Dartmouth College Top Questions

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

Robert

"Dance for the French girls!" Accept the little opportunities that life brings, and embrace them without fear or embarrassment. During college, I had the chance to visit Madrid, Spain as part of a weeklong conference on social thought. While riding the Metro, our group struck up a conversation with some fellow attendees from France. These young women were fans of Shakira's "Waka Waka," which just happened to be our freshman class song. Naturally, I had fond memories of the choreographed dance that upperclassmen had taught me during orientation. But did I perform it for them, there in public, despite prompting from my fellow students as the song blared overhead? No. It's a decision I regret to this day. We all spend time worrying about what others think, but I should have never let self-conciousness get in the way of a wonderful moment. I should have thrown caution to the winds. I should have danced, not my sake, but for theirs. College is a time for diving in headfirst, for trying new things, for rising to the occasion. Remember that, and you'll be prepared not only for the next semester, but for the rest of your life.

Liza

Dear Liza, First, stop looking at your phone. This letter is more important. Thank you. Now, I want to discuss the last topic you want to think about right now: your college decision process. Namely, I am urging you not to underestimate the importance of visiting a college before you commit to it. I know it's aggravating when many of the financial aid eligible visiting periods are scheduled around the same time (also during the busiest part of your high school career) and you don't have the money to visit colleges on your own. Hear me out anyway. You know this must be a compelling letter if I would locate a time-traveling device just to send it to you. As I write this, you are a college freshman. You are not miserable, but you would be happier if you had actually seen the campus that could be your home for four years. You think you can learn all you need to know about a college by researching it, but you are spending your first weeks of college in a haze of insecurity because of the stark newness of your environment. Please, consider your own comfort. It matters.

Luke

Luke, Please pay attention to the following thoughts as they are intended to have a meaningful and positive impact on your future. Live without regret. The worst thing in the world is to regret decisions, actions, or a lack of action. Part of living without regret means that you need to be aware of the impact your decisions will make on your future. Spend more time thinking about how your academic focus and studies will help you in your professional life after you graduate. Consider majoring in Engineering. It is a very difficult program and you will not be able to have as much of a social life, but in the long run it may help you achieve bigger and better things over the coming decades. I think you will enjoy it because I know your mind works that way, and because Grandpa was an engineer and it would make him proud. Use the first two summers between semesters to do something productive that will better you as a peson and improve your resume. You won't have many skills when you begin, so be happy and willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. Best, Luke

Keandra

Well hello Mr/Ms. Senior Student, You have made it. After all the hard work and dedeciation of four years of learning, you are ready! Though high school is almost complete, life is not. Now it is time to search in your heart about what it is you want to major in as a student in college. Remembering what you do now, reflects your future outcome. Doing what you love will never count as a work day in life. So I encourage you to search for what it is you are most passion about and to stick with it. It has been proven that workers who actually work for what they love, produce better quality and/or work performance. Yes, statistics always tells the advantages and disadvantages of a job, yet having passion will make you successful in almost anything. But while on the verge to success, make use of time and charisma on the way. Stick to your chore values and remaain focus in school at all times and success will be there waiting just for you. Sincerely, Yours

Joshua

Don't sweat the choices. Any choice you make is the right one. You will be fine!

Cristy

Girl. Apply to more scholarships. It's not just about being able to afford school, but also about wanting to do internships off-campus. In Fall of your junior year, you'll have to give up the opportunity to work at Madison Square Garden because you don't have enough money to live in New York for a term. Seriously. Start saving money. Also, you need money to go to London. And trust me, you want to go to London again. It's a sad fact of life, but, a lot depends on money (or lack thereof). That being said, enjoy Freshman year. Get as involved in the theater as possible, and make sure you befriend Carol Dunne so that she'll hire you at her theater (it'll be the best summer of your life). You're gonna go through some changes in what you major in, but, it's all for the best. You probably still want to work for the FBI, but, I'll let you know, that's not what you really want. And that's okay. Dartmouth is the best thing that will ever happen to you. Ever. Don't doubt it for a second.

