Clark University Top Questions

Nate, Don't go to Hobart. You will make a few good friends, but that school is what everyone says it is. There are great academics, and professors, but the attitude of the school is not for you. You know that, don't go there to spite your mother. Think about what's best for you and your future. Clark is a far better school for you. It is a warmer atmosphere and you will have far more fun in the first few days than you had at Hobart. Plus if you go there now, it will be cheaper than transferring, which you're bound to do. When you get to Clark, don't hold yourself back, join an improv comedy group. Go for runs. Make friends and be brave. College will only give you what you choose to get out of it. The same is true for life. You have to take your own goals into your hands. Try hard and never give up, and no matter how bad you fail, you will always be able to pick yourself up and go for your goal. Good luck, Nate P.S. Wash your dishes more often, it's gross.

During high school, I loved reading, writing, and studying in general. I loved talking about books and discussing debates from class even at lunch time or after school ended. I was the only person I knew who enjoyed reading just as much as, if not more than, having fun in typically teenage ways. I loved listening to NPR and relating what I had heard to classwork. When I went to college, I learned tha so many more people with these interests existed. I could mention an article I had heard on the radio and a chorus of people would respons with, "OH! I heard that too!" instead of blank stares. Talking about class reaing wasn't "nerdy." In college, you find things you are passionate about and you are supposed to learn how to relate these things to the larger world. The advice I would give to my high school self would be to keep on being passionate about the world because someday this passion will promote positive change and creativity and also because college is full of intelligent, passionate people.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell her to listen to dad. The idea of a school far may sound wonderful right now, especially one in a place where so much could be going on at any time, but it's not worth it. If I could go back and change my own mind, I would go to a much cheaper school that is still in Maine to complete my undergraduate degree. Save the fancy, big-name school for when you decide to go to graduate school. I wish I could go back and make myself save more money than I spent and worked harder to be able to have money saved up in case of an emergency. I would tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as possible, because even though I got a great financial aid package, it might not be as easy as expected to get the grades necessary to continue it...

I would advise to be more concious of opportunities that pop up to help you understand the world around me. It is more important that you try to make lasting connections with people who truly care about you. Aquiantences are sometimes not worth your time, but true friendships golden and hard to find. Do not miss out on opportunities to explore where you live and where you want to go. Having first-hand experiences in challenging situations is key to building character and street intelligence. If you do not get outside and explore, you will fall behind in life because you will not know how to handle the obsticals of your location and explore its hidden gems. Additionally, it is important to educate yourself about national and global current events and connect them to larger ideas about global systems, policies, economies, and movements that affect the world today. Because young people are often deprived of good political and social education in school, you must reach outward and start conversations about these things. Again, you must connect with others with the goal of forming opinions about political and social topics to learn about systems that dictate how the world runs.

All of the fundamental things to be successful in college are learned in elementary school and perfected in high school; college is where you apply it. It’s where you prove what you are made of. Although I do believe all of the subjects you learn in school are important, the most important things you learn are the skills; time management, self-motivation, study habits, and group work. It is vital to make sure to perfect these skills. Doing so will guarantee you good grades. Not only will you help yourself be successful in college but you will also be preparing yourself for a professional career and for the responsibilities of adulthood. Take advantage of the fact that you have time right now. Experiment with different ways of studying such as flashcards or group study sessions. Try out calendars or planners to plan out your day to make sure you set reminders and meet deadlines, it will definitely avoid the unnecessary stress of procrastination. High school is your time to master skills you will use for the rest of your life.

At that time in my life I would have been working in a clothing store. I would have told myself to sign up for college immediately. I would have pushed myself to learn more about the help I could have recieved to attend college. That continuing my education is the most important thing I can do for my future. Attending college before I have children will be easier than trying to earn a degree with so many distractions. I would not have had to endured so much financial hardship if I had went to college and earned a degree. I would have been able to create the life I have always wanted much sooner and been more self confident in life. I would have said all the things I wish someone would have told me at the time, because I really needed someone to push me in the right direction back then.

