Toccoa Falls College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Toccoa Falls College know before they start?

Aurora

My advice is that the student and their parents research the schools and its values, in order to make a decision that will profit the goals and dreams of both parties.

Heidi

To make the most of your college expirience visit the college campus to really see that it is a fit for you, don't go just because that is where you are getting most financial help from. The better fit that you have the better the expirience overall will be. I know that I chose my college on the homey feel that it has and that has made all the difference to my ability to work hard and succeed in my academic pursuit. Make sure you fit there both socially and academically and you will prosper in what you are doing!

Angela

Advice on Advice: Learning from those who have gone through similar experiences will always yield invaluable results. Take the time to hear people out; it is not only beneficial for you, but uplifting for those of whom you ask. Advice for STUDENTS! 1. Start the search in advance to give yourself enough time to make decisions when you are stress-free. 2. Be patient. 3. Only pursue what you are passionate about. 4. Make a list of things that are most important to you in life and pursue those in a college. 5. Take ownership of your search?do research yourself, invest your time, and pursue things wholeheartedly. You will reap incredible satisfaction when you are through. Advice for PARENTS! 1. Speak into the lives of your children about who they are and what they are passionate about. 2. Be authentic about your own experiences. 3. Let your children engage in discovery for themselves. Pray...there's incredible freedom in entrusting your life to the God who created the universe. He so carefully orchestrated the way this world functions and has its being; he will most certainly orchestrate the plan of your life in ways you've never dreamed of.

Ronald

I would tell the parents or students that it is important to pick the right college because if you do not then you will be miserable. It has been such a blessing being at a place where I feel comforatable. It allows me to focus on my studies and to enjoy my time with friends. I think it is important to make the most of your college experience too, but realize that you are here to learn and to receive an education. If you waste your time partying and having fun then you will miss out the reason you are at college. Realize, however, that you will make friends who will be friends for the rest of your life so do not just hole yourself up in your room to do homework. It is about balance. Your priority should be your school work but also realize that this is a once in a lifetime opprotunity. Don't waste it!

Amy

I would firstly tell them not to judge schools by mere appearances. Just because a school has a lot of money does not mean that this is the school for them. Simply having a prettier building will not give you a better education. Secondly, do not visit schools during campus previews, as this is when schools promote themselves the most. It can lead to a false depiction of the school, and your decision might be based on mere hype. Make logical decisions based on what you want to get out of a solid education and what you plan to do later in life. Sure, have fun in college, and make friends, but that will not ultimately allow you reach your goal as a professional in your field of study later on. Incorporate balance and discipline into your daily schedule at school. Come into college with a strong sense of belonging, self-awareness, personal convictions, and thirst for knowledge and adventure. Only then will you be able to take advantage of this new college environment, all the while expanding your horizons and mind. Look ahead with anticipation learn from the past, while working hard in the present.

Erica

Encourage the upcoming college student to discover what her/she wants in life. Promote and explore the desires and talents of the student and then match a college with the student?s desires instead of limiting colleges due to geographical or parental restrictions. This way the student is pursuing what he/she enjoys and is confident with the next for years of their education.

Jonathan

I would advise parents/students to focus on finding a school that maintains a good balance between social life and academic life. Thus, first observe what the faculty is like. Is the library up-to-date? Sit in on some classes and note the general atmosphere and setting of the campus. Also take into consideration whether the students are (as a corporate group) academically focused. And secondly, examine the social life on campus. Is it healthy (e.g. sports, exercise, the arts, group outings, honorable relationships) or unhealthy (e.g. excess of alchohol/drugs, excess emotions, excess pop-culture). Observe the students on campus, and ask yourself if those relationships are respectable and healthy. Furthermore, figure out whether the campus' social life dominates or whether it is held in balance with academic life. In the end, to determine the right college for yourself/your child means integrating many, many factors for one final decision. My conclusion is that a primary factor in choosing the perfect college is finding one which emphasizes a healthy balance between social/campus life and academia.

Stephen

My advice to you parents who are embarking upon the journey of locating the proper school that will adequately prepare your son or daughter for a lifelong career begins with one simple word, research. If you do your research diligently and couple it with some good old fashioned patience , you are sure to be successful. As you may already know there are a host of resources on the internet that can facilitate your research. Avail yourselves of every piece of pertinent information you can find without getting bogged down with the non-essentials. Of course, you will want to have both casual and formal conversations with your son or daughter as to what their goals, likes, dislikes, needs, and preferences are. Try to cover as many bases as possible. Although financing is the first thing that comes to mind with many parents, don't let that be the ruling factor initially. You may be surprised at what resources you find to help in this area. Keep all your information neatly organized as you move through the process. Remember to diligently research, be open minded, patient, conversant with your son or daughter, and hopeful that the perfect match will be found.

Britian

Students need to find the right school to suit their needs, and best educate them in their career field in life. Parents should help their kids find a school that is affordable so their student won't have a lot of debt when they graduate. The parents and student need to find a college without many bad temptations, so the student can stay focused on school and graduate with a good GPA and a lot of knowledge in their field.

