Boston University Top Questions

Joe, I know you must be getting pretty nervous about taking the next step in your life...the four years of undergrad life. You've heard amazing things about college, and some not-so-amazing things. Trust me when I tell you, you are right to be nervous. Take it from me...the first semester of college will be extremely lonely and awkward. That can change however, as soon as you get your feet wet with student organizations. This is one of the best ways to meet people; friends that you will likely be in touch with for life. As soon as you can get involved this way, your second semester will surely bring a completely different attitude out of you. As far as academics are concerned...trust me...though your high school seemed like a breeze, BU is not. Do not take your classes for granted...but in the same vein, don't freak out if you get a C...its all part of the learning experience. Lastly, take advantage of the time you have...study abroad, volunteer early with professor's work, and most importantly, don't forget to have the best time of your life. Joe

Turning your tassel at the end of your graduation is not closing the doors to your future, but an opening of your professional preparation! Take a look into your heart and declare the anxiety you have for teaching in an elementary school! Your preparation for your future is yours to transform! There are many colleges waiting for your subscription, willing and well prepared to answer your questions! Yes you might feel that you are leaving your group of friends behind, but hey, invite them to also pursue their dreams of becoming professionals. College is not just reading and writing. College is many other things. College is academic tutoring, student housing, resume preparation, job fairs, and student clubs! Make calls, turn on your computer, ask questions,and get yourself informed. Do not let this opportunity slipped by. Transform your dream into a fact! Do not wait for others to bring college to you! Just take that first step and everything else will fall into place! I assure you; at the end of your college journey you will look back and congratulate yourself for making such a wise decision of pursuing a college degree!

Dear "high school senior Lisbeth", Remember how in high school in our small town everyone knew everyones business? If a person made one small mistake or hooked up with the wrong kid at a party they were labeled for the rest of the year. Trust me on this one, where you're going you need to think less about the drama of high school. In college you'll find that most people are there to actually learn and do well at school, whether it be for Mom and Dad or to keep a scholarship or for themselves.You'll find that getting good grades in college is going to feel better for you than it ever did in high school because you did it on your own. Dad wasn't there nagging you to study for a midterm--you did it on your own and were disciplined and because of that you succeeded! Like you did in high school, you need to stop worrying about whether people are going to be talking about what happened over the weekend, because come Monday nobody judges you! Focus and put your effort into your school work to earn the weekend and stellar grades!

I've gotten my future out of my college experience. I've committed years of my life to an amazing school and now that graduation is only three months away I'm confident, relieved, and so excited! The diversity of my school is the biggest contributor to my personal growth. BU has a large, diverse student body. Being able to work with this broad cross-section of my peers has taught me what an amazing place our world is and inspired my dreams for its improvement! I start graduate school in the fall and will study Urban Planning with a focust on sustainability. The liberal arts education I received at BU has given me an awareness and confidence to successfully deal with my chosen field's complex, interdisciplinary problems. Thank you for making this scholarship opportunity available to students like me, and have a great day!

I have learned how to take my education into my own hands; by attending a large university, I now have more responsibility to meet my professors and seek help since these things that seemed so easy in high school prove to be much more rare at the college level. I like to think that I am not getting an education, I am taking the education I deserve, and I think this outlook is the best thing that my college experience has given me.

I have truly gotten a feel for being part of a community that comes to exsist soley by choice, and being somewhere where I have all the possiblities and opportunities available to me that I could ever want. Even though I have just started, I already feel like part of the BU community, which is possible because everyone is so set on making you feel at home and helping in every way possible.

Although costly and at times detrimental to my health, going away to Boston University has helped me forge a new identity for myself. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, as a son of two immigrant parents, academics was never the means of getting anywhere. Nearly everyone in my extended family either immediately got a job out of high school, or dropped out of college to work. Going to Boston University meant immersing myself in an academic community that fully embraces the leverage of education. Through hard work, and considerable support from established professionals, I have been able to establish an identity of myself that is rooted in intellect rather than ethnic background. The established members of academia and industry in Boston embrace the fact that they were once aspiring students, and will not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Were it not for the support and intellectual maturity that I gathered at Boston University, I would not be able to return home as a pillar of inspiration to the younger generations in my community.

