Syracuse University Top Questions

If was a high school senior now, I would research different universities and learn about prospective programs I can join as the first step. Other than the size of the university, the quality of faculty and staff, the diversity of student body, the campus environment etc., there are a lot of other things I can do as a senior to increase my chance to get into a dream university and make my college life smoother. AP Credits: I would learn about the curriculum requirements of my dream program in the university especially AP credit policy. Taking AP courses to waive college credits would make the college life much easier. With a lot of AP credits earned, I can possibly graduate from college early. Reach out and be active: I would actively contact professors of my dream college to ask if I can get involved in research projects as a volunteer to gain experience. If any professor accepts my offer, the research projects would allow me to gain professional experience, boost my resume, and possibly get me a letter of recommendation from the professor as an insider of the university I am applying to.

I would say I should have enrolled in some Advanced Placement courses so that I would not have had to take so many General Education courses when I came to college. Taking advanced placement courses in high school would ave also allowed me to become more future career focused because I would have had more time to explore other jobs for the future. I wish I could have been more involved sport wise in high school so I could get more scholarship in college, also so I could possibly get onto a division 1 sports team, here.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself the college transition is difficult but worth every tear. I had a particularly hard time leaving my friends and family at home. I was ready to come home throughout my entire first semester. I was doing well in school, but I failed to appreciate the friendships that were developing right before my eyes and the elite education I was being provided with. I was confident I could make it anywhere, so I didn’t need to be in Syracuse and away from my family. I remember one day I was sitting in my room when I had this moment where I thought, “I’m okay. I have friends here. They are my family away from home. I’m happy, and I don’t want to leave.” I felt such relief. Getting through the hardship was the best decision I ever made. I always tell my parents that making me stay in Syracuse and putting me through that “torture” was the greatest thing they ever did for me. The struggle made me stronger and appreciate life more.

Senior year of high school was definitely a pivotal time in my life when it came to the shaping of my future. I was lost and had no direction in life during this year. I just knew that I had to go to the same prestegious univiersity that my brothers attended just so I could say I went there. Had I done that, I would have disregarded my true passion which is designing. After going to the perfect university for me and majoring in jewelry design and metalsmithing, I've learned not to sweat the smaller and little things in life. Sometimes events occur that are beyond our control and when we stand up to them and face them head on, the odds often turn out to work in our favor. My advice to my younger self would be to live each day as if it were the last one and not worry about the negative aspects of tomorrow, just focus on the positives and know that there is a plan already mapped out for us. Have faith and be strong, you will get through it and be very pleased with the outcome

Stay focused..Time management is key..Go to all your classes...aim to find a Balnce and most importantly Take advantage of every opportunity ..You control how much you succeed

If I were to go back in time and see myself face to face with my senior self I would appreciate the opportunity to tell them everything I have learned. I would tell myself not to worry, to appreciate the little things in life and tell them that senior year only comes once. I would also tell myself that I have to plan for college and my schedule before school starts so that I can be prepared. Although this should be done in moderation, because letting it run your life and thinking about it every second will only cause stress. College is not scary; in fact it is an opportunity that is worth wild. So take small steps and make a schedule so that the rush won’t bring me down. I would tell my senior self that I can achieve whatever is in my grasp, that everything will be okay, and to "keep my head up high and my shoulders back" like my mother would always tell me. Enjoy the last moment in life where you can call yourself a high schooler because being in high school should be the memories your cherish. Live them to the fullest.

College will be your time and place for growth, it will be very difficult but even if you are 3,000 miles away from home turn your moments of insecurity, stress and disillusions into motivation. Those moments are natural, college is not what you hear or what you've seen. Your college experience belongs to you, you write your own daily journal. When you feel out of place remember you are there to prove to yourself that you can be great and do great with the education you obtain. You will not only be the one scared, alone, and hopeless-resources are there. Even if no one says they are proud, make sure you take in that you were dedicated, courageous and intelligent to reach past the sky's limit. The most imporant thing is to be proud of yourself, you are a dreamer rising from hopeless family home, a mediocre high school where staff encourage community college. Know that you are a sucess story, but stay hard working. Just know that anytime you feel like giving up, you'll give up on a dream that will serve someone like you one day.

To my high school self: I highly advise you to expore as many clubs and activities as you are can. It is the best way to meet people and make friends. Also make more study groups with your classmates. College is more challenging and more work than high school. It would help to form a study group in your classes to split up the reading. It also will help to study for exams with other people to gain what they have taken from the lectures and what they think the profesor will ask.

I'd tell myself to make the most of very opportunity. It's not enough to show up to class and do well academically. It's also not enough to do extracurriculars. College isn't high school and it takes much more than that to do well. Find a few mentors, make meaningful connections, network with professionals in your field, engage influential faculty, and be selective when applying and choosing internships. These are the activites that will make your time in college worth it.

"Take a deep breath, everything will turn out perfectly," is the first thing I would say to my high school senior self. The college process was particularly stressful for me for many reasons, however everything that I was worried about has been solved and worked out in ways that I never would have imagined. I would also suggest taking time to have fun and steping away from the books every so often. I spent so much of my first semester working both on school work and at my job with very little play time and by winter break I was completely burnt out. Although your priority is school, none of the information sinks in unless you have time to relax and have fun. That time away from the books is when you are able to process what you've learned and apply it to your life. Also, spend the summer connecting and bonding with your loved ones at home, college can get extremely stressful and scary and it is important to have a strong net back at home to catch you if you fall, especially freshmen year when all of your relationships are new and unsteady.

