College of the Ozarks Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself as a senior that I need to not be scared about the change. I would tell myself that even though it may be difficult to move away from the comfort of home to a whole new place, not knowing a single person, I would not be the only person doing it. There would be many, many others doing the exact same thing I would be doing. I would also tell myself that I need to get involved with organizations and clubs as soon as I possibly could. I regret the decision I made to not join any clubs my first semester. I would tell myself that I needed to at least try a few of them. If they did not work out, so be it. I could at least say that I tried them. And I would say that I need be more open about talking to people. I would tell myself to try and make as many friends as possible, while also remembering that my school work must come first. If any friends are having a study session, I would tell myself to attend it.

I would tell myself that I don't end up marrying him, but choosing that school because of him was the best decision I ever made. I would choose it again. I would also tell myself to not be so quick to choose a major, and you're allowed to change it. Go ahead and do the nursing/ medical stuff that you originally wanted because it would have been free the first time. Don't be intimidated by it. Now it costs money. You'll change your mind a million times where you want to go in life. Make the decisions YOU feel are where God is leading you. Don't follow the crowd. Most importantly, you should enjoy life in the present. Don't worry about tomorrow because it passes by way too quickly. Make friends and keep up with them because College is one of the best times of your life.

To make the transition from high school to college life I would advise you to work on time management more. In college there is so much going on it is hard to get everything done in the amount of time you have. There are constantly events going on on campus or friends are planning things to do and sometimes you will have to pick between fun, homework, and sleep. If you manage your time wisely you will not have to do this; you will be able to make time to sleep, do your homework, and spend time with your friends.

Relax. Focus on schoolwork more than reading. Save as much money as you can to travel afterwards. And most importantly, always look to the future in your decisions. Every little experience will build your future.

The advice i would give is apply early! don't wait! and look for scholarships everywhere, take advice and ask your parents about anything you can

I would have attended every club and been involved more in scholastic opportunities. Though I was a very active student, I did not keep a record of all the things that I participated in.

If I could go back in time and give my younger and naive self adive, I would advise myself not to rush into situations and to become disciplined in self-control. If I had known these qualities at the beginning of my college career, I would have saved myself from much pain and many mistakes. In addition, I would also advise myself to not just see the current picture of life, but to also look ahead and use these years to prepare for what is to come. If I had started looking forward earlier in my college career, I would have been more prepared for what is to come in the near future after graduation. In finality, before I would travel back to the present I would leave myself with this sobering quote: "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail." It is critical to have a plan and set goals in life to achieve the marathon of life.

If I were able to go back in time to talk to my senior self I would tell my self to make sure to save all the money you can because your books for your classes will cost a arma and a leg.

I have gotten a sense of responsibility and hard work. This school has many characteristics that i do not like about it , but it has been very difficult to attend and stay focused and through that challenge i have come out of it a better man. I know i can do what it takes to support my family and give them the life i always dreamed about. I know when i get out nothing will stand in my way to succeed.

My college experience has been very valuable to me because it has taught me the value of work and the determination needed for success. My college experience has helped me to organize better and to be more responsible. This is important in todays society. At College of the Ozarks we are required to go to Convocations, some of which, I have learned a great deal from. Some convocations have been David Barton, Sarah Palin and Victor Marx. All of these people have helped to shape my wonderful experience here. They have taught of their experiences in life and how they have over come them and how they have become to be where they are. If it wasn't for college of the Ozarks I wouldn't be as successful as I am now and I wouldn't be the person I am today. Deciding to attend college was the best and most rewarding idea I have ever had.

The environment at College of the Ozarks is wonderful. The teachers actually help you and the overall people that come here are very nice. It's really hard not to make friends with everybody. Five words that I would describe the college are as follows: Academicly, Spiritual, Vocational, Patriotic, and Cultural. This is the college to go to, but with my expensises, it's hard to stay enrolled.

The most valuable thing that I have gotten out of my college experience is learning to listen to my advisor. By paying attention to deadlines for registration, scholarships, and class assignments, I have been rewarded. Class selection and developing a schedule were much easier. By paying attention to the deadlines for scholarships and grants, I was able to secure a small amount of free money. The hints that my advisor gave me helped me to produce a schedule that would increase the probability of my maintaining a better GPA. My advisor's advice on doing my best has also been considered. By keeping good grades and graduating, I will be able succeed in life and hopefully obtain gainful employment.

