The College of New Jersey Top Questions

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

Mete

The one thing I was ask my past self to do is work on time management. The moment you master time management the stress you have will immediately decrease. Time management gives you the opportunity to focus on certain aspects in more depth which will lead you to performing to your fullest ability and be successful.

Daniela

The advice I would give myself is to have a right balance of fun and studying. While I was at TCNJ, academics was extremely important to me. I am very proud of my accomplishments at TCNJ; however, I would have liked to have told myself that college is also a time to explore myself at a time in my life where I would have less responsibility. I would have liked to tell myself that I will grow and change during college, so be open to the progress I will make, even if it seems scary at the time. Although I made my decisions in college based off academics, I wish I could go back and tell myself to also make decisions out of adventure: to study abroad, even if it might mean I graduate a little late! College is a time to grow into the person I will be in the future, so enjoy every moment and remember to be balanced between academics and fun.

Rachel

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to be ready to be a little stressed out. As a college student, it is your own responsibilty to do your work and to remain on task, there is no one there to wake you up for class if you miss your alarm, and you have to learn how to truly take care of yourself on your own. It may sound scary, and it may be scary for the first couple of weeks when you start college, but after a while you start to enjoy the freedom and appreciate that you are learning how to take care of yourself without the help of your family. Another big thing is keeping your friends from home. It is going to be difficult to stay in touch with everyone from high school, but if you really want to stay friends, put forth the effort and see if it's reciprocated. If not, it's going to be ok, you WILL make new friends at college and those friends are going to be the ones that stay in your life forever. Just enjoy the experience that college brings and be yourself. You'll do amazing.

Kelly

Relax. Never let anyone tell you to decide right now-- where to go to college, where to live when you “grow up,” or what you want to do for the rest of your life. Relax. You’re not supposed to know. You’re young; life is exciting. Choose a field that interests you. You will lose interest and change your mind a time or three. You’ll gain interest in things you didn’t know existed. You will cram and regurgitate myriad facts. You will become independent, self-sufficient, organized, and responsible. You will coexist with others. You will make and lose friends, develop new interests and hobbies, and you will have a blast. Learn things and love things. Get frustrated, but don’t call it quits; you’ll be proud to come out a graduate. It won’t be easy to land that first job. You will tell yourself you wasted time and money. You didn’t. Though, you never did learn to be patient. Good things will come. You worked for it, earned it, and deserve it. Your brain will be stuffed, you will know extraordinary individuals, and you’ll have had the time of your life.

Thomas

Listen to me Thomas STUDY , know matter how hard it is focus in class and understand the things your teachers say because without those lessons the books you read won't mean a thing .

Hannah

I would definitely invest time in applying to many schools that you think would be a good fit for your goals. Apply to as many scholarships as you can, because the more you apply, the better chance you have of getting one. Perhaps even more importantly, apply to all the small scholarships. A lot of people go for the "big wins", which leaves less competition for the smaller denominations. Once you've chosen your school, research clubs and other extracurricular activities available. Also, look ahead at classes you may be taking later on in your Junior or Senior year, as well as research and internship opportunities. This type of research will help you get excited for going away, which is often a difficult time for someone who has never been away at home. Also, contact any roommates you have well before move-in. This way you can get acquainted and maybe start forging a friendship before you even really meet! Lastly, I would advise being open and willing to join in once you get to school. It's intimidating being plopped into a new environment, but if you embrace it, you will be having a blast in no time!

Alaina

The entire idea of college is daunting. Moving away from home in order to start a new life, complete with new friends, new rooming situations, new rules, is enough to stress even the most adaptable high schooler. Unfortunately for high school me, I hated change. While very few people actually enjoy change, I felt an especially nervous hatred towards moving on, moving away from everything that I had ever known. After actually undergoing all of these changes, though, I have one simple piece of advice for my past self: relax. Everything is going to be absolutely fine. The College of New Jersey doesn't plunge you into the adulthood it creates of being alone and fully making your own choices for the first time. At least, not alone. The first week, Welcome Week, introduces you to other fresh-faced, equally scared members of your class. Through this you form friendships, plenty of friendships, ones that you know will withstand the test of freshman year as you maneuver this new era of your life. These friendships will help you through all of the difficulties you face freshman year, from rigorous classes to social embarrassments to emotional strife. So go on - relax.

