New York University Top Questions

Oddly enough, I've thought about this quite a bit. Now that I am a senior graduating in May and going to graduate school in just a few months, I often think about the lessons I've learned and how I've changed over the past 4 years. Perhaps the biggest advice I can give to my high school self is to take things slowly and appreciate the "here and now" rather than constantly fretting over the next move. I've learned to understand that instant gratification is temporary; the real reward for hard, honest and diligent work comes later in life. I would tell my high school self that success is still a climb even after graduating from a top university; it is not an excuse for entitlement. Instead, a degree is only the first step in that journey towards happiness. Don't be perpetually concerned over the next internship, or paper, or class; live in the moment while positioning yourself for a successful future, rather than trying to predict the future without setting a solid foundation for that those predictions to become reality.

Blueberry Pie is the word I would use to describe my first year experience in college. Crunchy crust on the outside, and sweet mellow creamy on the inside. The work load was hard and crunchy- of course it was expected to be a little challenging- but the social life was the best part. I quickly learned after earning my first C from not studying that I would not pass a single class. I do not think you would expect me to say this but I actually love going to school and sitting in a classroom full of potential with people waiting to absorb information. I love being surrounded by the students of future America. The whole environment just lures me to sit there and discover the unknown. Clubs and my internship became my stepping stone for meeting new people like me who are pursuing the same goals. My professors are fantastic. I have become so close to them and look to them for inspirations. I know I will not make the mistakes I made in High School.

You are at a high in your life. I know you're flying right now, and you deserve every bit of it, you've worked hard for what you've got but the hard work isn't over yet. New York University and its city is everything you hoped and more and things will seem to fall right into place. And far the most part, its all true, but there's something going on under the surface that you're not aware of. Your home life is changing in ways you will never, ever see coming. When you find out, it's going to crush you, it'll hurt like nothing other and you'll feel like your drowning without any air in sight, but it's there. It's in the beauty of the city you can now call home. In the people you call your friends because you've never surrounded yourself with anything less. In the school you've left and the kids filling in your shoes. And most importantly, it's within you. You have gotten so far in life and nothing will stop you if you don't let it. Succeed.

It was around five AM on a Thursday morning. I laid on my stomach, head buried in my computer, eyes half shut as I typed furiously. I had two hours to write this essay, which I had only just started. I hadn't slept in days. And I remember thinking: If I don't get an A on this, I'll never go to college and my life will be over. Ah, high school. Sure, I was overreacting -- but in those days minor problems could become the end of the world. In a perfect scenario, I appear next to myself at seventeen, merely two years older yet (hopefully) a little wiser. I assure myself there's life after miserable all-nighters and high school girls who hate you and IB tests that give you permanent carpal tunnel. There's life after being dumped, and getting rejected from your dream school. There is so much more life ahead than I will ever leave behind. However, I don't appear. Seventeen-year-old me is left to figure it out on her own. And, although the world will tear her down a few times, she'll figure it out just fine.

"Be open," I said to my younger self, staring her in the eyes. She looked confused, she knew for the most part, she's an open-minded person who is friendly. I didn't mean in that sense though. I knew that in my high school days, I was always open-minded and nice, but that's not what I was telling her to do. I was telling her to be open to new people, to be trusting. When you get to college, it is easy to close yourself off and believe that everyone is cut throat and mean. I wanted her not to feel that. After the first five months of college, I had made some of the best friends I will ever have and know that there are people who will always help me. Regardless of this, I know that for the first couple of weeks, I was not so open to people. It took me longer to make these friends and to become my friendly self. I told my bright-eyed younger self not to be the person who is scared of everyone else, but instead, be open to people, places, and things.

In high school, my classmates and I loved when our teachers would assign reading homework and book reports. With the scope of technology today, all that required was a quick online expedition through Google's internet search engine in attempts to find concise summaries of the assigned texts that we could use to supplement our last-minue papers. This was the fast and easy way to learn everything about an extensive classic in about five minutes. It was the lazy way out, and even the smartest of students often opted for it. I now wish that I hadn't. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to read and absorb everything in it's entirity. Reading strengthens written communication skills and increases overall intelligence. There are many things in physical books that online summaries cannot provide. I've learned this as a college student, but I wish that I would've realized this as a high schooler. I would be smarter for it. My generation is often criticized for wanting everything so fast. We live in a time where the world is literally at our fingertips, yet the journeys within classic novels are timeless and invaluable.

Listen, man, I know you are struggling with a lot of suff right now and you are feeling like getting good grades is the least of your worries. You're wrong! You need to start paying more attention to your studies, and i don't just mean your assigned work. If you don't have any homework then study or read or do something. If you don't start working right now then you are going to struggle when you get to college. Start applying for scholarships, too. You know Mom and Dad are broke so you're gonna need to put yourself through college, and if you don't get the free money, then prepare for some struggle. You aren't going to be able to eat, buy books, buy Christmas gifts, buy new clothes, or even hang out with friends if you don't get those scholarships. And another thing...stop being comfortable with mediocracy. You can do better than anyone in your graduating class if you just put your mind to it. Like coach told you in football camp, "...better to hustle now and be comfortable later. No one can be better than you plus hard work."

When I chose what college I wanted to go to, I told myself, “What scares me most in life? A metropolitan city? Well I should move to one.” I yearned for a challenge. Yet, spending my childhood dipping sandy toes into Californian shores and then abruptly moving to the cement streets of NYC, I was in over my head. If I could, I would tell my high school self to take a gap year right away, before going to NYU. It happened the hard way for me; I came to the city overwhelmed and unprepared. I ended up taking my second freshman semester off, despite my initial preference. In my time off, I backpacked Asia for several months, making friends, learning languages, and problem solving. I came back to NYC ready to embrace the challenges and I excelled. I switched my major, as I found that being a Global Public Health/Pre-Medical student was my correct path, leaving the professional art world behind. The time abroad made my overall NYU experience flourish, as my confidence had been reaffirmed.

As a high school senior, I did not know the importance of making personal connections. I would tell myself that as important as it is to take studying seriously and to work to earn money and support myself through college, it is equally important to make the personal connections and friendships that will last a lifetime, and that will probably help you to jumpstart your career. Take time out to enjoy college-sponsored social events because they will not be available to you once you graduate. Especially if you are planning to go into a career that involves people, it is important to interact as much as possible and in as many ways as possible early on. Now, don't take this as an invitation to party every night. On the contrary, make your connections meaningful. Find friends that can help you study, and who you can help, have meetings with people you want to know, and go out and do some of the activities that interest you so that you can learn and grow as a human being.

Dear High School Natalie, Right now you've been accepted to 5 out of the 9 film schools you applied to. Three of these acceptances came as a shock, especially your acceptance to NYU's film school. Although you may be tempted to choose NYU right away (it IS, after all, the #1 film school in the country...) you should really stop to think about which school is right for you. Take a trip to visit the schools, you might feel differently once you're on campus. Once you've made your decision, don't be afraid to immerse yourself in all your school has to offer. Join clubs and get to know the kids on your floor in the dorm (you'll know which room has extra sugar and who can open a jar when its top won't budge). Speak up in your classes, people will be interested in what you have to say. Lastly, when you feel homesick just remember that your friends and family are only a phone call away. Soon enough your school will start to feel like home and the friends you've made there will start to feel like family. Love, College Natalie