Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

Before college, I attended numerous elementary schools, then middle school and high school. I moved around a lot because ofmy parents' jobs, their divorce, and because of academic opportunity. Virginia Tech caught my eye when I would watch college football in the fall when I was in middle school. I looked into its student life, academic programs, the location, and I fell in love. I applied during my senior year of high school and it was the first school that I was accepted to--which was the only sign that I needed that Virginia Tech was definitely the school for me. Since then, I have helped with the Residence Hall Federation both years, and I have recently been chosen as a Hokie Ambassador. I live for Virginia Tech and it has changed my life. I have finally found myself and I have finally found my home.

Attending college has been the best decision that I have made. I am learning so much in my classes as well as learning things about myself. My school gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Switzerland for 4 months and it was one of the most educational/self-realization experiences I have had. I got to travel, learn, and witness different cultures first hand. I also grew as a person, more accepting and more open. It has provided me with several networking opportunities as well as friendships that will last for a lifetime.

I orginally came from ODU and the classes there weren't challeging enough. When I came to VT last semster I found a challegning school with a heart to boot. Everyone here is supportive and strong. I feel like a true hokie and i would never change that for anything in the world. The teacers and professors here are very supportive and will help you if you ever have any problem. I can graduate from this school knowing i got a worthwhile education that i can use in the real world; and that's saying a lot compared to other schools i've seen. I AM A PROUD HOKIE! (I messed up on one of the strongly diagree/agree parts all the strongly diagrees are supposed to be strongly agrees and same with the disagrees to agrees)

I have learned soo much about my self and other people. I can see how other people have been raised and can appreciate how fortunate I am to have the parents i have. You really learn the different types of people there are in this world.

I love my college and i think it is the best. Has a lot of good professors who are knowledgable. I am finishing my Sociology major at my college and this college helped me and the professors helped me go through tough times and understanding the material. My college helped me go through my english courses, which i was haveing problems, because i was new in US and didn't know pretty much about the college, and the language, so the teachers and my college had a very huge place in my life and my word dictionary has become better and better each year. Every college or school is valuable to attend, because they are there to give you knowledge either you take it or not, but they are there and they are very valuable and me as a student value their presence in our society.

From my college experience thus far I have learned how to be independent and responsible and to take charge of my own life. College is all about personal drive and personal ambition. Teachers? no longer care if you come to class, do you work, or even if you pass. Therefore, the drive to succeed has to come from within. As a student you have to want to succeed, you have to want to do well and you have to want to make something of your life, no one is going to do it for you. Learning this lesson has been so crucial to my future because in life you get out what you put in, and your success depends on your hard work and dedication to your goal. In addition, college has taught me the importance of community. Virginia Tech remains one of the tightest communities I have ever been a part of. Everyone is so nice and friendly and willing to help out. No matter where life takes me I know I can always count on this community for love and support, which is a simply amazing feeling.

THe advice I would give myself is to know before hand what you want to do in the future and what impact you want to have on the world. Also dont slack off in the beginning, make sure you do the best you can for your four years and make positive connections with your professors from the start.

Relax; enjoy high school's laid-back course load and Mom's home-cooked lasagna; hang out with your little sister more; laugh at your Dad's silly jokes and-every once in a while-listen to his wise financial advice that you'll be wishing for later. These are just a few things I wish someone had told me after high-school graduation and before I'd hopped into that minivan filled with more stuff than three dorm rooms could accomodate. Despite the fact that most high-schoolers "can't wait" to escape their parents reign and experiment with that scary entity called Life, college is a huge wake-up call and a giant reminder of your newly acquired independence. Did you forget to set your alarm and missed your first Biochemistry exam? Mom's not around to write you a hastily scribbled absence note, and your professor won't be swayed by mumbled excuses. For me, college was the first time I truly took care of myself without relying on another human being. This experience is both terrifying and exhilarating, yet undoubtedly molds you into the adult who eventually walks across the stage and accepts that college degree.

Hey there. I know you might be nervous right now- or maybe just excited. That is all normal. Keep that energy with you, and throw it into your new college life. Find a club and stick with it. Actively seek opportunities to get involved. Do not be afraid to take chances. Open yourself up to connect with people. Work to keep your connections alive. Do not get so caught up in your own transition that you forget to volunteer. Giving back with feel good, and is a great way to learn about the community around your college. Believe your professors when they tell you they want to talk to you. Do not let a course go by where you do not introduce yourself during office hours. Learning happens in and out of the classroom. Do your work and hold on to the things that really move you. Write them down; keep track of them somewhere. Make regular appointments with your advisor or a professor to talk about your interests. Be career-focused without being career-obsessed. Connect your interests with 'real-world' work, and volunteer or intern to try that work. But most of all, enjoy being a student.

You will not believe me now, but you will. College is a time warp, I swear. Remember how high school flew by? College is like that, but better. Exponentially improved. Meeting all those people, going all those places, you will not have time to think about how quickly graduation approaches. The transition is nothing. You are all new, all strange, and all ready to be where you want to be. Do not wait for others to always reach out to you, make your own connections. Do yourself a favor and do not worry about what others may think or say, because here?s the secret: it doesn?t matter. There will be plenty of times where you may doubt yourself and be unsure of what to do next. Think through everything and go with your gut, do not let these situations intimidate you, they will only help you in the long run. Follow your passions and smile more. Please wait to fall in love, you have so much to learn about yourself. But fall in love with life, embrace it. Open minds work best, you know. Where you are going, it has so much to offer. You?ve got this.