Clara

The best possible advice I could give to a high school version of myself would be that everything works out in the end and to not stress about what is not in your control. As a high school senior my heart would stop when I checked the mail for college decisions. Georgetown University—my dream school since I was a child—had sent me a thin envelope. I did not have a spot in the Georgetown Class of 2017. I felt as though everything I had worked for had been wisped away. I elected to enroll at a public school close to my home.It turned out that the institution I elected to attend wasn’t a good fit after all, so I applied to transfer. As it all worked out, I will be joining the Georgetown Class of 2017 this fall. I wish I could tell my senior-self that working hard and determination are my strongest traits and to trust those traits. My rejection from not only Georgetown, but from other colleges it sparked in me a desire to work harder, be better, and to prove those colleges wrong. And I did prove those schools wrong.

Jessica

Dear High School Self, First of all I want to say, college life is much different than it is on TV. You're going to be entering TCNJ during the middle of the school year and I'm not going to to lie, it's going to be hard to make friends. Keep studying and doing good in school. You're teachers won't all be amazing so you might have to work a little extra to keep up your grades, but don't go crazy studying. Make sure you take time to live your life. College is going to be stressfull, but you will get through it. Word of advice, don't wait for the night before a paper is due to write it. It's no fun. You break out in a rash and it's not good for us. You haven't made any new friends yet, but put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to be yourself. I am so proud of you and who you are becoming. I know you'll do great during the next 4 1/2 years of college. Truly yours, Future Self P.S. Live life to the fullest!

Nicole

If I could go back in time to talk with myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college is extremely difficult, but also rewarding because you learn so much in such a short amount of time. People on campus are really nice. Professors are willing to help you and make sure you go to their office hours if you're having difficulty with anything. Your peers, for the most part, will be easy to get along with, and friends can be made quickly and almost effortlessly. Always try to have someone you know in all your classes so if you don't understand something or you want to study with someone, you won't be alone or feel awkward asking a classmate something. Studying is important, but remember to have fun so you don't burn yourself out because, in college, it is a lot easier to burn out faster if you never give yourself a break.

Linda

Given the chance to go back in time and better prepare for my college experience, I would advise myself to become more involved on campus from the start of the school year. I was hesitant to join clubs on campus in the beginning of my first semester at college because I worried that I wouldn't be welcomed. However, I was completely mistaken. As I slowly took the time to meet more people, I realized that everyone on campus was extremely outgoing and greeted new faces with warm smiles. It took a while for me to realize this but as soon as I did, I joined Student Government, the Leadership Development Program, Secondary Educators Club and Zeta Tau Alpha and was on track to a well rounded college experience. Having realized that I could have expereinced a better start to my college career, I would advise not only myself, but any other high school senior to become involed in clubs or activities as soon as possible, to ensure a wonderful college experience.

Rachel

Remember that the process of finding the “right-fit” college is about you. Remember that in college you will get to explore, see what you’re good at, and what you like to do. Remember that these years will be hard, but that you will learn more than you could ever imagine. Remember to never give up. Remember that you will be the best teacher you can be regardless of what school you attend; you were meant to do this. Remember to not let anyone else’s opinions of you get in your way. Remember to stand up for what you believe in. Remember to smile, to laugh, and to focus on the good. Remember that one mistake, does not make you an unworthy person. Remember that the relationships you develop are priceless. Remember to call home! Remember to make your new campus home and to leave it better than you have found it. Remember to make a difference in someone’s life every day. Remember to be yourself. Remember to be thankful. Remember that you have a lot of things to remember every day; when one of these things slips your mind, remember to let yourself off the hook!

