Rachel
Set goals and never give up on them. Have a plan early on. It makes your college career so much smoother and easier. Do not waste time. Take 5 classes per semester and try to finish in 4 years. I will be graduating in exactly 4 years and I do not think it was so difficult because I planned things out right. Have a plan and stick to it!
Amanda
Do as much research about your prospecitve schools as possible. Know what type of environment you're looking for, as well as the college that offers the best learning opportunites in your prospective major. Don't overlook certain schools just because other people say it's a bad school or because "everyone" is going there. Choose a school that fits your personality and needs.
William
Try to figure out what you want to study as early as possible & plan your courses well before you have to take them.
Thuy-Trinh
If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to apply myself harder during my Freshman year of college. I would urge myself to take AP courses during high school in order to obtain credits for college. I would tell myself to get into the habit of learning proper study habits, eating habits, as well as learning to manage time efficiently. I would tell myself to not worry so much about being socially accepted because if I was to act like myself, I would have made the close friends that I've obtained towards the end of the year sooner. I would tell myself to not fear the unexpected. I would tell myself not to panic and to learn that not everything rides on my answer to one simple question. I would urge myself to take steps into learning about scholarships and internships ahead of time, and to look into scholarships sooner as opposed to later. Most of all, I would tell myself to enjoy my time at Rutgers University and to take everything in a stride. Seriously, it's no use crying over spilled milk, right?
Yirong
Be open-minded, and be smart at financial planning.
Sara-Jean
Prepare yourself. The best thing to do is investigate each school and ask as many questions as possible.
Karol
Although I have always been in the the top of my class, my social skills have greatly improved. If I were to go back in time, even if I am completely proud of what I have lived and do not regret anything, I would teach myself how to interact with others in a more open-minded way and explore different settings to meet people with different perspectives.
Before, I was reluctant, or simply perhaps not wise enough to go out and explore different environments to find myself. With maturity and knowing of myself, now I am proud of who I am and I am willing to explore different communities.
Now, comfortable with myself, the adventure of meeting different people, with different backgrounds and perspectives of lives, have allowed me to form a better sense of my philosophy of life.
At 21 years old, with my family left back in Lima, Peru two years ago, this new environment has allowed me to grow independently to make wise life choices. Perhaps what limitated me the most before was the huge barrier of a third world country. Now, in America, NOTHING is going to stop me.
Alyssa
If I were to go back in time and become a high school senior all over again the advice I would give myself is to be more serious. I was among few that didn't research schools and careers early on during my senior year. I didn't study for my SAT's, nor did I all my classes each day. I truly regret the lack of seriousness and motivation I had my senior year. I would do everything different if I were to go back in time. For instance, I would study more and spend my weekends checking out colleges and meeting with professors.
Christine
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about the tranistion into college, I don't think I could've said anything that would've made a difference. My transition into college life was a growing process. I was not excited at all by the prospect of going away for college and ended up extremely homesick my first few months away. I would not have been able to successfully overcome my homesickness or to become as outgoing as I am now if I my oldest sister (an alumni of my college) and my upperclassmen (those that knew my sister) kept an eye out for me and helped me become more involved in clubs. As I was more integrated in extracurricular activities, I gradually began to forget my homesickness. But I would not have had the courage to put myself out there if it were not for the people around me looking out for me. However, it is because of this that I feel much closer to my upperclassmen, feel much more free to express myself, and can now do the same for the incoming freshmen every year.
Maria
I would tell myself that college is going to be tough and I need to be prepared for the work load. I would tell myself to be prepared to manage my time well so I don't fall behind. I would make sure to know that there are people on campus that can help me if I am overwhelmed and that there are people to help me succeed. I would let myself know that college is a fun and tough experience not only academically, but personally as well because in college is when you find out the type of person you really are. You need responsibility and maturity to make it in college because you are now an adult out on your own.