Fordham University Top Questions

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

Raymond

In order to give myself my own advice I would begin by saying, do not take yourself too seriously, and learn how to ask for help in the right avenues or areas much quicker than you think you need to do so. This advice will carry you far and wide and will continue to be the very thing you need in order to succeed without stressing yourself to the point of getting in your own way. The reason I say this is that studying effectively is most definitely a full time obligation and with the objective area of taking yourself to seriously you wont be able to obtain your goals appropriately because you do not think you actually need the help you truly do until it becomes crunch time and eventually too late. Time is of the essence in every regard and will continue to be so until you understand it in a more profound way, and apply this as a daily model of living and scheduling your tasks in order to maintain a proper school life as well as a personal life. This and this alone will be the method that will help you succeed and overcome all obstacles.

Matthew

Spend more time studying and writing. The workload and type of work is a lot harder in college. Learning to be a better time manager before would have been nice. Not to stress out on the little things in high school that won't matter at all in the future. Be more open to new things and ideas.

Louis

I would say to always be building your network. I have always tried to attend professional events and meet as many people I can but it is never too much. I would tell myself to get a jump on my network and always work hard to build your reputation.

Haley

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior I would start by telling myself to work hard. I was always a very good student in high school, but often the material came easy to me. I found myself not having to study very much for tests or quizzes. When I did study for big exams, I would wait until the night before. I would tell my high school self not to procrastinate. I would suggest that I get into the habit of studying a little bit each night, and reviewing class materials each night after class for review. This would alleviate stress come large exams and assignments. I would also tell myself to get involved in activities on campus in order to meet lots of new, and different kinds of people. I would tell myself to be open-minded and accepting of all kinds of people. I would tell myself not to be judgemental and that it is possible to gain from every single person that I encounter. There is much to gain from experiences outside of the classroom.

Jennifer

If I were able to go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work harder in my classes and to take them more seriously. On top of that, I would tell myself to have continued to finish my undergraduates in the community college that I attended instead of joining National Guard, so that I would not have fallen behind a semester. If I did not go the community college, then I would tell myself to follow my heart and go directly to the school I am currently at, Cleveland State University, and not allow people to tell me that I would never be able to afford it and would be in debt for the rest of my life. I would prepare myself for all of the processes it takes to apply for school and financial aid, so I would not have had to face as many problems as I did. Most of all I would tell myself to enjoy it and to have the time of my life before the oppertunity is gone.

Emma

One of my biggest struggles was self-validation. Within 3 months, I went from a a dictated minute-by-minute high school schedule, to living alone in the biggest city in the country. I kept looking for things to start structuring myself and divide my time, but that led me to cling onto things I didn't like instead of things I did. I decided I didn't like a lot of things very quickly, and began to block out a lot of my freedom. I went upstate for a weekend after a couple months of living in New York City and visited a friend at a liberal arts college that focused on individual creativity, and I realized the biggest difference was that I dwelled on the negative of my surroundings, and they saught after the positives. Upon my return, I picked my head up when I walked through all the crowded streets, and saw more than pushy people dressed in black. I saw a living breathing framework of New York City, and it was something I was proud and excited to be a part of. Just being surrounded by the vastness and variety provided guidance.

Rachel

As much as I love Fordham, I would tell myself to focus on applying to more traditional colleges. Attending a green, self-contained campus in the middle of nowhere is an experience that is severely underrated. It is extremely difficult to do well in your classes, have a social life, explore different clubs and meet new people if you are first and foremost trying to keep yourself alive and fed because your school doesn't have a real cafeteria. I would say, "Rachel, don't overestimate your independence. Yes, you can take care of yourself, and once you get used to the routine of being entirely dependent on yourself to cook, clean, and stay alive, you'll do just fine. But you need a little coddling. And that's exactly what the traditional college experience will provide you with - at least initially".

