Taylor University Top Questions

If I could tell my high school self anything, it would be to savor high school, but be ready to make changes in college. I remember how eager I was to graduate as I neared the end of my senior year, but after that actually happened, I was terrified. I was so scared of the unknown that college would bring me. Looking back, I realize how foolish all those feelings were. I can honestly say that Taylor University is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have made friendships that I know will last a life time and I have grown in my faith and academics. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me and high school self, you should be beyond excited.

Don't be afraid to be yourself. You'll end up spending too much time trying to maintain a false image and miss out on some really great friendships. Get involved in the things you're interested in and don't wait until you feel like you've established yourself. There are a lot of really good experiences to be had in campus clubs and they aren't as lame as the ones in high school. Don't let anyone make you feel stupid for taking a while to pick a major. You will graduate on time, so don't just pick something to please everyone, you'll figure it out. Studying abroad is really hard, but entirely worth it.

If I were given this opportunity, I would have to tell myself many things. First of all, I would tell myself to make sure I have good relationships with the teachers that I am leaving in high school and the professors that I will be meeting when I come into Taylor University. Along with getting to know my professors, I would tell myself to make sure my efforts are at their highest when I start out in some of the classes that are required for the first semester of my freshman year. These classes can be used to start with a higher GPA which will make college a lot less stressful. Lastly, I would tell myself to get to know the upperclassmen that I live around, and that have the same major as me. This will allow me to ask questions when it comes to scheduling and the best ways to study for certain classes. If I knew these three tips going into college, I would have had an even greater time than I have had already.

My advice for myself as a senior in highschool would be to remember that there is more to life than school. Throughout highschool studying was my life because I really enjoy it. Through college I have begun to see the importance of developing friendships with classmates. There is so much one can learn from those around one if you reach out and start the conversation. Being shy isn't an excuse. Chances are some of the people surrounding you are shy as well. Being willing to step out of your confort zone is really important to developing the ability to take advantage of the many oppurtunities that present themselves at college.

My senior year was spent working hard to obtain the money I needed to attend Taylor. Though I received enough, I would tell myself to work harder and save more for the following years. In other regards, I would tell myself to think outside the box and make my own discoveries instead of just being a parrot, listening to information in class and simply repeating it on a test. College is much more than that. Genuine learning is analizing information presented to you and investigating that information yourself. I would also encourage myself to further develop the arts of self-discipline and responsibility. Doing projects the night before they're due may work in high school, but not in college. Time managment, self-discipline, and being responsible for oneself and one's actions are principals that may have faded in popularity long ago, but their importance will never fade. Success in college is dependent upon these skills. I would tell myself to have fun, but also warn me about the social issues that can so easily lead to procrastination and distraction from acheiving my goals. Hard work, discipline, learning, and focus are the things I'd advice myself to develop.

I would tell myself to work harder to save money for college. Taylor University, especially, is not cheap, and having some money set aside would make a huge difference. In conjunction with that, educate yourself as much as you can about the financial aid process, ask a lot of questions, and act upon opportunities quickly. Also, as you get to know those you are living with, be open with them, they will be your friends for life. They are caring and supportive, nothing worth worrying about. Living on campus definitely plays a huge role in getting adjusted, as well as getting involved in various activities. These are a couple of the best ways to get acclimated to college life.

Don't freak out. All throughout your senior year, and especially around graduation everybody will make a huge deal about how you are leaving home, forever, and will now make a new life for yourself. Though all this is true I feel adults make too big of a deal of leaving home and beginning college. As a high-school graduate I felt that my life would never be the same, that the whole big world was in front of me and I had to fight my way though it. The truth of the matter was, I went off to college, had more responsibility, more work, less sleep and more adventures. But I was still the same person, I still enjoyed the same things, home was still the same and I did not become lost in the big huge world. College is a huge step in life but not nearly as big as I feel most high-school students think. My advice would be to, be prepared for the extra responsibility but know that you will be fine and, most importantly, enjoy the adventure that awaits you.

In high school, I was a slacker. I failed my freshman year and had to retake it. At the end of my sophomore year and 3 years of high school I knew I was ready to move on. I crammed in junior and senior classes into my 4th year to get enough credits to move onto collage. Collage was the push I needed to go in the right direction. It gave me a goal, and now I know what I want to do with my life. I want to be a Math teacher and go on from community college to study at Rutgers. Not only did the teachers motivate me, but the social environment has been encouraging as well. There are people here that understand my hardships and that are finding themselves too. I’m very fortunate to have this experience to learn and be successful.

I have learned a lot since I set foot on Taylor's campus. I arrived, excited and in awe of the fact that I was here. I was thrilled, but I was also scared. For the first time, I was away from my family for a long time: a twelve-hour drive away. All I had was a Tracfone and the Internet to communicate with them. For the first time in my life, I was on my own; for the first time in my life, I was not sure of myself. I knew I was here because Professor Hensley liked my writing, but I lost a lot of confidence in my ability to write -- among others. It was scary. Living twelve hours away from home prevented me from running away. I had to face my fears, face the challenge of college, independence, and writing for someone other than myself. Facing these fears was the only way I could overcome them. Coming to Taylor forced me to face them. Since that first day, stepping on campus and feeling my confidence sink to my feet, I've become a better writer, I've learned a lot, and I've grown much stronger.

