Guilford College Top Questions

I've realized that pursuing my major has not been the focus of my time at Guilford, but rather, my focus, or what I have learned the most from, has been my interactions with people from totally different backgrounds, who have totally different views, but at the same time realizing that I am connected to them, as different as they may be, by being at this college, by pursuing further education at such a place that places such emphasis on development and diversity, rather then just achievment and competition. I have come to learn that there are many different types of people, and that I am but one single individual, my way of things is not always the best, and while I am just an individual, we are all connected. There is more to higher education then just education. There's interconnection, helping me become a more aware person. That is what I have been studying, not in a class room, its not tested or set down in front of me, but it is taught by living here, by existing in this diverse culture, and by realizing that while everyone is unique, everyone is different, everyone is also the same.

I have learned that the world is a much bigger place and that there are millions of possibilities. This is valuable to me because it has helped me mature more and learn that I can do so mouch more than I thought I could.

As a sophmore here at Guilford College, I have found my home and where I belong. I also play softball and have formed a close-knit family with my teammates. I balance out my school work and softball with many supportive friends outside of the classroom and my sport. I know how to manage my time due to softball and my classes. The beautiful campus always stimulates me and I often find myself stopping to take in the views and atmosphere. Although most of Guilford's classes are challenging, I find myself wanting to learn more. I enjoy the challenge and I truly benefit from the difficulty and gain much more knowledge. College has brought me out of my shell and has made me more independent. I have become a free-spirit trying to find my way and Guilford is lending it's helping hands to make me achieve my dreams and reach my potential.

My college experience has given me the ability to appreciate many different types of people and the abilities they have to offer to the community.

I've gotten more than I expected from Guilford. I'm from Greensboro and I only came to Guilford because of personal reasons, not because I am a liberal hippie. But I've changed a lot personally and grown a lot academically. Guilford is a really easy place to get involved. Students, faculty and staff are always looking for a new and innovatie activity that reflects Guilford's core values which do play a large role in comparison to what I think core values play at other schools. I feel comfortable being different here. I've become an adult here.

I obtained my Associate's degree in Paralegal Technology from Guilford Technical Community College several years ago and I believe that learning experience has helped me in my job in the Guilford County Attorney's Office where I'm employed as the Contract Administrator. Also, imy degree made it possible for me to sit for the NC State Bar Exam for Paralegals. As a result, I passed the exam and became a Certified Paralegal. The college experience is enlightening and has helped me to grow as a person. I've learned, not only about the legal field of study, but also about how to feel more comfortable interacting with others around the school , at my work, in the community and just everywhere in general. After a few years' reprieve, I'm now back at school again as an adult transfer student at Guilford College, which is a 4-year school, to pursue and obtain my degree in Criminal Justice. I've found that I'm a curious person who never stops learning and that there's always something else just around the corner to discover.

College has been a great experience. I have learned about cultures from all over the world and met students from all over the United States. I have become pretty good at geography since meeting all of these people. I have also learned tolerance for others. I have learned to listen to other people ideas and beliefs and not to judge others because their beliefs differ from my own. I think that has been the most valuable lesson I have learned at Guilford, but I have also learned to become a responsible adult. I have learned how to study and organize my time. I have learned to balance my life between academics, sport, and recreation. I have also learned a sense of community. Guilford has taught me that it is important to become part of a community and to give back to that community. I have learned many lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Work on coming up with a study technic. Being able to do homework in a way that is productive and easy is vital in college. It saves so much cramming time and useless worrying. You should also question everything you read. While most of the professors know about what they are talking, you are in college to become an individual, not a puppet. It is important that you make decisions based on what you think, and not what you heard in your classroom. Thankfully, most professors do stress critical thinking. School before play. While it may seem like college is nothing but work and study, it is not. There are plenty of fun things to do on and off campus and you will find the time to do it, but make sure you have done some school before you zoom off into the world. You will feel better when you have fun if the school has been done.

Find a college where you feel like you fit in and can make a significant contribution to campus life. You want to be able to be a leader in some areas and also have the freedom to explore interests that you have little experience in. Look for a college that encourages individuality, creativity and volunteerism. These character traits will serve you well in life.

