Southwestern University Top Questions

I have discovered what I want to major in and accomplish in life. In the beginning of my college career I was unsure, so I decided to try out a couple majors. After taking some classes and doing some volunteering, I discovered I want to be a teacher. I think the longer I have been in school the more I appreciate my teachers and the job that they do. My volunteer work helped me choose an age group, but it was mainly my teaching classes and classroom experience that contributed to my newly discovered goal: to become a certified, influencial and succesful 1st grade teacher. I believe that even my first few classes in my college career were valuable. Although they were not classes in the area I focused on today, the helped guide me to the right decision and discover what I am capable of.

The most valuable thing I have gotten out of my college experience is life. Southwestern University has surrounding me by so many people like me. I'm not saying our campus isn't diverse, but everyone here loves life and feels like part of a giant family. I have made friendships that will last a life time, and connections that will further me in my future career. The professors not only teach they're respective subjects, but they teach life lessons. Some at SU would consider the professors mean, but its just tough love. I have learned so much regarding my major, and so much more that has nothing to do with a formal education. My attendance at Southwestern University gave me something truly valuable, a kickstart for life.

I would adivsemyself to practice reading and writing as much as I could and then more. These two skills are the most important for producing successful work in your college studies. I would also tell myself to apply as early as possible for any scholarship that is even remotely applicable to me. The stress of adjusting to college is only compunded with the stress of financial insecurity.

College life is fun and exciting, but that does not mean that there are not responsibilities like studying. I knew going to college that I would probably spend more time studying than I did in high school, but I still felt that I would be able to spend the week focused on school and have weekend to relax. My high school self should have been prepared to sacrifice some weekends which would have made my first year less of a shock. Some other key points for survival at any university include using online resources to purchase books at least three weeks before a semester starts. This sometimes includes emailing professors for book lists. Also purchasing school supplies for both semesters in August when everything is on sale will help reduce costs! Mainly, I would say try and meet as many new people as you possibly can because study groups go a long way.

College is a completely different world. It is like having a double life, one back at home and another on campus. I would tell myself to create my second life exactly how I want it. It is a fresh start surrounded by people going through the exact same thing you are. The transition is scary at first, extremely scary, but completely worth it. The advice I was given going into college is the same I would give to myself again, stay focused. That doesn't exclude the social focus, but you are in college for a reason, to grow into an adult you would be proud of. I would tell myself to "be the change you wish to see in others" and make a diiference. In college, you can be almost anyone you dream to be, so make it happen.

Don't hesitate - jump into things more quickly, be bold. You're going to love college life and being away from home, so don't be so worried about it. Don't be afraid to get more involved right away, you'll handle the schoolwork much better than you thought. In the meanwhile, please look up scholarships and such. This should come as no surprise, but your family can't handle the loans very well and the idea of leaving your school is devastating. So keep on top of it, and start pestering your mom NOW to start helping. Save up money, but don't be afraid to use some of it to be yourself. Because college will really bring you into being yourself, and you will love it. Life is, and will be, good.

If I could, I would tell myself this: In its simplest form, Southwestern University helps us determine not only what we would like to do after graduation, but who we would like to be. University is a time of change and growth. It allows us to grow from children to adults, from dependence to independence, from questioning to understanding. Like the changing of the seasons, Southwestern University allows us to grow into the people we truly are. There are no rules on the clothes you can wear, the things you do between classes; the norms of everyday life as you once knew are all but erased. We shed these old ways of life little by little, one day at a time, our leaves fluttering to the ground as time passes, until finally we are left with nothing to hide ourselves. We are exposed to the elements, to grow stronger and in confidence in who we want to be. You?ll find that as the wind whisks away the leaves, the people and memories that keep you rooted become your remaining connections to the world as you once knew it and the defining factors of what will grow in its place.

Visit all the colleges your are applying to, stay overnight talk to as many people as possible. Once you are there talk to your proffessors, go to class, get involved in at least one group, and do the assignments!!

When you are looking into a college that you want to go to, make sure you visit the campus and get a feel for the atmosphere and people that go there. While there talk to as many people as you can and even try to attend a class in your intended degree if possible. While in a class observe how interactive students are, if you plan on skipping class go to a large school and if you want one on one help go to a smaller school. While you are on campus talk to the department head for your intended major to insure that when you graduate you will be able to get into your intended field or grad school. If all of the information you gather seems to add up to the school for you, talk to financial aid. MAKE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD IT. Financial aid will help out a lot if you push and work every angle, but don't put yourself in a position to take out more loans than you can pay back when you graduate. College will be the best years of your life if you pick the right one.

Do your research. Find what interests the student applying and use websites like the college board to find what suits you. Apply for lots of scholarhips. It helps if you know what you might want to major in but it's not necessary. Do college visits; how you "feel" on a campus is completely different when you're actually there as opossed to looking at it on paper or the internet.