockey and writing for campus publications along with meeting new people and making friends, there was hardly time to relax. However, after much practice and perseverance, I learned how to manage my time effectively and find a happy balance with everything that I was doing. Once I learned how to manage my time, I was at ease. It?s definitely not a quick and easy transition form high school to college, and it is stressful and overwhelming at times. But remember this: it does get easier. Eventually managing time effectively will become second nature, it is all just a matter of adjusting. Try not to procrastinate and get work done earlier rather than later and you will be on the right track. With all the work out of the way, there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy yourself and your new life as a college kid.

Dylan

Overall, I would tell myselft to buckle down for the last semester of senior year. Many of the kids in high school just give up at the end of their senior year once they are admitted into a college. I myself, was one of those students. College will hit you hard if you do not buckle down right away. If someone slacked off their senior year they will lose some of the important work and study habits that they built throughout the rest of their high school tenure. The best thing to do is to keep working hard in high school all the way until the end. This way, when college comes around they will be ready and they will make a smooth transition.

Brittany

If I could go back in time I would primarily tell myself to be open to everything and never pass up an opportunity you may want to pursue. There are so many activities and programs both on and off campus that are not usually offerred once you graduate and move into the real world. The best part is even if you mess up there is not a whole lot of damage you can do, and rather you will learn even more from the experience. I was not sure if I wanted to try out for the varsity cheerleading team at Syracuse because I was not sure if I would make the team or if I would enjoy it. When I was accepted I decided to try out anyway and after being on the team for three years now, I can honestly say it is one of the best opportunities and experiences I have been a part of. This was one of the main reasons I am a peer adviser/ambassador; so I am able to share what I have learned with younger students.

Cecelia

If I could go back in time, the advice I would give myself is to follow my intuition. I started out on a bumpy college ride because I kept second-guessing myself and did not follow my gut. First I chose a college that my parents insisted was the right fit and when I had orientation, did not even stay the whole time because I knew it was wrong. That feeling came too little too late and I continued spinning out of control, following the path my parents had dreamed for me to take, by majoring in a subject that did not really interest me. Fortunately I eventually followed my heart and transferred to a university that was a much better fit for me. I spent much time after my transfer trying to make up for lost time, picking a new major I was more passionate about and pursuing new social activities. Following my intuition in the first place would have saved me much time and much trouble. I would have reminded myself that I know what is best for me. more than anyone else.