Bellarmine University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I have a few items I would want to discuss. I would first like to reassure myself that I can succeed in college and I am smart enough to make it through my classes and pick up information to help me move onto my goal of becoming a nurse. I would tell myself to get excited for college because it is going to open my mind up to new ideas, cultures, and information that I have never known before. It will allow me to become my own person and allow me to grow in ways that only an education at Bellarmine could allow. Bellarmine will teach me how to think in a complex way that allows me to decide for myself what life truly is about. Last, I would talk to myself about being a student athlete. I would warn myself that it is very difficult, but the journey will only make me stronger. It will not only allow me to meet fantastic people that will be my closest friends, but it will also teach me to manage my time and be more responsible.

Something is always sacrificed for lessons learned. I took for granted a lot of things during my high school career. I didn't try as hard as I could on tests, because I knew I would pass them with a decent grade. I wish I had studied harder so that instead of just getting a good grade, I could have gotten the best grade possible for myself. If I did that, I would be able to get better grades during college because I would push myself to achieve the highest goal. I also regret not applying for as many scholarships as I could have. Although I got some financial aid, I could have had a full ride if I had only taken the time to fill out a few sheets of paper. Instead, I had to take out student loans, and I will now have to pay those back after I graduate. Now I know what I have to do to succeed in the future, and I hope I can inform other students so that they might make better decisions than I did.

Pick a school where you will be academically challenged and grow strong in that area. You also want to go somewhere that will have students with the same morals and ethics as yourself. Making friends and learning is what college is all about.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to enjoy every second of high school. College adds so much more pressure than there was in high school. I had senior syndrome where I didn?t really want to do anything in high school. High school was really an experience you should enjoy and be active in the high school events. I would tell myself to go the random and different events that most people wouldn't go to and experience something different in my high school experience. I would also tell myself to start learning study habits. There is so much more information given in class than at the high school level. In my first year, I wasn?t ready for all that work in my classes. It provided me with the struggle of trying to balance all my class work.

Although money is important, you need to find a college that fits you. If you are not happy, you will not get the experience that you deserve, and/or want. You need to find a school where you feel at home and are comfortable in a variety of situations. After choosing your school, the first thing a person needs to do is find out when their college or university's information fair is. A first time freshman will be drilled with the words "get involved" from the first moment they walk into orientation, but it truly is important. In a short: Find your school, find your home, find your niche. If an incoming freshman follows those three things, they will definitely make the most of their college experience.

When looking for a college, do more than a campus visit. See if the college offers an overnight stay in one of the dorms. If you can spend a night in the dorms, you can really experience the residential life at the college and shadow in classes the next day to see just how perfectly this college will fit your needs. During the college experience, get involved. It's a great way to meet kids not in your classes. Keep and open mind and try new things, especially if you're shy. Study hard but have fun too. Friends you meet in college will be with you for the rest of your life.

I think that finding the right college is very important to the experience and that all aspects of the college should be looked at, including cost, classes, majors, dorm life, etc. They also should go and visit the school to get an idea of whether it's a good fit. And most importantly, they need to keep in mind that there is not a "perfect" college. They need to go into it with there eyes wide open and be prepared to take whatever the college or life in general throws at them. And sometimes it's okay to switch schools, but at the same time, try to stay at the same school and tough it out if at all possible, because it will more than likely turn out okay in the end.

My biggest advice when choosing the right college would be talk to people. You will not truly know the nature of the campus until you have visited and/or talked to people who attend. Not only is it a great idea to talk to people on campus but also people in the community who know the impact the college has on the surroundings. It is also very impotant to talk to teachers and faculty. They will be able to accurately tell you the important things about the college such as how hard are classes and how involved is faculty. Lastly, and very importantly, talk to people in the college's financial aid office. There should be advisors that can give you a good estimate of the true cost and how you can get the money you need. College is expensive but it is one of the most important investments you will make. In conclusion, talk to people to get the real facts about colleges you are looking at. The best knowledge is from those who know how the college functions.

Finding the right college is all about choosing what's best for you. Don't focus on what your peers are doing--look for a school that gives you everything you need. Decide what you want for yourself and look for schools that fit your qualifications. Consider all aspects of the schools as well. Don't focus solely on academics or social life. Take all of the different pieces into consideration. Make sure you schedule a visit in order to get a feel of what the campus is really like. Audit a class and take a tour. If it's an option, stay overnight in a residence hall. It's also important to be open-minded. Explore all of your options. If you get a letter from a school, make sure you consider it, even if it's not your first choice--you may be surprised! Once you get to college, GET INVOLVED! Find groups or activities that interest you and join. It's a great way to meet new people and have amazing experiences. Take advantage of any opportunities available--you never know where they might take you. Take risks. Have fun. And remember--nothing ventured, nothing gained!

My advice would be to pick a college that really stands out to you (the student). One that really fits your personality and what you want your college experience to be like. Have a few choices and visit each one of them. I really couldn't decide until I went on my campus visits, and then the choice was obvious. Research each one of your choices and decide what's best for you. Make the decision yourself; you know yourself better than anyone else, and you know what you like. Take your time and make the decision that's right for you.