University of Southern California Top Questions

There are times where life will be really difficult but do the best you can, and everything will work out eventually.

Dear Amanda, After six years at a rigorous all-girl's school, I know you're burned out and ready for college, but don't forget about your friends. You're a student at Marlborough School longer than you're at USC. Keep in touch with your friends who have always been there for you. A few thousand miles and different time zones shouldn't impinge on your friendships. At Marlborough, you always talked with teachers about anything: your class, their families, your weekend plans. In college, don't be intimidated by your professors. Reach out to them and visit them during their office hours, just as you did in high school. Additionally, meet the people in your classes. You never know when you'll need to borrow someone's notes or want to exchange study guides. Lastly, don't spend all of your time holed up in your room. Go see a musical on campus or cheer on the basketball team at a home game. Life is too short to sit around by yourself, sleeping or surfing the internet. Make the best of your college years. You have the rest of your life to work and stress out.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to either take courses at a community college to satisfy the basic lower division courses required for my major. Science courses do not really change much; there is only so many ways one can present the same facts and information, especially after having taken so many AP courses in science. If I did this, I would have more time to take other courses in the literature and arts, courses where the material depends on what the professor presents and not what a textbook presents. This would broaden my spectrum of knowledge from merely the sciences, to encompass other fields, to make me a more well-rounded individual. On the other hand, if I had decided not to take these courses at community college, I would tell myself to either take another foreign language or dedicate myself to learning how to play an instrument adqeuately or perhaps even to apply for programs to study abroad during the summers of my high school years. My chosen career path does not leave me many opportunities to study abroad, but I believe studying abroad is a good experience for any college student.

I would tell myself not to think about what other people have to say about a school. As it turns out, they don't matter in the long run. Everyone has an opinion on what is a "good" school, a "fun" school, a "weird" school, etc. In the end of the day this is going to be an experience that defines you and it should be made for the right reasons. I would tell myself to try very hard on the AP exams because if you score high enough you can get credit for many of the general education requirements which opens up room in your schedule to take the classes you really want to take. I would also tell myself that in making the transition be open to talking to anyone and everyone you meet. These are people you will spend four more years with and each one of them could potential be a great friend. I would warn myself about the importance of balancing school work and social activities. In college it can be tempting to party all the time, but ultimately you are there to have an amazing experience and recieve a wonderful education. And finally, RELAX!

If I could go back to when I was 17 years old filling out college applications, the advice I would give myself is that I can do what anyone else can do; I am capable of going to a UC, private school, etc. The reason I say this is because I didn't think I was bright enough to attend any other school except for a Cal State or Junior College. I felt intimidated for some reason that I wasn't the "right" material for these prestigious schools. I let my insecurities get the best of me when I should have been positive that I am good enough for any college due to being a hard worker and having excellent grades. Everyone told me to apply to USC, Pepperdine, etc but for some reason I did not. By not applying, I live with the thought "what if." What if I applied to USC right out of high school, would I have been accepted then rather than transferring in? It is something I do regret and therefore have told myself that I am just as good as the next person and plan on living my life without wondering "what if."

At first, balancing school and your social life can be difficult. There are going to be many fun parties, extracurricular activites, and plenty of schoolwork. I have learned that school must always come first and foremost. You have to remember that what you are learning in college will most likely be applicable to what you will be doing in the real world. Second, I would say to reach out to your teachers and advisors. I have found mentors in my professors inside and outside of the classroom by reaching out. I was selected to attend a Design Study Tour in New York City, touring some of the top design firms in the country, with two of my professors, whom I now look to for artistic guidance and career advice. Google your professors. They are usually a lot more knowledgable than you would think. They are professionals in their fields of study and you should take advantage of their teachings and views. Lastly, I would advise myself to attend any extra campus events and lectures. Famous scholars, performers and activists speak at USC weekly and you can learn a lot just by watching and listening.

Looking back in my high school years, I was relatively uncommited to the education system, often times choosing to hang out with friends over studying. Although hanging out with friends is great, but since I left my high school, only a few have remained in contact with me today. Because of this, I believe that I would not be struggling as much now if I had studied at a more rigourous level, coping with the stress that followed it. By conditioning my mind and body for the stresses of college would have helped me a lot more, as I am slowly building up new study habits and methods.

The biggest hurdle I encountered in the transition to college was determining what I wanted out of life. I cannot say that I fully valued the impact the college experience was going to have on myself. After graduating high school I thought I knew the basic path I wanted my life to take. However, that changed drastically after coming to college and was immeresed in a new learning enviroment. Being placed around other high achieving students maybe me realize the range of possibilities and experiences that are aviailable at a school. Unfortunately, I initally failed to take advantage of all the services and benefits college had to offer. If I could go back in time I would reiterate the importance being open to everything the college has to offer and participate in as many things as possible. These experiences have given me great personal satisfaction as well as real world experience and life time friends.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to always study hard no matter. There may be times when I will feel tired and worn out from studying for so many hours however, just pushing yourself a little bit longer will really pay off in the long run. If you become lazy and refuse to study then the consequences will be severe no matter how hard you had worked over the sememster. I would also tell myself to manage my time better. I learned that making sticky notes or to do lists helps especially when you rank things by putting the most important task first. Making lists helps keep your mind clear and it also helps prevent stress. As long as you do what you need to do on the list in a timely matter then you can have plenty of free time. The last thing that I would tell myself is go to the library as often as possible to do homework and study because even though the dorm room can be quiet, you will get plenty of visitors.

As a current college sophomore, I must say I have made a few mistakes during my college experience. Among those mistakes deals with my grades. I tried so hard to do well my first semester and spent every waking moment in the library, but the work did not pay off and I ended up getting a few poor grades my freshman year. I realized that I did not take advantage of office hours and I did not actively engage myself in lecture, lab, or supplemental instruction. I would tell myself that had I been more engaged, I would have had a better grasp at the material. Also, one reason for my poor grades was that I never took a break from school. To me, school and the college experience were synonymous, so I had almost no social life and, as a result, I am about to start my fourth semester of college with very few casual friends and zero close friends. Having a social life really helped this last semester and I ended up doing very well because I maintaned a balance between academic social activities. Ultimately, I tell my senior self that college means academics and adventure.