Baylor University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Baylor University know before they start?

jessica

Stay focused on school work and don't get overly involved with things your first semester. Figure out how you study best and put those skills to work as soon as possible to make great grades. Read the textbook even if it makes you fall asleep. Get involved in a church and make relationships there to help guide you. Know that everything will be alright in the end, no matter how hard it is during those rough moments in your life know everything happens for a reason. God has a purpose for your life even if you can't see it, especially when things get grey. Don't lose faith in yourself. Know that mom and dad are always there for you. Keep in contact with your brothers more while they are away at training for the Navy. Stay close with your high school friends. I wouldn't change a thing since then only adjust the things I have done so far by doing them to my best abilities and not be so lackadaisical. You are beautiful from the inside out, so just know that you have made a wonderful difference in many lives you just don't know yet.

Anaid

The advice that I would give myself is to focus on what I need and not stress over things I can not do anything about because that dosen't help. I would also recomend myself to save money for college because you have lots of expenses you didnt think you would have. Finally, I would advice myself to get used to do lots of reading and writing in short amounts of time.

Joshua

College is not what people make it out to be. You have to work hard and you cannot let the little things distract you. There will be times that you will be able to have a lot of fun but make sure that you have all of your work done before you go out and do them because that one night...although the memories will be with you can hurt you so much and your school work is more important than anything you will get out of that one night. Secondly peer pressure is everywhere. Remember that you are your own person and college is important. You are there to better yourself ...do not let others tell you that what they want to do is more important than your school work or what you want to do because in the end you might regret not studying for a final or doing the project that is due the next morning. Do not procrastinate.; the longer you wait to do something the less time you have to put your own personality and creativity into it. Believe me nothing you do is more important than your school work.

Khristina

If I could give my high school senior self advice I would tell myself to open up my mind and be prepared for the best, and hardest year of my life. I would tell myself not to be afraid to live and love and to keep my heart open so as not to miss opportunities that could change my life. I would tell myself to make sure my relationship with God was strong because at times it proved to be all I had to lean on. Most of all I would tell myself to get over myself because the only person that can hold me back is me. I let myself keep me from doing alot of things and I missed alot of opportunities in my life because I was scared, mostly of what others would say. So if I could advise my former self, I would tell her to live life with no regrets; whatever you do, do it with your whole heart or don't do it at all. Find out what you love, what you're passionate about and do it. In short, don't be afraid; in the end, you have to live with your decisions.

Cathleen

Most definitely look at what you are interested in getting from the college itself. Most school center on a specific thing or things and also look at the location, whether you want it to be a city-populated area, a quiet area... a school that parties or a very studious school.

Sarah

Make sure and apply for as much financial aid and scholarships as possible in order to prevent yourself from having to get too many loans. Also make sure to let your parents be free and make new friends. Focus on your studys and make good grades and great friends.

Raymond

review carefully

Rachel

Start early. I began looking at schools my sophomore year of college, and my list really evolved as I came to find out what different schools are like. Don't let a price tag scare you away. Similarly, don't let stereotypes turn you off either. When a university pursues you, take advantage of that. You may be able to get a great scholarship or at least get a more broad picture of the school. If you know what you want to do, be sure to look into special programs concerning that degree or field. Take into account the student life on campus. Visiting really does give you a good feel for the campus and is definitely worth the cost. When students finally go get into college, get involved. Make friends. Put people as a priority. Be sure to find a balance in all that you do.

Taylor

Some advice I would give to parents would be that they need to be greatly involved in their child's search for the right school. Schedule college visits and even go up to their child's high school to speak with their school counselor about what they think their child's best option is. Also, sit down with your child a couple of nights a week during their senior year and discuss college financial options with them, as well as start searching online for scholarship opportunities. Now advice I would give to students would be to go into their college experience with an open mind. I believe that freshmen in college mature the greatest in that year of their life than any other year prior. In order to accomplish this, the student must walk through the doors on the first day with an open mind. Also, be kind, courteous, and extremely outgoing in your first two to three weeks due to the fact that that is your most crucial time period in your college experience.

Morgan

Once you find the perfect college, you will know. Start finding the funds now. Live on campus freshman year otherwise you will miss out on one of the best experiences. Apply to a lot of colleges and make sure you tour them. If they offer any sort of fish camp make sure you go, it will show you why you fell in love with the school and it is such a good way to make friends.

Kelcy

Go to them! You will know when you get there if that is the place for you. It's good to be picky! You are paying for this place and you will be spending the next 3-5 years here.

