Vassar College Top Questions

My high school self was extremely nervous about leaving her old life behind and starting a new one in college. Oh, how I would love to go back and talk some sense into that naive girl! I would first remind her of how lucky she is to even have the opportunity to go to college, which so many young people do not. I would do my best to alleviate her fears of leaving her beloved high school, though from what I can recall, it would probably not do much good! To explain to her just how bright, exciting, and full of new wonderful experiences her future is would certainly be no easy task, but I would try my hardest to get the point across: THERE IS NO NEED TO FEAR! College will be a fantastical new experience that will change her as a person, and open her eyes to a world she had never known. Such a positive experience should not be dreaded, but rather looked forward to with the greatest anticipation.

Get involved as early as possible. I think many students, especially first-generations, underemphasize the importance of early involvement in their prospective fields. After freshman year it's easy to have the mentality, "I'm only a freshman, I know nothing, I'll get an internship once I'm an upperclassman." This thought is dangerous. Sure, one summer at home working your high-school job is fine, but this mentality snowballs and backfires. By the time you're a junior and ready to begin applying for summer opportunities you'll have the issue of an empty resume. "I know nothing," quickly turns to "I have done nothing!" and it becomes harder and harder to land a summer position. Internships and research opportunities are meant to teach you things. Professors and companies want to help new students get a start in their field. Of course college freshman aren't meant to be experts- don't underestimate your abilities! Overall, don't hesitate to get involved with internships/research due to a lack of academic confidence. It's easy for employers to interpret an empty resume as a lack of ambition even when that isn't the case. Don't be scared!

I wish that I could go back in time and tell myself to just relax about making new friends and to let things happen naturally. I was going into a brand new environment out of state with new people and was so intrigued by anyone that gave me the slightest bit of attention. I did end up meeting some very interesting people, but things could have began much differently and should have happened at a slower pace. I would also tell myself to put myself out there more. I let my anxiety and fear get in the way of communicating with others and getting involved with other student organizations. Lastly, I would definitely say that I should stand up for myself and let others know that I have a voice and that it is important and valuable.

Don't worry about what others think about you. There are so many fascinating individuals in college and so many groups to chose from. Embrace your quirkyness, because your true friends will be the ones who appreciate all your oddities. Afterall, those who think you should change you behavior to fit in aren't going to be real and dear friends. Being clever and smart is the new cool, so who cares if you're a geek? That boundless imagination and love of adventure and "nerdy" things will only aid you in the future, because you will be capable of thinking outside the box, capable of using your knowledge of geekdom to better yourself during college. Not only will it help you earn better grades, but it will also teach you who you are. For real, this time. Only good things will come from it. Trust me, I'm you. P.S. bring more warm socks. New England winters are cold!

Stop taking yourself so seriously. No, listen, Sarah: Life is not about who is the most poised, collected, and altogether boring perfect student with the flawless smile and meticulously coifed hair. That life is a languid slog through a mud field that millions have traveled before. There's actually a small path right next to it, paved with laughter and moment of self-doubt (I can't lie to you), but many miss it because it's unsure. It doesn't look as stable, as safe, as known. Learn to laugh at yourself, at your mistakes, at the unfairness of the world, and you will be more capable of picking yourself up and solving your own, and your community's, problem. Think of it this way. If you could have any copy of Harry Potter in the world, which would it be: an ornately bound, brand-new compilation of all seven books; or the one you saw at Barnes and Noble back in 5th grade that's torn on the edges, smells like old book, and may or may not have been dropped in the toilet? One looks perfect. But the other? That one tells more than one story.

I would tell myself to relax - making friends is easy, adjusting to college life is simple as long as you embrace it. Additionally, I wish I had known to live more spontaneously and "for the now;" once you leave college the things you got away with because of your age evaporate quickly. I would have told myself to date more people, explore more options, take more classes just for fun as opposed to with a career goal in mind. More than I think anyone realizes before they leave, college - especially Vassar - is a great place to do all the things you had never thought you would do and might never do again. Go with it.

