Mount Holyoke College Top Questions

Thus far, my college experience has been excellent. In the few months that I have spent at Mount Holyoke College, I have gained more knowledge and experience than I could have ever expected. I have not only gained knowledge of a technical nature, in the subjects I've taken, but I have also learned a lot about people, and how different cultures interact, from firsthand experience. In looking thoroughly at cultures and ideas different from ours we can then look carefully at our own beliefs. By contrast, we can then gain greater insight into ourselves, and the culture to which we personally ascribe. Why is this valuable? It is valuable because the acquisition of knowledge is the key to a successful, fulfilling existence in all areas (practical, social, metaphsyical, etc) of a diverse life.

I've gotten more out of college so far than I can even discribe. The friends I have made and the lessons I have learned are vast. It's hard at first, living on your own with new people... but I've grown a lot in the past year and a half because of it. I know people from all over the world, I work in the library on campus and I absolutely love it, I've had teachers that are harsh, but fair; I'm experiencing college the way I want to. It's not all about parties or drinking, in fact I feel no pressure to partake in those experiences. College has helped me find myself through this chaotic world and time and has helped me realize my goals in life and I am certain that my school will help me get to where I want to be.

At 8 I thought I comprehended the universe. Four years later I found myself sorting it out again, and then again, and then again until finally I came to the conclusion that no matter how old I grow and no matter how much I learn, I really do not know anything. Even so, I am not foolish enough to wish that I could relive my life. There are moments when I long for the innocence of childhood, the peace and utter trust I had that Daddy made the world go round and Mommy was invinceable. Maturity, however, comes with a price paid in life lessons. No, I do not want to learn them again. Were I to return to high school I might tell myself the same thing I am sure I will have to remember every four years for ther rest of my life: have a little faith in yourself! The next guy probably feels equally insecure, and like you he's not letting on. For we are all human; we all have our fears. More than awards and more than distinguishment, I wish to settle in myself that I am enough, I do enough, and that is enough.

I'd tell myself to relax. It's not worth it to be caught up in the hype and pressure of getting in to a "good school". Applying to college should never be as stressful as it was. There's no reason to suffer the ordeal of applying to eight schools. It's much better to take some time, really think about each school individually and focus on what life would be like there and narrow down the list to three or four. I'd tell myself to rely more on my gut feelings about the schools I visited and less on what other people would think about the school I chose. I'd advise to trust my own judgment more than I did. In the end it's me who will be spending the next four years of my life there, not everyone else, so pick a school that you feel you will be the happiest at. The name doesn't matter. Just because it's a "good school" doesn't necessarily mean it?s a "good school" for you. Choose the school where you fit best. If you are happy and comfortable in your environment success will follow.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice about college, I would tell myself to keep an open mind about the college experience. I wasn't particularly looking forward to going, and I believe that this attitude made it harder for me to adjust my first year. I would remind myself, as my band director in high school would say, "Attitude is everything!" I think that with a more optimistic view I could have made friends more quickly and formed connections more easily. I also would say that I need to be patient. Even though the first semester might not be that great, it doesn't mean that the rest of the time will be the same. Eventually I would find something (a class, a friend, whatever) that would change my mind and show me how enjoyable school can be, and in fact, this is exactly what did happen.

I want to advise myeslf to wait a little more with early morning classes and a co-ed enviornment. I will also tell myself not to slack off on working-out.

Please stay connected to your friends, classmates and professors. They are sources for networking and have resources that you might need in the future. Go to your professors' office hour because office hour gives you the individual attention you need. The professors get to know you better! They might help you find you interest and guide you to the right path. Never, never procrastinate! Do your homework the day it is given. Plan your day wisely, but do not forget to give yourself a break-watch a movie, attend a dance! Be friendly and help each other out.

Do not get caught up in the marketing campaign of the college. Yes, the college is a member of a 5 college consortium, but that doesn't tell you how well that consortium actually works. The only way to really know if the college is right for you is to talk to the students, ask them about their experiences with the services provided by the school. As for the academics, make sure that you read the description of the major and the course of study in that major before you choose the college based on the availability of that major. You may not get the diversity or scope of study you were originally looking for. Finally, make sure you assess how challenging it is to have a social life. For a type-A hermit like you, you need to be challenged to get out of the library and into the world. Pick a college that has relatively easy access to other, diverse and fun things to do so you will be encouraged to put down that book once in a while and gain some life experience. College should be more than just academics, it is also gaining life experience.

After my first semester of college, I have realized that being yourself is truly acceptable. College life and the people are accepting and welcoming no matter who you are. For the most part, this has been a struggle for me during my high school years. I have battled with the issue of identity and have tried to understand who i really am. The transition to college was a wake up call to me, as it forced me to mature a little, and it forced me to recognize my goals. The advice that I would give myself if I were able to go back in time would be: to go with the flow. You can't always plan and prepare everything, and one of the things I have learned about college life is that you have to do what you want to do, and you can't let anyone else make decisions for you. And lastly, don't be afraid to let that inner teenager out, enjoy all that is given to you.

Knowing what I know about myself now, I would learn to trust my instincts more. Deep down, you know what kinds of people are true friends. Also, the institution I chose is bucolic and I wishI had planned more outlets for myself to become involved in. The first year, I went to some parties off-campus but realized that wasn't the college experience I wanted. As much as you can anticipate, I think the best thing one can do is go into college with an open-mind. Sometimes you will learn the hard way, but that learning---that process---as hard as it can be sometimes. I had the most difficult semester imaginable this year because of my mother's illness and a loss of a family member but it was the support of my friends and peers at my school that I was able to get through it. Life isn't easy, and as much as college is glamorized as being the best time of your life, for some it is not. I can look back at this past semester and be cynical---or I can look at the new friends I made and my accomplishments and smile.