When I started college, I met so many people. I learned everyone's name and memorized all the faces, but I had a very difficult time getting past the surface. I didn't know how. About half way through the school year, I figured out why. I didn't know myself. Because of this past year of college, I improved myself in a few different ways. I not only made myself a better person by gaining more knowlege, but I was able to learn about myself. Because of this, I've been able to dig past the surface. I have those special friends that will help me through the next three years to help me push to do my best at everything I try and to make it through my goals for a brighter future.

In preparing for a life career, I have meet many wonderful and faith filled fellow students and faculty who have assisted my in my sport, education, career goal and most of all my faith. I have enjoyed the players on the football team who have come from about ten different states and territories and several other countries. This has opened up to me other cultures in a sport that is a truely American sport. The are wonderful fellow students whom I admire.

So far I have learned the meaning to responsibilty and the idea of working hard. I feel like TU has also helped me to grow spiritually and as a person.

The first week or so of college will be hard. Make sure you get out of your room and floor and talk with people. Don't get too stressed out about no making a good grade on your first test or quiz because it's your first college test, you're not used to it yet! Don't be afraid to ask for help! Know your limits, but get involved with events on campus! On the first day of class, sit next to someone you don't necessarily know. Get to know the people in your classes, especially your majors classes, and form a relationship with them. It may become lonely at some points but make sure you are getting into God's word! Remember to trust Him in each and every situation! Make sure you get some friends and go open housing the first couple of weeks. Visit churches and don't settle for something you are not satisfied with. Trust God and let Him lead you in every situation!

If I could rewind to my time as a high school senior, I would make sure I understood a few very important things. First, I would embrace the fact that time truly does fly. At the beginning of my senior year, it felt as though I still had forever to hang out with my friends and chill out at home. But before I knew it, I was walking down the aisle to the familiar chords of "Pomp and Circumstance", saying tearful goodbyes to my friends, and packing up all my possessions that could be smashed into a minivan. I love the place I am at in my life right now, but thinking about all the good memories of high school makes me wish I would have savored them just a little bit more. Another thing that would have made my transition to college a bit smoother have been preparing myself to meet thousands of new people. The first few weeks at school were overwhelming for me, and while I liked seeing all the new faces, they still left me with a feeling of loneliness. Mentally readying myself for this experience would have made it a little less overpowering and intimidating.

Being a freshmen here at Taylor I have learned so much, not just academically but also just about life in general. Looking back at the last semester and the growth I have made it?s almost hard to comprehend I fit all those new experiences into one semester. If I could go talk to my high school senior self right now I would tell myself two things; the first would be to work harder in school, and the second would have been to be more intentional with my relationships. I would have told myself to work harder in school because that would have opened a lot more scholarship opportunities, and prepared me a bit better for the more rigorous classes. The biggest lesson I have learned at Taylor is to be more intentional with my relationships. I have learned the repercussions of blowing people off, picking to invest in this relationship instead of that one, and not appreciating those who really matter. This has been a rough lesson for me, but one that I am definitely glad I learned sooner than later. Family, friends, and community are a blessing that should not be taken for granted.

Keep your goals in mind. Study with the inspiration of being organized. Review and try to follow instructors direction to the letter. If you do not understand something, ask for guidance. Think ahead of all the wonderful opportunities life will bring with your degree in hand. Set your goals and reach them, one by one. Stay focused and aware of those not supportive of your need to study. Set aside time everyday for future thought planning time. Do not cheat. Do not allow other's to cheat off of you. Get your basic academics out of the way before you start taking courses that you find interesting and different. Above all else, be appreciative of your future college education and enjoy to the fullest all the advantages a college degree will bring to you.

To know thyself (Aristotle). It is important to be able to approach your college life in a way that remains true to yourself. College lets you redefine your self in many ways. Its is important to try to strength the areas of your life which are weak and to maintain your strengths. There is a lot of forgiveness in going to college, where you can change who you are, but the person you are in college, is who you will be after college. "To know thyself" gives you that edge to approach college in the right mind frame and not lose your self to the currents that run on different campuses. I would also add to push on, since the best is definitely still to come.

I would have told myself to develop better study habits while I still had a relatively low course load. I also would have told myself to be more confident and get involved more coming in to college.

If I could go back and tell myself something, it would be that I should be prepared for an excellent experience with an amazing group of people. I was not expecting this to be not only be a community, but a small family. We all come from different environments, lifestyles, and belief systems, and yet we have become a family. I could not be more happy with a college selection.

Hey self, wake up! You may have lived near this campus all your life and know some of the professors personally, but that does not mean you know the campus. Get up and do a campus visit, or stay overnight in a friend's dorm room, but whatever you do, don't be so lax about it The campus has a life of its own, and different places and majors have people and professors that are dynamic and outspoken. You will encounter opposing viewpoints, life-changing conversations, and truly convicting class sessions. This is not an away-from-home extension of high school. It's the real world, and it's four years of your life. Explore! Get involved! And whatever you do, don't pick a dorm based on one friend who lives on one wing; get yourself into an environment where you will thrive. This is a great college, but it's not perfect - help it along by making smart choices.