Recent Stanford Graduate Reminisces

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
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<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>So I’ve finally ended my Stanford career a couple of days ago when I received my second (and honestly most likely last) degree from Stanford (BS '10 MS '11). Looking back I just wanted to tell all the entering freshman that they should be excited and happy about next year. </p>

<p>My Stanford career wasn’t always the funnest thing in the world (all the problem sets, papers, and exams can get overwhelming at times) but it sure as hell was rewarding. The people Here are just some words of parting wisdom for you young-uns out there:</p>

<p>1- Stanford students study. A lot. It may not appear to be so because they’re doing all these other stuff but they’re studying. Oftentimes its sleep that they’re sacrificing for fun not studying. </p>

<p>2- Definitely try and go abroad. I’m an engineer and I personally did not go abroad. Basically my only regret leaving is that I did not go abroad. By the time I figured it out it was too late and my schedule did not permit me to go abroad. So if you’re an engineer (especially in something as course intensive as chemical engineering) and you want to go abroad, plan early.</p>

<p>3- Thinking about graduate school? Law school perhaps? Look into doing research with a professor. It’s a great way to get to know a professor well and to know more about research in the field you’re interested in. </p>

<p>4- Don’t go in saying you know exactly what you want to major in. You don’t. You’re probably ~18 and while you may have a hunch by no means should you stick to it. The great thing about stanford is that you don’t have to declare until the end of your sophomore year (or actually the beginning of your junior year!) so your freshman year is a good time to try and get a feel for what you might like to do after you graduate. Of course don’t go and take only fuzzy courses your freshman year if you plan on majoring in engineering but you definitely have a good amount of leeway to look around. </p>

<p>5- Join organizations. Really this is straightforward. Stanford kids are a passionate bunch and if you find an organization that you connect with-join it! It’s a great learning experience (especially if you take on a leadership role within the organization later)</p>

<p>6- Don’t freak out about the little things. At the end of your day your ihum paper will not decide your fate in this world so don’t freak out about it. Yes by all means try and maintain a high GPA (important whatever you decide to do later on in life) but don’t spend the whole time freaking out about things that you will forget about in a week. It helps to take some time off during the day and just looking outside and marveling at nature or our buildings (seriously our campus is the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. While looking at other schools for my graduate studies nothing held a candle to stanford’s architecture).</p>

<p>I loved my five years at Stanford and I’m sad that it’s over but c’est la vie! Congrats class of '15 and I hope you have a great time at Stanford!</p>

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<p>Thank you for this! And congratulations! </p>

<p>I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions.
What organizations were you in?
What’s the general opinion of KZSU (the radio station)?
Are there any abroad programs that seem particularly popular or well-regarded? Any to stay away from? Of course, I realize it depends on your interests, but are there any sort of prevailing attitudes?
What were your favorite or standout classes? Least-favorite? (Any that are non-engineering would be great, since I’m more of a fuzzy.)
Did you take the math 50 series frosh year (multivariable calc)? How hard was it?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>No, not at all quomodo</p>

<p>Well I won’t delve into the specifics of the organizations I was in but I will say I joined a community-based group, a couple of political groups and 2 social service groups (alternative spring break and SPOON-stanford project on hunger). Honestly just go with your passion. Most groups are desperately seeking new members.</p>

<p>I never really listened to KZSU and very few of my friends did. My feeling is that there might be a few dedicated followers but that most stanford students dont really tune in to it unless there’s a game going on.</p>

<p>No, not really. The oxford one is quite different from the rest and appears to be more intense than the others. You work alongside a professor at oxford who espects you to churn out papers quite regularly. My freinds who went liked it but they knew going in that it was one of the more academically intensive study abroad programs. Other popular ones that my friends have been on and loved include: Berlin, Paris, Madrid and Osaka,Japan. Some of them have language requirements so look into that as well. They are also bringing back these 3 week trips before the start of the year that were cancelled due to budget cuts a few years ago. My friends who did that loved it as well but it is shorter and cuts into your summer plans.</p>

<p>Honestly it depends on what you like. I loved my fuzzy classes (they added to my workload but were worth it). I especially liked into to fiction writing which is super fun. I also really enjoyed the Human Geography classes taught by Martin Lewis. Introsems are also oftentimes super fun too. </p>

<p>Least favorite? Orgo chem series and lab.</p>

<p>I took Math 51 and 53 as a freshman and 52 as a sophomore. They’re not super easy classes but they’re not too difficult either. As a freshman though you’re learning how to balance work and college life which is what makes these classes often seem harder than they really are (that was the case for me).</p>