Duquesne University Top Questions

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

jasel

Wow, well I would certainly tell myself a lot of things. I would definitely tell myself to stay focused and get work finished early. I would also tell myself to apply for many scholarships. Lastly I would tell myself that going off to college will be the best but most challenging years of your life. The transition will be easy but the work load and trying to balance a real job with school is the most difficult part!

Crystal

While high school tries to ready you for the adventures and perils of college, please be prepared that college is everything and nothing you expected. While you may predict the difficulty of classes, the degree of home-sickness, and the ungodly emphasis on drinking, there is much that will surprise you. First, friendships take longer to form than the first few weeks of school. Friends that stick closer than a brother may develop after years of hard-work, investment, and sacrifice and that is ok and natural. Secondly, there are two kinds of students in college—well there are more, but only two you need to worry about—students that want to pass the class and students that genuinely want to learn. It is time for you to develop a passion for learning and not just passing, because it is these students who will change the world. Finally, life will not always go the way you picture—an important life lesson to learn early. During school a death, a sickness, a divorce, a breakup, or any unpredicted struggle will come your way and may change your life goals and dreams. Do not be overcome, but grow, press-on, and thrive.

Marguerite

Dear Marguerite, As the time comes for you to leave your little town and venture out into the world there is something I want you to always remember. Be brave and trust yourself. You've always known who you are but don't be afraird to expand on that, to explore yourself. You are going to make mistakes but you will never learn anything if you keep holding onto the fear of change. Make sacrafices. You won't always get to go out with your friends so thoroughly enjoy the times that you do. Never forget to make time for those friends of yours because they will be there for you in some of the most trying times you never saw coming. And when you have to study (and you know they should too) don't be afraid to encourage them to evolve and grow. Hold them to their own standards. And last but not least, remember this is all a lesson. It's more than the test scores, presentations, and projects. This is about you. Learn, grow, enjoy, and experience because you'll never get an opportunity like this again. Love, Marguerite

Jordan

You're entering college... I know you've faced many trials getting here, but Jordan, I believe in you...Know this, everything you do from this point on, make sure it’s done with a purpose. You're going to make mistakes, make friends, overload, fall in love, deal with ignorance, and question your entire belief system. However, I know you won't for second lose your resolve or forget why you’re in college. Don’t focus on your life in high school whether it be negative or positive. Figure out what your mark in college is going to be and figure out with whom you’re going to make it. This life is short and at times it can be unforgiving, but you know that already...Listen a lot of people in college won't understand the circumstances you come from or the experiences you've had, but that’s ok...Let all those things motivate you more and more! So you never forget your ambitions… Because the road isn't always clear, but I swear to you Jordan, if you stay true to who you are and what’s got you here, there’s no limit.

jacqueline

I would tell myself: "Apply early, apply for more than one school, and don't enlist in the Navy. Make the choices that are in your own best interest. Focus on your future and get plenty of sleep. Most important, wait one year before joining a sorority in college, it's totally different from the movies. It will get you into more trouble than you need. Study hard and get to class on time. You won't win all your battles, but you'll eventually win the war."

Youstina

In high school , I was a very hard working student that likes to put forth her best effort and performance. As a result, I was able to maintain a 4.25 G.P.A throughout my high school years. Therefore, If I could go back to being a high school senior, I would not change any of my high school academic pursuits. Since high school, I was careful to maintain a balance in my day providing a specified amount of time for each of my activities. As a result, I would advice myself to maintain both the academic rigor and the daily balance as both are very important aspects of success both in college and in daily life. Also, I would advice myself to avoid the constant fear that emerges during the first week of college. Instead, I would advice myself to be courageous and tell myself that I would perform greatly as long as I work hard and be presistent. I would also ask myself to maintain my organized weekly schedule scheduling important weekly events as it is extremely necessary in college to maintain self-preparation and organization to ensure academic success.

MEGAN

When deciding where I wanted to go for college, I made silly decisions based on friends and my relationship. If I could go back, I'd have chosen to go somewhere I could play lacrosse, save money, and still make friends with people similar to me. When I began college, I let others mold me into who they wanted me to be. I ended up a victim of mental and physical abuse, which caused me to transfer colleges. Now, I'm a strong woman and stand up for myself as soon as I see signs that someone is trying to hurt or change me. Looking back now, being the woman I've grown up to be, I wouldn't have waited until my sophomore year of college to stand up to a boy. Instead, I would have fought back the moment he raised his voice, tossed me around, or dragged me by my hair. I think thats the most important thing about transitioning into college: knowing who you are and not letting anyone treat you or tell you differently. Staying true to who you are is the hardest (and most rewarding) part of the college experience.

