LeTourneau University Top Questions

What should every freshman at LeTourneau University know before they start?

David

For athletes find a college where you are going to Play. Make sure the Coach is a decent person with whom you can work.Find how many steps are required to obtain tutoring,ie: how quickly can you get help with tutoring; do you have to spend time in a group class for help before you can get a tutor? Are the rooms nice?Is the food good?

Jordan

Prospective students should visit many colleges, and attend events at each one before choosing the right one. Parents should be involved in this process, but remeber to be objective. Your child may have interests other than what you desire for them; try to ensure that your child does not feel as if you are making the decision for them. I get the feeling that at my school many students are there only because their parents wanted them to attend. It is important to pick a school that will make you feel proud to be a student there. If you enjoy big school traditions and rallies, perhaps you should look into a school with a large student body, or one that at least is well known for its rich history. If you enjoy a tight nit community where you can learn everybody's name after one semester, then look into a small school where most of your social life will be with the other students.

Ben

The biggest thing in college isnt the grades or the money that will come afterwards. The biggest thing in college is the people you will meet and who you will grow into. So, when picking a college, pick one that has a good close knit community with people that you enjoy, or could see yourself becoming friends with. Also, pick a college that has a few things you are interested in, so that you can try some of them. Or, if you are completely sure about what you want to do, then go for it. But remember to leave room for friends along to way.

Collin

Find what you want and pursue it to the greatest degree you can. Ensure that what you want is actually your own dream and makes you happy. Pleasing others might be easy now but dissipates in value. Find something you are passionate about and follow it. Remember to be grounded and do not compromise in schools, relationships, majors, or any situation. In trying to find happiness, remember that money ulitmately will not please you and it is your life and how you live it. The poor can be richer than the wealthy if they have but happiness. Giving of your time and money to others can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Life is not about your personal well being but should be focused on others. Do not afraid to be yourself. Honesty both to yourself and to others is critical.

Emily

I would tell students to follow their instincts and to not disregard any misgivings they have about potential colleges; remember, you are going to be there for four years, and if anything makes you uncomfortable now, it will likely only get worse. It is important to pay attention to everything about the school: its students, professors, student services, and housing.

Stephanie

Visiting schools before making a choice really helped me decide where I wanted to go. I thought I had wanted a big school but when I looked at them, I realized I would feel really lost and overlooked. Even though going to a small school has its downsides, I really appreciate knowing all of my class mates and having a great support group. Some key aspects of campus to consider are the living areas, especially the dorms, the cafeteria ( you have to eat there every day so you should at least be able to find it eatable, or they should have a good selection of cereals.) the library, where you will probably spend quite a bit of time. Also lounges or student areas, and the town around the college are very important. Its a good idea to talk to a few students and get a feel for why they are at the school and what the students think about the faculty. Not everything will look perfect, and the campus may or may not click, however if you can pursue your dreams there and the surroundings are comfortable and conducive to studying and fun, then you have found your university!

Samuel

Highschool preparation is extremely important. The more work that is put into studying in highschool, it seems that that work is multiplied exponentially in college. Also, putting time into working on scholarships and awards ahead of time is better then waiting until college (there will be no time to work on them later). Preview the school of choice ahead of time to see if you can handle the atmosphere. Try to spend a couple days on campus and attend a few classes. The school you choose should be comfortable and you should be proud to attend there, do not choose a school just because of its name or because it has cool parties.

Nathan

talk to current students and allumni. recent allumni will know th best about schools because they are a little removed from the experience and can give a good evaluation of the school

Kelly

College is--ideally--an unrepeatable time. At the end of your undergraduate career, you should be set up for success by having acquired the necessary tools. Choosing various extracurricular involvements, on campus jobs or internships, and volunteering are all ways to determine where your interests lie or develop your skills and strengths, and working closely with faculty mentors in these activities will expose you to both advice and connections that will prove quite valuable. Each person thrives in a slightly different environment. Figure out if you need the Greek system to keep your sanity and be able to face that really difficult professor on Monday morning at 8:00 AM. Pick a school that offers not only the major that you want but several other practical majors--just in case you change your mind about what you want to do in the next fifty or sixty years. Look into--and use--university resources for your academic success and future career. Also, do you remember the hype about being well rounded for your college applications? Keep it up. Finding a balance between school and life is an important skill that will continue to serve you well after graduation.

Valerie

They should look at a variety of options. Especially for freshman, they are not sure what they want to do as soon as the graduate from high school. It is important to start at a school that has a lot of options. Even if they decide to change their major partway through their college career, they will at least have some fundamental classes taken care of. Then they will be able to transfer to a school that has their new specialty.

