Bethel University-Saint Paul Top Questions

Well, to be honest, I didn't work really hard my senior year of high school. I had all my required credits done so I took easy classes to end my high school career. That didn't really help my transition to college because you have to work hard in college. I would definately have challenged myself more my senior year if I knew how tough it is to maintain a good G.P.A in college. Taking it easy my senior year wasn't the right path and if I could do it again, I would have challenged myself more to prepare myself for Bethel University.

If I could go back in time I would take advantage of opportunities such as pseo (post secondary education option) and Advanced Placement courses which is pretty much free money. I would also retaken my ACT, so that I could recieve more financial aid. Mostly I would really search for a college that I felt that fit me the best, although I like my college I'm not sure if there are schools that are better fitting because I did not do my research.

Don't take your hardest classes your first semester. Think more about what major you want to do.

I would tell myself about how much work college is. It's not just an easy ride like some people think it is, and its not all fun and games. It is a lot of studyding and working hard to succeed in class. I would also tell myself how important it is to find good quality friends and to surround yourself with people who can support you.

Stop worrying Steph! Everything always works out, even if it's not the way you planned it. Don't worry about the adjustment. Everyone around you will be in the very same situation. Relax, and be yourself. Enjoy the people around you for you won't be living among friends like that forever. There will be times you will feel so swamped you won't think everything will get done. But it will. You have an excellent work ethic and dedication. Yes, the transition away from your family isn't easy. Their lives do go on without you. Just remember to keep in close contact with them and enjoy every moment you do get to spend with them. You will make great memories in college; don't hesitate to make them.

to be open, give everything a chance, and live it up

I would tell myself to be sure to socialize more. Presently, I get so caught up in my work (both school, job, and theatre related) that I forget what the other part of going to college is--to make friends that will support me. I would also tell myself to learn how to clean my room. I am a rather messy person, and sometimes my roommates get angry with me for leaving my things strewn about. Another thing I would tell myself, is to not discount my own abilities. I wish that I had tried some of the things I am doing now, sooner. Things like seeking different summer employment, stepping out in faith, learning more, and trying more new things.

Get involved with the people and groups on campus: college is social education as well as academic. Get your work done, but don't become a recluse; interacting with other people is important. Take classes you're interested in and don't feel pressured to know your major and every class you're going to take on the first day of classes. You have time to decide. Use the resources available to you. One of the most important things to do is to never give up, even when it seems like nothing is going right. Find some good friends who can help you through it. Above all, have a good time while learning all you can.

Megan, really make a committment to studying now because it will make a big difference for college. They actually EXPECT you to read the assignments. LOL! Your outgoingness and friendly personality will be a big asset in college, so don't forget to always include everyone around you. The more you continue to be open to others, the better off you will be, because it really is helpful for making friends. You make need to work on learning to make your bed and clean your room. This will be helpful to your roommate, who just may be a neat freak! Stay cool and be yourself! Megan

Don't take any part of senior year of high school for granted. Cherish every moment of it, but realize the best is yet to come. Be excited about the transistion that will be made in the upcoming months. College is one of the best points in a person's life that will ever come around. Pick a college that you feel is the best for you, and what you will be most comfortable with in the next four years. Don't worry about the money or the cost, because a college education is the best investment you will never make and will all be worth it in the end. Don't feel pressure to pick a major or decide what your future career will entail. You have time to decide and everything will all work out. God will show you what He has made you to do in your life. Work hard, but also put in enough time into relationships because the people around you need you, and you need them. Overall, have fun, work hard to succeed and love the life that you lead!

I would say try to stay away from expectations. Everyone has a different experience and I think it is best to prepare your self by coming in with an open mind and willing attitude. Be ready to stick things out if they get hard because there will be moments of difficulty. Again some people have more than others. Also, meet people. It may take some sifting to find people you fit with. You're best friends aremost likely not going to be the first people you meet. They might be but you also might not find them until the end of the year. So just stick with and don't be discouraged regardless of what you see around you. There are other people in your same boat. So just asorb every moment you can and have fun!

I would tell myself that my life is going to change so much by growing spiritually in Christ, mentally by being at a greatly appreciated academic university and lastly how Bethel is going to shape my life in so many different ways. I would let myself be aware of the people I would meet at college, and the friends that I would make are going to be great friends of mine in the future, even after college, and to finish no matter how much my freshman powder puff team practices, we'll most likely still come in last. Most important, I would let myself know to be myself, no matter who comes into my life. To be the honest, outgoing, and the spunky person that I am, oh and to not procrastinate...on anything!

