<ol>
<li> What is the one advice youd give to college freshmen?</li>
<li> Whats the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?</li>
<li> Is studying different in college than in high school? How?</li>
<li> Whats the biggest distraction in college? Why?</li>
<li> What was your first day like?</li>
<li> What is living with a roommate like?</li>
<li> How did you know your college was the right one for you? </li>
<li> What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen? </li>
<li> Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?</li>
<li>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?</li>
<li>What is your toughest class? Why?</li>
</ol>
<p>let me get into a college first!!!:D</p>
<ol>
<li>work hard</li>
<li>if it just “feels” right</li>
<li>all about studying smarter not studying more</li>
<li>everything</li>
<li>eh, just like any other high school day</li>
<li>depends on who you get as a roomie</li>
<li>it was near home and cheaper than other schools</li>
<li>random</li>
<li>no</li>
<li>experience: not bad so far</li>
<li>don’t really have one right now</li>
</ol>
<p>I graduated and have a job and all that.</p>
<p>1) Go to all of your classes for the first couple months; really the first semester. Eventually you’ll get a gage on which classes you can skip occasionally, but you’re better erring on the side of caution in the beginning.
2) That you’ll actually be happy there. If you don’t like the atmosphere of a college (when it comes to size, location, student body make up, etc.) you won’t be successful there. You’re better off being involved and happy at a less prestigious college than being miserable at a very prestigious one.
3) Much different; you’ll actually have to do it. You’re only in the classroom for a couple hours a week and you go over far more content than you did in highschool, so things go quick. You will absolutely want to form study groups with people; it helps you learn and helps you socially. So yeah, be prepared to study, a lot.
4) You can do anything you want. You can go out and party almost every night. You can stay up till 4am and skip your classes and nobody is going to tell you not to. So basically the biggest distraction in college is the best thing about college: Freedom.
5) Well some guy got shot so classes got cancelled. Hope yours goes better!
6) Something between annoying and terrible, generally, although annoying isn’t as bad as it sounds. If you get along with the person and have mutual respect with them it won’t be bad. Don’t go in expecting them to be your best friend or anything, but sometimes it does work out that way.
7) They were the only decent college that offered me in-state tuition in the program I wanted to study. Also I liked the campus and felt like I’d fit in there. I was right.
8) It was random. There is no way to guess whether you’ll get along with a roommate freshman year. You and the other person will change more in the first few months of college (or at least your perception of yourself will change) than any other time so don’t stress out over it too much because there’s nothing you can do about it anyway.
9) I did Junior and Senior year. It’s hard and kind of sucks but a lot of people do it and having money is nice.
10) I went to Virginia Tech, and that is way too broad of a question, although I’ll answer pretty much any specific question you have.
11) Intro to quantum mechanics, because it was intro to quantum mechanics.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Enjoy every minute, you only get to be a freshman once.</p></li>
<li><p>Most people do wind up liking where they go. So relax, odds are you’d be happy at a number of schools, which allows you to consider cost, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>I didn’t study in high school so I don’t know. But it’s definitely more intensive and takes up more time, obviously.</p></li>
<li><p>Biggest distraction is that you can do anything you want. It’s easy to not do work and just spend time with friends or something similar. Plus the partying aspect if you’re into it.</p></li>
<li><p>My first day was awkward, as I suspect most people’s were. But it was fine :)</p></li>
<li><p>I hated living with a roommate. I am not good at sharing a room. But some people don’t have problems with it. I’ll never share again.</p></li>
<li><p>I only applied to one school. I didn’t want to go anywhere else; all other schools didn’t seem as smart of an idea due to cost. I didn’t really compare colleges or visit many, I just applied to where I wanted to go. I found out later it was kind of risky since I could have been rejected, but I don’t worry about that now.</p></li>
<li><p>My roommate was random. However, if you and your roommate don’t click you can still have an awesome college experience. It’s not as important as it’s cracked up to be.</p></li>
<li><p>I have a job, 10 hrs/wk. I never have a problem balancing anything.</p></li>
