Dear freshman,

            As my first semester is coming to an end, I am able to write to you as you enter the University of Scranton and the world of Neuroscience. College is a new and exciting thing for you, but it’s tougher than high school. I thought that because I came from a “college prep” high school that things would be very easy for me. I was wrong. I had to learn how to manage my time A LOT better and take control of my life. Now that you’re in college, everything is up to you. Every decision you make reflects on you as a person.

            First, Dr. Cannon is an amazing man and wonderful teacher. Take advantage of this opportunity to sit and learn with one of the best. He loves to talk about anything in the Neuroscience/Psychology/Biology fields so stay interested and keep him talking. Ask lots of questions, too. He always has great answers.

            Second, freshman biology stinks! It’s definitely a course that weeds out the weak, so stay strong and don’t get upset. Talk to your teacher whoever he or she may be. The teachers here are always willing to help any student with any problem. You’ll be finding yourself taking advantage of your professors’ office hours more than you think.

            Next, make sure to get ahead before you get off track. Follow the syllabi like it’s your bible and always do the assignments that are required for next class. Take good notes and most importantly, READ the chapters. All of my professors have taken such a big percentage of their tests straight from the book. It will help you in the end.

            Lastly, these next four years are supposed to be the best years of your life, correct? So as much as you want to get away from your parents, have fun and party, you also need to learn what your priorities are. If you came here just to party, this major, and probably even this school, are not for you. This field requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and commitment. If you think you can be responsible enough to take on parties, schoolwork, and possibly even a job, good luck! Just know when you have to separate them from each other.

            Have fun and good luck in your future endeavors. Hope my letter will help you in this coming semester!

                                                            Sincerely,

 
Dear Freshmen,

Welcome to the University of Scranton! I remember my first few days of college, how exciting they were and how overwhelming the experience was. But don’t worry, all of that becomes very normal and with time, easy to control. The most important advice I can give you is to stay on top of your life. Don’t ever let anything go too far so that it’s too hard to control. This applies to classes (completing homework assignments promptly and reviewing material regularly to allow for better retention) as well as dorm life (having a respectful relationship with your roommate, where you feel as if you can always tell them if something is bothering you about their behavior before the situation gets out of hand).

Make sure to befriend your professors; they will become your best asset concerning your future. Understanding that most of them really do want to help you learn and receive the highest grade possible, so take advantage of all that they offer you–research opportunities, office hours, etc. Also, make sure to ask questions, professors (unlike your teachers from high school) can’t keep track of each one of their students progress, so they have no way of knowing if you need help, so tell them!

Always try to find a healthy balance between work and play, it’ll make college seem more like home and will ensure minimal feelings of homesickness. And make sure to call home at least once or twice a week because even if you aren’t missing your family, it’s almost guaranteed that they are missing you, at least try to appease them!

Some last minute pieces of advice...make sure to eat and sleep, just as if you were home and your parents were still taking care of you, because there isn’t time to get sick in college–you’ll be too busy (and impatient) to spend days in your bed allowing your body to take care of itself. And finally, find one thing that you’re passionate about (a sport, club, research with a professor, etc.)and devote some actual time to it; the relationships you build with the people that also participate in it, will be long-lasting because they were built upon a strong common interest.

So stay focused, healthy, and active and the next four years will be remembered as some of the most exciting years of your life. Good luck, and once again, welcome to Scranton!

Freshman,

            You all have lots to think about. In fact, there’s a chance you may have forgotten to read these letters, much like I almost forgot to write it. At the moment, I’m actually sitting in Hafey Lounge watching Band of Brothers, struggling to multitask well enough to infuse this writing with some form of useable knowledge. I suppose that’s the first place to begin: most of this you’ll need to learn on your own. I can talk; your parents, friends, cousins, brothers, and sisters can talk until we’re blue in the face about college.  I can tell you about class, but you won’t really know until you try. I suppose the best advice is to not stress out about things; it’s easy to let it all bring you down, but don’t. Always give yourself some downtime. Some of my friends swear by all-nighters every once in awhile. I swear by getting at least 6 hours of sleep. You won’t really learn anything while you’re that tired, and it will take you days to recover. Make sure you have time to relax and do something you enjoy; you’ll work faster and better. Failing something isn’t the end of the world. Most professors are more than willing to work with you, as long as you try. Remember that not studying is never the answer, but sometimes studying for 10 hours a day isn’t either.

            Make sure you enjoy where you live, and with who. How happy you are at home (here) will affect how well you perform in class. Make sure you buddy up with your major-mates. There were 5 of us in freshman neuroscience seminar, and it was nice to know that I could get forgotten lab data the night before the lab was due. Immerse yourself only as far as you want to go, don’t join something to please parents or friends, you’ll hate it and just make your life harder if it’s not something you love. Keep your eyes open, take every failure as a lesson for success, and don’t be afraid.

 
Dear Freshmen,

Welcome to the University.  I hope your acclimation to this new environment goes smoothly.  This letter is intended for Neuroscience majors.  You have picked an excellent major with an advisor who goes above and beyond what he needs to do to allow you to succeed.  Neuroscience is a relatively small program here at Scranton, and that is probably the best part about it.  You get to know everyone rather quickly, and it becomes quite easy to make a few friends.  Don’t let people scare you either.  I’ve heard plenty of people claim that Neuroscience is the hardest major that the University offers – I don’t see what’s so hard about it.  Stay the course, and don’t become apathetic about your schoolwork.  You really are a lot more on your own now than you were in High School, no matter how independent you were.  I’d like to tell you all to enjoy yourselves as well, but there are varying opinions on what is “entertainment.”  You don’t have to be like everyone else, remember that.  There are plenty of outstanding people here who don’t think fun is going out and getting hammered.  You certainly do need time to unwind, however.  Keep a schedule, and always fit relaxation into it.  You can’t become a neuroscientist or neurologist if you go insane from all the work.  While I am discussing relaxation, I might as well mention sleep.  Don’t be afraid to take naps – they do help.  Get plenty of sleep, or you will soon find yourself dozing off in class.  Also, when it comes time to register for Spring, get your choices down and be ready to go register as soon as you can.  Make sure you know your major requirements (and pre-med requirements) from the catalog – don’t assume the CAS advising center knows what they are doing one-hundred percent of the time.  Your first semester at college might seem like a huge obstacle, maybe insurmountable to some people.  You’ll get through it, just like the countless other students who were once in your shoes.  It’s not as bad as you think it might be.  Good luck, and congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Scranton.