I've gotten the friends I have today, I've gotten a great education and new experiences. I'm from the suburbs so it's interesting to live in the city. Boston University has definitely been a good choice for me.

While I have been in college for only 5 months, it so far has been part of some of my best memories. Unlike high school, I no longer feel as if my classes are just something that I take because I need a certain number of credits to graduate. Instead, I see each class I take as information that I will be able to apply for running my own company in the future. It is not always easy, but I know it will pay off in the end, because my energy is being applied to exactly where I want it too, rather than busy work. College is also rewarding for the people that I have met. My high school was diverse, but it did not have students from other countries, such as Ireland, China, Egypt, and Zimbabwe. I fell that if I did not go to such as large school as Boston University, I would not have been able to experience different cultures from the individuals who know them best. I hope that I will be able to make and keep friendships with people from many different countries so I can understand different cultures more fully.

College has been a valuable experience because of the unaccpected lessons you learn. For the first time you are on your own. You feed yourself, you do your own homework, you study for your own exams , and you do it all on your own schedule. The most important lesson that college has exposed me too is how I perceive myself. You learn how you do things, how you interact with people, your study, sleeping, eating habits. You learn that college is your big first step into adulthood. While you arn't completely on your own, you do have a certain independence unexperienced before. College is important because you learn how to be you. And that in itself is incredibly valuable.

Boston University has provided me with a first class education while allowing me to immerse in a diverse campus in the heart of an amazing city. Being away from home has given me the freedom needed to become more independent and fend for myself in the world. The options are endless when it comes to getting involved in clubs, sports, and all extra curricular activities. Dorm life has taught me the art of sharing and compromising yet presented an opportunity to bond with many girls from different backgrounds who are not unlike myself. I have learned to manage my time better on account of the workload, and I have learned which material to read in detail and which merely requires a glance. Although I am only in my first year, it seems as though Boston University will prepare me for a successful future.

Going to school is not easy, but the purpose of it is worthed for the sacrifice that you are making. My goal is to become a brain surgeon. I am taking pre-med classes. Those classes help me to take more serious the decision that I have made. It is fun to work in unity in a domain that you like. Saving life is the most important part of the society. I enjoy every bit of my college experience. Having knowledge from school is a good thing specialy knowing that you are getting those information to save life in the future will make you more proud about your school work.

I have had a lot of hands on studio experience with my major (Broadcast Journalism) before even taking any classes that teach us these concepts. In a sense, I have had a very raw learning experience of learning by trial and error, and these skills will be refined as I advance to highler level classes.

So far I've made many friends from all around the world at BU. It's amazing, coming from a small dominatly white town, to be thrown into a city with an amazing amount of culture and different kinds of people. I've loved being around all kinds of different people. With a variety of kinds of people comes a variety of opportunities. College is not just about education, even though that is the most important thing. I am able to make relationships with people that I wouldn't have if I hadn't attended BU, and I am extremely thankful for that.

I have made friends from all over the world. Boston University if filled with international students as well as students from all over America. When I want to visit a state, there will most likely be a friend there excited to greet me and show me around. Also, because I have such a diverse group of friends, I am able to learn a little more about different cultures including types of foods and music. Another thing I have gotten out of my college experience is the importance of perseverance. It takes a little more effort than it did in high school to remain focused. It is easy to get distracted when meeting new people everyday and having long breaks between classes, but it is also a good challlenge to overcome. After overcoming this and remaining focused, I know that I will have willpower in the future as well.