Though College of the Ozarks was not my first choice for a college, not by a long shot, it had one great advantage that the other colleges I was accepted to did not have. College of the Ozarks was free. I am a history major who is enrolled in a MA in history program and plan to continue through a doctoral program. Because I was able to leave College of the Ozarks with no debt, I was in a great place when applying to Graduate Programs. However, probably the most important lesson I learned through my college experience was the importance of respecting others opinions and personal choices. College of the Ozarks is a very conservative and traditional institution. After watching so many of my classmates hide who they really are for fear of retribution from the College of the Ozarks administration, I have learned just how important it is to respect others values, even if they are not the values you hold yourself. There can be nothing more hurtful than someone discrediting your humanity simply because you value different things.

I have been nothing short of abundantly blessed by God to have the opportunity to come to this school. I am only a first-semester freshman at present, but my experiences here are already enriching my life. I know that I am working hard and persevering to achieve my highest goals, and it gives me the upmost feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment to actually be carrying out my dreams. I mean, literally nothing else can compare with this. I know that even though things can get hard, I will be reaping the benefits of this for a long time. It is a truly amazing experience.

I would tell myself that although it is good to get away from home, in the end, going to a college close to home is much more efficient. As a senior, I should have applied myself more in terms of searching for financial aid. I went to college not having any scholarships or grant money which has put a lot of financial pressure on myself and my parents. I wish I could go back in time and explain to myself all the problems not having scholarships has caused my family. I wish I could change the past for the better.

If I could speak to myself at this time about a year ago, the first thing I would say is, "Rachel! Stop worrying, you WILL get to College of the Ozarks!" I had a lot of worries about not getting accepted here, and I didn't, until the spring semester. I would remind myself that God is in control of my destiny and that where ever He takes me is where I need to be. I would also talk to myself about the rumors. College life is not all about parties and the rules are not as stressful as people say. Sure, tests and finals are hard, but once you make it to the place where you know you want to be, things become peaceful. You enjoy your stay in your dorm, no matter how small, you make friends with people, even if you try not to, you study together, and you get plenty of time to have fun at events and lunch and even at work. I would also say not to pack away all those flip flops just yet, and remember to take a break, because it all goes by so fast.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school and tell myself one thing, I would tell myself to get into good study habits while I'm still in high school and the homework and tests are easier. I would tell myself that even if I don't need the strong study habits right now, that I will need them for the rest of my life and that it will make college much smoother for myself. Every student has trouble fitting in right away, but with the ability to study well and retain the knowledge that you absorb makes it much simpler to fit in and gives you a little more time to figure out where exactly you fit in the structure of the school.

If I was to go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, I think the conversation would start off with we the question "what are you doing ?" As a senior I was not preparing like I should, and I would make sure I knew that if I was to go back. I would also have the advice to think about an alternete career choice that could be your back up if something was to change .

I am amused how much I expected, as a high school senior, to go to college simply for the academics. It was my goal to simply get my degree and move on with life. If I could have known more of what college was like, I would have told myself that there is so much more than school. While academics are important at this college, the community is strong as well. I have made so many friends here who are likely to be lifelong friends. Because I took a year off of school after graduating high school, I had an entire school year to prepare myself and try to earn money. Even then, a year of preparation did not prepare me entirely for the fun, late nights, occasional pranks, exploration, and self-discovery. All this within the first three semesters! Could I go back and prepare my high school self, I would tell myself to loosen up and be prepared to do much more, and much that is different from what I expected. Education, especially on a college campus, is an adventure beyond what I anticipated. Enjoy life, I would say. Let it be a real learning experience.

Be sure of yourself and do not shortchange yourself for fear of accumulating debt; debts can be paid but time lost in dead end jobs and second rate schools cannot be regained. Take risks, choose the uncertain road that you wanted with its challenges and excitement, and listen to what you want for you alone have to live with yourself.