Charley

If I was able to go back in time to give an advice to my-self is to start studying hard in high school, and study ahead of everybody else. College is almost like high school as, finishing assignment, and be on time to classroom. I know that we have the most difficult time on our speaking and finish our work on time because we doesn’t talk much with people, and some-time didn’t finish our work on time, because we have too much thing to do like home-work from different class. The little me, I advising you to improve you’re lack of speaking in English because it an importance role in college and keep in mind to keep thing in order. So far what I learn from college was memory principles for reading, and processing information from textbooks. They are the thing I want you to learn because it very importance in college to. The best way to success in college was to do your work because in college you are on your own. The entire thing I have told you do them and take action, and success the future, and good luck little one.

Hannah

Dear Hannah (WHS ’11),I know your academic prospects seem pretty bleak. You are frantically finishing a paper for AP English while studying for exams in AP Art History and Physics, all for tomorrow. You cannot imagine how much more challenging college will be.Allow me to offer you some advice. Although you have aversion toward your rigorous high-school schedule, take advantage of it. Use these advanced classes not only for test preparation, but also for general educational value. Develop and perfect your own study methods now, so you will be confident in your learning ability in college. Accustom yourself to focusing and reading efficiently. AP textbooks seem intimidating now, but can you imagine a load that is impossible to read in its entirety? Review your course materials with selective eyes, and remain attentive in class, for your professors will give hints to the most important information. Finally, you deserve quality sleep! With every hour of sleep you lose, your immune system suffers — missing class because of illness is detrimental to the continuity of learning. I know you are a diligent worker and a tenacious student, but please do not forget to preserve your health.Sincerely,Hannah (Dartmouth ’15)

Anneliesse

Since attending college, I have become a truer version of myself. All of my characteristic qualities - independence, sense of humor, athleticism, loyalty - have been augmented. I have found myself a new network of friends and mentors who are continually supportive, and to whome I strive to give my support faithfully. College has provided me with a sense of future security (especially this one) which has come so effortlessly that I have even taken it for granted. The value of college lies in the person I have become, and the person that a college degree allows me to be.

Rose

Many people do not realize it, but college is very vital to one's physical, mental, and spiritual growth. When I was going through high school, I thought I knew everything, and, being at the top of my class, I thought there was no need for me to work hard. However, college has humbled me in so many aspects. I was now with the best of the best. One third of my class were their high school's valedictorians, and nine out of ten were at least in their school's top ten percent. It opened up my eyes to a bigger world. I had been so naive and egocentric in thinking about my life that I did not realize that there were more significant problems than just test scores and prom dates. In college, I learned about discrimination and hunger and this need to right the wrongs. Everyone have made a significant change to the world one way or another. Only now do I realize my immaturity in high school, and how now I must utilize my maturity to address issues that will make a change in not only my life, but my community as well.

Mandy

I've gotten to come into my own as an adult on the other side of the country surrounded by people that I can both relate to and learn an incredible amount from. I've learned new skills like ice skating and rowing and have improved on others like general knowledge and Japanese. I've learned people are people no matter where they're from, and that we're all just trying to live our life.

Nikkita

Dartmouth College has provided me with the opportunity to interact with individuals from different economic, socially and politically backgrounds who I would not have interacted with if I stayed in New York City. I have learned how to be creative in that I am able to create social experiences for myself that are not the mainstream scene of going out to fraternities and sororities and getting drunk. It means more to me than anything that I am forced to take responsible for my own actions and not be able to rely on an adult fighting for me. It is a valuable experience for me to attend Dartmouth College, because I am allowed to be in a place that encourages me to explore every possible aspect of life without the stresses that exists back in New York City. Being in the middle of no where gives me leverage over how I want to run my life and provides me with the proper tools to create myself.

Judith

Confidence. Coming back to school as an adult was scary. I thought it would be difficult to keep up with the kids, and that I would struggle with classes. However, I had great instructors, and they were always very encouraging and willing to help their students. I graduated at the end of 2010 with high honors, and now I feel confident that I will do well at the university.

Michael

Attending Dartmouth has been an incredible experience, and words cannot express how much great things I have gotten out of this instituition. With that said, I most value Dartmouth allowing me to grow as an indivisual through travel. With Dartmouth's help, I have been able to travel to ten different countries, promoting youth educational programs in the global south. Through this experience, I have learned so much about myself, and what I want to accomplish with my life. Becuase of Dartmouth, I have learned the importance of become a global citizin, and that impacting lives in a smaller scale can be just as meaningful as impacting lives in a larger, more coporate scale. Dartmouth has really allowed me be proud of the projects and experiences I am participating in, and has also allowed me to, in all honesty, love myself for the first time in my life Without Dartmouth, I dont think Id be alive today. Dartmouth is an insitiution that has, in more than one way, saved my life.