Jasmn

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would have allot of advice to give myself. First and foremost I would tell my self how to study more efficiently. As a college student it is very important to have a good study habit, because as student we have heavy work loads and it is easy to lose focus and not study correctly. With all the terminology you have memorize in college there is no other way but to create an efficient study plan and stay focused in your classes.

Ashka

Dear younger self, Welcome to college. This is where you will have "cooler" experiences than those you have been craving, where you will meet amazing people and wonder how you ever lived without having met them earlier, and where you will discover more about yourself than you ever thought there even was to yourself. You are going to come across types of people you have never imagined before. Some people will show you different ways of thinking. Some people will inspire you to dream more and dream bigger. Some people will leave you with a bitter feeling. You have something to learn from each and every single one of these people, and you should listen to them-their beliefs, their stories, and their advice. You do not have to agree with them but do be grateful to them for taking time out to spend with you. Allow them to shape you for the better. So, stay shy, but be openminded. Stay confident, but allow new ideals to take root. Remember the home you have left behind, but open your mind to a new lifestyle and your heart to new friends. Above all, discover yourself and accept yourself. Best, Older Self

Krishna

If I go back to advise my high school senior self about college life, I would say to be focused and study at least two weeks before a major exam because studying the day before will just make you a nervous train wreck! I wish I organized and planned my days ahead of time because I had missed out on a lot of cool events because I had to study. It is definitely possible to have a social life and to do great academically; you just have to be organized and focused. Also, be more open to things you never encountered; because if you don't, you will miss out on your college experience. College is about doing things you've never done back in high school and it's an opportunity to find out who you really are. Always remember, change for the better; not for worse!

Steven

It is often that I wonder what would have become of me if I were a little wiser when I was younger. There are not many things that I regret doing before college but I do believe that I could have spent my time more wisely. With the death of my mother still an open wound at the time, I would start off by telling myself that "everything is going to work out. But it will not be without a great deal of sacrifice and hard work. Although, I know that this is the last thing on your mind at the moment, it will all pay off in the long run. Pay attention to what your teachers are telling you, they actually know what they are talking about. Read more and do your homework already! I know that it is hard to believe that the pain will go away, but it will. And you WILL succeed. I promise. You are better than what you give yourself credit for. Just push yourself a little bit harder everyday and you will be on the road to happiness and success. Oh yeah, and start checking out scholarships... school is super expensive."

Susan

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to be so nervous to live away and attend college, that when you get there you will be embraced with open arms by a new community with supportive Professors and be introduced to life-long friends. It took me a while to get my footing and become outspoken, but once I did and began speaking out regarding my major of Nursing, it was a passion that could not be silenced. I have a passion for helping and advocating for others. In school I am now Executive Board Treasurer of TCNJ’s Student Nurses Association. At the State-level I am currently the elected Membership/Nominations Director on the Executive Board of our New Jersey State Nursing Students Association (NJNS), the NJ state branch of National Student Nurses Association (NSNA). As of February I was elected to the position of NJ State President. Also, I would share that when you find a passion, learning is fun! Academically I am at the top of my class, in the Delta Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and a member of TCNJ’s Golden Key International Honors Society.

Nicole

Dear Nicole, I know you are getting a little nervous about going off to college, so here are a few things you should know to help you get the most out of your experience. First, do not worry about talking to your boyfriend every night. Spend time making friends with the people who will be in your life for the next 4 years. If the relationship is strong enough, it will survive even without constant contact. Second, get involved! I know a lot of clubs may seem corny, but it is a great way to meet people (and a way to network with people who can potentially help you find a job later). Third, do not be shy about your political beliefs. I know there are a lot of people who disagree with you, especially your professors, but their opinions are no better or worse than yours, so do not be intimidated. Fourth, you do not need to drink to make friends. I know it seems the only way to socialize with “normal” people is to get embarrassingly drunk, but this is not the case. Real friends are made sober. Lastly, have fun, these next 4 years will be great!

