Oklahoma City University Top Questions

Don't we all wish we knew in high school what we know now. I would definitely take a deep breath and go with the flow. I spent so much time worrying about what major to pursue and how to hold down a full time job while studying that I forgot to enjoy the college experience. It took me many years to finally decide that nursing was the career for me. If I would've been exposed to more career opportunities in high school then I might have chose nursing as my career right away. The best advice I could give to my former high school self is to not let opportunites pass me by because my head is buried in a book. Enjoying life is a key element to success. You can still study and make A+ grades but don't forget to enjoy the ride.

I went to this school because I thought my mom wanted me to go there. I would tell myself to try to make the college decision based on what I wanted to do, not to try to please others. By leaving OCU I am losing my scholarship. I was offered a Academic Scholarship from ASU but because I did not go first semester of my freshman year they will not give it back to me. This puts me in the position to pay for most of my schooling myself. My advice to myself as a senior would be to spend time at the college I think I want to attend. To really get a feel for the what the school has to offer, and what the city has to offer. I have told my friends that have been offered in-state scholarships to think very carefully about going out-of-state. If they are sure of the school and program then great. If not, once you go somewhere else you will lose your in-state scholarship. It has been a hard life lesson for me to learn! Going out -of-state is hard and is not the best for everyone.

If I could relive highschool, I would have gotten a head start on filling out scholarships and my FAFSA. I realize now that I could have paid almost nothing for my schooling if I had not procrastinated so much. I wished i'd had more patience in high school to deal with all the paper work and stress college brings about. Putting off filling out simple papers, checking emails, turning in transcripts, and talking with advisors led me to where I am now, just looking for more scholarships to pay for my schooling. Although, I was lost in the college process as a high school senior, I should have given more effort to figure things out. Since I have been in college, I work things out as soon as I notice them so I won't procrastinate and/or forget about them. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to get a head start on everything dealing with the college process including: scholarships, FAFSA, transcripts, test scores, online forms, housing, applications, etc.. I'd apply for all the money I could recieve, so I wouldn't be stressed as a first time freshman.

If I could go back and tell myself about the transition to college, I would say that you have to know what you want and be willing to go above all expectation that you have for yourself and the one's people have for you as well. Also, I would say watch your friends, have a well balance of studding, hanging out with friends and being active in organization on campus. In addition, take a chance on something new be willing to hurt for what you want; be willing to follow your heart and gut. Furthermore, I would tell myself it?s not going to be easy stay focused maintain a good Grade point Average (GPA). Moreover, be willing to make friends who don?t look like you who have different thoughts and beliefs than yours. I would also tell myself understand you professors and build relationship with them for the letter of recommendation letter.

I would tell myself to never let anyone or anything get in the way of what I want to do. Going to college has been one of the best things to happen to me. It's so easy to be hard on yourself in such a cut-throat industry, but you HAVE to push through. You HAVE to get through the tough times to get to the reward, which for me is as simple as getting to compose music and share my emotions and views through that music. So many people have amazing potential and talent, and yet they waste it. They don't realize what they could give back to the world, to people who need hope and motivation. I'm not saying I'm perfect at what I do. I have so much to learn but I've come to realize that I'm the only one who can make my dreams possible. Without my efforts and my passion I wouldn't be where I am. No matter what anyone tells you, don't give up on your dreams. They're what you live for. And I won't leave this world without giving my all.

"To thine own self be true." This is one of the most important pieces of advice that Polonius offers to his son Laertes in "Hamlet", and to me, is the most crucial for anyone. Knowing who you are will determine your entire college experience, and if you do not possess that knowledge, you can become easily lost and without an identity or friends. Being true to who you are allows you to be comfortable and at ease with the decisions you make for yourself. It also shows others that no matter what happens, your actions and thoughts will be honest. By being true to who you really are, you find others who are like you and form deep, lasting relationships with them. Also, it removes any influence that peer pressure may have, for one who is true to themselves is never swayed by a crowd or easily defeated. Going into college with the knowledge of who you are, and staying truthful to yourself are two concepts no student should leave home without, for those that do are ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle and conduct themselves in a collegiate atmosphere.

Don't stress out, stay calm and give yourself the chance to rule the world.

I choose Oklahoma City University because I knew the campus. In high school, I lived in a nearby suburb of Oklahoma City, and during the week I would travel to the university for my music lessons and rehearsal with an extracurricular orchestra. I knew the professors and a few of the students prior to my admittance, which made the transition much easier for me. Going to Oklahoma City felt like coming home. I believe that knowing a campus is an important factor in choosing the right college. When I finally got to college, I immediately immersed myself in the student organized Steel Drum band and Greek life. Theses activities made meeting other students very easy and fun. With these outlets, I had a gig to perform once a month and sisters to help me with homework whenever I needed it. Finding a way to have fun and social support are important ingredients to making the most of the college experience.