<li><p>Right now my toughest class is experimental psychology, it’s five credits and makes me want to die. I’m also having a tough time in Econ 101 but that’s just because I have absolutely no aptitude for it.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Anticipate the difficulty. I came in thinking it was going to be extremely difficult, and although I’ve had to work hard, it’s been a lot easier than I expected. I’m in a much better position than students who came in treating it like high school.</p></li>
<li><p>The atmosphere, both aesthetically and socially. Make sure you like the campus/town, and make sure the attitude of the students/community fits yours (ie. does the campus focus mostly on greek life, athletics, academics, clubs, or a combination of the four? Are the students generally liberal/conservative? Is the campus laid back or fast paced?)</p></li>
<li><p>My psychology and calculus class have no required homwork, so it’s on me to study the material. In high school I would just do the required homework and that was usually enough to do well. Now I have to read the textbook and study my notes in order to learn the material. It’s definitely different, but I prefer it.</p></li>
<li><p>Hanging out with friends. It’s so hard to force yourself to start that essay when there are always friends on your floor to hang out with.</p></li>
<li><p>The day I moved in, I sat awkwardly in my room for a while before going to hang out with my friend from high school. Then, some other people from my high school (who are a year ahead of me) invited me to go partying with them. I didn’t really meet anyone new haha. The first day of classes I had two lecture classes (with hundreds of students), so that was kind of intimidating. But it was nice not having to do the “introduce yourself” crap I did in my discussion-based class. After my lectures I had my math discussion, and he went over stuff that was supposed to be “review”; I had never seen most of it and was freaking out. None of it has shown up in the class so far, so I think I’m in the clear. :p</p></li>
<li><p>This completely depends on who you get. So far, my roommate experience has been okay (I’m in a triple.) I’ve gotten annoyed with one of my roommate at times, but it’s nothing too bad. Sharing the space isn’t really an issue. I personally wouldn’t want a single. Too isolated.</p></li>
<li><p>I loved the campus/town, but it still wasn’t easy. I was deciding between UCSB, UCSD, and UC Davis, and it was the hardest decision of my life. In the end, I tried to determine which student body I would fit in with best.</p></li>
<li><p>I went random. I wouldn’t recommend choosing a roommate your first year. When looking for an apartment, think about which friend(s) you can tolerate being around the longest.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t have a job.</p></li>
<li><p>I go to UC Davis, and I absolutely love it. I know I made the right decision; everyone is extremely friendly and it’s the epitome of a college town. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.</p></li>
<li><p>English 3: Introduction to Literature. My Psychology class is ridiculously easy and my calculus class is essentially just review (I took AP Calculus in high school.) I’m basically writing an essay every week, which makes it hard to balance the reading I have to do (for that class and my psychology class.) Overall, my classes haven’t been too demanding, but it helps that I took a light course load my first quarter.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>What is the one advice youd give to college freshmen?- Do things in moderation and prioritize and balance your time. IMO this is your key to success no matter your background or what your like as a student. College is NOT a race (please don’t give in or even give the time of day to those people who believe that “If you get out a year early your’ll make a million dollars more in your lifetime!” you are setting yourself for a BIG fall and bitterness. Question who is behind the theory of work yourself to death for no reward.) I suggest, taking 1 elective your first semester, along with 2 classes that your good at and one real challenging one. Then for Spring ease into a subject that you will need more time (spring semester is longer and more balanced…Fall is scatted and Thanksgiving break messes up your studying) Then if your up to the challenge, you can consider taking a few summer classes to get ahead or go over-full time in fall (most don’t do that, you will literally be doing nothing but school work) This way you get well adjusted into academic life.</p></li>
<li><p>Whats the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?- This is a varying question. If your going into prestigious program, then there is your answer right there. If your planning on majoring in something that is open to anyone, then compare the course catalog (they vary per university) and determine if that is related to your career goal. I strongly suggest touring the campus. This is the place you are going to call home, you should like it at the very least.</p></li>
