NYU Stern Seniors Give Advice to Incoming First-Year Students

We asked graduating

seniors

to share their favorite NYU Stern memories...and now: here's a sneak peek of what's in store! Academic Excellence Student 1: I think the professors have certainly done it completely for me. Student 2: Professor Buchanan, who did not dilute us at all in class. Student 3: My favorite teacher is Susan Stehlik. She had it for Org Comm and PRL. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Student 1: My favorite teacher is probably Damodaran. I took the corporate finance class from him and I also took the stock valuation class from him. Student 4: He's kind of a legend in the industry.

He really taught me a new way of thinking. Professor Sonya Marciano who teaches Strategic Analysis. I know that these teachers really think about what they do and are passionate about what they study. My favorite Stern professor...I talk about him all the time...is Adam Alter. He was my Introduction to Marketing teacher. It's good as a young man to see a person like that who really has a passion for what he does. Stern took about 20 of us to Omaha and we met Warren Buffett and toured some of the Berkshire Hathaway companies. Some of the most notable classes I have taken were abroad.

I studied at New York University in Madrid. I studied abroad in Prague. It was probably one of the best experiences of my entire career. Taking classes at New York University in London to learn about Brexit right before it happened. We're at New York University in Shanghai learning about the Chinese economy just as it was about to take off. I studied abroad for a semester in Abu Dhabi. What an amazing place! We are very lucky to have a real campus there. Passport day is my favorite thing just because... well, it's the food for the most part. I think my favorite memory would be the International Studies Program, the ISP trip.

I had to go to Santiago, Chile and spent almost a week with my closest friends at Stern. I had never been to Latin America before, so this was all new to me. For ISP, I went to Lisbon in Portugal and it was a fantastic experience. We learned a lot about business in Europe and, more specifically, about business in Portugal and that part of Europe in general. For the ISP, I had the opportunity to go to Hong Kong. It was like everything in one. I felt like there was a cultural experience, it was time to bond with other friends, it was a learning experience.

I was able to have a really interesting experience with my classmates outside of the classroom. It really showed what the future of networking and the future of relationship building can be. I think what we think about Stern is... the people. Definitely the people. The people who really bring the entire Stern life cycle together. The people here are the embodiment of what Stern is truly about and I will miss them dearly. I walk into Stern every day, walk to the third floor, and see a lot of faces that I love and recognize. You just have a feeling of family and home.

One thing I'm really going to miss is...the block party. Definitely Waffle Wednesday. The only thing that can get me out of bed before noon on a Wednesday when I don't have class. Every day I remember that I am in one of the greatest cities in the world. I think the best thing about New York City is that you can walk anywhere and everywhere. Favorite place in New York would have to be Brooklyn Bridge Park. I spend a lot of time going to art galleries and museums on the weekends and you can go somewhere different every weekend, explore different parts of the city and see people from all over the world.

I've been very fortunate to be a part of the Ball Drop every

year

, so I think just witnessing New Year's Eve in New York City is an experience in itself. I always liked going uptown, like Lincoln Center in Central Park. Sheeps Meadow, great for a picnic, great for hanging out with friends. He was sitting on the ninth floor of Kimmel, in the stairwell, looking directly toward Washington Park and the Empire State Building. I was thinking, I can't believe I can go to school here. New York is where things happen and where people come to make things happen.

To the

incoming

freshmen, all I can really say is enjoy it. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Explore everything! There are so many resources here at NYU and that Stern. Get out of Greenwich Village, out of Washington Square Park and experience this great city. You won't be surprised how time flies and you won't want to miss out on what New York City has to offer. Be the only person you know by going to a new club meeting or join a new group on your own, even if your friends don't want to do it. Don't think that just because you're not doing what the other 70% of Stern is doing that you won't find success here in New York City.

Don't be afraid to talk to people older than you. They really want to help you! Continue collaborating. Continue making new friends. Continue sharing ideas. Set an alarm every morning. Just get up. If there's an opportunity that scares you, all the more reason to take advantage of it! Remember that the people around you are not your competition, they are people you want to learn from, leverage, and accept as resources instead of competing. Follow what you think is right for you and what your dreams are. College will be some of the best days of your life, some of the best weeks.

You will form bonds and friendships with people that will last a lifetime. You will have memories that I hope never fade, so cherish all those things too. I'm thankful. I am very excited. I'm ambitious. Multidimensional. Strong. A sustainable business leader. A social entrepreneur. Proud to be authentic. Lazy. A food enthusiast. The fourth of eight children. Excited for the future. I am severe. Am. Stern. Stern. I am. Stern. Stern. Am. Stern. Stern. Stern. Stern. Stern. You are severe. We are severe!