Everything works out in the end. Don't worry about something going wrong, everything happens for a reason. There are big things that you will acomplish in your life so don't get hung up on bad things that happen. You don't need a million friends and a crazy social life you just need the friends that will stick by you forever and you do have those. Appreciate you family and learn how to forgive because nobody is perfect. College will be tough in the beginning but you will have the best time of your life. The people you meet here will be some of the best you have ever known. Be strong and stay smart.

The one piece of advice I would give myself in high school is to have fun and cherish all the memories. Once you get to college a lot of pressure gets put on yourself to choose a career path and figure out what you want to do with your life. Althugh college is fun, it can feel like a job of sorts as so much time and effort is put towards studying and doig research. I wish I could of enjoyed high school a little more and joined more clubs because those 4 years go by fast and you want to cherish every minute of it.

When I was a high school, I didn't care much for my future. Being a gay guy in a small town in Western Massachusetts lopped away at my optimism for life early in my youth. I viewed the world in all my naivity from a closet; an allegorical and Platonic cave if you will. My senior year I was named to the MA All-State soccer team, played in an All-Star soccer game that got me recruited to Clark, finished my senior year with a GPA above a 4.0., and yet I can only define how I percieved my life as morose and indifferent. Before I eventually came to Clark, I had no clue what it felt like to feel accepted and worthy of praise. The advice I would give myself would be to take a look beyond the cave and see what the future can offer. Consider all of your options and know that there is another world out there waiting for you because I know you are looking for a new one.

I would explain to myself about how rewarding it feels to work in the medical field. Once I started working in a hospital, I realized that the duties one performs no longer feel like just a simple job. Those duties become a passion; a passion to make the people you take care of feel better than they ever could have without your help. The simple comforts you provide become much more than something simple. They flourish into all the thank you's and appreciations that the patients and patients' families will bestow upon you. At the end of the day, all of that is a just payment in itself. Every work shift matters and will justify all of the hard work that you put forth.

If I could go back in time and provide advice to my high-school self, I would first tell myself to hang in there, stay true to I am, and make it through the last year of high school because Clark University will be the best experience. I will get the chance to meet people who like me for me, and I will be free to be myself without the social pressures of high school. Second, I would advise myself to work on my time-management. In college, classes are tougher, but their are more times to take advantage of that give you the opportunity to get things done and be efficient. I would stress to my high-school self that I need to break the habit of staying up too late to finish things. Instead, I cannot and will not procrastinate, work on things piece by piece from the moment it is assigned, and I will finish all assignments, projects, and studying for tests without cramming at the last minute.

As a high school senior I would advise myself to think hard about the future that I want for myself. I would want myself to consider the cost of attending some of the great schools that I applied to and the amount of loans that I was willing to have to repay when I finished school. I would tell myself to find the school that excites me the most, a school that provides opportunities for me to get invovled on campus in clubs and activities. I would also tell myself to find the school that I would fit in the best at. I would have to consider the location of the school and the opportunities that the location could provide. the last piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be to make sure that the school that I plan to attend has many different classes that I could take so that I could explore every option for a possible future for myself. College should be a fun time and I should not stress about getting it perfect. After I get used to the transition everything will work out the way it should.

Working hard in high school was a priority for me, mainly so that I could get the highest grades possible in order to get accepted into college. Now that I am in college, I realize how important that constant and consistent work ethic is. You have much more freedom in your daily schedule in college, so it is easy and tempting to relax and procrastinate than it was during my very restricted free time during high school. Make yourself a study schedule based around your classes, and stick to it! There is plenty of time to relax, but do your homework and studying consistently following your planned schedule. If your dorm mates make it difficult to avoid temptation, take your work to the library. Be yourself. I am not a partier or a drinker, however in college, you will meet many students who are. Do not be tempted to lower your personal convictions and standards in order to feel accepted by a group which makes you uncomfortable. Even if it takes you a little longer to find friends who stay away from the party scene, it can be done and you feel much better about sticking to your convictions.

