University of Rhode Island Top Questions

Don't be so incredibly shy! I know you graduated with a lot of kids that you'd known since elementary school and it's weird to be surrounded by all unfamiliar faces, but part of the reason you chose Rhode Island was to get out there and meet new people. Start conversations with strangers! When you do get up the courage to do it, I promise it leads to a new friend most of the time. The people you do get up the courage to talk to end up being really nice, so stop wasting time being preoccupied with whether or not they'll think you're awkward. Even though you might end up eating alone a few times when your roommates aren't around, remember it's only uphill from there. Besides, it's not bad to be self-reliant every once in a while. Keep in mind that it takes time to get to know people as well as you know your best friends from home... give URI a fighting chance! You'll find your niche soon.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would say that college is all about time management, discipline, and a once in a life time experience. You need to learn how to develop efficient study habits and juggle it between friends and extracurricular activities without causing harm to your success. Once you learn how to manage your time you need to use discipline in order to complete your goals without straying of the path you would like to travel. Through time management and discipline you will have the opportunities to use your free time to experience as much as you can. You never know what will come your way and you should always be willing to most new experiences. Continuing higher education is not only about improving ones wealth, but also about developing yourself in order to contribute more to society through experiencing new cultures and taking a piece of each one along for your journey of life. Now with that said, now go and make your dreams become your realities no matter how bumpy the road is.

A piece of advice to myself as a senior in high school would sound something like this: "Stephanie, you focus too much on the glory of leaving home for Rhode Island, and you are ignoring many other factors that will one day come back to bite you. Because you missed so many scholarship deadlines, it gives me a headache to look at how much we already owe in loans. I understand senior year is extremely busy and stressful because of AP classes, your job, and clubs, but scholarships need to take precedence over some of these obligations. Quit some clubs, cut down your hours, and start writing some scholarship essays. Mom and Dad said over and over that you either need to get tons of scholarships or go to an in-state school, and now I see why. I love URI and the people I've met here, but the weight of college loans has made it difficult for me to make as many friends and join as many organizations as I would have liked. Make things easier on the both of us, and put some more thought into what is entailed in getting a college education."

My experience as a high school senior were one of the best I have had. My transition from high school to college was very hard for me. After finding out what I know now about college, a big advice I would give myself is to manage my time better and work on less procrastination. If I don't do these two things, I will continue to get stuck into the midst of things goin on at school and will be less focused.

College is not like anything you've experienced before. You are going to have so many more freedoms. For example, no one is going to tell you to go to class, to finish your homework, to go to bed at a decent hour. This is going to be very appealing to you and the students with whom you are going to be sharing dorm space with. You have to be disciplined enough to know what you need to do to succeed. The primary reason you are going to college is to further your education and it is very important to keep this in mind. That being said, make sure you put some time aside to have fun! College is going to be miserable if you don't make an effort to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. A great way to deal with stress is to go to the gym. It can help clear your mind while making sure you don't fall victim to the "freshman fifteen". Remember, there are many people you can go to for help. Never be afraid to approach a professor or counselor if you need to. Good luck and enjoy!

Your status of your life will change beyond you know it, you are who you seem you want to be. Make that come true. Don?t rely on your parents or friends for support as that can easily tear apart, trust in yourself and work hard when you arrive. Arrive with your mind set on you and don?t be afraid, you?re not the only one afraid to enter college. Do what you feel is right, do what you want to, do rely on yourself to get things done. Take good notes; stay organized by mind to notebooks. Study and plan your time wisely. Take your SATs and study hard, find finical aid early and do your homework. It?s not the friends your with now that will make your future it?s you who make your future. Now go do it.

Although I am happy at the University of Rhode Island, I feel I could have done more research for my college search. I would have looked into more institutions and considered my location as a factor. I also would have paid more attention to the expenses a college education demands. I definitely would have made sure there were more oncampus living rather than off and closer to a city so there is easy access to almost anywhere.

I would advise myself to stay positive and focused. Excellence always rises to the top; work hard and do the best you can. Send in your applications and finish any andall paperwork for any colleges you apply for early! Remember these are suppose to be some of the best years of your life, don't let them pass you by.

Dear Sarah, You have finally made the decision to go to URI. You are excited and anxious for what's to be planned ahead. Graduation will be fun, and no, nothing scary will happen*. And don't worry, your summer won't ruined by the 6 week pre-mat program held by TD. Have your notebooks ready to be filled and don't forget an agenda. You will meet a whole bunch of new people so be yourself! Nobody knows how you were in high school. It's a new school, new faces, new reputation. GPA is important so pass all your classes now because these pre-mat courses will be the start of your academic career. Freshman year will be fun, so relax. You'll have your fun in the pre-mat program but there's more fun ahead. Keep focused in your studies and remember, school first. Party safe. Alcohol can lead to major judgment and can morph people's perceptions of you. So careful how you act and be mature about it. There will be challenges along the way but don't be itimidated. Just remember, work hard, school first, and never give up. Love, Sarah

If I were given the opportunity to speak to myself as a senior, one piece of advice I would give myself would be to not worry. Prior to entering into my first year of college at the University of Rhode Island I had many fears that I would not enjoy the school. I felt this way due to the fact that I never intended to attend the University of Rhode Island, as many of my classmates from high school also attend the school. My initial plan was to attend Boston University, however due to monetary constraints I was unable to enroll at the school of my choice. However, I have attempted to make the best out of my situation, and find areas of this school that I enjoy. I would also tell myself to join as many groups as possible; as I am currently a member of the outing club at the University of Rhode Island and have already seen the benefits of joining such clubs, due to the many friendships I have already made. I believe that both these pieces of advice would have helped alleviate my fears of attending the University of Rhode Island.