Albion College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Albion College know before they start?

Michael

Oh, jeez. Man, you have got to grow up a little bit. I know your life is hard, there are a lot of things you've been through and stuff will get even more rough for a while. But don't let a fuzzy, idealistic version of the future make you feel safe. That GPA needs work and this is the rest of your life we're talking about. Don't be lazy, excel. Set concrete times and ignore the girlfriend until you're done. You're smart, I know you are. You're me. But being smart doesn't get anywhere by itself. You have to prove it. Discipline is so important. And get involved. So many opportunities exist in extracurriculars: for scholarships, for friends, for self-fulfillment. Take a second and realize that, for the most part, nobody is watching and even fewer people will bother to judge. Open your heart, and your mind will follow.

Kathleen

I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that is placed before me, to stay out late with great friends, and don't judge a book by its cover. Remember that people change, college is a transition period, and you have to roll with the punches. Also, don't rely on anyone else to make you happy, and don't try to hold on to high school love when it's not real anymore. When things get rough and don't go the way you plan, look for the what's next rather then dwelling in the past. Finally, I would remind my self that you don't regret the things you do, just the things you don't.

Katie

You will do most of your work outside of class. Class is not where you learn, it is where you go over what you don’t understand from briefing the material beforehand. ASK questions when you don’t understand, before falling behind. It is your job now, not your roommate, your professor’s, or your parent’s job to keep you true to your work and your grades. If you feel comfortable with your workload, find an easy job second semester. Adjust to your life away from home first before you load your plate with responsibilities. Don’t freak out about the future. You have four ears to figure that out. Experience everything you can, take some crazy chances and have fun. Find a group of friends you can trust. Your roommate is a good place to start, but your roommate might not always be you think they are. Don’t get caught up in the drama that will still be ever-present. Be the bigger person when you can and don’t boast about it. It’s better than holding grudges, being in fights, and staying unhappy. You will make mistakes again and again, just learn from them.

Cristina

I would tell myself to take advantage of the early college programs my highschool offered which could possibly lead me to graduating with my high school diploma AND my associate degree all together. I would also tell my self to start searching for scholarships as soon as my senior year started, instead of procrastinating during the final month of my senior year. I would also tell myself that my G.P.A is very important, and could help me get into a better, prestigouse school.

mychal

As a high school Senior knowing what i do today, i would have taken the time to explore my interests and find what i would enjoy doing as a potential choice of career. Upon narrowing my choices down to a handful of paths, i would then have made my best attempt at finding a fit school for me. Based upon things such as price, location, offered majors etc. After settling on what colleges i would apply to i would definitely have taken the time to find as much financial aid as possible whether it be via FAFSA or scholarships such as this one. I knew from the begining money is not easy to come by, therefore i made the decision to attend a community college over a 4 year not due to grades but cost. My goal still is to graduate a 4 year university, however i would like to have as little debt as possible.

Ashley

Go with your gut. If you're not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} confident and willing to back your choice up, reconsider. Do what's best for you in the long run.

Lindsay

You’re hurting. You don’t feel like you’ll ever be good enough. Seeing it written down on paper, you’re probably a bit ashamed for being such a typical teenager; you want to transcend both cliché and your own emotions. But listen to me: how you are feeling right now is valid. In addition, you won’t feel this way forever. Please, don’t become too cynical and self-aware to have fun. When you get to college, indulge in all of the silly “icebreaker” games. Don’t expect yourself to be immediately transformed by your new status as a college student – give it time, and you will do things that will surprise you, like joining a sorority (don’t buy into the stereotypes, by the way), giving speeches, and becoming treasurer of your school’s feminist organization. You are not useless, even though you feel powerless against all of the changes you are facing. Just let it be. There will be times where you will make a fool out of yourself, but don’t dwell on your mistakes. Don’t worry about success – it will come. Be patient and enjoy yourself because you deserve to be happy.

Alyssa

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would be able to give myself a lot of advice about the transition into college after completing my freshman year. I would definitely tell myself that college is nothing like high school. In college, the homework is different, you have to be organized, manage your time correctly, and be thorough in everything that you do. There is no giving half of your effort and getting a good grade, and there is no missing an assignment because you "left it at home" and being able to turn it in the next day. You have to be fully and completely focused in what you are doing, whether it is reading, doing a math problem, writing a paper, or studying for an exam; You cannot be focused fifty percent. If you do all of this, you will succeed.

Raysha

I would tell myself to be preapred for one of the most amzing experiences of your life. That meeting new poeple and coming to Albion will be fantastic and not to worry about it so much. I would also tell myself to take better notes. And to make sure that I raise my hand when I have a question or a comment because it will appericated and will add greatly to the learning experience. Make sure to read, because there is a reason your preofessors are assigning it. It might be boring and tideous now, but in next semester's classes and even years down the road, or even in a conversation you'll be having next week, it will be relevent. And lastly, not to stress out too much. It falls into place most of the time. And if it doesn't, then it wasn't meant to be that way. It might seem like generic answer, but this advice would have helped a lot.

Halley

Relax; be calm; everything will go smoothly. Be yourself; be friendly. Before going into college I was so panicky that nothing would go well - I had heard a few horror stories about students failing out of college because they couldn't handle the work load. Would I be one of those individuals? Even though I received good grades in high school, college would be completely different. However, my grades turned out very well; I received a 3.85 first semester. I spent so much time worrying about whether or not I would do okay in college and as it turns out, I did fine. I also spent a fair share of time being anxious about not finding friends: I am going to a college where I did not know anyone before coming. I was so nervous that with all the free time college is supposed to contain, I would not have anything to do. This also turned out not to be the case – my roommate ended up being a great friend as well as some of the other students we met. I would have told myself to be much calmer going into school and less fearful.