DeVon

Besides receiving a well-rounded education at Dartmouth College, I have garnered many experiences that have facilitated my personal growth and happiness. Because of Dartmouth’s unique student body and liberal course policies, I am now much more knowledgeable about various worldviews and sciences, proficient in Spanish, and adept in the piano, the acoustic guitar, and the drums. If I achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a legislator, the diverse and intellectual environment of Dartmouth will aid my understanding of complex social issues and my decision-making, especially in terms of balancing the interests of my constituents. Moreover, learning how to speak Spanish by Dartmouth's “in-class and drill method” will assist me in communicating with the public in my home state of Texas, where Hispanics (or Latinos) are the largest minority and continuously increase in numbers. As Dartmouth is an Ivy League and NCAA Division 1 institution, I have competed academically and athletically against the crème of the crop at a college approximately 1,800 miles away from my hometown, which has made me stronger intellectually and psychologically. Lastly, attending Dartmouth has encouraged me to take up musical instruments that will provide me with life-long fulfillment.

James

Dartmouth has continually taught me the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone and challenge what I can do. I came to Hanover over a year ago unsure of who I am as a person. I was nervous and worried as any typical college freshman would be. Luckily, Dartmouth helped me see that I had nothing to be nervous or worried about. Through countless interactions with professors, administration, staff, and, most importantly, peers, I've learned to be confident in the person that I am, regardless of what others may think of me. It has allowed to me stand on my own two feet. This is the most valuabe lesson I have gotten out of Dartmouth: that no matter what I do in life, no matter what I decide to do, as long as I do it with passion and enthusiasm, as long as I am always true to myself, I can't go wrong. Dartmouth has also given me an amazing sense of community. Whether it's running around a 5-story bonfire during Homecome or simply walking across campus in the early morning fog, I feel that I am a part of something larger than myself.

Michael

I have been able to explore academic fields that I did not even know were possible, but more importantly, I have been challenged both academically and by the world around me. The opportunities that I experienced through college--especially my study abroad terms, have been instrumental in my development as a person and has shaped my worldview. I am healthier, happier, more sensitive, more tolerant, and more confident than when I first started.

James

Swimming was a life skill that I lacked before entering colleege. While skiing, rock climbing, and kayaking may not have been life skills that are necessary to survive, they were activities that I had never experienced during the first 18 years of my lifetime. These activities have become some of my favorite passtimes as a student at Dartmouth. Although the college experience necessarily identifies with the fulfillment of academic curiousity, my college experience moreso identifies with a lifestyle that I had never dreamed of living and couldn't even imagine before college. It's a lifestyle that focuses on both mental and physical health and fitness. While I find that these activities are the source of my joy and stability, my GPA is oftentimes the source of my stress. Outside of these activities, I would probably be over stressed; but my experience at Dartmouth has had a dampening effect on such stress, much of this began with Dartmouth's swim test that is required in order to graduate; if it weren't for the swim test, I wouldn't have been forced to explore this life skill and leave my comfort zone, which would have been primarily academic.

Fabienne

As a black female attending an Ivy League college, at first, I must say I felt out of place, uncomfortable, and discriminated against. I never associated with people outside of my race, I didn't feel welcomed in the eyes of others, academically I struggled something fierce for my first 2 years here. Gradually, I became more active and more open, I became less narrow minded, I learned to appreciate the campus, the different people, the different views, and values that made up the diversity of Dartmouth I had failed to see when I first matriculated. As an individual I grew, personally, spiritually, and ofcourse, physically. Academics were crucial and as the years went by, I improved upon my study techniques. I would have to say that it was valuable for me to attend College, specifically Dartmouth because it taught me how to adapt and operate in normal society; that is it taught me how to be welcoming and sensitive to other cultures, races and ethnicities at the same time, learning how to embrace and share my own culture in an intellectual, giving and sharing atmosphere. It taught me how to be a strong, independent, intellectual , worldy, Black, Haitian Woman.

Moriah

I have gotten many valuable things out of my college experience. All the classes I have taken so far have made me a very well rounded individual. I am taking classes to fulfill my Associates of Science in Nursing Degree and many classes I have taken have helped me understand the medical field much better. Going to college has enforced my motivation to become a Registered Nurse greatly. The instructors were wonderful and they always helped me when I had questions. College is challenging, however it will be well worth it in the end. College has taught me how to properly study for tests and how to successfully manage my time.

