Southern Nazarene University Top Questions

"Tabitha have faith in yourself, to not see only the negatives in your life but the possitives. Smile at people and say hi, to not be shy and believe that you am better off alone. Go eat in the Commons instead of warming a can of spagettie Os in the microw wave." "But then i would have to eat alone, and I am only a freshman, I have no idea what is going on." "Yes, i know it is way out of your comfort zone, but you have learned from experiance that when you take a chance you can see how it changed you and made you a better person. And besides you are a brilliant girl, you will figure it out. Oh and you need to go to the games and outings more, those are where you can make friends and then you won't have to do this whole college thing on your own."

To open up. It might seem like shallow advice, but my biggest problem this last semester has been dealing with a boyfriend i went into college with. We told each other we were committed, that we were serious. College is the time where people are trying to discover who they really are. It's tough to see people change sometimes. It's tough to see yourself change. But you have to keep this truth in mind. Give people a chance; give newness a chance. My biggest struggle was holding on to what I knew and was comfortable with for too long instead of enjoying and exploring the opportunity that was right infront of me. So it's what I'd tell to everyone about to make the transition. Calm down and let life happen. Don't settle too quickly, because you have your life to live ahead of you. College is a new world, a place to discover and to learn. Seize the opportunity. Open up to possibilities. I know it sounds cliche, but take the time to find yourself and find people.

The number one thing I would tell myself is that high school is easy. College is hard. Just becasue I didn't have to try in when I was a senior doesn't mean I can act the same in college. I would also tell myself to have fun. After my first semester in college I realized that I have not had much of a social life. I stay in my room watching T.V. all night. I need to get out and have some fun with my friends or at least spend my T.V. watching time studying. College is an adventure, don't spend all your time in your room becasue you're scared!

I recommend paying close attention to how helpful the staff is during the application process. If this process is difficult and unclear, that is a good indicator of your future years at the university. If they have to transfer you to a million different departments to answer your questions, get ready because you're going to be doing the run-around routine for the next four (or five haha) years. Also, don't be afraid to consider one college over another based on climate. If you hate the rain, do not go to a school in Seattle. You will be in a bad mood all the time. Who wants to be in a bad mood in college? One of the most helpful things I did in my search for my first university was look through a course catalog. This is a good indicator of what you will be learning. Lastly, check out their career statistics and feed-in's to graduate programs. If it is not a highly respected school among professionals, there is probably a reason for that and you should stay away (no matter how much fun you had at the frat party on your college visit).

When you are searching for a college, seek one that emphasizes building relationships with instructors and hands-on expirience at least as much as studying from the textbooks. A good working relationship with the professors of your college will help imensly in searching for a position after graduation and also for research and expirience as an undergraduate. Building relationships will do no good, however, if time is not taken to learn the necessary skills to make a carreer out of your degree. Be sure to keep up in your coursework and activly think and participate in learning, don't just soak up knowledge to be spit out on a test and forgotten. To do both of these well, you have to manage your time very carefully. Make yourself a study schedule for each semester and stick to it! I can't emphasize enough how hard it can be to say no to whatever it is that you'd rather do than study at times; if you don't have a schedule you can get buried in a pile of homework in a hurry. And have fun! Keep up a hobby or two if you can.

Parents, let your child decide. Don't make your child go to your alma mater becuase it worked for you. Students, look at a few different colleges, make a smart, well-informed decision. Apply to more than one school. Talk to students on campus (not just the admissions counselors and student guides) and see what they think about the school. Your tour guide is specially picked because he/she loves the school. But it's the students around campus that you want to ask because they have pros and cons for you.

Make sure that your child has fully considered all his/her choices; but, also make sure that you are allowing him/her to find the college and path in life that is best for him or her. When he/she makes their decision, support them and encourage them, but don't be overbearing. Girls may like to talk with their parents, but a boy often wants to become more independent. In the end, just make sure you love them, and things will work for the best.

Families need to consider the amount of money that is going to be required and the best place for the student to thrive. There has to be confidance and comfort within the student to be successful. Make sure and visit the campus of your choice before finishing all the paper work.