College may seem very daunting. It is the biggest change in one's young life, and regardless of the high costs, there are SO many benefits (aside from just getting a degree!) Going off to college, has been invaluable to my sense of independence. I love being able to decide things for myself, but it has been challenging. Things like laundry, grocery shopping and of course, homework, don't do themselves. I feel like college has afforded me not only an education, but a chance to grow up and really learn who I am, and what it means to be a young person in the new millennium. I have made so many unbreakable friendships, and have certainly found a new family away from those at home. My surrogate family keeps me sane. We are always there for each other, we take care of each other, comfort each other, and laugh with each other. College may seem like such a new world, with a high price tag on really tough classes and loads of homework, but it is so much more than that. It is a chance to assert your independence and find a new home away from home.

The most valuable thing I've recieved from my college experience is a sense of independence. I come from a suburban area where everything is small and sheltered and upon entering college was thrown into an urban setting where everything was big a foreign. I no longer can rely on my parents to do everything and it's been a great learning experience to gain my independence and do things on my own. Boston University's diverse campus has opened my eyes to a lot of brand new experiences that I know I wouldn't have recieved anywhere else. Talking to some of my other friends who went to different schools instate and out-of-state, have not gotten some of the same experiences I've recieved. I've grown and matured so much in the 1 1/2 years that I've been at BU and I wouldn't change a thing!

I am still a freshman at Boston University and I know for a fact there are so many exciting things to come for the rest of my years in college. I have learned so much in terms of academics, but there are so many other things I have learned about myself as an individual. Leaving Puerto Rico and persuing an education in the states was a challenge not only because of the relationships I would leave behind, but also the financial strains this investment could be to my family. I fully recognize the importance of an education and for this reason I decided to go full force with no regrets and accepted the challenge by attending Boston University. I am now more than ever committed to take advantage of all the opportunities BU has to offer but I can now look forward with even more desire to continue my education either in Graduate School or Law School in order to be as prepared as I possibly can be. Being a student in Boston University has broadened my expectations of myself and as long as I am committed to become a better person, one that is successful, I can achieve anything!

My college experience at Boston University has encouraged me to work to my full academic potential. The competitive atmosphere combined with a variety of support systems provided by the school has allowed me to accomplish more in my studies than I ever thought I could. Additionally, I studied abroad in Ireland through a BU program, and that experience was an integral part in discovering my self-identity and future life goals. The professional track I am on at BU is fully preparing me for success once I graduate, and I feel that I will be able to find a job that I love once I graduate, despite the current economic situation. Boston University has enabled me to become an academically-driven, career-focused, independent person, while also allowing me to explore my personal aspirations and beliefs.

I belive that people should live life to the fullest, that is why i want to become a doctor so i can give the ill a second chance. With school i have met and worked with so many great teachers that are helping me on my way to medical school.

I have gained a desire to continue learning for life and enjoy the challenge of develpoing new skills and knowledge. My experience has enspired me to encourage others to further their education because of the personal develpoment and confidence I have gained. The college experience for me has been an eye opening one; that my fate is totally in my hands. That my hard work and dedication to mastering a subject is all anyone needs to succeed.

In the spring of 2008, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life; I quit my job to pursue my true passion, to teach. I come from a long line of educators and I have always wanted to work with children. They have this endearing energy and the most inquisitive minds. To watch a child grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding feelings I have felt. Through my college experiences I have learned that everyone deserves an opportunity at success. I am fortunate for this opportunity; to go back to school, to pursue my dream. My happiness is my success. I hope that, through my college experiences, I serve as a role model for my students. My courses and professors have taught me that everyone has the power to succeed. It will be my job to promote that power and elicit every child’s special gift. It is my passion and purpose to help every child realize they too have the power to pursue their dreams and be successful, as I did. Pursuing my master’s degree was one of the biggest decisions of my life and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Growing up in a small town, I went to a pretty small high school with a graduating class made up of 150 white kids, and maybe two or three Asian kids. Culturally, I was blind to the different lifestyles that are so prevalent and so important to the rest of the world. Boston University has one of the most diverse student populations of any school in the country. By coming to school here, I have gained so much knowledge about the way that other people live, and alternate ways that I can choose to live. My mind has been opened to new ways of thinking through intelligent, respectable discussions. Unlike high school, in college a political discussion does not need to turn into a shouting match full of personal attacks. I now look at the issues facing the world through multiple lenses, not just the white-protestant-middle class American perspective. Many people warned me that once I got to college, I would have liberal ideology forced down my throat. Thankfully, this has not been the case. This environment has fostered my ability to think independently, and respect other’s views and beliefs, while sometimes reaffirming my own.

