College of William and Mary Top Questions

I would advise myself to look for a college with a strong department in the area I wanted to work, rather than going to a school based on its reputation or the beauty of the campus.

The greatest advice to give myself is to know what I want. Although I already knew what I wanted, sometimes with the distraction of the college life and the social pressures that befall all college freshmen, it is imperative to be constantly reminded of what you want. I would remind myself that everything that I do WILL have an effect on me, whether it be physically, emotionally, academically or socially. These things are imporatnt ot consider if I want to follow my dreams. I would remind myself that I am NOT like everyone else and that I am one in a million. My beleifs are what got me this far, therefore it is what will drive me to acheive and complete the dreams that I have been working for since the beginning of my academic career. Everything can be blown away with a single mistake. Above all, it is important to be true to yourself and stand for what you beleive in.

Be water, seriously. Water is a liquid, it adapts to whatever environment you put it in. No matter what expecations you have for college when you get here things will be different than you expect. You will face new challenges that you didn't anticipate and the best thing you can do is adapt. The biggest part of adapting is not freaking out. Realize that while school is important is not the most important thing, you will have setbacks, work can pile up and get stressful, it is okay, it is normal, just relax and do the best you can, do not demand more than that from yourself. There is also a temptation to believe that college is the end all, that somehow now that you are college you will be able to break free and be independent of the parents that are driving you crazy. That is not true. Make sure you do not slam the door at home on the way to college because you will discover you are less independent than you think and your family matters more than what you give them credit for.

Go to the school that gives you the most financial aid because no matter how much you think you like a college or campus, most schools aren't that different in what they provide... that is, a degree. Looking back, the experience is what you make it, no matter where you go. Forget about ranking, follow your gut instinct and take the best offer at a reasonably known school rather than be broke at a place you might not even like that much just for it's name and ranking.

If I could travel back in time and talk to my pre-college version what advice would I give? I imagine the first few minutes would involve a lot of loud and sadly unmanly screaming followed by a brief and equally unmanly struggle to contain my Past Self from running away and wetting himself. Once the crying has ceased, and the shock mixed with mild disappointment at Future Me's lack of Swiss bank accounts and Swiss model girlfriends wears off, I would probably have to explain how in just over a decade time travel will exist yet somehow hoverboards are still nowhere to be seen, go figure. I would try to explain that I am only back to tell him important information about his college future. He would most likely make some derogatory remark about how lame I am, and how much he "really cares" about his future. He always was a bit of a wiseacre. I would tell him to save money and not take out so many student loans. Better yet maybe hold off a few years before committing to a school. Most importantly I would tell him not to worry so much... and change his pants.

If I could go back in time and have a long conversation with myself as a high school senior, I'd tell her to go to community college for the first two years to save money. I'd tell her that saving money is more important than going to a big expenisve college just to be with your friends and have fun. That college isn't all fun and games, and she needs to start now if she's going to have enough to attend. I'd tell her to apply to scholarships every day, no matter how boring it is, and to save all of the money that she can, because college is expensive. I'd tell her to keep doing what she does, and be passionate about her art, because good things will happen. I'd tell her to start her own website now, because it's never to early to get your business started.

Hey Tori, I know the pressure is building up and the need to prove yourself grows stronger every day, but hang in there. You have no idea how far you will go, what you will accomplish and how much William and Mary will shape you into a more confident, stronger woman. Never doubt yourself. The work load will be exponentially more demanding than high school, but you have the tools necessary to succeed. You have already proven yourself by becoming a first generation college student. Be proud of your accomplishments and remember that you have the gift of hard work. Next, do not compare yourself to others. This will probably be the most difficult, since we live in a society where the mark of success is defined by beating those around you. Do not believe this lie. Only focus on bettering yourself. Continue to work hard and take advantage of your top-class education. Finally, the transition will be painstakingly difficult. You will be homesick. Reach out to your hallmates and fellow students, they are here for you. Take the initiative, introduce yourself and show others how worthwhile you are. You will have great friends and create unforgettable memories here.

