New York University Top Questions

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

Logan

Knowing what I know now I would advise myself to just relax and take it easy. I remember everyone knew what they wanted to major in, and it was all anyone talked about senior year, and it freaked me out. I had no idea what I wanted to do. Because of this I choose a major I thought I might like in order to fit in. Our generation puts so much pressure on high school students, who are only 18, to know exactly what they are going to do with their life in that moment. I wish I would have enjoyed my last year as a senior in high school instead of stressing about what I should major in. Its almost as though I felt like this decision would predict my future, so therefore I had to get it right or all would be lost! I was so wrong, we have so much time to figure out what we want to do in life. There is no rule stating that I have to graduate from college after four years. If I want to take it slow and graduate in five or six years that's perfectly fine as well.

Jordan

My advice to my high school self is to break the mold, to find success unconventionally, and never to use fear of failure as an excuse for inaction. Once accepted to NYU Stern School of Business, I found myself freed from the shackles, homogenization, and limitations of our public school system. The linear, lockstep progression from grade to grade under strict guidance tends to train students to believe that there is only one path to success. I would tell myself that is not the case. Over just a few months, I recognized that education is not merely a culmination of classes leading to a degree, but rather a knowledge base which can be expanded within and outside the classroom. Through networking and cold calling, I met, established rapports, and shadowed with Managing Directors, Private Wealth Managers, and Advisors from companies including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, Edward Jones and CapTrust. Each meeting taught me invaluable lessons and established connections that are vital complements to academic coursework. For these opportunities, I looked outside the traditional path and past the potential of rejection or intimidation in a professional setting. My advice is to bet on myself, not on a system.

Shawn

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would share the following advice: Don't be afraid to make mistakes. I've learned the most from those life lessons. College is a unique time in any young person's life, and for me, this was no exception. I relished in the opportunity and tried to experience as much as I could. I also made some mistakes along the way. Mistakes like not double-checking my calculations on the math exam, not visiting my professor during office hours, and eating the meatloaf in the cafeteria. But with all of the mistakes I made along the way, there was a little life lesson there that gave me perspective, self-awareness, and the confidence that I could get it right the next time. Mistakes are simply life's way of letting us know that we tried, and that it's okay to get back up and try again.

Jacob

I would tell myself that change is a long hard-fought road, one that cannot be traveled within a day. I would advise myself not to attempt to completely change myself within the first semester of college, but rather focus on one aspect about myself at a time. People aren’t always satisfied with the person they are. Many people do change, but that change does not happen overnight. Don’t try to overcompensate in any area that you feel is lacking, but attempt to gradually work on that area as well as other parts of your life as well. College is a place where children learn and grow into the adults they will become. This process is long and takes time. Don’t rush it. Learn to enjoy the learning process and take things one day at a time. Success doesn’t appear one day as a single victory. It appears as tiny battles won each day through hard work. Know where you stand, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there. It will take time, but the results will be worth it.

Gina

Media has created many different depictions of the college years. Some show it as one big, booze-filled party, while others make it out to be a more demanding version of high school. Make of that what you will, but the college life is so unique because people get to cater their experience to themselves. In high school, we are still babied in many ways, and don’t get to make many independent decisions. Adulthood, on the other hand, calls for a newfound independence- we have to start worrying about things like finding a job, creating a family, and managing other necessities in life. College is that beautiful time inbetween youth and adulthood when we begin to discover ourselves without the leash of childhood or the burdens of adulthood. It is a time when we get to make our own choices and try new things- all while still in a safe environment. We can discover new hobbies, or try a new field of study without worrying about the consequences. It's a time in which we make mistakes, we learn, and we figure out who we are through the process. Don’t be afraid! College is just what you needed.

