Bryan College-Dayton Top Questions

What should every freshman at Bryan College-Dayton know before they start?

Deborah

I would tell myself not to stress out about the small stuff. For my first couple of years here at Bryan, grades consumed my life. I sacrificed the ability to make many lasting frienships and relationships with fellow classmates and peers because I was so worried about my grades. In my final two years at Bryan, my priorities have shifted. I have finally learned the balance between academics and relationships. My time at Bryan has taught me that my college education is more than the lectures I have heard, more than the weeks of studying, and much more than grades on my transcript. At Bryan, I was taught to value studious diligence, but more importantly, I learned to treasure the relationships formed upon this hill. This community has taught me the intricate balance between involvement, relationships, and academics that many college students struggle with. For that I am forever grateful. In conclusion, I would say to my younger self, take risks, make mistakes, go out on a limb and make some lifelong friendships. They are just as important as the degree that you came here to earn in the first place.

Kalyn

I would tell myself three things: do your absolute best in your last year of school no matter what, get an early start in looking for scholarships and financial aid, and definitely take advantage of both dual enrollment and summer classes! I could have saved myself a lot of difficulty and hard work in looking for scholarships my first year in college if I would have taken the first two pieces of advice. Now that I am taking advantage of summer and winter classes, I have a big jump on getting out of college a year early; I just wish I would have taken advantage of them sooner, especially more of the dual enrollment classes. Overall, I would tell myself to do your best and trust God, and everything will work out as it should.

Kristene

You are going to have a lot of struggles, and it will seem that you will never reach your goal. Remember that God has a plan for you, even if it is not what you want it to be. You will graduate, you will excell and you will achieve great things. Don't give up on your self, even when it seems that times are bad. It will get better, and you will have an amazing time!

Makenzie

I would tell myself to not be nervous or shy! The students loved you anyway, so just show them all of who you are right from the get-go. I was kind of in a shell in highschool. I was afraid to be vulnerable, but the people at Bryan taught me about love and how I can be me without any judgement! I would tell myself that and explain that I didn't have to hide anymore.

Robin

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself not to worry about the future and to enjoy the college transition process. When I was a high school senior, the year after my graduation looked extremely uncertain for me. I wasn’t able to afford to go to the school of my choice, I was undecided in what I wanted to major in, and I had no solid plans for life after college. However, as time moved on, everything fell into place. Now I am at the college I wanted to attend, majoring in Biology, with so many open doors for my future that I’m excited. Looking back, I would tell myself not to waste my time wishing for immediate answers to the future, but to enjoy every second of the transition to college. I would say to enjoy being at home those last few months, enjoy the bittersweet goodbyes to childhood, and enjoy everything about college. If I could tell my senior high school self anything, I would say to look forward to the future with anticipation rather than anxiety, and not to miss the moments along the way.

Stefani

Don't be a slacker! I say to myself all the time if I could go back I would. I was such a slacker my senoir year. I was so ready to be out of high school that I just did enough work to get by. And another thing...make sure you know where you're going. I had no idea, so I've been to 4 different schools. Transferring is so hard.

Carlin

Don't be afraid to try something different. Whether it's a new food in the cafeteria (yay for fried pickles and okra in the South!), or a volunteer activity you've never done before, you'd be surprised at how much fun experiencing new things can be. Getting involved in things you would normally keep at arms reach will allow you to interact with all kinds of students on your campus, and will put you in a place of influence as you progress from a Freshman to an upperclassman. Trying something new will also give you a love of learning that is addicting, to say the least! Fast learners are innovators and world -changers, because they are bold enough to exeprience, observe, and interact with the world around them. So, try those new foods, travel to a different country, get involved in that juggling club, and you may just find that what your experience outside the classroom is just as shaping as your experience inside with your professors.

Natalie

Now that I have attented a couple colleges, if I was to go back in time I would tell myself that it is important to take it seriously. I would know to study more and apply myself better. I think I would go straight into college after finishing high school. I would travel overseas and learn about an country. I would really think about my future and what I want to do, when you go to college straight out of high school, you really have no idea what you want to do. I also would tell myself that college isn't cheap, and think about what I really love and that is what I would study. One thing that I would do is make a schedule of classes, study time, and personal time, because it is important to keep proirities in line when you go to college. I've grown up a lot since high school and I wouldn't have done anything differently, except take a little time off before starting college after high school.

Josiah

Go with your gut. Play soccer and stay away from girls your first year. Focus your studies and having fun like a man. Keep your relationship with God strong and vibrant.

Tina

That I would have studied harder and concentrated more on my academics. I would have been on the honors roll and put other things that I thought was important at the time to the side.

Alexandria

If some mad man inventor created a time machine and I could go back to when I was a High School Senior I would tell myself a lot about going to college and what it means to grow up. Although I am only ninteen years old, my college experience thus far has taught me a lot about life, love and all the wonderful and rough things in between. As a senior in High School I thought that going to Tenessee to college was great because it got me away from Bradenton Florida where I had spent the last seventeen years of my life, and my naggy parents. However, If I could go back to that time, when I was so naive this is what I would say. Your parents might not always be the people you want to hear from, but they have more wisdom than you know, so you should listen to them. Pretending to be someone your not does not ever make someone love person you are in you soul. Work hard for yourself and your own goals but remeber that the Lord is the one whose really in control, so don't forget about him.