Don't slack off and think you're taking classes that are easy. And don't be afraid to talk to professors or older students. You have to work hard to get good grades, and the small number of test you take will heavily influence your grades.

Going back to my high school self, I encourage myself and remind me that all the hard work I am putting in is really worth it. I worked extrememly hard in high school to get good grades and test scores-and that has made the transititon to college seamless. I did not struggle at all with the course load, unlike many other college freshman I saw struggle, because in high school I took challenging courses and really applied myself.

Every freshman should know that rainboots are extremely valuable commodities in the 'Burg!

Dont stress out as long as you are doing your best

I have been able to meet many different people who have become life long friends and inspiring teachers who have changed my way of perceiving the world. I am also able to relate to my children better because I am a college student and I have become a better and motivated role model for them. I am eager to learn about interesting topics and how the ideas I learn in college can contribute to making this world a much better and efficient place to live in.

The college experience is difficult to formulate into words as the time spent there is radically different for every student. I thought I had a grasp on who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do until I realized I spent my time in high school strangling creativity in attempt to become the ideal college applicant. College exposed me to quirky people and quixotic courses, like archaeology and mythology, which altered my overall outlook. There is no need to pad resumes with frivilous activites. The experience is advantageous not only for self-discovery and unforeseen opportunities but also freedom from prior influences. The college experience, although expensive, is valuable for the obvious benefit of attaining a degree as well as the necessary vulnerability of being in a wildly unfamiliar place like Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition to creating lifelong friendships, I greatly widened my basis of knowledge. I gained a better understanding of the world's intricacies. I saw struggles and triumph. I felt overwhelmed by the workload and alleviated by the ubiquitous sense of community. My college experience is undeniably life altering and completely worthwhile.

Growing up I have not had the freedom of making my choice since I come from a very conservative family background. I have always relied on people opinions and persuasive attitude. I did not have the time or the right to make my own decision. And, then college happened. The experience I think led me to have a more practical, and analytical mind set. And, of course the sense of responsibility as well as maturity to make decision on behalf of myself without any infulence or supervision from anybody. It also helped me to have the independent mid set that will eventually help me to establish my own personality. It has been a very interesting journey because I am descoverying things I never knew about learn the way applying myself. For the first time in my life I am taking descisions that affect without any pressure or persuation from anybody and that is very thrilling.

I have had a hard first semester at William and Mary, but I am pleased because the college has already prepared me for the professional world. There are many research programs that I am looking foward to inside and outside the campus. School is hard, but the opportunities are definitely worth it.

Going to college definitely was not what I was expecting. There are a few things that I have gotten out of my college experience. One of them is friends. I have met friends that I know will be my friends forever and be in my wedding. I have also learned more about myself. I was able to find out that if I challenge myself I can do anything, even if I think its impossible. This not only applies to my school work but it also applies to my sport that I play at school, swimming. I have also learned a lot in the classroom and I am able to retain the information because what I am learning I am interested in. This school has been valuable to attend because it has helped me challenge myself and make me a better person. I hope in my next two years here, I will continue to grow as a person.

Although the College of William and Mary is known as an university that has a heavy influence on academics, I have received so much more out of my college experience. Not only do I have a rigorous course load with helpful and well-known faculty and staff, but my enrollment at the college has been valuable in ways that has not applied to academics. The college has over 400 student clubs and organizations, which has allowed me to branch out in ways I didn't think a smaller university could possibly offer. I am the Vice-President of the NAACP, President of the Multicultural Ambassadors Council, a member of the fastpitch Softball Club, a campus tour guide, tutor twice a week at the local middle school, and am an Aide to the President of the College. I have been encouraged by both faculty, staff, students, and members of the school's strong alumni base to branch out of my comfort zone and achieve the unthinkable. Before coming to the College I would have never imagined myself to be the person that I am now, and I know that when I leave I will be even greater.

