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.