College of William and Mary Top Questions

College has been more than an academic experience that will (hopefully) propel me into the future. Instead, it has provided me with more opportunities than I could ever imagine. It has taught me the meaning of strong relationships, integrity, work ethic, fun beyond my wildest imagination, giving to others, and living out my dreams. As cheesey as it may sound, I have come to realize that anything is possible. When I came in as a freshman, I often wondered what lucky students were the ones who got to address our entire College at events, give tours on campus, serve as Head Residents, run organizations, and most of all, be friends with the President of our College. Today, I've realized that it doesn't take luck - instead, it takes some perserverance and the willingness to try new things. I'm so glad that I've followed my passions, because every day I walk across the yard of the oldest academic building still in use on a college campus (thank you, Tour Guides!), I feel like the luckiest girl to be living out my dreams. And sometimes, just sometimes, I wave to President Reveley on my way to class.

Before my freshman year, I believed that anticipating every possible need by overloading the family car on move-in day with everything from duct tape to freeze-dried ice cream would ensure a smooth transition to college life. Clearly I did not understand how little space a dorm room provides. Naively, I thought that if I had everything I would ever need at my fingertips, then I could easily prepare for any possible obstacle. My first semester produced an immediate change in that mentality. Classes challenged my former standards of success, raising the bar to a new level. Time-management quickly became my mantra as I struggled to balance academics responsibilities, extracurricular involvements, and the beginnings of new friendships. I soon learned that not every obstacle will be expected, nor can it be always be solved with a piece of duct tape or some other material good. Fortunately, the ability to strive for personal best through challenge ultimately strengthens the heart, mind, and soul. Spontaneity improves the college experience. Not everything can be, or even should be, anticipated. Moments spent outside of a scheduled existence oftentimes offer the most unexpectedly, satisfyingly edifying experiences. Therein lies the magic of college life.

I would tell myself to relax and be open to making new friends. I would advise not to try too many clubs, but also to try one club that seems scary, or not like me at all. I would stress being open and not getting stressed out too easily. I would also warn myself about studying for finals, and how to focus and do well, something I only figured out during the last few days of finals. I would probably tell myself about some people at college, which ones are really good friends, and which ones are not how they seem. I would stress the importance of the club Canterbury and the possibility that my roommate could be wierd and hard to get along with. Overall, the most important piece of advice would be to take advantage of new opportunities and experiences that college gives you.

I believe i handled the college application and transition process; however, there is always room for improvement or something to be done better when motivated. I would have told myself as a senior to open my horizons to colleges out of state and try something new. At the College of William and Mary I have met so many people from around the country, even some from other countries and it makes me think of how I should have at least considered other schools. Also I was not very active in searching for scholarships so I would have liked to try harder with getting scholarships rather than worry about them now when I have much more school work than before. Besides that I would like to give myself advice on getting active in clubs. I would have told myself to get more involved in clubs, even if it is out of my comfort zone, it is easier to get involved in these clubs early on in your college life. Besides that advice I would have nothing more to say to high school senior me other than prepare for a great adventure!

All throughout high school, if I felt as though I was the smartest person in a class, I slacked off. Though I received excellent grades, my lazy tendencies began to bring down my GPA. I was so arrogant as to think that I had no real competition that I hardly bothered to put any real effort into my work. I ended up graduating with a high GPA, but for some reason I felt guilty. It wasn't until then that I came to realize that my laziness only ended in disappointment for me and my teachers. If I could go back, I would tell myself to get into gear and put my all into my work. By being too lazy to push myself to my potential, I was inadvertantly disrespecting the teachers whom I had come to respect and love greatly. Coming to college taught me that I will have to work hard to get what I want in the real world and I cannot just expect it to automatically fall into my lap. I have to earn it, through hard work and dedication.

I would tell myself to not be so anxious to move so far away from home. I would also advise myself to transition into the college environment at a school that is not so different from my high school. Unfortunately, I left a small rural environment and a small high school to go far away to a large university. Needless to say, my transition was disastrous. Instead of enjoying my first semester, I felt like a fish out of water and my grades reflected my unhappiness. Nevertheless, I would advise myself to recognize your mistakes and make positive changes, which I did when I transferred to a smaller college after the first half of my first semester.

Being a senior in high school is very easy; we want to rush through our last year in order to be independent and "in college". If I could go back, I would teach myself to develop better work habits. I would enjoy the activities of high school and the ability to have the "safety net" of home, when I had parents and teachers to catch me immediately if I made a mistake. It is also very important in the last years of high school to establish who you are as a person and what your values are, and to set boundaries for yourself. Otherwise it will be very easy for those to be manipulated, or determined by someone else. I also would not have brought so much stuff my freshman year, because most of it you do not use! :)

College is important not only to advance one's career, but also to grow in every aspect of your life. After all, college should be a time of learning, fun, and meeting new people that you would otherwise not know or see without the experience. While acadenics and career enhancement are important, getting involved as much as possible in social activities whether they be clubs, organizations, or the frat/sorority scene. College is all about growing in every aspect of your life should also be apart of the college experience. Such activities teach one valuable skills such as networking and being more sociable in public settings which will be integral in both college and beyond. There are skills not taught in the classroom, but nevertheless are important skills in life, namely having an engaging and outgoing personality that will help an individual in succeeding not just in the classroom, but in life generally. As a result, college is all about learning and retaining life's lessons whether they are studying for that midterm or final or landing that first job post-graduation--namely that you as a person can determine your future and not someone else.

Do not procrastinate! I know in high school that I could get away with waiting until the last minute, but I have more than enough time in college to do work and to study. I would also tell myself to definently be outgoing! I know I was really shy in high school, but college is a great time to bust out of your shell and start over. Don' be afraid to talk with someone new and sit by someone different in class. Also, don't stress about senior year and all the applications. Just work your hardest and try and enjoy youself. College is more than you can imagine, and the freedom is great, but take the time to spend with your family and appreciate how much they love and support you. Don't forget that college is just the beginning and take the time to find yourself.

I?d be willing to bet that right about now your life is an absolute whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and expectations, so here's a small piece advice from a bonafide, experienced collegiate You four years into your future: relax. There will be plenty of time for you to learn the ins and outs and the college ropes. Don't worry, you'll even have a leg up on everyone else, because there's a secret that I guarantee you will make your transition easier, and here it is: Ignore me. Ignore me, and everyone else who is giving you advice. We all mean well, but no matter what we?ve all been through before, your experience is going to be your own. You?re going to do things, meet people and learn new ideas that you?ve never even dreamed about. I?d tell you what they all are, but I don?t want to spoil it for you. The best part about your college experience is that you get to mold it into a wonderfully unique adventure that truly is your own and no one else?s. So go on and simply enjoy the ride of your life.