Brittany

In preparation a high school senior should make sure to know the values and morals of the school they will be attending. It is important to know the values and morals because it may be a shock to some if it is a school with values they do not agree on. For exampe, dress code can be a problem because many student do not know there is a dress code, but get to school and find out there is and run into issues. It is also good to know if a student is attending a "hard-core" Christian school, or a party school because there are some people that cannot fit into certain situations. I would encourage every high school senior to get involved in the college they attend because it makes college life more enjoyable. It is important to know that college is different than high school and you must be prepared to make life changing decisions for your future. College can be a fun and exciting experiences, but it comes with working hard in academic studies to acheive a successful future.

Melanie

In highschool, I was a very good student academically and socially. I mantained a 4.0 GPA and was involved in a lot of extracurricular activities including sports. I would give myself plenty of advice about a lot of things I know now. However, the most important thing I would tell my self is to take advantage of all dual-enrollment classes that you can. Thanks to very generous donators, I had 15 college credits when I graduated, but there was a lot of classes that I could have taken and missed out on. Dual-enrollment is such a great oppurtunity for high school students. It gets them the most prepared for the way college classes are set-up and gives them a great feel of a college atmosphere. I now take advantage of advising current high school students to get involved with dual-enrollment as much as possible, so they will not have to wish they could go back and tell themselves that.

Kayla

I would stress the vital importance of finding scholarships and applying for them. Financial aid is a scary and intimidating thing, and it helps to be prepared. My college career would have begun seamlessly had financial aid been easier to get. Scholarships help, no matter the size and the more you attempt or qualify for, the better off you are. There are many methods of finding scholarships and it just takes effort to find the ones that are right for you. But it is worth it and can save you much stress and worry in the long run.

Casey

My advice to myself a year ago would not have been about classes, study habits, what cafeteria meals to avoid, professors, etc. My advice would be about time management and relationships. People are important. But close, encouraging, supportive, challenging friends are vital, not necessarily popularity. And popularity is not as important grades. Grades keep you in school with people, anyway. As a result, I would've like to have known better how to balance classes with free time and also how to discern what friends will make me a better person versus who will make me look good.

Rachel

If I could go back in time and give myself advice before coming to college, I would tell myself that grades are not as important as many people consider them. I spent too much time focusing on my grades Freshman year of college when I should have been taking advantage of the opportunities for making new friends and building relationships with people that are going to last and be more rewarding than a high GPA. Grades are important and should not be neglected, but sometimes people are more important. I would also tell myself that college grows you more than you expect. It is very stretching academically, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally, but the maturity that results is worth the struggle. Looking back, I would tell myself that a few years into college I would not be the same person I was during high school. I would tell myself to embrace the opportunities for learning and growing and to not be afraid to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. It's a whole new world out there, don't be afraid to experience it.

Kelsey

In attending Bryan College, I have gained much more than "just" an education. My friendships have been invaluable to me, both with other students as well as well as with faculty members. Also, my experience within my major has been both fun and educational. The students here are welcoming and accepting; within the first week of school I had established a group of friends that still support me during both good times and stressful rough patches. My professors have also opened their doors (both in office and home) that have allowed me to connect on a deeper level than just the classroom. By getting to know my professors in a more relaxed, fun setting, I have gleaned wisdom and insight that I can apply to my personal life, and the relationships themselves have been richly influential to how I have grown as a person while in college. As a musical theatre major, much of my education has been performance-based. I have enjoyed the performance opportunities with both music and theatre, and I have become more confident in my abilities in the skills I am developing. This confidence will positively affect my overall life-quality, and I am very grateful.

John

At Bryan College I am not only getting a great education but am also loved and accepted. I am not only taught things in the class room but am free to learn and get answers to questions in many, many ways. I even gain answers to the biggest questions of my life: Where did I come from? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Why can I sense right and wrong? What am I really? What happens after I'm dead is that the end? With all this added up what could be better then to be at Bryan College?

Rebecca

Since coming to Bryan College I have received a quality education that has prepared me for my future career as a teacher, but also so much more. I have been inspired to excell and to serve, to thrive instead of survive. There is a saying that some people are dragged through life and others dance through it. Bryan College has helped me learn how to navigate smoothly and gracefully through life's challenges, how to live beautifully and well instead of being dead weight. I have made lasting friendships with both peers and professors. I have been nurtured mentally, physically, and spiritually and been taught that I must nurture others as well. I am so thankful for this college and that God allowed me to come here.

alan

In my freshman year of college i had student success, english, and math. In that time period i discovered my hidden potential as a student to take control of my education and take in a new learning style. I am in the process of going for my associates and bachelors. I hope that i can achieve my goals and standards. I would have taken 6 classes this semester but my financial aid would have not covered it. At this moment i am in the fix of looking around to find a good scholarship to help me get my books and classes i need in order to make a difference in the working enviroment. I want to make a difference; i want to be remembered as an achiever.