<li><p>Is studying different in college than in high school? How?- YES, but if you took AP like classes you have been moderately prepped. High school you get daily reinforcement, thus in many classes the 50 min 5 days a week is enough, with a little studying here and there. In college many classes (particularly general required ones) are structured requiring you to do ample amount of work outside of the class. Being a bad high school student this was difficult for me to adjust to. Taking 3 day a week classes I suggest over T/TH classes (atleast at first) as more work is given to you to do outside of class. Once you get into higher major classes, you will have some that give you as essay assignment and they say “See you in 6 weeks for you to turn your completed essay in. If you have any questions make an appointment”</p></li>
<li><p>Whats the biggest distraction in college? Why?- Definitely social life… If your at a big enough institution there is ALWAYS something going on. Where I’m from Thursday night is known as the big party night. Referencing back to number 1, its about prioritization of your time. Make friends with those who are serious students as well. Do your studying during the week that way your have the weekend to do whatever you want.</p></li>
<li><p>What was your first day like?- Different for sure, you don’t have adults standing around yelling at you to get to class on time. A day or two before go and find your classes. That was you wont haft to wonder around too lost the first day. Don’t sweat it, your not the only somewhat nervous one. Quite a few people have a ‘dear in the headlights’ look. After your first year the first day of class really is not a big deal.</p></li>
<li><p>What is living with a roommate like?- Learn about cleaning up after yourself, adjusting things for their comfort. Your make a new friend and meet more people that way.</p></li>
<li><p>How did you know your college was the right one for you?- Just felt right, no doubt in my thing that was the right place.</p></li>
<li><p>What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?-Dorms your assigned one and you don’t have any say in the matter. Some student apartments have a roomate selection system, but I advise you NOT to do this. I have heard some disastrous feedback. Most important is there willingness to clean up after themselves and keep common areas clean. Most importantly is there stance on house guests. You don’t want a roommate who brings over friends to spend the night several days in the row (Ive had that happen. It was to the point where they wear pretty much living there, eating and drinking everything) or who does drugs in the house (hated coming home and the room smelling like weed. He as expected dropped out not long after and lost his job for a related reason) </p></li>
<li><p>Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?- I do not. I couldn’t imagine doing so. But as a perk you might keep one on task if all they do is work and school. Try to find a bi-weekend like job or seasonal one. Bring in some pocket money and not take away from your free and school time.</p></li>
<li><p>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?- Thats a question your haft to answer from your own experiences.</p></li>
<li><p>What is your toughest class? Why?- Spanish II… So much to memorize. And was a really a class you did soo much work with not an equal amount of result. So glad I don’t haft to take that again. For me, other classes I had trouble in was a lack of commitment. Spanish was just plain hard.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li> What is the one advice you’d give to college freshmen?
Go to all or most of your classes your first semester. Otherwise, you may trip up when it’s time for tests, which are different in college than they are in high school.</li>
<li> What’s the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?
Fit. If you pick somewhere that you’re miserable, your grades and mental health will suffer.</li>
<li> Is studying different in college than in high school? How?
My college tests are more based on ideas and critical thinking, while high school was more facts.</li>
<li> What’s the biggest distraction in college? Why?
Social life- you want to get involved in everything, but you have to stop yourself and make yourself study sometimes.</li>
<li> What was your first day like?
Terrifying at first, but my teachers were awesome. They made me feel completely comfortable in their classes.</li>
<li> What is living with a roommate like?
It can be frustrating to not have any privacy/have to change your schedule a little bit to accommodate them, but if you have a good one, it’s really, really fun.</li>
<li> How did you know your college was the right one for you?
I went to community college, but I’ve spent so much time looking for the perfect four year that I have nothing but positive thoughts about it.</li>
<li> What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?
The dorm people chose my roommate- her room was just open and had a great view, so they put us together. </li>
<li> Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?
N/A- I’m overwhelmed as it is.</li>
<li>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?
I went for the first year in Hawaii and it was heavenly (although I experienced a lot of racism, which sucked). This year I’m in Alabama, which is how I know about number 2:)</li>
<li>What is your toughest class? Why?