While taking out the necessary loans to attend BU has been a tough reality, my two years there so far have been worth every penny. BU has offered me more than I ever imagined. I live in a beautiful, fun, progessive and historically rich city where I feel like the world is at my fingertips. I study alongside talented and passionate individuals with professors who are even more talented and passionate. My campus is huge, but the communities I've created myself around my different interests make me feel at home. I'm always meeting new people, and it's has become more exciting than ever in such a diverse setting. I've learned to value culture and nature more, and I'm consistently motivated by my peers' enthusiasm for service projects and volunteer opportunities. I've discovered my passions and been inspired to change the world through them. Basically, BU has given me a taste of what the world has to offer that I couldn't have gotten at a smaller, suburban school. Although I'll be blaming BU for my debt after graduation, I'll be thanking it for the experience the rest of my life.

My undergraduate experience allowed me to excel as an individual. As a high school student I had a team of parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, etc., and failure was almost impossible. Tutors, singing lessons, and soccer practice every day ensured that I would rise to the top of every challenge.During my teenage years, I did not realize that my "team" was teaching me how to stand on my own two feet. Finally, in August of 2003, as a freshman at Boston University, I had my first chance to sink or swim.Initially, I failed. In fact, I sunk like a rock. I slept in, missed classes, and yet was a staple on the social scene. When Midterms rolled around I realized that I needed to step up my effort. I finished the semester with A's and B's and made it onto the Equestrian Club Team. Four years later, I graduated cum laude with a double major. The sense of pride from personal accomplishment I felt was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.Today, as I work in marketing and attend graduate school, I am an adult that can accomplish anything determination and practice. Undergrad taught me that…

So far, i have learned that i am so much bigger than i ever thought i could be. My teachers and my classes have taught me that i have a gift and that if i believe in myself with all of my heart, i will achieve anything. My teacher's stress the importance of the saying "Dare to Fail Gloriously" and i believe in that quotation with every fiber of my being. Going to Boston University has been the best decision i could have ever made because i am growing into the person i have always wanted to be, but never knew how to be. I leave class every day inspired and awed to be surrounded by such beautiful people, and performers, and i would not trade this experience for anything. That is why i will do anything to continue attending school. I love what i do and where i am in my life because of this school.

I have learned how to be independent and to do things for myself without expectations from others. I have also aquired new study habits that are more efficient and better suited to BU.

Boston University has given me the chance to be the best me. To go after opportunities I couldn't have anywhere else and grow as a scholar, a leader, a friend, and as a person. The atmosphere is filled with passion and drive. In comparison to high school this is exactly what I needed to stay motivated to do more, to be more and to succeed. My overall college experience has allowed me to expand my comfort zone and push myself like never before. That lesson is so valuable and I am still seeing where it takes me.

No one can put a limit on you unless you put a limit on yourself. College provides you with a plethora of opportunities that you have to be ready to take advantage of. For me, college allows me to expand my boundaries because I am constantly trying new things and learning new things from those around me. In addition, college is a exploratory experience, in that you are constantly finding out new things about yourself, likes and dislikes. If I did not attend college, I would not be armed with the knowledge that I have now that will allow me to succeed in the future. It is valuable to attend college because college opens your eyes to many aspects of life that may not otherwise be seen, allowing you to become a well-rounded individual and slowly deteriorating the shield of ignorance.