My first year of college has showed and taught me many things that I would have never been able to get growing up in the middle of central Wyoming. One of the best decisions I have ever made was deciding to go to college over 700 miles away. This taught me how how to be an individual and how to grow up. It showed me that I didnt need my two brothers to do everything for me. Growing up I didnt exality have the easiest childhood my father had Multiple Sclerosis ever since I was born and my mother died when I was 12 years old. So I didnt have the easiest childhood but going away to school made me get away from my comfort zone. I had to get out and meet new people, find new friends and become comfortable in a place that I new nothing about. Looking back at some of the connections, memories, and friendships that I have over the past year I would never change anything about it.

I have recently been going to community colleges and not I have decided what I want to do with my education. I want to become a Medical Assistant with Limited X-Ray. I have learned a lot in the past years of attending community college. I learned that I do want to continue on with my education and better my future.

A single year is not much of a “college experience,” but it has been full of a most humbling education. In high school, I was on top: 3.97 gpa; numerous honor societies; officer positions; character awards; varsity sports; etc., nothing was going to stop me. But that was just it—nothing was going to stop me in high school. Nothing was going to make me grow. I was only going to continue sit on the top of a system where I was not the best, nor brightest, but one with potentially the fewest family problems and most free time. In college, however, people with the same story, the same accomplishments, the same potential surrounded me, and I was no longer on top. It realized that it is easy to shine when you are the only light in a room, but no one marks a single light when the whole room is lit. Why should they? Accomplishments do not make people: the experiences do. Do not attempt to outshine, but rather get to know every light—the candle of a history major, the CFL of a scientist, and the skylight of an environmentalist—because friends last longer than plaques.

College has been more than an academic experience that will (hopefully) propel me into the future. Instead, it has provided me with more opportunities than I could ever imagine. It has taught me the meaning of strong relationships, integrity, work ethic, fun beyond my wildest imagination, giving to others, and living out my dreams. As cheesey as it may sound, I have come to realize that anything is possible. When I came in as a freshman, I often wondered what lucky students were the ones who got to address our entire College at events, give tours on campus, serve as Head Residents, run organizations, and most of all, be friends with the President of our College. Today, I've realized that it doesn't take luck - instead, it takes some perserverance and the willingness to try new things. I'm so glad that I've followed my passions, because every day I walk across the yard of the oldest academic building still in use on a college campus (thank you, Tour Guides!), I feel like the luckiest girl to be living out my dreams. And sometimes, just sometimes, I wave to President Reveley on my way to class.

Before my freshman year, I believed that anticipating every possible need by overloading the family car on move-in day with everything from duct tape to freeze-dried ice cream would ensure a smooth transition to college life. Clearly I did not understand how little space a dorm room provides. Naively, I thought that if I had everything I would ever need at my fingertips, then I could easily prepare for any possible obstacle. My first semester produced an immediate change in that mentality. Classes challenged my former standards of success, raising the bar to a new level. Time-management quickly became my mantra as I struggled to balance academics responsibilities, extracurricular involvements, and the beginnings of new friendships. I soon learned that not every obstacle will be expected, nor can it be always be solved with a piece of duct tape or some other material good. Fortunately, the ability to strive for personal best through challenge ultimately strengthens the heart, mind, and soul. Spontaneity improves the college experience. Not everything can be, or even should be, anticipated. Moments spent outside of a scheduled existence oftentimes offer the most unexpectedly, satisfyingly edifying experiences. Therein lies the magic of college life.

I would tell myself to relax and be open to making new friends. I would advise not to try too many clubs, but also to try one club that seems scary, or not like me at all. I would stress being open and not getting stressed out too easily. I would also warn myself about studying for finals, and how to focus and do well, something I only figured out during the last few days of finals. I would probably tell myself about some people at college, which ones are really good friends, and which ones are not how they seem. I would stress the importance of the club Canterbury and the possibility that my roommate could be wierd and hard to get along with. Overall, the most important piece of advice would be to take advantage of new opportunities and experiences that college gives you.

