Suffolk University Top Questions

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

Nicole

Don't worry about getting into the "best" school. At the time, I thought this was what was important. Later, I decided to complete two years at community college and it was the best financial decision I could have made. I then attended Suffolk University which was the perfect choice for me at the time.

Tatyanna

So often now I hear old high school peers discuss how much they miss high school, and how they would like to go back and relive it. I too wish I could go back, but not for the same reasons. I would go back so I can redo it, not to relive it. I wish there was a way to let my sixteen year old self know what my eighteen year old self knows now. It is surprising what a difference two years can make.I did not do anything crazy or stupid that I regret, except being naive. That is the first thing I would tell myself if I could. Do not be naive. Back then I experienced betrayal often. I experienced it because I opened myself up to it. There were signs that I should have seen that I missed because I was to naive to notice. I know now that not everyone is for you, some people are against you. Awareness is key. It allows no one to have the power to deceive you.The only person who should dictate your happiness is yourself. A concept that I wish I knew then.

brittany

Overall, i'm pretty proud of the descisions I made as a high school senior, but the one thing I would tell myself is to save my money and to enjoy every minute of high school and everyone around you. Being away from home is not what I expected and if I could I would of told myself what it really is like. Over this past break I lost my grandfather and that made me realize to enjoy every moment of everything and everyone, and not stress about it. I'm glad with the friends i've made here in Boston but i do miss my memories with my high school friends and even though I would tell myself to save more money, I would also say spend more time with your friends and less time stressign and working everyday.

Jada

" Jada you are more than just a piece of meat. Jada your a work of art, a temple, a sanctuary. You dont have to give yourself up to feel accepted into this world. boys are just covered in tattoos and afraid of commitment. They wont see you as a work of art because they dont think the pain will be worth it. Be open-minded and just stay true to yourself and that how you will attract the positives vibes. Open the books boys can wait, one day it shall be them opening the newspaper reading my articles wondering what if i gave her what she was worth"

Shawn

I started College during my Senior year of high school under a concurrent program. I had my 4 classes paid for by the government, and so I wasn't in any financial distress. I started my next year of college after graduating in 2012, only to learn my parents would be giving me no financial support. I went into debt to the school, though I was working forty hours and paying my own bills, etc. I paid off around $600 a month until my school sent my debt to a collection agency, where they added a $600 transfer fee. I have now taken two years off of school, in order to save money. I am on my own, living in my own house, paying my own bills, and I just bought my first car. I want to go back to school so badly but I just can't, given my financial situation. I'm working really hard, but the money is just not adding up. Every penny helps, but I'm just not finding enough of them.

Nicole

I would tell myself not to settle and to actually take time during the application process to find a school that really stuck out to me. I made up my mind too fast and didn't think enough about what I actually wanted from a school.

Ariana

As an omniscient participant in my past, I would tell the high school version of myself that attending Suffolk University would be no different than any of my past educational experiences. I would explain to myself that the decision to focus all efforts on the gaining of a solid education was worthwhile and has made it possible for success in college. Although the challenges that come with the transition can be partially credited for what I have become as a college student, knowing that the shift would be positive would have been welcomed knowledge. I believe that the closing advice I would give the previous version of myself would be to stress as much as possible and to question everything; the desire to further knowledge is the key to a successful education.

Paula

I would tell myself to pick the school that I would not mind giving back to. Ultimately, college is about leaving your mark on the campus and getting involved. I went to a different school before attending Suffolk, I chose my previous institution because everyone kept saying that I should go to school away from home. I ended up disliking the experience and transferring to my first choice school. I would tell myself to follow my heart and pick the school that I feel I would be able to benefit from. I would also tell myself to start the study abroad and getting involved earlier. I did not get involved in my previous institution and I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I did not feel comfortable asking the necessary questions. I would tell myself to start early for the things I know I want to do. Another piece of advice I would give to myself would be to focus on my strengths and find a major that works with them. I changed my major several times before finding my niche, I ignored my strengths and majored in things other people were telling me I would be good at.

