Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

I would tell my high school self not to stress out as much. I would also say things will not be the same, you will change, your friends back home will change, and even your family will change; and that all of that is ok and natural. Embrace these changes, day-by-day they are unnoticable, but at the end of the year everything is different. Your family and friends back home will still love you no matter what you decide to major in, or how many times you call them crying over a final. These changes are natural, and they are nothing to be afraid of. Take pride in your friends accomplishments, and strive to do better for yourself. Go to the gym when you want too, eat your cookies in moderation, laugh loudly and proudly and most of all, be yourself. College will force you to challenge yourself in ways you can't even imagine yet, it will be tough and scary at times, but in the end you'll be glad you stuck with it. Lastly, study more; you don't need to re-watch Grey's Anatomy for the third time. Have fun.

I would tell myself to live in the moment, and not spend as much time thinking about the future, but enjoying my life. I would also tell myself to make more mistakes and not be afraid to do things that scared me. I would tell myself that I have so much ahead of me, and not to be afraid to go after it. I would also spend more time cultivating some relationships so that they would last a distance and time.

Study hard. there is no rewind button. study hard and dont wait for something to happen. Get it yourself, noone will give you what you want.

I would tell myself to get involved with on campus activites as soon as possible. When I first came to Loyola I was nervous about what a big transition this was for me, and while I did get involved with one or two clubs, I wish I had done more. I think I would have benefited more from trying to be on hall council, or trying out for student government and taking a more active role in my community than simply trying to be a member in clubs. I would also tell myself to not take Chicago for granted, and to appreciate what an active and thriving city I live in. I would encourage myself to appreciate faculty and staff at Loyola, as they are a large part of my day that often go unnoticed. I would tell myself to do things for me, college is about finding yourself, and learning to love yourself when you're alone. Finally, I would tell myself to appreciate the expierence, to step back and be thankful for what a wonderful expierence this has turned out to be, and to be excited for what lies ahead.

Take everything seriously (but not too seriously). Explore, search for the truth, and get involved in the community in which you are attending school! Make sure to attend your classes, sit in the first two rows (it's okay to do that in college - you're not a "nerd"), and talk to your professors. Your professors are your lifelines to the material and at what other time will so many experts in a field surround you? Take the time to read the material assigned and think about the implications it has in your life. Make friends! Go to every goofy "activities fair," try out Greek life, and join something, anything. Learn a foreign language if you can, it will help you down the road. Most importantly, college is a time when you get to define yourself, free from the labels that you applied or others applied to you in high school. Take advantage of this time and savor it. You are extraordinarily lucky to have this opportunity, that many others would love to have, and you should remember that. Finally, have a good time and remember that what you learn is sometimes more important than grades.

Just act! Don't procrastinate on getting things done. College and scholarship applications don't fill themselves out, and in a few months, you'll find yourself surrounded by friends who know where they're going for school, while you feel panicked because you haven't even applied to any schools yet. It's okay that you don't know exactly what you want to do because no one your age does; they're just better at faking it than you are. Just apply to schools that provide things you think are important to you, like a variety of majors and a gym you'll never actually use. You're smart and resourceful, so don't fear rejection or picking the wrong school (which you unfortunately will do). You can always transfer or change majors; mistakes can be fixed, so don't be afraid to make them. As for your parents, they will always be there to cheer you on and support your decisions, even if they may not understand them; all you need to do is just act!

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to embrace the change of college life more. The first year everything is changing and while it can be stressful just accept the change and move on. I got stuck on trying to adjust to everything for way longer than I should have. I would also say to put yourself outside youre comfort zone more. There are so many different experiences and people you can meet and I would love to go back and just talk to so many more people instead of waiting to come out of my shell. Being more outgoing makes going to college so much more interesting and fun.

Stop worrying. That's what I would tell the high-school senior version of myself-- the one who was so nervous and unsure. Stop trying to make a plan for a life that will change a hundred times before you actually get there. Your parents are sending you to college so that you are able to get a good job and that's fine. But, you are going to college so that you can learn. Your major will not determine what you do with your life, only you do that. The point of college is not a piece of paper with sloppy signatures. Experience new things. Go new places. Become passionate about problems you didn't even know existed. Become aquainted with who you really are. A college is not a career factory. It's a place of learning: about a subject, about yourself, and about the world. So take a deep breath and be okay that you don't know where your going. The whole point of these next four years is to figure that out. Move in the direction of your passions and don't look back. College is your place to do that.

When I was in high school I did not know much about living an adult life and I always took advice from teachers and advisors. Unfortunately, I was not given good advice at all. If I could talk to my former self I would tell them the truth about the education system in the United States. In high school you have two options that allow you to succeed in life. First, you can join the military and you will get free food, housing, and clothing and after you serve your time you can go to college for free. This is a great because, you will not need to take a mortgage out on your education. The second, option is to major in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) these majors offer the highiest stability in their fields and are always needed as we advance as a human race. There are always scholarship opportunities available. These majors will also give you the opportunity to go into business after spending a few years in the field. These are the only two ways you have a sure chance of success in life. You will have a stable job and many job opprtunites available.

There’ll be plenty of sleepless nights, enough stress to leave you twitching, and times when you’ll feel ready to lay down in defeat. As you reach your breaking point, remember one thing: keep your goals in sight. Though our goals in life are quite different at the moment, what you must do remains the same. Whether you still dream of becoming a painter, or have turned your sights on physics or economics, pursue your dreams relentlessly. However, do not be afraid of change. The field of study you find most rewarding will be the one that will make you happy, not the one that comes most easily to you. Seek opportunities. You’ll be surprised with what you find. Talk with your professors often. They have connections, and you might need them later. Make friends. You’ll meet students who’ve been programming since they were children, others who grasp mathematics like Euler, and some whose skill in painting is not unlike Titian’s. Lastly, learn as much as you can. You are young, have nearly limitless energy, and a life dedicated to nothing else than soaking up knowledge. I wish you luck on your journey into academia.