I believe i handled the college application and transition process; however, there is always room for improvement or something to be done better when motivated. I would have told myself as a senior to open my horizons to colleges out of state and try something new. At the College of William and Mary I have met so many people from around the country, even some from other countries and it makes me think of how I should have at least considered other schools. Also I was not very active in searching for scholarships so I would have liked to try harder with getting scholarships rather than worry about them now when I have much more school work than before. Besides that I would like to give myself advice on getting active in clubs. I would have told myself to get more involved in clubs, even if it is out of my comfort zone, it is easier to get involved in these clubs early on in your college life. Besides that advice I would have nothing more to say to high school senior me other than prepare for a great adventure!

All throughout high school, if I felt as though I was the smartest person in a class, I slacked off. Though I received excellent grades, my lazy tendencies began to bring down my GPA. I was so arrogant as to think that I had no real competition that I hardly bothered to put any real effort into my work. I ended up graduating with a high GPA, but for some reason I felt guilty. It wasn't until then that I came to realize that my laziness only ended in disappointment for me and my teachers. If I could go back, I would tell myself to get into gear and put my all into my work. By being too lazy to push myself to my potential, I was inadvertantly disrespecting the teachers whom I had come to respect and love greatly. Coming to college taught me that I will have to work hard to get what I want in the real world and I cannot just expect it to automatically fall into my lap. I have to earn it, through hard work and dedication.

I would tell myself to not be so anxious to move so far away from home. I would also advise myself to transition into the college environment at a school that is not so different from my high school. Unfortunately, I left a small rural environment and a small high school to go far away to a large university. Needless to say, my transition was disastrous. Instead of enjoying my first semester, I felt like a fish out of water and my grades reflected my unhappiness. Nevertheless, I would advise myself to recognize your mistakes and make positive changes, which I did when I transferred to a smaller college after the first half of my first semester.

Being a senior in high school is very easy; we want to rush through our last year in order to be independent and "in college". If I could go back, I would teach myself to develop better work habits. I would enjoy the activities of high school and the ability to have the "safety net" of home, when I had parents and teachers to catch me immediately if I made a mistake. It is also very important in the last years of high school to establish who you are as a person and what your values are, and to set boundaries for yourself. Otherwise it will be very easy for those to be manipulated, or determined by someone else. I also would not have brought so much stuff my freshman year, because most of it you do not use! :)

College is important not only to advance one's career, but also to grow in every aspect of your life. After all, college should be a time of learning, fun, and meeting new people that you would otherwise not know or see without the experience. While acadenics and career enhancement are important, getting involved as much as possible in social activities whether they be clubs, organizations, or the frat/sorority scene. College is all about growing in every aspect of your life should also be apart of the college experience. Such activities teach one valuable skills such as networking and being more sociable in public settings which will be integral in both college and beyond. There are skills not taught in the classroom, but nevertheless are important skills in life, namely having an engaging and outgoing personality that will help an individual in succeeding not just in the classroom, but in life generally. As a result, college is all about learning and retaining life's lessons whether they are studying for that midterm or final or landing that first job post-graduation--namely that you as a person can determine your future and not someone else.

Do not procrastinate! I know in high school that I could get away with waiting until the last minute, but I have more than enough time in college to do work and to study. I would also tell myself to definently be outgoing! I know I was really shy in high school, but college is a great time to bust out of your shell and start over. Don' be afraid to talk with someone new and sit by someone different in class. Also, don't stress about senior year and all the applications. Just work your hardest and try and enjoy youself. College is more than you can imagine, and the freedom is great, but take the time to spend with your family and appreciate how much they love and support you. Don't forget that college is just the beginning and take the time to find yourself.

