Loyola University Maryland Top Questions

The best advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is: "Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone." A person's comfort zone varies between individuals, but life begins when you become a little uncomfortable. For me, this was saying goodbye to my high school friends and meeting new people at school. I was unbelievably nervous the first morning of college, but there was no need to be. I didn't know anyone at my school, but I became involved on campus and met great people. Although I was nervous, it was absolutely worth temporary nerves. For anyone entering college, your comfort zone could be joining a club, recreational sport, or volunteering with students. You will gain great experiences and meet friends for life.

Let go. Fear was too inhibitive when I was getting ready for college. What if my plans didn't work out the way I wanted them to? What if I didn't get the right education for what I want to do? What if I don't make friends? What if I don't fit in? What if I can't hande the work? These are the fears that will make the first semester in college unbareable. College is going to be new. It's going to be challenging. It's going to expose you to new people and new situations. You're going to feel uncomfortable. So stop worrying. There's nothing you can do about it. The best way to cope with the new scenarios is to embrace them. You're going to meet new people, so why not make them your best friends? You're going to work hard, so why not engage the material as if it was the most interesting thing in the world? You're going to live alone, so why not make it an adventure? Fear can be binding, but so can your attitude. You get from your experience what you put in.

I would tell myself that it's all going to work out fine. I know that I stress and I get frustrated over things that other people can usually take ther time with and finish without any problems. I know that I don't like to make mistakes and everything I do has to be perfect. However, if I could go back in time I would tell my self that that's okay. In being a college freshman, it means that I'm new to the school and the routine of things and odds are that I am probably going to make a mistake here and there. I would also tell myself that there are people who could help me and that I didn't have to do it on my own. Yet, that's possible too, I can handle anything and all I have to do is take my time and proceed in a calm, orderly fashion. If I could tell myself that so soon into my college education I would be holding down a job, balancing five classes, meeting tons of new people and having an amazing time while i was doing it, I would do it.

20 years. 20 years to step out of my comfort zone. 20 years to actively choose to raise my hand in class. 20 years of lost chances to prove how much potential I contain. 2 years changed everything.Looking back at myself as a senior in high school, I was not ready for college and I quickly learned college was going to be challenging. The advice I would give to myself would be to step out of my comfort zone on the first day. The first two years of college, I did not participate in class and my grades suffered because of that decision. I would tell myself to not care what others think. During the last two years, I did what I should have done going into my freshman year. I raised my hand in class, I obtained a position of leadership, and I achieved socially and academically. If I were going into my freshman in the fall, I would push myself to level of intensity I demanded of myself during my junior and senior year. The overall advice I would give myself would be to have confidence. 20 years is 2 years too long to not have confidence.

I would tell myself that it is a time to figure out who you are and to embrace that.

All of the schools you have been accepted to are good schools for you. (Well, I KNOW that the school you (I) went to is good; I'm assuming about the others.) Ultimately, though, just pick the school's that giving you the most money. If they're all great, go with the cheapest option. Other than that, I know you don't want to know too much about the future, and you know you'll be fine.

Relax. Breathe. You might have these high aspirations to travel far away, but don't go too far, you will get homesick! You are so kind and friendly, people are going to love you wherever you go. Keep those grades up as well. Being studious is a major part of college. Not only that, but professors do not hand out answers here; be prepared to work hard to earn those grades! Also, get involved in as much as you can in order to not only further your own interests, but to also project your personality to others. Do not be afraid to take chances and try things that you would not normally -- no, not those kinds of things, more like joining clubs, talking to different people, and taking classes that challenge your intellect. Finally, be wise about how you are living your life. Taking care of yourself is the most important aspect of college. Eat well, workout regularly, and surround yourself with people who love you. Go forth, my younger self, and succeed!

In college, I knew my approach to classes would need to be different. Instead of being reactive to my studies as I had been in high school, I knew to be successful I would need a new stategy. My new approach included: 1) taking more time to thoroughly review the course syllabus for each class at the beginning of each semester, 2) making a calendar of all the work for all my classes for the semester so I could balance my work load and avoid becoming overwhelmed, 3) going to classes prepared each day, 4) becoming a regular contributor, and 5) making an effort to be known by my instructors. In high school, I had taken many classes that I had little interest in, that were required for graduation, and where I needed to earn a good grade, so I could get into a good college. In college, I came to the realization that I would be studying many more courses in which I had a very high level of interest. It made how I studied and interacted with my professors integral to my success. College is like a new computer game; those who adapt gain the greatest success.

I would have been sure to tell myself that moving on to college is simply a transition in to the next phase of life. Coming into college, I was so worried about losing all of the aspects of my old life (friends, traditions, family) that I was not able to be myself at the start of college. I was more worried about talking to my old friends in high school than I was about making new friends all together. Because of my close-mindedness coming into Loyola, the transition was much harder on me than it should have been. I had trouble making friends and keeping up with my schoolwork. It took me about two months to relax and realize that college is simply opening new doors for me, not closing old ones. By Christmas break, I was having a great time at school and could hardly wait to get back for the second semester. I wish I had come in to school with that mindset instead of resisting change so stubbornly.

College is a great experience in so many ways. The biggest (and best) change from high school will be in your social life