Sarah

I have received so much from my college experience thus far! As of January 2011 I will be a college student for a year already, and I value all that it has helped me achieve so far and look forward to my on going education. It goes beyond being valuable for me to attend for the simple fact that my mind craves and needs the education like I need oxygen! My education is a promise to myself that I will succeed in becoming the best female firefighter that I can be for my community. The community college that I attend has been such an amazing addition to my person in a growing experience way as well. It has helped me to become my full potential and to see that I will make a difference! The teachers, counslers, and faculty have all done an excellent job in contributing to my future. They have guided me through and have done an awesome job to keep me going the direction I need continue going to make this happen. There are many resources here available to me that I can utilize anytime it is needed. I would recommend this community college to any person!

Julie

While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about plants at Chattahoochee Technical, I would not recommend it for someone pursuing horticultural studies. Some of the teachers are not as good as they good be, and the facilities are very poor. Very little actual work is done with plants. If you wish to study horticulture, look elsewhere! Or at least use this school as a starting point to transfer to a four-year, like I did.

Shiyuan

I no longer see myself set onto one career track, because my college has fully expanded my horizons farther than I ever expected. Coming from a small town and sheltered childhood, it has been exhilirating to get to know all kinds of people from all walks of life and all over the world. Everyone is an ambitious, high achiever in some respect, whether it be on the football field or in a health competition, and being around them has made me want to push my limits. Not only do I want to take maximum advantage of the myriad of opportunities at my college and the web of connections that my college will get me beyond graduation, I want to also deepen my committment and level of success at each and every activity I do. I no longer want to just do activities - I want to become a leader, to possess the power to persuade others toward a common goal, and to pull myself up toward the ranks of the numerous high achievers around me. We all motivate one another to achieve our maximum potential, and that's such a powerful effect.

Andrew

This is the classic New England liberal arts college. My writting has improved trumendously, my thoughts are more structured, I'm more confident, I have made some incredible friends, and I feel at home. Everything I could want from college is here. I would encourage everyone to at least apply and come to Dartmouth during the Dimensions program for accepted students.

Ashley

I begin colleges in the fall but from my other years of education I have learned how to operate in society.

Claudia

I belive that an education helps us expand our knowledge and often at times I see people that didn't have the opportunity and I think what difference could this person have made in our world with an education. We never know who we can become until we educate the mind.

Ayorinde

I have developed deep relationships with brilliant, beautiful people from all around the world and the united states that I am confident will last my whole life, which is the greatest reward from Dartmouth. I have met professors and read their artilcles, books, or novels and discussed their life experiences with them like equals (although we're not). I've been humbled by the superior abilities and work ethic of many of my peers which has forced me to reasses myself, my life, and what really matters in this world. As a consequence of Dartmouth my formerly abysmal social skills are moderatly normal now and I have a healthier perspective on life. The Christian Impact fellowship has been invaluable in keeping me sane as has the local CRC church. I treasure this year especially because I'm worried that I will not get enough financial aid to complete my BA on time. Ironically, Dartmouth has given me more learning, maturation, and enjoyment in this one year than i've had in the past two.

Sandi

I am a go getter and get it done kind of person. I try my best to filter the effects of what people think about me and my goals. I love the thrill of adventures and trying out different new things. I would tell my high school self to disregard the drama and pain that inflicted me and to continue to remain strong; college is the ultimate reward and the waiting and the hard work will be more than compensated for. Instead of abiding by the philosophy of "think before you act", I would tell myself to imbibe the notion "dont think, just do"; otherwise, you will miss out on amazing experiences. It is better to regret, than to never have experienced something. Continue to fight for your beliefs and remain your confident, loving, hard working, and outgoing self; do not let yourself be intimidated no matter what the circumstances are. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed, but make a statement in all sectors of your endeavors: academics, extracurricular activities, and service. Dont let time pass you by and prevent procrastination from becoming one of your vices. Always remeber to remain true to yourself and that nothing is impossible.