Try to figure out what it is that you would like to focus on. Science, math, dance, whatever it is you want to do. Then go visit several campuses if you can and ask to see those departments that interest you. Speak to students that you see. Do not simply rely on the tour guide to answer all of your questions. Remember, a university is a business and they are going to put a positive spin on everything. Be sure that you do your research and really know what kind of school you are going to.

Find the school that fits you, the student, best academically and socially. You don't want to spend the next four years of your life stuck in some dorm room studying alone. It is way more fun to study in a group and know people in your class. Also having friends keeps you from getting homesick. I would also advise students to go with their gut in choosing a college or university to attend. If it feels right to you, it probably is the right school for you. Once you've found the school for you it is important to get involved. There are so many times I wish I would've joined a certain group and didn't. You only get to go to college once (graduate school doesn't count because you're an "adult") so live it up. That doesn't mean going to a party every night or weekend. Freshman year will be the hardest because high school is so different. After you figure the "college thing" out, sophomore year will ROCK! Just remember to find the balance.

Take your time in finding the right college for you. Don't limit your possibilities to just outside your home town on the basis of financial need or hesitancy. Lots of schools are willing to help with financial aid if they can see that you really want to be there. After all, the degree is about you chasing your dreams. If you want to fly one day, you can't hesitate at the beginning, you have to get a running start. Even if your dreams take you half way around the world, know that you can get there if you truly believe you can and people are always willing to help enthusiastic and passionate individuals. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and make friends in a new state because, lets face it, all freshmen are in the same boat: moving out for the first time, making their own decisions for the first time, and living their own life for the first time. If you want to reach your goals, there is no better place to start than college. So go for it.

Prospective students should visit as many different types of colleges as possible, especially on school days in order to see how student life really is. Parents should ensure that their prospective student has as much knowledge as possible about schools they are looking at, especially regarding dorm life, because a poor living situation makes for a poor study area. Also, visiting the libraries and computer labs are especially important because that should hopefully be where their student will be spending a majority of their time. However, Greek life and other social organizations should be researched as well, because fraternities and sororities are fast ways to make life-long friends and a great way to establish a support system. Basically, both the parent and student should discover as much as possible about potential schools and make the choice together.

Please do your research when looking into colleges. Talk to the current students, freshman and seniors. Try and get the best feel for the school that you can - not just what the university tries to sell you on. Have fun while in school but don't neglect your school-work. It's great to have a good time, but it's better to have a degree.

Honestly, when you step on campus you'll just know when it's the right one for you. It just feels right in your gut and everything seems to line up. Focus more on what the college has to offer you as an individual, rather than the scholarship amount. The money will come. As for the actual experience, make it a point to enjoy every moment of it. It flies by so quickly! Get to know lots of people on campus and be open-minded to everything. Stick to your moral values, but listen to other people's point of view as well. Learn all you can and don't be afraid to do something a little crazy every once and a while.

Visit as many colleges as you can. Doing this will save you a boatload of trouble in the long run. I visited what was my first-choice college and realized that I REALLY didn't want to attend that particular school, so my second-choice college (after my visit to it) became my first choice. I made great friends there, learned a lot, and met my wife there as well. I am now a professional in my field doing rather well for myself at 23, and I believe that had I not toured, I would have made the wrong choice.

make sure to visit and spend a day on campus, maybe even without a parent, seeing as that is how it will really be. You need to get a feel of how it will be to be on your own on any campus

It depends on the student. If you're academically oriented, I would suggest a small school over a large or even big name school because interaction with professors proved the most helpful in my academic development. If you're looking for a 'college experience' with a huge sports team, then a big state school might be best for you. I have friends and family who have done both and enjoyed both, but be sure to think about the importance of class sizes and interaction with professors (not TAs) if you're thinking abotu doing graduate work after undergrad.

Do not need scholarship. Thanks!

Go to the colleges you are thinking of attending. College is a place where you need to feel comfortable and going to the campus' and talking with the students there that are not on the tour faculty will give you a great view of the way the university really functions. College is a very personal choice and you need to make sure you treat it seriously and don't go somewhere just becuase it has a good name. You need to make sure it's right for you.

Actually spend a good chunk of time visiting the campus, as well as the surrounding area. Observe as many classes and meet as many faculty and students as you can. Your school is soon to be your home away from home, so you're basically looking for your second family. Be assertive and ask questions. Do not feel as if you are imposing, because the school is probably observing you too. Choose a college you feel comfortable in and inspired by. Oh! And apply for as many scholarships as possible - and do it early!