Amanda

If I were able to give advice to myself at age 18, I would not do it. First of all, there is no advice that I would have heeded at age 18. I was stubborn, clever, and too proud to admit that anyone could know more than myself. More importantly, I am only successful now because of all of the things that I screwed up then. I had to learn the consequences of not paying attention to the money that I spent before I could appreciate the need to stick to a budget. I cared more about how impressive my career sounded to other people, than how I wanted to spend my days. Now that I am returning to school for my second degree, I have no doubts about my career path. This confidence was given to me by my 18 year old self who chose completely wrong things for our life. I could tell myself to work harder and get better grades, but because she partied and had a social life I have another dimension of experiences. I have made mistakes in the last 10 years, but I have no regrets.

Tristan

I don’t believe in telling people what to do unless I’ve done it myself. Even to, well, myself. I could tell you what I've discovered, but you won’t see it like I do. I can tell you what to be, but it won’t mean much to you right now. For you to truly know what you want you have to discover it yourself. What I will tell you is not to go college right away; you need more time to find a passion. See the world, learn more of it, and experience cultures. You should still join the military to get close to what is real in the world, and to know how bad it can be. If you realize you are ready for college, you'll do well. We can’t help to do it right. I won’t tell you not to stress out either because it works for us. Find a love and don’t worry if you lose her. You'll take what you need from her to keep going. For how to find her, nothing’s changed, I still don’t really know. For that, you’re on your own.

Kellsie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would heavily advise myself to go into college confidently. I was very timid in high school and it didn't exactly disappear once I made it to the college institution. As such, I did not make many friends- or rather, I had many opportunities to make friends but was to meek to actually follow through on them. This is not to say that I am not happy, however I rarely feel like I belong with my class. The grades are not an issue, though I have very little social life. I think the best advise I could give myself and anyone going into college is that everyone is coming in as a blank slate. Just as all your high school friends are going somewhere else, so are thier's, and maybe all they need is that friendly smile and wave to be exactly what you need. Be confident and be friendly and you'll be surrounded by good people in no time. You hear that, me?

Bianca

I know you are very excited about starting college. But just remember to not burn yourself out with all the things you want to accomplish. You have 4 whole years ahead of you to accomplish all your goals. Take your time do not rush and do not panic. Remember to take time out for yourself to do absolutely nothing, just relax and enjoy that moment. Try your best to live in the moment, with so much going on around you I know it's hard. But trust me you will appreciate it. Also never let someone tell things will never be as you plan them to be. When you have a Plan A and Plan B, one of them will happen. Trust me I know. Believe it or not the steps in your plan are actually falling right into place.

Jessica

The main advice I would give myself is to apply for more scholarships before you graduate highschool. There are so many out there for highschool seniors. Instead, I am sitting here as a collgee freshman trying to keep up with my coursework and pay for college which is not the easiest thing to do. Apply ahead of time. Don't burden your family with financial debt because you want your senior year in highschool to be easy and enjoyable. We all know you will have free time. Use it wisely!

ashley

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior, there is alot of advice I would have given myself. First, I would have told myself to apply for as many scholarships that I could. Knowing now what I have to pay back in student loans already that is one regret that I have is not taking the time to do that. Another big thing is to take more time to study and not worry about personal life.

Ashley

Don't waste your time on music education and start off with a music technology degree. This way you can graduate in 4 years NOT 5 becasue of transfering/working on the side.

Chloe

START EARLY. There is no way of knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life right now, and the people who tell you they do are just plain lying. But it doesn't hurt to explore. Figure out the basic things you want in a college and start your search as early as possible. Everything will work out for the best so don't start stressing your freshman year about what college to apply to, just don't wait until the end of junior year either. It all happens for a reason though. And always remember who you are and where you came from.

Alexis

You want a small, libreral-arts or technical visual media school. You want other creative-minded people. The people are Duquesne are not the type of people you want to go to school with. Look at more schools. Find the one that suits you, not the one that gives you the most money.

Sarah

I would tell myself to get involved in all of the clubs and organizations right away, and to take advantage of any and all opportunities provided. Clubs and organizations are a great way to make friends who share common interests and to become more familiar with your school. I did not get very involved in school programs until my sophomore year, and I made a lot more friends, and got more out of my education the more involved I became. Also, opportunities do not last forever. I had the chance to go to Africa for a month out of the summer to study medicine in third world countries and then go on a safari. It was a costly trip and I put it off too long; the school no longer does that trip. Lastly, I would tell myself to never be afraid to ask for help. College classes are difficult and at times it can be very stressful. There are many resources here that can really help you transition from high school level work to college level work. There is nothing shameful about getting a tutor for a class or asking a teacher for extra help.

