Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

Females are raised to follow rules, to agree and make nice with people. We are raised to read people’s emotions and respond appropriately. We are taught to do things in a convenient matter and to always put the needs of others above ourselves. If I could tell my high school self one thing, I would tell myself to change my attitude. I would challenge rules and not stress about making nice with people who weren’t nice to others. I would live unafraid. I would travel alone without constantly fearing what could happen. I would strive for jobs that I formerly deemed “out of my league”. I would befriend whoever I wanted, not who I thought would be an appropriate friend given the circumstances. I would never be afraid to open my mouth if what I had to say was the truth. I would go to trade school and learn about the jobs that others defined as “a man’s work”. I would not apologize for being powerful, for being tough, or for being strict. I wouldn’t worry about meeting someone else’s definition of beauty.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd say "Don't accept the marketing your peers tell you about college. Yes, it's a time to figure out, through very real trial-and-error, who you are. Yes, you will probably end up changing your intended career path fifty times before you graduate. But that does not mean to go looking for trouble because it looks glamorous and everything happens for a reason, and it doesn’t mean you have time to ‘put it off.’ The most important advice I can give you right now, before you’re thrust into a strange, new world, is to search for your inner strength. There are such things as regrets and epiphanies. You're naïve, but you're bright-eyed and enthusiastic to learn. Take these next four years for yourself, and put faith in God that He will give you nothing you cannot overcome, and do not compromise your worth for anyone, ever."

College is an incredible experience. It provides more freedom than high school permitted. The most important thing is to start with an open mind. College is a time to meet all sorts of different people. It is vital to give everyone a chance and try new things. Often times, students try something new and learn they love it. Therefore, new students should get involved on campus- join a club, volunteer, pledge a frat- just do something. Open up and give everyone and everything a chance.

If I knew then what I know now I would've disregarded the adults who dictated my existence; the adults who meticulously planned my future yet asked what I wanted to be just so they could persecute my dreams as they did me. To high school Patricia, if you were born without wings, don't prevent them from growing. I want to tell you that this sense of self loathing that's got you juggling agoraphobia and anxiety is going to swallow you whole so brace yourself for the worst. You are going to suffer a horrifying freshman year in college both academically and subjectively. It'll scar you but you'll survive what is yet to come if you think of it as an experiment going horribly wrong in order to ultimately save you from yourself. You are as resilient as an oyster in the process of making a pearl and that's the beauty of your existence. Be strong. Smash the things you think you have to be start living. Yes, change is very frightful but if you don't demand more of yourself then you'll never know the infinite possibilities that are awaiting your discovery.

You are not going to like everybody. College is a time to make lasting impressions and lifelong friends. With that being said, you won't get along with everyone, and thats okay. As I left my best friends at home for college, I believed college was going to be my new start. Freshman year you get thrown on a dorm floor with 50 girls and boys, and its like releasing you into the wild. Those 50 people come from all different walks of life, which makes it almost impossible to understand and accept everybody. Living in the bubble of cherry hill my whole life, I was naive to the rest of the world and what surrounded it. My biggest advice would be, don't try to change those around you, just accept who they are and work on bettering yourself. You may not like them, but figuring out who you are, and your purpose in life is far more of an importance than dealing with people that are wasting your time.

If it were possible for to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have informed myself about the importance of having a job while attending school full time. During my senior year I worked my first part-time job. Though I was taught the true value of money I still used the majority for my own personal use. I did however realize that some of each paycheck would enable me to pay for textbooks and other essentials, thus helping my parents. However, when I was offered work study I overlooked it; I felt working and taking classes would negatively affect my GPA and I wanted my free time. Once I formed a routine in school, I realized just how much free time I had; free time that could have gone to good use with a job. With the money from an on campus job, I would have been able to save money for the next coming years' essentials and assist my parents in paying for my education. Now I know better and intend to do better, but I still wish I could inform my high school self of this new found knowledge.

As time passes by, I realized that there are things that I should've done in my first years in college. If I could go back in time and be able to see myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to enjoy college as much as possible without forgetting, of course, the importance of studying. During my first two years of college, I didn't involve in college activities as much as I wanted because I dedicated some of my time working a full-time job in order to earn some extra money for college. Another thing I could say is that I should try to join some clubs related to what I'm interested in such as economics, political science and international relations from the beginning. Being part of academic clubs during my first year of college could've helped me to meet new people that have the same interests as me and that I should keep in touch with after college. Even though I'm going to do all of these things now that I'm getting transfer to a four-year university, it would've been better to experience them from the beginning.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have changed a few things. I would have taken things more seriously instead of just trying to get through high school as quick as I could to graduate. I would have paid a lot more attention in my human anatomy class that I took my senior year because that would be helpful to me now since I plan on becoming a nurse. I would also have taken more math and science classes to help me now in college. I only had four classes during my senior year and I was just excited to get out of school and go home. I should have taken things more seriously. I would have also gotten more involved in school instead of just sitting back and being the new kid in town. I would have participated in some sports because I would be more fit today too.

You will not be, at 26, what you thought you would be. You won't be married, you won't have a "big girl job." You will be single, living in Virginia and working on your doctoral degree. Thats right. Your DOCTORATE. You will be crawling around in the grass looking for weeds and evaluating herbicides. You (and a few others) will be responsible for figuring out how a new herbicide works inside the target plant. You will travel the world in the name of science. You will become so much more than you ever dreamed. It won't be easy. You'll feel like you should give up. But you won't. You can't. Knowing you can be a steward for the herbicide industry keeps you going. Helping the golf industry, homeowners and lawn care operators work more efficiently keeps you going. Knowing that you will win awards for presentations and serve on exectutive boards keeps you going. Just know, you WILL be a success. You won't blend into the background. You were born to be a great scientist. It won't be the kind you thought, but it'll be better than you can imagine!

The advice I would give to my self as a high school senior would be to focus more on school than anything else. To get involved in the univeristy as much as possible because that is what will help you get career opportunities later on.