I have so far managed to avoid the propensity to treat college the first chips in the slab of marble that eventually becomes one's career. I look at this as quite a victory; as a science major I am constantly reminded of material benefits of my education. "Learn biology and become a doctor!", "churn out new and exciting technology!" are the mantras that bellow from a society absorbed by the bleak job prospects for my geneneration. Thus, it is with difficulty that I have been able to sustain the view that an education is valuable for educations sake. This is the value I take from attending my small liberal arts college. School has given me the tools nessesary to churn out technology, but, at the same time, my intellectual curiousity has been allowed to drag me into philosphy and music. My school environment has exposed me to a diversity of new people and experience I had never even expected. What I do expect, is to graduate from Vassar a child of humanism: I will have useful knowledge, but with the additional value of being an interesting person.

Coming in to college less than a year ago, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to study, or what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was confident about my future, strangely certain that I am destined for greatness, but felt lost and even a little embarassed because I had no reason to be. I would think to myself that maybe I am a math genious, or maybe I'm a fantastic sculptor, or maybe I am an amazing poet. But actually trying my hand at these things scared me because, well, what if it turns out I'm not? In just one year I feel like I've built up the confidence (and been given the means) to pursue all the things I wouldn't have dreamed of before, and for the first time in my life I feel unashamed to admit that yes, I do think I am destined for greatness, and yes, I have good reason to be.

What has been the most important aspect of my college experience has been the academic intensity, freedom, and sense of community that Vassar College offers. Professors are, on average, intellectually stimulating and eye-opening; Vassar's relaxed core requirements and major requirements allow dedicated students the chance to take classes outside of their comfort zone and get to know professors in all departments. I'm an English major, but I've been able to take multiple classes in Environmental Science, Philosophy, Political Science (Both International and American), Psychology, Middle Eastern history, as well as Russian, Asian, and Hispanic Studies. Vassar has expanded my cultural horizons as well: next spring semester, I will be taking a Jewish Studies class that includes an opportunity to study in Jerusalem, and I intend to enroll in Vassar's 3-week summer program in Peru to enhance my language skills in the near future. These opportunites to broaden my knowledge and pursue newly-found interests simply wouldn't be possible without attending this prestigious institution. College has also allowed me to make connections with a wide variety of diverse people (both students and professors), who nonetheless have similar interests as myself.

I need to advance my education to further my career. I have been in the mortgage industry for the past thirteen plus years, i have also owned my own mortgage loan processing company. Since the mortgage industry has been in a declining bases I now see the need to change my direction in career opportunity. I enjoy working with and training people and would be very useful in the Human Resourses field. I am a single parent with a daughter graduating from high school next month, I will now have the time to further my education.

Through my experience at Vassar College, I learned the importance of "Why?". When we accept things-ideas, policies, beliefs without scruniny we sacrfice the possibility of deeper understanding. In asking Why? we are induced to examine and explain the creation and existance of ideas, and it is only in seeing the roots and history that we can fully and independently determine the value and impact of that entity.

As one who had never lived in the mainland US, acclimating to the American life, let alone college life, was incredibly difficult for this island girl from Saipan (a US territory in the Pacific). Vassar College had been tremendously supportive of this transition by providing ample room for academic and personal growth. Take its curriculum, for instance. The highly-flexible academic program allowed me to explore subjects ranging from music to philosophy while I pursued two majors. While the courses were demanding, I had access to numerous resources at my fingertips to help me succeed; Vassar has an excellent library and supportive professors. Despite my different cultural background, I never felt out of place. About 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are from abroad, and there is a vibrant international community. The non-international students were open and tolerant to diversity as well, and I had no difficulty making friends. Truly, it was the best undergraduate experience that anyone can ever wish for, providing academic fulfillment and personal growth. Just as I smoothly transitioned into Vassar from Saipan, I stand today ready to undertake any challenge that life has to offer thanks to Vassar's supportive yet thorough training.