Dave

First, prepare to work hard. Don't go just to party. Don't go to an expensive school if you don't know what you want to do with your life.

Andrew

Because my father has written a book specifically about making the college decision and has been in higher education for over 20 years, I have learned many things about choosing a school. The most important aspect of this decision is choosing a school that will give you the best possible opportunity to reach your career goals. Choosing a college should not be influenced by a parent's alma mater or a family history at a school, but rather the school that will give an education that best meets the student's current and future needs.

Chris

Take your time to pick the right college. Don't rush it, as you're making a commitment that is expensive both in time and money. If possible, visit the campus and sit in on a class or two. You will always hear about the college's strong points from the admissions department, but make sure to talk with both faculty and students. Ask what they think about the school as well. You will get a better idea of the school's overall "feel", both academically and socially, than any college brochure could give. Students, you want a place where you will feel at home socially and be challenged academically. Having one without the other can wear on you after a while. Parents, you want to know that your child is receiving the best education possible while making quality, lifelong friends. A forced college experience can be costly and detrimental, so take the time to find a place that you are truly excited about.

Jake

Make sure that you can change majors easily without spending to much money.

Josh

Do not second guess yourself and preview the school and interact with the students there to see how you would like the school

Erik

Make sure that you realize that you are deciding the rest of your life. Don't pick some school based on friends or activities, pick it on the field you want to study, and then, and ONLY THEN, decide whcih schools you want to attend based on the other qualities, location, activities, etc. I've seen so many people drop out, or are miserable because they didn't come to school for the right reasons... don't be one of them!!!

Kristen

Before you decide on a college, you should spend a little while considering what values are most important to you. For instance, is your faith most important? Academic prowess? Social life? Financial aid? A little of each? Once you have narrowed down your options to those colleges which seem to have the same values as your own, you should definitely at attend a preview weekend or at least visit the campuses. For me, the deciding factor was when I actually got to meet students and faculty and live the life of a student for a day or two. Once you start attending college, make sure you neither neglect your academics nor your social life. College is no fun without friends and free time, but at the same time, the stress and discontentment you will feel as your GPA drops is no fun either. You will have the best college experience when you find a way to balance all aspects of your life and development well. My best advice in this area is to never put off your homework: the earlier you get it done, the more time you'll actually have with friends.

Phillip

Getting advice from current students and alumni about a specific college is the best way to learn about a specific institution. Visiting campuses is helpful, especially at times that aren't designated as preview times. This is because many things at the school will or can be different during preview times. Schools usually make things look as nice as possible for previewers. During the college experience it is important to have a group of friends that are good influences, and that can encourage you. Being in a dorm that is a close community is great. Sometimes students are under a lot of pressure and to just be able to spend some time with friends can help relieve the stress. Communicating consistently and respectfully with professors is also a must. Some professors grade subjectively. If they see a student who is struggling, but is making a genuine effort the professor may be more likely to help the student. It is very important to keep focused on your goals, too look ahead and keep track of what classes you need to take and what you have taken. Buying books used online helps save money. Campus bookstores are usually very expensive.

Matt

Not so long ago I had no clear idea what school I wanted to attend. To continue from this stage I had to traverse a number of steps. Attending college fairs is a good starting point to get an idea of some of the options. The Internet is an excellent way to find further information about schools, or to find other schools. Before one gets too far into the selection process, it is extremely helpful to be able to decide on a degree and probable career. In this way one can get a much better grasp on what one is looking for. After a possibility is found, campus visits are helpful in getting a feel for the school and one's compatibility with it. It is important that one can envision oneself attending and enjoying the school. Seeing the dorm rooms can be helpful in planning if one decides to attend a school. Most importantly, the values of the school should be reconcilable with one's own. It is best if the school's values help to re-enforce and develop one's own. Following these steps I was able to find a school I am well pleased with.

Libby

Finding the right college takes more than just reading about it online or in a catalog. It is extremely important to also take the time to visit colleges and universities that interst you, and see first hand how the students interact and expierence the sights and sounds of campus life. It is also beneficial to really see what happens out of class by staying a night or two in a dorm with other students as a previewer. When you do actually get to the school you chose, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Visit other floors and explore campus. It can be nerve-racking at first, but take a new friend along and find other people who are new too. Another way to start to feel at home on your campus is to join a club and be involved in activities with your floor. When it is finally time to study find people from your class and study together. The more you get involved in life on your campus the more you will learn about life and hopefully your chosen career.