Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_select_db() expects parameter 2 to be resource, boolean given in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 94

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_query() expects parameter 2 to be resource, boolean given in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 112

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_query() expects parameter 2 to be resource, boolean given in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 112

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_query() expects parameter 2 to be resource, boolean given in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 112

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79
Leaping from Public High to a Top U.: Stanley Fourteau
 
WE TALK WITH...

Stanley Fourteau
Senior, Columbia University


What should public high school students do over the summer to prepare for their first year at top U.?

Well, the first thing would be to read everything your school sends you. That’s really important. Most of it seems unnecessary, but there are usually important things buried in there that you can’t afford to miss. I read everything Columbia sent me twice to make sure I didn’t miss anything, and I’m very glad I did.

The other thing I suggest is to read one book on any subject that really interests you. Just make sure you pick something that you’ll enjoy enough to finish and really read carefully. The summer before I left for Columbia, I didn’t know what I would major in but I always loved science, especially physics, so I picked up Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time. It was less than 200 pages and read more like a National Geographic article than a schoolbook. I could easily have knocked it out in a weekend, but I found it so interesting that I read it very slowly.

Why do you suggest this?

Oh, there’re tons of reasons. Reading this book over the summer helped me focus my interests and pick classes, but it also prepared me for college in general. It was the longest summer of my life and I don’t know how I would have kept my mind sharp otherwise. I got to school eager to learn and I didn’t feel sluggish like a lot of my friends who hadn’t cracked a book in four months. I also think I impressed my Astro professor when I introduced myself after the first class and asked him a question relating to the book. I know this sounds superficial, but it really pays off to be on good terms with your professors, especially in your first semester at school.

Would you recommend this strategy to non-science majors as well?

Absolutely! Pick any book that interests you—it doesn’t have to be nonfiction. If you really sink your teeth into Hamlet or Beloved, I’m sure you’ll get a lot more out of your first literature class and earn a much better grade. And once again, the most important thing is that it will keep you bright and excited over the summer. It’s such a small thing, but it’s so helpful.

And you really think this is all a public high grad needs to do over the summer?

It was all I needed to do. You don’t want to come to school tired and stressed out. And you also should enjoy your last weeks with family and friends back home. Don’t tell yourself to do a thousand things to prepare for school over the summer because for one thing, you’ll probably get overwhelmed and won’t do any of them, and if you actually do them all, you’ll wear yourself out before you even get to school. These two things—reading the material and one book—are easy and effective.


Want to read more personal stories like this? Then buy LEAPING FROM PUBLIC HIGH TO A TOP U., a Students Helping Students™ guide!

Go to >>> Public High to Top U. - Home


 

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 79

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Warning: mysql_numrows() expects parameter 1 to be resource, null given in /usr/home/natavi/phplibs/dblpair.inc on line 154


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