Eastern Mennonite University Top Questions

I was quite afraid when I began college. I remember sitting in my dorm room feeling so stuck...I would be at this place for four years! My fears, my shyness, and my academic drive to get perfect grades shaped me into a worried freshman who spent too much time in her books and too little time stretching herself socially. If I could go back in time I would have told myself to take it easy and to not be so afraid of new things. Nothing I experienced, whether it was my first Anatomy and Physiology test or my first presentation, was as bad as it seemed at the time. Since my freshman year I have grown so much, shed many worries and released alot of fears. I still have alot of growing ahead, and that's okay because life is a journey where we all have the opportunity to walk towards who we were meant to be. I would have told myself that the journey would be scary at times, but full of joy and growth too. I would have told myself to embrace the challenges and to not let the fears keep me from walking straight ahead.

Firstly, fill out more scholarships, even if you don't think you could get it, because you really never know what you could get. Secondly, look at all the requirements for your chosen major and make wise choices as to what classes you take, so you don't have to take full loads in all the remaining semesters. Also don't sell yourself short. You have as much opportunity to try different programs as anyone on campus does and consider these advantages as you prepare your scedule. A four year plan is crucial, and very helpful in the long-run, so take the time to lay one out as best as you can. This will help you to see how to fit in all the possilbe opportunities.

I would say to myself that college is not like high school and if you aren't willing to do the work you won't make it as a college student. Also i would say,"Michael, maybe you should go to a community college and get a better paying job and fill out more scholarships so that you will not have to apply for any loans. Learn how to manage you time now because when you are on your own responsibility is on your shoulders not your parents. And overall remember to have fun, because these are expected to be your best years."

The first thing to consider when thinking about which college to choose is what type of field that you are interested in pursuing. If you have no idea then pick a school that has strong programs in many areas. Also I would start out at a community college for the first year to just get the basics out of the way and not pay so much. Also make sure that you are attending a college that will really give you the experience you need to go on and find a job you want. When you think about what college you want to attend you need to think of the future aspects more than the here and now. Once you have chosen the college you need to become very active there and choose a path to get your classes done on time from the beginning.

Pick the college that feels right to you. If your gut says no... don't go.

You have to find a college that is the right fit for your needs. You should know what fields of study you are interested in and see if they are offered at a potential school and judge the quality of these programs. You should see what kinds of financial aid the school gives out and if you can afford to attend the school. Look at the campus facilities and determine whether they meet your needs or not. Also look at what kind of people attend the school and if you think you will be able to fit in or not. College is a big investment, so a wide range of factors should be considered before the investment is made. A student should take everything into consideration and ask themselves if they could picture themselves at the college or university for four years. Your college experience wil be a lot better if you visit the school and make an informed decision before enrolling.

I would advise parents and/or students to take their time in choosing a college. Parents should not choose the college for their student, but they should be their if the student needs assistance with anyhting. It is important to start the college search early and go on campus visits, take nice, in-depth tours, and really get to know the place because that's where one of the most valuable parts of your life will be spent. Choose a school that you get a good feeling about. Talk to other students, meet with professors and just find out as much as possible about the school. Above all, it is very important to choose a school that represents true equality and social justice for all that works endelessly to promote and advocate for social justice!

What you are looking for in a college before you enter will be different that what you will aprreciate about your school once you are enrolled and when you graduate; college is a formative experience. Consider your choice based on a bigger picture of what is important to you but with the willingness to have that change. Choose a well rounded school that can nurture your entire development, academic, social, spiritual, and vocational. The characteristcs of a well-rounded school resemble, and often are, the practices of a well-rounded student because the school creates a space in which the student can own his or her education . This kind of school, and student, holds their students accountable to lifestyle commitments and fosters cross-cultural dialogue and experience to provide a safe place for discussions of sexuality, spirituality, and politics. It maintains connections between factuly, staff, and students in order to create channels for critique. The school/student is connected to the local community to provide perspective and antidote to the tendency of university to become an isolated, ungrounded experience. Choose and participate in a school that can articulate a clear vision while inviting participation in the shaping of that vision.

If at any time during your visit to a college you feel uneasy about something, you might be better off to go with your gut feeling. Seek out the different settings around your campus -- talk to students, listen to their conversations if you're sitting down-- get to learn about the college from those who aren't even aware that you're listening or observing -- that will tell you a lot.

I would advise every student and parent to start early and visit schools while they are in session to get a better idea of who the student body is and how the campus will feel if you live there. Sit down and think about the things you want most in a school, and then think about the type of work you'd like to do upon graduating, then pick the school that best meets both of those needs. Talk to students that are currently attending in the department you're interested in, meet the professors and sit in on classes. Get the best possible feel for what the college actually is - not what the admissions department tells you it is. And finally, trust yourself when you make that final decision and look forward to some of the most rewarding years of your life!