Suffolk University Top Questions

My college experience gave me a thirst for learning and a humility as to how much I don't know about human culture and humanity past, present and future. It has taken me many years to find the career that allows me to inspire this in others and foster in others a desire to learn. Now I realize a career in higher education is the way I can impact and share with others the positive experience of learning and open the eyes of other students to a world beyond what they can see. College enabled me to help others (including my own children) to believe in themselves enough to keep learning in whatever field or format they need to. College gave me hard lessons about responsibility, maturity, time management, communication, and self advocacy, lessons encircled by the challenge to learn and become better and to build the confidence and skills to make a better life for myself. Quitting was not an option even when I didn't think I could do it. My self esteem and confidence were boosted immeasurable when I walked across that stage and received my Baccalaureate knowing I did it on my own.

During college I've gotten a lot of experience some good and bad. One thing I’ve gotten out of my college experience is that the work load is intense. Because I have a disability it makes it harder for me to keep up with the work load that’s given. This means I have to work ten times harder at everything I do. Suffolk University has been valuable to attend because I can prove to people that just because a person has a disability it doesn’t mean they can’t succeed and go on to do great things.

I love it and it also teaches me how to be a team leader and how to be a teacher. i love my school that i go to and would not chnge anything.

College has offered a structure for me to focus my goals and purpose for the rest of my life. I took some time off directly after high school to travel and work. I learned a lot more about what I wanted from life and acquired a better idea of how to formulate a life that would make me happy. My current college experience is an invaluable tool that puts me in contact with resources and outlets that will help me to successfully pursue what I want for my life in terms of career and even greater purpose. College is about learning and discovery, but more importantly it has inspired me to accept that learning is not restricted to the classroom, but instead that it is a way of life. Furthering my education is important to not only my future success in my career, but also in my life. The most important thing I have learned since being in college is that my life is all encompassing. Yes there are different parts whether they be social, academic, or work, but in fact my life is a culmination of all these segments and learning happens everywhere and all the time.

In high school I was involved in as many school organizations that is humanly possible: President of my class, Editor-in-cheif of the school newspaper, Conservation Club vice president, National Honor Society, Varsity soccer captain, Varsity lacrosse captain etc. I spread myself so thin trying to give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} to each of these organizations, that in actuality, I lost myself. Now as a college sophomore, I look back and think "Lauren, why didn't you focus on only a few things that you were really passionate about?" However, if I hadn't experienced all of those things in high school, I'm not sure I would have truly understood my passions versus what I thought were obligations. Now I know what is important in my life and I know how to exercise my passions. I now focus on a few amazing things in my life that have absolutely helped me realize who I am. I have let go of my inhibitions and I now activley participate in the theater department, singing my heart out daily, I volunteer at the local animal shelter (MSPCA), I focus on my academcs and I finally have time to appreciate my friends, family, and myself.

If was able to go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, I would advise myself to get ready to stay focused. Entering college is completely a different experience; you are treated as an adult. With the average college schedule being different from your typical high school schedule, it is easy to get off track and procrastinate. If a student does not buckle and stay on top of things, it is too easy to fall behind and eventually find yourself failing. College is not like high school where our teachers are constantly behind us to make sure we do well; college professors do want their students to pass but they do not follow you like a shadow like high school teachers do, they see you as adults and expect you to act that way. It is up to the student to decide how successful they want to be. Therefore my only advice would be to stay focused on the school work and success will come easily.

If I were to go back in time, about over year ago, to give advice to myself about college I would have much to say. First and foremost, I would tell myself to look upon the tuition more than just as something "I will pay back". The reason being, the 25,000 dollar loan I have now obtained plus interest is much more than just one year at Suffolk University. Also, I would beg myself to apply to more colleges to keep my options open. One of my greatest regrets is not applying to more than three colleges as well as at least one out of state college. I feel as though I did not push myself harder during the college process and I would highly urge myself to make the most of all the time I have. Every spare mintue can be used to look up things such as tuition, majors along with scholarships. The only ones I applied for were through my school and they barely put a indent in my bill. Therefore I would explain the great deal of help that scholarships outside of school could make and the possibilities that money could open.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school I would advise myself not to settle for a university. I would tell myself to make sure I begin researching potential schools in the summer, to learn everything about them, and to visit them. I would tell myself to apply for financial aid early and make sure any extra documents required by the schools are filled out. Most importantly, I would tell myself to keep as much outside biases toward a school out of my decision. It is very important to feel comfortable in the place you spend most of your day. That provides a person with the healthiest and happiest environment. It allows one to be motivated and want to work hard. Therefore, I would advise myself to make sure that I will be happy at the school I decide to attend. To make sure that I feel comfortable without any doubts and without having to convince myself that attending any given school is the best choice and what I really want. If I could do it all over again following this advice, I am sure I would have ended at the perfect school for me.

My college experience has been far from what I expected, all because of my senior year. When it came down to applying to schools, I probably did the minimum of work necessary. I would not only advise my high school senior self, but also force me to research the schools that I was applying to. I essentially picked the most known, prestigious, out of my league schools possible instead of applying to schools that actually wanted me. I was a good student too, just not that good. As a result of my incredibly careless attitude and habitual procrastination, I ended up going to my state school which i did not want to attend and then went through an even more troublesome process in transferring to Suffolk University. I cannot stress the importance of the application process, starting with the crucial first step of researching all the schools one is applying to. I just wish I understood this before in my senior year.

In high school I was much too focused on the present and never planned beyond the next week. If I could go back, I would advise myself to set future goals for myself and never lose focus of those goals until they are obtained. In the 4 years since I have been out of high school this is one of the most valuable things I have learned to do for myself. I just wish I could have learned it sooner!