Temple University Top Questions

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

Sage

i would tell myself to take everything more serious because college professors are not the same as high school teachers, they most of the time dont except late work and they dont take your crap from you. i would also have to tell my self to study more so that i can make better grades and pass all my classes with better than a C. dont look back because there are better things in the future, and dont let anyone or anything hold you back, no matter what. Have fun, do what you do, and have no regrets.

wendy

Collage is not is hard as i thought it would be. Online classes that are offered though collages help people that can hold theirself accountable and do their best and learn at thier own pace . The proffesor are also will and able to help they give great feedback just like in high school. I wish i did start as soon as i was out of school i would have been done by now. The reason i decided to go back to school was for the knowledge that you get out of learning. Some people decide to go back to school to futher their career goals. This is one of my goals as well but i do like where i work and i hope with all the knowledge i get from learning i can advance in my career. So going back in time i would tell myself that collage is a great learning tool to help advance one future and knowledge.

Chelsea

I would give myself the advice to be my own person and never be afraid to speak out for what I feel and think. This piece of advice goes along with not caring what other people think about me. I would tell myself to just be who I am, regaurdless of what others think. Also, I would motivate myself by giving the advice to continue to be kind and respectful to everyone. Also, I would motivate myself by telling myself to keep working hard and keeping doing my best at everything I do.

Courtney

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to think about why I wanted to go to college. Was I going because it was just the "next step"? Was I going to get away from my parents and get some freedom? Or did I just want to go and party? These are all important questions to ask yourself when you make the transistion to college. It is very important when you go to college to understand the reasons you want to be there. The only way you will be successful is if you are focused on what your goals are, and understand that college isn't just a 24/7 party, it requires you to work hard. While the social aspect of going away to school is a valuable and important aspect of the experience, ultimately you are there to earn a degree. I would also tell myself that it is ok to take some time off to figure out what I really wanted out of life. And to not listen to the judgements of other people about wanting to take time off.

Laura

I would tell myself to be a little more outgoing. I believe my first year of school I was not as open to trying new things as I should have been. I would also tell myself to become more involved my first year of school. There are hunderds of clubs on campus and different opportunites to get involved. If I would have started earlier in my college career I believe it would have been benefical. I think most of all I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my time and discover news things. When you start school as a freshman everyone is in the same position so it's important to remember that when going to make friends.

Tanja

The advice I would give to my high school self is to be yourself. College is fun a very different from highschool. People in college love diversity. Also, be more social. I know that you are a shy person, but you will make alot of friends if you are more social. Another thing you should consider is take college seriously. The first couple semester weren't good, but you can do it and you will pull through.

marissa

live on campus!

Elena

If I could go back in time, I would use my Freshman year a lot more wisely. I would have joined more groups and organisations, and really focuses on my grades.

Ronesha

I would tell myself to take rigorous courses and apply to more scholarships, even though I didn't meet the all of their requirements most of the time.Although my current wasn't my first choice I believe I made a good decision on the college I'm currently attending. My tutition is at a reasonable amount and the professor's there are very helpful. I would also tell myself to happy with whatever choice I make and to take full reign over my education.

Sanja

I would make my self prepare better by reading more college level books. I would also use more free time for extra-curricular activites so I could get a chance to talk to people and possibly network. I would also make sure that I would do a lot more research on everything that I do. If it is one thing that I learned in college it is researching and its importance it has in ones life.

Jarred

The advice that I would give myself would be to do all the scholarshiups I had the oppurtunity to do back then because the troubles that I am having now could have all been avoided. Also I would tell myself to not give up because scholarship searching can be a bit of a bore and frustrating.