Throughout my college experience, I have acquired an immense amount of self knowledge foremost. It has been through my interraction with my peers, professors, and others which has allowed me to grow both as a student and as a person. My time at Boston University has allowed me to experience things I knew I would never encounter had I stayed home and it has allowed me to reshape the way i approach certain aspects of my life. Without this college experience, I know for a fact that I would be missing out on an gret deal of new challenges which I would've feigned for if I did not attend the university which I do now. Even the negatives of college life leave a profound effect on me as they are things which I now know I can overcome. Also, if ever faced with challenges such as these again, I will have a clearer sense of how to approach the situation in a more mature and effective manner. Overall, the college experience has challenged me to put life into a new perspective which in the end I know will prove to be only beneficial.

The friends I have met, the issues my eyes have been opened to, and the experience as a whole has really helped me see the world in a different light.

I struggled a lot with being comfortable in my own skin all throughout my childhood. My anxieties and self-consciousness drove me to some very self-harming extremes. However, coming here has truly changed my life. I have never felt more at home and at peace with myself. Going to Boston University was a challenge at first; it's hard being thrown into the city on your own, but pushing through that tough time allowed me to appreciate the tremendous freedom I have been granted. I have always said I want to be independent and on my own and going here reinforced that. I love everything this school has given me. Everyday is a new challenge; I am constantly finding new interests and new ways to get involved. Boston University gives me the perfect combination of challenging and encouraging courses. I feel that school doesn't come easy, but without completely overwhelming myself I can work hard to acheive academic success. I also appreciate that my friends here have the same values and work ethic as I do. BU is where I belong.

I have learned a lot about myself more than anything. I learned that it is possible to get involved with anything you want to as long as you are committed. I learned that the only person who cn help me is myself though there are resources around me, I have to take advantage of them. It has taken me awhile to own up to this and realize it, but I believe that it will help me in the future and in life. I am learning to be independant and finding out who I am, which is more valuable than anything else.

If I could return to being a senior, I would tell myself to apply to a smaller college, and perhaps one with a smaller financial burden. I would explain to myself that the hugh college is difficult, but a medium sized school would probably fit me well. I would sugest to myself that I apply to BC, or Clark. I would also tell myself that my selected major is, so far, pretty good, and to stick to it. I would tell myself that the transition would be easy for me, but difficult for my family, so I should remember to be mindful of them, and to give them a call every so often. Most of all, I would tell myself that I don't have anything to worry about. College sorts itself out, and you find your way; it's just part of growing up.

If I could go back, I would die trying to convince myself that spending time with friends and family is absolutley essential. Coming from Texas up to Massachusetts was an enormous change that I sort of assumed would fly by without my immediate notice. Moving myself in alone with all of my luggage in a dusty, dark dorm room on the 17th floor would have been so much easier with the help of family members and friends. While I got along and was friendly, I didn't spend nearly the amount of time I do now sharing tidbits about my day and my thoughts with my parents. While I can only really go all the way home once a semester, every second I spent there is in the company of my family and previous peers. I now thank my parents daily for their incredible generosity and support towards my education, as well as their unconditional love towards me and my career choice. And if I could go back to relive one day as a high school senior, I would beg myself to not take one second of my life, and that moment, for granted.

Speaking to other high school seniors, I would have told myself that college is the place where you learn the most about yourself and others. This is the place where some of your best friends are made. Also, the word "responsibilities" jumps into my mind and how I have learned how to deal with certain situations by myself and not with the help of my parents. The student must be open to the transition of being responsible for only yourself and your school work. Some advice that I would give myself is that it is okay to make mistakes and take risks now because you will learn what worked for you and what didn't. These events will help you in making future decisions. And most importantly, have fun in college! You only go to this school for most likely four years, make the most of it!

Be prepared to do a lot of reading and staying up late. Most of the courses are very reading intensive and the readings themselves are usually fifteen to twenty pages each. Study hard and get help as early as you can, especially when writing papers. Going to your proffessor's office hours is extremely helpful. There will be courses that you don't like, but you still have to do the work and study to make the grades. Don't forget to get out and do fun stuff to relax. Working out, or hanging out in the common room with the poeple on your floor, going out with friends is a great way to unwind and relieve stress. College food is pretty decent, but it can get old after a while, so explore the restaurant options around campus. Colleges typically have a Student Union where they have different places to get food from. And of course, there's also pizza delivery; just don't forget to eat fairly healthy. Figuring out and knowing the best ways to get around campus helps a bunch too. One of the most important things is, know how to do laundry before you leave home.