Myra

If I could go back in time and smack some sense into my old high school senior self, I would tell myself to get it together! When I was in high school, I was a lost sheep. I didn't know what my interests or disinterests were and was living life by going through the motions. I worked on a schedule. I woke up every morning, went to school like my fellow peers (resembling a herd of cattle), then came straight home, did my homework, went to bed. Rinse and repeat. Reflecting back, I wish I would have done more. Hence the advice to "get it together!" To graduate college, one has to fulfill an array of general prerequisites that covered a broad spectrum of different kind of classes, in hopes to make the graduate well-rounded and more aware of what is available for him/her once he/she stepped into the real world. Similarly, I would tell my high school self to intern/volunteer more, join clubs, and get out more. DO SOMETHING! One will never know what one likes or dislikes until he/she tries. There's so much life experience that comes with time.

Amanda

If I could give myself any piece of advice, it would be to start the college process much earlier than junior year. Because I wasn't able to narrow down where I wanted to go until I received all acceptance letters, I found myself coinstantly debating on whether or not my choice was a good one. I was so focused on applying to schools that I thought sounded impressive on paper, that I didn't really take the time to research and hand-pick which school would be appropriate for my area of study. In addition, I would advise myself to really focus on choosing a standardized test to focus and do well on as opposed to trying to get a compatible score on both. I was unhappy with my SAT score and pleased about my ACT score, but instead of just focusing on the latter in hopes of receiving a better score, I went back to focus on the SAT. It would have been alot less stressful if I had simply focused on a single exam. Finally, I would advse myself to not spread muyself too thin in terms of extracurriculars , especially during my junior year.

Caitlin

Don’t be in a hurry to declare a major. Study wildly different subjects in your first couple of years. You may discover a passion for a topic you never suspected. Take your time to figure out not just what you’re interested in studying, but who you are and what you might want to do with your life. You’ll have people telling you what they think you should do based on your major and work experience for the rest of your life, so be sure to pursue what truly interests you rather than what seems safe or expected. College is one of the last best opportunities for personal growth and exploration. When you’re out of college you’ll be expected to have a career path; this is the time to blaze that path. College is not about taking a predetermined list of classes to get a piece of paper to land a job—it’s about making your first steps as an independent adult and figuring out who that mature person inside of you is. So try a little bit of everything. Even if something doesn’t work out, you’ll still have learned from it.

Geline

Do not assume that you will “be fine” in college because you are currently doing well in high school. College is extremely different because it requires more work, stronger commitment and better time management that people do not tell you because they do not want to scare you away. There will always be people smarter than you and work harder than you but do not take that as a sign to simply settle and think that you will never reach their level. Use that as your motivation to push yourself even harder and do the best you can. Those are the four years that will define your career. It does not mean that you should be focused solely on school. GPA is important but so is being proactive. Companies look for people who have skills other than on paper which you will not learn in the classroom. Be just as proactive as you are right now and you will further develop your leadership and people skills which are essential as an engineer. Join academic, social and cultural clubs and be active in them. Most importantly, never get tired of learning because that’s what will keep you young and motivated.

Jenny

Jenny, It's not about you. You say you want to be an actor now, but you don't even understand that the first thing about good acting is the fact that it isn't about you. You need to always be willing to learn, and always be willing to accept that you were completely wrong. You need to mature enough to understand that there are billions of other people that need to breathe the same air as you to survive. People in college aren't going to wait for you to mature, they expect you to already be there. The more time you spend wallowing, the less of an impact you can make. Most of all, don't put so much pressure on your parents. They are going to be spending a lot of money paying for your tuition, so don't be a brat. It is so easy to make everything about yourself, but try to think of them more. APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! You made it into your dream school, congrats, but its really expensive, so do everything you can to get money for it. You are so lucky to have everything you want. Appreciate it. Love, Jenny

Kathleen

My high school senior self was sitting in cars on Friday nights being bored out of my mind and more than ready to get off of the island of Oahu. But I never saw my college transition to be the way it was: I impulsively went abroad to Paris for the year with NYU's Liberal Studies Program. Not only was I thrown from the slow island life into the city rush, but it was a foreign city at that. It was also the most incredible experience, and I've matured greatly from that year. If I could go back in time and over a hot latte, give myself advice on life in college, I would tell myself, as my mother told me over the phone during nervous breakdowns in Paris and also New York, and even Ghana from this summer - "cross that bridge when you come to it". I could never plan going to Paris as I took the SAT's, or interning at Seventeen Magazine in NYC, from my high school perspective. There's no point in freaking out over the future - chase opportunities and you'll make the best out of college.

