Sweet Briar College Top Questions

The most valuable advice I would give myself is to never compromise on my ambitions, even if they seem unattainable or unrealistic. The United States' fast-paced society is often difficult to predict, and the career one may want in high school, such as a journalist or graphic designer, may be obsolete by the time one enters the work force. Oftentimes, students who have insuffiecient knowledge of the full nature of their "dream job" become disillusioned and confused once they realize what the work entails. Fortunately, there are jobs that are still waiting to be created, and all it may take is one talented individual who has the drive to succeed. While I say that some jobs might be non-existent in the future, it is also important to never give up on a goal just because it seems fruitless. Even if journalism, for example, is outmoded in ten years, there will always be a market for great writers. Likewise, there will always be a place for problem-solvers, engineers, and artists. As long as one strives to be the best in one's field, there is still room for them in the workplace.

Knowing what I know now I would go back in time to convince myself to be more confident. I had a very stressful senior year due to the anxiety over the application process. Making such an important life decision as where to attend college and what to study made it hard for me to enjoy the last days with highschool friends, and participate as fully as I would have wanted. I would show myself how much Ive accomplished and that I did make it into the school of my dreams. By being more confident I would have been more apt to join clubs around campus and be an active member of my college. This would have made the transition ten times easier since I could make friends that were passionate about things I am, and get have an active role in the community.

I always did well in school, and I was well-prepared for adjusting to college in another state and studying hard. However, I wasn't prepared for paying for college. I regret that I took my comfortable lifestyle for granted and didn't save money like I should. As I write this, tears collect in my eyes and my stomache aches. I don't have anyone to help me fill out my FAFSA, so I can't get Federal aid. I pay bits of my outstanding tuition by working as much as I can, but I owe almost $10,000 until I can return to school and finish my education. I feel useless and hopeless because I'm not in school. I've been volunteering with my free time, but I know that with my degree in neuroscience, I could do so much more to help people. I'm such an intelligent and passionate person, but it's devastating to me that finances are inhibiting what I could really be doing in society. Ultimately, I would go back to my high-school self and advise her to save money, get scholarships, and learn how to use private loans.

Brittaney, Believe it or not, it's you, just older, wiser(ish), and slightly better looking! When looking at your schools, keep in mind that yes, colleges and universities have images, but it doesn't matter if you go to Harvard and you just don't like it there or feel at home; the name or image of a school isn't what makes the experience. This is four years of your life that you're going to be spending learning, working, interacting with people, and just living and trying to make the best of it. Choose the school that excites you, stimulates you academically, and just gives you that sigh of relief that you've found "the one" - or pick whichever one comes close! Don't worry about how your roomate keeps her side of the room because it says nothing about you. Decorate! This is your home away from home, you want it to look and feel that way! Make sure to buy lots of padding for the bed, splurge on this one because though you may not sleep as much (ha!), you want it to be amazing. Keep an open mind, and DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Enjoy it.

Knowing what I know about college now. I wish I had of been more prepared for the transition from high school to college. I wish I would have pushed myself in high school to take more challanging classes, maybe took highschool more seriously than i did. Then maybe my first semester in college would not have been such a shock to me, it would not of been so stressful and as hard as it was. I really would of also advised myself to study a lot more and have better time management skills.

I would warn myself about how easy it is to get distracted in college. Everyone in highschool warns you over and over about how hard college courses are, but never once mentions how easy it is to procrastinate there. In the dorms, you are just next door to your friends, your mother is not there to keep you on task. Spending the whole day online or hanging out with friends is a temptation that is all too easy to give in to. Just when you really hanker down to get some good studying in, it is inevitable that one of your friends will swing by and distract you. Another thing that I was never warned about was that college makes you lazy! Freshman girls who put a lot of time into their hair and makeup in the beginning of the year now wear sweatpants and ponytails all the time. The lack of boys takes away a lot of motivation to dress up in the morning-- not something totally life-altering, but something I wish I was told before coming in to college.

When I turned thirteen I told myself all my dreams could come true, and they certainly are (slowly but surely). Think about what you want most out of life and, I think you'll find right now "it's the whole world." So do it. Apply abroad, look at schools based on their study abroad opportunities. In the long run I wouldn't do anything differently. This was my chance to travel the world, and I did; for three semesters. The school I chose gave me that, a dream research opportunity, and a fantastic internship. Sure, there was drama and hardships but what all-girls school wouldn't? I made the transition just fine, I am a great person and I am actively improving myself. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Work hard from the beginning and keep working hard until the end.

College isn't like highschool, it's about bridging the gap between shelter and controlled events and facing the unexpected tumultuous "real world." Don't be afraid to go far (literally and figuratively), but know that the friends you've made will be your anchor. The friends you will make will be some of the most impacting of your life. And no matter what the over-achiever inside says, you will *know* deep down when you're doing the right thing, whether that's staying in all night to get ahead or going out for a couple of hours with friends. In the long run it's the practical skills of socializing and being responsible that you will use in the future, not as much as an academic essay or the theory of relativity. Without socialization and human contact we would not, and could not, exist. Without contact we would not have any form of education, literary, academic, or otherwise.

Going back to talk to myself, I would encourge myself to be more outgoing with meeting new people. Coming to college made me enteract with brand new people and if I was more confident earlier in life that would have made me more comfortable during my first few weeks. Now that I have been in college for two years, I feel able to accomplish more socially and not as anxious around new people. Orientation at Sweet Brair lasts approximatley one week for the main purpose of allowing the freshmen to get accustomed to the campus and each other before the upperclass women arrive. Giving myself the advice to be more confident around others would have made things easier in that I might not have second guessed myself in how to interact with others.