Victoria

Listen up! I’m only going to say this once: I’m you from the future. It’s a little freaky but deal with it. I can’t tell you what path you’re going to go down (it would interrupt this whole space-time paradox we have going on here), but I can tell you that if you just stick to your heart, love every second of your life and stop caring about what people think about you, in 2 years, you will be the happiest person you’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Take a second to breathe, retreat and meditate because college’s fast pace changes your entire life. It flips things in perspectives you thought were nearly impossible – don’t worry, you’ll like whatever outcome it throws at you. Do what makes you happy and don’t let anyone stop you, not your family, not your friends – no one. Deep trusts will fail but in that dark shadow of betrayal, other relations shine brighter than before. Stay true to yourself; true ties will follow. Also, your girlfriends breaks up with you; deep down it's not true love. You find someone better.

Juliane

Dear High School Me, Dump your boyfriend. Save your money. Don't study on Fridays when the rest of your friends are going to the movies or a party downtown. Get to know your roommate, you may need her to be there for you one day. Be yourself and don't try to fit into a crowd that you don't belong--just focus on you! You only have four years to enjoy your life before the real-world will get in the way, so enjoy yourself. Some of the people you meet today will become your best friends. Just get out there and talk to someone! The next four years are going to go faster than you will ever be able to imagine. So, cherish every moment you have and remember: "If you aren't worth his time, then he isn't worth yours!" Good luck! Love, Me

Bethany

I would remind myself to work harder when it came to applying for scholarships. Although my school is on the smaller side, it is still rather expensive and our financial aid office isn't the most helpful when looking for outside scholarships. Applying for scholarships in high school was quite a bit easier; while in college, you have to balance your schoolwork, your social life, and your job, which makes writing essays for scholarships hard to fit in.

Marissa

Be more out-going. There are going to be friends that come and go, so as long as you continue to meet new friends and seek new activities and clubs in order to make those friends, you will be OK. However, you don't need to drink to meet new people. In fact, drinking never produces good friends, so look else where. Also, don't spend so much money on honor societies! If they don't actually require service work, it's a waste of money unless you're just looking for word to put on your resume. But I don't recommend that because it doesn't make the most of your college career. Spend more time in activites that relate to your field and try to be the BEST THAT YOU CAN BE IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. Sounds cliche, but when you are done you will wish that you tried a little harder and made a better impression. As they say in sports, leave it all on the field. Leave it all on the campus.

Samantha

The advice I would give myself would be to not be so scared of the college atmosphere. It's hard knowing you're so far away from home, but all of the students are going through the same thing. I would tell myself to make sure to put myself out there and meet as many people as possible because you never know who's going to turn into your best friend. I would tell myself not to turn down opportunities. College is a time of change and transition into the real world, and it's important to try to get as much experience as possible, so you are the most ready for what's to come in life. I would make sure to stay focused on my studies and not fall behind, and just try to be as active as possible in the college environment because it will help in the long run. All in all, college is about finding out who you are and who you want to be, so don't be afraid to experience life.

Brittney

I always knew college would be different from high school, but I didn't realize how much of a transition it would be until I was finally there. Of course, the first advice I would give to myself is to never give up, even if everything seems impossible at that moment. Staying on top of your homework is another big one, along with attending every class session. From my experience, missing a day in college is like skipping four chapters in a book; so much can happen and you wouldn't even know it. If you're ever confused about something, don't just assume you'll figure it out on your own; go ask the professor for help. College isn't a social party; when you're in class, be sure to pay attention instead of texting or talking to the person next to you. The last thing would be to always be confident in what you're doing; thinking negative while studying or asking a question in class will only make your mind less likely to learn, because you're too busy thinking about how other people are judging you at that very moment.

Juliann

If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self about what to expect in college I would begin with, "Julie don't stress yourself out so much." As a highschool senior I was both extremely anxious and stressed at the thought of attending college. I would also tell my highschool senior self, not to even attempt to take early morning classes. I don't understand why I am so lazy and zombie like when I get up in the morning for classes in college, but I was always energized when I had to wake up at 6 am to go to high school in the morning. Lastly I would tell my highschool self not to worry so much about how i am going to meet new people, just be myself and don't pack your entire life in 5 suitcases because lugging that junk from California to Pennsylvania each summer is a hard task and annoying.

