University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

To look back on my senior year of high school brings forth a tangled mix of emotions. Unfortunately, my primary memories of that year are clouded by stress and anxiety, and to recall this now truly frustrates me. The regret that I have is not for what I accomplished, for I was accepted at my first choice of schools, but for my general outlook throughout that journey. In all honesty, I allowed myself to become entirely consumed by my pursuit of perfect grades, perfect applications, and acceptance into the "perfect school." There's no way to disguise the fact that I had made myself miserable. My parents knew it, I knew it, but I honestly couldn't shift my focus. I was working incredibly hard in school, maintaining two varsity sports, plus working a part-time job, and instead of taking pride in my accomplishments I was gritting my teeth and waiting for my admissions decisions to arrive. I let the numbers and the grades rule my life, and that was a mistake. If I could rewind and speak to my former self, I would take myself by the shoulders and simply say "BREATHE."

The advice I would give to my high school senior self would be to not start withdrawing. As a senior who was already accepted into colleges, I just wanted the school year to be over and to continue into college. What I didn't put into consideration was that college would be another four years of the same thing, learning. I would tell the past Christina to keep working hard and to expect to work harder in college. There will never be an easy way out of school, so the best thing to do is to study and to relax. Stressing out will only make matters worse, especially in a tough situation. The last thing I would tell myself would be to just be happy and to not hold back on what I want to do. I recently just learned that my future is not to be successful, money wise, but to be successful in happiness.

Breathe. Learn to maximize your high school experience by finding the right balance of work and play. While college is very important, it is not important enough to sell your health just to reach too high for the stars. Dream big. Don't dwell aimlessly in the past. Look towards the future, and believe. However, don't dream too big because when reaching far out of reality's realm can be detrimental to mental health later. Sometimes it'll hurt when you can't seem to grasp what you want, but there's always something else to dream big on. Explore. Assess all the options that you can take, but always keep in mind that there is a countless number of paths you can follow later. Science or math--not your friends? There's others waiting. "See feelingly". Don't always see through your "eyes". Learn to become empathic and become more in tune with the rest of the world. Stay modest and accept what you have, and don't hesitate to reach out for something else. Learn to "see" things in another light. Don't just graduate to a higher level of academics but to a better person.

Congratulations on getting accepted into college. I'm pretty sure you think now all you have to do is pass your final classes of high school, get that diploma, and move to your new home in September, right? Wrong! Speaking as someone who is in college and ignored a certain opportunity, I'm begging you to take on something that really doesn't sound attractive: summer programs at your university. Now I know that doesn't sound like an attractive thing to do, going to classes (that don't have an effect on your GPA, by the way) during the summer instead of relaxing. It sounded like a waste of time to me too until I realized the impact starting at new student orientation. Those who went through the summer program had a better connection to the campus. They already knew classmates and upperclassmen and knew how to get around campus. Because of this sense of community stemming from enduring classes, they also were more successful in classs during the initial semester because they knew how to get help immediately. Take a summer program and become a freshman that knows what to do before the fall semester starts.

As a high schooler I was extremely focused and driven, the end goal being college. Now, as a freshman settled into college I wish I could go back and tell myself that college is not the end of the road, rather the beginning of a new journey. As I tell my high school senior friends now, grades are not everything. Even after coming to an Ivy League school, I discovered that a 4.0 gpa isn't what got most of my peers into this school. More than anything it was their passion for learning and their creativity in thinking. I would tell my high school senior self that despite academic success, nothing can replace the memories of the times I had with my friends and family. When I reflect on high school, it is not the 100s I scored on tests, or the report cards that I think about, but rather my three best friends and the overall experience of knowing that we were not yet adults, with the promise of the rest of our lives ahead of us.

