Southern Methodist University Top Questions

In order to best make the transition from high school into college, you should set realistic goals and expectations for yourself. In doing this, you will be able to make it through your first year of college without placing too much pressure on yourself. This will also allow you to enjoy the first of what can potentially be the best four years of your life. Having a realistic expectation for your first year performance in college will allow you to make wonderful friends and enjoy campus life! Don't get bogged down in thinking that you are not capable of doing something and release yourself from the stress of being perfect because everything will work out.

Be ready to handle and juggle your school work and social life, it will be a challenge at first but once you get through some bumps, it will be much more clear and easier along the way. Always remember to let your guard down and be outgoing because it will be easier to make new friends, never be shy to show people who you really are.

Be prepared to bring your best clothes if you want to fit in, and make friends with someone who has a car so you can go places off campus every once in a while. If you're super outgoing, you'll make friends right away.

Be prepared to bring your best clothes if you want to fit in, and make friends with someone who has a car so you can go places off campus every once in a while. If you're super outgoing, you'll make friends right away.

College is much harder than high school. Although studying at last minute could get allow one to make good grades in high school, it’s not the same in college. In college, a student should start studying at least three days before an exam. There is much material to cover and to cram it all in one night does not result in a good grade. This goes for writing essays as well. Most essays in college are research based, which takes time. It’s a good idea to start writing an essay at least two weeks in advance. In addition, finishing essays early allows time for proofreading. Having others proofread an essay is the best way to make a better grade because a student can get feedback that will help to improve their essay. So, starting early on writing essays is very beneficial for raising grades. One important thing to note about college is networking. Networking is what lands a student a job after graduation. Although doing extracurricular activities are important in college, just as it is in high school, networking is essential to gaining a future job position. Networking and avoiding procrastination are fundamental to success in college.

It was a typical night for me, & I was out partying. I had come to this house party with my college best friends. However, I woke up alone in the house; there was absolutely no one, just me and empty bottles. How was I going to get back home? How could my friends ditch me? I asked myself, “How did I get here?” Literally & figuratively. I had graduated high school early with honors, gaining numerous scholarships to my top college. I was involved in different leadership clubs on campus and church. I had let my obsession with trying to be a party girl ruin my strong connections- my faith, family, and academics. If I had to tell my self advice, knowing what I know now, I would definitely caution from doing certain activities. Maybe stay in an extra night; you’ll thank yourself later. I graduated from college in May 2011 & am interning at an investment banking firm specializing in mergers & acquisitions while attending graduate school. My story goes to prove you’ve never fallen (or stumbled!) too far, you can’t pick yourself up. It sure is easier to not get off track in the first place.

Sign up as soon as possible for financial aid and go to college as soon as possible also belive in yourself because it dosnt matter what other people think and tell you because its your future and life ahead. Save your money because its improtant and your future state yesturday

I would tell myself to try harder. When I was in high school all of my classes were dual-credit during my junior and senior years so I ended up graduating with an associates in science before attending university as a "freshman". My last two years I did not try as hard as I could; instead working at getting straight A's I goofed off and mainly recieved B's and A's. When joing this dual-credit program at a local community college I was granted all the freedom of a college student. I was allowed to leave campus as I pleased and classes were just exams. Like any freshman college student I relaxed and slacked off because I was not accustomed to making decisions and governing myself. Yes I did not do badly and ended up making A's my last semester but I should have tried harder. All in all I'm happy that I followed through with the program. Currently my grades can get me into a medical school but it is just a bit sad knowing if I would have tried harder my chances of attending the medical school of dreams would have increased.

Not everybody really thinks about their future. As for me, I didnt know what to do with my future, thats why it wasnt important to me until now. I actually started m family earlier than others. I have two kids and the economy is down. How was I going to support my family? I needed job asap so i can support them. When I get a job, should I just keep working the same job and live off paycheck to paycheck? Then I thought, what about ten years from now? I didnt want to keep working at the same place for the rest of my life? When these questions hit me, I panicked so I rushed. I mean i can if i want to, but i will never go up from that position even if work in that place for the rest of my life, so why rush? Why rush into making money and working for a company when you have the rest of my life to do something for yourself? Why rush, when i can go to school and get a dregree and not work for a company out there, but work for myself and my family.

I would tell myself how college is the same as my high school where I took seven AP classes at once. It was a nightmare, but I believe I have better prepared myself. Also I would want to tell myself how I should have developed my commication skills in high school because I am a very quiet person. I do not talk to people much and have with a low confidence in myself, but with good communication skills I can build a better networking skills and meet people who I can work recieve some kind of help in the future. Also build a good friendship bond with others. Therefore, I really recommend students right now in high school to develop good communication skills to not only network, but to also get their professors to know they are a hardworking student by asking questions and making good conversations.