Asking Duke Students What They Wish They Knew Before College

Summary

In a candid discussion, Duke University students share their college experiences, touching on initial fears, memorable moments, and lessons learned. They reflect on regrets about not exploring interests more and the pressure of maintaining a perfect academic record. Emphasizing the supportive community at Duke, they highlight the balance between competition and collaboration. Their advice for future students includes seeking a solid support network, embracing new opportunities, and enjoying the journey of self-discovery. Overall, the conversation encapsulates the transformative nature of college life and the importance of finding one's place within the community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many students regret not taking advantage of opportunities during their freshman year.
• 😀 The importance of finding a supportive community is emphasized, with advice to identify five key people for support.
• 😀 There is a general perception that Duke University has a competitive yet collaborative environment.
• 😀 Students express fears about leaving home and not making friends in a new, competitive setting.
• 😀 Participating in extracurricular activities is highlighted as a way to enhance the college experience.
• 😀 Some students feel pressured to engage only in 'resume-building' activities, wishing they had explored personal interests more.
• 😀 The unique energy of Duke encourages students to help one another, contrasting with a cutthroat atmosphere.
• 😀 Students advocate for trying new things and pushing comfort zones to discover new interests.
• 😀 The balance between competition and community at Duke helps students achieve high academic and professional goals together.
• 😀 There is an acknowledgment that college can be more challenging than high school, and it’s important to manage expectations regarding grades.

Q & A

What was one of Tommy's regrets from his freshman year?

Tommy wished he had done more film-related activities and considered pursuing a film minor, as he felt Duke had many resources in that area.

What common fear did the students share when starting college?

A common fear among the students was leaving home and not being able to find friends or a sense of belonging at Duke.

How did Elana describe her most memorable experience at Duke?

Elana described her most memorable experience as participating in 'black L do', particularly the last event where she felt a strong connection with her friends and sorority sisters.

What advice did the students give regarding involvement in extracurricular activities?

Students advised getting involved in extracurricular activities early on and exploring personal interests instead of focusing solely on professional resume-building.

How do students perceive the competitive environment at Duke?

While acknowledging the competitive nature of Duke, students felt that the community was generally supportive, with peers willing to help each other rather than being cutthroat.

What did Jacob realize about the film program at Duke?

Jacob recognized that while Duke is not primarily a film school, it offers great connections and opportunities in the film industry.

What significant event impacted students' social experiences during their freshman year?

A hurricane during their freshman fall created a unique bonding experience, as students felt detached yet connected through the situation, solidifying friendships.

What is one piece of advice that students would tell their younger selves?

One key piece of advice was to find a supportive group of five people, including professors and friends, to help navigate the college experience.

What is the general sentiment about seeking help among the students?

Students expressed that they regretted not asking for help more often and recognized that it’s important to utilize available resources effectively.

How did the students feel about maintaining a perfect GPA?

The students acknowledged the pressure of academic perfection but emphasized that it’s okay not to have a perfect GPA and to allow oneself to enjoy the college experience.