I would tell myself to have absolutely no expectations. The first year of college will bring about a completely new lifestyle than you are used to, and you have to go in open to anything. Even though it will take time for you to settle in and really find your group, they will be worth the wait. It will be a hard transition at first, but anything new takes getting used to. Make sure you enjoy yourself along the way, because the time flies by so fast. Most importantly, take this time to get to know yourself. College is the place to discover exactly what you want in life and how to want to live, so try everything and anything you want!

As a senior in highschool the stresses of "the college process" definately took its toll on me. It was not so much wheather or not I was going to get into college, but rather what college. As a freshman in Boston University I would tell my high school self not to worry about getting into an Ivy and forget about the rankings. I would sayn just be happy to get into a college that I really wanted to go to, not one that would look good on paper. As a senior anticipating the college life besides academics, I would say that I had very high hopes and thought all my social troubles would go away. Knowing what I know now I would tell myself to listen to people's advice and their experiences because college is not just one big party all the time. College socially, just as academically, is not easy, especially first semester freshman year. Come to college with an open mind, say hi to everyone, try not to judge people and relax would be the biggest advice I would give my former self and any high school senior.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice on the transition between high school and college, I would tell myself to not be afraid. The difference between these two stages of life is one of the scariest to encounter and it is easy to take a more comfortable approach, like making friends with people similar to your old friends, joining clubs you were part of in high school, choosing a college near home or in a enironment like the one you grew up in. It takes more guts to set those things aside to try things you never had before, or to chose to have new experiences that may frighten you. In the end, you learn more from the things you didn't know before than you do staying in a zone you are comfortable with. College is a time to expand as a person, try things you never have before and to be independent. While these things may be scary, it is important to take that fear that comes along with this transition and harness it into something that will benefit and help you grow as a person which is what college is all about.

Do not worry about getting into your top choice. College is what you make of it, and any place can be perfect for you if you are willing to give it a chance. Work hard to learn how to balance your work with your play or you'll be in big trouble wherever you end up going. Remember, life should always be in balance, or you won't ever be productive. Good luck!

If I could talk to myself as a high school student, I first would have told myself to study hard for tests! But I would also have said to not worry too much if I didn't do amazing my first semester, because it takes a some time to get used to the difference between college and high school. I also would have told myself to make sure I take advantage of what is available to me. There are so many new opportunities in college, and it would be a shame to waste them.

I would advise myself to relax and to keep my head in the present. Before going to college, I thought I had my whole life planned out. I knew who I wanted to marry, what I wanted to major in, what to do as a career, and where I would live. But then, you get to college, and everything changes. At first, this change freaked me out. I thought that questioning all of my plans was a sign of weakness and of impending failure. But finally, in December, I realized that this is what college is all about. College is about growing as a person and forcing you to really look at not what you want, but NEED. I want a boyfriend, but I need love. I want to go to the movies, but I need to get an A on this test. I want to cry in a pillow by myself, but I need my mom. College is the hardest, but most revealing time of your life and when you exit as a survivor, you will be drastically different than the scared, over-zealous freshman you once were. But this is the best kind of change- it's unplanned.

First off, I would prepare myself for the amount of change I would be facing better. I am from an extremely small town, so I expected a bit of change coming to a city as big as Boston. However, I definitely did not expect it to be as hard as it was. Leaving everything I have known for my entire life an coming to a city where I was just a number in a big sea of people took its toll on me. I went through severe homesickness and a lot of stress and tears for the first month. Looking back on this, I would encourage myself to go out and explore Boston and make new friends more than I did. Getting to know my new home early on would have made that first month a lot easier. I would also remind myself that it's okay to miss where I came from. I told myself I would be strong when I left home, and that made me feel worse when I had those weak points when I first came her. I ended up getting over everything and loving BU, but I would have wanted to shorten that long month.

