Julia
I wish I had known that sports weren't such a big deal and that greek life is a bigger deal than it seems. However, if you want to be involved (or don't) in either, it won't change your life all that much. It's all about the decisions you make and the priorities you set for yourself. I was a bit too focused on grades at first, so it's good to know that they're not the end-all, be-all.
Cynthia
Our school is well known for academics, not much for athletics. Basketball is pretty strong compared to other sports here, but because of lack of athletic enthusiasm, there's not as much school spirit as other schools like USC. If you want to feel the pride in your school very strongly, this school will not help you feel the strong spirit. However, our school is not as conservative as it seems like. It is open-minded about what you want to do and is quite loud in Friday nights and weekends. This may be a problem for you or not.
Margaret
Before coming to Washington University in St. Louis, I thought I would be absolutely trampled with work and not be able to succeed. After first semester, I look back and wish I could have given my high school self some advice. While classes were the expected amount of difficult, college offers more homework with a purpose for learning instead of the busy work of high school. This fact, along with the many free tutoring services and office hours of professors, really eased the stress. There are so many cool people, and the students help instead of compete with each other.
Chisom
I wish I had known about all the courses and academic departments available to us as freshmen and had come in looking to explore and find my interests instead of going in with a one-track pre-medical mind.
Claudia
Before I came to WashU, I wish I knew how fast time would pass and I wish I had an idea of how much I would grow and learn in a single year. Not only did I learn what was taught in the classroom, but I learned a considerably greater amount outside of the classroom being a strong leader, a good follower and a good friend.
Thomas
I wish I had known how to really study material to gather an understanding of it rather than just to do well on tests. In all of my exams this first semester, at least a third or more of the total score depended on understanding the material rather than being able to punch buttons on a calculator.
Brian
How that it is a relatively liberal school, but it could be much more liberal and open! I wish it was!
Whitney
I didn't think Wash U was as academically challenging and highly regarded as it actually is