American University Top Questions

School is meant to teach you The Rules. But you'll find that these rules are more like theories. School can not and will not give you the answers you're looking for. It's not going to give you some magical codes to avoid conflict or struggle, or even guarantee employment or success. What you get in return for applying yourself is knowledge of the tendencies, the history, the notable points, and the scope of your chosen field. Knowing where it has come from allows you to envision yourself woring to move it forward. Once you have these things it's entirely up to you what happens. A cake won't make itself just because you line up the ingredients, even if they are the best in the world.

If I could go back to high school I would tell myself not to let my fears speak louder than my dreams. In high school I was afraid of rejection from my dream school- so afraid that I never sent in the application. Instead, I settled for a school I had never heard of in a city I had never been to. I spent two dreadful years in Philadelphia, wishing I was in Washington, D.C. Finally, a light went off in my head and I thought, "this is supposed the time of my life. What am I doing?" I applied to American University and moved over the summer. I now am a second semester junior and am wishing I had sent that application! This is my place, but I didn't let myself live the dream until recently. So, I would say to my naive and scared; afraid and insecure 17-year-old self: "Never live in fear. Push your limits and explore your dreams."

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stress out less. I was so scared about choosing a college and then going to a place where I knew no one. However, as soon as I got to school, I felt at home and have been happy since Day 1. I would tell myself that I have the ability to be happy in any situation, and that ultimately only I know what the best choice for me is.

After graduating high school I had a different plan for the next year than my friends and classmates: I was taking a gap year to live in Germany with a host family, attend a German high school (gymnasium), and immerse myself in the language and culture. My year abroad can easily be described as the best year of my life this far. However, my return to the U.S. and reimmersing myself into an American culture and beginning college turned out to be a greater challenge than I expected. While American University is definatly the place for me and I have found several good friends, I realize that as I first entered college I should have shared my experiences in high school and home as well as my life in Germany. Overall my transition into college and the stresses of classes and scheduling lessons was a smooth one, but everyone should take into consideration the maturity gap between every person beginning as well and be flexible to other peoples backgrounds, habits, and ideas.

Dear Cornelia of April 2009, I can remember the joy on your face when you opened your acceptance packet to American University. I remember you thinking life would be easy from here on out. Well, you're wrong. Girl, there is so much to do and learn. While you are still basking in "acceptance glow" you should use that energy to fill out scholarships-- lots of them; so that mom won't have to struggle so much. Also, stop buying things with your paycheck. You know you don't need those celebratory shoes you're thinking about buying. Every penny counts. Please start saving. Right now, it seems like your friends mean everything to you and you don't know how you'll adjust to the people at American. I just want to let you know that you'll do fine. Stop worrying. You'll realize that you don't need all those people you surround yourself with. They're not here to help you. God and family is what is ultimately important. Don't think about the DC nightlife because school is number one. I wish you all the best of luck, Nelia! Yours truly, Yourself in January 2010

Relax. It will all work out and you will end up where you are supposed to be. You will make friends that will last a lifetime and learn to grow into a mature adult. College is the best four years of your life so work hard but also enjoy the ride because graduation will roll around in the blink of an eye.

Going back in time I would like to tell my high school self not to be as stressed as I was. High school is only one step in life and the road to graduation would have been less bumpy if I was able to take a few deep breaths. The stress that I had in high school was unnecessary now that I am in college. Looking back I realize that the tasks I completed and the activities that I was involved in were not worth a much worry as I put into them. Now that I am in college I realize what I need to stress about and what I do not. If I were able to go back and tell my high school self just one piece of advice it would be to enjoy being a high school senior and look forward to where my hard work would take me.

College has altered my mentality drastically. In high school, I was concerned solely with my grades and getting my work done quickly. "I don't care how I get it, I just want the A," I thought. I would cram for tests the night before, I tried to finish homework quickly, and my only interest in the classes I took was how they would look on college applications. I did not read scholarly articles or books for pleasure. After all, that wasn't going to get me an A in my classes. I have recently found a burning desire to learn and to understand as much as I can about the world. Professors and other students have taught me that the grade you get in a class is not as important as the knowledge you take with you. You get as much out of a class as you make of it. The resources are available, and whether you use them or not is a choice. I wish I had used them more in high school. Knowledge can be incredibly inspiring. A grade will not change your life, but a book just might. Devour knowledge like you would a chocolate cake.

Take as many as Advanced Placement tests that you can while you are a senior. Priority for registration and housing is given to those who have the most credits. If you satisfactorily complete the tests and obtain credit, you will be way ahead of some entering freshmen.

Self, here's the skinny on college: I, as your supposedly more experienced, mature, and capable counterpart, do not need to tell you what you need to know about college. Because I'm here talking to you and not languishing in the emergency room, buried under a pile of old exams, or having a nervous breakdown over my Microeconomics homework, you clearly did alright all by yourself. I can't tell you anything you don't already know about college. You should study, meet people, eat, exercise, and live. I think you can handle that. Don't forget about the organizations that formed you in high school- keep their values, lessons, and skills with you and use them to make classes easier. That way you'll have more time to enjoy the new world you're living in. Go figure- I think you've got that down too. Why am I still talking? Enjoy yourself. I'll see you in a couple years. Oh, and by the way, the Christmas present you ordered from Latvia is going to get lost in the mail. Plan ahead.