Assumption College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Tatieli

As a student at Assumption College, I have learned and suffered the hardships of college life. There are many instances where I wished to change my decisions, yet there is only one advice left to give. If I could have a discussion with my High school self, I would emphacize the importance of taking more advantage of the opportunities and resources provided by the shool. Much like many students, I valued my social life sometimes more than I should have. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to buckle up and give it my best, instead of focusing on becoming a social butterfly. School should always come first as one's innermost key to a successful future. I believe it is not who you know that matters, but the knowledge gained in one's journey. In this world, no one can take away someone's knowledge, however; materialistic objects can be lost. My past self should focus on being the best she could be and not worrying about the pressures of college life. Success is often achieved by those who opt to take the road less traveled towards a bright future, not the easy way out.

Colleen

I would tell myself dont be so nervous and be extremely outgoing. Make friends with everybody and take all the opportunites that come your way. Dont be shy or scared just get out there. Also I would tell myself to get as much information as possible for following your major. Dont wait around for somebody to tell you what you need becuase at that point its too late. Find out everything you need to know and get things done early.

Brittany

Dear High School Me, Making the transition to college is life changing. You are essentially dropped off by your parents, told to do well in school, meet friends, stay focused in class, do well in track but mostly enjoy yourself. You have to learn how to juggle everything, something that high school made look easy. Advice #1: make a calendar, lists, whatever it takes for you to plan and organize everything you have/want to do. It's very easy to forget things, make new plans, or simply forget your priorities. Advice #2: do not be afraid to open up to people; those girls who are across the hall, in the gym, passing by on the way to class, could become some of you best friends. I realized you cannot make it through life without a support system, and you always need people who care about you. Advice #3: "you are there to go to school" as mom and dad would say. So don't skip class, and get your work done early so you have time to accomplish everything else. College an amazing, thrilling time of your life, don't make it more stressfull than it has to be!

Lisa

to be more assertive in my college search, seek out all options and resources to help me make a career choice for the future. I have to make the decisions for myself and not what my friends and family want. Not because everyone is doing a particular subject area I have to do it too. Be more confident and I will succeed. Support is very improtant as the road ahead is rocky.

Cecilia

I would have advice myself to keep calm and try to enjoy my senior year more instead of worrying about what is going to happen in college or whether or not I picked the right college. To apply for more scholaerships than the ones I did. Also to have started shopping for my dorm earlier than I did now.

Christina

Try not to be so scared: take a chance and join an intramural sport. You will have fun in school, even if you and your roommate do not end up being friends. Just because you got bullied in high school does not mean you will be subjected to the same torment in college; in fact, you thrive in college and meet people who will be friends with you for the rest of your life! You will love the freedom being so far from home offers you, and you will learn to be an independent, strong young woman. You won't make a lot of mistakes, because you know who you are pretty well. It will be ok to change majors, and it will feel liberating to find an entirely different path in life. Never forget that you can branch off from your friends from home and live a life apart from your safety blankets back home. Like the caterpillar, you have the chance to break free of the chrysalis in which you have been hiding for so long. Get out and stretch those wings. And take a deep breath, girl. You're going to be great.

Julie

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, there are many things I would tell her. I would tell her to get involved in community service that she enjoyed, rather than doing anything to meet her graduation requirements. I would tell her to relax and to remember to enjoy every minute because you don't get them back. I would tell her not to worry so much about what other people think because everything will work out in the end, and if she works hard it will work out the way she wants it to. I would tell her many things related to her school work and while those things are important, the most important piece of advice I could share with my high school self would be to have fun and enjoy life because high school is almost over and it is a completely different world in college and to remember to keep in touch with her friends because finding people who understand and accept you for who you are becomes a rare occurrence as you get older.

Kayla

Through high school, I made good grades but I could have done better. Knowing what I know now, if I could go back, I would get better grades. I would also try to be involved in more extracuricular activities. I never really tried to get scholarships but now that I am attending college, I see how much of a struggle it can be to get it paid for. I never realized how expensive furthering your education would be. My high school self would be a lot different if I could go back in time and change the things I did some. I would have money to pay for college and I would be more in touch with what exactly I wanted to become. Maybe if I could go back and change my high school self, I wouldn't be in such a dind to pay for college.