Economics, because my teacher refuses to teach and lies almost constantly.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Try to be as social as you can, but always remember to put school first, because that’s why you’re there and that’s what you’re paying for (I’m assuming of course, unless you’re an athlete). Have fun, go out, catch a movie from time to time, but remember that you need to work hard and put in the effort.</p></li>
<li><p>Probably just the overall fit. You want to choose a college that has the right academic opportunities for you, but also offers a good student atmosphere and is a place that you know you’ll enjoy as long as you are there. Also, financial aid is a big factor, obviously lol.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, it’s different. If you took a bunch of AP classes, then you might not get too overwhelmed, but most freshman are overwhelmed because of the work ethic. You have to study hard, you have to study a lot, and you have to expect spending a good chunk of each day doing work. Also, the material is more advanced and in depth, so that makes things harder by itself.</p></li>
<li><p>I would say the computer, because the Internet is such a huge distraction, especially when you have to write a paper or do homework online. Social events can also be a big distraction, and for many people, Greek life is a huge distraction too.</p></li>
<li><p>I actually moved in two days later than everybody else, so it was kind of tough because I didn’t know anyone and all that. I just remember kind of being on the computer and chilling and not doing much. </p></li>
<li><p>It will be different at first – sharing a room with others, not sleeping by yourself, having to make sure you clean up after yourself and all that. But always remember - you don’t have to be good friends with your roommate(s), but just make sure you always try to be on good terms with them, because roommate feuds can get really ugly and are mostly avoidable.</p></li>
<li><p>I loved the campus, I liked the academic and extracurricular opportunities, and I just felt that it was a great atmosphere. The school did a tremendous job of selling the school to me, especially during Orientation.</p></li>
<li><p>I requested one of my roommates, and the other was matched up with us. We had to fill out a survey and then we were basically matched up with people that had similar results to us. If you are able to choose a roommate, then choose one that matches up to your lifestyle and choose someone with whom you’ll most likely get along with. It’s hard to do that without knowing the person, but you can usually tell whether a person is low key or a partier or something.</p></li>
<li><p>Nah, I don’t have a job yet. If I did get a job, it would probably be hard because I already procrastinate quite a bit and I’d have to develop a supreme work ethic to deal with both.</p></li>
<li><p>I go to USC, and I really love it. I thought I’d be homesick but I rarely have been, and I love everything about the school - the academics, the campus, the people in my dorm, the traditions, the football - it’s really great.</p></li>
<li><p>My toughest class is definitely chemistry, because I last took chem three years ago and never took AP Chem, so I’m finding everything quite difficult.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Talk to people. Be social. Be more outgoing than normal the first few weeks and meet people. </p></li>
<li><p>Choose a place you feel comfortable in. It can be super prestigious and well-known, have a great night life, be in a beautiful location, but if you don’t feel at home there, it’s going to be miserable. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes, it’s very different. In high school, I spent my life doing homework. I had no social life to speak of, especially once junior and senior year hit because I was always doing homework. In college, you have less busy work, fewer tests, and studying is mainly what you make of it, what practice problems you chose to do.</p></li>
<li><p>Other people. My hall grew unusually close, and we are practically a family. Whenever we need to distract ourselves from homework, we go talk to each other. Whenever we want to eat, we round up whoever’s around and go together. If someone has a problem, everyone is there as support. We do everything together, and though people say that it’s weird and it makes us look like freshmen, we don’t care because when we’re together, everything looks brighter. So in short, whenever someone needs something, I get distracted. But it’s a good sort of distraction.</p></li>
<li><p>The first day of living in the dorms was crazy. I didn’t know anyone there, my family wasn’t breathing down my neck for the first time in my life. I kept on looking over my shoulder, expecting my parents or my brother to be there, and it was an unnerving, exciting, wonderful freedom. I started meeting my hallmates, being as outgoing as possible. I was extremely self-conscious, expecting that everyone knew what was wrong with me, not wanting to talk to me, but no one did. And no one cared. There was our first hall dinner, which was really awkward, but we started to get to know each other. The first hall meeting was long, where everyone introduced themselves and we started to see the quirks and stuff of the hall. There were also several events going on the day after move in, and the entire hall went as a group because we didn’t know anyone else to go with, but it helped us bond as a hall.</p></li>
