Otterbein University Top Questions

My college experience has been something I would never trade for any other experience. The campus is small, so I can get individual attention from professors when I need it. The teachers and students are all familiar with eachother unlike some lecture classes at large universities. The campus and city of Westerville in general has an extremely home-y feel, where everybody knows everybody. It's a very safe area, and there is always something exciting going on. Otterbein students have a sense of pride and togetherness, which is great because it's important to feel like you're a part of something special, especially something as great as Otterbein. Otterbein not only teaches academics, but teaches that community service and acts of kindness are extremely important. Otterbein does a wonderful job at preparing students for the future by providing them internships and job opportunities as a glimpse to the real world. I'm confident that my choice to attend Ottebein University was the best choice I could have made.

My time at Otterbein has given me many experiences that have helped me to develop academically, professionally, and socially. Though some of Otterbein?s individualistic characteristics sometimes frustrated me, I still obtained a valuable experience and top college education while attending this small liberal arts institution. I was able to gain the professional knowledge and skills to be competitive in the current career market. Otterbein has helped me to create a diverse profile that sets me apart from the majority in my field of interest. Through the diversity and liberal arts opportunities that this college offers I am able to highlight on my community experiences, diversity appreciation, and real world understanding. However not every accomplishment that I have achieved can be attributed to Otterbein. To be successful at any institution the personal attributes of the individual students lead to the futures success of their efforts. I have taken the responsibility upon myself to be active in the various experiences that Otterbein provides while also applying myself to many opportunities outside the confines of Otterbein. Otterbein might have been the location and foundation for my success; however it is my personal perseverance and work ethic that has granted me such success.

It's not too far of a stretch to talk to myself. It's something I do daily. Scary, I know -- but it's where some of us live after 8 kids and 9 grandkids. At least I have an attentive audience. I achieved high school senior status at the age of 45 after homeschooling my 8 children from birth through their own high school seniorhoods. I completed my journalism degree sitting next to them in Algebra and Creative Writing classes and was student speaker 2000. I got happy with my diploma, published a book on homeschooling and began editing a parenting magazine for my church. Ten years later I feel that I quit on myself too soon, and I should have kept the momentum going to get my Bachelor's. So listen up, Self. Here's my advice: "Look, Grandma: don't be intimidated by those whipper-snappers who think they have the world on a string. They have yet to experience the ups and downs that yo-yo affords. Life experience counts a good deal and it doesn't come cheap. You've paid your dues, and it's never too late for lifelong learning. Go for it!"

"If I could turn back the hands of time," this is a popular statement made by many. We as people often wish we could go back in time and change things. We wish we could go back and undo what?s been done, or do what wasn?t done. If we aren?t wishing we could change the past, we reminisce on our present wishing it were ?the good old days.? I can think back to a time in my life when I wish I would have done things differently. The time I am referring to is my senior year in high school. Making the transition from teenager to a young adult can put a great deal of stress on person. If I was a student counselor, I would have told myself that making the decision to attend college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. I would have also talked myself into applying for scholarships, as the cost of education can be expensive. By applying for scholarships, I would have made college life a little easier by eliminating the stress of financial issues.

I waited many years to return to school, following service in the military and the starting of my family. The advice I would offer myself, and that which I've given to my own daughter whom starts college next fall, is "Don't wait!" College is an experience best savored by the young. There is no campus life for a returning student, responsibility doesn't allow for it. Once I've earned my degree I know it will be an accomplishment completed at the sacrifice of my children. As in the time spent in class and doing homework, missing moments in their lives they deemed important to be shared. As well as the disheveled state of my household, with backed-up laundry and limited finances for day to day items, much less vacations. I will complete my academic life with a respected degree and the knowledge needed to further my career, but without the experience of college life and the memories and friendships to be treasured. So, again I would say, "Don't wait! Embrace college and experience all that it has to offer."

If I could go back in time and be a high school senior, I would tell myself that I needed to study harder. I needed to train myself to study like I had never studied before. I need to be more involved in Language Arts and learn more about how to write. I might have taken a Journalism class or something of that nature. My first year of college and living in a dorm has been a great experience, I just wish that I had buckled down more in high school. I thought at times that I had it hard in high school, but believe me, college is hard. I love the challenge and I like working with a deadline, I came out of my first quarter with a 3.5, but believe me, I was glad that I wasn't at a partying school like Ohio University! I would have never made it through the first quarter.

The most important advice I would give myself about going into college would be to not room with anyone you already know from high school, it only makes it more difficult to get to know the other people in your dorm and on your campus; especially since in this experience I have already changed who I am in a lot of ways, since college is an all-around learning experience. Therefore I would also advise that I always leave my options open, and to take every opportunity that comes your way because you will be happier in the end since you have made your choices based on what you want, not what others want for you. Other advice I would give myself is that though a school has more students does not necessarily mean that in social situations you will not find your own group. Also make sure the people at the school you want are the people you want to be around, because if they're not, you will not be happy at that school, which will only cause you more stress.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself so many different things. First I would tell myself to be sure I have everything organized for my freshman year, classes schedualed, and finanacial aid taken care of. I would also tell myself to buy books online or try renting them. It saves so much money and I can resell them online after I'm done. Make sure I know how to manage time! Completing assignments and having homework done on time is a key componet to achieving a well maintained GPA. Get involved! Join groups, clubs, organizations, plan a study party for a test or final. Take advantage of free opportunities. The most important adivce I would give to myself is stay focused and on task.

Whatever you do, do not stress out, classes and homework are not very different from high school. When it comes to textbooks and the required reading, do all of it. Make sure to read all of the assigned reading, take notes, underline, and write your thoughts in the margins if you have to, but you cannot stop at what is assigned. Read the sections and chapters that are not assigned to get a better knowledge and understanding of the material. One thing that is different is deadlines. In college, deadlines are deadlines unless you have a legitimate excuse, but even then, if it was a project well known in advance, no excuse will work. To make the deadlines, you must attend EVERY class, unless you are severely ill; being there and just getting a little bit of information will help you understand more.

I would have to tell myself to be more focused on school work. To ask as many questions as I could to make sure that I fully understand things. Also I would tell myself to think smarter about the way I spend my money. as well as look for more scholarships and grants.