Concordia University-Texas Top Questions

College isn't as hard or scary as you think it is now. If you have good study habits- you will do well.

Experiencing college firsthand is a very new and different experience for each new student that enrolls. No matter what everybody tells you or what you have heard about it, not many people (if any) come in completely prepared for college. If I knew what I know now, I would tell myself to work on managing all of my time because that is probably the hardest thing to do in college. It is extremely hard to learn how to balance classes, homework, baseball, sleep, and a social life and I would've wanted to be much more prepared for it than I was. Also I would tell my high school self to apply for many more scholarships early on. The cost of attendance at Concordia is about 40,000 dollars per year which is far more expensive than the amount of money given by even the highest scholarship. I would apply for any and every scholarship that I could if I was a senior and knew what I know now that way I would be able to finish college completely debt-free and with no student loans.

Jake, I know you aren't thinking about college right now. You're probably goofing around with your friends and giving your parents grief but I want you to seriously consider going to school. A college education can offer you so much more in life than just working at Hat World. I know you don't have the financial side of things figured out but don't worry. Once you start trying and put your mind to it you'll find that there's a lot of people along the way that will help you out. So don't be scared. And especially don't think that you have to be left behind because you don't. You'll find something that you can do for your life as well as the life of others that will bring joy to yourself and those around you. Once you do all you got to do is find a school that has the tools necessary to make that happen. Hang in there buddy you'll turn out just fine I promise. Sincerely, Jake Hill (You)

The advice that I would tell myself as a senior is although you do not see it yet high school is preparing yourself for college. The first is waking up really early for high school gives you a routine for college of how to wake up and go to every class because missing one day of class in college is like missing 2 weeks of high school material. Another thing is keep raising your GPA because in doing that it gives you an opporunity to apply for scholarships and ultimately gaining one. As of now you are a senior in high school but you will become a freshman next year that means do not slack off in the first semester because the first semester of college is the most important semster in your college career. Keep working hard and "say yes to opporuntities" as it will guide you to beome a christian leader.

1) STAY AWAY FROM GIRLS. They tend to get you in trouble and really conflict with your faith standing. By giving up chasing every chance you get you see things through a clearer lense. You notice how trivial one good night can be compared to getting ahead in more important parts of life. 2) Try not to impress people so much, you have had a hard life growing up but telling your story really doesnt change anything. If anything it makes people look down on you for what you had to do to get by 3) VERY IMPORTANT!!! Enjoy the down time, the peace gives good time to sit, think, pray, and just recooperate from the struggles of life. You dont need to go out all the time and if you dont get invited then just sit back and let it go 4) The past is the past, this place is a clean slate where you can start fresh and make a new life for yourself. All of the bad stuff is no longer part of your life so complete the redemption and just relax. The people will be good so you have nothing to fear.

You should apply for all of the scholarships. Not just a few, but every single one you can find. you'll end up needing them. Take your time and figure out what you want to do with your life, because you don't need to know it right at age 18. Know that some people will act nice, but actually want to stab you in the back. Also know that some people who look like they'd be the kind to stab you in the back can actually be very loyal and good friends, given the chance. Never accept a friend's offer to drink if that friend is from a small town of less than 100 people, and he or she will be buying all of your drinks. Because they'll think that wine should follow beer. And that's just wrong. Also, bet someone that we'll have an African American president before the end of the decade. Bet a lot of money and hope that by giving you this advice I hasn't changed the future. Now that I think about it, you probably shouldn't even gamble. It's illegal.

I'd say to myself...Geoff you need to go to college now! Don't wait. College isn't as hard as you may think. If you do all the required work, and you put an effort into it, it's not that hard. It's totally worth your time!!

The advice I would give to myself would be to stay focused, make better grades, and challege myself. Challenging myself to take AP classes is definitely something that every student should do. These classes will better prepare me for college and allow me to be more successful to do college level work. If I don't take these classes, college will be a lot harder and more challenging. Staying focused and making good grades in high school needs to be a top priority. If one is not focused, it can cause a student to have poor grades. Making good grades are very important because it determines the college you will attend. Always remember that freshman year in high school is the most important year because it sets the standard of how your overall gpa will look like in the future. If you start off poor, it will be harder to bring your gpa up. Don't ever let anyone get in the way of your success and always remember that education is the key to happiness.

Save more money and apply for more scholarships! It is very expensive and you do not realize how much it cost to live in a city like Austin. It is a lot easier being able to go through college when you are not haing to worry about money

I am an Education major and I was able to complete student teacher observation already. i think it is a good idea, no matter what your major, to be able to take classes in that area and to get as much knowledge as you can so you can be sure that is what you really want to do. It isn't unusual for college students to change majors. The sooner you can find out if you need/want to change majors, the better. Some of my friends have gone to other schools and their schools start them out completeing the required basic classes, English, History, Government, etc. and they do not start taking classes in their major until their junior year. Not only that, they are so bored and frustrated.