Nicole

If I could tell my high school senior self one thing, it would be, “don’t go 3,000 miles away from home.” While experiencing life in New York City was something I had always wanted to do, being that far away from home in California during the challenging time that is college was just awful. Leaving the nest is one thing and going to the other side of the country is another. My parents and best friend know me best, they warned me, and of course they were right - I'm a California girl at heart. I wish I would have researched colleges better before applying. I completely over looked several great schools that were much closer to home, and now I'm transferring to one of them. Being close to home isn't a negative thing; having the support of your family and a home to go back to when school gets rough is valuable during all the late nights that make up college. So if I knew then what I know now, I would have told myself staying closer to home really is not the end of the world and that snow really isn’t your thing.

Bailey

There is so much advice I'd like to give my high school senior self, such as: save more money and work harder, but those are the obvious ones. If I knew then what I know now, I'd tell myself to not sweat the small stuff. In high school, my biggest worries were who I was going to prom with, or why somebody made fun of me on a certain day. At the time, they seemed monumental and they caused me to lose some focus academically, but now I never speak to my prom date and I can't even remember the name of the boy who used to tease me for my naturally high-pitched voice. As for the guy who never texted me back: I hadn't even thought about him until just now. I am so happy at my new school. I've met so many wonderful people and have been granted so many opportunities that the things that once bothered me now seem so insignificant. I wish I had only focused on what was good in life instead of the small negative incidences.

Darren

I would tell myself to be prepared for upsets because just because there is a plan, doesn't mean that the most unexpected things won't happen.

edward

If I could go back and tell myself something about going to college, college life , I think I would tell myself not to be scared. The new people , the atmosphere is not bad. Just like high school ; after a while you fit in, and get used to everyone . I would also say don't be scared of the cost . There are a different ways to try and get help. I would say not to be worried about the classes. A lot of the student help eachother and they have teachers that will help you too. Last i would say find yourself and love what you will be doing in life.

Emma

Going to college is much harder than you might think. Work as hard as you can in high school. Get involved in many activities and do not be afraid to try new things! College can be scary, but be outgoing and unafraid to approach new people. Time management is important; do not wait until the night before to finish big papers and projects. Overall, embrace change. Be open to new experiences!

marian

Marian, be at peace. You might not get what you want, but even your back-up plans are good plans. God has it all figured out already, so trust Him. Where ever you go, remember to call you parents at least once of week; they will miss you more than you will miss them. Focus on your studies, but don't forget or be afraid to make friends. Be strong enough in who you are to get to know people who are very different from you, and yet understand the kind of true friendships that you do need. No one is exactly like you, so get over it. Make peave with your high school and everyone there before you go. Don't leave any regrets in the old life before you take on this new life. Ask questions, go to your professors' office hours, and make sure that at the end of the week you can say that you did as much as you could. Get involved with clubs and activities immediately. Be bold, yet take time to reflect. Remember that yes, it is college, but it is still a part of your life--your real life.

Liza

I have learned so much already. Because it is a Jesuit school, they really put an empasis on learning and becoming a well rounded person and they do a great job of accomplishing that. I already feel like a better citizen of the world, I love the friends I have made and the experiences I've had. Not to mention how wonderful it is to be able to live in New York City and yet still have such a beautiful campus. Going to Fordham has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a person in a way I don't think I would have if I had attended another university.

Silvio

EVERYTHING A STUDENT COULD ASK FOR.

Nancy

College has been an extremely valuable experience because it has allowed me to find what I am truly interested in doing for the rest of my life. Through a rigorous liberal core, I was able to effectively narrow my major down to Communications. Aside from this, it has also introduced me to new personalities from all across the globe who come here to learn and it is truly amazing to befriend people who come from such diverse and rich backgrounds. Lastly, I've also found great mentors from the teaching staff and student leadership development staff on campus and they have all given me new perspectives of how to approach different situations in life.

Nick

so far I have gotten more from noticing support from my family and friends that I am going to college. I really enjoy it here and I cant wait to get a degree in eletrical engineering to hopefully help develop more ways of making energy efficent

Sharti

I have gotten alot out of my college experienced I have learned that I can go to school without my friends and survive. I can get infront of a class and do a oral presentation without passing out. I can also have fun at my school and still get my work done and pass my classes. All of these experiences are very valuable to me because they have given me the confidence to do things by myself because I know now that I can. It has also prepared me mentally when I go to a actual Univiesity because I will be use to talking infront of people , and i know that if i can do it at a Community College I can do it anywhere.