I would tell myself that being social (going to parties, eating out, dating, etc.) is not as important as studying. I made the miskate first semester of putting my social life above studying, and I did not do as well in my classes as I could have. My goal is to go onto medical school, and I would now tell my "high school self" that it is important to stay focused on my goals. It is easy to get distracted and disillusioned by all of the people and new experiences in college, especially living in a new city, but with support, it is also easy to stay on the right track and get to where I want to be. Studying and getting good grades needs to be my priority, and with that in mind, I can succeed!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to value my last months in high school and at home. I would tell myself not to wish my last year and summer away because college would be radically different. I would reassure myself, however, that college is not as radically different from high school as I had thought it was at the time. I would tell myself that as long as I did not procrastinate, I would not fall behind with my work, and that I would find that college classes are not radically different from high school ones. I would also tell myself to get out and get involved within the first few months of school, that failing to do so would result in less friends, and therefore more homesickness. One last thing I would tell myself would be to never change for anyone I met at school, to keep the same morals and values and that over time, I would fall into a nitch at school that suited the true me.

The transition from high school to college is a stressful and electrifying one, where every aspect of one?s life and personality is put into question. There are many tasks necessary to complete and characteristics of colleges to consider and this can be indubitably overwhelming. However, it is important to always consider what one truly wants out of a college, a city, and out of life. Although issues may arise about the expenses, reputation, and opportunities provided by certain colleges, it is imperative to recognize one?s personal abilities and goals. It may be useful to organize a chart containing personal goals, fears, capabilities and inabilities in accordance to different aspects of a specific college such as finance, profession and/or major, social life, and possibly even personal quirks like food or weather. Moreover, it is important to remember to pursue any possible scholarship opportunities. As a college student, there are more than tuition expenses but expenses in food, transportation, social activities etc. The transition to college encompasses more than a change of people and studies but in lifestyle, thus one?s personal desires and capabilities should be the foundation of every step taken in direction toward one?s degree.

The high school senior, in the last month of her grade school career, with hopes of moving on to bigger and better things, ready to leave, and can't wait to graduate. Sounds like a lot of people I knew. Sounds like me. Since middle school, I always dreamed of being independant and going on to college to live the cool life of a hip, young twenty-something. It sounded so seductive. But there I was, the high school senior suddenly realizing in the last month of grade school that this was it! After June ended, that part of my life would be over. It terrified me. I was going through all kinds of mixed emotions of being ready to move on, to feeling the need to remain nostalgic in the high school years. I had constantly thought of the future and never really indulged in the present. The only, and most vital information I could give anyone still in high school is to PLEASE live in the time and place you are in. Yes college is amazing, but the ease and comfort of living at home and being in grade school ends much quicker than you migh anticipate.

I would tell myself not to procrastiinate and not put off classwork to a later date. There is a lot of reading and the longer you put it off the worse it is to complete. I would also remind myselt to learn how to do laundry and have basic cooking skills. It does make things much easlier. Akso, buy lots of socks and underwear. Most importantly, never take yourself too seriously. It is important to learn and experience new things. This is the time to do it and enjoy.

Thinking back to senior year, when the excitement of the approaching departure to college was still fresh, I wonder what I would have done differently to make the transtition into college smoother. Had I been able to look into the future and know what I know now, I would tell myself that (as cliche as it is) to be myself. Talking to people the summer before I left, everyone conversed about what they were going to change about themselves or about how they were going to change their nicknames and other things of the sort. My first week of college and living in my dorm, I tried to deny my humble midwest upbringing. However, I realized that my personality, though too "sweet", is who I am, I trying to act unlike myself 24/7 is both hard and unsatisfying. Though I am far from home, my friends, and my family, I can pride myself in the fact that truly accepting myself and acting the way I like, without caring about judgement from my peers, is the best way to be, as the transition into college depends on knowing who you are and showing that to new friends.