Corban University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say a lot of things to change how I acted and managed my time. Now that I know a lot more about college life, I would tell myself to manage my time better and to work harder. I would tell myself that I have to focus on my studies more than I can focus on what is going on around me. I would tell myself that in order to well in college, I would have to get better at how I managed my time and during my freetime focus on the more important things. Since being in college, I would tell myself that assignments have to be done on time because the professors don't take the time to listen to excuses especially because they have a lot more things to grade. I would tell myself not to get too involved with extracurricular activities so I can focus on my academic part of school. I would be involved a little bit but not like I was before. I would also say, it's alright to leave your friends behind to make more.

The advice that I would give myself is to set up a way to manage your time whether or not you use your planner. Time management is a big thing in college. You have so many assignments due in one week and it is often hard to get everything done. When you write everything down and have a planned schedule of what needs to be done then you find yourself getting more done than when you don't use your planner. At night, make a 'to-do' list for the next day so that you can cross it off once it is done. If you go to bed early, write a 'to-do' list for the day the minute you get up. Once those things are crossed off, it is a sense of accomplishment and you know that you have one less thing to do. When you plan out what needs to be done, you find that you have more free-time and are able to hang out with friends for longer without stressing of what you have left to do. Managing time isn't just needed for college, it is also a life skill for future jobs and things.

Knowing what I know now, I would not have attended a community college first. Instead, I would have gone straight to The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute of Los Angeles where I currently attend school. I would have told myself that all the hard work you have put into your education will all be worth it once you have accomplished your future aspirations. The dream of becoming a bakery/restaurant owner will be even closer once you go through college. Even though you may be nervous now, you will soon find out that college is a once in a lifetime experience that has many rewards and opportunities that go with it. Your future depends on the choices you make today and the impact that you make in college. Stay sraight on the road ahead and never give up on your dreams.

My first piece of advice wouldn't be advice at all, but hope. I would tell myself that I will make it to a great college and will have many wonderful experiences there. Then, I would stare myself in the eye and say, "It starts now. Put some money away, let's not give that sweet tooth everything it wants, that bedding set will have a reduced price if you wait for 2 weeks, double your scholarship efforts, and don't worry: you won't trip during graduation." I would smile at myself because I remembered how stressed I was. I would then tell myself to strike a balance between working hard and savoring my last year because, when I first step on that campus road, I will hit that uphill pavement running and I won't have the time to stop and see how far I've come until Christmas Break. I wouldn't tell myself what scholarships I won because it's only through the bitter struggle that the victory tastes so sweet. "Be yourself, stop putting off creating stories, use your humor, and..." The senior me would call out "What?!" I'd shout at her "try ramen!"

My college experience has given me the skills I need to become a lifelong learner when it comes to book knowledge, and it has taught me how to build and maintain lasting relatioinships. As a teen attending college for the first time, I thought I knew everything I needed to know to succeed and be an "adult." It didn't take long for me to realize just how much I didn't know and still need to learn. I'm not an expert on living as an adult as a result of my college experience, but I do know that I don't have all the answers and it takes humility and the wisdom of others to make good decisions and contribute to the world around me in a postitive way. I have also learned my relationship with God is the only relationship I can count on to never disappoint me. God is always there waiting for me to seek Him for my next step and encouraging me along the way whether I know it or not.

My college experience at Corban has been exhilarating and rejuvenating. The fact I am student in a Christian school has altered my perception on how to conduct my life, to truly worship My God. I used to think that life as a college student revolves around parties, fame, notoriety and all that come with this type of lifestyle. I came to realize that the fondest memories of my college experience were all ephemeral. That is, by the time I am done with college I would have detested my college experience if I had continued on that path. Fortunately, Corban where the whole students experience revolve around dedicating heart and mind to God, has conferred me an education base on the learning and teaching of the Bible. For instance, I have become aware of the fact I should stop being self-centered, for the life is bigger than myself. I am actively involved in the life in the campus. My purpose in live now is to serve people and care for them by mentoring younger students about the importance of spiritual growth. I believe that is how I have experienced true worship. The value of my experience is beyond any measure.

My college experience has given me things that I will never forget, or at least won't quickly forget. The only tangible thing that college has given me is a gigantic amount of debt. I am currently a sophomore with $22,000 in student loans. This, however, is a small fee to pay for the more important things that college has given me. The other things I've gained from college are invaluable-- their worth cannot be summed up in a mere dollar amount. The opportunity for living in a dorm with 80+ other girls is a once in a lifetime experience. Whether it's through the crazy dorm meetings, slopping through the muddy corn maze with your hall, or through late night chats with your roommate, priceless friendships are continually cultivated. Another indespensible item that I've gained from college is growth in my faith. I've been stretched in ways I could have never imagined, and as a result I'm a much stronger Christian and a better person. A final valuable item that I've gotten out of college is an education. I've gained knowledge and I've been challenged to grow in my thinking.

I would advise myself to not stress out as much. Yes, it is a big decision, but I could've been successful anywhere I went. The most important thing about a college is the people there. Making good connections and solid friends early on is what has gotten me through. Academics are important, but there is a lot of learning that takes place outside the classroom. Also, the more you get involved, the more you get out of your college experience.

I would tell myself, to try harder for scholarships and finding a fultime job during the summer, it will make the fall and spring semesters alot less stressful when it comes time to pay the bills. Be appreciative of your parents, because they are more helpful than you might think (and not just to help you pay for school either). Relax alittle about the homework, spend more time to get involved with the other students on campus, and it is ok to get a B every once in awhile. Enjoy the time you have now, because before you know it, the time will have gone, and you can never get it back. Think before you speak, and if you think you might regret doing something, then don't do it, even if you can't see the risks and complications involved with it at the time. All ideas have consequences, some are good and some aren't. Remember when you say yes to something, you will always be saying no to something else, choose wisely how you spend your time. Choose your friends wisely, because they can make or break your college experience , and those friendships can last a lifetime.

I would tell myself to stop procrastinating and learn from the teachers trying to tell me how to do things. Instead of blowing them off when they tried to explain college professor's expectations, I probably would have heeded their words. Above all, though, I would tell myself to really enjoy life, that there is a great balance to fun and hard work. Here is how the lecture would have gone: "Lindsay, you have worked so hard to get where you are and I am really proud of you. You have great effort in school, but you could improve on when you apply that effort. Don't wait so long before starting papers and projects; don't do your homework the morning that it's due. Also, remember that the people around you are important. Take time to build relationships with them, because someday you are going to want someone to be able to talk to from home, and if you don't get to know them better now, then they migh not be willing to talk with you later. Stay strong, Love, you are doing an amazing job!"