Jillian

Hey Jill! I know you're probably waiting for the results of which colleges will accept and reject you, and you're probably freaking out. That's ok. I promise, you'll get accepted to one of them. In the mean time, go do something fun! You won't get to see your friends for a long, long time once summer starts, so go make the best of the time you have left. Stop spending all your time at Starbucks, even though you love your coworkers. And please, please break up with your boyfriend. He's a great guy but you're bored and miserable and we both know it. So yeah. Go have fun! See you in a year. :) Love, Future Jill

Victoria

My time at NYU has been great; I've met and made wonderful new friends, had unforgettable experiences abroad in Shanghai and spontaneous adventures through NYC, had access to the entire city as my "campus" (hello, free museum visits!), thrust into a fast-paced, yet incredibly tolerant and open-minded environment, had the opportunity to intern and to work while attending classes, and knowing all this, my advice to my high school senior self (I imagine opening and finding this in a fortune cookie) would be: "There is a consequence to every action, every decision - so make yours wisely. Be confident in your choice and be confident in yourself." My stubborn decision to attend NYU comes at the painstakingly heavy cost of debt and sometimes, I wonder if I made the right choice. I don't regret it at all; if anything, a lesson in making decisions is learned - but my family is not well-off and I worry for them and for myself. It is important, I think, at times like these to believe and to be confident in oneself, to be positive, and to know that yes, you can do it and it will work out.

Rosie

Hey. You know what? You're right. You -are- about to go through the most terrifying and lonely period of your entire life to date. You've hit the nail on the head. You're screwed. But you know what else, little miss crystal-gazer? You've already shot yourself in the foot. I know you're trying. I know how hard it is to get that expectation out of the back of your mind given your history of being shy, no matter how much you try to keep a positive attitude. But the thing is, and what you'll find if you keep this up, is that you can't let your own fear keep you from moving forward from an attitude adjustment to real action. You have to fake it. You have to put yourself out there. It's -work.- Please don't go into this expecting to be lonely and silent. Please prepare yourself to work hard for the opposite outcome. By the way. Saying goodbye to Mom? It's like getting a shot. Don't even stress. Last thing. Seriously listen up to this. I don't care how arbitrary and easy that class is. Go.

Khary

To my younger self: Never stop fighting to reach your dream. There will be times you'll want to throw in the towel, but success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm or drive. Don't be afraid of all the things that could go wrong; instead, be hopeful about all the things that could go right. Not everything is meant to last. Some things are only meant to be temporary enjoyable experiences---even friendships. Be yourself, believe in your convictions and true friends will follow. Remember that life is a journey, not a destination. We all have different paths, and no one can do a better job of being you than you. Have confidence in yourself, and stop comparing your journey to others'. Don't hesitate to put yourself out there and step outside of your comfort zone. If you don't take the risk ,you may never get the opportunity. Continue to be strong, but not rude, kind, but not weak, thoughtful, but not lazy, and humble, but not timid. Work hard, but do not forget to have fun in life and really enjoy it; your time in college will go by incredibly quickly!!!

Victor

You're scared. I remember that well. Newsflash: Everyone is. But you have a chance here, a chance to work towards your dreams and start to change the world. You want my advice? Don't let yourself be overwhelmed. You're more than the broken hearted boy from Junior year now. You've worked hard to get here and you've changed so much. I'm proud of you. Ya hear that? Your future self is proud of what you've become. Now New York's a different place than the Poconos. It's kinda like an Open World Video Game where there are more activities to do as the game's story progresses. Continue your story while pacing out the side quests. You're going to make friends, receive awards, travel the world; all in a matter of months. That small town didn't prepare you for this. But always remember what Robin Williams said to Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting. He says that Will could tell him everything about art but "I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel." You're gonna smell the Sistine Chapel. Be good.

