Framingham State University Top Questions

Jillian, your attitude and actions determine your college success. If you want to do well in your classes you need to make school work your first priority. So, do not procrastinate. It is very easy to put off doing work, especially now that you have a lot more free time. But be smart, do your work and then relax. It is amazing how much easier your school work can be if you manage your time wisely. Also, remember that college is a brand-new, clean slate. Therefore you can be anybody you want to be. You are not confined to who you were in high school. So, get out there, do things that are out of your comfort zone and talk to people you normally wouldn't. Look around you, everybody is just as nervous as you are. So be friendly, get to know a lot of people. Remember, your college experience will only be as good as you make it, so do your best both in and out of class.

Dear Senior Self, Now that I’ve made it through my freshman year of college, I need to tell you a few things I wish I had known while transitioning from high school to college. Don’t try hold on to people who aren’t trying to hold on to you. I know you hate change, but this is a fresh start and a chance to reinvent yourself. Rid yourself of poisonous people in your life and move on.Always bring an extra pencil to class because you never know who is going to ask you to borrow one. College classes are a lot harder than high school classes.Work fewer hours. STUDY Familiarize yourself with the library because it’s going to be your key to success for the next four years.Your GPA actually matters now. Take care of it. You’re not going to meet your best friend the first day or even the first week of college. When you do meet them, they’re not going to have the same political views, fashion sense, or music taste, but they’re going to be the best friends you ever had. Love,Kelsey

I would tell myself to first of all be confident in who you are. Everyone has quirks and things about them that make them who they are, and you just have to embrace it. You cantcare what others say about you. Once you love who you are and is confident in that then you GET INVOLVED! That is something I wish I did first semester. Its how you meet people. Its how you get to know yourself and your school. It challenges you but it makes you feel like your apart of something bigger. Its an amazing feeling. I would also tell myself that its going to be hard not living at home. Alot of times it gets down played and people don't think they will miss it but it is a huge transition. You are now living on your own, making your own decsions. Its alot so Iwould just say to prepare for it. Make sure its something you really want to do and deal with before you jump right in. Most importantly is put your self out there and try new things. If you don't know if you should try it, definitly DO IT!

Hey Becky! I know you're stressing out about college, but there is no reason to be scared! Everyone is a phone call away. Your roommates are gonna drive you crazy, but the good news is that Rachel will let you room with her in Towers! I know that is doesn't seem ideal, but you will love being there. Unfortunately, you lose touch with most of your high school friends, but you make new friends at school! You will find your own little place where you belong. You end up being the secretary of the band at the end of your first semester and you will be in the running to become the President of the band for your sophomore year. You'll also find your favorite people in the a cappella club! Make sure to put yourself out there to find new friends. Let go of the past and look on to the future. You can do it! Sincerly, Becky

Dear Taylor, The coldsweat, midnight nightmares are not neccessary. College is going to be a breeze, at least for you. Your worries of losing yourself and the realtionships changing for the worse with the people you care about most, will not happen. Everything will be okay, your worries about failing all of your classes, not making any friends, and hating being away from home with dissappear quickly as you adapt to your new life in the first days of your arrival. Just stay calm, enjoy the rest of your summer, and make as much money as you can because they weren't kidding when people told you that college kids are always broke. You are going to succeed and become so much more than what you already are. Remember to stay true to your values and know that you are smart enough for college. Wipe away your easily discouraged attitude and embrace the change you are about to endure. The greatest time of your life is right around the corner, and I promise you, you're going to love every second of it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself knowing what I know now, it would be a very intense conversation. I didn't finish high school the way I should have. I had a dysfunctional family life growing up. So in my eyes as a young women I had no choice but to leave home. So I would have to sit myself down and have a real heart to heart. I would say, " Finish high school, go on and get your college degree early. Going back in fifteen years is still not a bad thing, but it could be so much easier you for in your life to finish now. Your going to have two little girls to look up to you. Wouldn't it be an amazing for them to know you never gave up on something so important? Your going to love it, it is nothing like high school, and you will feel a since of accomplishment that can only come from going to college. You will go to school online which will help you feel calm and at ease. Your worth it and I know things will be ok. Put your all in it."

If I were to go back in time to high school, I would definitely tell myself to not stress out so much about getting into my dream school. From going to Framingham State over the last two semesters I have learned that I can get a quality education wherever I want, as long as I make the effort to ensure I am learning as much as I possibly can. I would also tell myself that the transition to college will be difficult in the first few weeks, but after a while it will become easier. The workload, at least this semester, is comparable to the workload I have experienced in high school - so do not worry too heavily about not having enough time to study and work. I would also tell myself to reach out and take as many opportunities to get involved - it'll make the college experience that much more valuable.

Stay focused and keep on doing what you are doing.

Dear self, Don’t be afraid. There are so many amazing things in life that you might miss if you worry about what other people think. Always remember that smiles are infectious: if you smile, you feel confident and happy, and make others smile too. There are so many wonderful people that you will meet who have huge hearts and will keep you laughing daily, so these smiles are practice for the joy to come. Having experienced a year and a half of college I’ve learned that while grades are important, they aren’t everything. If you take the time to enjoy the things you love with the people you love, the things that have to get done become a little lighter and easier. Finally, don’t be afraid to pursue what you love. When you take your first photography class you will realize how much talent you have. So don’t be afraid to photograph! Remember how much joy it brings you and that God chose this talent especially for you to bring Him glory. Don’t forget your second love: languages. Keep your chin up and your smile wide. This is the greatest time of your life.

I f I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would say to stay on top of your work load. It is very easy to procrastinate and say, "I can do it later." There is temptation to blow off school work to socialize or go out with friends, but it really does pay off if you stay on top of the course load. You don't want to find yourself cramming it all in at the last minute. I can say, from experience, that this is not the way to go. Keep up with assignments and readings and you will have plenty of time to hang out with friends, and you won't have to pull a dozen all-nighters in order to get all your work done last minute.