Friends and self realization. The people at Clark are generally amazing individuals that prosper as a whole. Everybody I know cares for other people to an extent not seen very much, and acts upon it. They're activists, hippies, rockers, gamers, jocks, anything you can think of, but they're similar in their love for people. Before I came, I didn't consider myself to be anywhere near a lover of people, but Clark changed my entire world around.

My college experience has helped me realize my own ability and agency. Clark has provided me with a grant to do an internship abroad and with the chance to study abroad for two semesters on two continents. I have been involved in research and with faculty. Any project I have been able to conceive of has been realized through the resources available at Clark. My years at Clark transformed me from someone who loved learning but was bored by school into someone who is incredibly engaged in an academic environment and who wants to continue on to a graduate degree. I have made valuable connections with people in the field of international development through my coursework and internships. My time at college has been not only incredibly academically stimulating but also a good preparation for a career.

College was the first time in my life that I had a real core group of friends instead of just casual acquaintances. I figured out how to accept constructive criticism gracefully in class and how to meet deadlines without my parents having to breathe down my neck. I learned that life doesn't grind to a halt just because a boy breaks up with you, that the world is a much bigger place than Manhattan below 14th Street, and that it doesn't matter how many great facilities your college has if you don't take advantage of them.

If I could go back in time, I?d learn better time management skills. College is not the same as high school. College is hard, and it?s hard on many different levels. It?s important not to get swept away by this amazing experience. Be prepared to face the difficulty of putting academics first. Be careful not to abuse new found independence. Remember that along with freedom comes responsibility. Your choices, whatever they may be, also have consequences. If you skip class and don?t turn in assignments on time, your grades will suffer. College professors have heard it all, and they don?t give extra credit or allow you to play ?catch up?. Overloading on difficult or challenging courses first semester is not a good idea. Although you think you may have plenty of free time, this gets filled up quickly with clubs, work, laundry, and socializing. Don?t get too caught up in the partying scene. It?s easy to get carried away and it can lead to careless or reckless decisions. Remember - You ?play?, you pay. It?s true. Have confidence in yourself, make good decisions, work hard and enjoy every moment.

I would tell myself to figure out what i want to become instead of just jumping in. I would inform the younger me to think of all the things my choice requires. Figure out how much i need to pay for the education I require and how I will pay for it. Where will I be living, in a dorm or at home? I would inform myself of all the things that need to be done& that I should ask someone who knows what they are about (eg. school rep, parent, adviser) to help in the things i do not understand.

One of the hardest parts about transitioning to college for me was being away from my family. While most of my friends were eager to get out of the state and begin living independently, I was scared to death. I am very close to my family and had never spent extended periods of time away from them. Although I would only be four hours from home, I knew it would be a challenge and it caused me a lot of distress and anticipation leading up to orientation. If I could talk to myself as a senior, I would not deny that the first several weeks of the semester were hard. I would admit that the day I was dropped off and watched my parents drive away while standing alone on the sidewalk was unbearable. But I would also tell myself that things always get better. Yes, it will be very, very hard at first, but if you can get through that initial shock and sadness, you can get through anything. I would tell myself to stay busy and spend time with friends even when I didn't feel like it, because that is truly the best way to feel better.

Going back to high school, I'd tell myself to not try so hard at trying to succeed or make new friends, because this kept me from acting like the real me, and when the real me finally came out I lost some friends and changed my major. However, by relaxing and being myself I made close friends. I'd also tell myself to do more research on the extracurricular activities that are offered at Clark and have an idea of what I wanted to do, rather than going to the student club fair and writing my name down for 12 clubs, 9 of which I won't attend. Talking more to my academic advisor and mapping out my career path would have made my sophmore year alittle less stressful, as well as visiting career services to find interships and to get started on resumes early would be another piece of advise I'd give myself. Though one of the most important pieces of advise I'd give to my past self would be to not worry about the past or the grades I made in high school, but to instead focus more on the work I'm doing now.