Byron

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to get involved in as many activities as possible. Getting involved is probably the best way to get to know people and feel more connected to the school community, and I wish I had done this when I first got to school. Transitioning to college wasn't that difficult for me, but I didn't take advantage of all the opportunities available in my freshman year. I would also suggest exploring your environment, or city where the college is located. Finally, I would advise my high school self to take advantage of all the study abroad experiences possible, as study abroad has been life changing, and I wish I could do it more.

Nathan

You grew up with a strong sense of who you were. Never forget that. You may move off to the city and to college and think that the rules of your youth are gone. You are wrong. All of the decisions you make are going to change you for the bad or for the good. Be responsible and know what you came to college to complete. Do not sacrifice your academics so that you can go to a party, because that party will happen every weekend. Do not tear apart your self-image because you think this is a time to rebuild yourself. Most importantly, do not let your soul become a martyr so others will appreciate you. Yet this is a time to grow and change. You will go on to find what you think is your soul mate, and you will feel heartbreak for the first time because of this. It will only make you stronger. You will look like a fool because of your decisions. It will only make your wiser. It will seem as if you have no way out of situations, keep struggling. It will make you be who you wanted to be all along.

Delilah

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to be more open-minded. Coming from high school, there is no way to know how big and diverse the world is. I would tell my younger self, to be more daring and to explore more. I would also tell my younger self to love more and take bigger risks. The world is waiting to be explored, don't hesitate!

Monica

Not everyones freshman experience is the same. You will have completely different experiences than all your friends and even your family members because every school and every student is different. If I could go back in time to my senior year self I would have told myself that. I spent so much of freshman year at college feeling like I was doing something wrong because I couldn't relate to what my high school friends were doing at their schools during their first year there. I couldn't seem to get it through my head that we wouldn't be doing the same thing because we were no longer at the same school in the same town, surrounded by the same people. I would have liked to tell myself that there is beauty to having differences come into your life because they teach you about yourself. I do not think I would have learned half as much about myself if I was still experiencing the same things as my friends in high school. In college you cannot be afraid to be different from everyone else because it is those difference that made you stand out in the first place.

Julio

Oddly enough, I've thought about this quite a bit. Now that I am a senior graduating in May and going to graduate school in just a few months, I often think about the lessons I've learned and how I've changed over the past 4 years. Perhaps the biggest advice I can give to my high school self is to take things slowly and appreciate the "here and now" rather than constantly fretting over the next move. I've learned to understand that instant gratification is temporary; the real reward for hard, honest and diligent work comes later in life. I would tell my high school self that success is still a climb even after graduating from a top university; it is not an excuse for entitlement. Instead, a degree is only the first step in that journey towards happiness. Don't be perpetually concerned over the next internship, or paper, or class; live in the moment while positioning yourself for a successful future, rather than trying to predict the future without setting a solid foundation for that those predictions to become reality.

Dorothy

Blueberry Pie is the word I would use to describe my first year experience in college. Crunchy crust on the outside, and sweet mellow creamy on the inside. The work load was hard and crunchy- of course it was expected to be a little challenging- but the social life was the best part. I quickly learned after earning my first C from not studying that I would not pass a single class. I do not think you would expect me to say this but I actually love going to school and sitting in a classroom full of potential with people waiting to absorb information. I love being surrounded by the students of future America. The whole environment just lures me to sit there and discover the unknown. Clubs and my internship became my stepping stone for meeting new people like me who are pursuing the same goals. My professors are fantastic. I have become so close to them and look to them for inspirations. I know I will not make the mistakes I made in High School.

Annalise

You are at a high in your life. I know you're flying right now, and you deserve every bit of it, you've worked hard for what you've got but the hard work isn't over yet. New York University and its city is everything you hoped and more and things will seem to fall right into place. And far the most part, its all true, but there's something going on under the surface that you're not aware of. Your home life is changing in ways you will never, ever see coming. When you find out, it's going to crush you, it'll hurt like nothing other and you'll feel like your drowning without any air in sight, but it's there. It's in the beauty of the city you can now call home. In the people you call your friends because you've never surrounded yourself with anything less. In the school you've left and the kids filling in your shoes. And most importantly, it's within you. You have gotten so far in life and nothing will stop you if you don't let it. Succeed.