Pick the school that is best for the individual not the pocket book.

Definitely start looking early. Sophmore year of high school open up discussions with Admissions counselors. Try to begin campus visits by your Junior year. Some schools offer more scholarship money if you apply as a Junior, since it implies a commitment.

I think the most important advice I would give is to first do your VERY BEST to find and apply for any scholarships or grants that could possibly be given to you. This will help you base your decision less on whether or not you have sufficient funds, and more on where you could see yourself really fitting in. I would tell parents to be involved as much as possible to help their child find what they could to help keep them out of debt. But more than anything, do everything in your power to help them financially through school. It's a really tough time with many life adjustments taking place, and the best thing you can do is to just be there when they need you. If they can rely on you, they will have that much less to worry about while they are struggling through school. For the student, I would just suggest to do your best just to know what is going on around you; financially, politically, and academically. And last but not least, make this life-changing process a FUN process. Don't stress too much over the little things. Let God be in control.

Students need to value their parents' opinions on finding the right college, but not go to a school just because the parents want them there. Parents need to be careful about pushing a particular school on a student. Even though they may feel it's right for their child, it may be exactly the opposite. Having the freedom to go where you want while valuing the opinion of your parents is hard, but essential for both the parents and the students to remain happy through the college experience. As far as making the most of the college experience, allow yourself to let loose and take the time to find out who you are and who you want to be. This may be one of the few times you are able to start with a fresh slate. Take advantage and be who you want to be. Parents, let the student find their way and make their own mistakes. You can't protect them and teach them "life." It's much better for us to figure it out ourselves - no matter how hard that may be for you to watch.

Dont limit yourselft to just one college find a couple that will meet your needs then narrow it down to the one. Get involved and stay involved. Try new things and dont worry what other people think.

Parents, PLEASE make sure you help your kids find scholarships before college! If you don't it will only come back to hurt you when they graduate and can't afford to live anywhere but home.

Make sure the student is actually comfortable with the school, not only what their parents want for them.

The most important factor to discovering and deciding on the right college for you can be answered by the question "Is this somewhere where I can grow and become who I want to become". If that college can and will help you on your growth into that person you wish to become then by all means that is your college. Honestly the worst reason for picking a school is because your friends are there or you parents went there or the fact that it's Ivy league. Those are the worst types of reasons, you may just end up sending yourself down a road built for someone else. Make your own destiny and discover who you truly are and let that guide your decision. If your friends happen to go there or your parents went there too that's great, just know that you made your decision on a reason infinitly more sound. Now that you're at your new school it's time to get down and dirty. Go have fun, enjoy your time... but don't forget to study! Explore your world and discover what it's you were meant for. This is what college is about.

It is very important that one finds a school that they are comfortable in. One should be able to feel that school is their home away from home. Also, check to see how many and what kind of extra-curricular activities are available on campus. Arrange to make a campus visit to see how things are around campus on a day to day basis. It might also be beneficial to go to campus on a day that they are not doing sponsored school tours so you can see it on a regular day. Also, look at how far away the school is from home. The distance may cause the new student to become homesick and miss out on many of the opportunities available. One also needs to get involved in campus activities. College is a great time to find new friends and try new things.

For the parents I would say help your kids. This is a big dicision, so when they come to you listen to everything they say. Do not force your desires on them, but help them find the school that is best for them. To the students I would say know what you want. Have an idea of what you are looking for in class styles, professors, and community life. Take the time to to visit the schools you are looking at. Meet the proffessors and students. Ask question and be honest.

Decide what you want to do, then look at the major that corresponds, then look at those programs at the schools. Visit! Get to know the professors. Activities may look great. The campus may look awesome. The reviews may be fantastic, but the quality of the professors is most important. It has made a world of difference to me that my professors truly care.

Have an idea of a major, so you can choose the school that will most benefit your student's education and career options. Demand a list of EVERY class needed to graduate for their major and the schools requirement. This will allow you to save money and keep your student focused and on track, while also knowing what extra classes can be taken without interferring with the major.