Anastasia
Being here has taught me so many things. Its different being here on my own instead of being with my parents. Being here showed me how important your school work is and how not to let it go to waste because I'm paying $22,000 a year for tution to attend Claflin and you wont be able to get that money back. I want to recieve an education and become the best. This school is known for its good works and it has helped me a lot to understand the steps of becoming a visionary from Claflin; working hard and doing your best. Now I have let go of the home sickness and let the Lord led me in the right direction on being on my own in this world. I know I can make it because Claflin is here to help me make the right decisions to becoming a leader, a visionary for others to see!
Chantell
So far out of my college experience I've learned a lot I didn't know. I learned how to strategize my school work in order to make good grades. It's been valuable to me because they really help me when I need it. The extra care is always there.
Alissa
Makin it to Claflin University was not very easy. I had to work very hard to get here.When the Recruiter came to my school I had to first fill out the application, then I had to make sure that all my test scores were in and ready , and also make sure I had my essay to turn in with application. When I first got my test scores back I thought that they weren’t high enough to turn in for the college. After retaking the test I turn the scores in and soon I got my letter from Claflin saying that I was accepted. Now that I am here I am going to make good grades, keep a good gpa, and move on to success. I will keep good grades by studying at least two hours a day. Also to read all the material before going to class that way I will know a little about the subject before going to class. I have heard that that was a good strategy so I can understand better. Also I will do all homework assignments and turn them in on time.
Dwayne
My mother first gave me Cheerios when I was nine months old. Eating Cheerios can be like microsurgery for nine-month-olds, as they master the hand-eye coordination to connect thumb and index finger to dry Cheerio and then Cheerio to mouth. The Cheerios were part of a set of age-appropriate developmental tasks my mother presented to me, based on the writings of child psychologist Arnold Gesell, who wrote that eating Cheerios refines fine motor skills.I am now beginning to explore these questions in biological terms at my freshman year at Claflin. In my advanced Biology course, I encountered the work of Hubert and Weisel, two Harvard researchers who studied the development of the feline visual cortex. They showed that if they covered one eye of a newborn kitten for the first six months of life, the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information developed differently, a shift that was irreversible after the eye patch was removed. In black-and-white slices of brain tissue, they showed that sensory experience could shape brain cells. I feel blessed to be a part of a strong academic university that is continuing to built my success and character.
Keiko
At Claflin University my eyes have seen much. What I have learned here is irreplaceable. Here, I have learned how to examine people. I have learned how to manage myself. Before I came to school I had an eerie perception on what college was going to be. I assumed the workload was going to be too much and I was destined to fail, but at Claflin I learned that responsibility can take you farther than intelligence. If you had 4.0 grade point average in high school, but you get to college and sleep in all your classes you are bound to fail. Yet if you come with a 3.4 grade point average and you have the work ethic of a 4.0 student you will succeed. This has been the most valuable phase of my life because I am away from home and have no one to blame for my mistakes but myself. I do not have anyone to account for but myself. When I succeed it will be because of the hard work and dedication Keiko put in to her experience, and not anyone else, simply because there is only Keiko.
Steffonya
College has been valuable to attend because I am a first generation student & not only am i furthering my education but I'm also learning what it means to be independent and how to prioritize. Being an independent student & not having a mother & a father to help me with this experience has been a struggle but I've learned to appreciate the good things more because I know how hard it was to make it to the point I'm at alone. I've learned that being here at Claflin University that there are so many oppertunities & that I can catch a break finacially if I apply myself to my best ability & take advantage. Having finances be a least worry will help me approve everything & be all i can be.
Johnny
College has really matured me as a man. It taught me how to ask for help without feeling insecure about myself. Its taught me how to me how to be a team player as well as how to make difficult and life changing decisions for myself. The education I gain in the classrooms is phenomenal. You really feel smarter every time you leave a classroom. For me college is worth every penny, the experience and education you gain while there is priceless, the friendships are worth more than gold, and the memories are treasures that last a lifetime. I've always loved school, but I can honestly say I love college more, because it's more than just a school. You live there, you eat, sleep, and breathe in the atmosphere around you. People say that the college doesn't make you, you make the college, but schools like the one I attend actually make you, mold you, and shape you into a better all around person.