Monique

College is a huge transition from high school: more responsibility, more free-time, doing your own laundry! But it is also a very exciting time; a time when you get to discover who you really are and begin to sculpt what you want out of your life. This may seem like a cliche answer, but I really do think it is so important to get involved and try knew things, and know that it is ok to not know exactly what you want--after all, this is what college is for. Take an assortment of classes and try a new club or sport, for you may find out something about yourself you never knew. I think one of the most difficult parts of college is balancing your social life with your academic life. I found my freshman year that it is very easy to get caught up in the social scene. While it is good to have fun, make sure you choose friends who will support you and have the same morals as you. If you have friends who are driven, you will be driven--keep your eye on the prize and remember that with hard work, anything is possible.

Peter

Nothing could prepare me for how much I would grow after highschool. When I look back at myself I see that I have not grown only physically but mentally/spiritually as well. If I could turn back time I would let my earlier self know that you'll be proud of who you will become. I'd tell myself be open to new things and different people. And to be ready to learn and to always be thankful that you have the opportunity to learn. I would say enjoy your highschool years while you still can, use your time wisely, spend more time loving your family, and work hard. And if you're working hard then work harder! I'd also tell myself to pray and thank God because even though I did not know it at the time God was actually using me and leading me to become the kind of person He wanted me to be (knowing this would have helped my faith grow in H.S.). More importantly, I would let my parents know that everything will be ok and that I was confident that college would make me a better person.

Devyn

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to not be afraid to grow as an individual and a student. Part of the college experience is putting yourself out there to try new things and to take risks. College is this most exciting, most valuable, and most remembered part of one's life that goes by extremely fast. If you do not try things or are too afraid to ask for help, apply for an internship, play a sport you have never played before, join a club, or meet new people, you will miss out an the most important part of your life. If you learn to follow your heart, try hard, think possitively, and reach for your goals in college and develop as a person, every fast ball life throws at you will be manageable. These life lessons you learn in college will stay with you forever, so make the best of it.

Eileen

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would start off by saying "don't sweat the small stuff." In high school everything seems so monumental, when in reality there is a whole other world just waiting to be explored. College provides so many great experiences that high school cannot offer. In addition, I would tell myself to keep your close friends from high school. College can get hectic and keeping in touch with high school friends is not a top priority; however, The true friends will always be there for you no matter how long you go without talking. Since college is a combination of so many new experiences, do not lose who you are. There are many opportunities to grow and prosper but do not lose sight of yourself. Finally, I would say to keep in touch with your family because without them you would not be where you are today.

Carrie

Take your high school classes seriously and study hard because it will definitely pay off in college. And definitely do not wish your high school days away because college is not just fun and games. You need to take your college classes seriously, because the grades you get follow you throughout life when trying to continue on to graduate school or your other future endeavors. Be open and friendly to new people and thing when starting college, because you never know where you will find a friend or confidante.

Madeline

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would help myself better understand the transition. I would want myself to know that every other freshman at the college is in the same situation as you: away from home and in need of new friends. This similarity is something that I would tell myself to use to my advantage, primarily by treating others with the sort of warmth and friendliness that I wanted in return. By reaching out to the other students as soon as possible, the transition to new friends is smoothed. I would also give myself the advice to become more involved in extracurriculars, as this is another great way to ease the transition since it gives you the opportunity to make new friends. Participation in these activites helps to build a support base, so that when a person needs support, he or she won't be relying only on family back at home. This being said, I think that the most important advice I could give my high-school self would be to just be open to becoming the best version of myself, because four years truly does fly by.

Kingston

I would tell myself to go to a school where loans would not be an issue. I received a full ride to a state school and did not attend because I didn't think state schools were "good" schools. In the end, most people end up receiving higher degrees, where the name of the school on it is much more important. I want to be a teacher, so a state school would have been fine, and I wouldn't be so worried about paying when I got out of school all the time. I would have told myself to apply to more schools also, especially since all the schools I applied to were very similar . I also did not apply to any "reach" schools, which I regret.