Listen to Momma Bear when she tells you to use a planner. Also, make sure to make a lot of friends in a lot of places. People will get on your nerves and sometimes you need to vent. Nothing lasts forever, Ali, and sometimes you have to let go of people if they are dragging you down. There is no use crying over someone every night because they've left you behind. Most imporantly, college isn't just about the grades, it's about the experiences that you have.

Being Puerto Rican born and raised very highly on our cultural values, I would tell young me to think things through. College is not only about the education you're receiving, but also about the transition and the emotional move one makes by picking up belongings and moving to a whole new place. Our languagues differ and a cultural clash exists. My best piece of advice to young me is: Know that you are prepared to wake up the next day in a whole new place, maybe a bit lost, but ready to take on whatever comes your way. Don't be afraid, but be aware; college is what you make out of it, and it will only be an enjoyable time if you allow yourself to have it. Balance things out well, and broaden your horizons-- think about your happiness. If you're comfortable with the step, and ready to take on new challenges, college will be the time of your life. Get ready mi vida, life is about to change, but if you trust yourself, all will go just as planned.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would tell myself to NOT party as much as I did freshmen year. I still had a good GPA around a 3.1 but I just was enjoying myself to much. If I didn’t party as much my GPA could have been at least a 3.5 or higher and this would help me down the road. Many internships and companies put an emphasis on GPA and before they see you they see your GPA so you want to make sure it is as high as possible. By receiving a 3.1 I limited myself from other opportunities I could have done. I would also tell myself to network day one of school and talk to people in the industry you are interested in. I often spent too much time listening to my friends interests and this didn’t help me because they are just as confused as I am at that point.

If I had the oppurtunity to go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, there are many things that I would say. One of the biggest lessons that I've learned during my first year at college is learning how to be frugal. I unfortunately learned the hard way. It seems so simple to swipe your card and get a venti mocha here and a slice of pizza there, but it all adds up one way or another. As of today, I have $1.03 to my name. Managing money is hard, but college has forced me to do so. It was a real eye-opener. Furthermore, I learned how to manage my time. This is probably one of the most important aspects of being in college because there are no longer parents and teachers constantly reminding you to do your work and when assignments are due. If you miss a deadline, it's your own fault. You don't get a chance to make up tests or assignments, and professors will not take the time to pity you. College gives you independence, but it also forces you to be responsible. Learn to be responsible.

If I could go back into time, I would have told myself to bring more toothpaste. More toothpaste and other expendable items like Hot Cheetos or cans of Mountain Dew. These non-reusable items add up insurmountably over the course of the school year. And most college students are either too cheap or too lazy to go out and buy them on their own. Also, I would advise myself to eat healthy BEFORE going to college - because you sure aren't going to be eating healthy on the school's all you can eat cafeteria buffet line. It's just not possible. Also, appreciate your bathrooms. At home, at least they're clean, there's toilet paper, and there probably isn't a fellow student's underwear on the toilet handle. Be thankful. Be happy. But mostly be thankful. I would have told myself to chill. Relax. You're going to college. It will all be okay.

If I could go back and talk to myself, i would tell myself to not slack off, to fill out more scholarships, and to play less videogames. Also make sure to apply early and save up your money. If you do all of that and keep your grades up you will be able to go far and not make mom pay out as much money as you go through college.

Thinking back to how nervous I was about attending Syracuse University in my senior year makes me wonder why I ever felt that way. If I could go back in time, I'd tell myself to stay calm and relax. College is challenging but it's manageable. The teachers don't baby their students like they did in high school, but they want to see the class perform well and they will make time to help everyone. As long as you do your work everything will turn out well in the end. Keep in mind there are plenty of resources available. Every first year student that you meet feels the same way you do; they're anxious and excited. This will be the common thread that brings you closer together with your peers. Since everyone is going through similar experiences, take time to get to know everyone to figure things out together. Socialize with one another because it is worth it in the end to have special friendships made. Yes, it's scary at first to be in a new environment, but having someone to talk to will make things easier. There is always a group for everyone at SU.

I would tell myself not to enter college with any expectations. When starting my freshman year, I had a very concrete idea of what I expected college to be like. I would have engaging, small classes, professors that I would develop close relationships with, best friends that I would spend all night drinking wine and discussing politics and deep aspects of life with, and an experience that would be unbeatable. Nothing, of course, is the same in reality as it is in people's heads, and when my college experience turned out to be much different than what I had pictured, I didn't know how to handle it. I was completely set on carving out this perfect experience for myself, instead of remaining open to everything and everyone I encountered and making the best of what I had. I would tell myself not to focus on having the perfect experience and instead focus on trying new things and giving new people a chance, I would have been much happier freshman year.

The advice I would give myself is to not listen to other people and follow my own dreams, not theirs.

In high school and my first year of college, I was only very focused on two things: academics and my group of friends. If I could give my high school self advice for college, I would tell her to get as involved as possible her first year and to make as many friends as she can. I only joined one or two clubs in high school, and in college I was working so hard on my grades that I didn't have time to join clubs that interested me. This kept me from having many different circles of friends. Instead, I have one group of friends and a few singular friends outside of the group. Now I realize that I needed to meet people that share my interests in certain clubs. That way, I am not relying on one group of friends to always be there for me when I need them, but I have my time filled up with my involvement in my school and its activities. So I would advise my high school self to never sacrifice her interests just to spend time with one group of people, because they may not always be there.