University of Richmond Top Questions

People told me that college would be hard. However, there was one thing that no one warned me about: orientation. Orientation at my school consisted of five straight eighteen-hour days. At the time, I felt like crying. I am not a person who does well on a lack of sleep, and my less-than-functioning brain made it incredibly difficult to make friends. Now, as a resident assistant in a first-year women’s dorm, I totally get it. Keeping freshmen busy during orientation means that they will have less time to miss their families, and more opportunities to make friends. If I could talk to myself a senior in high school, I would tell that girl not to worry. Your true best friends won’t be made until the second semester anyway, and that’s okay. You don’t have to be best friends with your freshman year roommate, or the hallmates you lived with that year either. Just be the best version of you, and the friends will come naturally.

When I was in high school, I was behind on my language credits. Most colleges want their prospective students to have taken two to four years of a language. By the time I finished high school, I only had two years of Spanish under my belt. Because of this, my university, University of Richmond, wanted to make sure that I was proficent in a language so I had to take another year of Spanish. The courses were great, but very intensive and time-consuming. I am glad that I took the courses but I would have liked to have possibly taken another language because the more languages you know the better for networking and any career. Also, I would have told myself to push myself even harder to get better grades and especially join clubs. Joining clubs like leadership or the school newspaper would have further prepared me for the future since college and life is not only about making sure you get an A on a test.

If I could go back in time and talk to the high school version of me, I would have told myself to try and be more prepared for the difficulty of college. For me, the jump between scholastics in high school and college was large and I did not realize how unprepared I was. My grades suffered freshman year of college because I wasn't putting in as much effort as I needed to and I learned how hard it is to pull up your GPA after a bad year. As a high school senior, I was mentally prepared for college with the exception of this. I would be sure to stress to myself how important hard work and effort is right from the get go in college.

Aside from simply slapping myself across the face, I would offer several pearls of wisdom to my blissfully ignorant high school self. Rather than attempting to treat the college application process as if you're seeking "the one" true love of your life, you should barrage the inboxes of every university even remotely intriguing. Don't overlook the private universities with price tags resembling half the value of your parents' house; often they can provide unbelievable financial aid packages. Come to terms now with the fact that some friends will leave your life but new ones will soon enter, and accept that you will change drastically from freshman to senior year. Welcome to quasi-adulthood! Finally, heed the advice of newspapers and magazines everywhere and choose a major with promising employment prospects. You don't need to sacrifice your passions and interests in order to accomplish this task, but you do need to search your soul in order to select the best path. Don't shy away from the science labs or fear calculus and statistics! Ultimately, college is an incredibly defining experience and one you will never forget, so enjoy the memories and jump in head first.

Dear High School Me, Expect the unexpected; you're used to rolling with the punches and it's more or less the same as high school. The more is that you're going to have more work than before, but you're also going to have more time (if you use it right). The less of college is that it is is less dramatic, though you managed to avoid that mostly in high school as well. You've done a decent job managing your time in college (no all-nighters yet woohoo!), but be ready to work hard nonetheless. Soccer practice is physically demanding, classes and papers mentally break you down, and working to pay for it is going to drive you crazy. At the end of the day though, you sleep in satisfaction with where you ended up, so do not worry about it too much. Be ready for hard work, but an amazing time. See you soon, Lisa

Holly, you are a senior and you have a lot going for you, your problem is you don't realize it. Now is the time to apply yourself and go strong at everything you do. Stop slacking, or in four years you will be watching all your friends graduate college and your biggest regret is not being on stage with them. You are eighteen, don't let boys, parties, your image, or the procrastinator inside of you stand in the way of your dreams. Every one talks about "the real world", and it is so very different than high school. The real world is not going to care what you do. If you don't succeed, it's only going to effect you. So now is the time to buckle down, and be prepared for this "real world" you are about to enter.

Despite the large numbers of people advising me to pursue my passions in college, I would not allow my preconceived interests to inhibit further personal growth. Although my intense love of reading and writing directed me to my English major, I wish I could remove the blinders I possessed as a high school senior. I now am fascinated by such diverse subjects as economics and biology, primarily as they relate to environmental issues. Although I highly value my background in English literature and critical writing, I should have allowed myself to explore the physicial and social sciences to greater detail. I will pursue a Master of Public Policy degree in Fall 2011 at The College of William & Mary, and I look forward to the varied curriculum of political science, economics, marine science, and law courses. These classes will better prepare me for a public policy career focusing on land use management issues and renewable energy policies. Ultimately though, I would not change my academic path throughout college, as I believe these experiences are necessary for personal development. So my former high school senior self should continue along the predicted trail and enjoy all of life's unexpected turns.

