Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

As a high school senior, I remember feeling as if college was going to be a piece of cake. I made it through my senior year with all A's and most teachers spoke to Central Columbia's class of 2009 as if college was going to be just like our senior year. The only advice we really got were "Study hard and go to class!" College is so much more than that simple six letter phrase. College is about time management because in high school, you were stuck in a building for about six hours. College gives students more free time and some students don't know how to handle this added freedom. College is about personal drive. In high school, teachers and parents were constantly urging students to do homework and get good grades. In college, the student is the only person responsible for keeping up with homework and passing classes. Last, college is about independence. The shift from the parents house to a dorm is such a dramatic change and I wish I prepared myself better for the change. College is all about being prepared for a life of independence and starting to shape your future.

High school is a totally different world than college and real life. Let go of the petty cliques and popularity contests. Have fun, be yourself and stop worrying about what others think. You will be happier and surprise, surprise...you will actually make MORE friends this way. Stop judging people and just talk to them, see what they're about. College is a time to get to know yourself and everyone else too. Remember that you are at college to get a degree, but it's also much more than that. Leave high school back home and in the past, where it belongs, and let yourself breathe and grow in your new environment. Don't waste a semester figuring this out, start right away. You will be so glad you did.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior about college I would say that high school and college are completely different. Grades don't come as easy in college as they did in high school. You need to read, study hard, and attend all your classes. Also teachers aren't going to push you as much to get your work done; you have to find the motivation to get done and turned in on time. You also have to find the motivation to get involved. No one is going to tell you what club to join or what you should do in college. You have to attend events, try different things, meet new people, and find where you fit in. Its okay to feel confused, scared, and anxious; almost everyone has the same feelings when starting college. You're at the beginning of decided what you want your life to be and who you want to be. Just remember to live each day to the fullest and reach for your dreams because the time will go fast.

I chose to attend a very big college, so I would tell myself to walk on campus the first semester open to anything new. With students here from all across the country, and even the world, it is important to be open to all cultures and extracurriculars. There are hundreds of clubs and activities offered here, so do not be afraid to go to as many initial meetings as possible. Attend the clubs and activities fair, and get information from half of the booths. Trust me when I say that there is no obligation to go back. Just keep yourself very busy and open the first semester, and then narrow your interests down after that, because you may find something you love to do that you never even thought about in the first place.

If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself not to choose a school based on who i knew that was going there. It's nice knowing people in a new place, but college is a great place to meat new people. I wouldnt tell myself to completely forget my old friends because i love them to death, but i've seen friendships from home get messed up at school because its just not the same atmosphere and i would never want that to happen with my friends. I would also tell myself to get a job, and work all summer long to have money saved up for school.

The one thing I would tell myself is that I don't believe there is one perfect college for anyone. I think what makes a person's college experience great is how you react to situations. Basically, if you are willing, you could make any university a great university for yourself. It is important that you go to a college that has a good program of study you are considering, or any specific club or organization you can't live without but the rest is up to you. You make your own college experience what it will be.

When you go on a campus visit, spend time walking around. Alone. A lot of times, when walking with a tour group or with your family, you're occupied with the exciting sights and facts and promises that college will offer you. But when you finally enroll to a university, the majority of the time you spend will be on your own. Try visiting the campus when its busy. Try visiting it when no one is around. Maybe even get a hotel room nearby, and get a feel for how the campus business ebbs and flows throughout the day. Eat the food; could you stand eating that every day, all day? Check what social events are on calenders. See if you can find people that you'd like to become friends with. Basically, see if the school gives you a comfortable environment for you, as you are right now. Simply starting life as a college freshman does not mean you hit a reset button and become a new person. If it doesn't feel absolutely right to you as you are, move on, because that university will become your home for the next 4 years.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to be prepared. The future is scarier and more surprising than I believed it would be. I would also tell myself to learn how to study differently and how to focus better. It was such a change from high school that it was not nearly the same. I, like many other students, were blindsided by the change one would have to make to succeed in college because high school came easy to me and I excelled naturally. Now that I'm in college and with many other students that were like me, its more challenging and difficult. Therefore, "Sarah of 2007, be careful. Life is fully or more surprises than you believe there will be. College will change your life for the better. Don't worry though, you make it through alive."

The first semester is very stressful; however, by taking AP classes and community college classes, the mandatory classes for the university-which are extremely crowded-are eleminated. In addition, invest time into finding a compatiable roommate, and do not just accept the randomly assignmed roommate the university gives you. By finding someone that fits you, and your life style, you will be more comfortable in your room, and less stressed out. Don't put off studying for midterms and completing homework assignments. Find someone that can help you, or find a resoruce center or tutoring center that can aide you in better studying and understanding course work. Ensure you have "me-time" in order to relax and take your mind off of school a few hours a week. Make sure you are organized and know what you are suppose to be doing, and how you should properly study for each of your classes. It will take a while to find a comfortable study habit, but once you have it down, stick with it. In closing, you may also consider a school not close to home. This can distract you from school, and negatively impact your college career.

The only way that my freshman college experience could have possibly been enhanced would have been if I had just entered with a different state of mind! High School Self, just relax okay? I know you're worried about the big transition and how it's going ot feel like and if you're going to make friends and if you're going to be able to handle the coursework...but you're simply stressing out too much! The only thing you did have to worry about was getting used to studying harder which is a thought that didn't even enter your mind. One of my teachers already told me, and i know youlff find this useful, "In college...being smart just isn't enough. Work for it!" But relax and the transition will be way easier for you. Good friends are not that hard to come by if you look hard enough and, trust me, this place will meet all your other expectations too. Rid yourself of your anxieties and face this new place with an open heart and a smile on your face.