Rush a sorority. This sounds trivial and superficial, but I took the road of "I don't need to pay for friends" and chose not to rush. Whether or not you will join a sorority is left entirely to your future self, but my advice would be to at least rush. In rushing freshman year I imagine I would have broken the personal box I built. It probably would have frozen and crumbled standing outside a sorority house in January in a painfully long line. But instead, I chose not to rush and so my box remained until much later than freshman year. I was afraid to rush, I was afraid to try. Rushing is your step one. Rushing will give you a heads up to the multitude of people, groups, and opportunities on campus. Step two will be taking advantage of all those opportunities you learned about in line rushing. You will now be comfortable springing into groups and activities. You'll get involved with a non-profit or a political group or whatever entices your future self. But, by not completing step one, my own step two was delayed. Rushing is Introduction 101 to trying everything on campus.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry so much. The transition to college life is overwhelming, especially when you are thrown into an unknown environment and have to learn to be independent very quickly, but you aren't the only one who is experiencing college for the first time. Millions of students just like you, who have been panicking and agonizing over college applications and writing essays that best capture their thoughts and personality, will join you on this experience of a lifetime. College is a place where you can expand your horizons and become engaged in deep philosophical discussions that can last for hours on end inside or outside of the classroom. However, college is also where you can meet new people and develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Even though college is a new place and you may be worried that you won't be able to manage your time well or have enough time to get involved in every activity on campus, just remember that the new friends you meet in college will always be there to support you.

It's happened more often that I'd like to admit: on my way to class, on the main walk of campus, I feel a chilly wetness on my lower back. I turn around and see a trail of water on the brick pathway. I haven't wet my pants; rather, the water bottle in my bag has come open again. In an attempt to be more environmentally-friendly, I purchased a reusable water bottle at the beginning of the semester, and it simply refuses to stay closed. In a perpetual rush, I haphazardly shove the troublemaker into my backpack and dash of to my next lecture, never stopping to think about the last time I made the same mistake and had to leave my notes out to dry overnight. I don't regret buying the sustainable bottle, although it does make my water taste a little weird at times. But my first semster of college has taught me this: take a little time for yourself. Save yourself some stress and walk, don't run, to lecture. You will gain a lot from taking the extra minute to shut your water bottle properly. I guarantee it.

I would tell my younger self to stay motivated. As a senior, I had just gotten accepted into the Huntsman Program at Penn, one of the country's most competitive college programs; and as a result, I decided that I had accomplished all of my goals. I relaxed. I did little more than was required for school for the rest of the year and I completely slacked off during the summer. I had no more goals. My GPA suffered during my first semester of school because of this. During the middle of the semester, I realized the importance of taking advantage of your college experience, if not only for the knowledge, then for the grades that will count in getting your first job. Being more motivated for the current semester, I am doing substantially better. I have no doubt that if I were as aware of the importance of the future the previous semester, I would have preformed superiorly. If I could, I would tell myself to think about the future and do what would benefit me in the long run. I would also tell myself to buy heavier coat, but for another reason altogether.

As a committed athlete in high school, the whole point of going to college seemed to be volleyball. I would tell myself that volleyball really does not matter in the long run and should not be part of my decision. That being said, volleyball did allow me to go to an ivy league school and have opportunities that I would not have otherwise had. I would tell myself that it is difficult to know exactly what you want to do, because college is going to expose you to a lot of new things and you may change as a person. Choose a college that will challenge you and help you in that growing process. Choose a college that is big enough to expose you to new and not yet mainstream ideas. Choose a college that is in a different enviroment than what you grew up in. And trust yourself to make the right decision,. Because no matter what, you will gain experience and learn something and be forever changed. Challenge yourself to embrace this change and change as much as possible.

I would tell myself not to take my grades too seriously. The classes you take and the grades you earn ARE important, but your college experience is not solely academic. College is about managing a schedule of classes and homework assignments, social events, service programs, and projects. If you spend all your time in class, studying, or doing homework, then you won't make the most of your college years and you won't have a well rounded experience. Take your time on applications and essays; how you express your ideas isn't nearly as important as the ideas themselves. Take tours of schools that interest you, and talk to students you meet on campus. No one can tell you more about that college than an actual student; they'll tell you things info sessions and brochures won't. Take time to walk around campus and see places you don't hit on the tour. Watch how people carry themselves and interact with one another. The real essence of a school isn't in the admissions office.

