Syracuse University Top Questions

If I could go back to high school and talk to myself, I would give a couple pieces of advice. First I would tell myself to try and get a couple more hours at work because books are a lot more expensive than I expected. Another thing I would tell myself would be to really cherish the last large amount of time I had with my highschool friends. As a senior I looked at things in a selfish kind of way where I convinced myself that I would make new friends in college and would never want to go back to my old friends. This is very incorrect, I love my college friends, but I really do miss my high school friends. They're not gone, but I wish i spent more time with them when I had the chance. And the last thing I would tell myself would be to just chill out, things aren't really that bad. The acclimation process happens so much easier than I expected. If I spent less time worrying, and more time cherishing life, I could've done a lot more with my loved ones than I had the chance to.

I think the one thing I will tell myself in highschool is to really take the college search process seriously. Look at the programs offered, what kind of curriculum, the geography. Just to think seriously and to find if the university is interesting.

Thinking back to my senior year there are a lot of things I would advise myself to do differently. First and foremost, I would have found a cure for "senioritis." The college workload is so much different than highschool homework that I wish I would have continued working hard instead of losing a semester to laziness. Another piece of advise I would be sure to give myself would be practice time management! In highschool I was superwoman, handling any and everything that was put in front of me. I was involved in extra curricular activities, volunteer work, school work, a part-time job, and a social life. Back then I always put too much on my plate and some how managed it all with ease. College isn't as effortless. Although I have more free time than before, it is almost entirely taken up by schoolwork. I wanted to be involved in so many extracurricular activities when I got here, and now I'm struggling to find time for any of them next to my part-time job. I would like to find a way to manage all of my interests on my time, instead of the other way around.

Most importantly I would tell myself that it is okay to not be best friends with your roommate. I came into college expecting to become best friends with my freshman roommate. We got along well and are still friends today, but we are not best friends by any measure. There was actually a lot of tension between us when we were trying to be best friends and always do everything together. Later in the year once we each had our own things going on and we weren't trying to always be together, we started finding that we actually wanted to invite each other along when we went somewhere rather than feeling like we had to invite each other. Realizing that it's okay to not be best friends right off the bat was the best thing that could have happened to our friendship and it definitely strengthened the relationship as well.

Believe in yourself. No matter what you do, the first step is to believe in your own abilities and know that you can accomplish everything and anything that you strive to achieve. You are limited not by your abilites but by your doubts and fears. Do not worry so much about the transition. Learn to love your community and your neighbors and they will love you back. Speak with the professors and meet new people. They may change your life in a way that you could have never foreseen. Allow yourself to experiment with new activities, taking courses outside of your immediate interests, and broaden your field of vision. Don't believe that you are limited to a single career. You will meet talented individuals throughout the entire campus and they will prove to you that any given individual has the power to make a positive impact on the community and the world as a whole. Think big and believe in yourself. Believe in others' as well. You cannot enjoy life without being trustful. Lastly, have fun. Four years will fly by. You will say goodbye to all your friends in a blink of an eye. Live, laugh, and love.

I would urge myself to focus on the college life beyond the textbooks, exams and papers. The education component is certainly ingrained in college life and a vital part of the growth process but to fully mature as an adult, one must become engaged with other activities. Since Syracuse University is a high-profiled Division I athletic school, there will be ample opportunities to immerse myself in the management of sport and to learn through experiential experiences. In these experiences, I can utilize the theories that have been taught in the classroom and apply them to real-life situations. Any evaluation that may be presented in the classroom (e.g. paper) cannot substitute for these experiences. And, considering that I am a sport management student, I must capitalize on the ample opportunities that exist on campus. By doing so, I will be able to sharpen my sport management knowledge and gain invaluable tools that will aid in my on-going professional development.

I would tell myself to be more open to change. I was very unwilling to even expose myself to alcohol, but it is sometimes not a viable option. You cannot decide to dislike someone just because they drink, although you can choose not to be around them when they do. Also, I would make sure that I was more confident in myself and my abilities. I have doubted my ability to adapt and succeed in the real world, but I am learning that I need to be able to give myself more credit in order to get into the right mindset to talk to potential employers. This is also helping me to get out of my comfort zone and to meet new people that I may be friends with for the rest of my life. I would have liked to know these things at the beginning of my college experience.

Steer away from any science or engineering courses. Pick your classes wisely, search for the professor first before enrolling in the classes. Take a look at your major requirements and take courses that are relevant. Do not bring too many things, such as unnecessary books and electronics - chances are, you won't have time for it. Be more vocal in class, do not be afraid to speak openly, however, do not speak for the sake of hearing your own voice - professors do get annoyed.

The ?freshmen 15? is a myth. The freshmen ?break-out-so-badly-you-resemble-a-pepporoni-pizza-from-across-the-quad? is not. Welcome to the big leagues. Mom will not do laundry, your teachers will not coddle you, and your roommate will hit the snooze button fourteen times just for fun. College is stressful. Point blank. It?s a rapid and sometimes overwhelming transition. There will be tears and panic attacks. The good news is, your diagnosis is temporary, there is a cure, and if you deal with it on the onset of symptoms, there are no lasting side effects. Here are a few things you should know. Exercise releases endorphins. Pack sneakers and leave the flask behind. Eating right can be difficult when you have a stash of Ramen Noodle like you?re saving for an apocalypse, but being aware of nutritional content keeps your body healthy and your mind sharp. Lastly, time management. Some people think this is a skill they are just not capable of honing. Anyone who can afford an academic planner can achieve enlightenment. Be diligent in writing down due dates and pace yourself with projects. Those zits will clear up in no time.

My experiences so far in college have provided me some advice that I would highly value if were to start the process over again. First of all, being friendly, outgoing and most importantly yourself from the onset are essential in creating new relationships that will be fostered into friendships and classmates. Leaving your dorm door open and simply saying hi to everyone you see in the hall are simple acts that are effortless and work as great icebreakers. Realize that everyone is in the same situation of not knowing each other. Take advantage of this by initiating activities. Invite a bunch of people to go get a meal, watch a movie or play some Frisbee. My last piece of advice has to do with academics. This is where many freshmen run into problems. Always remember that is the primary reason you are going to college and it should be your priority. Don?t be afraid to ask for help, get advice or assistance. Getting off to a bad start in your classes is often very difficult to recover from. Also, be sure to attend all of your classes, it?s the best way to learn!