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>>Narrator: Hello. Who's there?
>>Caitlyn Leiter-Mason(Student): Hi, my name's Caitlyn Leiter-Mason.
I'm a junior here at University of Maryland
Baltimore County, UMBC, where I'm a double major
in political science and gender and women's studies.
So if I had to sum up three of my favorite
things about being at college, I would first
definitely say the diversity here.
You come away from high school and middle school,
and you've met some cool people.
But I don't think, until you really get to college,
have you had the chance to meet so many different
people from so many different places.
The second thing I really love about college is the
chance to be a part of organizations that are
about creating change on campus.
So I'm involved in the Student Government
Association, which I know some middle schools and
high schools have.
But what I really love about being in student
government at the college level, it's a really great
way to feel a part of a community and like you can
make a difference here.
And the third thing I love about college is just the
- being on campus.
I live on campus, so I have a chance to be here
pretty much all the time.
So it's a really neat opportunity to live at the
same place that you're going to school and you're
studying and you're working and being with
your friends.
So when you're starting to think about college, it
can feel like it's a long ways off.
But there are a couple things I think you can do
while you're still in middle school and while
you're still in high school to help you get ready.
And the first thing I'd encourage you to do is
just start asking people about college and talking
about college.
So check in with your guidance counselors or
with your teachers.
The second thing I'd really encourage you to do
is keep writing.
So throughout high school, I was really lucky in that
I was on my student newspaper and had some
really wonderful English teachers.
And the most important skill I gained in high
school was learning how to write really well, to edit
my papers, and to take that feedback and make
them better.
So once you get to college, my number one
piece of advice is that you're going to get as
much out of college as you put into it.
Do all of the readings.
Keep up with your work so that you are putting in as
much effort, and you'll get out just as much.
The second thing I'd really encourage you to do
is try something new.
Just, especially in your first year or two at
college, take some new classes, talk to new
people, try some new activities.
I think you should really try and take advantage of
that opportunity.