Alexandra

I have learned that you need to be fierce in life. I mean, you really need to strive for your own excellence because you don't always have someone, such as your parents, pushing you from behind. You're going to get stuck sometimes, but you need to keep going; it's the only way to live in this world. My college experience has taught me to be tough, to stand up for what I believe in, and to study. In highschool, I had none of these skills, but now I can ace a test and I can fight for my rights by simply pushing through the tough times.

Meghan

Best experience. Great opportunities.

Jasmine

I have always knew that I wanted to go to college. My plan was to go straight to college when I graduated from high school. However, I got pregnant and I could not go to school immediately. I now feel that it is my time to go to school so I can show my son to never give up and no matter what to strive to achieve. I want to live a better and great life for him. I want to make a better life for him so he can have whatever he needs and wants. I would love to go to school and learn and take my education further.

Carolina

I have been given the opportunity to be an individual. I have to plan out everything for myself and organize my time wisely. I have been meeting tons of interesting people and I have been realizing that taking care of myself is very difficult. Staying healthy is very hard to do in college. Also, sleep is nonexistent in college. I only nap. Generally I am content and I have been learning a lot.

John

So far, I have made many acquaintances, gotten to know some professors, and gained knowledge of many topics I would never have dreamed of knowing about. College has taught me to love and appreciate knowledge and how all courses and fields of study are strongly interconnected. Finally, college has aided me in learning to live on my own and take care of myself, both physically and mentally. It has been an experience that I would recommend everyone go through in order to become a more wholesome and stronger person.

Chun

I can live and learn at Fordham because the community is welcoming and the lessons are invaluable. I explore the world amidst self exploration. I experience new things while I challenge pre-existing ideas. Fordham helped me discover my passion to become a doctor and continue helping me to make this goal possible. Doors open are filled with opportunities while I expand my horizons and approach my goals in all directions. Most of all, I can be myself. I am inspired to better myself and help my classmates grow as well in a collective effort to influence our society. My flaws would build my character because students at Fordham lend our hands to shape the world together. My school has taught us that the students are a melting pot of ideas and ambitions, and through this unity, despite our different passions, we grow as a community.

Reylisa

Reylisa, my high school senior self, do not make the same mistakes I made. In order to be successful in college, one must flap ones wings and fly away from the nest of home. Since you were blessed with an overbearing mother, you should have gone away and not even considered coming back for the holidays. Instead of thinking of prom dresses and hairstyles you should think about applying for more scholarships. If you knew the financial need you would have I believe you would have done differently. Another thing I advice you is that college is difficult. Do not let the distraction of friends and love stop you from achieving your goals. We always said we would always be a psychologist but as you enter college you will realize that it is perfectly okay to change your mind. You have two years to declare your major so do not rush into things. My last piece of advice young Reylisa, learn to manage your time. When you learn to manager your time, you will not stress big assignments and will still have time to socialize. Easier said than done, I know, but Reylisa, I believe in you.

Janessa

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be several things that I would want to tell myself. The first thing that I would say, is to do your research. There are a lot of things that I chose not to look into, either out of laziness or just lack of no how, and that is just something that you can not do. College means that you are going to be on your own, and that means that you should equip yourself with as much knowledge as you can before so that you can take anything that comes at you. The second things that I would tell myself is that being in college is not just about going to school. College is a place where you get the opportunity to learn about yourself and how you are going to handle being on your own as a real world. I might have the constant support of my parents now, but it is my job to take this time to make sure that I am going to be able to support myself. Lastly, I would tell myself to have fun. :)

Charlotte

I would tell myself that everything is going to be okay. Your dad may have just died; you may not have a house right now; your mom's family and dad's family may be warring; you may feel like absolutely nothing is within your control, which leads you to some drastic, rash and self-destructive behavior. But you must remember that things always have a way of working themselves out in the end. It's okay to feel conflicted about every single event of the past academic year. You were feeling upset but relieved that you were finishing school, devastated but at peace that your father died, frustrated that your mom may not have had much time to spend with you but thankful that she was doing so much to help and pick up the slack your father?s absence created. College is going to open new doors for you and crack windows that you may not have previously thought you could squeeze through. But on the other side of those doors and windows, you will always find a way to continue living. Everything will fix itself if you just keep going.