MaryKate

If time portals existed and I could redo my senior year in high school, I would advise myself to be more inclusive and less self obsorbed. In high school I was inclusive in sports and committees, but none that has an impact on my career path. Taking the easy way out is how you can put my senior year. We diagonsed this as "senioritis." Looking back on my senior year in high school I gave up on being active and with my knowledge of what I now know about college life and making the transition, my goals for my senior year of high school would include a lot more than just going to football games, taking a pottery class and skipping math class to go hang out in the cafeteria. Since I have transferred to Temple have learned a lot about why college is important. I have grown as a person due to branching out and joining a sorority. You may think this is a cliche response by saying ever since I joined this organization I have learned to take chances and to challenge myself, but that would be my advice to myself during my high school senior year.

Julia

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self advice, it would be to relax and stay confident. Yes, college is a big change from high school but you are smart and have a good head on your shoulders. Lastly, get involved as much as you can and start a network of friends.

Kaylin

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would advise myself to definitely get involved in as much as possible right away! It is very important to get involved in clubs and organizations for future résumés and experience. Also, it is very beneficial to get involved because it helps these active individuals to meet more and new people. Another thing that I would advise myself as a high school senior to do is to not be afraid to seek my professors’ and advisor’s help if needed and to also get to know them so they know who I am and that I am a serious student and want to succeed!

Melissa

I would tell myself to take my time, to not worry about trying to finish. People tend to overstress themselves, take the full time amount of credits and give your some time to spend on the things you enjoy. This is the time of your life and enjoy every second of it. I would tell myself that the transition is not as bad as it seems. Yes its a new school, new envirnoment and new faces but its the sense of freedom that makes it all worth while. You have the ability as a young adult to make a presence with admissions and advisors if you handle your time in a timly fashion and you can stay on a good path. I would also say college is not about the partys. I have never been a partier myself, my work ethic keeps me out of the bad habits young adults fall into. I would say just to be yourself, stay focused and remember at the end of the tunnel is the real world and you have to prepare yourself for what is ahead.

Michelle

I would tell myself to be patient. There are a lot things that can change during college, both good and bad. It is important to prepare yourself for those changes so you do not find yourself stressing over silly things that will happen naturally over time. Your schoolwork comes first; it is the number one reason why you are here to begin with so it is important to stay on top of schoolwork and other opportunities that are essential. Overall, expect the unexpected, prepare for your future, and enjoy the ride. It may seem long, but it will be probably be over in a blink of an eye, so do not rush.

Jingjing

study english more harder. please register science major and keep it .

Samantha

I would tell myself to keep working hard right up until the end. Seniors think it is alright to slack off towards the end of their high school years, but it is actually important to keep up the good grades because you never know what the college might look at right before they accept you. Also, I would say that is important because then you have a good momentum going into college. It only gets harder as you move into higher education so keeping up the hard work is important. College is when things really start to count so do not slow down once you have been accepted, keep going at a rapid pace because this is your future. Lastly, when preparing to leave for college, relax and take things one day at a time. Use good time management skills and just get ready for the best years of your life.

Samantha

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to get involved in as many activities and volunteer opportunities as possible. Make many friends so you are not lonely and can still have a social life. Do you work, all of it, and on time. Study hard, and do not procrastinate. Apply for every scholarship opportunity because college is expensive and you will not necessarily get all of the help you think from financial aid. College is not all about partying and having fun. It is a serious time in life and it needs to be taken seriously, otherwise you could have found a job after graduating high school at a lower paying rate. Network as much as possible and get a set of business cards. Live on campus to get the experience of college life! Have fun because this is supposed to be a life changing experience!

Mellana

I would tell myself to take it more seriously right from the beginning. The four years goes by extremely quickly.