<li><p>Living with a roommate is different, and it really depends on who you end up with. But a lot of the conflicts I notice happen because of a lack of flexibility. My roommate and I get along well because we expect each other to have our own separate lives, our own routines, our own habits, and we respect that. If you go in and expect people to change to accommodate you, problems will ensue. There are roommate conflicts in my hall, and they’re because people expect the world to revolve around them. Either by not restricting their stuff (and their mess) to their own space, by inviting people to the room at odd hours, or by expecting that people change their habits to fit their ideals.</p></li>
<li><p>My initial impression of my school wasn’t good because it was hot, I was tired and grumpy and annoyed with my family, and we didn’t have a real tour. But when I went there for orientation, I was certain that I had chosen the right place. People were friendly, welcoming, and the students were acting more mature than the parents. My orientation hall treated me wonderfully, and I felt at home with them. Even though things weren’t perfect, like the beds were a little hard, the food wasn’t great, but I felt so comfortable around the people there, that it made everything worthwhile. I felt at home and the best I’d felt in a long time while I was there, and I was confident that I’d chosen the right place.</p></li>
<li><p>My roommate was chosen at random, based on a very very basic compatibility survey (smoker/non-smoker, major, hobbies). There was a giant facebook group for the freshmen, and several people met there and tried to find roommates. But I think that you can get along well with your roommate as long as there’s no shortage of communication.</p></li>
<li><p>No 
I’ve been trying, but on-campus jobs are hard to get</p></li>
<li><p>I attend UC Irvine, and it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. My hall is more of a family than my biological family, and we’re incredibly close. People are willing to help, willing to talk, and the campus is gorgeous.</p></li>
<li><p>I’d say my Games and Society class is hardest, mainly because I don’t know exactly what the professor expects us to know.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>What is the one advice you’d give to college freshmen?
Go to class. Don’t overwhelm yourself by signing up for too many things. Make sure that grades are a priority.</li>
<li>What’s the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?
I don’t think that choosing a college really matters. I think if you end up at a school you didn’t choose, you can be perfectly happy there. You just have to go in with an open mind and just try to find your niche.</li>
<li>Is studying different in college than in high school? How?
It depends on the high school you went to and how your classes were run. A lot of college classes expect you to actually think for yourself and not just spute back facts. If your high school just taught you to test well, then you might have to change your study habits, but for the most part, if it worked for you in high school, it’ll work in college.</li>
<li>What’s the biggest distraction in college? Why?
Friends. Parties. Socialization. You live with these people 24/7. You can’t get away from it. Even if you go to the library, you’re bound to see someone there that you know.</li>
<li>What was your first day like?
A blur. I barely remember it. I know that I hung out with my roommate and suitemates.</li>
<li>What is living with a roommate like?
For some people it is a total pain. For others it isn’t that bad. I think it’s a give-and-take thing. You give a little to the relationship and you can take a little. As long as you and your roommate are like this, it isn’t too bad. I have yet to get in a fight with my roommate and we get along pretty well.</li>
<li>How did you know your college was the right one for you?
I didn’t. I kind of randomly chose it, but I absolutely LOVE it. It’s really a main reason why I don’t think people should stress choosing the ‘right’ college. I know so many people who ended up at schools they weren’t too thrilled about for money reasons and ended up loving it and I also know of a lot of people who set their hearts on a certain school and got there and ended up being very disappointed, to the point where they wanted to transfer.</li>
<li>What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?
I went random. Even if you go through facebook, it might not work. I know of several scenarios: random (me and my roomate) worked out great, chosen through facebook worked out pretty badly, schoolmates worked out okay, schoolmates worked out great. It can go any way and I’d say if you don’t know someone who you want to live with personally, then random probably is the way to go. You really can’t get to know someone through facebook. It’s a little better than random, but you might get your hopes set too high.</li>
<li>Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?