Cassady

It was around five AM on a Thursday morning. I laid on my stomach, head buried in my computer, eyes half shut as I typed furiously. I had two hours to write this essay, which I had only just started. I hadn't slept in days. And I remember thinking: If I don't get an A on this, I'll never go to college and my life will be over. Ah, high school. Sure, I was overreacting -- but in those days minor problems could become the end of the world. In a perfect scenario, I appear next to myself at seventeen, merely two years older yet (hopefully) a little wiser. I assure myself there's life after miserable all-nighters and high school girls who hate you and IB tests that give you permanent carpal tunnel. There's life after being dumped, and getting rejected from your dream school. There is so much more life ahead than I will ever leave behind. However, I don't appear. Seventeen-year-old me is left to figure it out on her own. And, although the world will tear her down a few times, she'll figure it out just fine.

Ciena

"Be open," I said to my younger self, staring her in the eyes. She looked confused, she knew for the most part, she's an open-minded person who is friendly. I didn't mean in that sense though. I knew that in my high school days, I was always open-minded and nice, but that's not what I was telling her to do. I was telling her to be open to new people, to be trusting. When you get to college, it is easy to close yourself off and believe that everyone is cut throat and mean. I wanted her not to feel that. After the first five months of college, I had made some of the best friends I will ever have and know that there are people who will always help me. Regardless of this, I know that for the first couple of weeks, I was not so open to people. It took me longer to make these friends and to become my friendly self. I told my bright-eyed younger self not to be the person who is scared of everyone else, but instead, be open to people, places, and things.

Arielle

In high school, my classmates and I loved when our teachers would assign reading homework and book reports. With the scope of technology today, all that required was a quick online expedition through Google's internet search engine in attempts to find concise summaries of the assigned texts that we could use to supplement our last-minue papers. This was the fast and easy way to learn everything about an extensive classic in about five minutes. It was the lazy way out, and even the smartest of students often opted for it. I now wish that I hadn't. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to read and absorb everything in it's entirity. Reading strengthens written communication skills and increases overall intelligence. There are many things in physical books that online summaries cannot provide. I've learned this as a college student, but I wish that I would've realized this as a high schooler. I would be smarter for it. My generation is often criticized for wanting everything so fast. We live in a time where the world is literally at our fingertips, yet the journeys within classic novels are timeless and invaluable.

Lucas

Listen, man, I know you are struggling with a lot of suff right now and you are feeling like getting good grades is the least of your worries. You're wrong! You need to start paying more attention to your studies, and i don't just mean your assigned work. If you don't have any homework then study or read or do something. If you don't start working right now then you are going to struggle when you get to college. Start applying for scholarships, too. You know Mom and Dad are broke so you're gonna need to put yourself through college, and if you don't get the free money, then prepare for some struggle. You aren't going to be able to eat, buy books, buy Christmas gifts, buy new clothes, or even hang out with friends if you don't get those scholarships. And another thing...stop being comfortable with mediocracy. You can do better than anyone in your graduating class if you just put your mind to it. Like coach told you in football camp, "...better to hustle now and be comfortable later. No one can be better than you plus hard work."

Jos

When I chose what college I wanted to go to, I told myself, “What scares me most in life? A metropolitan city? Well I should move to one.” I yearned for a challenge. Yet, spending my childhood dipping sandy toes into Californian shores and then abruptly moving to the cement streets of NYC, I was in over my head. If I could, I would tell my high school self to take a gap year right away, before going to NYU. It happened the hard way for me; I came to the city overwhelmed and unprepared. I ended up taking my second freshman semester off, despite my initial preference. In my time off, I backpacked Asia for several months, making friends, learning languages, and problem solving. I came back to NYC ready to embrace the challenges and I excelled. I switched my major, as I found that being a Global Public Health/Pre-Medical student was my correct path, leaving the professional art world behind. The time abroad made my overall NYU experience flourish, as my confidence had been reaffirmed.

