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F&M Stories

Grads Give Best Advice to Incoming Class

Before Commencement, we asked members of Franklin & Marshall鈥檚 Class of 2024: If you could give one piece of advice to the students who will start attending F&M this fall, what would that be?

The advice ranges from practical to passionate. Class of 2028, we can鈥檛 wait to hear what advice you will give students in your senior year at F&M!

鈥淐ollege is a time for exploration and testing hypotheses. Take a class or two outside of your main interest 鈥 you might be surprised by what you discover.鈥

鈥 Olha Shapovalenko 鈥24

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鈥淪eek support. Whether it's academic assistance, mental health resources or guidance from professors and advisers, don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. F&M has a wealth of resources available to help you succeed.鈥

鈥 Genesis Familia 鈥24

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鈥淭ake advantage of the classes, opportunities and moments that might not line up completely with your assumed path or interests. Spaces and people that push us outside our comfort zone and provide us with new vantage points will always pay off.鈥

鈥 Roxana 鈥淩oxy鈥 Calder 鈥24

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鈥淒on't hesitate to reach out and leverage F&M鈥檚 alumni network. Alumni can offer valuable insights, advice and opportunities to help you navigate your college experience and prepare for your future career. Take advantage of this supportive community and connect with alumni who share your interests and aspirations. They can be valuable mentors and resources as you embark on your journey at F&M.鈥

鈥 Omar Nichols 鈥24

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鈥淏e compassionate to yourself. The next four years are a time of learning and allowing yourself to make mistakes without having your life figured all out immediately. Sometimes, you have to take it one day at a time.鈥

鈥 Rachel Rubins 鈥24

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鈥淔irst, do not hesitate to try things. College life is so much fun, so don鈥檛 miss new opportunities. Also, always plan ahead. Avoiding unforeseen circumstances is necessary, especially when the workload is heavy.鈥

鈥 Huaizhi Liu 鈥24

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鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to take risks and push yourself outside your comfort zone! It can lead you down a path you might not have ever considered.鈥

鈥 Micheala Patalano 鈥24

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鈥淟earn from everyone around you, your professors and peers, and be open to new ideas and the experiences of others. You are at college to learn.鈥

鈥 Ryan Mullahey 鈥24

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鈥淚 would tell incoming students that college is stressful and overwhelming at times, but above all, it is fun. It is a place to meet people and learn about yourself, so take advantage of the opportunities with which you are provided at F&M and don鈥檛 put too much pressure on yourself.鈥

鈥 Meredith Mangum 鈥24

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鈥淒on't overcomplicate things. Enjoy the process of working toward something that you're passionate about. I spent a lot of time just trying to think about what would make other people happy. Over time, I've come to realize that my own happiness is just as important as trying to make other people proud.鈥

鈥 Chilamo Taylor 鈥24

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