Yes. It’s fairly easy. I only work 10-15 hours a week. I do schoolwork on the weekends and in between classes and at nights… any free time I have really. Just don’t work too many hours a week and sign up for too many clubs and it isn’t that bad.</li>
<li>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?
USC. I absolutely LOVE it there. Couldn’t be happier.</li>
<li>What is your toughest class? Why?
My Theatre classes definitely. They’re my major classes, so they have high expectations and a lot of work involved.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>What is the one advice you’d give to college freshmen?
Try to be outgoing as possible even if you are a naturally shy person, the first month or so is when everyone is lost/scared/looking for friends and so it’s easiest to make friends then, and you don’t want to miss out. Also, GO to class. I saw so many kids see the freedom of not having to go get bad grades because they missed too many times. You think that is simple but when no one is pulling you out of bed like high school telling you that you must go, it’s easy to try and stay in bed on a cold morning.</p></li>
<li><p>What’s the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?
Atmosphere - that you feel as though you should be there and that you like the environment. Don’t get caught up in going to a prestigious name or something because you “should” or going to another school with a friend because that is whats comfortable. Choose what would fit you, and leave you growing room as a person. </p></li>
<li><p>Is studying different in college than in high school? How?
I think this depends on your high school and your college. College is much more intellectual based with the answers instead of standardized facts. It’s also harder because you are expected to be at a certain level depending on where you go compared to in High School (at least not in Honors or AP) they have to water a subject down so that everyone in the class has a fair chance based off of their intelligence levels. I think the studying part depends because my college gives a lot of homework assignments daily and stuff, but I think that is because of the small classes we have. </p></li>
<li><p>What’s the biggest distraction in college? Why?
Other people - at least while you are living on campus. You will be surrounded by your friends/peers anywhere you go. To eat, to sleep, to study, etc. It’s hard not to get distracted with all the people you hang out with at your disposal. </p></li>
<li><p>What was your first day like?
In the dorms- CRAZY. So many people moving in at once and so many new faces to meet, as well as your first taste of what your roommates will be like.
Class? - I can’t remember hahah. Nothing amazing, nothing traumatic I’m sure. We moved in a week before class so all my nervous feelings were gone.</p></li>
<li><p>What is living with a roommate like?
Whew that one depends. My first year I roomed with two other girls, in a building with 100 girls per floor with community bathrooms. While it was awesome having that many of us for taking clothes and socializing, I had roommate issues myself. My one roommate and I became good friends (actually live off campus together now) but my third roommate didn’t really know how to cope with living on her own or the real world and came from an amazing home life (was also wealthy,conservative, and religious) - the opposite of the roommate and I that got along…She is a super sweet person but that was really hard to deal with and live around.</p></li>
<li><p>How did you know your college was the right one for you?
Just knew. Beautiful campus, friendly professors, tons of college students dedicated to music. Also had the top program in the country for what I wanted to do.</p></li>
<li><p>What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?
Random selection for me first year, second year roomed with a bestfriend. I’d say sleeping habits. Sounds odd, but trust me it will be not too fun if you are a night owl, but your roommate is a morning person. Super irritating for you both.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?
Yes unfortunately I do, and my GPA suffers from it. It’s risen every year so far (how much I work). Freshman year I worked 20 hours a week, Soph year 30 hours a week, and now as a Junior I work 40. I pay for all of my own living expenses and education expenses (aka 100 percent on my own financially) so with a car, insurances, rent, feeding myself… it’s necessary I work a lot. It sucks majorly, but I still make time for clubs and internships along with working and class. I just don’t sleep much haha.</p></li>
<li><p>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?
I go to Belmont University. I love it, and the people are friendly. My professors for the most part are excellent and they know my name/will give rec letters in the future if I ask. My department is willing to go the extra mile to help out. We have amazing internship opportunities, and are across the street from Vanderbilt which is always fun.</p></li>
<li><p>What is your toughest class? Why?
