Southern Wesleyan University Top Questions

If I could go back and give some advice to my senior self, I would tell her to definitely apply to more scholarships. Although I looked around online a little bit, I mostly just applied to the ones that were handed to me. I would advise my younger self to really search scholarships out, because suddenly seeing the bill that you owe is pretty eye-opening and a little... shall we say, sickening? I also made the mistake of waiting a semester before going to school. Though I did have some health problems that I was attempting to deal with, I would definitely advise myself to go to school anyway. Waiting a semester might work for some people, but it surely didn't work for me, and I do regret the decision. I definitely felt judged by everone wondering "why is she still around?" and I will probably be taking summer classes if I can in an attempt to "catch up". Lastly, I would tell my younger self to keep close to friends and family. You don't know how much you take these people for granted until you're 18 hours away, or at least I didn't.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to really think about my major choice and put some really good thought into it. I have switched my major several times since I started college and it has made my process a little slower than others. Even if a professor says, "You only have to show up for class for tests", show up for every class! I was thrilled with the independence given to me upon the start of my first year at college. Stay organized and keep up with school work. It was much easier to turn in late work in high school because your teacher knew you on a more intimate level. In college a deadline is a deadline and that’s that! I would go back and tell myself to stay smart, keep a good head on my shoulders, and strive for the best. Doing well in college can only open doors and lead to a fulfilling adult life-with the job of my dreams. Above all-enjoy college for all it's worth, after all, these are supposed to be the best years of your life.

As the years pass by, we all tend to look back and want to change certain things. I am currently 24 years old. I graduated with a bachelor's in criminal justice in 2012. I was so excited, and just wanted to rush and graduate. I graduated with a low GPA not allowing me to really be considered for a Master's program. My fault was to rush and graduate without really focusing on my grades. If i could go back to high school, i would have stuck with my gut instincts and followed the harder academic path. Time is going to pass by anyways, no one should rush. I look back now being 24, and i wish i could have followed Forensic Sciences rather than Criminal Justice and took my time focusing on my grades. We all look back on our mistakes and think what if, but at the same time you learn from every experience. I now am trying to do a second bachelor's in what i originally wanted. It is never to late to fix your mistakes.

Dear Keonna, Please know sometimes life isn't what you planned it to be. As you have learned in high school, people have the opportunity to either make or break their post-graduation plans. You chose to go to college and make something even better out of yourself; despite your circumstances. Please remember that you can't plan EVERYTHING. Yes, you may plan what you need to do (as a task leader), but you sometimes need to roll with the flow. For example, you wouldn't want to plan your first kiss...that's really awkward, huh? Just know things happen for a reason....and everything will turn out better than what you expect. On another note....stop being so stuck in your ways. Branch out! Meet new people, socialize, get into some fun trouble. Do something other than schoolwork. Trust me, you have a long time to work, but little time to play. Love yourself, love others, and teach others to do the same! If you don't treat your time wisely, you will miss out on opportunities you would never imagine. I love you!

I would study more, focus more, pay attention! Instead of daydreaming and worrying about what others think or if I have a date for the weekend, I would pay attention to my teachers. I would thank my teachers for having patience and for trying their best to teach me something. College life is a lot harder....professors don't wait on you like high school teachers. If you're out, you better find the assignments you missed and get the work turned in. College life is different because it's your dime, not living life free as a bird like it is in high school.

After leaving college in 1996 due to bipolar disorder, I am returning in 2011 to finish what I have started. I am gaining personal growth, insight and education for my goal of becoming an RN. It is valuable for me to attend because bipolar has been hard to live with and so continuing to strive for my goal gives me a feeling of self-worth, while hopefully giving me the education I need to once again become a contributing member of society. College gives me the opportunity to re-gain a social life by making new contacts (personal and professional) that will help in my current life and in future goals. This scholarship will help ensure that I can continue to attend college and have enough money to support myself and my family.

Well you truly do have more freedom in college. I have done alot of growing up during my first semester in college. I value you the time I have spent in college so much because I have gotten to experience so much. Coming from a small town I did not realize that there was so much more to the world and I really value the new people I have been able to meet.

Being able to provide a living for my family. It has allowed me to go on and work on my Doctoral degree.

