Syracuse University Top Questions

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.