<p>So I'm a newly admitted member and I just committed a couple weeks ago. I've been wondering about something though... Did my high school prepare me well enough for Princeton? I know none of you know my high school, but it is a small public school across from a cow pasture that has never sent anyone to an Ivy before, and I'm just nervous that maybe their system of grading and work was a lot easier than what Princeton will be.</p>
<p>I understand that no matter where I went for high school it would be hard, but... I'm starting to doubt whether or not I'll belong there. I'm honestly just a normal kid at a normal high school who got lucky in the admissions process I guess. Does everyone feel like this before they go to Princeton? It just felt like everybody around me at Preview was so much smarter than me, so it had me worried.</p>
<p>Likely 98% of students entering schools like P have this nagging doubt. “did they make a mistake?” It’ll likely crop up again come mid-terms and finals too. But don’t worry about it. Perhaps you won’t be the 4.0 student like before. But you’re there to learn – not necessarily nurse a GPA. Go and explore. Trip and stumble. Welcome it. You’ll probably not be the smartest person in the room for the next 4 years. But isn’t that GREAT?? Learn, absorb, be inspired, inspire others.</p>
<p>At my kid’s College of Engineering orientation, one student said “you’re not even here until you fail your first exam”.</p>
<p>If u managed to get accepted by an Ivy then u definitely deserve to be there. They are not fools that they will admit just anyone into their prestigious school. So just be confident about yourself. And whether u do well or not totally depends upon u. U can’t stop working hard just coz u got accepted. Take one step at a time and u won’t even realise when you have reached the top. BTW, congratulations! :)</p>
<p>Agree completely with the above two replies! You’re dealing with an early case of “imposter syndrome” - you and probably nearly all the incoming freshmen will deal with it at one time or another (and possibly repeatedly for the first while). My son had one of the worst cases of it I can imagine…so bad that he thought everyone else had imposter syndrome, but that he in fact was the true imposter! As he finishes his sophomore BSE year, he has dealt with both successes and failures - just like pretty much everyone else in his class. And he is discovering that he is exactly where he was meant to be. It takes time to find your stride…if you are patient, consistent, ask for help when you need it, and can accept that you will not be perfect, you’ll do fine! </p>
<p>Keep in mind that admissions weighs applications carefully, not just considering whether students can “make it through”, but actively looking for those who will significantly contribute to the environment at Princeton! They didn’t accept you hoping you’d just pass. They saw something in your application that convinced them you would make Princeton a better place. And you will! Congratulations and enjoy the next four years! </p>
<p>Thanks you guys, you are making me feel a bit better about it. Looking forward to becoming a Tiger! It’s going to be some of the greatest four years of my life </p>
As he finishes his sophomore BSE year, he has dealt with both successes and failures - just like pretty much everyone else in his class. And he is discovering that he is exactly where he was meant to be. It takes time to find your stride…if you are patient, consistent, ask for help when you need it, and can accept that you will not be perfect, you’ll do fine! </p>