I?d be willing to bet that right about now your life is an absolute whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and expectations, so here's a small piece advice from a bonafide, experienced collegiate You four years into your future: relax. There will be plenty of time for you to learn the ins and outs and the college ropes. Don't worry, you'll even have a leg up on everyone else, because there's a secret that I guarantee you will make your transition easier, and here it is: Ignore me. Ignore me, and everyone else who is giving you advice. We all mean well, but no matter what we?ve all been through before, your experience is going to be your own. You?re going to do things, meet people and learn new ideas that you?ve never even dreamed about. I?d tell you what they all are, but I don?t want to spoil it for you. The best part about your college experience is that you get to mold it into a wonderfully unique adventure that truly is your own and no one else?s. So go on and simply enjoy the ride of your life.

When I was in high school all I wanted to do was be an artist and go to art school. When I couldn't afford it I was devastasted, but it ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me. I went to a community college and learned about myself. I found out I excelled in more than just art. Now I'm at one of the best schools in the country. Everything has worked out for the best. I wish I would have known that then.

The transition from living at home to being on my own at college was not an easy one for me. I was accustomed to the comfort and cozy nature of my family and was thrust into the foreign and diverse lifestyles of my peers. Like many incoming freshman, my initial reaction was to shy away from differences. In hindsight, one of my biggest regrets from my undergraduate education was doing so. That's why if I could go back in time and give advice, I would drive home the importance of immersing myself in the community around me. In other words, just get involved! Freshman hall counsel. Greek life. Intermural sports. The French club. It doesn't matter! By jumping right into the fire upon getting to school, you will be exposed to unique people that will contribute to your personal growth. I only began to do so later in my undergraduate experience and the perspective I gained truly cultivated me into the person I am today. Instead of avoiding the cultural and other background differences, I learned to embrace them and push myself out of my comfort zone. I only wish I had done so from my first day.

Having finished my first semester with a 3.59 GPA, a little lower than I would have liked, but above the 3.5 standard at most schools for retaining scholarships and avoiding academic probation from honors programs , I have to say that I am satisfied with how I have begun my college journey. I do not have enough information to analyze and critique my position. I have made numerous friends, am on the verge of joining a prestigious fraternity, enjoy my studies, and have not gotten into trouble. If anything, I want to continue doing what I have been doing and when something unfortunate happens, I flunk a test or get into an argument with a friend, I will learn from it. Life is about learning from mistakes, but as cliche as that sounds, I have no desire to go back in time and warn myself to act differently; otherwise, "future me" will not learn anything. If I absolutely had to give myself advice in transitioning, it would be to watch what I eat and exercise more...the freshman fifteen is real, and fifteen is a bit of a stingy estimate.

I do my best work and am most sucessful when I am working toward a specific goal. In high school, I worked extremely hard to get into a good college, and I did well. However, when I got to college, I was completely undecided about my major or career aspirations. I took the advice of others and spent my first few years of school completeing my general courses. But without a specific goal, I floundered. My academic enthusiasm faded and my grades suffered. If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to take the time to decide what I wanted out of college and a future career. I would have deferred school for a year and spent that time considering all my interests and goals. With a clear plan at the beginning, I think my college experience would have been more enjoyable and certainly more sucessful.

The best advice I can give as you prepare for your first year at W&M is this: Don?t be afraid to open yourself up to people who are different even when doing so requires that you venture outside your comfort zone. I know it?s easy to feel insecure in a new environment, amongst people whose beliefs, interests, and backgrounds are unquestionably different from yours. Even so, don?t spend all your time hanging around people from high school because it?s comfortable or getting to know people who are like you because it?s easy. Embrace people who are different, seek them out, and take the time to really get to know them. In doing so, you'll be surprised how much you have in common with these people, how much you can learn from them, and how many of them will become your closest friends. Embrace people from Smithfield, Nepal, Taiwan, and New York, people majoring in neuroscience, Hispanic studies, history, and economics, people with a passion for Jane Austen, nude portraits, lacrosse, and gangster rap. Thanks to these very people, you might just discover that you love Naan, indie rock, and Nelson Mandela.