Erin

Be open to new people, new ideas, new food, new ways of thinking. Don't spend yor whole time partying- explore your world off campus. You don't need to bring as much as you think you do!!! DOn't worry about making new friends, there are people every where and they are all "new"!!! Exercise alot, take advantage of the gym, sports programs. See the plays and shows and concerts on campus, they are cheap and awesome. Get to know your profs right away and don't be afraid to ask for help. Try and get lots of sleep, but don't sleep away the days. Eat well. Take vitamins. Call mom/dad at least once a week and thank them for this awesome life you will be leading

Dave

I would tell myself to be open to all of the experiences I would enjoy at college. My advice would be to embrace diverse beliefs, opinions, and lifestyles, and to be smart with money. Finally, I would remind myself to make it all count. College is a fantastic time, but it should also be a time where I am driven to make myself better and prepare myself for my future, in which I hope to contribute to the betterment of society.

Caroline

My advice would be to search for a college for you. Don't let your parents, friends, peers, teachers, counselors, etc, influence your decision on your school. You are going to spend the next four years at that school, you are going to be the one living there, make sure it's a right fit for you. Make sure you visit the campuses several times, try to stay overnight to get a feel of the residential life, meet with professors so you have an idea the people to which you are entrusting your higher eduation. College is your opportunity to establish who you are and the kind of person you want to be, and the school you are at will highly influence that. Make sure you're going to a school that can make you the best you possible.

Jordan

Hey there, past self. It's me, your future self. I know right now you're thinking that you're just "going through the motions" and that college is transient period, . But it isn't, and you'll be sorry if you treat it like it is. Even if you're less than enthused, embrace it. Embrace it like you'd embrace any experience in life, and you'll find it bares a lot more opporunities than you think it does. Remember that it's a time to grow and understand, and to work not only on your worldly knowledge but on your understanding of yourself. Look for a place that you feel is conducive to that, and don't blow it off. You might not be thrilled to be going, you may feel that it's more of a mandate than a choice, but look for a place you can find a love for everything college is supposed to instill: for learning, for progression, and for growth of intellect and self. No time in your life is disposable, so don't treat it like it is.

David

When you are making the transition to a university there are a few keys to being successful. The first one is that the people you surround yourself with will be the most important part of your entire college carreer. I suggest not limiting yourself to people who you knew in high school, because that does not allow yourself the opportunity for growth as a person. You must meet new people and become involved quickly in extracurricular activities in order to enjoy your experience. The people who I have known for years now will remain some of my closest friends through my life. The second thing is that you should start out easy. While you do not want to drift through taking the minimum number of credits and courses and end up staying extra semesters, you should not overload yourself freshman year. The courses will be more difficult and it will take time to learn how to properly budget your time among extracurricular activities and coursework. However, doing well in the first semester makes the future more manageable. It is difficult to bring up a poor GPA as you continue, because the courses only become more challenging throughout the years.

Isabella

I would first tell myself not to be so afraid of making friends. I am usually quite shy, but the majority of the freshman class came into the university knowing no more than one or two other people, so making friends was not difficult. In addition, I would advise myself not to worry about the number of college kids who consume alcohol. I myself never partook in such activities and therefore was afraid it'd be difficult to make friends who don't drink either; however, I immediately was able to immerse myself in a group of friends who do not drink, and prefer to go into Manhattan, which is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. I would also be sure to advise myself to beware of how I manage my time. By the end of the semester, I was able to reform my time management skills, ending the semester with a 3.896 GPA. However, in the beginning of the semester, I wasn't careful about how I spent my time and ended up doing quite a few assignments late at night at the last minute. Naturally, I didn't do very well on those.