Tim

I applied to TCNJ early decision. When I visited, I fell in love with the beautiful campus, the proximity to home, and the price tag. Knowing what I know now, I would likely tell my high school self to consider some other schools more strongly. The main problem with TCNJ is the lack of nightlife or even daytime activities. While I love the size of the TCNJ campus, I think I would've liked to go to a school that was more athletically oriented. All in all, I don't regret my choice in coming here but I would've liked to consider some other schools before I committed to coming here.

Stephanie

I would tell myself to do more research on my potential major and talk to the school to learn more about the department. I would definately make sure I visit the school and participate in overnights so I can see exactly what the school is about and sit in on a few classes. I would map out the location of the school to see what is around, how I would be getting around. I would look at the student teacher ratio to make sure that the classroom sizes are reasonable. I would look at the student life to see how social the campus is. I would also look into the retention as well as the graduation rate of the school. I would finally look to see what percentage of the graduates get into their field after graduating.

Dyana

Never give up. When you enter college, it will be a difficult transition at first. You are going to see your high school friend die right as classes start. This will be really hard for you, but you will get through it. When you want to give up, continue to seek out support from friends, professors, and counselors. They will help you with your struggles. College will be fun at times despite the terrible start. Make sure you take the time to have fun with friends and just relax or goof around on campus. The fun will inspire you to create your own projects for class. Your independent studies will illustrate the strength, ability, and wisdom that you hold. Continue to believe in yourself as you move through college. Work to create deep relationships with those that you spend a lot of time with on campus. This relationships will be wonderful and inspire you even after you graduate.

Gianna

First I would tell myself to take a breath because although choosing a college is an important decision, there is not only one good choice. Although some schools may not be the right fit, your experience has more to do with what you put into the school not what they hand to you. So if you are active in your role of "college student" you can have a life changing experience at more than one school. I would tell myself not to overthink the decision. At some point in the college search the information that you get on the tours will begin to run together. Instead of over-analyzing this information, it is better to get the vibe of a school go with that gut reaction because it is probably accurate. Last, I would tell myself to talk to as many students as possible and try to imagine living and learning amongst them for four years. The most important part of my college experience so far has been the people that I've met and the atmosphere that this student body creates. Academics are very important but so are the people you surround yourself with. Remember your happiness is paramount.

Erica

When I started college, I was a teenager; it’s absurd to expect a graduating senior to decide the course of the “rest of her life” at the tender age of 18. If I could go back and give my 18 year old self advice I would start by telling myself to relax and live in the present, instead of worrying about the future. In college, I changed my major and transferred schools; I thought it was the end of the world. Instead of allowing stress to run my life, I would assure myself that whatever I decide upon is not permanent, that switching paths and spending extra time in school does not make me a failure. I would encourage myself to be more outgoing, to take breaks from schoolwork more often than I would naturally be inclined. I would tell myself to embrace my time with friends, because they would not forever be next door. If I knew then, what I know now, I don’t think college would’ve been completely different, but I do think I would’ve been better able to enjoy the ride.

Shelby

I would tell myself to never give up. I would tell myself to not worry over petty, little things. I would tell myself to not worry about any other person but yourself, and only you, because you're going to be graduating from high school and are growing up into adulthood. You can't be worrying about things that you know won't affect your future. We're talking about YOUR future here, not someone else's. They can deal with things on their own. All you need to do is just try and focus on what's ahead in your life and seize the day. Live every day like it was your last. Follow your heart. Follow your dreams, and you're gonna turn out just fine. I promise.

Christina

I would tell myself not to change who I was. I should be confident in myself and take every opportunity possible, even if it seems risky or not feasible. I would remind myself to not change anything about myself, especially my work ethic. Most importantly, I would tell myself not to forget all my previous years in school and at home and to utilize it as experience and knowledge in the future.

Krysten

College has allowed me to broaden my knowledge base and given me the insight to become an prestigous leader in my field. I have met many intelligent individuals who have enriched my learning experience and have challenged me to think about topics from other perspectives. Having been challenged by my professors, I feel confident that I will be able to address contemporary issues that will arise in my profession. The importance of collaboration in group projects, has taught me respect for the insight of others, and has helped me become a more effective communicator. These skills are valuable in any working environment.

