University of Chicago Top Questions

From only one full quarter of classes at the University of Chicago, I have learned that it is not only acceptable to be a bit nerdy, but that everyone is kind of a dork in his or her own right. Like beauty, "weirdness" is also in the eye of the beholder. Throughout my four years of high school, I was always teased for doing my homework early, answering questions in class, and, God forbid, actually studying for exams. Now, at the University of Chicago, I am not teased for being a nerd, but for being a jock. My classmates, unless they are athletes here as well, do not even realize the University of Chicago has athletic teams, and hence mock me for being on one of said teams or claiming I didn't have to work as hard as they did to get in because my coach got me in. However, I know for a fact my Volleyball team could defeat any other student here in a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter trivia competition. The value of Chicago lies in the fact that, here, I am truly a student-athlete for the first time in my life.

The University of Chicago lives up to its reputation of being a school that steals the soul. It steals your soul, deprives you of wild frat parties, crazed sporting events and people with proper social skills. But after four years, you get your soul back and it's smarter, calmer, and more grounded. College for most people at Chicago feels like torture: endless hours of studying, brainstorming and working tirelessly to generate innovative ways of solving problems. Graduating, however, then bestows you with an unbelievable new strength. After surviving such a demanding place, your newly returned soul feels ready to conquer whatever life may throw at it and I guess I have to thank the University of Chicago for that feeling.

Through my college experience at the University of Chicago, I have killed any shred of fear I ever had with respect to pursuing and researching new ideas. Fear of failure is no longer an option. I wouldn't say that I was some sort of panphobic-personality before I came here, but I experienced so much success in High School that even the notion of failure by any means seemed foreign and completely taboo. UChicago quickly made the notion familiar as I competed as well as collaborated with some of the best minds in the world. UChicago's goal is not to belittle you, but to break down the arrogant shell people like me enter with--the shell that only accepts "right answers" and doesn't dare question their assumptions. Researchers here know full well that it is impossible to innovate if there is no significant risk of failure involved. A common sentiment around here is that "what is currently considered unpopular is often just that which is unexplored". UChicago has taught me to embrace this uncharted territory. Now, I am willing to take calculated risk in forming ideas--allowing me to take my first baby-steps into the unknown.

The transition from high school to college is terrifying--academically and personally--but don't let that hold you back. Throw yourself into life at your new school, try everything that appeals to you, and take advantage of the rich opportunities afforded by college life. School is important, but what you do outside of it is just as important; instead of obsessively monitoring your GPA, find something you've never experienced before and go out and do it. College is a unique time for experimentation, inside and outside the lab. Take advantage of the diverse cultures you will no doubt encounter, the extracurricular lectures by people passionate about their subject, however obscure it might be, the myriad opportunities for self-expression through sport and art, and most importantly, your peers. I've discovered it, and so will you--you will get the most out of college when you stop worrying about what comes next and instead allow yourself to fully experience and learn from the present. Find a balance between the library and the frat party, your hobbies and your career plans. This is the time to explore.

If I could go back and warn myself about the transition to college I would tell myself to buckle down. I would tell myself that I have to change my high school state of mind in which everything is provided for you and you don't have to make any extra effort. College is about being an adult and nothing is provided for you. You must do everything for yourself, no one will do it for you. I would also warn myself to get rid of the carefree attitude. In college you should try to eceed your own expectation and just try to get by. Also I would tell myself not register for classes your friends tell you to sign up for, always go to an advisor. the advisor will know more about the classes you need for your field of study than your friends. This will help not waste time money on classes you don't need. You also need to be focused on what you want to and take steps to achieve your goals.

Dear Del-Rae, A person isn't smarter if they go to a prestigious university or are from a family full of doctors or lawyers or geniuses. It doesn't matter that you come from humble beginnings, it just means that you have to work a little harder than most. You can't feel insecure about where you come from because those events, those people have shaped you into who are. They've grounded you and made you able to empathize with others that are less fortunate. You are not less intelligent because of where your from so don't feel so insecure. As in high school, some of the smartest people may be hidden in those everyday people. The janitor with a history degree or a mother who knows you better than anyone. Education is the big equalizer, but there are different kinds of education, not one more profound than the other and you can find it almost anywhere. Don't forget that.

I would tell myself that my group of friends would change, but my relations with people and my fundamental social outlook did not have to change with it. I would tell myself that while the presentation of academics would change, my general academic interests need not. I would tell myself that though I would be leaving my family, this did not prevent me from having strong enough bonds with people that I could rely on them to provide the same level of support as my family. Having said all this, I would tell myself to abandon the expectations that I had about college, and not to adopt any new ones. I would emphasize living without specific expectations, but with confidence that the transition to college would bring me more happiness than I could possibly imagine. If my advice to myself could be boiled down to a single sentence, I would tell myself that making the transition from Florida to Chicago requires nothing more than a winter coat and an open mind.

I would advise myself not to be so set on a particular path for life, as things change during and throughout college. It's best to stay open-minded and explore new experiences and meet new people. This is an important part of the 'getting an education' deal that college provides.

I would tell myself to be a little more focused on my future goals. I would tell myself to be a little more trusting of my abilities. Most importantly, I would tell myself to stay true to God and to self.

I would advise not to think too highly of myself. High school is a fairly minor step and there is a long way to go before I'm grown up. Keep up with friends and family because they are always there for you. Stay grounded, and don't be afraid to work hard. Don't over do it though.