The advice that I would give myself would be not to rule on the side of comfort. Go out of your comfort zone to get to know other people and experience things that you can't find anywhere else but college. Find a core group of friends who have the same values and interests as you. If you have a good core group of friends you will never be without someone to hang out with. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to get organized right away and learn how to manage my time before going to college. College isn't necessarily harder than high school, it's just more work. So if you are organized and know when you do and don't have time to hang out, you can get through all the homework with ease. One last thing, don't take any moment for granted, in college you will have some of the best experiences of your life. So soak it up and don't live with any regrets.

Well if i were to go back in time to my senior year i would suggest taking more and as many AP classes as possible. They are worth in terms of scholarship opportunities, credits wise, and it makes the transitition that much easier. Another thing i wish i would have done was looking into more schools. I only applied to Bethel and i am hapy with my descision because i love it here and can't see my self anywhere else but i just wish i would have explored my option if it only would have been to financial reasons. And just have fun this is the one time in your life where you will be on your own for the most part. Take advantage of the many opportunities college life throws at you.

I would tell myself to seek out ways to get involved. Looking back on my freshman year in college, I realize I did not mesh myself into the campus community right away, and I wish I had. Meeting people, having structured organizations to plug into, and finding niches in the school to call my own were the best ways I began to think of myself as a Bethel student. I simply wish I had been brave and knowledgeable enough to realize how easy and rewarding it is to get involve. I would also advise myself to not worry about what other people think about me. It is very easy as a new student to be overly concerned with making a good impression, but it often leads to acting pretentious or simply out of one's character. I think these two items of advice would have made my freshman year more enjoyable and rewarding.

Choose a school that aligns with your morals and beliefs, at least for the first year or two. It is very important to be in an atmosphere that can enhance your morals and allow you to mature in that way. It is also very necessary to prioritize what is important to you in a school and in an education. If you hold sports over academics, or if you hold a certain focus of study higher than extra-curriculars, it is necessary to find a school that caters to your needs. I have found especially that living in a community with that possess some of the same religious beliefs as I do, is extremely important. Overall, choose a school that fits your needs and desires; find a place that you feel most comfortable at, and are excited about.

College is a game, and everyone's game looks different. Some people prefer to play battleship, strategically fighting to be the best, to take others down. Others view college as monopoly, collecting as much information as possible for an end goal of success. For others, college is a game of clue, of asking questions to figure out where to be when with who, enjoying all the moves in the process. College can be daunting, entering into an educational structure with people of different thought processes, financial capabilities, and enjoyments. Instead of being frightened of joining into others games or of changing your own game plan, throw in your dice and see where you land. You have something to offer, and you have something to take. Both of these are ok. Do not be scared to share your expertise while also learning from those around you. Your life is about to be altered, possibly in ways you cannot comprehend right now. What you expect may not come to be. However, do not let this prevent you from doing your best... and having some fun times along the way.

Going from high school to college is a big transition. Make sure to keep your priorities. First of all keep God number one, and find a solid church so you will have fellow believers who will support you in all areas. It is important to find a solid group of friends who will keep you accountable to your morals and have fun with you on this journey. Get involved on campus, join a student group and find an area you can be in a leadership position. The course load is much different than high school, but work hard you can do it. Be sure to make use of the teaching assistants and always attend your professors office hours. You will do better on the tests if you know the professor because you will understand how they think. Study with people in your classes, if you can teach the material to someone else then you know it yourself. Remember college is a unique time of life where you are able to be with friends and take control of your life. Make the most of your college years, you are blessed to have this opportunity.

In all honesty, I would have told myself to work harder. I believe that I neglected the development of some very important skills while I was in high school. I took no PSEO classes and chose not to take the AP tests when the spring semester came around. I sort of strolled my way through my last year of high school; and though I do not regret where I am at now, I do wish that I would have better prepared myself for higher education. However, the ability to go back in time and talk to myself is either not yet known or an absurdity. So the question I have just answered is rather irrelevant, unless of course I examine the way I am living my life currently and see whether there is a better way to live right now.

I would ask my-college-self if their is anything that i would change. I would reply to my-highschool-self and say, "There is nothing that i would change, it is all a learning process."