Cara

College is a very different experience from high school. It is much better, in my opinion. You have more independence and are constantly surrounded by other bright, motivated, talented individuals. Of course not all of it is fun and games, and classes can definitely be challenging. Your final grade for each class is based off of only a few tests and papers so each assignment holds much more weight then they may have in high school. Furthermore, it is very easy to become distracted by the social aspects of college and procrastinate on your coursework. It is easier to get work done when you realize that everyone else is doing the same and you are not missing out by staying in for a night and studying; it?s worth it. Make sure to branch out and talk to new people; this is where you can make lifelong friends from all over the country. Also be sure to try new things and take advantage of all the opportunities you are presented; this is an important and exciting time of self-discovery. Finally, have fun and try not to stress too much; learn from your mistakes.

Andre

In the past 4 years, since my high school graduation, I have learned what the real world is truly like. It is a place that is full of hardship and heartache, most unfortunately. Once I graduated high school, I had an idealistic point-of-view that things would go smoothly. I was quite simply wrong. I have undergone health problems, financial problems, and family problems, just to name a few. In some ways, I've handled it well. In other ways, I could have done better. I am now at least one year behind in college from where I should be, due to these problems, and financial troubles are threatening to extend my graduation date even further. Life can be tough, and I was not ready for it. I was not fully aware of this as a senior, and I wish I was, for it was not long after my graduation that these problems crept up on me. In some ways they broke me down to a life of stress, remedied only by loved ones. However, through it all I have become a more mature person who is ready for the even tougher challenges after my college experience has concluded.

Chantal

SCHOLARSHIPS!!! That is definitely the best thing to think about when applying for college, if not the school itself. It is surely no worry if you are certain that you'll receive full scholarships and such to school. Be that as it may schools only hand out a handful of those scholarships anyway. The fact of the matter is that you won't know what money the school gives you until the spring and scholarships need to be taken care of far earlier than that. Once this financial burden is gone then the rest of college is easy. It is never fun constantly worrying about if you will be able to stay at a school the next semester or not. I would also say that it is best to make sure the school fits you, visit, research programs, and compare it to otherschools that you will also apply to. Knowing what you are getting into takes more than a load off of your shoulders. The best advice is that you can't take college so simply take it as seriously as possible and not just as this easy thing that falls into your lap. It will make the best experience.

Gabriel

I wish I had the knowledge that I have now about college back when I was a senior in highschool during the whole application process. The greatest piece of advice that I could've given myself back then was to never limit myself to only a few options because a person goes through a whole lot of changes during his or her transition from highschool to college. These changes ultimately affect not only what your interests are but who you are as a person. Looking back on myself as a senior, I find it crazy that I once wanted to be a doctor and based my college choices on my preferred major. Majors come and go dozens of times, and I learned that time and time again after I had already applied. I could've used someone telling me to keep an open mind during my application process.

Emily

When things get tough, just keep pressing on. Keep your head up and learn to adjust because change is the only constant.

colleen

no

Tiffany

I would definitely take a closer look at what programs were offered at the school. I went into Fordham very unsure about what I wanted to study and had a little difficulty finding things that catered to my academic interests. I would also tell myself that making friends would not be as hard as I imagined. I would most definitely still choose Fordham University but I wish I would have tried checking out cheaper schools.

Diana

Be careful of smooth talking boys, who will sound even better after you down 6 beers. One day you will meet a boy who will wish you hadn't gone home with all those cute, smooth talking boys. While we're talking about questionable situations, drinking too much can be dangerous, and if that doesn't scare you- the weight you'll gain from it will! Don't skip on class readings, you will take away some greater message from everything you read. Don't worry so much, New York City will prove to be everything you ever hoped it would be. Don't spend all the money you'll make bartending before you get to school, sophomore year will be hard living on your own, all expenses included. DO NOT tell on your little sister, the year you lost because of the subsequent fighting will be one of the saddest of your life. DO NOT just leave home and ignore your family for two weeks, this will hurt them worse than you'll fatham. PACK WARM CLOTHES- you're not in Florida anymore.

Mary

Mary, for the love of God, don't drop chemistry the first week of Freshman year because you've decided you no longer want to be a doctor. You're gonna decide to be a Biology teacher, which requires chemistry classes and now you're wayyyy behind!