Angela

Dear High School Senior Angela, Coming from a person who knows you well, I would advise you to remember that you are never alone. It is possible to have new friends and keep your old ones. Although the next few months will be scary, as well as nerve-racking, remember that you are stronger than you believe and you are truly a genuine person. Never allow anyone to take advantage of your kindness, your friendship, or your mind. Remember that you are your own person and you do not need anyone to define who you are. As your senior year comes to a close, live it up; don't be the first to let go of an embrace, laugh until you cry, do not forget those closest to you, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. You are a strong girl and I believe that you will go far. Do not be afraid to be your own person. I wish you well. Good luck, A good friend

Meghan

I would tell myself to be open. Be open to new people, new things, and new experiences. I would tell myself that my life begins at the end of my comfort zone and that all I have to do is take a leap of faith. By doing these things I will have a great college experience and become friends with people I may never have thought possible.

Felicia

I have not started my college life yet, however I already know a few things I wish I had paid more attention to as a senior. I would tell myself to really take the time to study and look over notes taken during the class. I did well enough, but going into college I would want to make sure I had the practice of a much more elongated studying period. I'll need to make sure that I remember to do this going in this fall semester. I would tell myself to make sure to make the best of all of it! I'm sure I will when I start this fall.

Stephanie

The advice I would give to myself if I talk to my High School self is that there is no need to be in a rush to grow up. As teenagers we want to be adults, and many of us (myself included) started working in high school to gain a sense of freedom and control. I continued working after graduation and put college to the side. Now that I am very much an adult I have to juggle full time work with part time school and all other things that come with being an adult. I wish my high school self could have known how beneficial it would be in the end to go from high school to college and take advantage of my parent's offer to support me during that time so I could focus, instead of insisiting on being independant. Adult life will be easier if you take advantage of your teenage life.

Alyssa

I would tell myself to be open to new experiences, and to not eat so much dining hall food!

Erin

Stop overthinking and worrying about every single little detail. You do not need to choose a major before going into college. There are so many people here who have no idea what they want to do, and that is completely fine. You have two years to declare a major, so take a bunch of different classes and find out what you like and what you are good at, rather than picking a random major and going into it full force. You are only going to end up realizing you do not like it and changing your mind anyway. When it comes to making friends, just be yourself. Do not try to act like a whole new person just because nobody knows you from high school. Being yourself and letting people get to know the real you will help you form real friendships that will actually last more than the first few weeks of college. Join more clubs and try to socialize with different groups of people. Finally, try to find a good balance between your social life and your academics. Your education is the most important thing.

Athena

Reallly learn the lesson being taught. I learned a lot of things in college that I learned in high school. In HS, really understand and learn the material, do not just memorize something to get the grade, but memorize it to memory and not just for the test. In HS you can get away with just memorizing, but in college, you need to fully understand the material to pass the course. College prepares you for a career; you need to remember what you learned in college. I would also tell them to be open to different clubs. If you are interested in something, do not hesitate to join and get involved with it. It will probably something you truly enjoy. Give your new roommate/roommates a chance.; if you do not like them, try to get to know them first instead of assuming you will not get along. College is all about being able to connect with different people from different backgrounds. College is amazing and truly some of the best, life-changing years of your life. Enjoy it because the time will not last forever, but the memories will.

Carley

I would tell myself to not be scared of the future that is ahead of me. Leaving home and going to a college is going to be scary at first, but so are all new experiences. This is just another door in life that is opening as will many more as the years fly by. In the next few years I'm going to develop into a grown adult, try new things, and be more confident in myself. Things aren't always going to go as we planned in life and when those unexpected obstacles come out of no wheres, don't give up. Never give up. It is these obstacles that transform us to the strong people that we become later in life. Lastly, don't be afraid to try new things because something beautiful could come out of it. Stay true to yourself even through the years to come.

Lindsey

I would tell myself to make the decision based on the school you want to go to: not the one that is closest to home, where you can keep your job or what gives you the most money. It is all about making life changing experiences and meeting friends that you will have for the rest of your life. You are hurting yourself socially and mentally if you make a decision based on money. That is not what it is all about.

