Bethel University-Saint Paul Top Questions

When you visit a college try to eat lunch at the same time the college kids would be eating lunch. Then look around and ask yourself could I see myself hanging out with the people here, could I see myself with these college kids? If the answer is no, the kids aren't like me then more likely you won't be happy at the school. If the answer is yes then this may be the school for you.

Find an affordable place that you can successfully call home for four years. Chances are that if you don't like the people, you won't like the school. Involvement in activities is almost imperitive for most to have a memorable college experience. It's like everyone says "don't let school get in the way of a good education." If there is too much of a focus on grades, there is too much pressure. If there is too much focus on activities, there is no challenge. You must find a balance. College is one of the wisest investments to make.

Education is one of the most important gifts that people can give themselves; therefore it is key to find a college that best suits each individual. It is necessary take time to research all the different schools that are available to a person to see where he/she would best fit. Visiting a career counselor to discover what one's strengths are and what career/school path would be one's greatest match may be a very wise decision. Not only can it help one to discover who he/she is, but it can also be helpful to learn how he/she would interact within the different schools available. College brings challenges and triumphs alike, though sometimes inducing a rough ride, both are critical to personal growth. It is also critical that every person, no matter his/her background or past use these growing experiences to accomplish his/her life goals!

First and foremost, I believe the most important thing while searching for a school is to follow what you feel. Do not follow your friends into a school just because they are going there. Sit down, and write down a list of adjectives that best describe you, and then keep those in mind while looking through schools. Stay true to yourself. Once you're in college, don't become a dorm hermit. Keep your eyes open for any and all opportunities to join groups, events, and meet new people! Friends and the students you go to school with have a massive effect on your college experience. If you meet a lot of great people not only will you have a good time, but college will be much easier.

Don't be afraid to take risks. Don't go to college too close to home. Put yourself out of your comfort zone because this is the time to do it and find out what you're made of. Make sure you feel safe there. Academics should be the number one priority when choosing a school, but the social life and sense of community is almost as important, so make sure you like the feel of the campus overall and the attitudes of the students and professors.

Keep in mind you may not get as much financial aid as you did your first year. Choose a college you not only like but can also afford.

get involved and get out there to make new friends, find out who the best teachers are and the best classes and take advantage of everything you can. research as much as you can, find out what other people who have been to certain schools think, and figure out what you want in a school.

I think one of the main things you need to do to find the right college is to visit the college first! You can get a feel for the college in just a few minutes if you visit one. Another thing i would recommend that some colleges offer is for the student to stay overnight with a host student at the college. Also, for making the most of the college experience is to resist the urge to go home the first few weekends. Those first few weekends are the most critical for making new friends, and if you just go home all of the time, you miss out on alot! Also, GET ENOUGH SLEEP! If you are tired all of the time you don't do as well in your classes, and don't have as much energy to get out and get involved!

The great thing about the college experience is that you get to be anyone and anything you want to be. You?re not bound by who you were and what others think of you. This gives you an opportunity to be all you can be and immerse yourself in a context that will help you to become who you will be for the rest of you life. Pick a school that fits with your personality, if it doesn?t feel right, it probably isn?t. Don?t second guess yourself all the time. Don?t sit around and wait for the college life to come to you. Take the reigns right away and enjoy what experiences can come your way. Brace yourself for the crashing wave but let it carry you to places that will live in your memory forever.

Find a college that focuses heavily on healthy personal and communal growth for its students. It is vital for college students to develop their personal identity in a safe and healthy environment. I have been extremely fortunate in finding a school that does not allow consumption of alcoholic beverages for its students during the school year. I have never felt pressured to drink nor has the drunkeness of others ever interfered with my need to study, relax or having fun with my friends on campus. The lack of alcohol consumption has freed me to explore so many other better activities in life. College can be extremely intimidating as a freshmen. However, I would encourage students to make a strong effort to build relationships with their peers and professors. I have been very thankful for the wonderful friendships that have formed in college that never would have happened had I remained inside my shell. Both my friends and my professors have supported and advised me very well on how to grow and involve myself in order to make the most of my life. I would not trade that for the wealth of the world.