Hollins University Top Questions

The most distinctive thing about Hollins was that it was small, liberal arts women's college. Isn't that a mouthfull? From it being small, I gained confidence in the classroom during discussions, having the chance to ask questions and voice my opinion. Because it was liberal arts, I was required (and liked it!) to take classes outside my major. As a music major, I was taking courses like Greek Mythology and Food Politics! Having this type of education gauranteed me the knowledge to expand my horizons and contribute to most field of education and conversation. And finally, the fact that it was a women's college. This brought many varieties of people with differences in race, culture and sexuality. I enjoyed being dispersed in that and learning about all sorts of women. Also, I found friendships and bonds that I trust will last a lifetime. All of these qualities have taken me to where I am today, studying for my Master's and pursuing my dream!

The most I have gotten is learning that I'm fine with who I am, accept myself, faults and all, and never deny who I am to make others comfortable.

As a high school senior, I thought of college as an evolved high school, a social environment I could escape once I walked out the double doors. During my college search, I believed that if I considered the social atmosphere of a university I would be compromising my academic criteria; in my mind, social activity was in competition with academics, not a complement to it. I have come to realize that I, in essence, chose my family for the next four years, those with whom I will be eating, studying, and rooming. By chance, the small, all-women's university I chose (considering only academics and tuition) nourished the kind of personal, sisterly environment without which I could not succeed. I would not have been comfortable expressing myself (in- and outside of class) at a larger, coed school. If I could speak with my high school self, I would explain that social atmosphere is as crucial as academics, and that the ?small? and "all-women's" descriptions I ignored would soon become very important to my development as a writer and as a person. College is a multifaceted experience in which one is not only learning, but living.

I would tell myself that College doesn?t have to be so intimidating. Yes it is important but it is learning process like anything else. You do not have to settle on a career now. That is not what you are working for. You are working toward gaining knowledge that will apply to what ever job you chose latter in life. Find the school that fits you. Make sure it offers a variety of subject areas that you are interested in. Experiment by taking classes you would never think of taking. They may surprise you with new knowledge or help steer you in a life direction. Just as important is the social life. You will make new and better friends that will help you learn about yourself. Time management skills and better study habits will develop quickly as you find your place with in the world of the school. Stick with what works for you and what you need. True friends understand that sometimes a paper requires you to disappear into the library for a weekend. Most importantly have fun next year. It is easier to get an ?A? in a class you enjoy. So relax and have fun.

I would have told myself to finish high school. It caused alot of stress and low self esteem over the years and even though I did get my G.E.D. I still never felt up to parr with everyone else. That's about it, the only regret I had.

It's surreal realizing that this time two years ago, my sole financial goal was an iPod. Seventeen and license-less, I earned eighty dollars a week caring for five children two blocks from my home in Richmond, VA. Five paychecks and one iPod later, I quit. The children?s father was rude, and the hours--ten a week--were "ruining" my social life, as I?d dramatically explained to my mother. If I could travel to that silver November I'd shake that kid by the shoulders and tell her to get to used it. Life is filled with bad bosses, rude people, and low pay; social lives take a backseat to work all the time. Now, a sophomore in college, I?ve learned the importance of self-sufficiency. While attending school full-time, I have two jobs. My money goes towards tuition, living expenses, and bills; the hours consistently impede my social life. Regretfully, I realize I quit that job out of fear of confrontation, irresponsibility, and laziness, despite calling myself mature. I see now I was just a child, ignorant not only in finances, but what it really means to be an adult.

High School, ah, what a time. I was scrambling for scholarships and trying to find the perfect school. I would have sat myself down and told myself this; "Take chances, work hard, make new friends, learn new things. You need to step out. Try classes that are interesting, break out from who you used to be. People are going to tell you those things anyway, but I mean it. College will be nothing if you don't work at it. Yes, classes can be tough. Yes, there will be late night studying. But something that is really more important than any of that, is that you make this place your home. If you don't make your college your new home, you'll never truly succeed there. You need to want the true experience, because sitting in your room alone because you're homesick is never going to make you succeed. The people that are doing the best in their classes here are trying new things and exploring everyday, they're not just sitting in their rooms. The only way to really transition into college, is to just dive in."

Don't take anything for granted. Scholarships doesn't grow on trees, although loans seem to. Work as hard as you can, and apply for as many awards as possible. Don't reject that chance at a job flipping burgers just because you hate working around food; any little bit helps, and nothing else will come along. Don't take anything for granted. Friends don't grow on trees either; you need to work hard to make and keep them. You can't expect everyone to be your buddy just because you go to the same school. Don't take anything for granted. You're not going to get away with not speaking in class like you did in high school, and you will need to ask the professors for help. They won't think badly of you if you're struggling. Don't take anything for granted. Time is short, and the work will take longer than you know. Don't take anything for granted; your major is not set in stone. Experiment a lot, both in course selection and in extracurriculars. The results will be shocking. Be conscientious, be brave... but don't be too hard on yourself.

College is not the same as high school. You have to be much more responsible for yourself in college than in high school. Try to make your own decision right now, it will help a lot when you become a college student. Try being as much as independent as possible, practice it right now from the smallest thing such as doing laundry, cleaning your own rooms, and nobody will ask you to do your homework, it's your choice, nobody will make sure you attend classes, it's your choice, but remember you bear all the consequence. Professors won't ask to meet your parents if you fail class. Yes, Be INDEPENDENT, be RESPONSIBLE.

I would say to my senior self that self discipline is important. In college, you are considered an adult and so ,for example, you can't rely on your professor to give you additional time to hand in a research paper because you lost the syllabus. Punctuality and prioritizing are important.I would say to really consider and think about all aspects of going to the colleges applied to (e.i. tuition,loans,location etc..) before making a final choice. And once in college, try news things (e.i. join different clubs, take classes that you wouldnt normally take etc..).