Lillian

In the transition from high school to college I was able to obtain a larger perspective on who I essentially am. This includes realizing both my inner strengths as well as flaws. If I had the opportunity to bestow advice on my high school self I would instruct them to stop doubting themselves. In the past few months I have learned that the only person who has the ability to prevent me from achieving my goals is myself. I have a tendency to be harsh upon myself which in some cases is self destructive. This self destructive habit is one that has the ability to alter the path in which I’m taking to achieve my dreams. In learning not to self doubt myself it allows me to fully reach my potential as both a student and a person. This combination directs me towards a brighter future. I believe that my high school self would have benefited greatly from hearing this piece of advice from my present self.

Leonel

Well first off I would tell myself that college is very expensive so start saving now! Another thing that i will advise myself to do is know that you can reject or appeal your financial aid award letter and try and convince your school to give you more money to pay for your tuition costs.

Kay

Stay in school. No one is going to make you feel or think you are important if you don't make yourself feel that way. The work is going to be worth the pain and your self of accomplishment is going to be far greater than anything you imagined. You've done great things but you are capable of even greater things and you will live your life with no sense of regret lingering in your heart. Save yourself some heart ache and go against the grain right now and just stay in school and find those friends who will support you in your dreams and desires. When it all comes down to it, you are the only person that you can depend on.

Michelle

If I could go back, I would probably take time management a lot more seriously. Living at school gives one the opportunity to create your schedule the way you want so you can make time for getting involved and even finding a part-time job. If I had worked on my time management faster and realized how it important it was, I would not depend on my parents to constantly put money in my account.

Kristyn

The one piece of advice I would tell my high school senior self would be to just relax. College is the one time in your life where you are able to have the freedom to join a club or take a class on an interesting subject for fun. Making your own decisions is a very liberating experience, especially when you are living in a dorm away from your parents. But not every decision has to be calculated out to advance your academic future. I wish I took more time to just sit back and be more attentive to the present instead of palling out for the future. I feel as if I missed out on joining clubs I was interested in and creating friendships because I was took obsessed and overwhelmed with maintaining my GPA and studying in the library.

Jennifer

If I could go back in time and give myself advice in high school it would be to work harder and not be so lazy and expect things to just come to you. In high school the curriculum wasn't the least bit challenging so I used to just get by, by doing the minimum amount of work possible. I would get by with B's, but I knew I could really get straight A's if I wanted to. Being lazy and taking the easy way out didn't help me at all because I ended up taking a year off of school while all of my friends were out enjoying their college life. I would tell myself to always accept challenges, not to be lazy, and really push myself to do my best one hundred percent of the time because when you take the easy way out, you're only cheating yourself.

JARRED

Originally I chose to go away and live at college but was unable to do so because of a medical condition. Going to Suffolk was not my first choice and I have had a really hard time accepting the fact that I was unable to live away at school. But Suffolk has afforded me an alternative and has given me a good education thus far. Sometimes plan B isn't such a bad option. I commute to Suffolk and live at home and I have adjusted my plans accordingly.

Stephanie

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to do more research when picking a school. I applied to a lot of schools last minute, and didn't really do any research on them before deciding. It is important to know all of the facts of the school you are going to spend time away from home at. I would have liked to know that there isn't really a campus at my current school, and making friends would be more difficult than I expected. I also would tell myself as a high school senior to be prepared to be on my own. There isn't someone to cook your meals, or someone to run to the store for you, or someone to wash your clothes. College is a lot about becoming independent and I know that now. I also would have liked to know NOT to buy my books ahead of time. Who would have thought that not being a procrastinator would actually be a negative thing? I bought books ahead of time and barely used half of them; making copies in the library is cheaper to get the information you need.