Kane

Keep up with your reading, and be prepared to make tons of new and intreresting friends, Have FUN!

Kayla

I would tell myself to stop expecting a high school experiecnce at college. As a high school senior I was president of the Nation Honors Society, part of the Vocational Comittee and Principals Leadership Team. I was extreemly involved and fell into a bit of a clique. I had a wonderful year but I expected college to be a continueation of that. Instead I found that college is a lot more adult and deals with bigger issues, universal truths, statewide controversies and career planning. It is much bigger than highschool.

Leigh

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior there are many words of advice I would give to my former self. To start, I would definitely tell myself to stop worrying about fitting in and making friends because there are so many nice people that I will meet at school who will become my friends. I would also tell myself to follow my passion about what I want to do for my major instead of trying to pick something that will make me the most money or something I think others will want me to do. I definitely wasted some time my freshman year taking classes that are not applicable to the major I always knew I was interested in. I would also tell myself to try to branch out and talk to more people than just the people in my own dorm in the beginning so I could make friends all around campus.

Devin

Honestly, I really would give myself that much advice. Did I struggle freshman year? Of course I did but I made the transition very well and I'm glad I met the people that I did. Was Assumption College my first choice? It wasn't but I've made some new friends and I've gained a bunch of relationships with my professors in order to better myself. I have my own sports television show and I'm glad I could accomplish that even though Assumption didn't have the major I wanted. It's beena good experience and I honestly beleive a scholarship like this would definitely be a great help.

kayleigh

Dear Kayleigh, This is it. Time to let go of what this small town has made you. This is time for you to shine and find your true self. I know it sounds nerve racking, and trust me it is, but in good time you will realize that this is the life changing expierience you needed. If you want to succeed in college, you must follow my 3 rules of college survival. First rule: STUDY! STUDY! STUDY! Being a double major and a minor entails that you will have a huge course load on your plate. Buckle down and be organized. It may seem tough, but it is managable. Second rule: don't be afraid to ask for help. Your friends, tutors, and professors are more than happy to assist you. Sometimes you have to realize you need to ask for help to be successful in life. Third (and the most important) rule: don't take your life so seriously. Let go of the stress of your week by doing ridiculous shenanigans with your roommates. Show everyone who you really are inside. Become the person you want to be. Follow these rules, and i promise you will succeed at college.

Krista

Dear Myself, I just want you to know that you don't need to pick a school that will make your parents proud or a school that is expected of you. Choose based on how you feel on campus and what you think will make you happy. When you do get to college, let the outgoing self out and make friends, don't be shy. Who cares if some don't like you, that is life.You will meet plenty of amazing people. When you do, don't comprise their friendship to look cool or whatever, like so many of freshman do. Just be yourself and see where that takes you. Have fun, do the things that you always wanted to, but just never did. These are your years, make them count. Don't worry, you will be fine. I promise.

Ashley

I would tell myslef not to sweat the small stuff. You grow way too much at college to worry about the little day to day things. Be open to new people and new experiences. Take a few chances. Let individual moments change your life. Study hard, but take time for yourself too. Remmeber that in the end you take away a lot more than just an education, you take away so many relationships, events, and experiences. Don't let any of these moments pass by because you're too busy dwelling on trivial matters. Don't stress so much. It all works out in the end. Take nothing for granted. Being at Assumption is a blessing and a gift that many people will never experience. Use your skills wisely and help others every chance you get. Don't be afraid to leave a legacy behind at Assumption, as a matter-of-fact don't settle for anything less than a legacy. Enjoy the ride. Pray hard. Let go every once in a while. Trust the way you were raised, and be a light to those around you as you move froward to discover new things.

Cortney

I would have chosen better intro courses for my first semester and avoided Chemistry and Geography all together.

