Yale University Top Questions

College is not a breeze. For the entire second half of high school, most students spend their time counting the days until "I can leave this miserable place!? Senioritis engulfs them. Daydreams about imminent independence distract them. And their focus falters, until it becomes too late. This story describes countless students every year who fail to realize that college is about stretching boundaries, growing potential, extirpating personal vice, and seeking challenge. I commenced college complacent: I was a national Presidential Scholar; I scored a 2400 on the SAT; I was accepted at Yale. I could not be more accomplished, or less worried about my future. But how fatuous I was! My grades suffered and my ambition collapsed. What I would recommend to any incoming college freshmen, therefore, is that they arrive with the robust understanding that they will have to continue to work to earn their admittance. They must discipline themselves to ignore the rich web of stimuli bombarding their impressionable minds. And they must learn to balance work with play, while continuing to play after every storm: brooding over past mistakes will only deepen malaise. Becoming aware of these ideas is the first step to a successful college experience!

If I were given the opportunity to go back in time and advise myself during my senior year, there is one word that would be repeated over and over: Relax. As understanding and simple as the college application and decision process has become since the dawn of The Internet, email, and websites like Commonapp and Fastweb, there is a certain level of stress that followed me as I was weighing my options, to a point becoming borderline unhealthy. This stress stemmed from a belief that my future's outcome and ultimate direction would be determined by where I spent the next two or four years of my life. Although I still acknowledge that the choices I make affect my future in a very real way, what I have also now chosen to acknowledge is that in the future, I will be just as able to make choices as I am presently able. Sure, every school is different and the "perfect" school might not be the one which I ended up choosing, but I would tell myself to take a moment and simply relax. Life will go on no matter what college I choose and that is a very good thing.

I would advise myself to relax and not let it all go by too fast. I would try to convince myself that being accepted into social circles is not the most important aspect of being a freshman in college. I would tell myself that this knowledge that is heading my way will be of great importance to me in the not so distant future, and to make sure to cherish it and realize that it leads to my future. If I only knew what I know now then!

I would tell myself not to worry about what was to come. I worried constantly up until move-in day about how I would start all over in a new place, keep up my grades, and continue my favorite activites such as dancing. As it turns out, making new friends came easily, I did well thanks to the resources provided to me and the study skills I perfected in high school, and I was able to join a dance team. I was well prepared for the transition into college life, but extra advice could never hurt. As a senior, I would tell myself to stay focused and far away from the laziness more commonly known as senioritis. I would tell myself to make a habit of eating breakfast, getting a decent amount of sleep, exercising, going to the library, and getting to know my teachers. I would tell myself to get used to keeping a planner and actually using it so I know when to say no to any of the many things always happening on campus. Above all, I would tell myself to smile, and plan on having the best four years of my life.

You've spent your whole life trying to get out of your comfort zone because you thought it would make you braver, stronger and ambitious. Now, you are faced with the decision to continue down that path or to change directions. My advice in your choice is this: don't be afraid to spend the next four years at a college that doesn't challenge you to try something you don't love. That just means you know what kind of a person you are and what kind of subjects interests you. And that knowledge of yourself is the first step to learning how to do what you love. And that is the point of college.

If I was able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things I would tell myself. I think the main thing I would say is to not take yourself too serious, as everyone you meet in the first few weeks of college is making the same transition as you are, and are as nervous as you are as well. Additionally, I would tell myself to beke sure to be invooved in as many different college activities as possible, in order to get a fuller college experience from the get-go. The overall lesson I would want myself to get would be to have fun, and to not be afraid to put myself out there and meet new people and try new things.

Let?s not waste time- while in our prime- to give ourself advice. College is coming, our brain is humming and you must ready the dice! The dice for what, you?d like to know? The dice of life, of course! Used correctly (with chance and skill) you?ll have no remorse! Take a chance- roll the dice- no hesitating to try! Combined with thought and common sense few things will go awry. The years behind you were great- family and friends all around, but college is new- as is the place- in which you will soon be found. So many classes to choose from, professors and friends to meet, and ready or not, here it comes- a ton of work to complete! But these aren?t the only things heading your way; the city and campus are, too. Thousands of people, places to go, buildings both old and new! It may be hectic and frightful not knowing what?s to come, but remember yourself and who you are and the beat to your very own drum. College means you own schedule, college means tons of time. So face what you must and you can trust- college will be sublime!

