University of Puget Sound Top Questions

I would tell myself to take my time, don't rush, and don't stress. It's not important to choose a major right away, so find the one that fits with what you want. Make more friends! Be social! Waiting for someone to come talk to you doesn't work, and you could be missing opportunities to meet some amazing people. Make sure you study all of the course material. You never know when something might show up on a test. Above all else, work hard! Don't wait until the last minute to study and do homework. A social life is important for keeping your sanity, but keeping good grades and doing well is important too! Make sure to keep in touch with your teachers when you feel like you're falling behind. They're there to help you, not hinder you. Good luck!

First off, I would strongly encourage myself to choose a college where my intended field of study was one of the college's well-known fields of study. I would then advise myself to attend a college that is in a great location combined with favorable weather conditions year round. After my choice on a college, I would tell myself to get to know some of the people in the same class as me attending the same school I chose. I would also advise myself to find ways to get to know as many people as possible, which helps make friends and get through college. Then I would tell myself to have fun, as long as I keep my grades up and are making the most out of my schooling.

You won't regret the University of Puget Sound. Your big concerns of having any college debt at all? Yeah, you'll have it, but based on how much I've enjoyed going to this school so far it will be worth it. You will meet plenty of great people, but it will take you awhile until you find your real friend group. You'll grow decently close to some people, but then you'll grow apart. Don't worry though, you will find your friend group and it'll be okay in the end. As far as studying goes you do pretty well. ADHD is something that does add some difficulty though, so listening to mother's constant nagging to try and meditate might actually be a good idea. Also, try not to start taking naps. Naps may seem like something absolutely amazing, but they are addictive and they mess up your sleep schedule. Instead of naps just try to stick to a proper sleep cycle as it works a lot better. Overall, college is great and the smaller college was definitely the right choice. You're going to love it. Do your best with no regrets!

I would give my sophomore self advice, because it was the first year I began the Pre-IB program. I would make my advise clear and to the point. This is your education and you are responsible for the grades you earn. Throughout my high school years, I followed the advice of my parents and compared myself to my three older siblings. Not till Junior was I tested for dyslexia. After discovering my dyslexia, I finally began to understand why I was unable to read or understand assignments in the same time as my peers. To this day I wish I had understood my disability earlier so I wouldn't have compared myself to others as severly. I would advice myself to be self-motivated to do my best job, because it will not affect my parents as much as it will myself. Responsibility over one's own actions is a strong trait of mine now. As a college student, I have come to realize what responsibility is. Responsibility at the end of your day gives you the ability to look at your actions and recognize that you are the primary individual that has created the future you have today.

Dearest Younger Kara, Look at yourself. You want so many things. You're lucky in that aspect. However, there are a few things you need to note. The first being if you idly walk along waiting for those things to happen to you, you won't be far from where you started. You create your own opportunities by putting your name out there, emailing the right people asking for what you want, if you don't ask the chances of not getting something are much higher. Things are going to change for you. It's important for you to keep your eye on the prize but the journey there is not a race. Take each and every opportunity that passes your way. Study abroad, go work for Disney World, and do it all again until you feel content. Happiness is created, not found. Enjoy the rest of your year. Education Isn't A Race, Future Kara Snyder P.S. Jade, your sister, is right by the way. Now is the time to really apply for scholarships, especially as a high school senior. You know it too. Jump on that wagon before it's gone.

Dear 16-year-old Chloe,It’s your 22-year-old self, here. I've been given the unique opportunity to guide you with a sliver of wisdom, so that when you find yourself at college for the first time, nervous, excited, and perhaps a tad awkward, you might consider yourself even the slightest bit more prepared for the transition. Of the many things I learned in college, this one I’ll take with me throughout the rest of my life: Choose to devote your time to whomever and whatever is life-giving, and never to what is life-sucking. In a world that is so competitive, fast-paced, and often centered around building the perfect resume, obtaining the perfect career, and creating for yourself the perfect life, I want you to simply stop. Chloe, what brings you life? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What brings you unquenchable joy? Do those things. Surround yourself with those people. Yes, focus on your career and on building a life for yourself. Never, however, lose sight of passion, of joy, and of love in the process. Choose what gives you life, and your life will most certainly be full.

Not everything on the internet is true. The word “sonder” was invented by a website, “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows”, and represents the epiphany that everyone you meet has just as much complexity and personality within them as you have within you. But somehow, a word created by internet mavens has grown to have meaning. Once you get to college, this concept of understanding will be endlessly important for the happiness of yourself and others. Meeting new people, leaving behind important people, and navigating new personalities will be the most difficult part of college. Yes, despite all you’ve heard about college homework and parties, laundry and finances, the people will prove the challenge. But it will be okay. If you can remember that long-distance is hard, and give your loved ones credit for being complex and trying to make it work, you’ll be okay. If you can remember that everyone in college is meeting new people for the first time, just as you are, you’ll be okay. And if you give yourself time to allow yourself to find those who matter, the payoff will be enormous. And you’ll be okay.

Even if the school you end up attending was not your first choice, it's okay. College truly is what you make of it, so as long as you make an effort to meet new people and keep an open mind about the school and the programs, everything will work out fine. While the first few weeks (or the first month for that matter) may seem painfully awkward, as long as you try to put yourself out there and approach people it will all be okay. It is the people who get ridgedly stuck in their expectations that seem to struggle the most with the transition; go with the flow and have a good time. It is also important to keep an open mind concerning your new roommate, because you never quite know what to expect. So long as you are able to make concessions and work together with her (especially when making the roommate agreement), it is easy enough to get along with just about anyone. And even if you aren't the best of friends, it is very possible to live with someone you simply tolerate (although that will not be the case for you).

Kelsee, Take a look around you. Seriously. You are doing amazing things. Not many other high school seniors can hold three jobs, take five AP classes, somehow manage time for a social life, and graduate top twenty-five. Shoot, you even dated a guy for a little there. That, my fair lady, takes skill. What I am trying to tell you is that you aren't going to disappoint. Don't get hyped up on nonexistent problems. Except for that freshman fifteen. That is real, but I swear it is unstoppable and sneaky. I am not going to lie, the transition to college is extremely difficult. You are going to a place where you don't know anyone and family is no where in sight. You will miss Grandma and she will only continue to get worse. You will feel guilty everyday. Just remember that two years ago, she would support you. She is proud of you and always brags about you. Don't fret about class. Class is challenging and teachers expect more from you. Keep your work ethic. I promise that it will be okay even though it feels like its not. We are strong. Love, Me

I know that college is an important obligation for you in your life considering you will be the first in four generations to attend; however, I also know that you believe everything will fall into your lap. As I begin college myself, I can tell you it is not true. Life is about working hard for what you want and working to get everything you deserve. Please, stop worrying about what party you will attend this weekend and realize that your friends will not get you any further in life than where you already are. There will be plenty of time to enjoy life later; right now you need to worry about getting an education and finding who you are as a person. You are so much more than what you see yourself as and you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. Enjoy being a kid but remember who you want to be as an adult. Keep your mind focused on school and realize that you cannot slide through college. Everything you earn from this point on will be because you spent endless hours working to attain it. You worked hard for nineteen years, why stop now?