Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

College isn't really as scary as everyone makes it out to be. The most important things to keep in mind when starting college is to make sure you check that everything u need to enroll is submitted on time. Don't ever hesitate to call the college and ask any questions you may have. Staying on track and balancing time spent on studying and fun is very important. A lot of students find it difficult to stay on track with the studies and get lost in the social life. Although the basic classes you have as a freshman are usally big in size, it's always a good idea to introduce yourself to the professor, it really makes a difference. Planning your days in ahead really make it easier to get things done faster and on time. Overall, taking on all this responsibilty can be very stressful but your not alone. There are always people ready to help you when u need it, all u have to do is ask.

Always retain an open-mind, but know your limits-never put too much on your plate. Don't procrastinate-master time management. Organize priorities. Schedule self-time. Plan whatever you can ahead. Know your advisors. Never skip class.

The best advice is to choose my classes wisely so that I won?t waste time and money taking classes that are not related to my intended major. Another good advice is to attend a community college for the first two years; as they offer quality education with less than half the price being paid in a four-year college, smaller class sizes, and individualized attention from the professors, which is something that is almost impossible to get in a big name school.

College is about exploring and maturing. I will go through trials of struggles in finding myself. I will try out different majors until I find a major that I enjoy and can do well due to my passion. I will have chances to meet diverse personalities and find my niche for lifetime. I will have highly-educated professors, whom I can network with. There is no need to be shy or worried. Right now, I should prepare for college by taking some advanced-level courses. I should take these difficult courses so I can gain knowledge needed for the courses I will take next year. On the other hand, I should get AP credits transferred for the required courses necessary for my college graduation, which will save time for other important courses. In order to have a great and successful time at college, find balance between work and fun, learning and living. It is recommended that I practice as soon as possible but at the end, it?s worth it. Through time, as I will explore myself, I will soon realize that I am maturing and ready to put my feet out into the real world to make a difference.

I would tel myself to never sell yourself short, and live life. That in life we make good and bad decisions, and even if the decisions we make may be bad, learn from it and move on, to be the best that you can be. Also that it doesnt matter what school you go to, it all depends on what you make out of the school. Lastly, know people, so they can help you get your foot in the door!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to apply to more schools, different ones. I would advise myself to look more into the programs that schools offered and not just the importance of the name. I would tell myself that Rutgers was a good choice, that I do well academically and it had opened up many experiences for me. I would tell myself not to be afraid going to school in the Fall, because it will be the best experience of my life. I would advise that younger person to explore a little bit more of the world around her. For a long time, I did not see many facets of Rutgers and am now just beginning how much it has to offer. Lastly, I would say to avoid getting too stressed out and enjoy the experience of classes and friends more. My first year at Rutgers was great, with meeting people and taking interesting classes. I would say to have as much as you can, and focus on your school work, before you have to start worrying about life after Rutgers.

Dear High School Allie, I know that Rutgers is not your first choice, in fact you picked this college in five minutes on May 1st, 2008. But trust me you are going to love it, maybe a little too much. Just remember to go too every single class, and sit in the front of lecture. I know you feel stupid because you got wait-listed at schools where you should have gotten into, but you are far from dumb, and Rutgers is a great school. Just remember to do all your work, and to actually study because you?re going to need too if you want a pretty GPA. But don?t waste your entire time studying Bittner, go out and have fun! Go get lost on College Ave looking for parties, go watch movies with your friends, go wander around Cook campus at night, and just enjoy yourself! Make as many friends as you possibly can, because the people at Rutgers will be your friends for the rest of your life. But most of all be happy with Rutgers, because you are now a scarlet knight, and the next four years of your life are going to be epic.

I would listen to my parents more. I resisted even looking at the school that I eventually choose because my parents thought that it would be a good choice, and probably resisted even more so because it is the school that my father went to. I wanted to branch out on my own. I was not until I was offered an opportunity to interview for the school's honors program that I really looked at it. I found on that day that my parents advice was pretty good. The school really did fit me and offered me the opportunities to branch out that I wanted. Sometimes listening to the people who are close is a good thing after all.

The best advice I could give myself would be to take my classes a bit more seriously. I was one of the top students in my high school, and I admit I did not need to study much in order to ace tests. Once I got to college, for some of my first classes I thought I could do the same and just pay attention in class, but of course I was wrong. I did not fail any courses, but I did not do as well as I would have liked, and I know that it was my fault that I did not ace my courses. I think, if I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, that I would definitely stress the importance of studying as much as possible, even if it means skipping out on college parties once and a while and staying home to really focus on the material. I am not suggesting that one should not have a social life in college, because that is important to the whole experience as well, but one needs to remember that classes and studying come first.