My toughest class - hahaha was Business Ethics. I know, right? But the professor just could not explain himself well and then on the test would ask questions that always confused me. Some people did well in there, but I just really couldn’t latch onto it.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>What is the one advice you’d give to college freshmen?
Definitely study hard and take your classes seriously. Just because your professors aren’t collecting homework or aren’t giving reading quizzes every day does not mean that you should not do the assigned problems/the reading; that will almost certainly come back to haunt you come exam time (and in most classes, a few exams count for a majority of your grade). Prioritize your academics, but don’t make them your sole focus. Don’t isolate yourself. Definitely try to meet new people; join a few extracurriculars and try to get involved on campus. Be careful who you choose to hang out with. </p></li>
<li><p>What’s the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?
Well, I would definitely recommend visiting the college, attending an accepted students weekend or something like that to see if you like the campus, the atmosphere, to see if you’re a good fit, etc. You definitely want to go to a place where you think you’ll be able to fit in and be content. I don’t think prestige should have anything to do with this.</p></li>
<li><p>Is studying different in college than in high school? How?
It is in that it requires a lot more initiative on your part. Like I said earlier, professors aren’t always going to collect homework or “suggested problems” and won’t always give reading quizzes or even discussed the assigned reading. However, it is your responsibility to do the homework anyways, catch up on the assignments if you’re falling behind, or face the consequences come exam time when you try to cram everything in (and since college tests are a lot more comprehensive than high school tests, that might not work so well). </p></li>
<li><p>What’s the biggest distraction in college? Why?
Like many people above me have already said, social life, lol. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s so essential to find the right balance.</p></li>
<li><p>What was your first day like?
My first day of classes or first day on campus as a student (which was a few days before the first day of classes)? Move in went pretty smoothly… the orientation leaders helped carry all of our stuff to our dorm rooms, so that was really nice. We were all split into orientation groups, and the orientation leaders pretty much told us a few things about college life, and I think we had some assemblies that afternoon. That night, my roommate and I met some other girls in our dorm, and I think we had a floor meeting that night too. So yeah, it went pretty smoothly. My first day of classes was pretty good, too. I did not get lost, and my professors seemed really cool (my chem professor did demos; my anthro professor posed some interesting questions that we would explore throughout the semester).</p></li>
<li><p>What is living with a roommate like?
So far, we haven’t had any major conflicts. I mean, she’s more of a night owl, and I’m more of a morning person, but we try to be considerate of each other (e.g. she’ll try to enter the room quietly if it’s really late at night; I’ll try not to make noise when I get up in the morning)</p></li>
<li><p>How did you know your college was the right one for you?
I visited it August before my senior year, and I loved it almost immediately. I attended an accepted students event in April, sat in on a class, and the second visit confirmed that this school was right for me.</p></li>
<li><p>What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?
Mine was random; in terms of choosing a roommate, I have heard that it’s best not to choose a high school best friend, both since it might box you in/prevent you from meeting new people and because it might dissolve your friendship. Your roommate doesn’t have to be your friend; just someone you can get along with.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?
No, I don’t have a paid job, so I’ll replace “work” with “extracurriculars.” I definitely try to put my academics first (unless I had already made a commitment to, for example, a volunteer event, in which case that becomes my first priority). It honestly hasn’t been that difficult. I enjoy attending club meetings and especially enjoy going on Volunteer Emory trips, since it makes me feel good that I’m making a positive difference rather than just keeping my nose in my chemistry book all the time. =)</p></li>
<li><p>Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?
Emory University. So far, it’s been pretty good. I love the campus, my professors, most of the people I’ve met, the extracurricular opportunities, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>What is your toughest class? Why?
This semester, probably Chemistry. I’m taking the class with an excellent, but really tough professor, and the class definitely moves at a rapid pace. That being said, I have constantly work hard to keep up with what’s going on in the class (which is true for all my classes, but especially for chem). But I think this challenge is definitely a positive, because I feel like I’m really learning the material well.</p></li>
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