II will tell myself work very hard in my English and Math courses. Relationships with the teachers are very important take the time to build relationship that will last forever.

The people at college are all very different than they are at home. It will be difficult for you to feel at home because to you, home is where all of your best friends are, and all of your best friends are back in New Hampshire. Sure, you'll have some friends at college, but you might only find a couple of people you can truly connect with. Don't fret, and just remember that two really good friends is better than a lot of average friends. At college, you are the underdog. You have to make yourself known in your studies or else your opportunities to discover will be limited. And grades- they aren't as important. As long as you try as hard as you can to do your best, you will be happy with yourself and surely you will be recognized by those who love you for your efforts.

Senior year of high school was a marathon in a whirlwind. Preparing for graduation, playing varsity field hockey, carrying out my role as an officer for many different groups, acting as the lead in the one act play, re-taking the SATs, and sending out college applications on top of all of this made my senior year of high school, by far, the craziest and most stress inducing school year ever. Looking back on it, I wish I had taken a second to breathe and simply enjoy life. It felt like every day was filled with some commitment or another. When spring finally came and I began to hear back from colleges I realized my hard work had finally paid off but I also felt a small twinge of sadness about leaving my high school, my friends, and what my life had been the past 18 years. If I were able to turn back time I would have told myself not to get caught up in all the stress and anxiety involved with applying to a dozen schools but to breathe and realize that everything will turn out okay.

I would tell my high school senior self that college is not the end of the journey; it is only a fabulous beginning. I would remind myself that the majority of the stress and pressure leading up to getting accepted into college is really unnecessary. We begin thinking about honors courses, SATs, and choosing community service not for the sake of helping others but how it will look on our resumes as early as sophomore year in high school. College is not the final destination. In fact, I would explain that as I have progressed through college many of my future plans changed after taking different courses, meeting students from all over the world, and interacting with a variety of professors. In going from Maine to Worcester, Massachusetts, my world expanded in ways I would not have imagined in high school. Essentially, I would want my high school senior self to realize that college is just the first phase in discovering yourself. It is not solely about academics, but rather about finding a balance, learning to live on your own, and most of all, uncovering your voice.

I would tell myself to relax but at the same time work harder. As a high school senior I slacked off slightly while also raising my blood pressure with all the worrying I did. I would have told myself that this time in my life would be the most stressful and that after high school was over there would be less, for me personally, to worry about. Another thing I would have told myself to is just enjoy the last year of, what seems to be, childhood. Primary and secondary school are the markings of your childhood and there is a bittersweet feeling to graduating. I would have told myself to just breathe and appreciate that time in my life while still working hard.

The main advice I would give myself would be: relax, and don't worry. I was so nervous about making the transition to college, but now I feel like I should've relaxed more. I have met people that I know will be friends for the rest of my life. If I could go back I would simply reassure myself that I would be fine, and that I can do anything I set my mind to. I would also tell myself to be more outgoing and less reserved when first meeting new people. I feel like I might have a larger group of friends right now if I hadn't worried so much about what people thought of me at first and just put myself out there. I think it all comes down to simply being yourself and finding people that can accept you for who you are and support you in all of your endeavors.

I would tell myself that it's important to find friends that aren't going to pressure you to do things you don't want to. And that the social scene is a lot different then you would expect. I would also tell myself that it's important to go in with confidence and not be afraid to try new things. Academically I would tell myself that I should never study in my room because I don't get things done that way, and I should manage my time better.

I would tell myself to not think I will do as well as I did in high school with the effort that I gave during high school. I needed to learn how to study which I never had to do during high school and was hard to pick up on during college. I would also tell myself to not push yourself into a career unless you really feel like it is a good place to be. I would also remind myself to have fun during college.