Sebastian

The advice i woud give myself is how will i suceed in life? what are the college benefits? who will i meet? All of these questions are still being asked till this day. Theres so many questions to ask yourself in your senior year and it can get stressful. trust me, the transition from being a young one back in the high school halls to a man or woman in college can be quite difficult and the sacrifices you have to make are even worst. Think of all the expenses there is to college or a private and prestigious university and think of all the expenses you make. and do the math. Before i even started mysemester...i stopped going to my gym and worked in a part time with the stress of a full-time employee and believe it or not, I really didnt think about it. If you're a high school senior, make sure to do the paper work and ask questions. I had so many questions to ask my guidance couselor that it really got hectic but in the end, it works out just fine and as an ex senoir, I made it and passed school.

courtney

The advice that I would give myself would be to not be afraid of a new place and new people. I would tell myself to join organizations in high school that would benefit me in college. I would also tell myself to not be afraid of failure because it is apart of life, and after it happens you can learn from it and move on in a more positive way. Mainly I would want my old self to know that college can be a wonderful experience if you let it be, and if you make the most of every situation you can only succeed.

Marcelle

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to focus on what I enjoy, and not just do what people expect of me. My real passions in high school were playing the violin and piano. I started both instruments in fith grade, and ever since I've been in love. If I had my way I would only focus on these two instruments and devote all my time to my passions, instead though, I found myself very distracted. I felt a lot of pressure from my parents, peers and teachers to look like a "well rounded student" so I started playing intramural volley ball and became the treasurer of the history club. Anyone who knows me knows that I am terrible at sports and I'm not the biggest fan of history, but I did these things any way so that college's would like me. These activities took time away from what I truly love, and caused me nothing but stress. I now realize that to be happy in life, sometimes you need to put your wants first. N

Lindsay

I would tell my high school self to take time to figure out what it is you want to be when you grow up. To take time to decide how you want to spend your future. Make sure to introduce yourself to professors so they know who you are (whethere you do well in class or not). Pay attention in class and take good notes, because someone who might need them might be able to help you study as well. Be on time to classes. Show up early for tests and exams, you never know what they professor might say before it begins. Join a club or two, the people you will meet and the experiences you will have can help you learn and grow as a person. Volunteer. Be nice to others. You're going to make mistakes, but it's important to always learn something from them.

Jack

I would tell myself to not worry so much about finances when it came to choosing a school. I knew where I wanted to go, or at least had my wish list ... and it included schools in the South and in the West. As proud as I am of the college I attended for undergrad and my affiliation with it, I should have "gone for the gold" and really went where I wanted to go. College is a life experience that goes far beyond the classroom and the bank account, and it's where you truly can find yourself. I'm just getting there now ... more than 25 years after selection my undergrad school.

Jacynda

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get rid of the senioritis and stay on top of my game. I could have finished in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, however I sort of slacked off. I would also tell my high school self to stick with the sports that she picked up because she definitely could have possibly gotten some athlete benefits. In addition to being active in extra-curricular activities, I would tell her to apply for as many scholarships that she qualified for. Not only did she take applying for scholarships lightly, she didn't fully take advantage of applying for colleges. If she had been more focused, she wouldn't already be in increasing debt. I would inform her that her behavior has her looking at $10,000 in debt before the end of her sophomore year. Simply put, I would tell her to think about life after college.

Janeth

I would encourage myself to study harder, be involved in more extra-curricular activities and apply to more scholarships. I would definitely put all my effort in all my classes especially in my math class. In the spring of my senior year I took my College Placement Test in math. I was already taking Pre-Calculus. Since I didn’t score good enough to be place in Calculus I had to retake the course in the fall term. In which I paid both for the class and one hundred and eighty-five dollars for the book while during my senior year I took the same course and didn’t pay anything for my math book or the class. In addition I would try to be more involved in school activities like ASB, Big brother Big sister, and even sports. It would have been to my advantage to develop skills that would facilitate and ease the way to approach the same activities in college. Lastly, I would use my time wisely and take advantage of the class in high school we had design to get advice and help with scholarships. Overall, I would push myself harder to improve my academic skills.

Giovanah

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition would be to get really good grades no matter what. The addive I would give my self would be to get the help in any subject that you are struggling in now because it will pay off in the long run. Make sure to take advantage of all the opportunities that are offered in highschool. I would tell my self to really research the college that I want to go and find out about the pros and cons of the school. I would tell my self to really look in to scholorships that are being offered. I would also tell my self to look in to the major that you want to pursue in college, and look at the course work that comes with major. While in college for the first year or so make sure you follow the course work and get great grades. I would also tell my self to work hard and stay focused.

