Northeastern University Top Questions

If I could go back and tell myself one thing as a high schools senior, it would be this: do it all! For many first time college students, this is the first time that they are alone to take care of themselves and maybe far from family and their home town. Too often, due to social preassure, college is a shock to freshman entering in their first year and they tend to play it safe by picking a small group of friends and not branching out to activities that they might be interested in. But the reality is that everyone around you feels the same way, no matter how confident or "cool" they seem, they are likely just as nervous as you are. Use this to your advantage and don't be afraid to branch out. Join clubs, do sports, eat with strangers in the cafeteria and talk to your classmates. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you will have to discover your true passion and make life long friends that matter. So to my high-school senior self: do it all! You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Stacey, look at yourself. Now look around. Do you notice anything different between you and the other high schoolers surrounding you? No. Because everyone here, including you, works so hard to conform and fit the sterotype of this school. But why do you try so hard to do so? I am here to advise you to break that chain. Stop following the crowd and learn to be yourself. You may not be able to see it now, but life outside of high school is not like this. You don't need to dress the same way, watch the same TV shows, and spend your weekends the same way as everyone around you. Don't feel embarrassed to be different, to be you. Be proud of yourself, your love of learning, board games, Jeopardy, dance, reading, and time with family. Don't be afraid to admit you disagree with gossip, or to stand up against the social norm of drinking. Rather than trying to fit in, now is your time to stand out. Be a leader, not a follower. Start building your own unique future, paving your own unique path, and becoming the adult YOU want to be.

Find and join at least one club first semester so that you with know more people in the community even if they don't become your best friends. Make a larger effort to talk to people in your dorm. Deciding to be undeclared isn't a bad decision, but make an effort to get to know what each major consists of. Don't rule anything out before you fully understand it. I had mentally ruled out business as a major for myself since I don't have an interest in entrepreneurship. I thought having a more specialized skillset would help me more in the career world and struggled to find an interest this specialized. I always imagined myself working in the business world and only recently realized majoring in business was a great option, not one to rule out. I would have advised myself to work harder to become part of the community earlier and to listen to my gut more when choosing a major rather than pressuring myself to find an interest that does not exist.

Sweetie, don't worry. You're not sure of it yet, but you really do have what it takes to be an independent college student. You're going to have so many new experiences and meet so many people it will make you head skin, but you'll love every minute of it. Do everything you can, and don't put it off until "later". Seize the day. Make the last moments of high school good one, and have a memorable summer with your friends. You're in for quite a ride, and you're going to do fine. Your adventure is waiting.

Throughout high school the most common piece of advice is, “get a good GPA”. As a high school student this can bring a lot of stress because they are told that a good GPA is the only way to get into college. If I could go back give my high school self one piece of advice it would be to not worry so much about my grades but rather what I was learning. Getting into college is not as big of an issue as everyone makes it out to be and getting the grades that you deserve will get you into the right college for you. I was fortunate enough to develop a very good work ethic in high school and rarely procrastinated so this advice would have worked for me as I would still have completed my work and done the best that I could, just with a little less stress. Yes college is more stressful and has more work but with a good work ethic and the right motivation the stress of school does not need to be as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be.

I would start by saying grading is a lot different in college. Proffessors are less upfront about their grading processes, and it can be harder to figure out what you current grade is, so it is better to not worry about it and just do as well as you can. I would also say that the extra free time is a blessing and a curse. I feel that I get more work done, but sometimes I feel like I have too much freetime. Finally, I would just say to worry less and understand that this is a time for change and for new things, so you don't need to be caught up in exactly where your going, as long as you have a general idea of where you want to be

Firstly, I would remind myself of the importance of being surrounded by positivity and complete support. Relationships in high school tend to be superficial and close-minded. There are concepts and cultures to be discovered beyond the four white walls you are boxed in. Secondly, intelligence is not only definied by an IQ number or the amount of words you can memorize, but rather through your ability to apply what you have learned from experience. Thirdly, I would remind myself to reconsider the perception of fear. Recently, I learned that fear and vulnerability does not make you a weak individual, but rather an individual who understands emotions. Fourthly, if any opportunity presents itself, always say "yes." Opportunities can lead to new relationships, knowledge, leadership positions and independence. Fifthly, learn to believe in yourself and accept your capabilities. Carry youself with confidence and believe in endless possibilities. You may not be able to achieve everything you want, but other prospects will present itself. The future is yours, therefore make your own decisions and learn from them.

You were lucky that you did so well on the SAT; if you hadn't, you wouldn't be in a top 50 university on one of its top merit scholarships. Your GPA was mediocre, and you need to make sure not to repeat the blunders that made you a B+ average instead of an A- or A. Don't get overconfident and take on more than you can handle. Don't alienate teachers by not following the proper channels of communication. For God's sake, accountability. Don't miss things and study. You are lucky, because so far being smart instead of working hard has turned out just fine. But that will run out of rail very fast, and no one will want to help you when the time comes. Socially, you'll do just fine. There are a lot of dates you'll go on, and maybe in that sense you're working hard and it's paying off. College is like emerging from a Plato's cave of our own insecurities. But the biggest monster still needs to be fought, and you can win if you give it the eight hours a day that give you worth.

I would tell my past self to stop being unfair and uncaring about my future. I would advised myself to keep going to school and to give it my all instead of wasting away my potential. I would tell myself to stop worrying about other people's opinions and to just worry about myself and my family.

I can't believe it's 1992. I decided to break all the time traveling rules and sit my 2014 self down and chat with my 1992 self. I notice my hair is darker in my 1992 self. He's a bit thinner and way too serious about himself and his goals. He has dreams of being in the military. He doesn't know those dreams will be dashed in June. He has his heart set on studying journalism in Boston. I have no idea how he came about to finding that degree. He should study math, science, or business. He should be taking apart his dad's brand new Frankilin Computer and rewiring it. He should forgive his high school classmates and with just a few days before graduation get to know them. He needs to stay closer to home. Save money. Get a degree at a local college. Work at a local business that will help pay for his college tuition. The world will always be there for him. The most important message I have for him is:"DON'T MEET NURIA!" Avoid anyone with that name and the rest will be fine.