Stanford University Top Questions

Don't be shy! College is fun and the people are amazing! The first few months are when everyone is the most open and the most willing to make friends. Don't miss out by being self-conscious. Be yourself, because that's who everyone will get to know in the end. You might as well be comfortable from the beginning. Go out, meet people, and leave that comfort zone. There's no better place to take risks and explore :)

I'd tell myself not to waste time trying to struggle through a list of majors I didn't enjoy in order to "prove" that I was worthy of attending Stanford, but to devote myself to the path I'd already been focused on before I ever applied to college (studio art and computer science, younger me). I'd also tell myself to go ahead and make that personal transition I'd been avoiding for two years, because without it I'd have a hard time really feeling comfortable with myself, and as a result, a harder time feeling happy with where I was. Stanford's a fantastic school, and I just wish it hadn't taken me two years of struggling with myself to really start appreciating it!

I would tell myself not to wait to go to school, that I could have a family, work and go to school and still do great at all of those things. I would tell myself to work hard and not take it for granted because once you are out of high school you are thrown out into the real world and it is a hard road. I would say that life only gets better but it is a job to keep it heading in that direction and never give up or loose faith, everything will work out. My main statement to myself would be to keep living your life the way you do by helping people that need it and giving your time and heart to situations that need someone's attention because even though it does not seem like it does everything you do comes back to you. Make everything count.

As the saying goes, "hindsight is 20/20." Having gone through college, I am now able to decipher the lessons that, had I known them as a high school senior, would have improved my college experience. Perhaps the most important thing I would tell myself is to make friends your freshman year of college. While academics are a crucial part of the college experience, a solid social life and the merging of new friendships is just as vital to make the college experience enjoyable. I was overly pre-occupied with getting good grades my freshman year of college and unfortunately it set the tone for a damper social life the remainder of the 4 years I was there. I would emphasize to my high school self that loneliness and isolation can really take its toll on a college student and that as hard as it is to move to a new state and a new environment, it becomes that much more difficult when you have to do it alone. Had someone bestowed this information on me as a high school senior, I am certain that my college experience would have been full of more fun, laughter, and enjoyment.

Amy, as you begin your college journey there is little I can say that will prepare you for what you are about to experience. All I can offer you is an insight that I hope you will recall and that will reassure you along the way. The greatest transition that you will struggle with at Stanford is the process of defining yourself. This quest to establish your identity will be influenced by your academics and activities, but most prominently by the people you encounter. Placed in an atmosphere of diverse people who are accustomed to incredible levels of success you will find yourself frequently questioning whether you deserve to be here, questioning the value of your opinion, and even questioning the very basis of your beliefs. In these circumstances, I encourage you to realize the power of your perspective and how it can positively influence others. Always remember that the fruits of conversations with those whom you may not readily (or ever) agree may be picked with frustration, but each one you have will hone your ability to respectfully debate as well as propel you down the path of defining who you are and what you believe.

I would tell myself to enjoy my time as a minor while I still could. High school should have been a fun, carefree time. Instead of relaxing, I worked two jobs. In reflection, I know that work was a major player in my growth and development, but I did not fully partake in traditional high school experiences. I missed football games, dances and various other school related events because I had to work. I would also tell myself to network better. I realized too late that the professor I worked under and the people I met wanted to help me along in my journey. I guess it was foolish pride that led me to deny the help of others. I have changed my ways after listening to a particular speaker, but I still wish I would have known sooner. When an influential figure expresses interest in one's work or life, this notion of kindness should not be taken lightly.

As a high school senior, I was a self-righteous and lazy teenager. I would snub my university bound peers for submitting to a path demanded by their parents. I was eager for freedom from a system that I believed had imprisoned me, and thoroughly believed that I could live the rest of my life without actual responsibility. If I had the ability to speak with myself, as an adult to a child, I would seize her by the shoulders and tell her to stop being arrogant. The path to any success, I would say, will not be paved for you because you feel you are entitled to it. I would tell her that being an adult means confronting barriers that will force you to rethink your strategy. She would protest and exclaim that she can survive without structure, and that she would rather indulge in her immediate desires. With gentleness and empathy, I will have said that her perspective must change, and that her narrow worldview will only evolve if she pursues higher education. I would say: Be objective about this. Imagine what damage those years of wasted time will do to that mind? Why waste your potential?

I would advise myself to take full advantage of all the extracurricular and group activities. Going to College is a big change and it’s easier to transition the more involved you feel in the college and on the campus. Also, becoming involved in things outside of class is a great way to make new friends and the more groups you’re involved in the more connections you have. While you should take full advantage of extracurricular activities do not lose focus on why you are there, and always put your grades and classwork first. It’s easy to get distracted in a new school with new friends and more freedom but remember that you’re paying money for an education that will determine your future. Don’t waste money or time and make the most of everything and every experience.

“Don’t worry, there is a place for everyone to fit in at college!” Throughout my high school year I was anxious about the academic and more importantly social aspect of college. Now completing my first year, I would definitely recommend to think less of fitting in at college and more of enjoying the time you have with high school friends and preparing yourself financially for college. Members of the college’s student body come from various backgrounds, so finding one’s niche is easier than most perceive. Nurturing those high school friendships is most important, so that they have a chance of surviving the “friend-weaning” process known as college freshman year. The second important piece of advice is the need to search for outside scholarships and grants. Being a strong academic, I mistakenly thought that colleges would throw money my way because of my elite test scores and outstanding G.P.A. High school seniors need to focus their spare time away from school and friends looking for outside sources of money. Schools’ budgets are constantly becoming thinner and to ensure that you do receive the aid that you deserve, you need to diligently search for your money.

If I could go back in time and converse with myself as a high school student, I would definitely have a "package of possibilities" on hand. Growing up there was no one around to motivate me and show me that there was more to life than what I had experienced. My siblings will be in high school soon and it will be as if I really am going back to my high school days. I try to give them all the advice I wish I could have received. I grew up blinded to the endless amount of opportunities and deaf to the sound of dreams. I could only visualize that which I experienced and knew. I grew up surrounded by death, poverty, and the notion that I was to be content with what I had. It took joining the military, seven years of "reconstruction," to open my mind to all things I will accomplish. It would be pretty awesome to have the ability to go back in time, taking an opportunity to open my mind to the world of possibilities, but I'm going to get this chance with my siblings and nothing can beat that.