Jesmin

Hey!! It's gonna be alright. Just take a deep breath,relax and don't be too serious. This is life, and it's better to enjoy it while it's yours than to live it in worry. I know that applying to colleges, figuring out what you want to major in (and ultimately do with your life), is very stressful. You're also going to be worried about the actual living-in-college part...yeah. Just remember that those other college-goers are people too, and you should not feel like you are alone. Once you're there, please be open-- to other people, other ideas and yourself. Love learning for the sake of learning ...never get caught up in awards, gpa, or rank...those should always come second to learning. And if you get a C on your exam, it's not the end of the world! Of course it's no cause for celebration, but you can't wallow in self-pity, either!! The best thing you can do is learn from the past, so you can do better in the future. So, it's gonna be alright...take a deep breath and relax....this is life. :)

Stefanie

Picking a suitable college for your own individual preference cannot be done over night. You have to really decide what it is you're looking for. It you intend on partying I'd reccomend a large school that places emphasis on Greek Life. If you are into the arts, choose a school near museums and theaters. If you have certain religious or political views, take that into consideration. All in all, find a college that complements your personality and desires. It will be the most memorable four years of your life, take it seriously and conduct a thorough research.

Maryellen

Tour as many college campuses as you can. Imagine yourself living there. Chose a school where you think you fit in and become a member of the community. Look for good housing and good food. Don't go too far from home.

Katherine

I think the most important advice to remember is that college is what you make of it. No college is going to be an absolute perfect fit, but you can always learn to love your campus, classes, professors, and fellow classmates. It is always difficult when you are moving onto a new phase of your life, but remember that it is always possible to acclimate and grow to love the place you are in. Make the most of college and remember to have fun and work hard!

Christopher

My advice to the parents of students searching for the college that is right for them is not to pressure their son or daughter and allow them to experience the campus that fits them best. A student will usually recognize where he or she seems to find their comfort zone and when they experience that do not try and change their minds. For the students: find a place that you'll enjoy being at every day for the next four years because this decision will be one of the biggest decisions of your life, so make sure you're comfortable with it and do allow anyone to change your mind. The next four years will play a large role in what you do for the rest of your life. They will develop you not only in the career you choose, but as an overall person and who you intend to become as you grow older.

michael

When first you look for the right college for you, you need to search out whether you would like to be close to home or want to dorm. Next, your financial responsibilities and your ability to pay or apply for financial aid. Academics is always first and foremost, but if you are unable to afford certain colleges, don't even consider applying to these schools. Depending on the type of person you are, some like the big city life and some will like the quiet , surreal campus surroundings. Make sure you go on tours and open houses for all the schools you will be applying to and meet the faculty and speak to them about counseling and the work ethic they expect from their students. I am very happy and satisfied with the choice I made and would do it again if I were graduating this year.

Felicia

First, visit the school. Talk to the students and ask them what they like and what they don't like about the school, and you'll find out what is really great and not so great, not just what the tours tell you. Once you're in college, join something you really like. You don't have to join every single thing like you did in high school, but you should find something you really enjoy. You will meet people with similar interests to you and you'll have a great time. Don't be afraid to make friends and act foolish. College is not like high school; you'll find people who will love you no matter what, so enjoy it!

Mari

The right college should possess two things: the "right" feeling and straight answers to all of your many questions. The day I visited Fordham University, my first choice and current college, it was rainy, overcast, and chilly for early September. I was lost and late for my tour. Yet, I was comfortable and at ease. I met several kind, conscientious students and soon found my way. When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by a receptionist who chatted with me until I could join the next tour group. Our conversation wandered to future plans and she made a quick assessment. She discerned within minutes what it would take me weeks to discover. Fordham was right for me. Fordham is not a magic place, and I am not making up my whimsical experience. The truth is: a "good fit" will possess a qualtiy the potential student can literally feel. I researched many schools asking my questions about financial aid and extra-curricular activities. Fordham was the only one that honestly and openly answered my questions with solutions and options rather than fantastic illusions. There is no magical spell or mathematical equation, but there is a right college out there for everyone.