Susruta

College is a time when everything is new. Don’t get caught up in the social theatrics of it all. The most important piece of advice I would give myself is to balance everything. Academics are important, but so is stability in one’s social life. If one does not have a support system in place, then college could become stressful and daunting. Still, it is imperative to remember that college is a place of learning. So many students do poorly because they get caught up partying or procrastinating. Even one poor semester can affect your final GPA. While at college, my term GPA was never below a 3.6, except for one semester when my GPA dropped to a 3.2. Though I finished with a 3.73, which is not bad, I know that I could have gotten a 3.8 or even a 3.9 had I done better that semester my freshman year. This is the one regret I have. So please make sure that you don’t get caught up in all things social. Take an active role in your education, since this is, hopefully, why you are in college.

Inna

The most important thing I wish I was warned about is that you need to have a set plan, you always have to plan ahead, have your graduation plan, do thorough research, talk with advisos, and know exactly what major you want to persuade, because going for Liberal Arts or just taking random classes is not worth the price. The tuition for 12 credit semester is almost nine thousand dollars,and honestly for me, a person who works two jobs, studies full time, and still takes loans because its financially not possible to afford! I never wanted to start my adult life with debt, but unfortunately I am in this situation at this moment, fearing that due to this economical crisis I will have troubles paying it off quickly. Therefore my best advise is to always look ahead and be ahead of the game, before you press start!

Kelsey

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be distressed over not having a specific career path chosen before my first semester of college. I am a student at Montgomery County Community College and I am very grateful for having the opportunity to study here. It has enabled me to experiment with many different subjects while still working and building professional and personal relationships. I have always known that I love art and design, but I also have an eye for business. One day, I hope to own my own design studio. After finding that Bachelor Degree in Business Administration was not creative enough for me, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing did not offer enough stability, I found myself gravitating towards graphic design. I am now pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and enjoying every aspect of my education. I would tell my high school self that it is in fact possible to combine my creative and entrepreneurial passions into one major that fits my personality and future goals to own a business possible.

Katherine

The advice I would give myself would be: become fully involved in each opportunity that presents itself to you as well as actively look for new opportunities. During my freshman year, I was much more concerned with "being cool," "fitting in," and wasn't nearly as concerned about my grades. However, all that changed sophomore year when I switched my major to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. This program is tremendous; the amount of opportunities available to us as undergraudate scholars is extraordinary. Since sophomore year, I am proud to say I have been an elected member to an Executive Board for a Student Professional Organization, joined a national sorority with which I've also received leadership positions, implemented and led a successful community outreach program, interned with multiple high-profile companies, and have fully reached for the stars. I'm dreaming big, and the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management allows me to do so. The administration is wonderful as well; both my Deans and Academic Advisors have recognized, and assisted to, my success thus far and will only continue doing so.

Keyanna

Networking is key. Education will get you far, but who you know will help you to succeed.

Ryan

Do more reaserch into what you want to do when you graduate college. If you come into college with an idea of what you want to do for a living you have a better chance of being successful. When I was in high school I didn;t really know what to expect when I was entering college.

Takaaki

Pay attention to what is going on in the world and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try many different things and find what you want to do for your life.

Lindsay

The transition does not happen in a day. It takes time to meet people and conect with your peers. You are going to meet so many people all at once so it may be hard to have a deep connection with them right away. Don't let that get you down, but instead just be who you are and show everyone your true colors. It doesn't matter where you come from or what you have, but instead who you are on the inside. The transition will take time for classes as well. Make you sure try not to fall behind because there is much more freedom. Create a time management schdeule and do your very best to follow it because that will be a huge asset in the end. Most importantly have fun and expereince the world. This is the time where you discover who you are going to be in the world and may meet your friends for life. Experience everything there is out there and enjoy it.

