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.