Amanda

The most valuable advice I would give myself is to be accepting to everyone. It is easy at a small school to find a group of friends quickly as a freshman and stick with them. However, it is important to keep being open to meeting new people outside of your group of friends. I would also tell myself that although college is for gaining an education, it is okay to have some fun. Being completely academically focused will drive you crazy and you will look back and regret studying on a Friday night rather than socializing with the great people around you. Having good grades is important to a great future but so is being personable and networking. I would tell myself to start going to all events for my major and finding internships and contacts as soon as deciding a major because it will make the job search much easier in the future.

Danielle

That school is now my job. I am paying all this money to go to school. I need to pay attention and do well in my first semester, or it might bring down your GPA for the rest of your undergraduate career. Don't let the transition get the best of your school work.

Heidi

I would definitely tell myself to not be so nervous and overwhelmed because everything would turn out amazing. When I moved to school, I was so hesitant about the new environment I was in. I didn't know anyone and although I wasn't far from home, I was so afraid that I was going to be homesick. I had a lot of fears about how my classes would be, how my professors would be, if I would make friends, etc. But once I opened up and embraced the new chapter of my life that I was entering, I found out that it wasn't so scary. It was actually really amazing. I learned so many new things about myself and I met so many great people. I joined clubs. I developed strong bonds with my professors. I learned what I want to do with my life. I'm so glad that I learned to let go of all my fears, but if I could go back in time I would tell myself that there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

Stephanie

Pick a direction, any direction, and just jump- It doesn't matter if it is the path you are going to stay on for the rest of your life, or even the next 2 months, but whatever you do go into it with your all. You are capable of learning all the technical knowledge in the world about anything you choose to pursue, but in the end it will be YOUR drive that opens the doors. So jump high and aim far- and when you think you've reached the top, look again, because its only the start.

Brittany

I would make sure I learned good time management skills and carried those into college. I would give myself the advice not to procrastinate school work because then you are not performing to the best of your ability.

richard

Assuming i could go back in time as a high school senior, i would have adviced myself to get into as many extra curricula activities as possible. I would have also encouraged myself to get more involve withe the community by way of community service and this would be just to get the most out of schorlaships but it also enlightens you to the outside world and helps in your personal development.

Elizabeth

Knowing what I know now, I would go back and tell my high school self to be more outgoing. College has opened me up to many new situations and has allowed me to grow as a person. I wish I could go back and be more outgoing and less reserved. College has allowed me to be an individual and has allowed me to voice my opinions confidently.

Allisyn

The advice I would give to myself if I could go back in time and address myself as a high school senior would be to not stress over small things. I am a typically anxious person and have a tendency to worry about every little detail, and prior to entering college, I had many sleepless nights worrying about what it would be like when I was away at school. Now that I have a little experience, I know that stressing about every detail is not a helpful practice. Putting pressure on yourself to be perfect can become extremely difficult and make you feel like you're going to "crack". I would tell my 17 year old self that I need to relax. Assumption is a place where I am comfortable and where I will have a good experience. Staying up all night nervous won't help me have a better college experience. Learning to let go is very important.

Heather

My college experience helped to shape the person I am today. I learned not only in the classroom, but also valuable lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom. My professors were so supportive and encouraging and I will never forget them. My college education was the best investment my parents could have made. I have developed lifelong skills that will help me to succeed.

Meghan

I think the most valuable experience that I have taken advantage of at Assumption is being involved in the campus community. In my first year I took the first opportunity to become a student leader, and that was running for an elected position on the Student Government Association. I also became an Admissions Ambassador where I give weekly tours to prospective students. Bening involved in the campus community has allowed me to truly make a difference to the students on campus as well as develop respective relationships with my peers, advisors, and administrators. And to me, the lasting relationships that I am developing now are extremely valuable.

Steffani

I would suggest to never be afraid of planning ahead. If you have a goal or dream, pursue it even if the road appears difficult and there is not unanimous support. In the end your choice will be rewarding and you can look back and be proud of what you accomplished. I thought I wanted to go to a school far away from home, but it turns out being closer may actually be better. I was able to get a job at school during the semester and continue to work over winter and summer break by commuting, whereas finding work may have been more complicated if I had gone to school far away. I would also suggest to never be afraid of talking to your professors if you are struggling. You are paying them to give you an education, but also building a relationship with them can only help you especially if you want to have an internship or need recommendations in the future. School goes by fast so keep priorities and values straight because your education will be with you the rest of your life and sometimes missing out on ?fun? will be worth it later in life.