Diondre

I have got a lot out of my college experience. First college has taught me to multi task because I have school work to do and also football to play. I have to manage my grades and sports which means I have to do well on and off the field. Second, college has taught me how to live on my own when my parents are not around. I learned how to wash clothes and cook some things. College has been valuable to attend because I get to further my education. Since I am going to college I will be the first person in my family to go to college. This means a lot to me and my family because I am starting something that for now on will be expected. My brothers and sisters are going to follow in my foot steps. This is what I got out of my college experience and why it has been valuable to attend.

Nicholas

So far my college experience has provided me with valuable experience in that it makes me understand the importance and commitment necessary in life. What I mean by this is that by college most students, myself included, face the realization that they now are not only going to school but also taking out multi-thousand dollar loans to pay for that schooling, and there is no harsher reality than realizing you better start taking school serious because you have some real money to pay back. I think that is the reason it has been so valuable to attend becuase it takes a realization like that to make some people realize that your life in college is full of responsibility while also being one of those rare times in your adult life when you can try to have as much fun as possible.

Jessica

The most valuable lesson I gained in college is self-reliance. Most students gain independence in their first year of college, but I find the term self-reliance to be very different: Independence is an unearned gift, whereas self-reliance is an acquired quality. I studied Emerson's essay “Self-Reliance” in high school, but only now am I beginning to truly understand it. Self-reliance is the ability to trust in one's self and knowledge despite what others do or say. As a Physician Assistant major, my professors have told me to prepare for a long, grueling road ahead. Although I did well in high school, this statement intimidated me; however, I learned that self-reliance is key to overcoming this fear and achieving success. Flipping through the pages of Biology I had to study was overwhelming and frustrating, particularly as I heard laughter from the hallway; however, I ignored the distraction and focused on my work. While the average score on that first exam was a D, I earned an A. I concentrated on my studies and trusted the knowledge I attained. Self-reliance is a valuable quality I am sure to carry throughout school and life.

John

I have learned to be myself at college. Theres a lot of people and you cant please them all so might as well be yourself and do what you love in everything you do. Ive just learned to relax and enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Amanda

I learned that responsibility deadlines and motivation are the most important during the college experience. To me it is very important to attend my classes not only for attendance but so i won't miss out on important information given during that day only. My motivation is what will guide me to finish what I have started, the outcome of the stuggles and difficult times is what I look forward to in my college experience.

Emiley

So far I have gotten so much out of my college experience. I have become much more independent and self-sufficient. I have learned that depending on other people, espeically for group work, is not the best idea so I always make sure to do my part. I have gained a greater appreciation for people who work and go to school full time because it is very challenging but builds character. I find that this has been a valuable experience because I have been able to do community service projects in the different commmunities of Pittsburgh with my student groups. People truly appreciate the smallests acts of kindness and I am learning more and more how important it is to give back. I realize now that not all people are able to attend college let alone get a high school diploma so I have learned that it is important to do my best with my schooling so that I can be the best nurse possible when I graduate in order to give back to the community.

Damian

Attending college has opened new opportunities in life for me. I was able to interact with students from over fifty different countries in the world. So, it was not just academic knowledge, I learned a lot about other people's culture. We can be different, yet we share the same basic needs as human beings. We want to be loved and also to love back and to be treated with respect. Today, I am a minister (a Pastor of a Church in the USA). We have people from various ethnic backgrounds. My college experience has helped me in relating to my congregation. I see goodnesss in each person and it is my respondibility to help nurture it. Moreover, I agree with the Indian Philosopher, Mahatma Ghandi, that we ought to be the change we want to see in the world. There a a lot of vulnerable youths in our Church. All they need is good mentors and encouragement to get ahead in life. I had such mentors growing up, especially in college. So I am actually giving back to society what I recieved . I want to pursue a graduate degree in social work.

Nicole

I have learned that time management is very important if you want to get the grades and reach your goal in life. It's not going to be easy and schoolwork take up most of your time if you're really putting some effort into it but if you have a goal in mind and you're willing to do anything possible to get it then putting in all of the work and time necessary will be worth it in the end. I've learned that attending Duquesne can lead to a lot of opportunities because people who know about Duquesne know just how prestigeous of a school it is and it is impressive to say I graduated from Duquesne University.

