College of the Ozarks Top Questions

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.