Sara

This year I didn't attend school, instead I took a gap year in Israel. If I was to look back and talk to myself, I would say that taking a gap year was one of the smartest decisions of my life. It has helped me make the transition from a high school student, to an independent person amazingly well. I would encourage more of my friends to take gap year programs that interest them. I feel like I am completely ready for college now, and I will do better then I would have done if I didn't take the gap year.

Julia

So you are about to embark on your next journey, you will love your classes and you will do well. You are smart so don?t doubt yourself. You will meet boys and you will fall for them, that is okay. Let yourself get wrapped up in it all, these are your best days and I promise you, you will not regret any of it. You have an overactive mind and this may be your worst enemy. You will target these attributes in a specific way and it will change your life. This new responsibility will help you meet amazing people. Hold converstations with anyone and everyone; you never know who will add a little something extra to your life. This includes your freshman class. Many of them will transfer or will be busy doing their own thing. Go out every weekend with these people and get rowdy with them. Come junior year second semester you will look at the freshmen and wonder if you had as much fun as they are having. There will be days where you will forget to smile; your room mates will be there to remind you how good life really is.

Caitlin

If I were to give myself advice as a high school senior it would be to not be nervous for the year to come. It is an exciting time in your life and try to experience everything that you can. As you are trying to make the decision for which college you want to attend, do not stress. The right decision is different for everyone, so do not let anyone try and influence you. Your senior year can be stressful so try and focus on the tests and exams that are important. Also try not to let ?senioritis? hit you once you have been accepted to college, this does not mean you can stop working. Finally, spend time with your family and friends because once you go away to school, you will not be seeing them every day.

Paul

I would tell myself that college life isn't as hard as its cracked up to be. The transition is easy, and in no time I made friends who I really like. Also, the workload isn't that hard. Don't stress out! It's way more fun and easier than high school.

Abby

If I could return after college to myself as a high school senior, I would give that senior three pieces of advice. The first advice would be to take every opportunity presented. This could range from taking a unique and challenging class to applying for an on-campus intership. College is an experience; one should take every possible opportunity. In the end, one can learn something different besides skills for a career. By seizing an opportunity, one can also learn more about himself or herself. Secondly,one should get to know the professors and work hard. Professors are full of knowledge, and most are willing to share it with their students. Getting to know professors could help someone choose a career or learn something new. They are also willing to help students with other factors, such as choosing classes, finals, and other things. In addition, work hard in college. The harder one works, the luckier one becomes. In the end, it will pay off with extreme success. Lastly, one should enjoy oneself. Again, college is a once in a lifetime experience. One should experience new and exciting things, as well as open one's mind to a different world.

Ryan

If I could go back and address myself as a senior, I would tell myself the most useful things I have learned from college. First off, I would tell myself to not worry so much. College is far more difficult than high school. However, it is not overwhelmingly so. The biggest challenge of college is self discipline. It?s very easy to lose focus with all the new freedom it presents. However, I have never had difficulty cracking down when it was necessary and focusing on school. So, to my na?ve self, I would warn him to be wary, but not to worry. Just do what needs to be done. Another important thing I would tell myself is not to be so closed up. Throughout high school, I was very withdrawn and it took a lot for me to open up to others. In college, however, it is an essential skill to be able to open up and make friends. I would tell myself not to be so self conscious, to open up and have fun when I can and when I should. These two facts would be most essential to myself as I entered college.

Kristen

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior to help myself out, honestly I wouldn't. I think that I made a great choice in choosing where I am. No regrets. I made a geat choice for myself and am happy at the school I am at today. The only thing I would even fathom to tell myself would to not be worried. I was so nervous coming to school, I was afraid I wouldn't make friends. Now I have the bestfriend I could ever ask for and it has truly been a blessing. This school means the world to me so the only adivice I'd give to myself is not to worry and enjoy my time at college. Even without going back I believe I made myself believe that before hand because this has been the best year and a half of my life.