Michelle

As a high school senior, I did not know the importance of making personal connections. I would tell myself that as important as it is to take studying seriously and to work to earn money and support myself through college, it is equally important to make the personal connections and friendships that will last a lifetime, and that will probably help you to jumpstart your career. Take time out to enjoy college-sponsored social events because they will not be available to you once you graduate. Especially if you are planning to go into a career that involves people, it is important to interact as much as possible and in as many ways as possible early on. Now, don't take this as an invitation to party every night. On the contrary, make your connections meaningful. Find friends that can help you study, and who you can help, have meetings with people you want to know, and go out and do some of the activities that interest you so that you can learn and grow as a human being.

Natalie

Dear High School Natalie, Right now you've been accepted to 5 out of the 9 film schools you applied to. Three of these acceptances came as a shock, especially your acceptance to NYU's film school. Although you may be tempted to choose NYU right away (it IS, after all, the #1 film school in the country...) you should really stop to think about which school is right for you. Take a trip to visit the schools, you might feel differently once you're on campus. Once you've made your decision, don't be afraid to immerse yourself in all your school has to offer. Join clubs and get to know the kids on your floor in the dorm (you'll know which room has extra sugar and who can open a jar when its top won't budge). Speak up in your classes, people will be interested in what you have to say. Lastly, when you feel homesick just remember that your friends and family are only a phone call away. Soon enough your school will start to feel like home and the friends you've made there will start to feel like family. Love, College Natalie

Wendy

Hi, me! So before you start your first year in college, you should get organized. Make an outline of the classes you want to take and when you want to take them. This will make your life so much easier because it'll help you stay on track and finish your undergraduate degree in less than four years. Another important thing you should do is to spend less time sitting front of your computer. You're going to be doing that throughout your whole college experience so you might as well seize any opportunities you're given to go outside and enjoy nature. And you know who you should be enjoying the great outdoors with? Your family. You're going to have less time to spend with them during the school semesters because the workload and stress will make you want to spend the whole day in bed or at the library. Your family are the most imporatnt people in your life and they will give you the support you need when life stresses you out. That's why you should spend as much time as possible with them.

Nataliya

Do not procrastinate and think that someone will tell you when and how to do your work. Figure out what pace is comfortable for you and stick with it, without comparing yourself to other people and how they study.

Lauren

I would tell my High School self to try harder with work and not procrastinate so much. I would tell her to urge seek more help with her ADHD and go past her mother so she can get some medicine. I would tell my high school slef that she should have looked for more scholarships and not be discouraged because of her grades. I would tell my high school self that she would need those grants and scholarships because she found out in order to work at her dream career she would need to move out to California and go to a fine arts school.

Janeen

I would tell myself to have more faith in the preparation I got from high school. The biggest difference between college and high school was the amount of independence I gained. It felt weird at first because I was used to someone telling me that I must go here or I must do this. No one coddles you in college. But part of high school is training students to think more independently and thus be more independent. Once I stopped waiting to be told what to do and started going out and finding things to do, I realized college isn't all that different from high school. The work is harder, as it always was from year to year in high school, but you make friends, join clubs, go to classes, go out some nights, and before you know it you've settled back into that school time routine. Once you stop stressing about how scary and unknown college is, you can enjoy your senior year and the people you get the chance to share it with, because you will miss them most of all.

Jesus

Focus academically! The way that high school and college work are very different. You'll be sitting in a room of 700 students who all want the same things you do and who are willing to do anything to get it. Don't just study hard, ask for help. Before, asking for help might have seemed like a sign of weakness, but in college it is essential. Don't trust your advisors with your academic path, do your own research on medical school requirements and ask your professors about what they think is best. You'll get the best results that way. A common misconception is that you have to be a science major to get into med school; not true. Major in a subject that you enjoy and ace all the requirements. Particiapate in every class and read the book ahead of time, it will only help you in the long run. Don't take summer courses or winter courses, they're a waste of your time and money that could be spent volunteering or interning. Seek out the minority population early on and study with them, they are more likely to understand your background and help you suceed.

