Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

I would tell myself that a career necessities, not commodities, would be much more wise. Don't be so apt to take the first job opportunity that comes along. Study demographics that can lead you into the future 10 years not the future 2 years. Ask more questions, listen to your guidance counsellor, take harder courses after all they are free now.

After this sentence, I will be directly talking to myself. Fahim, college is nothing like high school. You were able to get away with not doing your homework and still do well in tests but it will not be like that in college. You did not build good study habbits in highschool but you REALLY need to study every day once you get to college. There will be many times when you won't understand certain topics discussed in class and even after reviewing it by yourself you still won't be able to understand it. In those times you MUST go to you're professor's office hours or get help from someone who knows the material. The MOST important thing to succeed academically in college is to never get lazy. A sloth will fail not just academically but also socially. On the social note, start interacting with people from day one of college. If you don't then it'll be harder to meet people later on when they all know each other and you're feeling liek the outsider. The best time to meet people and overcome your shyness is on that first day.

Be prepared to have to be even more extroverted than you are now. You will be interacting with hundreds, if not thousands of other students each day and it is important to make friends with them. Adam, you know you are a dedicated student who wants to perfect his craft of music, but the social aspect of college is just as important. As soon as you walk through the doors of your dorm and your first class, make sure you interact and get to know anyone you possibly can.

The one main advice that I would give myself is to simply learn how to manage my time at Rutgers in regards to school work and other activities. I would advise myself to be aware of every professor's teaching method so I can know what to do in order to learn the different materials. Overall, I would advise myself to BE FOCUSED! Distractions can take place. Time management and discipline will help keep my GPA in a sufficient manner: between 3.0-4.0. Also, I would advise myself to HAVE FUN while being in college, meet new people, and be aware of activities and opportunities that may be benefical for my future.

Save up more money when you've got the chance. Also waiting between highschool and college a bit, not a bad idea, BUT DON'T WAIT SIX YEARS! Consider the terms of FAFSA's Pell Grant and contingent loans. Another good idea, off-campus housing, BUTdon't start with an empty home and build it up, buy into something instead.

If I had the chance to go to back to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to not worry so much about college. As a senior I was complete stress mess. I fretted over applications to universities, grades, and anything that I could worry about. I wish I could tell myself as a senior to relax and take a moment to enjoy the last year of high school because nothing will ever be as simple as it was to me while I was in college. University life is challenging but incredibly rewarding and I had to learn the hard way to simply enjoy life. I still do worry about my GPA and midterms, but I know I can't let that bother me the way it used to in high school. If I spent my freshman year worrying the way I was accustomed to in high school, I would have never enjoyed the beautiful region of the U.S. that my college is in. I would've never noticed any of the environmental beauty, urban decadence, and fascinating people that live in New Jersey had I spent my time in my room worrying constantly.

IF I HAD THE CHANCE TO GO BACK INTO TIME, I WOULD START WITH MY FRESHMEN YEAR. I WOULD TELL MYSELF TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THAT MY HIGH SCHOOL HAD TO OFFER BY GETTING INVOLVED IN VARIOUS PROGRAMS, APPLYING MYSELF AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MY STUDIES. I WOULD TELL MYSELF TO FOCUS ON THE BIGGER PICTURE AND THAT THOSE BOYS CAN WAIT AND WILL BE THERE ONCE MY DREAMS ARE FULFILLED. I WOULD HAVE MET WITH MY GUIDANCE COUNSELOR MORE OFTEN TO GET ADVICE ON VARIOUS SUBJECT MATTERS LIKE ATTENDING COLLEGE RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AS OPPOSE TO YEARS LATER. I WOULD HAVE ALSO MADE SURE THAT I APPLIED TO A COLLEGE MY SENIOR YEAR IF NOT BEFORE ANDTAKEN THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ACHIEVE HIGH GRADES. I WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED BEING AROUND OTHER STUDENTS WITH SIMILAR DREAMS AND INTERESTS TO INCREASE MY MOTIVATION IN WANTING TO GO TO COLLEGE. I WOULD HAVE APPLIED FOR SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND STATE PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH COLLEGE EXPENSES, SO THAT MY DREAMS WERE NOT DELAYED. I WOULD HAVE TALKED MYSELF OUT OF DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL, HAD I KNOWN I WOULD BECOME A TEEN PARENT, CAUSING MY FUTURE TO BE PUT ON HOLD.

You can do it, you are stronger than you think. Give yourself some credit; you are in competitive high school and are doing fine. You got into your dream school early, and now you have to ride out the rest of the year. So along with your courses, making memories, and having a fun finish to your high school career, I encourage you to squeeze in one more thing: learn to drive. You may march to the beat of your own drum, but this time, get your license just like your peers. If they can do it, so can you. I know you have are terrified of driving, but as you'll realize in college, you are nothing until you overcome your fears. When you get to college, you will be an independent adult. But swamped with work and meeting new people, practicing parellel parking is not always going to make your schedule. And during breaks back home, the last thing you'll want to do is study for the written test you now have to retake. I have much faith in you; you are growing into an intelligent, strong woman. Liberate yourself from childhood fears: get behind the wheel!

I would tell myself to man-up. Or woman-up, really. As a senior, I was nervous about coming back to America after 13 years overseas in Japan, England, Qatar and Turkey. I was busy thinking about the things that could go wrong, that I forgot to be excited about finally coming home. I did have a fantastic senior year in the Middle East - but still wish that I had loosened up a little bit before coming back. Since I have been home, I have seen falling snow for the first time since I was 6, watched Saturday morning cartoons (even though I'm 18), and had easy access to simply the best cereal in the world (you can't get Cap'n Crunch in England!). Now that I am here, I have gotten used to living close to my family, as opposed to being a zillion miles away. I finally get to spend time with my grandmother, whom I have missed during my time abroad. Most of all, I get to share my memories, and make new ones too. Being back in America is the next chapter of my life. I'm finally home, and I can finally belong.

The most important advice about college is to leave the door open. College is a new environment, where there are so many new people. They will all come from different backgrounds, potentially with very different views. Although they may be intimidating, have an open mind. That doesn't mean being a sponge and adopting every new view presented to you. However, it is so important to listen to what they have to say (even when you don't agree) and appreciate all the different experiences they have to offer. Having an open mind also means not being disappointed. College may be very different than you originally thought. It may not be everything you hoped but this life is what we make it. Don't judge things before you experience them. Really listen when your peers or professors present new opinions and ideas to you. Try to appreciate everything offered to you because freshman year goes fast and one day, you'll miss it. Finally, the best advice I can give is to leave your dorm room door open. People are always in the halls and the best way to meet people is by leaving your door open, literally.