Bridgewater College Top Questions

College life is no easy task, there will be times when your dedication will be tested, your hard work be worthless, but accept not defeat. Establish your purpose in life and pursuit it with all your might. Life without a purpose is very bleak, because purpose creates hope for a better future, strength to overcome hard work, and dedication to succeed. One never truly realizes how much one can change in two years time, but with every moment experienced, maturity and wisdom grows. Every feat, no matter how small (winning an intramural shirt), and every struggle, no matter how grand (providing for my future) have shaped me into the person I am today. I want you not to remember me for being here at your side, but for giving you the tools to succeed, the power to establish your purpose in life, for life without purpose is meaningless.

The most important thing you should do before going to culinary- or any school, is find out about YOU. Pray and spend time with yourself. Discover your likes, dislikes, strengths, & weaknesses- things that excite you, or make you cringe. Many people, including me, have graduated from high school and taken the "next logical step" to college without a thought. It could turn out okay, but often results in disengaged dropouts or accomplished graduates who lack direction- or worse PASSION! Look for enrichment/ career programs at community centers or local colleges. Read everything you can about cooking. Visit the library, subscribe to Bon App?tit and Gourmet Magazine. Learn on your own. Practice recipes you find- experiment. Get a restaurant job that promises advancement. The experience will be invaluable on your resume and in the classroom. APPLY TO EVERY SCHOLARSHIP YOU CAN! Join a website like WWW.FASTWEB.COM or WWW.CAPPEX.COM to find opportunities. Starting the college fund hunt is easier-- earlier. Create a profile that describes your goals, plans, involvement, and achievements. This will help you answer the most general questions in scholarship essays. Research and visit colleges: contact administration, compare your top choices, and APPLY EARLY!

As a high school senior, I was very eager to choose a college and begin the journey towards rest of my life. If I could go back in time and give myself advice for the future, I would state a few simple tips. I would press upon the importance of applying for as many scholarships as possible. The economy is struggling and any financial assistance is necessary when attending a private college like I am. I would also insist that I try to find someone I know who is planning on going to the same school as me and request that we dorm together. Unfortunately, my dorming experience has not been what I wanted nor what I expected. Perhaps this advice would have benefited me greatly. Lastly, I would urge myself to stay focused and commited to my class work and strive to achieve as much as I can for my academic development. Time management between grades and social relationships can determine what the remainder of the college experience will be like. I would end this conversation with my past self by saying work hard, put in the time, make great friends, and enjoy college as much as you can.

First, I would make sure I realized this is a new chapter of my life, a time for new beginnings and change. However, it is important to understand that change is okay! The change I am going to be facing is going to reflect me. Choosing a college is not an easy decision, and a decision that needs to be thought about sooner than later. I would make sure to tell myself to focus on ?me!? I would tell myself, ?Make sure you pick a college where you want to go! Don't base your college decisions on where your friends go. True friends will stick with you throughout your life! Also, don?t worry about your parents; they are big kids and can handle you moving away. Part of the college experience is growing up and learning to be on your own. Another big issue that you will face is tuition. Just remember, financial aid is available most everywhere. Also, check around your local town for extra scholarships. If it is where you want to go then GO! But most importantly, don?t settle on one you think you can grow to like. Pick a college that fits you!?

If i could go back to my senior year to talk about how college is, I think that i would tell myself not to worry. Becoming apart of the IB program was one of the best moves i could have made in preparation for college and it made the transition from high school to college incredibly smooth. IB shares the same values as a liberal arts college so it will be familiar ground for an IB student One of the most important skills to develop is being able to write analytically and this will be your saving grace in college . It's important to have drive and to b e an aggressive learner as opposed to passive because that's the only way you will retain and gain from college experience. Additionally, I would advise getting a job and saving money to ease the expense of college.

While academics are the reason that people go to college, they should not be the sole focus at college. Academics are important, but most often, students are able to put forth 1/2 the effort and gain the same results. I am not saying that students should slack off, but that they should put things into perspective and not stress over the last sentence of a research paper. I am a Chemistry and Spanish double major, and I have a 3.77 GPA. I am on the varsity soccer and swim teams, a leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, tutor 4 times a week, and sleep at least 8 hours a night. As a senior, I spend less than 2 hours on homework a night. I have found that I am able to enjoy my college education fully, without stressing. I complete the work that is required with my best effort, but I do not stress about it and I allow myself to have time to relax and do other things as well. Academics are important, but college is about more than that. It is about developing who we are as people and preparing for the real world.

Firstly and the most importantly I would advice myself "DO NOT PROCRASTINATE," because if there is anything that will ruin my experience at college , it would be procrastination. The first time one does it, her or she will become addicted. I would also like to tell myself that I shouldn't be afraid of making new friends, its life. People come and go in life, but and friends do also. Only the special ones stay forever. Lastly I would advice myself to enjoy the experience and make memories. It is an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life, and I should consider myself lucky to get an oppurtunity of a lifetime, beacuse not many people are fortunate enough to experience it. I would tell my self to make memories that I would laugh at when I remembered them, and not have any regrets.

You're in high school....DON'T STRESS! Just do what you have to do and take one day at a time. There's no need to stress about tomorrow...what good is that going to do?! You know what you need to get done and it'll get there one thing at a time. Just be cool, calm, and collective. Apply to schools, visit them, and don't rush the decision; yes, take the advice of others but ultimately it's your decision! Pick the school that's going to foster YOU the best---in and outside the classroom. When it's all over what you do want to be able to say---"Man, I'm glad I spent thousands of dollars on books and all my book smarts (with no social life)." Or do you want to be able to say "man, I'm glad that I divided my time among class, friends, intramurals, volunteer experiences, (etc)! Life is too short to be stressed over little things...take advantage of what's right in front of you!!!

Make sure that visit a campus before making any kind of decision. It is important for the parents to like the campus, but it is even more important that the student feels right and comfortable on that campus the very FIRST time they step foot on campus. Looking into what classes would be like is extremely important, but to also see the surrounding area to the school is an important factor. It is just as important to the college life, just as the actual campus is. Being aware of activities offered on campus helps determine how you feel about the school, and a good way to do this would be to vsit a Friday to experience the academic side of things, and a Saturday to experience the social part of things. Every aspect of college is important.

In order to decide on a school you should consider not only financially, but also the size and location. Consider size because you may not want to be another number, or you may want to participate in sports after high school. Location is important, you want to have enough space to be independent but not too far away incase you need your family. Also when ever you have free time on the weekends you may want to go into town, make sure to have accessible resources. When it comes to academics-- got to class, study a lot on your own, don't sell yourself short. College is all in what you make of your experience. Get involved in clubs/sports/activities available to you at your school it helps you make friends. Some of the best friends you will make and keep are in college. Go in with a positve attitude and make the most of it because it college is an experience and opportunity that only comes once in a life time.