Amanda
I would tell myself to follow my dreams and do not settle for anything less. I missed out on an adventure and truly being on my own. I was not able to explore career options until later because I started my family life early. Choose a path and follow it. Do not let anything stand in your way. It is only harder when you get older and have barriers, like small children to provide for. Your guidance counselors have career assessments they can help you decide the best field of study for you. They will also help you apply for colleges and scholarships.
Brittany
If I could go back and talk to a younger me, I would definitely emphasis to be secure in my beliefs and convictions and to learn how to love myself just how I am. I say this because I have seen multitudes of young people, some of them close friends, come to college and struggle, somtimes fail, not because they weren't talented or capable of doing great , but because they were trying to fit in by letting their social life take precedence over their education. However, i don't believe they let this happen on purpose, bt they just weren't secure enough in who they were to be able to stand out by saying no.
Tynetta
If I could go back in time to give myself advice about the transition to college the first thing I would tell myself is to focus more. This means not letting things that are not important get into the way of my full time job which is getting good grades. Second in the end true friends want you to succeed they won?t hold you back. They will understand when you want to study instead of going out. And third have faith in yourself no one can lift you up as good as you can, and don?t be afraid to fail because when you are you are afraid to try.
Amanda
When i was a senior i had no clue what i wanted to do i just knew i just wanted to work in the medical field. i would tell myself to just relax and i would eventually find out what i wanted. Mostly i would tell myself to do better in my first semester and study more like i should have and made the grades i know i could have made.
Lee
My advice to my high school senior self is be prepared to study more than you ever have. In college, you have to earn your grades, not just by turning some work in and expect an A , just because you turn it in like high school. Secondly, add your professors to your friends list. When you don't understand something in class, don't let pride block your thinking and ask for assistance from them, even if you have to visit them everyday after class. The success is there but, it's up to you to go after it.
Jessica
The advice that I would give to parents and/or students would be to not just go to a college just because it looks good on the outside but venture into the gates of the school, ask questions to advisors/ people who atteneded the school before, and or those that are attending the school now. When in picking a college you have to also take time out to relax, enjoy the fresh air outside!!! Don't cramp things in. take your time engage in conversations with your peers, but also remember you are there to education yourself and become that successful person that you want to be!!
Messcina
The advice that I would give a parent or a student that is looking for the right college is, think to yourself can I see myself here for 4 consecutive years. Can I see myself interacting with the professors, students, faculty, and staff. As a student you would also want to think to yourself "Do I feel comfortable and safe in this area?" Your parents care about your safety and you should too. However, make the choice that is good for your life. Also, make sure the College/ University has your major. Make sure the College/University cares about you as a student, and not as a number. Make sure the college cares about your stay there as much as possible. Claflin as assured me that they want me to be there, and as a result I want to be there as well. I care about my education, and they care about providing me a quality one. So, think about all the factors and possiblities when applying for school and involve your parents. Trust me it will work out for you!
Ashanti
do your research!
Kentaya
The advice that I would give parents and students when finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to focus on the educational background of the college. Researching the schools educational background helps because it allows you to see exactly what is being taught at that college and maybe even how it's being taught. Taking in consideration of campus activities is another helpful tool when looking for the right college. College is not all about just getting an education; having fun and enjoying college is what makes it joyful experience.
Ana
I would tell them that when looking and searching for the best college, look at what oraganizations and cooperations would have to say about them. Go and visit and learn as much as you can about each choice and make sure to ask as many questions as you can to get the real feel for the school. Parents should remember to always support their child's desicsion no matter what/ where it is.
Quinteaz
First and foremost, the student will need to pick the best college that will be the most comfortable for them. They will need to make sure the college has academic accredidation, athletic accredidation optional. They also will need to make sure the college has a good program for their major. Touring the college is necessary to be able to know what they will get out of the college. But most importantly, do they think the college is right for them? If the answer is no, they will not be able to focus and will eventually drop out of college completely. But if the answer is yes, they will be able to learn all they can on their specific major of focus and it will be applied to its fullest once they graduate and have a successful job.
Kendrick
I would say make sure to do your research and make sure this school is set in your heart wanting to attend this college or university.
Stephanie
Do not decide the college based on things you have heard. Actually go to the school and ask questions. When choosing a major, do not pick the obvious lawyer or doctor just because thats the most common. It takes a lot to run the world, and there are many different majors that can lead to a successful career. In order to get the best experience socially, be sure to try your best to participate in many activities which will not only help you learn more about what your school has to offer, but help you find like minded friends.