Northwestern University Top Questions

Talking to myself as a college senior, I'd first need to keep in mind how academically sound I was. Working hard, sleeping little, and studying often while balancing an absurd amount of extra curriculars was something I was already used to. With that said, I wouldn't warn myself about the work load at college. Rather, I'd warn myself about the new social scene. In college, you will be exposed to many illegal things, such as drinking, that no longer seem illegal because they are a part of everyday life. Thus, I'd tell myself to make sure I find good friends who will tell me when to stop drinking, and take care of me when I don't listen. Friends who only encourage bad behavior or abandon you in times of trouble and not ones worth maintining. I'd also remind myself to have fun! You only go to college for four years. Study abroad, join weird clubs, stay up watching 80's movies with friends instead of doing your math homework two days in advance every now and then! You want to look back and smile, not regret missing out on fun.

Future words of wisdom to my past self: don't try and be someone you're not. Everyone talks about going to college as a new person. Reinventing yourself since nobody knows who you were all those years before. My first week on campus was a lonely one. I never thought living with 100 people would be so depressing. I grew envious of others people's blossoming relationships and outgoing personalities and spent wasted hours dwelling on why I wasn't this or that type of person. The transition week finally passed and I focused more on my work in class rather than the personality traits I was lacking and found that I actually was becoming a new person, not by wearing new clothes or speaking a different way, but by taking on new experiences. I wasn't dramatically changing into someone I hadn't been before, I was growing. And with that came the relationships that I wanted so badly that first week. The college transition is a difficult one but why add to the stress by adding a new characteristic that's not you. I found myself here, my true self, the one that was there all along.

Dear Emerson, Relax. The decision about college is not the be all and end all of decisions. It is important, but ulimtely I have discovered that no matter where you end up, your college experience is going to be what you make of it. Do not worry about applying to every school under the sun. Do not worry about applying to only the schools with the most prestigious reputations. Do not worry that you still are not sure what you want to do with your life, because believe me, half of the people here feel just as lost. Being unsure lends you an open mind to the countless opportunites college will throw your way. There is a world of people out there waiting for you. Experience everything and everybody you can. Don?t miss the forest for the trees, but don?t miss the trees either. Notice the details and the little moments. Really allow yourself to learn from those around you, question, actively listen, and observe everything. To ignore another man?s wisdom is to deny one?s self the fruits of their labor. Oh, and bring a bigger coat. Chicago's not too warm. Your future self, Emerson

Be yourself. That is the most important thing. When you get to college you want to be able to grow and learn and you can not do that if you are worried about impressing people and being someone you are not. Know youself and you will learn so much more. Be proud of who you are and you can teach others about your background. Have fun. Enjoy senior year and living at home, you gain a lot of responsibility when you go to college so be ready for that. You will have to decide what you eat, if you exercise, what classes you take and what you want to do. So enjoy your last year of high school and be prepared to make decisions. Don't judge. Wait until you know people before you decide if you will be friends with them. The prettiest girl in the class could be really mean. Or the most shy boy could end up being your best friend if you let him get to know you and open up. Work hard, play hard. Create a good balance. Know when to stay in and study and when to go out and party. Enjoy college!

Dear me: As a future manifestation of yourself, I know that you suffer from an expectation doubt?whether your own desires mold into the universal blueprint of all things, especially since what you want differs so radically from what family and society expects. You cannot forever afford the luxury of purely personal choice without some regard to the hardships that had to be overcome with great sacrifices. But remember this: there is always more than one path to success; there is always one more choice than what may be seemingly given. Following the herds may work for others, but it does not always work for you. And do not despair over that. Continue studying hard in high school, but know that in college, there is meaning beyond academics. It is the interactions you form with extraordinary people that leave the final and lasting impression. Be independent, daring, intelligent, and proactive, and success will only be a footstep away. Be confident (not pretentious) and prepared, and someday, you will find yourself at the fork of success, wondering not what path looks most pedestrian-friendly, but what path has the most scenic vista, the most exhilarating trail to hike.

All students should take their college education seriously. Enjoy youself. College is a lot of fun. However, your number one goal is to graduate with a degree in your hand. Study hard to receive the best grades you can.

If I could go back in time, I would say to truly investigate the diversity on campus. Many schools advertise their diversity; be it religious, social, or academic, but there is a major difference between: having diversity because they university can attest to the presence of certain people/classes/groups, and having a truly balanced sense of this diversity in the enivornment. In other words, I wish I had realized beforehand that just because Northwestern says they have a diversity of socio-economic statuses of their students, I should have been more dilligent in investigating the accuracy of this statement. Of course there are some lower-income students, but the overwhelming majority are rich,white kids. When the majority of the student body really represents one specific type of student, in NU's case: rich white kid in a sorority or fraterinity with a work-hard-play-hard mentality-aiming for a prestigious professional life, it becomes stifiling.

I would tell myself to continue doing what I did in high school. That my transition socially and academically is not anything to necessarily be worried about my freshman year of college. In terms of where I am at now, I would make sure I knew really how to manage my time with extracurriculars and coursework and manage my money.

Wait it out. Things might be rocky for a while, but they get way better. Adjusting to a new place and completely new people takes time, but it's completely worth it. Also, start taking your med school classes freshman year instead of waiting till sophomore year to decide that. And if you're feeling lonely, there's a girl at Northwestern that you'll be crazy about and she'll be crazy about you. Just always hang in there! Life is good!

Which college should I attend? Do I even want to attend college? I don't want to go to college. I'm not going to even apply. No. It's a waste of time and money. I think that I want to go to Northwestern. But I won't. More than 50,000 thousand dollars a year?! Less than 5 percent of the population is African American/Black. That's definately not the school for me. But why not? I will get a great education. But, I won't apply. I'm pretty sure I can't even get in. It's not that I'm not good enough...but I'm not the Northwestern type. What is the Northwestern type? (Answer) 4.0 gpa student, upper class family, white...basically everything that I'm not. But wait, why should I have to be those things? The college application diversity counts right? And I'm everything that the "stereotypical" NU student is not. Diversity is great...definately not a guarantee. But I can't be afraid of rejection. Regret is way worse than rejection. Okay!!! Let's do it. Let's take a chance. NORTHWESTERN!!!