David

College has taught me so many things that I know will be useful for the rest of my life. I have learned how to be responsible with money, because living away from home means mom and dad aren't there to help you every step of the way. I have learned how to study and learn in the way that is most beneficial to me and will allow me to excel in my studies. But I think the most important thing I have learned from college is how to be a family. I have gained so many friendships and formed so many bonds with students at this school, that I don't think I would ever want to get rid of. When you live with people everyday of your life you tend to grow close to them, and form those bonds and friendships that will never break, and that is the most valuable thing I have gained from m experience at my university.

Samantha

Suffolk University doesn't have a lot to offer its students in my opinion. I will be transferring to the University of New Hampshire for a more college experience.

Melissa

Through-out my college experiance I know will learn many valuable lessons that will benifit me in the future. What I have gotten out of my college experiance so far is that I've learned how to be more independanct from my parents since I now live in my dorm. I have learned how to balance my schedule with work so that I can have time to finish my assignment and get good grades. Also, I feel more comfortable about talking with my proffesors about what I need certaing assignment so that I am able to do well in there class. It has been very valuable for me to attend Suffolk University overall because I know that they are giving me the education and skills I need to be someone important in the future. It is also valuable to me to attend because I know that I am not wasting my time going to classes because I can tell the teachers truly care about my questions and do want to help me with any problem I may have. In conclusion, my college experiance with Suffolk University so far has really helped me transition from high-school to my freshman year.

Natalia

My major is International Business and Finance. Suffolk University offered me to start my college career in Madrid, Spain, and I full-heartedly embraced the offer. Coming to Madrid to study for my first two years has opened my eyes not only to other cultures and other ways of living but also to the vastness of the business world. I have gotten to visit many other countries, and have met the most amazing people from all around the world. It has been valuable to attend because I am gaining real world experience to the work I intend on doing in the future. It has helped me learn so much not only about others but also about myself. I transfer back to the U.S. fall of 2011, and I know I will be bringing along with me experiences that hopefully will impact the lives of others I come across.

Anne

My college experience gave me a thirst for learning and a humility as to how much I don't know about human culture and humanity past, present and future. It has taken me many years to find the career that allows me to inspire this in others and foster in others a desire to learn. Now I realize a career in higher education is the way I can impact and share with others the positive experience of learning and open the eyes of other students to a world beyond what they can see. College enabled me to help others (including my own children) to believe in themselves enough to keep learning in whatever field or format they need to. College gave me hard lessons about responsibility, maturity, time management, communication, and self advocacy, lessons encircled by the challenge to learn and become better and to build the confidence and skills to make a better life for myself. Quitting was not an option even when I didn't think I could do it. My self esteem and confidence were boosted immeasurable when I walked across that stage and received my Baccalaureate knowing I did it on my own.

Marie

During college I've gotten a lot of experience some good and bad. One thing I’ve gotten out of my college experience is that the work load is intense. Because I have a disability it makes it harder for me to keep up with the work load that’s given. This means I have to work ten times harder at everything I do. Suffolk University has been valuable to attend because I can prove to people that just because a person has a disability it doesn’t mean they can’t succeed and go on to do great things.

Kelbee

I love it and it also teaches me how to be a team leader and how to be a teacher. i love my school that i go to and would not chnge anything.

Neil

College has offered a structure for me to focus my goals and purpose for the rest of my life. I took some time off directly after high school to travel and work. I learned a lot more about what I wanted from life and acquired a better idea of how to formulate a life that would make me happy. My current college experience is an invaluable tool that puts me in contact with resources and outlets that will help me to successfully pursue what I want for my life in terms of career and even greater purpose. College is about learning and discovery, but more importantly it has inspired me to accept that learning is not restricted to the classroom, but instead that it is a way of life. Furthering my education is important to not only my future success in my career, but also in my life. The most important thing I have learned since being in college is that my life is all encompassing. Yes there are different parts whether they be social, academic, or work, but in fact my life is a culmination of all these segments and learning happens everywhere and all the time.