Jamara

I have learned more about the real world and what its like and its very valuable because you're there to learn and the more you learn the better you will be in the real world and you will know better how to handle yourself

Kathryn

I have struggled through a few of my classes in the beginning of the semester. With the help of the tutoring center and my academic advisor I got help and got my grades back up. I learned from this that it is important to seek out help when you are struggling or you will continue to struggle by yourself. Friends and teachers are the best support group and they will help you on the road to success. This will help me in life also because I know I will always have a support system when the times get tough and that no matter what someone is always there to help me out.

Jill

I am the first in my family to go to college, but i also worked hard to get there. I never graduated with my class of 2009 but I worked to get my GED which I did and what I've gotten out of my college experince is a lot of knowledge and the reason it has been valuable to attend is because i'm learning more and as I see my friends do nothing with their lives I know I'm the one with the better future.

Camille

As a doctoral student in instructional technology I have learned a lot about 21st century learning and technologies in K - 18 learning environments. It has been a valuable experience so far in that I am advancing my career allowing me to be more of a leader in educational technology. It has also provided me with the skills necessary to work with many other populations, publish articles relevant to the 21st century challenges in education and to present at conferences. I am also working on my principal's certification as Duquesne University is preparing me for a leadership position. I very much appreciate the valuable educational, technological and leadership skills that the programs have offered me thus far. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Jessica

A great education and the knowledge and experience to create a great future for myself and go onto law school to get a great career and future.

Anna

College, for me, was a valuable learning experience, both personally and professionally. I needed to work during my three years at Duquesne University, so it was rewarding to see myself improve and expand my knowledge and experience in my profession. I was proud of myself because I knew my co-workers and superiors watched me grow and become a better person (again, both personally and professionally). One of the best experiences in college was that I was always being challenged - and that it was fair to challenge my fellow students and professors. This allowed me to receive and give better constructive criticism when needed. It was important for me to be a part of a learning team, so that I can be a better part of a working team.

Olivia

"Knowledge is Power"; a wise and familiar quote to us all, the implications of such a statement hold true for any college student. But what is knowledge? Is found in that which we obtain deep in study, in the pages of a book or the words of a lecture hall? Or perhaps it is something deeper, something that lies within the self, that which is found through experience and life itself? I would argue that it is a combination of both, and that one cannot exist without the other. It is true, scholastic aptitude and capability are measured in terms of how learned one is in various subjects of higher learning, but all that is obtain from a text book shall hold little meaning to he who is without passion, he who does not live, he who breathes with no experience, for all the knowledge in the world is wasted without wisdom, that which comes only from experience and life itself. My college experience founded that wisdom vital to knowedge, crucial to the power that lies within us all. I learned much of Sarte, Camus, Shakespeare, Calculus and Physics, but i learned more about myself than words can describe.

Nick

As of this moment I do not start untill June 2010. But I expect to get a wealth of knowledge and satisfaction from a higher education. Changing careers so late in life will be exciting to say the least. Going through all my life experiences has taught me that hard work and determination will get me through this transition in my life. Completing each college course through these next couple years will help me in my endevour to be a great nurse and help me help others. I'm hoping my college experience will lead me through this next chapter of my life. Kind of like being reborn and living another life. I can't wait.

Cecily

What I have gotten out of my college experience is a great education. There are some great professors with real marketplace experience teaching you on current topics and keeping up with today's technology and real world advancements. I felt very prepared in my first job from experiences gained from my classes.

Timothy

Attending college at Duquesne University has allowed me to really discover what I want to do as a dream job. I came in with the idea of jobs that I knew I would not want to do, but through the campus experience of meeting people inside and outside of the classroom I developed a sense of purpose that ironically fits the Duquesne Motto: It is the Spirit Who Gives. I have never really had a profound urge to join a campus church group or even talk about religion in groups, but I think that by going to Duquesne I have discovered a spiritual facet of myself that could not have been discovered if I went another college. Duquesne's community emphasizes its mission statement from the minute you arrive on campus, and the more you hear it , the more you start to apply it to your own life. I think most people who invest the time, money, and effort in the past, present, and future come to the same realization of their spiritual character that I have come to acknowledge by attending Duquesne.

Sarah

I would tell myself not to be with concerned about how much other percieve me and only how I percieve myself. I"m in college to get an education and to better myself, not to impress others.