Courtney

I would say apply to more colleges senior year. I definitely made the mistake of only applying to a few and even though the first school I attended was away from home, I wasn't happy and thats why I transferred to Temple. Also read more and study more. If the option is available to take college courses while in High school do it. H.S was too easy for me and I got straight As, so when I started college everything had to change from the way I read books, to the way I studied. It was a real culture shock, so work hard in H.S even if your school doesn't push you that hard, it will help once you start college.

Brittany

Looking back on all I have achieved so far in college, I would tell myself don't be afraid to step up and get involved. I held myself back and missed out on some great oppertunities my freshman year because of being shy. As soon as I became involved both on campus, and off campus within my industry, I went through an incredible transformation. By becoming more involved I developed the leadership skills necessary for me to succeed after I graduate. I have learned how to be both a leader and a follower. By being active on campus I have been able to set myself apart from my fellow students, creating oppertunites for me to learn and grow from. I have created a network with my fellow students and industry professionals that will be a great tool for me to use through the rest of college and after graduation. Becoming involved in college has been a greater learning experience than anything I could learn in the classroom. Get involved in organizations, extra cirriculars, and volunteering. Create a professional network with those around you. Don't be afraid get step up and get your name out there. Never hold yourself back.

Leah

I would tell myself to be open-minded to the vast variety of majors and minors that Temple has. I came in as an undeclared college of liberal arts major, when I should have just came in undeclared. There really is something for everyone here, and I think I found the perfect major for me based on trial and error (Tourism and Hospitality Management). I would also tell myself to study a little harder even when I don't feel like it. Getting good grades is really crucial to understanding and learning the material. I would tell myself that it's going to be worth it in the end, and even when I feel like giving up, I can't. I would tell myself that I'm going to make some of the best friends that I've ever had in college, and to treat them well. Overall, I would tell my high school self to stay determined, open-minded, kind-hearted, motivated and stay true to myself, because Temple isn't going to try and change me, I'm accepted for who I am.

Savannah

Peabody is the absolute worst dorm to live in. You will still have fun and make friends, but just try not to get stuck with a room in Peabody. Oh and make sure you get involved with activities. No one should ever say they're bored at Temple. There's always something going on. But just make sure you stay balanced and keep up with your school work. Go to your professor's office hours if need be. The teachers are here to help you.

Amy

As a high school senior, it's important to prepare yourself mentally for the transition. Before you start college, have an idea of exactly what you want to achieve and the things you want to do. When you first start college, many people tend to socialize with the wrong crowds and fall into the party lifestyle very quickly. These people then miss great opportunities in college because they are too busy getting wasted every weekend. By having mental goals and ambititions, you are more likely to pursue the things you want to pursue, versus what the crowd is going to do. Be prepared to experiment with opportunities in college. There will be things you will like and things you won't. It is important to keep a very open mind. Lastly and most importantly, you need to have an end goal in sight before you start college. This end goal will most probably be a job and you need to understand how you are going to get to that goal in four years. College goes so fast and before you know it, you will be in the workforce. You need to plan, so these wonderful four years are not wasted.

Brooke

Know the boundaries of the school. Also learn, upperclassmen can tell if you are a freshman. Do not act surprised if they ask.

Buddy

The best years of your life are ahead. When you go to school because of your passion instead of necessity, you will be surprised the amount of motivation you can muster. Don't worry about money and finances.. If you show a strong work ethic and dedication, people will recognize it. Don't completely focus on your goal. Take the time the sit back and enjoy the journey along the way. Realize there are as many paths to your goal as there are people to take them.

Samantha

I would tell myself to stay on top of my school work and get more involved with school activities. When I first started at Temple University I went to classes and I went home. My second semester there is when I started looking into things to get involved with. Although I have had a wonderful experience at the school, I think that if I would have gotten involved sooner I would be having an even better experience. Getting involved has given me volunter opportunities and internship opportunities. The internship opportunities are somthing I would definitely tell myself not to pass as a high school senior. Internships are a great way to gain experience in the industry before you graduate. I would definitly advise myself as a high school senior to do as many as possible to keep learning and experiencing the industry.