GOLD

Frankly speaking, in those days when i was in high school, assuming i had known what i know now,life would have been better for me as a person. Those days, some of us , i mean my friends were not serious then. I thought university was like secondary education. I happened to be a son to the principal of a school and the best student in the school. This alone had gone into my head. Nobody could challenge my position in the class. There was less competition in the class. I happen to now be a local champion of my domain. When i got into the university, i was still carrying that mindset into school, which eventually made me to had almost four compulsory courses carried over in my first year in the university. This now made me to reset my plans towards my academic work but made me to loose focus. I retraced my steps but too late. The advice to give myself is that, whatever am doing at any point in time, i should put my best to all . To cap it all, a stitch in time saves nine.

Alexandra

Don't get senoritis because it's a very serious diease that can stick with you until your in college and go don't want to have an "I don't care attiude in college." Their's no one there to hold your hand when you fail or mess up. You also don't want to spend an extra year in college to make your classes you failed. It's nothing like high school there are no make up dates if you miss an assignment, no test retakes if you bomb a test, no all nighters you can do the night before and suprisingly pass the test the next morning, and after a certain amount of tardys you could be dropped out of your class. So be on time and don't slack off. But mostly important don't give up, never feel like the only thing to do is drop out of college becasue that's never the option. You can do it no matter how hard it may seem and if no one else believe in you. You'll be allright.

Sean

If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be to apply for more scholarships. I was bad at trying to get scholarships my first year and it costed me a lot of money. Also, take advice from friends that have been in college before. Ask them any questions you have because they are willing to help! Ask them what teachers are good, what classes you should take, and ask them for help if you struggle in a class. Its going to be harder than you think, so do everything you can to make it easier! Make sure you know about any and all deadlines, due dates, cut offs, etc. that are relevant to you because they are very important and easy to forget about.

Mayde

I wish more than anything that I could talk to myself from high school. I had no idea what was going to happen to me in the next four years and I would have loved to tell myself that not knowing things is completely fine. It is completely fine to feel like you are wandering, to feel unsure and most importantly to feel completely afraid. These things are all fine because as long as you are working towards something that you really want to do every day then every day that you work towards something will bring you another day that you did know what you were doing. I would tell myself to have fun and do not worry about so much because it will get you no where to be anxious about everything. Llife has a wicked sense of humor and always brings you good things in wierd ways if you work at it. I would tell myself to take every opportunity, especially the ones that scare you because so far they have made all the difference.

Ingrid

Don't let other people dictate what you do. Become the professor's friend even if that means being called a teacher's pet. Think about what's important for you and don't stop fighting for it even for one second. It might be fun to have cool friends that go out all the time and a cool college boyfriend, but those people are ultimately a distraction from what you're really there for: to learn. Don't be afraid of having fun from time to time but don't also be afraid of saying "Sorry, I can't. I have to study." The key to success is knowing your limits and going with your gut.

Mariya

As the time machine's whirring slowed down, I immediately recognized my bleak highschool hallways. "Be careful about letting anyone from the past see you," warned the man who loaned me his time machine. I pulled a hood over my head and walked down the hallway. I spotted younger me heading towards the bathroom. I intercepted her and pulled her into an quiet hallway. I wasted no time: "Listen, college is tough. You need to make sure you're not simply average. Start studying for finals now. But more importantly, don't be afraid to be a leader. There's a lot more competition in college and if you want to shine, you can't be someone's shadow. You're shy...I know. But a future diplomat of the UN can't be afraid to take risks and talk to new people. You have to believe in yourself. People will listen to you if you're confident and enthusiastic. You were afraid to run for student government; why? Fear is irrational and only exists in the mind. Try anything and everything next year! Make connections that will spur you into success. You won't regret it." Then, I vanished.