Dear 2001 Version of me, Breathe and relax. I know you are geared up for work and motivated because you know that college is hard work, and that is great, but know that there is more to college than the 21 credit hours you are so ambitiously planning on taking your first semester. College is not only a 4 year prerequisite for a diploma, but it is also 4 years of expanded horizons, 4 years of personal expansion, 4 years of self seeking, and 4 years of world experience that you really couldn?t have anywhere else. See the big picture and make wise decisions. People will enter your life and people will exit it, there will be great triumphs just like there will be painful set-backs. Through all of this, you need to understand that all of it will only make you stronger, more knowledgeable and in a positive way shape who you are. Embrace this experience in its full form, from the classes to the social engagements. This is a new chapter in the novel that is your life, and you will only pass this way once. What words would you have written? With Love, Aakia

I would probably tell myself to be prepared for the independence of college. In high school you are set into a strict schedule, but in college you are thrown into a new type of system. The independence that you are given upon admittance is unlike anything in high school. You determine when you eat, you determine when you sleep, where you go, what you do, it's unlike anything in high school. Entering college I was taken back by this and for a few days I needed to find my bearings. I think this is the biggest change for students between high school and college. Up until college you aren't really able to do much, but once you are away on your own there is so much that you have to figure out on your own. Mommy and daddy aren't looking after you anymore. With that independence comes responsibility and this is what usually shocks students entering college. Had I known the type of independence and responsibility that was thrusted on me I think that my transition between high school and college would have been smoother.

Dear 18 year-old self, RELAX! College is an important aspect of life, an important stepping stone of success, but your hard work will for sure pay off. Take time to figure out what you want from your university and your future and go get it. Set goals and create plans to achieve them. Keep in mind college should not be about the most popular name, the biggest party rep or the furthest (or closest) from home. College should provide well rounded opportunities: a great education, a strong athletic program, a range of extra curriculum programs and a strong alumni association. Your confidence is not the problem, be sure to enter college expectantly yet humble. Be bold and driven. Be direct and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Make friends and make memories. But always most importantly get to know the ?need- to- know- people?: your deans, your teachers, your coaches and if possible your university president. Last note: get a tutor regardless!

As you get ready to leave school, questions about relationships and identity arise. Because they are of the kind that you must go through yourself, nothing I say will solve your problems or make them better. I would merely hope they could provide some direction and relief. What to do with the relationships you find yourself in? Friendships can easily be maintained over Facebook and on holiday visits. Romantic relationships are not so easy. At this point you hardly know what you want in a relationship anyhow. My experience is that the start of college is not a good time to be in a relationship. In general, you can be sure that the people who surrounded you in your quiet suburb will be replaced with a dizzying new crowd of people. Some questions, like those of what to major in, what you want to do with your life, and who you want to be can be explored while in school. Addiction and mental health issues cannot. Don?t be afraid to take the time off to sort these problems out now. That way you can ensure your success in college.

If I could take a journey through time and meet myself as a senior in Plainfield High School, I would give myself a plethora of advice and information. As a senior in high school I had no idea what college was all about. As a junior in college, I have gained over three years of college experience and knowledge that I would share with my inexperienced, less knowledgeable, senior in high school self. The first piece of information I'd give myself is to STOP procrastinating, and start thinking about college right away. Next, I'd tell myself to pick at least five careers that interests me, research them, and research schools that offered programs that would best help me to achieve my career goals. Then, I'd tell myself to chose one of the five choices and stick with it. After that, I'd tell myself to apply to every scholarship that I could find. I'd tell myself that choosing a college/ university is important but finding ways to fund that education is just as important. I'd finally wish myself luck, smile and leave, proudly knowing that I have given myself the best advice I could.

Knowing I could go back, I would definitely tell myself to work harder in school. Senior year was my last year in high school, and I definitely began to slack off and I started to do less and less work in school. As I got to college, this made it more difficult for the transition. Time management is definitely something I needed to work on. Doing all my work on time in high school, and being organized would have helped a lot during my first semester at college. Also, I would tell myself to study harder for tests and not cram the night before. In college, material is taught at a much faster rate, and if you don't keep up with the work, you fall behind easily. I would also have taken my AP exams to place out of certain classes my first semester. It would have lessened my workload and allowed me to focus more on a lesser amount of classes so I could get better grades and obtain a higher GPA. Overall, I would have worked on making a schedule for myself, one I could keep in college so I could do more in lesser time.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life, I would fill myself in on some tips and tricks about studying and time management. It may take a bit to understand the dynamic of college coursework and how to go about preparing for exams, but once you master how to study effectively, the fear you initially experienced before exams goes away. I love being able to leave a test feeling confident in myself and my knowledge. When your answers are right--you know it, and you know the reason you are answering them correctly is a direct result of all of your hard work and preparation. Preparing for college exams requires a large investment of time and energy, but it must be a smart investment. There are only so many hours a person can spend studying amidst other responsibilities, and it is relatively easy to overextend oneself. There IS (despite what some may say) time for a life outside the classroom, but remember, you cannot do everything. Above all, utilize and love your agenda. Though only paper, it is among the strongest forms of structural support you will find.