Taaqiya

As a college student, I have realized the necessity of personal growth and determination. If a student does not possess an increased desire to advance and rise above their circumstances, they may find themselves struggling to survive. In high school, I often took things for granted. Free public education, along with an abundance of student activities, honor societies, clubs and events, were never on my agenda. I was only interested in getting school over with. Now, I not only understand the importance of extracurricular activities, community involvement and student activities, but am always looking for a chance to participate in something productive. If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would emphasize perseverance. Since high school graduation, I have experienced many difficulties and setbacks. I even thought about withdrawing from school due to financial hardships. But through all of my experiences, good or bad, I have learned that in order to grow, you must press forward. You must never quit in times of trouble. I would tell my former self to be dedicated to a cause greater than you. In doing so, strive for the betterment of yourself and your society.

Luz

esponsibility is probably the toughest part of growing up, and thus the toughest part of college. I don’t think the realization really clicked until my junior year, and I’m still having trouble grasping it: I have to be responsible. That means that I have to turn in my papers when they’re due, e-mail my professors when I’m absent, and double, triple, quadruple check to make sure I have all my assignments in. No one will yell at me if I don’t, no one will remind me. Not my teachers. Not my mama. Just me. I won’t know that I’ve messed up until I look at my semester average. And by then, it’s usually too late. So while no one will ground you for slacking off in college, you still need to be responsible for your own work.

Ling

Don't take anything for granted. Be open to the various opportunities to be involved and to meet new people. Take advantage of the networking opportunities your school offers because you'll never know who you're going to meet. You may meet a potential employer and create relationships with those that will be beneficial to you in the future. Even if you're unsure of what you want to do as a career, taking advantage of networking opportunities and being involved with school will be a great way to explore your interests. Networking creates relationships that can, and should be maintained and groomed, to create progress as well as success through workplaces and business that will allow you to excel after graduation. Getting your foot in the door with professionals can be a leeway for a guaranteed job upon graduation. Take advantage of what your school offers and get involved as much as possible. Join organizations, clubs, and whatever that may interest you.

Stephanie

With the knowledge that I have today and what I knew in my senior year of high school. I would advise myself to first apply for as many scholarships as possible because with my background there are many scholarships that help minorities. Also, I would constantly be at the advisors office. I would also advice myself to begin working at the earliest age, so I can save up money. I say that because since I came to America at the age of nine my mother always explained to my sisters and I that "education is the key of success"." I never want my children to experience my path". Last but not least whenever it seems that everything is going wrong there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Never settle for the less and never accepted “NO”.

Stephanie

They say a person can only learn from their own mistakes but I disagree. If educated properly, a person will not have to make mistakes to learn. As one chapter is coming to an end, the book is not over yet. The next chapter of your life is about to begin and will be the turning point of how your story ends. Everyone will encounter situations that could potentially set them up for failure. Some of your college professors will tell you that attendance is optional, but that does not mean class is not important; it means it is your responsibility whether or not you come to class, not theirs. Not everyone has the opportunity to go to college, so do yourself and others a favor and take full advantage of what's in front of you. Don't let unnecessary baggage hinder you from carrying out the rest of your life. Be responsible, time is money. And money is success, and success brings happiness. You will encounter numerous situations that could set you up for potential failure. But set a goal for yourself now and stand by it. The ultimate decision is in your hands.

Emily

Making smart decisions is the best skill anyone can learn. No matter what, life is not going to be smooth sailing. There are always going to be obsticled to over come which is something you will learn to do however these obsticles should not be made by your own poor choices. So be smart in everything you do, do not let your gaurd down thinking you have it easy because the unexpected could come and trip you causing you to fall.