Rutgers University-Newark Top Questions

Hey Allie. I know this seems weird to you, receiving a letter from someone you don’t know, but I promise you, you do know me, or at least you will. Now before you ask me how life is going, let me say one thing. In the movies, whenever a character travels to the past someone wiser always says never to be seen, never to touch anything, claims that even small changes alter the destined course. That’s true, so I’ll give advice instead. You didn’t participate in a lot of activities in high school. Change that in college. There is a place for your talents, even if you don’t recognize it at first. If you’re unhappy, it’s because of you, not those around you. Happiness comes in many forms, at many times. Create your own luck. Don’t be afraid. Don’t fake friendships. Your best friends will find you. Go to career fairs and utilize the career center. Finding a job isn’t easy and the people there will help you. Be patient. Sometimes things are worse than expected, sometimes better. Don't worry. You'll be happy. I promise. Love.Yourself

If I could give advice to my high school self, the first thing I would tell myself is to be dedicated to what I'm doing and have a vision of where I want to be. I would warn him that it would be a big diservice to himself to act wishy washy and float through life believing that he could get away with it. Another caution I hope my high school self would heed is to truly participate in class and activities. I would share with him how much it is an honor to truly present himself to the world and that he would be doing no favors by hiding the greatness and unqiue qualities that is within him. The last advice I would give to my teenage self is to not pick a major in hopes of getting a good job in a struggling economy; pick a major that interests you and one that you believe you have the talent for. The guide would be that trying to find a good paying job is valuable, but it's even more beneficial to find an avenue that is fit for you so the money is a great bonus.

As a high school senior, I was enrolled in the Running Start program and working at the college assisting students with computer help in the library. I was taking two classes at the college, and one at the high school. If I could go back now, being that college was paid for through my high school and running start, I would tell myself to load on more classes, and to take full advantage. Looking back now, I thought that two classes was enough to get me my degree within the next year, and with the amount of credits I still needed, and my finances, it wasn't. Looking back now, I only wish I could have gave myself a heads up about how much college costs! As much as people warn you, you never really realize it until you have to start paying for yourself!

I would advise myself to pursue the full diversity of opportunites available on campus. It can be quite easy to become too narrowly focused on GPA and to miss the opportunities which are not only personally fulfilling but will help position oneself to enter the professional world upon graduation. By becoming a well-rounded individual, one who pursues interests in a variety of ways, college becomes a lot more satisfying.

Assume you could go back in time to yourself as a high school senior. Knowing what you know now about college life and making the transition, what advice would you give yourself? I would tell myself as a high school senior to look up scholarships and look into Bright futures. I say those two things because first of all everyone is not going to get financial aid. So what do you do then? Apply for scholarships because that’s the thing that could save your life rather than taking out a loan. I would also tell myself “would you rather spend ten minutes on something that could get you 2,000 dollars or would you rather spend hours on something that is important but it will guilt you the rest of your life?” Because like I said taking out a loan is an option. But who wants to have someone harassing them about money? Let’s be Honest I know I don’t and I know you don’t either. I would tell myself look up bright futures because you never know if you believe what one or two people tell you. I am a product of these words.

i would tell myself to work harder and get even better grades. i would also tell myself to start the applications process and the enrollment process much sooner.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior and advice myself; knowing what I know now about college, I would advise myself that college is very competitive and challenging. There will be students who are way more advance than I am and in order to make it to the top I have to work very hard and be sure to stay focus. I must be ready to face the real world and the challenges that it brings. My collegiates will not have pitty and push me ahead of them, the professors will not give me an easy 'A' and the recruiters are not looking for the regular so I must be unique or stand out. I have to be sharp and on point with my grades, be active in community services and join organizations/clubs. In addition, I would also advise myself to try to get an internship to gain some experience in my career field and never procrastinate and wait until the last minute to do my work. If I had all this in mind as a high school senior, I would have better grades and be more ready to meet all my challenges.

One of the many things I got out of my college experience was that it is ok to be different. Newark is a very diverse and large city. I grew up in a small white town in South Jersey. Newark made me make friends I was never able to be around because of where I grew up and allowed me to know that everyone really was equal, no matter where you come from, what language you speak, or what color you are. Although this is something every child learns when they are young, or at least should learn when they are young, it's a lesson you must experience to believe it for yourself. The diversity was something I will take with me for life, because I have made life long friends from everywhere during college. Hard work does pay off. I believe college and a diverse community allowed me to make all my own mistakes, learn on my own, and still graduate in 4 years. If I stayed at a college around my house, I know I would not be as accepting and challenging to new ideas, people, and places if it weren't for going away to Rutgers.

There are many people in the world who aren’t able to attend school or will never get the chance to receive an education because of circumastances, finances, or whatever it may be. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to come to school and learn. In high school, I took education for granted. As a college student though it’s not something I’m just given. I have to want it and strive for it. I have been challenged in my classes and have learned a lot from my peers and from my teachers. These people will be unforgettable along with the experiences I have had with them. I hope to apply all that I have learned from my teachers, classes, friends, and experiences to my life now as a student and eventually to my future career.

In Rutgers University, I completed bachelor of arts majoring in mathematics, and I completed urban education program. There I extend my knowledge in mathematics, and I got prepared to teach math in secondary school. II got teaching certificate from New Jersey by compliting urban education program. Because the competition to teach now is huge, I did not get a teaching job in public schools. Anyway, I starting tutoring geometry, SAT in math section, algenra I, II, and precalculus. Tutoriing job gives me an opportunity to be in touch with my occupation and hopefully to get a teaching job soon. In many states, there is necessary to have a master degree in order to teach. In New Jersey is not the case, but teaching candidates with master have better opportunities for teaching job in secondary schools. So, I applied in Western Governor University in Utah to persue master degree in teaching mathematics from 5-12 grades. I hope, I am going to get the way in compliting master degree, too. I deeply believe Rutgers University prepared me to pas challanges in teaching and learning. Now I hope a scholarship will help me make my dream come true by getting master degree.