You'll know who your friends are here pretty much by Halloween. Make sure to focus on studying because it's a lot harder then high school, especially harder then senior year!

Stick to one thing and do your best at it. Studying is not EVERYTHING - remember to have fun too! Try your best to get along with those around you and not develop awkward/bitter relationships. Learn more Japanese! Practice more guitar so you can be better than your most of your friends. Stop being so lazy. Stop being so cocky. Be humble! Serve God harder!

Keep an open mind about college. Don't be so quick to declare what you want. Your idea of a picture-perfect school might not be exactly how you dream it to be. I was so convinced I needed a small school, but I ended up at Rutgers University, a school with 35,000 undergraduate students-- certaintly not what I was expecting! What I didn't know about this large school was that I would be given SO many opportunities to travel, do research with brilliant professors, and choose from a plethora of different clubs and activities. These opportunities shaped my life and interests, and motivated me to create my own major in Human Rights. I have since lived in an on-campus 'living-learning community' where we spent Winter Break studying Human Rights/Genocide in Cambodia. Next semester I will also be attending the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women!! These choices would not have been available to me at a small school. My advice to any senior in high school would be to keep your mind open and never limit yourself. You just might be surprised what you find.

The transition between college and high school was a major thing for me, considering I had everybody in high school constantly right by my side. It was very difficult to not have my teachers constantly asking me if I needed the help, I was the one who had to open my mouth and ask. I would spend more time studying and asking for the teachers help rather than be stubborn and do it all on my own. I would have specialized in Early Childhood Education like I started to instead of switching to a broad range of classes. Knowing how I learn I would have never did online schooling; I would still do online courses but only one at a time. I would get involved more in the school and its extra curricular activities, perhaps even another sport other than soccer, although that is my absolute favorite! Other than that I would not change a thing. Thanks God Bless

If I could go back in time I would tell myself that studies come first. Social life and Rutgers football games, have to come second to my studies. There will be plenty of time for me have fun later on in life. I would also tell myself that I will be paying about 25K a year so that I can attend, and that if I dont make the most of that money then I would be throwing it away. I would say, be active and join as many organizations as possible. Network with people because there are thousands of people that are graduating yearly from Rutgers and that I may never know when a contact I meet may be able to offer me a job further down the line.

The best advice I could give myself is to figure out where I'm going and how I plan on getting there. If I sat down to think about what I really wanted, I could have avoided changing majors and taking unneccessary courses. One you realize what you want to do, the next step is figuring out how to get there. Looking at classes and deciding what I needed to study before hand would paint a picture of my degree for me and make understanding college a little easier.

I would have, without question, told myself to find every scholarship I possibly could and apply for it. Most college students tend to hide from tedious scholarship applications since they just finished an already tedious process of applying for schools.; I was one of them. Slacking off and enjoying senior year was nice, but not nearly as nice as it would have been to have stayed at my number one school for all four years without any financial trouble. After attending the school of my dreams freshman year, I had to transfer out after I no longer had the funds. I now attend my last choice school, and am desperately trying to find a way out. If I had not only applied for more scholarships, but also studied more to qualify for better scholarships, I would have been able to enjoy my college experience for a little bit longer. If I had understood that most high schoolers hide from the longer application scholarships, and that I had a higiher chance of getting money than I had initally thought, I would have tried harder to gain more money towards my education.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time to my high school senior year I would take time to consider what I REALLY want to study and pursue. Much money and time can easily be wasted by a capricious and poorly informed student. I would research and investigate more of the fields/subjects that interest me so that I could go into college more focused.

Follow your gut instincts. Know what you like, make a goal out of it, and make steps to follow through. Setting goals is so important. Do not meander through your college career hoping one day life will just magically be figured out for you. Figure out life for yourself.

Make sure to keep a balance in your life during college. I wish I knew that sooner. Schoolwork is, of course, the most important thing, but it is important to make sure you don't stress out too much and still have fun. After all, college is as much a social experience as an academic one. The social connections you make in college can last a lifetime. Don't put your schoolwork second; still make it a priority, but make sure you leave time to have fun, as well, or else you will drive yourself crazy.

