Spring Arbor University Top Questions

In high school I did a lot of worrying about college; what it was going to be like to not know anybody and be away from home. However, there is very little to worry about. All freshmen are in the same boat and you make friends quickly. Going in with no friends can actually be a good thing. There are no ties from the past and you can start fresh. Being away from home makes you aware of what your parents do for you and how to be responsible for yourself. Another thing I would say is to try everything. Just going out and experiencing what is taking place on campus helps you meet people and get involved with activities on campus. Although those things are important, the main advice I would give myself is that high school AP classes do pay off. Doing well in my AP Comp class resulted in getting college credit for the class. Also, work ethic does continue through your life. I had a good work ethic in high school and that helped me achieve a 4.0 GPA my first semester of college.

There are a lot of things I would change. I would have gone out and searched for all of my options. I wasn't satisfied settling here because after I graduated a freedom swept over me and I had a choice to go or do what I pleased and I had options, I just didn't spend the time to see what they were or could have been. I would have kicked myself for all the times Not spent studying. College is awesome and choosing what time of day all your classes can take place is amazing, and the lack of drama as compared to high school is probably the greatest part. I should have learned and studied to remember, not to pass the class then forget. I should have worked harder, given it my all because in the end it mattered so much. In the end though, to change this is all on me and to reach the full potential that college has for me I have to want the change. The goal is attainable, and I cannot change the past, but I do have the power to change there here and now for my future.

I would tell myself that it is a difficult transition and there are a lot of days you want to quit. Do not go home every weekend, and make friends with people instead. Try to seek out people in my classes that seem like me, and go to dinner with them. Make lots of friends and don't assume the first people I meet are supposed to be my best friends. Lastly I would tell myself to be open about new things. Try new things, and be spontaneous. College comes only once in a lifetime, so have fun and don't worry about the future.

If i could go back in time. I would tell my high school self to not slack off and to keep working hard even though you are almost done. You need those scholarships really bad. Also i would tell her to go get a job and save that money to pay off school.

Knowing now that SAU is a comfortable and excepting environment, that is academically dedicated as I am I would tell myself to relax! I was very nervous when I first started attending college because I was sixteen for the first semester. Knowing now that the transition is not stressful or overpowering I would advise myself to be confident in the dedicated student that I have always been. I would tell myself that the students and professors in the science and math departments are helpful and friendly. I would also inform myself of how fun the experience is at SAU. Being sixteen and going to college, even a Christian university, can be scary. College parties are notorious. However, I would tell myself that the fun at SAU is healthy and safe. I would also advice myself to have faith that the professors grade fairly. When you are willing to do as much work as I have always been willing to do for an ‘A’ unfair grading is a fear. In general I would tell myself that “you are going to love SAU and the people you make friends with.” It is true, I do love my University and students and professors.

I would have probably told myself to prepare for the work load that I was given when I started college. Getting everything done correctly and turned in on time takes propertime management and hard work. I would have told myself to expect these things before starting college so that it was not as hard of an adjustment after I started college.

If I could go back to give myself advice as a senior, I would tell myself to not worry because everything will work out the way it is supposed to. I would remind myself to remember to let loose and have fun while at college, it's impossible to keep your head in the books all the time. I would also tell myself to work hard and do the best that you can, but even if you are struggling do not let that bring yourself down, because it is a way in which God wants to teach you something so you must take every opportunity to learn not only academically but learn about who you are as a person.

I would tell myself to not get over whellemed it is not that hard. It is exactly like high school was for me. Study hard but have fun too! BE open to others and you will have the time of your life. Smile often laugh even more and just remember that you have friends and they will always be there for you. Stay strong, and always remember that God can get you through the hardest of times!

Alison, You need to try your hardest in all of you classes this year. In AP Psych, you need to study hard and understand the material so that you can do well on your AP exam. If you get a 3 or above you will get out of PSY 100 which will help you advance in your schedule. Also in AP Stats you need to do the same to do well on the exam. Senior year is fun but you need to make the right moves for college. Also you need to train hard so that you can do well in your upcoming Cross Country and Track seasons. Make sure you prioritize your time between friends and fun time with study time.

Don’t lose sight of your ultimate purpose in life. It is exceedingly difficult to prioritize as you begin to transition into becoming an independent adult. You will be faced with the demands of your academics, social circles and financial circumstances, all of which we are so often told are important to master when wanting to succeed in life. But don’t give in to spiritual complacency. Don’t make excuses for why you don’t devote your time and efforts to giving back to God and his people. The places you go and the things you do reflect where your priorities lie. God is all powerful, all knowing, and all good. Next time you stress out about where your future is taking you, be reminded of the peace that comes in knowing that God’s burden is light, his yoke is easy, and his best interest is in you. Live one hundred percent for God, and he will reveal his glory to you beyond comprehension. God’s plan is greater than anything you may conjure up for yourself. By staying in tune to the spirit and meditating on the word, your plans will begin to align with his.

Don't be fake. Be yourself and let people know the true you. If you are fake or completely into making other people happy, you're not going to be happy yourself. Take time for yourself. Take time to get to know yourself. Find what you like to do, how you study best, and which topics you like best. Use that information to plan your study time, major, and room set-up. Set boundaries with roommates in order to keep study time sacred. Studies are important - they are why you're in college - so make them a priority. Make getting to know yourself a priority, too. Without knowing who you are, you cannot know where you are going and what you are meant to do in life.

