The College of Wooster Top Questions

The main advice I would give myself is ITS OKAY TO NOT KNOW! College is a time of learning who you are as a person in society. It is okay to change majors and explore new opportunities. It is okay to not know what you want to major in straight out of high school. It is okay to be unsure about what direction you want to take. It is all okay. College is about finding out who you really are. It is about learning how to truly develop well-rounded skills to use in all aspects of your life. So many high school seniors worry about their future; I certainly know I did. If I could tell myself anything that resonates more clearly now as a young professional than it ever did before, it is that everything will be okay. I promise.

At the beginning of my first semester, I arrived on campus early to participate in the girls varsity soccer team preseason. During the summer we were expected to workout and follow a program that was supposed to get us into shape for the soccer season. However, I did not take this packet of information seriously. Insead of legitimately executing each of the activities, I did them to the best of my ability. I made it all the way through preseason, but I was not getting the results I wanted. The coach explained to me that I would not receive playing time till I was up to par on my skills. School work became hard to complete as well, so I quit the team to better pursue academics. If I could go back to my high school self, I would explain the hard work it takes to participate in a college level sport. Instead of worrying about my summer with my friends, I would try to explain how hard it is to not play soccer anymore because I was not taking my work outs seriously. I regret not being dedicated enough to a sport I love.

Don't worry about fitting in with people on campus and making friends, because it will happen no matter what. Have friends, but don't get too caught up in the social aspect of your education. You are going to college to learn. Listen hard in class, and study hard on your own. Just because something is available to you doesn't mean you have to participate in it, so don't spread yourself too thin. DO get involved in something positive and productive, however. Its going to seem difficult, but you are more than capable of achieving everyting you set out to achieve. You wouldn't have been accepted if you didn't belong there.

As a student enters college it is expected for him or her to develop emotionally and sometimes physically. The things that you were used to and the life style you once lead are expected to change, when I started at the College of Wooster the changes were evident. I was no longer the high school big shot or even apart of my household. I felt like I entered a world full of people with air bubbles full of ideals, aspirations, and desires and my poor air bubble was the size of a pea. I anticipated the physical and emotional changes but I soon realized the bigger change I had to face was a mental change. I had to accept the fact that I could no longer be the center of attention, I could not expect passes or things to be handed to me, I had to learn to strive for what I wanted and demand what I needed. After just one semester of college I have matured and so many ways, I owe this to my new found determnation to be the best me that I can be and that means putting forth my best effort not anyone elses.

I am an international student from China. Wooster is a great experience for me because I can feel the care and attention from the college, which is a special advantage that many other colleges do not offer. Students and faculty here are really really nice people who are always willing to help. As for academics, students here are competitive but not over-achievers who only want to beat you down. We help each other to improve together.

So far my college experience has been bland. Since it is a two year college, there is no dorming so instead of getting a college experience all I get is class. I feel as though it is just the same as high school minus taking every subject class in one day. My classes are pretty decent. I feel as though a classroom will be a classroom no matter where I go, but as far as the campus and the people...it's a llittle bit mediocre.

The College of Wooster is a very strong school academically, and especially in the liberal arts. I've never been anything but happy with the level of education COW provides, and know it will be incredibly helpful in my graduate school endevors. Strong academics dosen't mean endless work at the COW, as most students have the time (and energy) after class to use their knowlodge outside of the classroom in a variety of activities, and also to just have fun with each other. Few people here can say much of anything bad about the school, other than the normal complaints of college students, for most are just as pleased as I am. The COW deserves the reputation of Oberlin and Kenyon, for it is just as good, if not better, than these schools.

My advice to my self would be to learn how to effectively study before starting college. College is completely different from high school in that a student is completely on their own to complete the work and learn the material. If I knew how to study before college, I would have avoided struggling during the first month of school. College is also a learning experience so I am grateful that I was able to seek advice from others and figure out my own way of studying.

Look at only 5 colleges, choose one quickly, and stop worring about it. College life is much better than high school, so there's really nothing to worry about if you choose a school that reflects your academic standing, social life, and world view.