Alyssa

So far, my college experience has been extremely rewarding. I have learned a lot , my classes are very interesting, and I am sure I made the right decision for my future career. Also, I met have a lot of great people who are so friendly and really seem to care about me. College has been a chance to get involved in all sorts of activites and to learn more about myself as I grow more and more as a person.

Luke

My name is Luke and I am 26. I am now starting my third year of college. I have taken various science classes like biology and chemistry. I have taken classes relating to philosophy and psychology. In addition, I have taken many math, political, art, analytical and business classes. Taking all these classes have enabled me to become so much more well rounded. I understand the world so much more clearly than I use to. Also, becoming more educated has provided me with necessary tools to acquire a good paying job easier. Attending college has enabled my to learn more about myself as well as others. Before going to college, I had worked in restaurants, manufacturing facilities, and was just recently a carpenter. Attending college has forced me to learn much more about myself as well as others. My father was a construction worker and I had followed in his footsteps. Working in harsh weather environments had forced me to wish I had gone to school. When the economy took a dive work slowed down and I took the opportunity to go back to school and become more of an asset. Now I'm on my way into finance.

Emma

I have increased my knowledge, self-esteem, sense of empowerment, and overall well-being through my college experience. I have learned valuable lessons in each of my courses, especially now that I am enrolled in Nursing School. Hard work and determination have paid off enormously, and I am confident that I have a bright future ahead of me because of my college education.

Briana

My time at college provided me with a plethora of experiences that will guide me through my initiation into adulthood and independent life. The College of New Jersey both directly and indirectly taught me how to problem solve and discover alternative ways of completing a task or reaching a certain goal. Being able to navigate around obstacles has already proven to be a valuable skill. College helped me learn about the critical and often frightening foray into living outside of the nuclear family unit, and presented me with people who share similar beliefs, values, and objectives to my own to create into my own extended family. Aside from the stellar academics The College of New Jersey had to offer I learned many valuable life skills that will aid me in shaping my future into one that is bright and full of endless possibilities.

Cameron

Regardless of where I am the first thing that I notice about a location are the buildings within it. The sizes, shapes, flow, functionality, etc. Perfecting the skills necessary to make my dreams a reality could be acquired almost anywhere. But it is not just the acquisition of having the knowhow ability that would provide me with what I would consider a satisfying education. I am a firm believer that people are or become products of their environment. In order to receive an education that I feel to be sufficient i not only need to be surrounded within a learning environment that promotes optimal intake but it is also necessary to have an everyday living environment that promotes innovation and growth; and I believe San Diego to be excellent examples of both of these environments. I understand California to be on the forefront of international architecture and this evident in its affiliation with the Academy of Neuroscience For Architecture. I strongly believe that the application and practicality of building construction can be implicated through natural psychological processes in a way that will eventually take ergonomics to a whole new level and provide it with a whole new definition.

Matt

Gaining advanced knowledge in something that I enjoy doing and love doing. Attending this school is making me want to continue my schooling and get a Masters of Science in Computer Science, something I though I never really wanted, but now do. It will take a long time and lots of money, but I believe I can do it and I am glad that this experience of this school made me realize what I wanted out of life.

Karisse

Things aren't always how they seem. You think you know you want to do one thing but then you completely change your major but everything will work out in the end. Just find your passion. The time that you have at college is an important one because you find who you are and you make the best of it. Also, you don't need a lot of friends to get through college. Knowing a lot of people is nice but having a great close group of friends is all you need to enjoy. It's vaulable to attend because you learn something new and you learn from different perspectives. You find you.

John

Where else than on a college campus will you find people from diverse backgrounds who can have meaningful conversations with each other and learn from each other's experience and perspective. It's a working forum and we need more places like the College of New Jersey. Learning is cool.