The past two years have been the most marvelous time of my life. The fascinating things I’ve learned in the classroom have opened up my mind to a new world of thinking. However, what I have gained outside the classroom has made me a more rounded, intrigued young woman. I was an officer in my school’s Snowriders Club, played on the women’s tennis team, and got hands on experience in our athletic training room. These experiences taught me more than I could’ve imagined. In the Snowriders club I publicized and coordinated events, learned difficulty of working with school regulations, and got everyone stoked for ski trips. Having to step out of my comfort zone to get these tasks done caused me to not only mature, but to learn how to handle new responsibilities. Playing on the tennis team taught me to have a hard work ethic, respect others, and stay healthy. Also, working with student athletes in a professional setting gave me a sense of power and curiosity that has fueled my ambition to become a physical therapist. These experiences have been invaluable to my education, and I know this is only the beginning!

The University of Richmond has offered so much to me over the last 3 short years I've spent here. Though I am constantly working hard as a division one swimming althete and may miss certain oppurtunities otherwise, this school taught me how to work hard- both efficiently, and effectively. The competitive students here are always making me strive to challenge myself and think outside the box. My demanding coaches teach me how to deal with pressure and stress everyday. My career development center makes it easy and possible to reach out to any career or internship I want, as long as I am willing to obtain it! Thought the social life may be lacking in some views, this is the ideal school for students who wish to work hard and gain results. The Robins school of business has a 98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} job placement score at graduation. The "green bike program", LEED certified buildings, and other environmentally friendly aspects of school shows our go green movement. It may seem like a fairytale, but the University of Richmond is truly a fountain of wealth in so many ways.

The first semester of college was tough for me. The adjustment from high school to college was way more difficult than I expected, but I thank God that I was able to make it through. My college experience thus far has been challenging, but at the same time worth while. The professors at the University of Richmond are amazing. I feel that the student-teacher relationships in college truly make or break your performance in the classroom. My professors helped me so much and made my first semester awesome experience. I have learned to push myself in a way that I never thought I would be able to. The workload is a lot, but it teaches you to balance your time. I am thankful that I am able to attend such a wonderful institution, and I will continue to be the best I can be and eventually achieve my degree in accounting.

In my year and a half of college, I have created some relationships that I am confident will be with me for a while after graduation. The most important lesson to me in college is how to survive and do things on your own, and not depend on others to do important things for you. At this point in life that college students are at, everyone has to put their own self interest before anyone elses, and if you depend on others you will get burned because not everyone will look out for you like they say they will. It's imperative tot ake things into your own hands, and be a catalyst for your own success. College at the University of Richmond has been valuable to attend because even though it is so expensive and I will be in debt after graduation, I'm recieving a top notch education, and building connections that I can use for the rest of my life as I climb the professional ladder. My time has been well worth while, and I hope to continue success and learn as much as possible at this institution.

I will send my trancription of clark college, Vancouver, WA. 98663 and recommendation letters. Please support me the shcolarship to pay tuition and books for 2011-2012 accademic year. Thank you

I am currently in my second year of college and I have learned what it means to be independent and have responsibility. Parents are usually there to constantly tell their children what to do and how to do it,. Once students goes off to college, there is no parental figure to guide them through their life. They must figure things out on their own and learn from their own mistakes. I believe that college is an important asset to the development of one's life. It helps an individual discover what he or she wishes to accomplish and be, build character, and apply the knowledge received in developing future careers. In other words, to become a successful adult.

From my college experience I have discerned who I am and who I do not want to be. Some of my peers, having been born with many luxuries I could only dream of affording, often display a narrow-minded, priveledged, and selfish outlook on life. The "Richmond bubble" (UR students) studiously ignores the simultaneously impoverished, yet vibrant city of Richmond complaining there is nothing to do. Richmond has a world of plight that could be solved if students cared to get involved. I found a passion for social justice through my volunteer efforts. With so many non-profit organizations in the area, it is impossible NOT to find something to do, that would allow individuals to engage the community and really make a difference. My eyes have been opened more widely to see poverty because of blatant displays of gaudiness and wealth-braggarts. Not everyone can afford to jump flight to Europe for a week much less afford periodic weekend flights cross-country for family visits. I want to be the person who spends money sponsoring scholarships, not on buying needless and useless luxuries.