Courtnie

Trust yourself. There is so much you don't know about the world and about who you are, but trust that you're a good person, and follow your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, get out of that situation. You're not being dramatic, you're being prudent, and you're being mature. If someone doesn't want you to get yourself out of a sitaution that makes you feel uncomfortable, that person is not your friend. Be assertive. I know you consider yourself a good self-advocate, but look at the list of universities to which you're applying. How many would you be genuinely glad to attend? If you don't know, you need to do research, and not on the internet. Talk to people who will be honest with you. And if you don't like major aspects of the school, take it off the list. There are thousands of others to replace it. Do what will make you happy in the long run. But remember not to hurt anyone in that process. Everyone wants to be helpful. If you don't want that help, the best tool for avoiding hurt is honesty. Luck, Love.

Clark

All of the problems I had my senior year of high school came from my anxiety surrounding the college application process. I applied to twenty schools and convinced myself none of them would accept me. Obviously that's not the case as I am now a freshman at Dartmouth and as I look back I can't help but laugh at the person I was last year. In the back of my mind I counted down the days until my future would be decided. It wasn't until this year, as a freshman working in the admissions office seeing people going through the same anxieties that I did surrounding college, that I realized it's not the school you go to that determines your future but rather what you do at that school. I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my last year without too many responsibilities. Enjoy the time I had left with my friends and my wonderful teachers. Because my high school was so small, I felt like I was leaving a family. I wish I could have enjoyed myself more knowing that in the end it would all work out for the best.

Lauren

College is a wonderful experience. You will learn new things about the world, and more importantly, yourself. Don't worry about getting into the "perfect" school, because it doesn't exist. Take a variety of classes, because you never know what you will find interesting. You can find opportunities anywhere as long as you look for them. Talk to your professors; they are interesting people who have had many amazing life experiences and are more than happy to share their wisdom. Be willing to try new things. Try a new sport, or join a club that you never would have considered before. More importantly, know that you can make good friends anywhere. Be open minded and you will find happiness.

Clark

I would tell myself to go out more often. Being comfortable in a social setting is huge for college.

Mike

I would tell myself to get involved, and to not give up on lost opportunities. I would tell myself to fully engage myself in the chances to try new things and to completely commit myself to things that I feel passionate about. I would also stress the importance of maximizing efficiency to get the most out of my four years.

Robert

Stick with it! 4 years is not so long!

Adam

Focus early and often. Every point counts.

Peter

I would advise myself not to compromise my beliefs or ways of life in order to fit the mold presented to me by my college. I feel that I have changed dramatically as a person over the past year and a half, and as a result I am a much less happy person now than I was before I entered college. Part of this also has to do with the fact that the climate here prevents me from doing some of the activities I loved most in high school, like tennis. This could have been remedied had I found new activities more suitable to this college and its climate at the beginning of my freshman year; however, I did not do so due to social anxieties and the desire to be free from all of the unwanted pressures I felt from the many activities I participated in during high school. While I have friends here I feel like part of my life is missing, and if I had to jump back in time and change my freshman year I would have remained my high school self and gotten more involved in things that I knew I could learn to love.

Kelly

I would tell myself not to be afraid to branch out and try new things. It's the best way to figure out where your passions really lie.

Melanie

Worry about what school you want to attend AFTER you apply to them all and know which you have been accepted to.

Emily

Focus and stick to the plan. Don't second guess yourself. Don't procrastinate, don't make excuses. Just do it. Don't try to justify something to yourself when you know in your heart it is wrong. Don't be afraid. Face the hard things. That that does not kill you, only makes you stronger. Also, don't freaking come to college in a relationship. It's a whole new game out here, and there are new rules. Don't bother trying to beat the system. You're not slick enough for it this time, just do the work and get through it day by day, piece by piece. Don't give into your own demons. Now is more than ever, the time to be strong, to hold your ground, and to know who you are. Don't take opportunities for granted. They will undoubtedly pass you by and you cannot afford that. Older is definitely wiser. Listen and learn, listen and learn. No excuses, just do it.

Kelly

As cliche as it sounds, don't be afraid to be yourself. Explore the opportunities that your school offers, even if it's something you could have never seen yourself doing in high school. You may find that you have passions you never even knew about. Most importantly, try not to let the bumps that you run into hold you back. During my freshman fall especially I tried out and applied for a wide variety of groups and opportunities. Most of the time I would hit a bump. It was upsetting to be rejected and frustrating for me when I was trying to find my place on campus, but I'm so glad that I kept putting myself out there. I've been able to take on leadership roles in various clubs and these experiences have made me more prepared to overcome future bumps in my college path.