Gema

My college experience has given me the motivation to pursue a higher education. It has also given me many learning experiences from note taking and retaining information for my success in obtaining a nursing degree. Both my parents were uneducated. They went no further than elementary school. Moving to the United States gave them no choice but to have a career as laborers. They could not speak english too well and did not continue to attend school. With that being said, it is valuable for me to attend college. Throughout my life they've always expressed the importance of a higher education because they did now want me to live the hard lives they did. I've seen and experienced the hard life that comes down upon a family who has no educational degree. As I got older and realized that education is the key to a better life, i've always strived to pursue a higher education.

Joseph

Out of my college experience, I have gained a better understanding of the world. College has taught me how to be a better person. Even though I have finished over 80 credit hours of course work, I feel that I have only started the learning process one must endure to improve oneself. College only gives a foothold into any given subject, which a student must use to dive deeper to create their own future. This is wonderful because I love to write computer programs because they are art in the form of numbers. It is also valuable to attend college because it enriches one with a social experience not found anywhere else. College is a place of peers of all races and ages, without any bias or superiority. Without college, I would not know where I stand in the world.

Courtney

f

Nakia

Attending The College of New Jersey increased my awareness of our need to have real communities in our state and in our country. As a minority student and EOF Alumni, I had a network of committed friends and dedicated staff members who invested in my success at The College. “Each One Teach One” was our mantra, and it did not end with minority students, we shared our resources and message with any member of the student body who shared our desire to learn and cared for the people around us. The intimate size of the campus (under 300 acres) made everyone and everything more accessible. We held each other accountable, and rejoiced in each other’s success – we invested in each other. That is what made us a community. The desire to community build has guided my professional career (I am an Outreach Coordinator), and it will also influence where and how I raise my family.

Rachel

Throughout college, I have been challenged; challenged to think outside of the box, question my beliefs and values, and consider the person I am and want to become. By taking difficult classes, having relationships with professors, and interacting with peers, I have been able to consider and develop real, insightful, and meaningful opinions of my own. I have been pushed to become a writer, a scholar, an activist, a politician, a doctor, a teacher, and countless others things. But most importantly, I have been pushed to just be me and have been given the opportunity to explore whatever it is that moves and inspires me. College has given me such passion; passion to follow my dreams to the limits. I have been able to explore my interests and discover my strengths and weakness in an attempt to forge a path for my future. I have been able to consider different opportunities, career paths, and majors to find what makes me happy. Most importantly, college has shaped me into a life-long learner, a curious mind, and constant questioner. With a college education, there is no limit to what you can achieve, not matter how difficult it may seem.

Stuart

In college, I learned about myself and where I want to take my life. In learning about myself, I found out what things are important to me in a friend, a career, and how I want to get there. My friends, family, classes, and work experience taught me about the responsibilities one has as an adult and what it takes to get there.

lookenson

i have not attend college yet i start in march 8 2010 .i have never been in college i just graduated high school in 2008

Ryan

I am getting such a rich education at The College of New Jersey. All of the professors here have the highest degree offered in their fields, so they really know what they are talking about. Also, there are no big lecture hall classes here. The biggest class size we have is 48 people. Two of my classes this semester only have 18 people in them, so each student is able to get the most out of the course. At TCNJ, you get an ivy-league education for a public-college price. However, the main deciding factor that resulted in my choosing TCNJ was the fact that 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of TCNJ students who apply to medical school are accepted! That number is incredibly appealing to me, being a pre-medical student.

Loribel

As a high school senior, all I could think of was college, parties, new friends and a whole new world. As I applied for college I did not think about how I would pay for college or that things were as complicated as I soon would learn they were. If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that the new journey I was going to embark on was not all going to be easy and great. I would tell myself that just because someone had a certain exprience in college that means I would have the same. I would have also prepared myself to accept that I was going to be deemed different because the majority of the people in my campus were caucasion. As a high school senior I would have made sure that I would have looked better at a schools diversity and financial aid.