I should have looked more into the credentials to transfer. I should have done the research bc now it is taking me six years just to achieve my bachelors.

I would advise myself that in order to succeed and graduate on time, it is more helpful to know what you want to do going into college and what kind of classes you want to take. It is very hard to graduate in 4 years without knowing exactly what classes you want to take. Also, find people who are able to help figure things out around campus because many academic advisors are unhelpful and cause more problems than you began with.

I would tell myself to look into the courses I would need to successfully complete my major and minor so I could be more prepared than I was coming in. I would also remind myself that college is not like high school and that piling on a bunch of classes like Biology, Chemistry, and Calculus all at once probably isn't the best idea. I would tell myself tp utilize all of the academic resources available to ensure I get my money's worth; The Learning Centers, Tutors, etc.

My mom graduated from Oxford, Cambridge and MIT. She is the smartest person I know, and my role model. So my whole life, I've been OBSESSED with getting into an ivy and measuring up to the high standards she set for me - and that I set for myself. My senior year, I took four APs, almost went postal trying to get a perfect SAT score, and on top of that refused to give up any of the activities I'd enjoyed during high school - tutoring, piano, dance, debate club, math team, select choir... the list went on and on! I was averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night, but I didn't care. I loved my activities and prioritized keeping my committments over my health and sanity (lol) Ultimately, I didn't get into a single ivy. I guess I didn't stand out enough - maybe because it was glaringly evident that I'd stretched myself waaaaaaay too thin. Like a lot of kids do. So If I could go back in time, I'd tell myself to CHILL the @#$! out!!! Rutgers is AMAZING, and if I could do it over, I wouldn't even apply anywhere else :)

Dont think that its cool to live out of state or far away like Vermont, Usually staying closer to home and attending especialy Rutgers with its diverse and different campuses, you will allways find something that you like, you will find your niche..

I would tell myself to pay attention to the little details of the roadmaps of the people before me. Focusing on finding scholarships is a big thing that highschool students should know. The most important lesson that these two things could offer me is that college about leanring how to be a self-sufficient and self-sustaining individual. The groundwork for that is in your highschool "self". Learning how to research for yourself and take care of what you need as a student is a great thing to have in your toolbelt, in order to be a succesful adult in any endeavor that you do.

I would tell him to do everything like he's gonna do up to the beginning of the semester. Then, I would tell him to save money and do well in all his classes so he wouldn't have to cram for exams now.

Nothing, I feel that learning what I have learned on my own gave way to the success that I have achieved thus far. With my successes and failures, I have grown immensely over these past three years and would not change a single event or occurance.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself a lot of advice. First, definitely do not forget your umbrella and rainboots at home! Go to every single class, there's valuable information at every one. Do not take too many credits it will hurt you rather than help you. Be involved to make friends, and lots of them!

If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would only have one thing to say: relax. I spent so much of my senior year worrying what my college experience would be like. Would I like my roommate freshman year? (Yes, I did). Would I like my classes? (Almost all of them). Would I finally learn not to mix colors with whites when doing my own laundry? (Not quite). Now that I know what college is like, I can firmly say I never had anything to worry about. I would tell myself to be excited, instead of worried, because college is a world full of new friends and possibilities. Although my last year ofhigh school may have seemed like the end of an era, a time for tears and sorrow, it was actually time to rejoice. I would let myself in on the secret that so many college students know: high school is not the best for years of your life. College is.

The most imporant thing I would say would be simply not to stress. A lot of things in the world today are high stress with trying to maintain a high GPA, taking part in extra-curricular activities, and clubs that we often forget to relax. I would tell myself not to worry so much about these things, that college life isn't only about grades or clubs. It's also about learning how to live on your own, using your new found independence, and all the things that goes along with that. College life is a learning process in and of itself. The best thing one can do is to stay calm and not worry because a clear head is the best way to deal with everything that can arise. You should also take advanatage of the many clubs, extracurriculars, reasearch oppurtunities, and internships avaliable, they can be invaluable in giving you expirence. Overall one should simply enjoy the college expirence and everything it has to offer. Before long you'll be in a work environment and won't have the time to enjoy and expirence the things you did.

Since I am a commuter, I would tell myself to stay over more and go to more extracurricular things. Get involved with the swim team. Go to games. And pretty much, just have fun. I am very dedicated to schoolwork and very focused on that, but since I do commute, I very often place schoolwork over hanging out with friends and going out, which I would probably do a lot more of if I lived on campus.