I would tell myself not to spend my senior year stressing about the college process--I realize now that in the end, we all get where we're going. I had so many pre-concieved notions about college that were, for the most part, grossly unfounded. I thought that I would only be happy at certain schools the students were all one way or another. I worries about competing with my peers at college in order to do well and find my niche. Now, I know that all of that is silly and trivial. I ended up at Wooster, where it seems impossible to put your finger on what kind of student this school caters to, which is so refreshing. People from all walks of life attend, and everybody is happy to coexist. I also realized that in college, we're all in it together. Your friends, classmates and professors are there for you, no matter what, and people want to see you succeed both during and after school. All in all, I would tell myself to just be my best self in college, and with that mindset I would arrive at school with the best set of tools possible.

I f I had the chance to go back in time as a high school senior and give myself advice, I would start off by advising myself to have an open mind. I wanted to go away from home in the Midwest and not consider many options that would have benefited me far more than the school I attended my freshman year in college. Taking advice and considering others suggestions would have caused less stress for me and maybe I would not have experienced a massive transition. But no matter what, I learned that this has been an experience and even when I am not in school or attending my classes during breaks, I am constantly learning. I am learning more and more about myself and what I want in life and what I expect myself to complete and accomplish. Throughout all of life's disruptions and pauses I never take a pause from being myself and knowing who I am as a young, mature adult.

I would tell myself to apply to William and Mary. I was overly optimistic in assuming there would be vast amounts of intellectual curiosity among students everywhere. Instead, I would let myself know that I was spoiled by my high school and that applying to a place with lots of my friends from high school would be a good idea. I would let myself know that everything I had heard about students thinking a lot in college may indeed be true, but it wouldn't be true to the extent that it was at my high school, and so I shouldn't let myself get disappointed. I would tell myself to make sure I stayed in touch with all of my friends and to pick a college closer to some of my friends (and make sure there was public transportation).

It is important when looking for a college that you have a well-rounded experience. A private liberal arts school was the best decision for me to make because the work load is intense, meant for a driven person, yet you could always find time for a school activity, club, or just time to relax and hang out. Classes are small so the attention from teachers is more in depth and rewarding.

I would say to step out of your comfort circle as much as possible while attending college, because otherwise you'll miss out on a lot. Academics are important, and concentrate this as much as necessary to succeed, but there is more to the college experience than academics. I've learned as much from my peers as I have from my teachers, just in different ways. I would also suggest getting help when you need it, and prioritizing your daily activities to suit your needs. Again, try to put your school work ahead of social or extra curricular activities, but don't let it stop you from living during the best two to four years of your life.

Colleges come in many sizes, look at your high school and ask yourself if you like the size and go from there. If you aren't sure what you want to do yet go to a Liberal Arts college. GO VISIT THE COLLEGES AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

When I was applying to college, I thought that there was a perfect school for me. I had my dream school picked out and a line of back-ups waiting for me (all of which I had decided that I did like, even if it wasn't my number one). I got accepted to my dream school, but the College of Wooster offered me a very generous scholarship. My biggest advice to give in choosing a college is not to set your heart on one school before you get your acceptance letters. I quickly found at the College of Wooster that I was going to get everything from this school that I would have gotten at my one-time "dream school" but wouldn't be paying off school loans for the rest of my life. I guess my advice is to be open to your options, because there isn't one perfect school for everyone - there's plenty, and it's important to take advantage of what is offered to you. All schools have numerous clubs, activities, majors, etc, and even if it takes some people longer than others, if you put yourself out there you will find your place.

For parents, let the student decide. If they're at a school they were pressured into going to, and they dont like it there, they won't do as well. For students, find a school that fits you. Don't go to a school because your friends are going there, or your significant other. Choose for you, some place you feel comfortable and think you could learn well. Remember you're in school to learn.

You've got to make you're decision on what feels right to you. No one else can tell you what college is right for you except for yourself.

I think it's really important to visit the college campuses and find a feel that is right for you. It's an individual decision, and it has to be an institution that is able to provide for your interests, both academically and socially.

Many parents choose a school that is affordable or that maybe is close to home, but the connection between the student and campus does not form. If the intelligence level is there, but the finances are not, sometimes families will simply "settle" and go to a small community college. For me, when I walked on campus, I simply knew right then and there that this is where I wanted to be and get my education. The cost became an issue afterwards, and was dealt with appropriately with grants, scholarships, and any loans that needed to be taken out. If the drive is there, a student will feel it. Parents should sit down with their children and find out what they really want out of their college experience, whether it be a strong focus on the hard sciences and research or if they want to get a good education and have some sort of social life. Then, narrow down your choices from there to schools that fit into what they would like, and then visit the colleges. If the connection is there, parents: your kids will feel it. Students: you will know what I mean.