Lauren

In high school I was involved in as many school organizations that is humanly possible: President of my class, Editor-in-cheif of the school newspaper, Conservation Club vice president, National Honor Society, Varsity soccer captain, Varsity lacrosse captain etc. I spread myself so thin trying to give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} to each of these organizations, that in actuality, I lost myself. Now as a college sophomore, I look back and think "Lauren, why didn't you focus on only a few things that you were really passionate about?" However, if I hadn't experienced all of those things in high school, I'm not sure I would have truly understood my passions versus what I thought were obligations. Now I know what is important in my life and I know how to exercise my passions. I now focus on a few amazing things in my life that have absolutely helped me realize who I am. I have let go of my inhibitions and I now activley participate in the theater department, singing my heart out daily, I volunteer at the local animal shelter (MSPCA), I focus on my academcs and I finally have time to appreciate my friends, family, and myself.

Guy

If was able to go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, I would advise myself to get ready to stay focused. Entering college is completely a different experience; you are treated as an adult. With the average college schedule being different from your typical high school schedule, it is easy to get off track and procrastinate. If a student does not buckle and stay on top of things, it is too easy to fall behind and eventually find yourself failing. College is not like high school where our teachers are constantly behind us to make sure we do well; college professors do want their students to pass but they do not follow you like a shadow like high school teachers do, they see you as adults and expect you to act that way. It is up to the student to decide how successful they want to be. Therefore my only advice would be to stay focused on the school work and success will come easily.

Martin

If I were to go back in time, about over year ago, to give advice to myself about college I would have much to say. First and foremost, I would tell myself to look upon the tuition more than just as something "I will pay back". The reason being, the 25,000 dollar loan I have now obtained plus interest is much more than just one year at Suffolk University. Also, I would beg myself to apply to more colleges to keep my options open. One of my greatest regrets is not applying to more than three colleges as well as at least one out of state college. I feel as though I did not push myself harder during the college process and I would highly urge myself to make the most of all the time I have. Every spare mintue can be used to look up things such as tuition, majors along with scholarships. The only ones I applied for were through my school and they barely put a indent in my bill. Therefore I would explain the great deal of help that scholarships outside of school could make and the possibilities that money could open.

Karyn

If I could go back to my senior year in high school I would advise myself not to settle for a university. I would tell myself to make sure I begin researching potential schools in the summer, to learn everything about them, and to visit them. I would tell myself to apply for financial aid early and make sure any extra documents required by the schools are filled out. Most importantly, I would tell myself to keep as much outside biases toward a school out of my decision. It is very important to feel comfortable in the place you spend most of your day. That provides a person with the healthiest and happiest environment. It allows one to be motivated and want to work hard. Therefore, I would advise myself to make sure that I will be happy at the school I decide to attend. To make sure that I feel comfortable without any doubts and without having to convince myself that attending any given school is the best choice and what I really want. If I could do it all over again following this advice, I am sure I would have ended at the perfect school for me.

Kristen

My college experience has been far from what I expected, all because of my senior year. When it came down to applying to schools, I probably did the minimum of work necessary. I would not only advise my high school senior self, but also force me to research the schools that I was applying to. I essentially picked the most known, prestigious, out of my league schools possible instead of applying to schools that actually wanted me. I was a good student too, just not that good. As a result of my incredibly careless attitude and habitual procrastination, I ended up going to my state school which i did not want to attend and then went through an even more troublesome process in transferring to Suffolk University. I cannot stress the importance of the application process, starting with the crucial first step of researching all the schools one is applying to. I just wish I understood this before in my senior year.

Kaitlan

In high school I was much too focused on the present and never planned beyond the next week. If I could go back, I would advise myself to set future goals for myself and never lose focus of those goals until they are obtained. In the 4 years since I have been out of high school this is one of the most valuable things I have learned to do for myself. I just wish I could have learned it sooner!