Tina, I know it's intimidating. You're about to go to Yale University, where everybody is supposedly smarter than you and very capable of doing important things with their lives. But here's one thing you HAVE to keep in mind from the very start: DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF. Yes, they are all motivated, world-traveled, multi-instrumentalists who have huge accomplishments under their belts, but you need to focus on learning from and with them instead of focusing on your inadequacy. Here's a secret-- everyone tends to think they're inadequate here. But everyone's incredible. Including you. Also, be involved in many different activities, try them out. But DON'T fall in to the typical Yalie trap of overcommitting yourself and then complaining about it. Never feel bad about not being too busy. Value that free time in your schedule, treasure it. Use those hours to go to masters' teas, movie screenings, potluck dinners; don't give in to that pressure to be in charge of everything. Sleep a full eight hours a night, or stay up late with friends. Don't always stay up late with homework. This is a unique place. Live it up.

I would advise myself to not be so hard on myself during the somewhat difficult transition to college life. I would warn myself that I will meet (and be forced to live with) people with very different values than myself, and urge myself to take it in stride. I would tell myself to put myself out there and try to find my niche during the time in which everyone is looking to make new friends and simultaneously making the huge leap into the unknown. I would also tell myself to select my classes carefully, so that I still have time for extracurricular activities and hanging out with my new classmates and friends. I would also remind myself that Yale University is the goal toward which I had been working for years and that I was about to acheive everything I had ever hoped for. I would tell myself to take a step back and appreciate the satisfied feeling of fulfilling a dream.

The last years of high school are so laden with concern over standardized tests and GPA, it is easy to forget that the four that lie ahead should be the finest days of your life. They are the days you'll return to in your mind--pleased with the passions you voiced and the challenges you accepted. The only parlous cloud lurking in your sunny horizon is coming down with a case of Expectitis. Expectitis is a spectrum disorder which can result in a mere annoying rash or can, in its most extreme form, be fatal to a college experience. Expect great things from yourself, but not if those expectations are so unreasonable that they keep you locked in a library, away from the diversity of humankind and human thought that brought you to college. You are not your GPA. It is no coincidence that when Presidents and uber-succeeders are asked to recount their happiest moments, they focus on college days which preceded their "success." So, remain interesting, open and inquisitive. Do not hide in the carrels in search of only the holy "A." Let joy and discovery be your expectation during this, the greatest adventure of your life.

College goes so much faster than you will ever imagine possible. When you get there, don't waste a second second-guessing yourself. Take a ton of extra-curriculars and load up on activities - you can always drop the ones you don't enjoy, and you will probably find a new passion or two along the way. Take classes that have nothing to do with your major - you're in college to learn about life and everything that interests you, because you'll never have this opportunity again. Go to extra lectures, talks, panels, and focus groups - use every hour in the day to the fullest of your ability, because a college campus is one of the few places in the world where an incredible number of fascinating, influential people come together within a small area. Try everything - use the energy you'll have (you're young, after all!) to pack your days full, stopping before it's affecting your grades, health, or happiness adversely, of course. It's fabulous, and even if you get homesick sometimes, you will love it. Trust me.

?This is a year of transition,? said my college Dean in his opening remarks to the college freshmen. Those words comprised the greatest advice I received upon arriving at Yale. In the span of the Dean?s speech, I found an entirely different perspective on freshman year. Rather than making it a year to simply work ahead as a prospective Music and International Studies major, freshman year became a time to explore fields and experiences I had never encountered--both within and without the classroom. How else would I have discovered the fascinating philosophical debate about film versus digital recordings? Or that New Haven perfect for hawk watching? A transition is careful exploration; it is testing the waters. Today I understand that one semester is just the beginning of lifelong learning beyond the fields most familiar to me. So, high school self, my advice is that you be willing to ?take it slow? and seek education beyond your usual interests, because the college transition is not only one of settling in, but branching out. Be adventurous and don?t restrict yourself. You are here to learn, and you will find that learning happens in the most unexpected places.