I went to college right out of high school. Since I had been in Japan for most of my life, when we moved to the US it was very difficult for me to fit in. I was at 3 different high schools. I went to college and finally felt like could fit in and I stayed there for 4 years and enjoyed the whole experience. It became not only where I made friends but also a family. I later went back to school for my masters and was able to use my international experiene and look at Globalization in education and study at the University of Pretoria. I feel all students need to be able to study abroad and get experience outside of their norm. I plan to continue with my doctorate and look at how we can international college campuses in the US so that students can be ready to global citizens.

While in college I have learned responsibilty that I do not believe I could have recieved anywhere else. They always say that experience is the best teacher and it has proven to be very true. I have also learned about independence. I no longer have my parents here to help me when things get tough. College not only teaches you book smarts, but it also teaches you valuable life lessons that may not always be offered elsewhere. When I began college, I did not think that I would have learned all these other things along with the school work. Because of my experiences in college I feel that I will be more prepared for when I graduate college. Not only will I have a degree that I worked extrememly hard for, but I will also have the experience that I need to be successful in life.

There will be times when you feel burnt out and want to surrender. You are going to wonder whether or not investing so much money is at times even worth it. And, at times the pressure will bring you to tears. Before you begin packing clothes, a desk lamp, febreze, and a loud alarm clock for your first year of college, pack a yearbook and write a letter of encouragement to yourself. I did this before I began my sophomore year and it has made a significant difference in my sophmore year in comparison to freshman year. Transitioning to this new way of living is often very hard and a great challenge for many freshman. But, if a positive mindset is reinforced with memories of people you love and times you enjoyed, along with a note to yourself that tells you to keep moving forward and stay focused, then huge progress is developed. Overall, my advice to you is to never give up. Remember that its ok to sit on your bed to relax with a warm up of Ramon noodles. Stay strong, and know it can only get better if you fight the surrender away and keep moving forward.

If I could go back to last spring and talk to my high school self about the transition to college life, I?d have lots of advice to give myself. First, I?d tell myself to be more outgoing. Don?t be afraid to show my true self and just get out there and become friends with as many people as possible. With that, I?d also tell myself be careful about trusting people too quickly, you?ve only known them a few weeks, let them prove that they deserve your trust. I?d also tell myself to try and find someone that I can turn to no matter what is happening and trust this person to be there for me. I?d tell myself that if someone seems manipulative or like they are only going to bring me down and distract me from what is important, school and God, then they are not worth another minute of my time and get away from them before they bring me down. Most importantly, I?d tell myself that no matter what happens or what trouble I get in that God loves me and to turn to him whenever things get tough.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I actually wouldn't tell myself anything because nothing I could say would make a difference.. I already knew that school would be a challage when it comes to the social aspects of it and the presentations because of my social phobia. The cost of college was an issue then and it is still an issue now. The only thing that i would on needed is the passion to make my dreams comes true and lucky I had already had that. So as I stated before there is no advice I would of given myself.

I would tell myself not to be worried about anything after college. Let college happen and then worry about post-grad stuff after you finish.

?I'm going to Concordia University no matter what it takes? I argued as my parents listed all of the negatives of me attending college far from home. They placed the most concern on the eminent bill that I would be receiving from the private institution. What they did not understand was that my life goals and dreams were going to be made or broken on my attendance of that school. I spent many nights teary eyed at the fact that I knew what I was meant to do in life, but my family would not support me. In the end my parents gave in , but it was hard to convince them. My advice for future college students would be to work hard and set goals early in high school that will make your dreams come true. One of the major things that will determine this will be the college you attend, so be sure that you are satisfied in the quality of the education that you will be receiving there. Don't hesitate to question the status quo; in the end you are the one that has to live with your career choice for the rest of your life.

Don't take a year off to find yourself, just barrel into your classes and buckle down because education and research is your calling -- this is where you belong. You do not need a car, put that money towards your education. Avoid the mundane tasks of everyday life and jobs that consume your self-concept. Read more, read everything and write down everything that inspires you. Take your art classes, make sure you have that expressive outlet. If you have no other disposable income, afford a gym membership to keep your body healthy and in turn your mind focused. Look into Region 20 and know what you have to do to have a beginning career to support your mind's thirst for knowledge. Don't talk to school counselors, figure out for yourself what you need to do because you know yourself and what you want more than an administrator.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the spare time I had back then and use it for hanging out with my friends and family more, instead of wasting it away on facebook or tv. Even when I am home over breaks now, I am still kept bus with homework nd do not get to spend as much quality time with them as I would like to. As for the transition, I would tell myself to ask more questions. I rushed and chose my school very quickly without ever even touring any colleges. Also, I should have asked current college kids how they felt about the college they attended, instead of trusting the college websites.

I would definately pursue attenting college right after graduation.