Riverdale Review: What field of study are you pursuing?

Priscilla Jimenez: I’m currently pursuing Political Science and I’m still considering a few minors like International Relations or Human Rights. I’ve always been interested in politics from a very young age. In college, I have the opportunity to formalize my learning by talking about different frameworks of understanding the world around me and being able to analyze and write about it. I am really grateful to be able to take this interest that I’ve always had and be able to think independently and draw my own conclusions.

RR: Why did you decide to attend a large school like Hunter? What are the benefits and drawbacks?

PJ: At the start of the college process, I had a vision of going to a small liberal arts college. But over time, with research, I expanded my criteria. I was a bit more open-minded toward the end of the college process about what kind of institution I could attend. College is supposed to be a time of exploration, so I thought that a large university could expand my horizons. Hunter actually has a pretty large international student population that I didn’t know about until I arrived, so that’s been really cool. I also knew early on that college was a means of taking a step in my career, so I wanted an extensive alumni network. Attending a large university, you’re broadening the scope of things you can study and explore. But there are still a lot of opportunities to do one-on-one meetings with your professors or build relationships with students. One drawback is that you do have to work harder to stand out. This is the case at any college, but especially in introductory courses, which can be filled with up to 300 students. If you are trying to make that personal connection with your professor, it’s harder to do that.

RR: Do you think college is a really big step from high school?

PJ: I would say so. It is a big step. In full transparency, the learning curve is very steep and there’s a lot of adjustments that happen. But developing a routine is probably the most solid advice I would give anyone. To bring yourself a bit of stability during a time when you might feel a little ungrounded. Bringing some elements of stability, familiarity, and staying in contact with old friends, can make the process a bit easier.

RR: What were the biggest challenges you faced during your first semester of college?

PJ: The amount of independence is a two-sided thing. It can be positive for a lot of people because they’re seeking that independence and flexibility when it comes to academics and social life. But it was also, in some ways, very destabilizing. The framework in high school dissolves as you enter college and you’re expected to build a path for yourself. For example, being a political science major doesn’t just mean taking a certain number of classes; it can take so many different shapes and forms. That can be exciting, but the contrast was a bit jarring.

RR: How would you describe social life at Hunter?

PJ: I think it is what you make it. Starting a conversation with a stranger goes a long way. I think we underestimate the power of going up to someone and giving them a compliment or asking them a question about class. Joining clubs helps because they’re interest driven. I’m part of the political journal at Hunter. I’m also part of a student-run organization called the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), which is a political advocacy group. It’s been great to meet with people who share my passion and take action.

RR: Lastly, do you have any advice for current Riverdale seniors as they look ahead to college?

PJ: Authenticity is a word that gets thrown around in various contexts, but I think it’s especially pertinent in a time of self-exploration; allowing yourself to relearn and revise how you understand yourself. Students should give themselves the grace to go through uncertain times and to make mistakes along the way. If you bring an authentic passion for learning new things and being a kind person—it sounds like such a simple thing—but I think being respectful and warm and kind to other people goes a long way. Also, we all want to have a certain plan for ourselves and want to control everything. One of the biggest lessons I took away from the college process and from my senior year in high school is that a lot of things are out of your control. We think that one thing or one path is the best for us, but there’s something else that may work out better in the end.