Feizhen

Stop Worrying!! Be confident with who you are. Appreciate yourself and what you have done throughout high school. You are the one choosing the college not the college choosing you. No matter where you go friends will be made, papers will be written, and college life will happen. Have the confidence in yourself that you will choose the right college. Let no one sway you towards a college because you want to "keep in contact" and "save" certain relationships. You go to college to experience something new, something amazing. It is a time to grow. Don't be weighted down by friends you have made, comforts you have established at home or achievements you have obtained in the past. You will be able to make new friends, create a new home and achieve more in college. While you keep your past experiences with you, be open to everything that is being offered in college. O and save up lots of quarters cause you will be needing them for laundry =)

Ashley

If I could speak to myself a year ago after getting into Suffolk I would first tell myself to be proud of all the accomplishments made, especially perfect attendance for fourteen straight years. I would say to walk into Suffolk with a new perspective and to reflect on how the end of high school goes. Looking back I would say that the transition to Suffolk is easy with an open mind and staying true to myself. To not let past experience keep me from doing things, but to learn from them and grow from them. I would say be friendly, join in, and speak up. Keep warm, go explore Boston, make the right friends that are worth it, and be proud of who you are. Don't let anyone bring you down, even if it is just their opinion, and always try your best. Ask many questions and grow close with your teachers. I would say keep up with school and help people along the way. The biggest thing I would remind myself is to always remember what matters most and that is God. Don't change for anyone and just relax and enjoy the ride.

Elizabeth

Dear Liz(one year ago), You are stressed out, disgusted, and afraid of the future. I want to tell you that it?s OK to feel all of these things and that you will make the right decision in the end. Please understand that you will end up at a place(and no, I will not tell you where you now attend, you need figure it out) that you absolutely adore and that the world of opportunity is now sitting at your doorstep. Here are some words of advice to get you through the end of your senior year: embrace your friends, you have known them your whole life and it may be the last real time you have together. Also know that you will make Amazing friends next year who are just like you. Work hard at school, I know high school is not that hard of a challenge but always do your best because you want to start off on the right foot at college. Most of all I want to tell you to have fun, love life and know that in the end you do make the right choice. Love you very much, Liz(one year later)

Jennifer

When I started school I did not know the process. The community college that I attended gave me the run- around to every office. I would change the advocacy in the schools. I did not know how to read my degree evaluation, which in turn gave me 4 extra courses that I did not need because I did not catch the Academic advisor when making my schedule. Now I know the ins and outs when it comes to getting something I want from a University and I now help advocate for anyone who wants to go to school. For those who are scared and do not know what they are doing when they enter college, I know, and I help others. I need help financially in order to continue on to graduate school.

Amy

I would tell myself to really pay attention to my gpa; it is my biggest problem as a senior. I would urge myself to get involved on campus, because 4 years later I still have few friends at school. I would tell myself to really think about what I want to do when I grow up, though I'm sure with that warning I would still have flip-flopped like I have (mostly within the last year). I would give myself the advice of getting the core requirements done early, so that I could really explore my strengths in my major during my final two years of school. I can't guarantee my younger self would have heeded this advice, but it would definitely have been worth a shot.

Lisa

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to look into scholarships and saving up more money. I knew that college was going to be a huge expense, but I never took into consideration having extra money for common everyday things such as groceries, books, and laundry. These things were so unknown to me because I was never in charge of these expenses myself.

Kourtney

Relax. That is the first thing I would tell myself. I can remember the stress and anxiety of not knowing what decision to make, what loan and scholarships to apply for, what major to declare, and what school to go to. The most important thing that I could have known was to take everything I needed to do one step at a time. After I was able to make my decision, everything else would be much easier to fall into place. In making my transition from a high school senior to a freshman college student, I would have told myself that I did not need to pack so much junk! In reality, the fear of change caused me to feel like I needed to be prepared and packed for anything including two first aid kits. I would tell myself that I will meet new friends and I won?t need to bring things to do when I am bored and lonely. I would remind myself that I was going to college to learn and I did not need to bring every pair of shoes I owned. It was the fear of the unknown that I wish I could have known.