Joseph

The advice I would give to myself would be to trust in the decisions you make. In the time of choosing the right school and also making the transition from high school student to college student, many questions are asked. I would say to myself, "Have faith in yourself." At those moments, decisions seem life changing. They are really life learning. So much pressure and lost hours of sleep are put into making decisions. After experiencing the first semester of being in college, I wish and most other freshman would agree, that no matter what you choose to do or what school you get in to, the decisions you made were good ones. If they were not, learn from them. If I were to go back in time and talk to myself and other seniors it would be the same message, enjoy your last year in high school and do not worry so much about the decisions you make for your future years. They are all life lessons learned. Don't make decisions in haste or take them too lightly. Remember most of all, your parents really do know what they are talking about and have learned many life lessons.

Danielle

Dear2008 Self, I just wanted to write to you from the future about how your life is going to change in a few months. You will soon be entering the hardest, scariest, most exciting, most fun years of your life; your going to college! Now, since I know exactly how you are, I want to give you advice so this scary, hard place isn?t really that bad at all. First of all, be yourself. On those first days of orientation when you?re scared and don?t know anybody just smile and introduce yourself. If you stay true to who you are you will make some of the best friends you?ve ever had. Also, get involved. There are so many adventures and experiences out there waiting for you that you may never get the chance to experience again. Seize the day and enjoy every moment of it. Now the hard stuff, you need to manage your time! Do not procrastinate. Take time after each class and look over your notes. Trust me, it pays off amazingly! Lastly, choose a career that makes you happy. If you are happy and positive life is so much better. Good Luck!

Stephanie

If I were able to go back and prep myself for college, I would definitely press one single point: do not be afraid to be quirky! My friends know, after getting to know me, that I am slightly crazy. I enjoy making situations comically awkward, love to make others laugh, have strange fascinations (with, oh I don't know, jellyfish, dinosaurs, ghosts, and anything scientific) and am fearless- I do not care if people judge me for the crazy things I do. I wish I would have known not to hold myself back in the beginning of the year. I was rather tentative with my actions, and I feel like that greatly took away from my personality. Eventually, I learned that my friends all have their own eccentric ways. If I were to come straight to college completely open and unafraid, I feel like I would not only felt more comfortable the first week, but also made more friends right off the bat. Showing your true colors from day one is something freshmen college students should fear, but embrace. I wish I could have the chance to tell myself this.

Jessica

I would give myself the advise to incorporate myself into many more high level classes. My high school poorly prepared me for the atmosphere present at a University. College professors are much less interested in minor details such as hall passes, using the water fountain, what you are wearing, or whether or not you are eating in their presence. These professors are more interested in providingtheir students with important information; whether or not a student chooses to learn is their choice. Although I have always considered myself a proficient student in high school, college classes caught me off gaurd with higher intellectual expectations. Although I did expect college classes to me much tougher than high school classes, the amount of time my high school adminstration spent on formulating new dress codes, behavioral rules, and conduct rules, disracted me from more intellectually stimulating courses. Knowing how different college is from high school, I would advise myself to better prepare for a college enviorment, rather than forming familar routines with the high school enviorment.

L

First, I would like to bring to your attention the fact that some of your questions (specifically those with the 1 to 10 bar) came without an N/A option. Therefore, I was forced to give an opinion on some things, which are irrellavent to me and I could not answer with truth. Secondly, to myself, I would say good job.

Stephanie

If I were to go back into time, I would tell myself not to worry about the transition into college. As a high school senior I was worried about not being able to make friends because I hadn't made new friends in at least five years. I now know that everyone comes to school ready to make new friends. It's an easier transition than I could have ever imagined. I would also tell myself to not worry about the workload. The workload is not nearly as much as I expected when I was a high school senior. I was worried then that I would not be able to handle it because I had never really studied for any test in my life. But when you are thrown into the college situation you learn how to study. Studying is a major part of college and it is something that comes naturally, at least to me. College life definitely changes who you are as a person, but in a good way. There is no reason to worry about the transition because change is a part of life and growing and adapting comes easily.

Angela

College is about two things: learning from books, and learning from life. It is about taking as many interesting classes and meeting as many people as possible. It is about studying to gain knowledge, not studying for a grade. Shadow people. Learn what they do. Find what you love. Explore possiblities. Take a music or art class every semester, don't just focus on math and science. It is so important to have a broad education, to be well read, and to be well spoken. Do a semester abroad where other Americans do not usually go. Learn about other people and their cultures. Learn who you are. Learn what makes you happy in life. Learn to be happy with yourself, by yourself. Learn to love yourself. If you learn to accept and love yourself, you will be non-judgemental and accepting of others, no matter how different they are. If you can learn to be happy and content in your own skin, you will not only lead a life fulfilled, but can make another person smile.