University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

Go in with an open mind and don't be afraid to try something at least once. I don't want to give too much advice because college is a time to find out who you really are. It's ok to change your mind a million times. In the end, the experiences all add up to make you the best person you can be.

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Just because most students will take part in the new student orientation festivities, you don't need to step out of your comfort zone to fit in with others. There are people who share your ideas of fun. Going to frat parties are not all they are cracked up to be. You spend so much time getting ready and looking but then go to a basement flooded with alcohol and intoxicated students. My advice is to stay true to who you are. Drinking is not necessary to have fun. The transition can be tough especially for people who don't follow the "norms" of society. Remember to take time to relax as classes will get progressively tougher over the years. Live off campus for at least one year to experience something closer to "real life". Freshman dorms are notoriously bad for the spacing and quality of food available. Try different clubs and groups since you never know what you might find really interesting.

I would remind myself that going from high school to college is a huge transition. Do not expect to love it immediately. Some people enjoy it right away, but for others it takes more time. While you are transitioning into college, it is important to maintain an optomistic attitude, and realize that it will get better with time. I would tell myself to be open to learning from everyone. You meet such a variety of people in college that it is a shame if you don't engage in conversation with them. Also, join different clubs because it is fun and gives you a great social network. I would tell myself that it is so much fun living away from home, but it is sometimes hard to balance socializing and work. When you need to do work, you should go to the library, and not stay in your room. It is better to push yourself, and do great work for an hour than stay in your room and procrastinate for five hours. Choose your college based on academics and the people there. Visit it and see which one you feel most comfortable at.

Don't wait. I thought I would take a year off and then go to college, you know, see the world, work for awhile. It's been three years now, three years I could have been learning about animation, art and gaming, working towards my goal of being who I want to be in this world. My mom is going back to college now and wishes she would have started earlier to. I'm listening and learning now. Don't wait.

It's all a game. You need to play to the best of your abilities and hope for the best. It may seem overwhelming now, but it WILL work out. No matter where you end up, you will still be able to be a successful adult and achieve your dreams. Just think of the bigger picture and relax. Work hard and try your best, but know that it WILL work out.

Don't worry about the little stuff. Everything will sort itself out eventually. Have faith in your instincts - they'll help you to find the college that is best for you.

Penn is awesome.

Reach for the stars, and when it seems like you can't grab them, grab them anyway. Someone will notice your effort and you will be rewarded accordingly. Get off the couch and get out there, to get what you want, you have got to try above and beyond what others are willing to do.

I would say do everything to the full. Study as hard as you can, be as freindly to your school freinds as you can, go to as many social events as you can afford to go to. Don't wast one second. Be happy in what ever you do, otherwise there is no point in doing it. FInd something that you love doing, not something that you thingk your parents would love you to do because in the end your the one who is going to have to put in the hard yards. I know this sounds corny but highschool is the most carefree and easy time of your life. You are surrounded by people who want you to do as well as you can, its up to you to do it! Remember always that eventhough you are in high school and you can't wait to get out into the real world and start your life, you are already there and if you arent wise you could end up missing out on four great years of your life while you are waiting for school to finish.

Make sure you get involved in the community in your first year.

I would tell myself to always keep organized and on top of things. Don't stress out to much, there is life outside of school work. Be happy. Make friends. Join groups. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Try to apply early to college so you have a decision earlier and don't have to worry about the future as much. Remember that in college, you make friends that may last you a life time. These people will help you if you are struggling in life. College is fun, enjoy it while it lasts. And like that song in your favorite disney movie, Hercules, You CAN go the distance.

The next four years of your life will most likely be some of the most memorable of your entire life. So, when deciding on a university, keep that in mind. Try and find a place that suits both your academic and social needs. Visit campuses. Get the feel of what it is like to be a student at each of the universities you visit. Also, don't worry too much about getting accepted to your "top choices." In my experience, your top choices today may not in fact be your best matches. Wherever you end up going is where you are supposed to be. I cannot tell you how your university life will be, but I can assure you that it will be an incredible experience.

"When you enter your freshman year of college in the fall, develop personal standards and goals for how you wish to spend your college years. Get involved in as much as you can in a way that won't inadvertently affect your schoolwork. Think of how you want others to see you: how you want to behave, communicate and interact. This is the time in your life when you change into who you are supposed to be, so imagine what kind of person you may, and strive to become."

Get ready for an amazing time! Don't stress yourself out by being worried about what's ahead. Seize all of the opportunities that are about to be thrown your way. Not everyone gets to do this! Join clubs, meet new people, open yourself up, and take classes that interest you. Don't be shy! It's pointless! And don't fret about the change of pace or the change in scenery. It's a time to experience something new and fabulous! Don?t fear the upperclassmen. They?re not as cool as they think! Hold that map you got from orientation and strut through campus proudly! Don?t hold back! No regrets! Live life and live it to the fullest. It?s college and it only comes around once.

Don't be pre-med and go easy on the partying.

I would probably tell myself, "Don't stress so much! It gets so much worse at Penn!" I would tell myself not to be obsessed over getting straight A's and that high school is nothing compared to college. Furthermore, I would tell myself to choose to live with a random roommate over a friend; I lost a friend in my freshman year that way. I would also advise to really enjoy the summer before college; time flies so quickly here! Take opportunities to meet everyone while it's still possible; after freshman year it gets very difficult! Be careful of that one stair on the day it hails; I fell down the stairs and hurt my knee! Try to get involved in research as soon as possible. Research opportunities are EVERYWHERE at Penn - it's your chance to take it.

Make a more specified schedule for classes.

Things came easy to me, back in high school. I could float through a class with minimal effort. My junior year I never even opened the textbook for my AP United States History class, and I still got a five on the exam. Other students would scoff at my minimal effort, and my parents told me I'd regret neglecting how to study. I simply laughed. That all changed when I got into the University of Pennsylvania. Ivy League. The big time. I thought I could float through classes just as easily as I did in high school. I was wrong. Freshman year was a incredible wake-up call for me. Calculus, never my strongest subject, became the most dreaded class of the week. I struggled and barely passed, all the while thinking, "If only I had tried a little harder at studying in high school. If only I had learned how to focus." If I could turn back the wheels of time and talk to the me from two years ago, I'd tell her to work harder and work smarter. I'd tell her to put some effort into swimming, instead of just floating.

Take it easy. No need to be stressing. Savor college because it goes by quicker than you think. Involve yourself with as much as what's going on campus and with your friends because it's a time in your life that you'll never get to repeat. Don't ever let work just take over your life. Just plain have fun!