If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would urge myself to put more focus on how I felt about a college. I spent so long looking at colleges with huge names that I could never get into, and had never even visited. Because of this "strategy", I wasn't accepted into any colleges I was interested to, and decided to take a gap year to put my priorities in check. After my gap year, I approached my college application process by thinking about what I was looking for in a college instead of gambling to see which prestigious college might accidentally accept me. I ended up loving Clark for its community and my desire to be in Massachusetts. Instead of looking at average statistics (my GPA was a little lower, and my SAT a little higher), I applied to a place where I thought I'd be happy. I feel like I was not accepted because I was a matching number, but because it was a good fit for me. I realize now that if you fit at a school, you'll feel it, and that's something you can't fake.

I would advise myself to stop stressing about the unknowns of college life and enjoy senior year. Instead of dreading going on college visits I should have researched colleges a little more and focused on my interests instead of the prestige of the schools. While college is completely different from high school, it is a positive change and one that I think many people fear because it is a huge life change. Not only are you moving, but generally moving without friends or family close by. I would tell myself not to worry about losing friends in the transition to college but to look forword to making new relationships and forming new views on how to live my life. In college you do loose contact with many of your high school friends, but the ones you do keep in contact with are the ones that will remain in your life. In a way, going to college reveals who your true friends are and what type of people you like to surround yourself with. The transition to college was extremely stressful but I am truly happy and wish I had spent less time worrying and more time excited for the change.

I would tell myself to be more independent and to not be one of those peole who needs a friend to join a group or club. I missed out on opportunities my freshman year because I didn't feel comfortable going out on a limb and doing things by myself.

Be open to new people and new ideas. Keep challenging yourself to succeed and do the best you can. I would also tell myself to be part of clubs and organizations, especially those of interest. Networking is a big part of succeeded in college and meeting the right people who will help you.

I would have made the decision to have applied to more colleges and universities and really looked at what I wanted for a social scene. Looking back I have decided I wish I went to a university that had fraternities and sororities because I wish I could have that sisterly bond with a houseful of girls. Also I wish I looked at schools all over the globe. I wish I possibly attended a university abroad so I could become more cultured. Going to school only an hour from home I feel like I am not getting an experience where I can learn about a different culture.

Make sure you like the location of the school. The surrounding area can matter a lot especially when attending a smaller school. Pay attention to how safe you feel. See if you can get in contact with a student who attends but isn't one of the tour guides. You can then ask them deeper questions and they won't give trained answers.

Don't stress over finding the perfect school. I am attending a school i never dreamed of applying too, yet i will never regret my decision to attend. No matter what school you go to, if you keep an open mind and work hard, you will enjoy yourself. Look for a school with the program you want, but with other options as well. Once you get to school, make friends with everyone and soon school will feel like home. Find the balance between academics and social life and everything will be fine.

Have a clear idea of the school you want to attend, and do your research!! Visit enough schools until you find the one that clicks, because in the end, it will.

I think letting the kids make most of the decisions seemed to work out pretty well with my situation. I was definitely lucky to find the right place, however. I think also try to not put too much pressure on the student because they are already experiencing a lot. I know you have to remind your kids to do stuff, but do it politely.

I believe that a student must be true to him/herself. When parents and students begin the process of finding the right school, the ideas of what a parent wants may differ from what the student is thinking about. Of course, the experience and emotional and financial support of parents is important, but a student must find the college that fits. Attending the college that a parent wants may work out fine, but not always. The student has to decide what is important to him/her: What do I want to study? Where do my interests lie? Do I want to stay close to home or travel across the country? Would I like to try living in a city? Would I like to live in a small town? College is the time for a student to find him/herself. It is a time to mature, to become independent and self sufficient. It is important to visit college campuses and to ask questions. Find out if the college offers what you would like to explore. Make sure that there are many ways for you to experience life, such as internships, foreign travel and community service projects.

