Lawrence University Top Questions

I would tell myself to take a deep breathe and relax! I can stress myself out, and all that does is cause high anxiety and wasted time. I would tell myself to stay calm and do the best I can because when you can keep yourself calm and controlled; you can do a lot and you can do it quite well. Self confidence is huge because the more you undermine yourself, and talk yourself down the less you will get done and most likely you will not do as well as you potentially could. so my advice to myself is: keep calm, do your best, and belive in yourself!

You're going to be happy. I know how anxious you are now about having to meet entirely new friends and worried you are about proving yourself academically. Everyone feels a degree of this and making friends just happens. Some of these friends are going to change your life and inspire you to be a better person. You decided to go to an academically demanding school, so be ready for late nights in the library, but always remember what you're learning is more important than the grade. With this in mind, you'll get the grades you want anyways. You'll also have the honor of being mentored by a few incredible professors, who will influence you to pursue a career in human rights advocacy. I know you're planning on going to medical school, but there's nothing wrong with changing your mind and you'll soon see how good of a writer you are and how this new career path is fitting. So, I'll leave you with this. At times, you're going to be stressed, sad, or scared, but far more often you're going to be challenged, inspired, loved, and most of all happy.

It’s true: college is hard. Nobody says otherwise, and there’s a reason. I’ve been there two years now and I can confirm. But I can also confirm that in some ways, college is much easier than high school. High school is a struggle to achieve a respectable GPA in many classes, not all of which deal with your favorite subjects, while applying for schools, maintaining extracurriculars, and surviving in a cut-throat social environment. College is entirely different. Sure, it’s a high level of academics – you’ll do a lot of work, with more expected of you than has ever been asked before. But you’ll love it. You’re going to be studying what you want, learning about things that interest you – all your choice. Everything’s a bit easier socially, too. In college you’ll make friends who care about you for who you are and what you do – not what you’re wearing or what parties you go to. So get ready: college is a bigger challenge than you’ve ever met before. But it’s a challenge you’re going to love – one you’re not going to want to give up.

If I could have the chance to talk to my high school senior self, I would stress the importance of implimenting solid study habits and entering college with an open mind. I was one of the high school students that never had to study to get straight As, simply showing up, doing the homework, and paying attention was enough for me. In college, I underestimated the amount that I needed to study and as a result, my gpa suffered for my first college term. If I could go back to senior year, I could convince myself the necessity of discovering which study methods worked best for me before I got to college. I also had the opportunity to live with an international student my freshman year - I was paired with a Vietnamese girl. Coming from a small town, I had never imagined the possibility of having a roommate from a foreign country, one who could be so different from myself. Luckily, it was one of the best experiences I had freshman year, although there was definitely a learning curve in discovering how to interact with each other. An open mind was key for that, and many other college experiences.

I would tell myself to focus on what I want and not get pressured by those around me. Sometimes the best school for you isn't the highest ranked, or the one that gives the most financial aid. You have to find out as much as you can about schools before you can make a decision, but you'll never know what it will be like until you try it!

I would tell myself to re-consider other career options instead of being contained to one path. Lawrence is an amazing school but it can be limiting as far as majors go so try not to box yourself in too soon. When you meet people in these new classes, don't assume they will be your friend right away because chances are, they are only concerned about their own individualized needs and not about you. Don't have such high expectations. Just live, enjoy, and don't forget to practice. :)

There are several pieces of advice I would tell myself as a high school senior. The first would be to get involved with activities you know you like to participate in, as well as ones that are unfamiliar. You may be surprised at what you find. Second, I would tell myself that college is a lot of hard work and long hours, and learning how to manage your time is one of the best things you will learn. Third, in making the transition from high school to college, I would tell myself to explore different subject areas and take advantage of opportunities to learn about other subject matters. Finally, I would tell myself that college goes by quickly and to enjoy the opportunities it provides.

Be ready to grow up and become an adult.

I would like to tell myself one probably cheesey but completely true statement that others repeatedly threw at me. "You will love it." At the time, I did not believe the countless parents, teachers, and students who threw this statement of trust at me. If I had truly took their words to heart, my whole attitude about college would have changed. The simple knowledge that someday after a bit of time I would truly love college would have made my transition much easier. I spend the beginning months missing home and trying to adjust to the different lifestyle college presented, looking for the light at the end of the tunnel that I was sure would appear with time. If I had taken the knowledge that college would definately be a place I would cherish spending time and love to take an active role in, my initial fears and doubts would have been significantly less than they were. I would have more activley engaged myself in activities and college life in the beginning, knowing this would lead to my enjoyment of my time at Lawrence. Just believing in the simple statement "you will love it" would have greatly effected my experience.

As a junior in college I have learned so much since high school and there is a lot I would tell my younger self, but the most important thing I would tell my younger self is that I can make a difference in the world some day. In high school I never thought it would be possible to make a difference in the world, that I was just a simple girl from a small town. But now that I have been in school I have realized that I am capable of making a difference with the education I am recieving from Lawrence University. I have been given opportunities from this school that will change my life and others lives forever. I will be going to Africa next year to volunteer at an orphanage to work with children that have disabilities and I can not wait to help them. I know that my younger self would have viewd this opportunity as something that seemed impossible but now I have made the impossible become possible and I will continue to make a difference in this world because of that.