Malone University Top Questions

The first thing I would definitely tell myself is to start saving money like my life depended on it. Malone University is not inexpensive, and scholarships can only get you so far. I would tell myself to start delving a little deeper into my Bible, as I was not expecting to have my faith challenged as much as it has this past semester. I would say, "Hey, bud. You need to get as close to your friends now as you can, cuz there ain't no chance you're going to see them again any time soon." I would tell myself to prepare for the loneliness that accompanies going out on your own. The most important crumb of advice that I'd give to myself is to learn better study habits. I have never really had to study in high school, so the adjustment to the college setting where you must study everything in order to survive completely threw me out of the plane without a parachute. The frequent studying has greatly been a challenge for me, yet I have managed (by some great miracle) to get straight A's. I have needed to put more trust in God.

I would tell myself to find out what I really love to do. I spent two years of my schooling doing something that I thought I loved but turned out that it was the last thing I wanted to do. I think I would tell myself to figure out what makes me happy and what I really enjoy and then do that. I would also tell myself to not settle for something, if you find the thing you love to do find the best place to go for that thing and then when you get there do it with everything that you have.

If I were ever given the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself that I should look into the Field of Nursing and pray about it, God would show me the way he wanted my life to go. My senior year I was faced with the decision of what I wanted to do with my life just like any other senior, however, I didn?t know what I wanted my major to be. I knew that I wanted to help people but that was about the extent of it. I liked everything and I was a people person so there were plenty of opportunities. Now I am a sophomore at Malone University but I am only in my first year of Nursing; therefore leaving me three more years of school after this. That is why I would tell myself to look into Nursing and see what God has in store for me.

Parents, make sure that you're not forcing your child to go to the school of your choice, but encourage them to make their own decision. It is hard to find the right school, but I would encourage parents to look at the school just as much as their child does, and to make a list of pros and cons on each school. Discuss these pros and cons together and compare them to the other schools. Students, schedule a visit day! That is the thing that clenched the decision for me. It's very important to actually see the campus and explore what it has to offer. To make the most of your college experience, find balance in your life. Take everything in moderation; yes, do your homework, but also make time for social life! Make goals for yourself and write them down, that way you can see them and hopefully be more accountable :) Work hard, treasure your friends, have fun, and when things seem to get too stressful, just take a deep breath and say a little prayer.

First and foremost, go with the place that feels like home. This is where you are going to live for the next couple years, sleeping, eating, and hanging out. Are there people there you can relate to? Are there activities you would be thrilled to participate in? Make sure the program you are going into is certified and a good one, but if you don't know what you want to major in, see if the school will help you. How willing is that school to work with you, help you, and make sure that you loving being there? If you are shy, like I was, don't choose a large college where you can loose yourself and hide in a room. You'll need people who care about you, who will stay up until two in the morning playing Apples to Apples or anything else you're interested in. Also take advantage of events, which are usually free or discounted. With a group of friends to laugh over it, even the most boring things can be fantastic. Study hard, but have fun. This is an investment of your time, money, and brainpower, so don't waste it.

There are a couple of words of advice I would like to give to parents/students looking at colleges: 1) Make sure you visit the campus before you decide to go there because every campus has its own personality and visiting will give you a feel of its personality. 2) When you visit talk to as many students there as you can about the college. Ask them what they like and don't like about that school and why they choose that school in particular. 3) To make the most of the college experience, within the first two weeks of school try to find a good group of friends because after the first two weeks people will have made their friends. 4) I say this again, be sure to make good friends because friends are what make school enjoyable or miserable. 5) Study because you are paying all that money for tuition so you can get a good education. So don't waste the money but learn as much as you can or want. 6) Study yes but also leave time to have fun. Too much studying will leave you very stressed.

When looking for the perfect college fit, look at the whole picture. It's okay to want it all; you can't be too picky. You probably want a school with strong academic programs, especially in the major area you plan to pursue. Or, if you're just looking for a good time, you want a school with a strong social atmosphere and at least decent academic programs. However, neither academic programs nor social atmospheres create the whole college experience. Take a look at the seemingly little things, as well. What is the area around campus like - booming metropolis, small college town? Take into consideration how well this matches up with what you've envisioned. Also, look for schools that have been friendly and overly helpful. Chances are, they will be the same when problems arise in your education. And believe me, problems will inevitably arise. Finally, talk to current students about their college experiences and relationships with professors. You'll want professors who are accessible and interested in their students. When you finally find the perfect fit, get involved. By investing yourself in what the school has the offer, you'll make the most of your college experience.

Finding the right college does not start out with the college visits and frantic comparison of the pros and cons of potential schools. The search for the right school actually begins with the goals of the potential student. First and foremost, one must answer the question of whether or not has the need and desire to go to college. I have met too many students who have mistakenly thought they needed a college to be happy and successful in life; in reality they were miserable in college. That being said there are other reasons to attend college, and I would highly recommend a careful consideration of the benefits of higher learning before one makes their decision. After one carefully reviews there goals in life, then they can know which programs to compare when looking at potential schools. The social life is also very important since the it will be the home to the student for awhile, so it is vital to talk with the perspective school's students for a reasonably accurate picture of the social aspect. If these things are kept in mind, then the choosing the right school and ensuring the student's happiness is made somewhat easier.

To parents and students: Do not put too much pressure on yourselves. It is so easy for a student to feel like they need to choose the perfect college and that if they don't, their whole experience will be ruined. Its okay if you don't feel "right at home" on your first day of school. It might take you a week or even a year to get comfortable in your new surroundings. It gets better. If it doesn't, its not the end of the world if you have to try a different school. This time is really hard on parents too. Most feel torn between helping their children and letting them go. Just let them know that you are there for them if they need you, that you are so proud of them, and that you trust them. Those are three things that many students find important. Finally, for students, try to get good grades but don't kill yourself if they don't come right away. Time management is something that is learned over time. Don't worry, it gets better as you go along!

When you are searching for the right college you have to take into consideration many factors. One of them is obviously how much it costs but you also have to look at the national recognition the school gets, class size, and the quality of the professors. But you also have to look at the size of the school and know what setting you will comfortable in. When you go on college visits, you have to look at the quality of the facilities, but also ask yourself "would I be comfortable living here?"