College has made me realize that there are enormous social issues that are not frequently addressed outside of my campus. Issues concerning gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and other traditionally disenfranchised groups are discussed frequently and frankly in all of my classes, yet these issues often fail to reach outside of the classroom to the population at large. My education has made me realize the importance of bringing knowledge and activism to the world outside of college campuses in order to enact real change throughout our society.

I would tell, and try to convince myself at that point in time that change is inevetable and will usually bring more exciting things. The only way to experience your true self is to not be afraid and become receptive of oncoming tasks and requirements. I would also tell myself to enjoy the smaller things in high school. Some things you have to get used to not having. And while that is most of the reason why college is great, getting used to being on your own, it was really nice living at home.

It's a big world out there. Take your time and breath. You will face things you can't control, remember that. You like to plan every little detail of your life and enjoy knowing what the future holds- be prepared to let that go- once you hit the mainstream you'll have to roll with the punches. Don't give up on your dreams or let anyone else tell you who you are!

I don't need to time travel to remember the anxiety I felt when I started searching for colleges four years ago; that knot under the ribs that would twist every time I asked myself the question "What do I want?" and which would promptly answer back "I don't know!" Through Campus Discovery, a message to my former self: "Of course you don't know." At the time, I had some basic parameters about what I wanted: good professors, small classes, a nice campus. The tricky thing is that in high school I did not know about the parts of college that I now value the most. My former self might ask me how she could look for something that she doesn't know exists, which is a valid question. I would say, "look for a place where you feel comfortable enough to challenge yourself; a place that offers you the support for the things you want, but also things that you have never heard of. I spent so long searching for a college, yet in many ways I overlooked the fact that college itself is a search. Once you get to college, continue to search."

A young man lounges at his desk, his feet propped up on his copy of "Jane Eyre," a book that was assigned in his AP English course - the one that he'll get a C- in next marking period. Around this time, most high school seniors will be making decisions about colleges - and fearing the decisions colleges will make about them. The young man put all his eggs in one basket, a basket known as Vassar College. A basket that he knows he wants to be carried in through the next four years of his life. It worked. He got in. He lounges. This young man is obviously me. If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be this: "Incubate." I needed to grow more before 'accepting my acceptance.' That old version of me took his senior year of high school for granted. He didn't understand how much he needed to grow before being ready for college. But now I understand: college is a new life and a new world. "Make sure you incubate long enough in the old world," I'd say, "before moving on to the next." Those words would have enlightened me.

I was really stressed out about the whole college process as a senior. I guess I would tell myself that everything is going to work out, and to try and enjoy my senior year. High school is different than any other point in one's life. I probably could have enjoyed it a little more thoroughly.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise organization. My senior year was very good, but admittedly stressful between my classes and college applications. There were times when I had to do things as the deadlines came; getting things done ahead of time would have made my first semester easier with my advisor and scheduling. I would recommend doing more scholarship work to get money to aid finances. Following the lines of organization, I would also tell myself to spend time over the summer thinking about all of the things I would need for my dorm room and classes. The first several weeks of school I was somewhat preoccupied with figuring out the basic things I needed. It might also be a good idea to set up ways of staying in touch with high school friends as well as my family, beyond Facebook and email. As an afterthought I would encourage my senior self to keep working hard in school and remember that Calculus isn't as bad as it may seem at times - no matter what, you'll get through it. And I did! I would deliever a message of organization and optimism.

Don't do all the reading for your classes because you can still do well without scrutinizing over every word. You should take classes that you normally wouldn?t that are unrelated to your major because the subject may become your new passion. Go to your professors? office hours regularly to chat, and don?t be intimidated by them because they are there to help you. Having relationships with your professors outside of the classroom can help you because they will write you recommendations and may even help you find a job after college. Get an on-campus desk job because you will basically be getting paid to do your homework. College isn?t only about grades. Set aside plenty of time to hang out with your friends. Go to a lot of different club meetings and join the ones in which the people seem the coolest. Run for a small position on the student council board so you can be connected to not only the inner workings of the school, but also your fellow students. Make the best out of the dining hall. Try looking up recipes online, and use the food that is available to make something delicious.