CUNY Hunter College Top Questions

knowing a lot about college nowadays, i feel there are so many things i want to try over again. I would advise myself that college is a place where life is giving you the chance to think clearly about how you want to live your life in a much later time, whether it is about a career, a family, friends, even your passion. People always say college give you freedom, but I think that freedom shouldn't be abused of because that freedom is for each individual to explore for what their future holds. I, feeling constrainted to getting good grade each semester and making sure i mantain my academic stardards, would like to say to myself that college is too short just as life is ; therefore, I shouldn't just spend my time sitting on a chair and holding a paper and a pen most of the time. The chances that corresponds to myself in life is waiting for me out there and being in college will help you get there.

I’d sit him down and splash brandy in his eyes. He’d writhe and shrill, struggling to rid the pain. He’d shoot for the kitchen, but I’d yell “SIT DOWN YOU AIN’T GOING NO WHERE!” and kick him back on the couch with my oxford sole. I’d take my bottle and its fiery contents and smash it right over his shoulder. He’d duck and hide between his arms, warm cognac and tiny shards diffused over his neck and arms. Afraid and defeated, he’d look up through his teary eyes, uttering the following with a crackled voice like any prepubescent teen would who has yet to explore the world’s grievous demands and vices: “ what I’d do?" I’d laugh, for indeed he’s done nothing—not until years later, of course; not until it's reached its fullest effect; when it does no good anymore; when the father hurts because he too was plagued by liquid fire … and now his son. I’d sit in front of my young self, with the broken Martell in my hand, and hope that my tears would be enough to keep him from that first drink.

If I could speak to my high school self and give advice about college life I would say: “Live, and don’t be afraid of failure.” One of my greatest problems growing up was that I was always too afraid to move or do anything for fear of failing. It was not until my first year in college, seeing how much the world of opportunity opens up with simple effort that I learned I made a mistake. What was completely obvious was if I jumped on some opportunities sooner I would have an even larger position in life for me to work with. However knowing my previous self I now that I would be the only one capable of talking to myself. This is because I was (and still) a very stubborn individual when It came to taking advice from someone I do not fully know or trust. My high school self would have to hear the information just right at the right time. Thankfully since I am the perfect candidate for the task my message would be heard perfectly and when I come back to my time in 2012 my will be very different, and all for the better.

Youth is mark by the spellbinding lure for the unconditional: Dora the explorer is unconditionally the hero, Swiper the Fox is unconditionally the villain. As a senior in high school, the world is slightly more complicated, but individuals and experiences are seemingly easily compartmentalized into unconditional opposites, the metaphorical black and white. But like an incurable malady, you must be afraid of the unconditional, for rarely is life ever black or white. Rather it is a mélange of black and white. Live life in the complicated nuances of those mélange. Live life in the grays! It is those nuances, Fredrich Nietzsche calls, “the best grain of life.” Contained in those grays are the infinite possibilities of new feelings. Each experience and individual, as similar as it may look to a previous experience, is a new feel; each love is a new feel, each heartache is a new feel, each moment ripe with a new feel. Your capacity to understand the grays enhances the sensitivities of each new feel. For if living is an art, then you must be afraid of the unconditional, because art is rarely ever only black and white.

Hey. I know you messed up pretty spectacularly during junior year. I suppose it was a good thing that you were forced to take a remedial summer english class. It proved you’re not “smart but lazy”. You’re actually, both stupid AND lazy. Yes, it was humiliating, but I hope you found it to be a humbling experience. Stay focused in your final year, and learn and retain as much information and knowledge as you can, especially in your precalculus class. I know you’re anxious to see if you got into that college upstate, but I’ll just tell you now. You didn’t. You’ll be commuting for the next two years. But that’s a good thing! This will give you the opportunity to save some money for your eventual transfer (yes, you will transfer), but only if you actually save! This means you need to cut back on the comics.You got involved in some pretty bad stuff last year. Don’t worry about our parents. They still love you. Just remember, save up and stay humbled. Ask your professors for advice whenever possible, and learn as much as you can about everything. Good luck.

I would put all my efforts to be more responsible and acquire more knowledge, so when you get to college to have all the tools necessary to not fail and go forward. Because here in Puerto Rico are very few aid and is very difficult to study and complete a profession to be somebody in life.

The advice I could give myself would be to seek for all the help possible, speak to advisors and college guide staff at the school. Sometimes we feel that we know everything that we are suppose to know, but end up making mistakes or choosing the wrong career path because we weren't aware of all the information needed. By choosing the wrong college or sending the wrong information to financial aid, it could delay many things. It is always good to ask questions and seek for the help needed. This would be what I would say to myself. If I would have ask the right questions and seek for help, I could have been a college graduate by now.

Stephanie, you waited a while to figure out what you needed to do and that's alright. In high school you didn't quite fit in and you constantly attempted to find something or someone to stick on to so your fingers ended up in all the honey pots. Then you pushed people away because you figured you weren't good enough. You are good enough and it will take you a few years to figure that out so be patient. You don't have to please anyone but yourself. Make sure that you keep your head up and that you realize you're worth far more than you think. Don't let the stress of growing up keep you from having fun. You'll have enough time to worry about those things. Enjoy your journey, help as many people as you can because that's when you'll feel most fulfilled. Remember that you are capable of changing the world. You just have to be around to do it.

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 tell myself that I am in total control of my future and college career. In college, your professors treat you like an adult. Its your responsiblity to know deadlines for papers and to keep up your grades. If you do not show up for class, nobody is going to come and arrest you for truancy. Many times, I found myself saying "why do I need to learn this, I will never use this again" as a high school senior. I would tell my high school self that prior knowledge, time management skills, and taking advantage of resources colleges offer is key. You are your own advocate for the future. You get whatever you put into it. As long as you keep that in mind, the transition from high school to college is fairly easy. That is the advice I would give myself if I could go back in time.

If I were to speak with the younger me, I would reassure myself that it is ok to be different. I would tell myself that there is so much more to school than fitting in and peer pressure. I would tell myself that reading by yourself on a Friday night, is so much "cooler" than doing whatever it was that your friend were doing that night.I would tell myself to take things slower. Take everything one day at a time. There is no reason to rush. I would explain that even though you may feel as though you are grown, and an adult, that you still have so much to see and learn. I would also say, find out what you love. Do not feel pressured to be something you are no. I would make sure I knew to always follow your dreams, no matter what they might be, and to never sell yourself short. Lastly, I would tell myself to never give up. Push through until you break though. Success isn’t born over night. You have to fight long and hard sometimes, but if you do, you will always come out a winner.