I would tell myself to do more work. I would say stop floating on your intellect alone and invest time in research and studying. Read more! Experience what you love outside of the classroom. I'd tell myself not to shy away from excellence.

In all honesty, college life at Yale is easier and more fun than high school! I spent all of my time in high school dividing myself between schoolwork to keep that 4.0 and rehearsals/extracurriculars. At Yale, I've had the chance to travel to South America (for free!) with a 150 year-old choir, listen to Tony Blair speak, design hair and make-up for undergraduate shows, perform in a professional opera, and live in an ivy-covered dorm. High school is a stepping stone, but it's not the end all. Neither is college. Just enjoy what you have when you have it and look at the future objectively and work toward your goals with small baby-steps. it's really worth it!

In some ways, I was more of a stereotypical Yale student when I was a high school senior. I was career-oriented, academically competitive, ambitious in every aspect of life, and, of course, perpetually stressed out. Maybe (and maybe not) it was coming to Yale and seeing the poverty of those who pack their schedules with resume-ready activities that they do not enjoy, as well as the richness of those who work their passions and enjoy the moment that made me come to terms with who I am. On the surface, I am still a typical Yalie with my 7 classes, 2 jobs, and 3 volunteer spots; inside, however, I have learned that life is so much more about being content with B+'s and knowing that I am not defined by my APs. If I could talk to my old self, I would tell her: "CHILL OUT. You are in Yale. Now drop those 7 extra APs."

To achieve success at any level, one must have a goal. Without a final destination, or a desired idea, one lacks the drive to acquire that treasure, and without an obstacle one cannot realize what's important. Sure, a banal existence suffices for some; however, creativity arises from facing challenges, and happiness comes from suffering. Life is all about setting goals -- it is necessary for living. Why do we live? To achieve something. Why do we study? To enlighten ourselves. Why do we discuss? To discover the innovations. We cannot stumble upon invention purely through intricate calculations, or with a ready-made formula. There are different processes to coming about the end result; what you'll realize is that you need to know that you must come with some kind of answer in the end, but you must most venture the different ways to get there. From your experiences, you branch out to new opportunities.

Dear James, Stop stressing out about which colleges you'll get into. Though you may not believe it right now, everything that happens happens for a reason. In particular, don't worry about "making a difference" with your life, whatever that means. Just be disciplined and put your heart into what you love and enjoy--the rest will necessarily follow. Don't be afraid to drop personal aspirations if you feel a higher calling, but make sure you're not just making excuses. Finally, respect and love your friends and family with all you've got. You may take them for granted now, but give yourself a couple months in college, in a new environment and around new people, and you'll realize that they've made you who you are today. Sincerely, Yourself P.S. Yale is flippin sweet. Just saying.

When I was a high school senior, I was studying in Beijing, China through a program called School Year Abroad. Given the chance to go back, I would reassure myself that it had been the right choice and show how adapting to a new culture, family, and educational environment prepared me to make the transition to college. At the same time, I would encourage myself to throw myself more fully into every unique opportunity that came up, both in China and in college. Since attending college, some of my most amazing experiences have come from the moments where I ignored my doubts about a situation or myself and decided just to try something new, unusual, or challenging.

Remember this: loneliness ends. And you will be lonely, leaving behind everything you knew for something that turns out not to be what you imagined. You will be lonely when you discover how strange it is on the other side of the country, with strange weather and strange fashions and stranger people. You will be lonely because there is no place like college, where buildings are crowded with people supposed to be just like you, to find out how alone you really are. But it ends. When you sit alone in the dining hall, staring at your mystery meat, remember that soon you will have friends to join you. When you tiptoe nervously into the back of your first classes, remember that by the end of the semester they will be your classmates, not simply a sea of colored swatches, eyeglasses glinting. Remember that it ends, and remember this: you can make it end. Pick up your tray, and sit down with someone else who is also eating alone. Start a study group. Everyone else is or has been as bewildered as you are, and everyone else has also been lonely. So go ahead ? end loneliness.

Be sure to try new things early on, and make as many friends as possible. Finding your footing socially is much more important the first semester than finding your footing academically. Also, take EmergenC everyday.