Ryan

Many students bubble with ambition during the college application process and apply for a disproportionately high amount of extremely selective universities. While applying for admission to these "reach" schools is not necessarily a negative thing, I recommend applying for the same amount of "safety" and "level" schools that are more likely to offer admission and secure amounts of financial aid. While I tried to take this strategy into consideration during my application process, I still found myself swaying toward more rigorous "reach" schools. I recommend aiming big, but do so with limited expectations; a seemingly infinite amount of competition exists for each space in a university's incoming freshman class. While one certainly should not downplay the significance of their achievements, it would be wise to keep in mind that many other similarly high-achieving students are also competing for admission. Universities with slightly lower ranks still offer unbounded opportunities for intellectual growth, career exploration, and extracurricular involvement. Remember, rank is arbitrary; the experiences one takes from his or her education however, is not.

Namuunbaigali

Go Back In Time If I ever have chance to travel back in time I would give myself a lots of advice about careers. When I was in high school I was full of excitement and expectation knowing that I was coming to USA. I had many plan: be disciplined and become an engineer. My mother decided that she would bring me and here once I finish high school. I started not to focus on school work in Mongolia. I would give myself advice “doing school work is about getting knowledge and learning to be disciplined.” Now I understand that having discipline is very basic of a work ethic. Also I would tell myself never to give up on my dream. Let me know that it takes time and determination, and I will have challenges such as money. Also certain things are worth let go of what’s not important. If I had one chance to go back in my high school years, I will make sure that I take all my classes and stay true to my goal. However I can’t go back in time. But I know that anything desire or goal will never late to start.

queen

That never remove the focus and continue to the end, dont stop attending classes to be with friends. And all that you learn at collage depend your and family future.

Lilianna

What you're going through is not your fault. What will happen is not your fault, and it is not typical. It's called Bipolar Disorder. It will be very hard to see everyone else succeeding and achieving happiness while you feel stuck inside your own head. Stay strong, you will get through it with help from the people who love you. This is the hardest thing that you will ever go through, but you will come out as a strong, mature person on the other side. Just because you feel bad does not mean that the college choice that you made was wrong. In fact, by the end of your challenging time, you will be incredibly grateful for your experience, and will appreciate your school more than any of your classmates. You will have more passion for getting a good education than ever before after taking time off to heal and become a mentally healthy person. Even when you don't love yourself, I will always be proud of you for getting through what you are going through, and so will everyone around you. I love you, stay strong.

Kristopher

Don't just go to college because your mother wants you to. Find something you really love, and learn about it. If you go to class for someone else, you will just float along. If you go to class for yourself, you will excel.

Rob

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to go to a 4 year college and major in computer sceince or something in the computer gaming area.

Nicola

Don't register for courses late, register early, you'll be grateful. Don't schedule yourself for extremely early classes just yet, you're not ready for it, wait until next semester to make the adjustment to your commute time and circadian rhythm. Don't skip meals, you need your brain food! Try not to be too harsh on yourself, you're only human and this is a learning process. Take time management seriously, it is a skill that you will thank yourself endlessly for refining! Study for exams earlier than just the week before, studying for exams the week before may have worked in high school but it is the equivalent of cramming now that you're at NYU, so spread out your study time. Purchase a planner to help yourself keep track of all your assignments, club meetings, to-dos and hang-outs. Take 5 minutes out of each day to stop, relax, and meditate. Keep a journal and write something interesting you've learned everyday. Don't be bored while you take that hour-long commute to campus, read a book! Don't be afraid to befriend your professors and peers, everyone is friendly and welcoming!

Maria

I would tell my younger self not to over think every detail of the future. I would constantly find myself worrying about possible scenarios that (mostly) did not even happen. Bridges are meant to be crossed once you get there, not miles beforehand. I have found that it is a lot easier to take things as they come instead of worrying beforehand because it only creates unnecessary stress that blocks you from doing the best you can in the moment you are living. Take one step at a time and eventually you will have walked the world.

christopher

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the advice would be to not to wait so long to start college. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to take my time while writing my research for college, because they count a higher percentage to you grade. The third piece of advice that I would give to myself would be that to focus more on school then sports. The reason why I would give me this advice would be I never knew how much education mattered til I was actually out of high school and found that alot of companies that are hiring are looking for people who have completed their educaiton. This is just some of the advice that I would give myself if I could travel back in time to where I was a senior in high school.