Always tour the college or university. If you don't like the fit, then you won't when you go to live there. Put your financial aid in on time, or else you'll regret it. Even if you think you want a big college coming from a small high school, look at everything!

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find one thatis strong in absolutely everything you think you might be interested in. because if you go somewhere and it's missing something you decide you want to do you either have to leave the school you've become acustomed to or give up on an ambition.

Visit the campus and if it's right you will have the feeling that it's where you belong

You have to pay attention to more then the statistics on education. Pick a place that has an environment or an attitude that fits with your personality. Also be sure to take internships while you are still enrolled, it's just about impossible to find a company that will take on interns who are not crrently enrolled in school.

make sure the administration is not dysfuntional like at my school- ask the studnts- not the tour guides- try to find diegruntled kids and ask why they are so- it may be valid

I would tell students and parents to visit schools before choosing one and to pick the school that feels right to them. Research the types of students and activities available, and research professors and their work to see if you have any interests that match up, even if you aren't yet sure what your major is going to be. These are the people you are going to be working with and socializing with for a few years, so make sure you are going to feel comfortable at this school. Once you begin college, know that you will need to find a balance between friends, activities, and school work. Remember why you wanted to go to college in the first place and study what you want to study because you now have the ability to choose to learn about something you're interested in. However, do keep a career path in mind because that is the reality once you graduate. Mainly, I would tell students that school work is stressful enough, so the key is sorting out your priorites while still having fun and taking advantage of all the resources available to someone at a university!

Try something new. That's what college is really about - opening your eyes to new experiences. If you don't at least try, you probably aren't taking full advantage of what's going on around you, and you will likely be unhappy with staying there. The friends you make and the successes along the way are your own perogative, so get out there and just do it! For parents - let up on the leash. More and more nowadays, I'm seeing parents that want so badly to be the "helicopter parent" and be there every moment, even if it's "just a phone call". Your child can only fly if you allow them the space to spread their wings.

Do not stress too much over the reputation of the school! Focus more on the programs that interest you (and your child) and the type of environment of the schools you are choosing between. Remember, you will not only be going to school there, but you will be LIVING there for nine months out of the year for about four years. The schools' admissions process works so that they are able to choose the students best suited for their schools; they have your interest in mind too. If you don't get in somewhere, just think of it as a blessing because if you had gotten in, you probably would have hated it there anyway. The right school for you will accept you! You will just have to make the choice between all those that do. Know what you want, and go for it. Good luck!

There's the sentiment out there that every college is the same and you'll find the same sorts of people everywhere you go. Depending on who you are, or what you're looking for, that might be so. But if you're looking for something different, like a campus with an activism scene, that's very hard to gauge by just visiting. Go with your gut, but understand that it's very hit or miss and the chances are that you'll be disappointed. Above all don't forget that academics, your education, should be your top priority - even if you don't find what you were looking for in your college experience you'll have that education for the rest of your life. How accepting or positive the student body is or what social scene is like,can make your experience more memorable, but don't matter. Those are things that you can change also.

Spend a lot of time there to make sure its the place for you

Finding the right college is an important process, but at the same time, it should be a fun one. If the decision process is ever too stressful, you need to take a second to relax. It is important to make sure that you can be happy at the school you choose. When you visit, get a feel for what it would be like to be a student there. Have some of the cafeteria food. The school has to be the right fit for you. If you find that you get a great feeling about a school while you're there, if it feels like a place you can spend four years of your life, go for it. College is so much more than the classes you take. Do not be the person who spends all their time studying. Studies are important, but a social life is too. It is a great place to explore your interests, learn new skills, and forge lasting friendships. Get involved in any way that interests you. Explore the area beyond your campus. A successful college experience is one that lets you graduate with the sense that you truly lived and experienced all that you could.