At the University of Richmond, I have had the best preparation for and support through life's rollercoaster, both ups and downs. The academics are rigorous and the professors expect my best, but it has all developed me into a more informed, analytical, perceptive, and responsible student, woman, and citizen. I have discovered what true friendship is through a few students here, and I have witnessed others do the same. I have created invaluable relationships with professors, faculty, staff, and alumni as a result of their desire and willingness to be available for and provide assistance to students. I have the opportunity to do everything I want here, from studying abroad to dancing for three years with an African dance company, from networking with professionals (and securing internships) to joining a public service sorority. The university goes through lengths to make sure we as students have the best possible college experience and that all of our time and effort spent is worthwhile. Here, I feel like I am not just a number, but I am a face, a personality, a voice, a force, and the entire campus community is driven to ensure and support that reality.

As a young child, college was a gigantic far away place without parents and full of teenagers who had reached the so-called "13th grade." It was place of intellect and learning that was part of the real world so out of reach for a child. As one grows this idea of college changes to one of a forbidden land with no dreaded rules and represents epitome of freedom. Going to college, I really had no idea what to expect. I didn't know whether it would be academically difficult, socially straining, or remarkably heavenly. But after finishing freshman year I have realized what college is about; there is a definite difference between the idle high school senior and the college student. College has taught me to form my own opinions and to form them wisely with backup reasons and logical reasoning. College has taught me to think of the world or what it need from me and what I need to expect from myself. I can learn whatever I want as an undergraduate and I can go wherever I please for here. It has taught me the simple lesson that dreams can come true.

When advising my high school self, I would be sure to encourage myself to be outgoing when I first got to school. All the other freshmen are in the same situation and everybody is anxious and nervous. By meeting as many people as possible in the first few months, it is easier to find where you fit into school and gives you a feel for all the is out there. It also a lot easier to adjust to a new school when people at the university know you and smile at you around campus.

The advice I would give to myself is to be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} completely responsible for all actions I assume and receive. I would focus on my studies and not accumulate non-educational debt such as credit card bills and personal loans. IIwould work a part time job between 10 to 15 hours a week on campus, and save the money that I earned for emergency purposes and to buy necessities such as personal hygiene products and school supplies. I would be involved in study groups to improve my grades, which can help me achieve better grades. Throughout this process, I would continue to obtain my four year degree within the appropriate time span for a person to graduate.

I was so excited about college, a new world that I was about to embark upon. I expected college to be one perfect combination of fun and hard work, where I would easily meet people and form new relationships that would take me further in life. How wrong was I about college? Well, let me tell you, it is not a perfect combination of fun and hard work. I never expected so much reading, and so many late weeknights writing papers on things I knew I didn't understand. Then the weekend would come and party invites would pour in, however, you have 3 papers and 4 reading dues between Monday and Wednesday. Moreoever, many people are not coming to meet you, you have to put yourself out there, exposing yourself to both acceptance and rejection. If I could have known my former self, I would have told LaShonda to ensure that her time management skills are sharpened, to not fear asking for help and that if anything is most important in college, it is sleeping, eating and handing in high quality work on time.

I believe the phrase "CALM DOWN!" would definitely need to be said for the chaos that was senior year. I didn?t know how lucky I would be in my transition to college. Though I was tense to the point of stress-balls and fingernail chewing, I somehow managed to make the best out of my opportunities. I actually have the ?I loved my school the moment I stepped on campus? relationship with Richmond. I applied early decision I not only got in, I got an enormous sum of financial aid! Everything somehow worked out for the best. I?d like to have been advised to completely throw myself into everything possible in college ? however weird it may seem at first. Originally I tried things that I never would have considered in high school, for I had the opportunity, free time and motivation. I enjoyed concerts, the international club, badminton, student government, the outdoors club... ?why not? became my daily mantra! And I loved every second of it. Also, I would have told myself to ditch the boyfriend, quite honestly. I?d like to advise every high-school senior out there that long distance relationships do NOT work.