Now that I have lived one semester as a college freshman, I definitely have a lot of advice for myself as a high school senior. Throughout high school, I was generally taciturn and introverted, traits that would be especially detrimental in a college setting. As I have learned, a significant portion of college is about making connections, meeting new people, and making your own decisions. Therefore, I would advice myself as a high school senior to be more personable and communicative. Having this advice as a high school senior would have definitely eased the transition from high school to college and made it a much smoother one. At present, I am much more extroverted than I have ever been and I'm enjoying myself. This sense of accomplishment is definitely helpin me achieve more in the academic realm of college, as well.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself.... Not to stress out! Most schools are essentially the same, and if you really hate the school you end up at transferring is really not a big deal. Even if you're upset about being weight listed, send in the paper work to stay on the list. It's a huge bummer to get a call saying that you've been accepted.... oh, wait, you never sent in the paperwork so we actually cannot accept you... Pref a dorm close to all of the other freshmen dorms because it makes meeting people SO much easier! Pack duct tape! It can cover up creepy holes in your wall, replace the missing pieces to your shelving unit, hang up posters, and so much more. Establish ground rules with your roommate on day one. It's a lot easier to put stuff out in the open initially instead of doing damage control later (and then maybe you can avoid some really awkward situations ;) Study hard, have fun, and try new things!

I would tell myself to involve myself in more clubs and extracurricular activities. Finding common interests with others is a good way of starting friendships. I would also tell myself not to freak out about grades during the first year. High school work is different from college work. As a result, it is not uncommon for a grades to be less that spectacular freshman year of college. I'd tell myself to continue to do my best work. I'd also tell myself to create a well organized schedule. Merely getting an agenda where I can plan out events has made my life much easier. I don't have to worry about due dates sneaking up on me.

Remember how you felt that night before you started high school? The overactive butterflies, the numerous times you checked your bookbag--notebooks? Check. pens & pencils? Check. Loose leaf paper? Check.--the ridiculously early hour you went to bed, but somehow never... quite... fell asleep? That's how the night before you move into you dorm will be like--minus the bookbag checking, plus checking the packed-to-bursting minivan so many times, it's a wonder the neighbors didn't call the cops at 3AM. But, really, college is like high school--just better. Yes, you will get a sudden bout of homesickness at the most random moments, but, think about it. You're free to do as you choose--an overwhelming thought at the beginning, but something you will definitely long for when you return home during extended breaks. The hardest part of the whole thing is actually getting situated--and, don't worry, that's what orientation is for. The first step to talking to the unknown roommate, getting to know the people on your hall, memorizing the layout to campus--giant steps, yes, but conquerable ones, they are. college? you're going to love it.

Your first year of college is going to be one of the most challenging and rewarding times in your life. You will make new friends the moment you arrive and at the end of that first year, some of those first friends will just be mere acquantainces. That's okay, too, because that first year is all about finding where you belong and who you are as a person. Go in with an open mind and be willing to say "yes" to as many opportunities that you can. Take a long walk around campus by yourself, get to know your professors outside of the classroom, close the books and socialize every once and a while and above all else, open your heart. Allow yourself to love and be loved, allow yourself to say things that you are terrified about saying to another person, allow yourself to live. For if you come to college and just do everything the way you used to, then there is not point. College is the time for personal development and growth, so do not let it pass you by. Take charge!

I would tell myself to not be afraid to step outside my comfort zone, you will be surprised at what you find. There are so many opportunities availible that you should try them all and find things you like that you never knew about before. Make new friends and be open to new experiences because it will help you grow and develop as a person. Also, go beyond the class and take the learning opportunities availible because it will enhance your overall college experience. There are so many activities availible and so many experiences to be had in college that you should never be afraid of the unknown or something new.

