Messiah College Top Questions

As a high school senior all I wanted out of college was to go to a place far away.. I wanted to prove to my parents that I was capable of living on my own. I looked at colleges five hours away, but chose Messiah College, which is two hours away. It was far enough away to be on my own, but close enough that my parents could visit. Now that I have completed my first semester of college, I realize that when I thought about the location of the college that I attend, I never thought about myself. The location has taught me a lot about myself. I am very close to my friends and family at home. I wholeheartedly enjoy going out and spending time with them. I also thoroughly enjoy a day at home, just relaxing. I now regret not considering these things when deciding on the location of the college that I wanted to attend. From this experience, I have learned one essential lesson that will be will me for the rest of my life. I have to make decisions based on my wants and needs, not decisions to please others.

As a senior, you feel like the top dog at your high school. You have your own car and liscense, you come and go as you please, you are the leader in your sports teams and extracurricular activities, and you are making life decisions. Right now, your have it all together and are feeling like an adult! Time to get out on your own! However, you have no idea what independence is yet! The transition from living at home to living away on your own is monumental. Keep in mind, though, that you can do it. Stay at school on weekends, get very involved in extracurriculars, and talk to your professors often. Get to know as many people as you can, try lots of new things, and seize all the opportunities that come your way. Your first year at college is a great time to branch out and learn about the world and about yourself. Never pass up a chance to experience something different just because you haven't tried it before. And keep in mind, your classmates are getting to know the world too! Reach out and embrace each other and all the opportunities waiting for you!

Jackie, I have something important to tell you. Put the homework down for a minute. This is exactly the reason I want to talk to you. You put so much effort and time into your work, beyond what is needed, but you do not know how to stop working and take care of yourself. So, here is what you need to do to prevent that medical withdrawal I suffered through: TAKE NO MORE THAN 15 CREDITS EACH SEMESTER. Yes, you?ll graduate late, but this way, you can put in the effort you want to, without damaging your health. Got it? I understand your classmates are all taking 18 or 19 credits, but you are built differently. Also, your parents care much for you and they do not want you putting so much pressure on yourself to pay for every expense. They will support you while you are in college. Stop being so stubbornly self-reliant and stay close to your family. Talk to Mom and Dad about any financial questions you have; they will be glad to help. Jackie, I have to go, but keep doing what you are doing well. Bye!

If I ever had the opportunity of going back in time and talking to myself during my high school year as a senior, I would probably encourage my past self to be more courageous and disciplined. I would explain to my former self that college life is rough during the first year because everything is new and challenging, but once you overcome those fears and obstacles, college life becomes easier and a lot of fun. I would advise my past self to also be frugal with both my time and money spent in college. Also, college gives us a great responsibilty and opportunity to grow as an individual. Lastly, I would encourage my past self to discipline myself for my studies and take life one step at a time. College may seem like one big step from being a teen to an adult, but it is actually composed of smaller steps leading to who we want to be in life as an adult.

The part of my high school experience that I struggled with was confidence. As a current Messiah student, I have been blessed with an abundant amount of brothers and sisters, because I came to Messiah desiring only to be myself. I thought 'if they didn't like me, then they are not meant to be my friend'. One of my brothers that I met in calculus class has become one of my closest friends. He told me, "the reason he wanted to be friends with me was because I was so on fire with Christ and, at the same time, I was so real". If I could go back to high school and advise myself, I would tell myself to be confident in who I am in Christ, because it doesn't matter what people say about you; you are being real and your true friends will see that. Blessed Sister Teresa says it perfectly: "its never been between you and them anyway; it had always been between you and Him [God]". Being confident in who you are is extremely important in ameliorating your college experience, because no one wants to judge you; they only do, because you judge yourself.

I would tell myself not to be worried about the college search process. When I was applying for colleges, I was nervous that I would pick the wrong one and be miserably stuck there for 4 years. When I did not get accepted to my first choice, I thought my fears would become realized. But once getting to school, I found out there was something on campus for everyone to enjoy. Most of my friends have said the same thing about their colleges, and if they did not like it, it is easy to transfer. It's also not that big of a deal to transfer-- many people do it. I would also reiterate to myself that I probably will change my major. I always wanted to be a Broadcast Journalism major all through high school. It was my drea. But when I attended classes, I realized it was not my dream anymore. I changed my major to Sociology, and I love it. It fits my personality perfectly, and people at the school really helped me figure that out. I would also tell myself that it IS possible to have a good time without drinking or partying!

Dear High School Self, College in on the horizon, and you can't wait to get out of the house. But before you finally get on campus and into that dorm, there are a few things you should know. Moving into a new place is stressful. You've got new people and a new lifestyle. Give yourself some time and space to get over any loneliness, but don't isolate yourself in the process! Also, print out a campus map before you go! Even if it's a small campus, a map is great! In the dorms, concentrate on the people around you. Having a community through this next year is what makes the difference between an awesome and an okay college experience. You'll meet new friends through activities, like, say, International Club, but the people on your floor are going to be living with you. Don't ignore them, and for goodness sake, learn their names! And don't worry about being shy. If you can just get out a "hi" you'll start a conversation, making it easier the next time. The alternative, staying trapped in your self-contained bubble, will only lead to regrets. Study hard!

If I could traverse the time space continuum in order to interact with my past self, there are two things that I believe he would benefit from knowing. First, I would advise him not to transfer colleges. I transferred during my first year of college. Ultimately, transferring was the correct choice; however, it would have been better if I had simply started at my current college. Because of transferring, I have had to make innumerable visits to the registrar's office and fought many battles in a frequently vain attempt to get my credits to transfer properly. My life as a college student would be immeasurably easier if I had avoided the pitfall of transferring. Second, I would teach myself the rules of logic (good arguments versus bad arguments, logical fallacies, etc). In my sophomore year of college, I took a philosophy course which taught me the rules of logic. That knowledge started me on a grand quest for truth which has dictated my life ever since. That quest has been helpful for everything from analysis of abstract philosophical concepts to daily problem solving. My current understanding and knowledge could be far greater if I had begun my quest earlier.

Reflecting on the past four years as a student at Messiah College, if given the opportunity to go back in time and provide a highschool senior version of myself with advice, I would encourage myself to find the courage to set aside any preconceived prejudices; to celebrate one another?s differences and to refuse to clutch to the familiar. As a member of the Messiah Community, I have discovered that an individual?s past shapes his/her present, and that often, the most influential individuals in life are those with immeasurably different backgrounds, religious traditions, and life perspectives. I believe that only through embracing the unfamiliar and acknowledging each individual as an individual with a purpose and a calling, can our generation bring forth the change our world so desperately needs.

Students need to be aware that its difficult, but that it is a life change that is worth it. Choosing a college is hard, but you need to pick one that you love. If you find yourself hating your school, you should pick a new one. You also have to be careful to not give in to the temptations of college. You are there to focus on your studies so that you can have a career. Students should also get involved in as much as they can handle in order to make friends and learn new skills.