I know I should tell you all of the secrets of the future events, but that's not how life is supposed to work, right? So consider this a gift. I'm not going to give you the specifics. College is like life: there are ups and there are downs. You'll make friends and lose them. You'll try new things and wish you hadn't. You'll need money. All this is going to happen no matter where you go, no matter what you do. You'll be both satisfied and dissatisfied with things. So here is the only thing I'm going to tell you: stop worrying so much. Just stop. I know that as a kid you counted up the bills whenever you went to stores in order not to make Mum spend too much, I know you're scared to ride horses, I know you don't like leaving the house too long because you worry about the dogs, I know you think your Honda Myrtle Misty will break down soon. But worrying--it's bad for your organs. Just live your life. It's yours; and it's time to stop being scared.

DO NOT GO TO A SMALL LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL!

Choose another school to go to, Kerri. You want to be surrounded by more diversity and a school that lives up to it's core values. Always study when you need to but still have fun. You will encounter some hardships along the way but with the help of your family and the friends that you will make, they will help you get through it. Just remember not to give up and try your best at everything that you do. Keep your GPA as high as you can keep it because a higher GPA will help you out very much in the long run, believe me, I know what I am talking about. Do not wait to until the last minute to plan your future because your senior year will creep on you so fast that you will wonder where the time went. Don't be afraid to take chances and when you feel like you are struggling, ask for help. ALWAYS use the resources that are available to you.

Time management is very important. I would tell myself to figure out how to work at night better, napping during the day and working well with others. Also, being open to meeting new people and doing new things. Also really try and figure out what you want to do early. I knew exactly what I wanted to do right from the beginning and because of that I'm now ahead of the game.

Giving advice to a college freshman is like trying to explain a hot stove to a toddler. I do it, knowing that much of the stuff I say will only make sense after you've made your own mistakes. The best piece of advice I got as a college freshman was to make the most of the time that I have. At no other point in your life will you have so much free time. College students are only in class for three or four hours a day, as tempting as it might be to take a job, unless you need one, wait. Use all of those hours to make friends, to volunteer, to get to know the people that you might not otherwise meet at school. Become friends with the people who work at the school. Create your own well rounded college experience. Do as many of the on campus activities as you can, get involved with the campus radio station, student government, and vounteer off campus. The value of your classes is in learning a work ethic and working towards your degree, but the experiences that shape you are the ones that you seek outside of the classroom.

work first, take a year off.

Make sure you're doing what you want, where you want.

To the parents, I would say to focus most of your attention on looking for schools which you are sure will provide a solid education for your children, one that you know will give them the skills they need to obtain a successful career in the future. You as adults in the workforce know what it takes to be successful in the workplace. To students, I would advise them not only to look into the academics of schools, but I would also encourage them to think about what kind of extra curricular activities they would like to participate in when they get to school, and look to see what schools have the types of activities that they would like to be involved in. I believe that if the student is not engaged in activities outside of the classroom, then they will not be as motivated at that particular school. There are many aspects to finding the right school for you, so make sure you know the "ins-and-outs" of a particular university before enrolling to ensure your success!

Really check out the college community as well as the academics and extracurriculars available.

I would definitely advise parents to not pressure their children about what school to choose. Your child is looking for a place where they are going to spend the next few years of their life, and, if they can pick the right one, those years can include some of the most incredible, life-changing moments they will ever experience. While you may not think you have enough influence over your child, he/she really does take your opinion to heart. Too much external influence, even from a parent, can be confusing and disctracting when making a decision. Trust your child to choose the school that feels right, and get ready to watch them transform.

The best advice I can give is to research what you want out of a college whether it is a big campus or a great department field in which you are interested in. Then go to that school and meet with the professors, students and try and sit in a class or two because without visting the school and people you may change your mind. Also vist more then just one school because there may be things you like about one campus that you could find in another. The other piece of advice I can give is to vist your number one choice school more than once because you may notice things you missed the first time that you pick up on the second or third time.