Leave high school ready for "new-"-new places, experiences, friends, academics. Don't hold back for fear of disturbing the great thing you had going in high school, because college is the time to expand who you are, and not just what you know. You will be nervous, maybe even afraid. But stretch yourself just a little bit more than what is comfortable to you at first, and you will find amazing opportunities present themselves. It really is all about your attitude.

Even the most conservative college student wishes they could have altered their decisions in the past. College is suppose to be "the greatest time of your life" however, college life is harder that it appears. As a division one athlete the stress of practice, exams, and social events plague my daily routine. Also, given that I am a transfer student to William and Mary from Northwestern, I definitely have more collegiate regrets then most. I would LOVE to go back in time and give myself advice. If I just would have known my present interests, educational pursuits, and dreams I could have made different decisions. If given the chance to go back in a time machine I would have told myself many things. "Do what you love. Don't join clubs for just for resume building (only pursue things that you are passionate about). Boys can be dangerous Wear shower shoes in the dorm. Flu shots are important. Trust what your parents have taught you. You can't sneak beer cans in your pocket. Enjoy the grind." I am a firm believer of the methodology, "Do what you love, and LOVE what you do."

I wish I could have been more prepared for the courseload and living with someone you don't get along with. But I think the hardest thing to adjust to was being so far away from home and my family. It was a very rough transition especially because I got very sick my freshman year. It was difficult going through health problems by myself for the first time. I guess something I could have done would to be more independent before I left that way when I went away it wouldn't have been as big of a transition.

Honestly my transition to college life was fairly simple. My high school prepared me very well for the academic rigor of college and my social skills from high school transferred quite well to the college enviroment. The only thing I would tell myself would be to have more well rounded knowledge from outside of the classroom. In high school I was an athelete as well as a musician and a hard-working student. Doing all of this didn't allow me much free time to focus on learning things outside of what was required for my classes. Rarely did I learn about current events or how the stock exchange works or how global climate change is impacting the economies of the world. At my college all of these things and more are discussed not only in class, where many of my peers already have a solid understanding of several of these extracurricular topics, but also in the social environment and in just talking with friends or even love interests. So if I could go back in time to my high school self I would tell him to try to learn more things outside of my suggested curriculum.

Buy a planner. Keep it with you all the time. Learn to love your planner. If you do not learn to manage your time, you will not be able to succeed. Don't forget to have fun when it's time for fun. Make as many friends as you can in your first few weeks, because that is when people are the most friendly. You have a whole new reputation to build and you'll be living very closely with a lot of people(good and bad), so always be nice and be yourself. Trying to be cool never made anyone cooler. Don't forget to stand up for yourself, but also know that you can't sweat the little stuff. No matter what, do your best and enjoy yourself. Nobody can tell you a C is bad if its your best, and nobody can be just like you. Get involved in activities. Squeeze the juice out of life. College is a rollercoaster; sometimes all you can do is smile and hold on tight.

enjoy high school!! college is incredible, but don't worry about the future so much! it will come :)

Remembering that first drive all the way from Indianapolis, IN to Williamsburg, VA, where I knew all of two people, I'm suprised at the ease of my transition. I came to college with welcoming arms for new friends, an open mind to learn new things both in and out of the classroom, and a strong, possibly naive, faith that everything was going to be great. In the midst of everything, I also stayed true to myself and my goals and followed my instincts even if they went against the advice of others around me. I always made sure to be a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on for new friends as well as keep in touch with the old. Turns out my faith wasn't so ridiculous and the past three years at William and Mary have been filled with wonderful friends, supportive mentors, incredible summer internship opportunities, and loads of fun. I think high school seniors should know that things will be different and they will grow and change over their time at college, but if they have an open mind, a warm heart, and faith that life will turn out right, it will.

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE on papers. And do all the readings before class or at the very least right after class. Also, keep up with music in the on-campus ensembles.

Take Spanish 4! If I had done that my senior year, I would have finished the foreign language requirement for W&M. That is the one thing I regret while here. It is a General Education Requirment that just takes up space in your two semesters you need to complete it in.