Cameron

I would tell myself to rest assured that I made the perfect choice - my school is my home and the means by which I can explore and accomplish my dreams. When you pick your school, make sure that you fall in love with some aspect of it. But no matter where you go, if you have true a passion to direct towards something, you will love your college experience. When I was a senior, I knew that I wanted to study medicine and eventually work for a global health nonprofit. There was so much to explore and so many opportunities that I had never dreamed of to discover - I could not have asked for a better fit or a better first two years. I'm now completing a medical anthropology major and international health policy minor on the way to training to be an infectious disease physician. Had I never taken the time to explore the infinite opportunities found at every school or connect with like-minded students and faculty, I would not be able to say that I am the luckiest student I know.

Peiruo

Only to loosen up and enjoy college life.

Marco

Enjoy yourself

John

Engage the entire college experience with your heart and soul. Throw yourself into it. Don't be afraid to try new things--No, TRY NEW THINGS!!! Because you never discover a secret love of boxing, or mentoring a child, or climbing mountains until you put on the gloves, drive to the local elementary school, or strap on those hiking boots. If you think of all your regrets, 99 percent of them are things you didn't do that you wish you had done. College is the opportunity of a lifetime. Some say "Carpe Diem!". Well I say, "Carpe College!"

Kyle

First off, understand that high school is over, you're no longer liked by everyone. In fact, most of the people that you'll meet will judge you by your appearance and take you to be a bad person. Look presentable at all times until you form a solid reputation as a good person. Once you've done that, show Dartmouth that good people don't have to be upper class, clean-shaven, white men with military cuts. A poor, black guy with tattoos, dreadlocks and facial hair can change the world too. Also Kyle, know that where you've been and where you've come from in life is just as important as where you're going and where you want to be. Don't forget who you are. Don't forget whose you are. Don't let the people of Dartmouth change you. Be open to new things, they'll definitely be thrown at you. But maintain your sense of self, and if anything impose that on other people. Afterall, there aren't many people at Dartmouth who grew up the poor children of a crackhead single mother.

Menghan

Let go and find yourself. Maybe you were typecasted as that shy girl or that meathead guy in highschool, but college is your chance to find your true identity and display your innerself the rest of the world. In college, you will find people who many seem average on the outside, but have accomplished incredible and unique things. But don't be intimidated; you too have done some incredible things, but you just don't realize it. To get into your school, you had to do something special, so don't sell yourself short. At the same time, don't become complacent. College is not a utopia. At it's heart, life's still a rat race, and you still have to fight to get good internships, to learn more challenging material, etc. So work hard, but try to balance work with your social life. Finally, college is all about new experiences and self-cultivation. It's not all about drinking and building up your social life. It's about learning new things that will prepare you for the rest of life. Don't miss out on opportunities to learn more.

Rebecca

I would tell myself that it is okay to go into college without knowing your major. It's even okay to change your major in the middle of college. Don't be afraid to try something new even if everyone else has more experience than you. Pick classes based on the professor, not the title of the class. Don't be afraid to be home sick. Everyone else is too, they just try to hide it. The winter is awful and cold. Just make sure to bring a big coat. Boys were annoying and hard to deal with in high school. They haven't changed that much, don't let them affect your college studies. You'll be doing things you never thought were possible in high school, be thankful that you have been given these opportunities. Oh, and get a passport. You'll be leaving the country for your studies multiple times.

Andrea

Take a year off. I love Dartmouth and everything I've accomplished and learned here, but I feel like I've spent a lot of my time here finding out who I am, and in that sense, wasting many of the opportunities I have been given to develop that further. Coming into college straight out of highschool, I thought I wanted to go into medecine. I packed up my life and moved it to the east coast, arriving with almost no ideas about what I wanted to major in, and no idea how to take responsibility for myself and my life in college. While many of the decisions I made my freshmen year have shaped the person I've become today, I do regret having to go through so much of that discovery process my freshman year. Now, in my junior year, I am just beginning to develop a sense of my future, just beginning to follow my academic and social interests, and just beginning to realize how much more I could have accomplished if I had known more about myself coming in. Many people come out of highschool ready to jump into college life. I needed more time.

thomas

Be open to possibilites and choose a school with both strong academics and a good social dynamic. Basically, look for well-taught classes, knowledgeable professors, and friendly people.

Christopher

Be open to making any friends - you never know who could turn o ut to be your best friend!