Nguyen

If I really want to be a victim of senioritis, I have to make sure I do well all three years of high school. However colleges do consider a student's overall performance anyway.

Lauren

The advice I'd give myself is to just be yourself and always reach for the stars as school comes first and then everything else.

Kristen

The advice i would give myself is to start saving up a lot of money because college life is expensive on top of books, and everything else you want to do on your free time. I would also give advice on really getting involved your freshman year because it's really the way you can get meet a lot of people. Many of the people you meet your freshman year you will stay friends with forever.

Ashley

My advice would be to give every school a chance. I originally had been accepted into Suffolk and did not originally attend here. However, after experiencing another college and really looking into what Suffolk had to offer I LOVED IT, and realized this is the place for me. I would tell myself that every college or university should be looked at and given a chance no matter how much I hate it because it could turn out to be the best fit for you!!

Sara

That I should stick with my first choice and not have any doubts. Definitely visit more schools too.

Katrina

Do not think strictly about the "name you are buying." You want a college you can excel at because then you will stick out to emlpoyers or graduate schools. You will be happier and have a better time at school because you will want to be a part of the community, and this will lead you to exploring your college, joining clubs, selecting challenging seminars instead of strict classes, and maybe thumbing through a study abroad catalogue. Take what you did not like in high school and make sure to minimize it in college; for example, if you hated the small town your high school was in, try out an over-night orientation at an urban college. Looking for school can be overwhelming, but if you start with your interests and what you would like to try, the process suddenly becomes...fun!

Keith

Apply to any school you think you may intrested in going to. See what you accept to. Then pick a few to go vist and see. After looking them all over sit down and realy think were is the best fit yourself. I applied to 9 and got into 6 schools all were vbery different and I just tock the time to look at each of them in person or online and from what i heard, read, and say I was able to make my mind up and I picked a great school and I think I made a great picl in Suffolk becuase it fits me will in so many different ways

Stephanie

When i applied for schools after graduating high school--i was really worried about the cost. But, my parents were always telling me to forget the cost and find a place i loved. We would worry about the money later. If there are any words of advice i could share with you--it would be the same as what my parents told me; find a place you love. In the end, finding someplace you can imagine yourself growing and being stimulated makes the difference, because learning isn't just about the cost, or the courses--it's about the expirience of learning.

Adrian

I think that the most important thing when it comes to choosing a college you want to study in is the advice you get from your parents or highschool councilor. Most students when they are done with highschool are confused about what they want from life and what they want their major to be. I remember that I didn't get any advice when I got into college and now starting my sophmore year I'm not sure that I like what I'm doing. So I would atleast advice parents to start talking with their kids about college when they are in Junior year in highschool, students need to know the possibilities they have not only regarding education but also regarding financial possabilities. Making the most of the college experience? I would just recommend students to get involved in the activities, clubs, etc the university offers, that would guarantee the most college experience you can have.

Rachel

Don't go where your friends are going.

D'Anthony

Visit the college before you apply, and make sure you're not extending yourself with the tuition. There are other expenses that you must factor in...... especially books

Eric

The most important piece of advice I think that I can give in regards to selecting a school, is to make the choice for yourself. In 20 years, it won't matter where your parents wanted you to go, or where your friends wanted you to go, or who had the cheapest tuition bill. It will matter if you were happy during your time there, because it will show. Selecting a college is one of the biggest decisions one will make in their lives because it lays the groundwork for the rest of your life. Don't select a school because your parents think its the best for you. What do YOU think is the best for you? You're an adult now and this decision affects YOUR life, not theirs. Once you've arrived, make each day count, because before you know it, it will all be a memory. The four years you spend as an undergraduate are the most crucial four years in your life. To the parents, my biggest piece of advice is to allow your children to spread their wings. Their time has come.

Gina

I would advise parents to let their children make their own decisions; I would advice students to make a pro-con list when deciding which schools to apply to in order to ensure that their desires and necessities will be fulfilled.