I would have told myself that everything would be fine. In college, you will inevitably face new challenges and pressures from the environment, but nothing is insurmountable. Stay grounded in your faith and have confidence. For most people, college only happens once, so don't waste your life. Push your limits, and don't let fear or self-doubt keep you from trying new things. After all, the sky's the limit! In everything, do your best, but don't stress over perfection. You learn more from your mistakes anyway. Be flexible. Things are susceptible to change, which can be a good thing. Above all else, live purposely and passionately. Spend time pursuing your current passions and exploring new ones. Get to know the vast and vibrant campus community, and care deeply for those around you. REmember at the end of the day, you are still unconditionally and deeply loved, so live much and regret nothing!Such advice would have sufficed for every circumstance. Perhaps, hearing these words would have changed the entire course of my first semester. For now, it is simply a kick-in-the-pants, nudging me in a better direction for 2010 and beyond.

Go to a state school with friendly people, good sports, and strong academics. Don't fall for the prestige of an Ivy league school.

Come hungry. Entering college in the US is a wonderful privilege in today's world, especially in light of the recent crisis. These upcoming years will expose you to people of similar interests and different backgrounds and place you next door to some of the world's most brilliant minds--the individuals that will shape our future. Set a goal for yourself to meet as many people as possible; don't be afraid to interact with fellow freshmen and upperclassmen, many of whom are in the same boat as you and just need someone to say "hi. " It is here you will meet your lifelong friends, the co-founder of your new company, or even the partner with whom you will exchange vows. They are all out there waiting for you. Make sure you step out of your comfort zone and fine them. Time is precious, so seize every chance to learn and work while you can. The biggest difference between you and upperclassmen is experience; every step to close that gap places you a step ahead. Take full advantage of this opportunity to learn more about yourself, your colleagues, and the world around you. Good luck! --JZ

If I could give my younger self advice, I would definitely tell myself to try more things and take more risks. I've come to realize that nothing is ever a safe choice and that trying to choose the safest option leaves one cut off from opportunities. I first went to a college that I considered "safe," one that was not too challenging or scary. After freshman year, I regretted my choice and I transferred to my current school, which was the most frightening thing I've ever done. It felt like leaping off a cliff, but now that I am on the other side I'm so proud of myself for changing my life to go in the direction I want. I wish I could tell myself in highschool to go for the harder school in the first place, so I wouldn't have wasted a year in a safe but unhappy place.

Be practical. There is no need to spend $1000 trying to get the cutest things for your dorm or the most trendy outfits. In the long run, it won't matter what you or your dorm room looked like. What matters is how prepared you are to devote 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of yourself to your education.

Take a serious look at what you want, including doing things you didn't do in high school for fear of being caught, and recognize that you are going to make mistakes; minimize the damage these mistakes do. Don't expect any college to be perfect for you, since every place has some sort of flaw. Get involved with campus communities earlier and don't be afraid to dedicate a lot of time to them. Stay close with your high school friends, or at least don't forget about them once you meet your college friends. Remember who you are at the core, and don't try to pretend to be someone else; not only will it not work, you will feel like an idiot doing it. Finally, appreciate each day... don't wait for the next break, the next weekend, the next whatever... when it comes you won't know what to do, and you'll go back to waiting. Every day gives you the chance to wake up and choose to be happy.

CHill out

Be prepared for a huge cultural shock that ALWAYS occurs as soon as you step into college.

Going to college is a privilege and a life changing experience. It starts way before I leave home. I should learn to reach out to people around me and help them in all possible ways. If at all possible, I should travel as much as I can so that I can be informed of different cultures. Reading a variety of books can prepare me better to accept other college students' idea and thoughts. It is also imperative that I learn to express myself in a clear way so that I can engage in intelligent discussions during classes. Above all, having good physical and mental health will enable me to have a great college experience; so exerecising regularly and learning to handle stress the right way will rise to the top priority. Last but not the least, good time management and eating properly will enable me to have enough sleep and get the right nutrition. I am ready to go for four exciting years!