University of San Francisco Top Questions

Dear Rachel, I want to tell you that college is going to change your life. You're going to meet amazing people that you will hold in your heart forever. Yet, as most people they're not going to be perfect. Treat each person as you would want to be treated, ask questions because they're the ones with the answers. Never ever hate someone because hate is what will destroy everything you stand for. Regardless if they hate you first, hold your head high and never let your standards falter. I know our standards are higher than most standards because of our background. Not everyone is going to get that you don't swear, you don't drink, you don't listen to their music. But all that is not what college is about. Because they're going to love you and you're going to be great at everything! All you have to do is trust that everything is going to be just as it should and you're going to be the best in your field with a great team behind you.

Senior students are usually confident and excited for their last year of school and that's a good thing, but learning is not over yet. One may think that they know everything in his or her last year of high school, but there is an infinite amount to what one may know and learn. One of the most popular sayings that a graduate would pass on to a high school senior, is to start early. Paying attention to school, college applications, extracurriculars, and scholarships is a hassle. If you start early, then you wouldn't have to worry about cramming everything in at once. Going into college as a freshman isn't too fun. You know very few faces, and you're too shy to talk to anyone, but that happens to every single freshman in college. Within a week, you are guaranteed to make friends. Do not participate in any time-consuming activities until you are adjusted to your classes and your schedule. Many student make the mistake of diving right into extracurriculars. Little do they know, their schedules don't meet and there's always a test or essay the next day! Good luck!

Be open! There are so many new experiences and oppurtunities to be had in college that so many people shy away from. It's going to be rough at first-everyone scrambles to make friends the first few weeks, but soon you'll realize who your real friends are. Also, don't be afraid to join clubs, attend seminars and go to sessions teaching you things that may seem basic (how to write a resume, how to study effectively etc.). Even though some of those things may seem nerdy, they'll totally help in the long run, and you'll be the more successful student for it! Try to make a friend in every class, or at least an acuaintance. The day you're sick and miss class, you'll be glad you have their number to grab the homework. It's scary, exciting, confusing at times, but most of all the transition is fun! So enjoy the ride!

You have to put some actual effort into studying. This may seem obvious but to the AP student I was in high school, I never thought studying would become necessary. In my General Psychology class we learned that if you study lightly over long periods of time (say the info you learned in your first month - you study/review it once every week and a half), the information will stay active in your long term memory. This means you don't have to cram for that exam. (Yes, I rhymed)

I would definitely tell myself not to come to University of San Francisco. For anyone looking for the typical college life with a good mix of city life, this is far from it.

If you are undecided about your major, first go to a community college or state school to not waste money. You can always transfer to another school to get your degree.

Oh the things I would tell myself... I would tell myself to always remain humble and never let my confidence cloud my judgement. College is a time where every expecatation you have of yourself is challenged and every value is tested. Always keep an open mind, even if that means eating frog legs or taking a class with the infamous Professor McSweatyPits. The people you meet won't neccessarily be the people you would associate yourself with, but dig deep because you will be amazed by the common interests you both share. Don't be disappointed by the college experiences your friends are having because their pictures may seem like they are having the grandest time while you're studying for a midterm, but they have their fair share of struggles too. It's okay to feel lost and in need of comfort because I still do. Don't lose sight of your dreams when people question the reality of them. If there is one thing we need in this world are people that have a dream and are hopeful to pursue it. So never ever give up. Hang in there kiddo.

Some of the advice I would give my “senior” self would be to stress less. Before going to college all I was doing was worrying and being anxious about the anticipated change. I was worried about if I was going to fit in, how hard classes were going to be, how living away from home would be different and so on and so on. I now know that I was not the only one with these concerns. I would remind myself that I was not the only one with these concerns and that every new college freshman was experiencing the same concerns. I wasn’t alone with my worrying and stressing. I would also tell myself that getting involved with your education and your campus can make all the difference. It will allow you to know your teachers and your fellow students better by making connections with them. Getting to know your professors will help you with your course work and will encourage greater success. Making connections with your peers will help you be aware of your campus more and allow you to make new friends.

Save up all of the money you can-whatever thought was vaulable to spend on in high school probably wasn't. There is so much cost to the freedom of college life it's best to be financiall prepared. And getting a job in high school won't kill you. Work only a few hours a week and over summer break, but work-don't go to college with an empt bank account.

Pursue your interests - even if they seem nerdy or odd to you - and you will make friends. Although it's good to try new things, you will find people who are most compatible to you by participating in activities that you are passionate about. College really isn't the place to try to be someone you're not - here, you can be who you are and still feel accepted. Yes, some people wear designer clothes all the time, but as many people or more wear sweats and jeans. You don't need to force yourself - things will work out naturally.