Lauren

Dear Lauren, Enjoy high school while it still lasts. I know you take advantage of the fact that you're the top of your class and it only takes you 20 minutes a night to do your homework. That will no longer me the case once you go to college. You'll be among all the other top students, so A's won't come as easy. Review the material you're learning and really get to know it. Studying a little bit the night before an exam doesn't quite cut it. Everything you learn here will come back at some point, so the more you know and the better you prepare yourself, the easier the transition will be. Take time to plan out your assignments, go over them multiple times, and seek extra help when need be because this will become the norm in a year. Lastly, cherish the time you have left with your classmates. Despite your best efforts, you will lose contact with some of your oldest friends. It's a part of growing up. So live life, have fun, and prepare yourself. Love, Future Lauren

Michelle

I would give myself the advice that perseverance is especially important, and to never forget that. Diligence is also another key factor to success and one should always continue to try and exceed expectations.

Emma

If I could go back in time to talk to myself during my senior year I would tell myself to take all the AP science courses I could. I would also tell myself not to be as stressed out over getting into college because things will all work out. If I could share one message with all high school seniors, it would be hard work pays off. All you can do is try the best you can and that's all that matters in the end. Some college freshmen once entering college lose all their drive and motivation. Whether it's the notion that they are already in college or not is unknown. If I could, I would remind myself not to stop working hard because out of all the work and effort, there will come that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow that I have been searching for through the journey of the high school years and college years.

Zachary

The best way of getting into the groove of college life is to meet as many people as possible on your freshman floor, and spend time with the ones you enjoy spending time with as opposed to anyone you can spend time with. It's best to have a lot of friends, but you want to have a core group of friends as well that you can count on for living situtations and eating meals with. Be open-minded about clubs, but don't join them just because your friends joined - trust me, you'll stop going after a meeting or two because any other activity will be more interesting than an obligation you don't want. Finally, I would suggest learning to sleep on a schedule - I don't do this, but my few friends that do seem to be vibrantly more awake than I am all the time even if I slept 10 hours the night before. Something about college is extremely tiring, and sleep becomes your new best friend but can be a time killer during crunch periods (finals and midterms). Also: group projects - avoid them like the plague. You WILL end up doing all the work.

Kalvin

Alright buddy, getting into college isn't really the last thing on your plate. In fact, THIS is the point where you really have to start looking forward. You've declared a major, but it's probably the best idea to have a general idea to know where thats going. Medicine? That's costy. Get on your scholarships, because the loans you're about to make are VERY scary in terms of fine print. Oh, but don't worry too much! While it's the start of a new future, it's also not hyper-speed paced. You're going to have a great time making new friends and breaking into a new environment and making your mark on campus. Just don't forget to keep your priorities straight, okay? Behave!

Kristel

As co-founder of a Relational Aggression Group, I researched this topic for four years. Our group raises awareness about issues that emerge as a result of relational aggression, while helping teenage girls understand what the behavior is and why it occurs. Girls need to learn how to speak out, which is what I encouraged them to do. Through my college years, I have significantly impacted the school environment. My peers realized that they did not have to be powerless. I am honored to be a leader of this expansion of awareness. I carry this program with me because it occurs through adulthood. I have learned more about myself. My endurance allows me to accomplish anything. Over the years of research, it comes naturally to me to detect these situations. I spread awareness by being committed, communicative, and supportive. I encourage inclusive friendships and accept others. We are programmed by our culture to care what others think and become preoccupied with seeking approval. Thus, this behavior must be unlearned, which is challenging in itself. Being able to cope with everyone's adversities and different personalities is important to consider when adapting to living with people in the college dorms.

Kelly

If I could go into college knowing what I have learned after a semester as a freshman I would be a very lucky person. I would tell my self that while first impressions are important if you spend too much time worrying about how you come across to other people you'll miss out on the great friends you can make by just being your self. Going to and living at college is like joining a new family that you have to form by yourself, so it is up to you to be outgoing and to hang out with the kind of people who appreciate and care for you. Without friends, college wouldn't even be an experience. You need people to support you and help you get through your transition into being on your own, and the only way to do it is to open yourself up to new experiences. While college is a chance to start anew, it does not mean that you have to change yourself completely. With a little experimentation you can find the right balance between the two. Balance is the key to a successful college life.