I would tell myself not to stress out so much about impressing other people. I would tell myself not to let fear control my life. I would tell myself that my professors' goal is not to make me fail. I would relate how much easier assignments are when you start them right away and work on them over a longer period of time. I would stress the importance of time management, and relate what I have found works for me: when you have extra time, use it to do homework. Then, when the time comes that friends want to hang out, you will be able to without having to worry about tons of work you still have to do. Even if friends never come around to hang out later, you'll have that time to relax, or perhaps even work ahead in your classes' work if you're that ambitious, but you won't be stressing out about all those assignments you still have to get done before tomorrow morning. Lastly, I would tell myself just not to stress so much.

Dear Hannah Dennings,

If I were given the opportunity to talk to my self as a student in high school, I would emphasis the importance of priorities. There are so many ways to get involved as a college student that one must set specific goals and standards for how he or she uses time. Academics must be set as the top priority because it is why college exists. Taking time to learn the material is invaluable and will pay off in great ways. The second priority is balancing work with social living. In order to succeed on campus, it is important to become connected with the people who live on it. These connections provide a number of benefits including academic connections, potential jobs, and also life long friends. As a college student, I cannot be successful by myself, but I can benefit those around me with unique input. Finally, the last incredibly important priority for a college student is health. Balancing diet, excercise, and sleep is the best way to ensure that I am physically, and mentally able to put my best effort into my work. All three priorities must be balanced in order to have a successful college career.

Get your gen-eds out of the way through community school or clep testing, they are worth taking at private school prices. Move off campus sooner, its a lot cheaper. Apply for a campus job your freshman year, and if you are living on campus, save your money (it will help you later when you want to buy a car, or start paying rent, or paying off school loans...), since you aren't spending it on food or housing. Get a tutor whenever you experience the least bit of academic trouble. Find someone who will hold you accountable to a schedule. If you are a girl, don't waste your time pursuing relationships with guys, wait for them to pursue you. Find a church that makes you feel like you are home. That will be most important to you, and pray that a family will adopt you as a serogate daughter. It doesn't always work to force these types of connections, but to let God bless you with them. Be willing to spend a little extra from time to time if it means that you will acquire a skill or experience that will last a life time.

It is important to use your time wisely. Make sure to focus on schoolwork but also have a social life too.

Dear Self, I know you are going to stress out about this transition, but try not to. The first year can be tough as you live in a new part of the country, represent a different age bracket (college student instead of high school student), live away from home with few visits, try to succeed academically, and learn to make new friends outside your old high school bubble. Live will be getting tougher but just try to find out who you are and learn what you value more. In the end you are going to find your major and good friends. Take it one step at a time and you will succeed. You may not find what you are looking for this year, but after freshmen year it only gets better. Take chances and go the extra mile to experience life. Do not shy away from people, but let them know who you are and what you can be. You need to dream big and set goals for the future. Over all do not stress, because in time you will figure it out.

I would tell myself to calm down and take a deep breath. It's a very hard decision but you will love where you end up. Spring Arbor is your dream campus. You will learn so much about yourself and others. It will change you in ways you wouldn't believe if I told you. There you will meet you best friends and teammates. These people will be so close to you, you will view them as family. Your classes will be hard, but just stick with it and you will suceed. You will be fine and you will be surrounded by people who love and believe in you. And finally, pay extra attention in chemisrty.

Dear self, The best advice I can give you is to expect change. Going to collage is like going through a second puberty. It will be awkward and annoying, but stick with it. The hardest part is diligence. For goodness sake do your homework. Don't skip class because you didn't get the homework done. Teachers are more likely to be merciful if you show up to class verses skipping. Most teachers will give you an extention if you ask, even if your excuse is that you procrastinated. They appreciate honesty. The other advice is to make friends. Friends are going to be what gets you through those tough times. Don't obsess with girls. In fack. DON"T DATE your freshmen year. It's not worth it to try to adjust to collage life and have a needy girl at the same time. Finally, pray alot. Get involved in a church right away. Don't become stagnant with your spiritual life. Collage will make or break you as a Christian. You will either abandon him or fall head over heals for Jesus. Choose ahead of time what you want and act on what you decide.

If I could go back in time, and give advice to my high-school senior self about what is to come in the college world, I would have told myself the following. Beth, yearn to be one who makes a difference. Strive for the power to make change. Venture to take flights onto new heights. Attempt to challenge, defy, and confront obstacles head on. Seek to aim your voice above the mountains, over the crests of the mighty oceans. Yet sometimes, Beth, you will be disappointed. You will fail to be bold and speak undoubtedly. You will neglect to win your battles indisputably. You will flop and fold to stand strong in the strenuous, problematical times. And you will feel that you are sinking to the bottom of disgrace when you cannot place your toes on the demanding soil. You will be in trance where you see yourself descending to the earth below where you cannot reach the skies of hope. Nevertheless, in your despair, try. Try to reach past your failures, desolations, and despondency. Try to regain your faith, aspiration, and ambition to once again reach the words of: I yearn to be one who makes a difference.