Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

Transitioning into college life can be one of the most stressful situations in someones life. If I were able to go back in time and give myself advice to make the transition easier, there would be a few simple things I would make sure to mention. The first and most important thing I would tell myself is to stay calm, and try not to overwhelm myself. That has been the key to doing well in everything else. The second thing I would tell myself is not to slack off in highschool or with tests such as the SATs because they are more important in the future than you really think. I would also make sure to tell myself to talk to the advisors at my school ahead of time in order to get anything I can out of the way to make the transition a little more smooth. I would also give the advice to not take too many credits your first semester. This allows for time to get adjusted to the work load, getting around the campus, and learning how things work at the school.

Looking back at my high school days, there are alot of things that I would go back and revise if I were given the opportunity. College has taught me that work ethic is no joke and the only guarenteed success of doing well in classes is thorough studying habbits. In high school, I really did not take the time to study in-depth all the course material at hand. Although I was involved with many activites in high school, whether it be sports or student government, I always managed to do well even though I really was not looking at the material with full comphrehension. Now I understand that this cannot be done. In addition, I have learned that time management is also an area that I appeared to be a little weak in. In high school I managed to juggle all the tasks at hand without really thinking about it. If I were given the opportunity to go back, I would not leave many of my assignments to the last minute and really be on top of my tasks. Even though I wasn't aware back in the day, college is making me learn these skills fast.

Senoritis is tough to beat, especially when majority of the students have chosen to take it easy in this last year. I would suggest that you do not stress about maintaing your rank in the top 3 because no one will really care in college. However, do not completely slack off because it is difficult to get back into the rhythm. Stop procrastinating because it will not work in college. Even though you have been in the same school system all of your life and have the same friends, think beyond this small town and learn to reach out for things on your own. Resources and information will not just be handed to you. Enjoy with your high school friends now because you will rarely see them next year. Know as much as you can about yourself so you do not lose yourself into a whole new environment. And of course, good luck to you and the best years of your life!

Transitioning to college is a relatively new experience for everyone, and that is the main basis of the advice I would give myself. Whether a student is moving in from another state, across the country, or a town five-minutes away or commuting, student anxieties are similar, for example ? making friends, grades, missing old friends, getting lost, and having fun. Knowing that I was not alone in your worries would make it a lot easier to relate to others and relax. Most students feel the same way and are simply afraid to say anything, but it makes the situation a lot easier for everyone if one person is willing to step up and break the ice. I would tell myself to leave my fears behind and trust that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. Knowing that, I would encourage myself to be bold and just be myself ? try everything I want to try and never have a moment that I could look back on and wonder, ?What if??.

I would tell myself to research the types of classes and professors that a college offors. What is really most important is the education and return on investment that you will get from your education. I think I spent too much time thinking about location and what state I wanted to be in, and what city I wanted to be near. I would pay more attention to class size and the availability of developing relationships with faculty, and being able to take classes with faculty as opposed to with graduate students. I would also advise myself to look less at how pretty a campus is, or the look of buildings, and pay attention to the attitude and general student body. I would tell myself to spend time on the campus and think about if the majority of people seemed like the kind of people I wanted to be immersed in for four years.

If I had knew what I know now back in High school, I would have utilzed and managed my time more carefully. In college it is important to know how to manage your time, especially if you are involved and active as I plan on being this coming semester.The cirriculum and set up in college is completely different than high school. The cirriculum is intense and it is important that you do alot of the work that is expected of you out side of class. There is alot of reading, essays and projects that must be done in a small amount of time. At times it is hard to work, or go to the club meetings or events and do homework, you might even have to sacrafice the events and meetings for your homework. I found it handy to keep an agenda to help manage time, this way I will be able to be as active as I can be and still excel in school.

I would tell my high school senior self to be more open minded in college about a career choice or major, because in college you might find that you dislike that area of study. The social life at college is nothing like high school, so do not have the tendency of labeling yourself to just a group of friends or people, but instead to meet various people.

My transition to college was rocky at best, culminating in a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Although I can proudly say that I made a full recovery and am happier than I have ever been, I often wonder if the whole situation could have been circumvented right form the start. So to my high school self: dive right into the college experience! Be willing to throw yourself out there and try new experiences. Do not worry about trying to fit in, for in college, everyone finds their niche. If you have problems with your roommate, get help right away from a counselor or resident assistant. If the differences are irreconcilable, then be willing to switch rooms, dorms, etc. The change will be worth it, for an unwelcoming environment is toxic to your wellbeing. Living in a dorm is a priceless experience, as you learn to live with a variety of personalities, and attempt to balance work and fun. Keep on top of your studies, but also be sure to embrace the spontaneity and join in the fun of college life. In the end, you will be rewarded with a greater understanding of yourself, and people in general.

As a high school senior, my parents would preach to me about the importance of getting scholarships. They would say "I can't afford to pay for school, so if you want to go you need to get a scholarship." At the time, this did not phase me. All I wanted to do was finish high school, get out of my parents house, go to college, and move on with my life. However, today I realize the importance of scholarships and how pertinent they are to my education. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would stress the importance of scholarships. I recently completed my first semester of my freshman year and realize that the transition that one makes from high school to college is a very difficult one. It becomes more difficult when you are unsure if you will be able to go back to school next semester because college is so expensive. I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible because I would be devastated if I could not go back to the university that I love because of money or the lack of.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not hold back. I would tell myself not to choose a college based on which career is most realistic, but to choose based on what you truly want to do after graduation, even if that career goal seems completely impractical and out-of-reach. I would tell myself that going outside of my comfort zone to make new friends is necessary, and something that I wish I had done more. I would tell myself that partying is a very unnecessary part of the "college experience." I would tell myself not to worry about what others think about me, because quite frankly, others don't care; most people are only worried about what others think about them. Finally, I would tell myself not to worry so much about college - wherever I end up is meant to happen, and if it isn't, I can always transfer.