I feel like I have experienced the college feeling since leaving home. Just gaining that independent feeling away from the parents and everything. It also made me more independent because I didn't have someone looking over my shoulder or tell me what to do, which was a good and bad thing. The good part was that I could go pretty much wherever i needed to whenever, but then again I didnt have someone on my back about my school work. My first year at this college showed my more about the world then when I was in highschool, it was a new chapter in my life and i understood that i was getting older. I feel like God has lead me to this college to obtain an amazing christian ministry education, which is why I am applying for this scholarship.

Next quarter marks the half-way point of my university experience: I will graduate from the community college and set foot into the four-year institution which will present me with a bachelor?s degree. Such an occasion not only is the source of my extreme joy and enthusiasm, but is a sign of accomplishment for me personally. After experiencing a delay in my education upon marriage and the birth of my children, I found myself dissatisfied that I had not made the most of my talents, academically speaking. I graduated from high school with a 3.9 GPA and excelled in a foreign language, so you can imagine how important school was for me. As the love for my family grew, so did the desire to continue my education to become a positive example for my children. Going to college has been an invaluable experience which confirms my belief that there exists no obstacle that I cannot overcome. The challenge of maintaining exceptional grades while raising a family has forced me to become a stronger woman, a superior wife, and a more capable mother. Words cannot express the innumerable ways which college has enhanced my life and my character.

Before coming to this school i was acually at a community college back in New York, my home state. Me ending up here is quiet a long story and i have learned much about myself that i can honestly say i didnt know prior to coming to this campus. I never thought that i would ever even go away to school because my financial situation isn't a good one. I thank God that i was given some money to come to this school and play softball, but next year i really want to focus on my studies so i have to find money elsewhere. I have met so many poeple here that i have changed my life for the better and i feel much support from my peers and from my Professors. I also met my boyfriend here and am i just so grateful that i was blessed with the opportunity to come to this college, even though i miss my family each and every day knowing how far i am from them. With that being said it has shown me that i can survive on my own and be an independent individual.

I would tell students to take the work seriously. In today's society college is a prerequisite to life and the things you learn there are essential to your value in the job market. It's easy to goof-off in high school and ignore the privilege of an education, but college is hard work, requires focus and definite prioritizing. College provides a training ground for meeting intense deadlines, cultivating the art of reading and comprehension and critical thinking. You also have the chance to expand your world by meeting people from many different places, with many different world views and ideas. These are valuable skills. Take advantage of your opportunity!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are many things I would change. I would advise myself to not skip class, and to be more attentive of my grades while in high school. I would also advise myself to not focus my decisions on how it would affect the time I had to spend with my friends, but the time I had to study.

Dear High School Senior Me, RELAX. You worked so hard to keep up all your grades in High School and that was the smartest thing you ever did. While most of your friends decided to slacked off their last year, you kept chugging along and what did that get you? Automatic acception to your number 1 school! Oh Yeah! And just wait until you get here and experience the freedom and fun of college! You will meet some of the best friends you will ever have and learn so much about yourself that you never knew. Now don't think that just because your done with High School means that college will be all fun and games, cause it won't. But you were the smart one who took all the right Advanced Placement and college-prep classes, so you are more than prepared for the next 4 years of your life. So keep up the good work this last year! Peace Out! College Freshman Me P.S. - don't tell anyone, but you get the highest grade in Biology your first semester in college!!! :-)

I would tell myself to take it more seriously, get up and get to class. Your teachers are there to help you so ask if you have a question. I would tell myself not to drop that French class just because it was early because it would have came in handy. Remeber to schedule your classes close together, not all the way across campus, running in the rain or snow is not fun. Most importantly I would tell myself to have fun, do what your gut tells you, because turns out, it was right on the money.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, i would tell myself three crucial points. One is to be prepared for every class by reading ahead of time. Second, always make a checklist of what you need to do each day as well as when packing to leave for college. Finally, to be myself always and try to make new friends.

If I had the opportunity to go back to my senior year and talk to myself, (if I would even listen), but I would tell myself not to be afraid of college. Go ahead and go to college, do not wait until adulthood. College is much easier and there are more opportunities available for the younger generation attending college. Take advantage of financial aid, apply for scholarships, not to be afraid to ask for help along the way and most important, take it seriously because this is your future. Go for it and enjoy the ride but make it count.

In terms of any new advice, I don't think I have any to give myself. If any, it would be what I always try to tell myself is to not to give up and to remain humble.

To find the right college, parents and students need to look at the Universtiy and the surrondings. Y ou as a parent and as a Student will be able to tell what kind of College is right for you by a feeling. The best way to know is to pray!

Relax and take it slowly. Life is life wherever you go.