Racquel

Make sure to do your research on everything! Baylor is a wonderful university.

Kaitlin

In finding the college for you (or your child) you should not only look at the courses available, but also go and experiance the campus it self. See how the campus looks, how the students act, and how the professors teach. Once at the college of your choice, the best way to make the most out of your college experiance is to simply get involved. Join a group, club, sport, anything that allows for you to meet new and different people. Going to college should be about learning. Learning who your are, who others surrounding you are and how they live, and how you fit into this great world.

Barret

Prepare to REALLY study even if you were one of those that never studied a day in your life. You are your own responsibility- there is no one telling you to study, go to bed, eat, etc. You will always have a professor you do not get along with, just as in life; you just have to deal with it the best you can and not quit the class. Do not be afraid you will look stupid or weak if you ask for help.

Chad

Finding the right college for each individual is crucial in his, or her learning experience. The advice I would give someone is to visit the campuses they are interested in, research the college's credentials and background, and go with what they feel is the right decision. To get the most out of the college experience one needs to get involved with campus activities, and feel like they are making a difference. Get to know the people around the campus, and make many friends because having fun is also apart of college as well as education. The last thought I would give an incoming freshman would be to enjoy college why they are here because it is too fun to miss, but it goes by before you know it, so live it to its fullest.

Grace

Make sure you visit the school many times when there are students on campus so you can get a true feeling of what life there will really be like. Also do let cost stop you from going to a school, it is much better to be happy with where you go.

Sara

I would tell parents and students to consider every aspect of attending a college. If distance and money is not a concern, attend a school out of state. I believe as a part of a students learning experience should include living in a different environment. However, whether or not the student and/or parents desire that they attend a college close to home, I highly recommend that they join a least one social group/club/organization. If a student is living away from home it is very important for them to find a group to plug into, in order to ease the strain and to provide the student with a sort of family on campus. Students attending college close to home should join a group on campus in order to stay connected to the schol. Many studies have shown that college students usually receive better grades when they are involved with campus activities and organizations. If money is a concern, I would suggest earning an associates degree at a local community college and then transferring to the college of that students chosing.

Morgan

Students: Apply to as many colleges as you can. Keep your mind and options open. Try and visit the colleges that you are most interested in. Actually visiting the campus and talking with professors and students will help your decision. They dont tell you everything on the brochure they send you in the mail. Stay positive through the whole college process, it's hard for your parents too. Parents: Encourage your children. Let them make most of the decisions. Listen to their opinions. Forcing a particular college may not always turn out the way you'd like. This is a very exciting time in their life and they want you to be apart of it, mostly. Go with them to the college visits and try to stay as positive as you can. This is a huge journey they are about to embark on, it's hard for them. They need their parents wisdom and guidance but ultimatley need to make their own decisions. They will know which college is right for them. Just be there for support.

Daniel

The task of finding the right college can be daunting with so many of them out there. But when you know what to look for, it becomes fun and exciting. You obviously want to find one that fits you best. If finances are a burden for you and your family, stay away from costly private universities. If you anticipate visiting your family often, pick a college that is close to them. If you plan on attending graduate school or earning a professional degree, focus on colleges that can adequately facilitate your educational pursuits. After narrowing your choices down from there, pay a visit to the campuses, talk to the students and professors, and listen to your gut feelings. If you feel at home at a particular college campus, then, most likely, that is the one you will walk away from after the graduation ceremony with the wonderful satisfaction of having had the best college experience possible. For if you want to make the most of your college experience, you must enjoy the college you attend as if it were your home because, well, it will be for the next few years. Study hard, but don't forget to live life.

Grant

To Students: Finding The Right College (1) There are hundreds of great schools in this country, so pick 10 at most for consideration. (2) Make the effort to find out those 2-3 unique things about each school and see how they match with your interests. (3) Go where your heart leads you. At the end of the day, if a school doesn't FEEL right, don't go there. To Students: Making The Most Of College (1) Make it a point to enjoy your time in college. This is your best window of opportunity to build strong friendships and have meaningful experiences that will last your entire life. (2) Become purposeful and focused in how you spend your time so that you can learn to work hard, to play freely, and to rest deeply. (3) Investigate the meaning of life, and find what is worth giving your life for. Having heart-felt purpose will guide you and serve you well all of your days. Through all of this, do as much soul-searching as you can. Use college as an opportunity to start a process of lifelong growth and maturity. THAT is the true value of a college education.