University of San Diego Top Questions

Dear Self- Hey, how's it going? I know that you are looking at colleges right now and you have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you are going to do. You have been accepted to some great school, but is that really where you want to be. Do you want to be where everyone else is going? I think you should spread your wings. Try something different. Hey, also be aware you think you want to be a doctor and then you realize that you actually hate biology. Keep in mind college is your time to explore. Don't run away from home thinking it is going to be easy because it's not. You are going to need that support from your family. Make sure you choose a school that you think you can become the most involved in and that the school will make YOU a better person. Don't hold back, be outgoing. Make new friends, you'll need them. But, most of all follow your heart, I know some schools look and sound better than others, but you know where you are supposed to be. I know you'll choose the right one. Love, Future You

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Pick a university that has many, many options if you are undecided. This will allow you to test out all areas of yourself. Don't try and "fit a mold" from day one. The only way to find your interests, good friends and colleagues, is to always pursue what you are interested in. And if you cannot find your interests, do not be afraid to change schools or locations. College is short. Do not spend your time trying to fit in to an environment that is not fulfilling to you. Change is good, and you can succeed at anything you find a genuine passion for. Otherwise, motivation to excel can be hard to come by.

It is safe to converse with the opposite sex, I promise you will survive most encounters! In all seriousness, I would tell myself that being introverted is not a good way to make friends or to enjoy college in general. You will never enjoy yourself if you are sitting in your dorm room watching Netflix for hours on end. When you notice how insanely specific your Netflix suggestions are becoming (British horror movies from the 1980's featuring a strong female lead) that is an indication of how much you have excluded yourself from genuine experiences that you will never get back. Avoiding the world around you is a good way to make yourself feel lonely and depressed. Do not sit around hoping that somebody will knock on your door and save you from the hermit lair that is your dorm room. Adventures and friendships are not conjured out of thin air! They are moments in life that you must actively seek out. Find the courage to put yourself out there, and never look back.

If I were able to give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself how to be more open to meeting other people. In high school, I told myself that I would be more outgoing, but I didn't implemt this well enough. I would tell my high school self to say hi to everyone you know when passing by even if you only meet them standing in line because that is how connections are made stronger. To go along with this, I would also advise to be more open in the classroom. The class sizes are so great at USD so you need to take advantage of them and be open in class, which allows you to get closer to your professor. Connections with professors very important because they are your number one source of networking, epecially if they teach in your field of study. Overall though, I would remind myself to be the very best person I could be and not to worry so much because college will be the very best time of your life.

Be confident. Confidence is, in many ways, what leads to success. I know you are always scared of what might go wrong, but take risks. You will never know how happy you would have been if you would have done what you wanted, and not what was the surest option not to fail. This can range from the classes you want to take, the extra curriculum activities you want to take part of, or the group of people you want to hang out with. Do not be scared of being rejected, because confidence attracts people who might provide a friendship you can count on, and not be as isolated as you always are. Do not fake confidence; that will most likely lead you to the failure you are afraid of. Be genuine in your confidence; work hard knowing you will get there, but not being blinded by heedless overconfidence. In other words, be confident but modest; there is always a limit to everything.

I would tell myself to exponge all preconceptions I had about college. There is no one stereotype to describe the experience besides "college is what you make it to be." I would tell myself to not worry about making friends because everyone else in their freshman year is in the same position I'm in. I would tell myself to say yes to everything people invited me to; you never know where the night will take you (especially when it "ends" with you and some friends you'll have for years to come lying on the beach gazing at the stars). I would also emphasize that going to class and working hard are imperative; mom and dad are paying for it, and this is the time to learn amazing things about the world we live in. Don't miss everyone back home too much; they miss you too and can't wait to see you over break, enjoy where you're at now. Call mom and dad as much as possible; they help with homesickness and their sense of humor is priceless. Don't lose yourself to peer pressure, it's possible to have fun and keep your morals.

Jenn, You have, for the most part, always been pretty high up in your class. It has never been too hard for you to learn or memorize something, and you are going to graduate with the Honors tassle on your cap. As far as you're concerned, you're golden. College is about to slap you silly. The truth is, by the end of your first quarter, you will feel, for lack of a better word, utterly stupid. A kind of stupid that makes you question how you even got into college. The transition from high school to college academics and studying will make you want to give up at times. Don't. You are just getting a reality check, as literally everyone else that attends college does. Once you make friends, you will realize you're not the only one struggling; everyone does. Everyone feels stupid at some point. Even those that seem like they're breezing by you. You just have to remember that you're trying, which is a skill worth so much in college. Challenge yourself now, not for those watching you, but for you. That way motivation will come easier once you get here.

Wave and smile to everyone. My freshman year I walked passed people on campus without any recognition. Sometimes I didn’t know them, sometimes I was uncertain if I knew them, and sometimes I worried I knew them, but they would fail to recognize me. I walked to class with teammates, classmates, or roommates and failed to acknowledge students I didn’t already have a connection with. I traveled abroad through Semester at Sea my sophomore year and this experience taught me the immeasurable value of a genuine smile and simple wave. The atmosphere on the boat was electric with kindness and excitement. The positive camaraderie on the ship was completely uplifting. I found myself being the best, friendliest, most inclusive version of myself. I learned more in two weeks about shipmates than I had in a year at my home university. Since returning to my home university I’ve implemented the smile and wave philosophy. I’ve made countless new friends, been invited to join new clubs and intramural teams, and had incredible conversations I would have missed out on otherwise. Quoting the movie Madagascar my advice to younger me is, “Smile and wave boys, just smile and wave”.

Amanda, I know you will feel nervous leaving home for the first time, especially being the youngest in the family. In college, you will face struggles as a shy, first generation student, but those challenges will only make you stronger. Be proud of your identity, and never let your shyness overcome you. Get involved, stay open-minded, and be fearless. Remember to join clubs and take part in activities you enjoy. College is not only about academics, but also embracing your passions and creating strong friendships. Enroll in a swimming class, sing in choir, and participate in events that will make you happy. Connecting with the people you meet and surrounding yourself with supportive friends will make college worthwhile. Your mentors and advisors will help guide you, but you must discover for yourself your goals and choices in life. Try new things because you never know where life will take you. Leadership roles and challenges will help you grow as an individual. Also, remember to take advantage of the resources provided for you. Visit professors’ office hours, go to tutoring, and apply for scholarships! Work hard towards your goals and never be afraid to try.