I would tell myself to try to learn as much about the college as I could. Right now, I dislike having to deal with the pains and hassles and frustrations of the adminstration and especially of the teachers. I feel as though they are all so disconnected from the students that the real learning experience cannot be obtained. Thus, I would tell myself to go visit the school and try to live in the on-campus housing to get a feel for the school life. Then, and most importantly, to sit in on some classes to get a real feel of the environment and structure. Currently, I do not particularly enjoy my teachers and feel as though high school was much better. Learning how the class is structured and if the teachers are engaging are important, especially since I am at college to learn.

If there was one thing that I would tell myself to do as a high school senior, it would be to actually take the AP exams for my classes that way I wouldn't regret not taking them when registering for classes in the future. I'd also tell myself that I should try to become apart of Douglass Residential College so that I could take advantage of the networking opportunities and more intimate community that Rutgers offers in this group.

Set goals and never give up on them. Have a plan early on. It makes your college career so much smoother and easier. Do not waste time. Take 5 classes per semester and try to finish in 4 years. I will be graduating in exactly 4 years and I do not think it was so difficult because I planned things out right. Have a plan and stick to it!

Do as much research about your prospecitve schools as possible. Know what type of environment you're looking for, as well as the college that offers the best learning opportunites in your prospective major. Don't overlook certain schools just because other people say it's a bad school or because "everyone" is going there. Choose a school that fits your personality and needs.

Try to figure out what you want to study as early as possible & plan your courses well before you have to take them.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to apply myself harder during my Freshman year of college. I would urge myself to take AP courses during high school in order to obtain credits for college. I would tell myself to get into the habit of learning proper study habits, eating habits, as well as learning to manage time efficiently. I would tell myself to not worry so much about being socially accepted because if I was to act like myself, I would have made the close friends that I've obtained towards the end of the year sooner. I would tell myself to not fear the unexpected. I would tell myself not to panic and to learn that not everything rides on my answer to one simple question. I would urge myself to take steps into learning about scholarships and internships ahead of time, and to look into scholarships sooner as opposed to later. Most of all, I would tell myself to enjoy my time at Rutgers University and to take everything in a stride. Seriously, it's no use crying over spilled milk, right?

Be open-minded, and be smart at financial planning.

Prepare yourself. The best thing to do is investigate each school and ask as many questions as possible.

Although I have always been in the the top of my class, my social skills have greatly improved. If I were to go back in time, even if I am completely proud of what I have lived and do not regret anything, I would teach myself how to interact with others in a more open-minded way and explore different settings to meet people with different perspectives. Before, I was reluctant, or simply perhaps not wise enough to go out and explore different environments to find myself. With maturity and knowing of myself, now I am proud of who I am and I am willing to explore different communities. Now, comfortable with myself, the adventure of meeting different people, with different backgrounds and perspectives of lives, have allowed me to form a better sense of my philosophy of life. At 21 years old, with my family left back in Lima, Peru two years ago, this new environment has allowed me to grow independently to make wise life choices. Perhaps what limitated me the most before was the huge barrier of a third world country. Now, in America, NOTHING is going to stop me.

If I were to go back in time and become a high school senior all over again the advice I would give myself is to be more serious. I was among few that didn't research schools and careers early on during my senior year. I didn't study for my SAT's, nor did I all my classes each day. I truly regret the lack of seriousness and motivation I had my senior year. I would do everything different if I were to go back in time. For instance, I would study more and spend my weekends checking out colleges and meeting with professors.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about the tranistion into college, I don't think I could've said anything that would've made a difference. My transition into college life was a growing process. I was not excited at all by the prospect of going away for college and ended up extremely homesick my first few months away. I would not have been able to successfully overcome my homesickness or to become as outgoing as I am now if I my oldest sister (an alumni of my college) and my upperclassmen (those that knew my sister) kept an eye out for me and helped me become more involved in clubs. As I was more integrated in extracurricular activities, I gradually began to forget my homesickness. But I would not have had the courage to put myself out there if it were not for the people around me looking out for me. However, it is because of this that I feel much closer to my upperclassmen, feel much more free to express myself, and can now do the same for the incoming freshmen every year.

I would tell myself that college is going to be tough and I need to be prepared for the work load. I would tell myself to be prepared to manage my time well so I don't fall behind. I would make sure to know that there are people on campus that can help me if I am overwhelmed and that there are people to help me succeed. I would let myself know that college is a fun and tough experience not only academically, but personally as well because in college is when you find out the type of person you really are. You need responsibility and maturity to make it in college because you are now an adult out on your own.