Mary

I would highly recommend that parents and/or students first look closely at any and all opportunities to get an inside peek of the college. Many schools offer the opportunity to preview the campus before attending. This will give the prospective student the opportunity to get a feel for the college environment. Not only this, but it also gives the opportunity for questions and concerns to be answered. How thoroughly the school answers these questions is a good indicator of the investement the staff and administration are willing to make in their students. I would also encourage a prospective student to look closely at the academics offered. I have watched as many students have entered their college education uncertain of what opportunities lie ahead for them. Not only this, but they are just beginning (within their Freshman year) to experience some freedoms they have not yet known. As they do this, they are discovering "who they are" and beginning to find outlets to express this. I would encourage any serious college student to wisely declare their major; assurring that it is a field that they will truly thrive in.

Danielle

I would tell them to start early in their searching out of colleges. Sit down and really contemplate what you're looking for in a college. VISIT!! There is no better way to know about the college than to go there, and don't go on a school sponsored weekend. They pull out all the big stops then but that usually isn't what the college is really like. Take some time to get to know students that go there and go on an off weekend when you can see what the campus normally looks like. Then take that experience and sit down to seriously think about whether or not that college would be the best fit for you. Make your decision wisely. Don't just go with the first college you see. Visit all prospective schools if possible and then weigh the pros and cons of each against each other. That will help you make the decision of which college is the best for you and then you probably won't have to transfer and go through all the hassle that comes with that. Be educated is really the best thing you can do.

Amber

Finding the right college can be a extraordinary experience; as one plans for the next four years and possibly the rest of his or her life nerves start trembling. As decisions are made, one hopes that the finest college is picked for the best experience. The best advice that can be given to an incoming freshman is this: choose a college that describes the student?s personality in environment, academics and personal future goals. The environment will set the scene for the new student. If one wants a fast-paced and artistic feel, then an urban area would be a perfect fit. A book-loving coffee drinker may enjoy the quietness of the mountains. The academic spectrum of college is obviously huge. A student should base his or her decision on the diversity of classes and opportune majors. A college decision should be based on academic reputation that has influenced students of past. Personal future goals should encourage a conscious decision. One should look at the opportunities the college offers post graduation, and effective classes that prepare one for prospect realities. The college?s environment, academics and the student?s idea of future goals will encapsulate an unbelievable college experience.

Caitlin

I would have to say that the best thing for a prospective student to do in looking for a college is for them to go with the place where they have the most peace about attending. Once they get to school, a freshman will find that since they picked the right school they don't have any regrets about it.

Andrea

I would recommend that students go to the school for a visit during the regular school year. Not during campus preview because then you get a more accurate view of the school. Also spend a night in the dorm if you can. Look for a school that has the majors that you are hoping to have, if you are unsure then it might be wise to go to community college and get your core classes out of the way first. It is much less expensive that way. It also prevents needing to transfer because the school does not have your intended major. It is also really important to know what size of school you would like. If you are more interested in smaller classes and knowing the people on campus then you should look for smaller schools. If you enjoy big classes and lots of activities and sports then look for a bigger college. Area is big too, do you like urban settings or rural settings? Do you want to be close to home or far away. These should all be considered in looking for a school.

Sarah

Choosing a college is a lot like buying a house. The first thing that you do when searching for the right house is to knock on the front door and wait to be welcomed home. The same thing is true when searching for the right school. It is wise to submit your applications and see who invites you to their school. When looking for a house, there is so much more than the four walls that make up the exterior. You must look to see if it fits correctly in size, curriculum, beliefs, and community. It is important to look beyond the buildings themselves, and get to know the people, programs, and values of the school when making one?s choice. Spend time getting to know the faculty and students. Once you have made your decision of which school to attend, it is important to not assume that you will learn from books alone. The relationships, mentors, and experiences that you will have make up a large part of your educational experience. You will be at the school for the next 2-4 years, and it is important to not only live in the community, but to thrive and invest.

Sarah

Your college experience is one you will keep with you the rest of your life. Find a campus where you can thrive, where you can feel like you can make an impact on the people around you and get the best education possible. Look into the housing, see if that is a place where you can feel comfortable and really connect with the people around you. Make sure that your school will train you in the best possible way so that you can meet your future goals. Finding a school that can meet social needs and scholastic needs is essential! There needs to be a strong sense of community and school spirit to get you through those times when the papers and assignments are rolling in and you just feel crazy. To have friends and a campus that you love will make your experience so enjoyable and make you never want to graduate!

Karen

First, I would recommend having at least a general idea of the things that the student is potentially interested in studying, so that they could pick a college with a wide variety of majors that would interest the student. It would also be a good idea to have an idea of what size college the student would like to attend, and what kind of atmosphere they want to be a part of. Once these things have been considered, more than anything, I would recommend visiting the college. It is the only way to really get a feel for the school, and to thoroughly answer any questions. To make the most of the college experience, I recommend balance. It is foolish to completely abandon school work for friendships, but it is also foolish to completely abandon friendships for schoolwork. Both are vital aspects of the college experience, and both will have a significant impact on the rest of the student's life. Also, if you view classes as an opportunity to learn something helpful and interesting, they will be much more beneficial, while homework will be much less stressful.

Meghan

College is so much more than education in a classroom and getting a degree. It is a crucial part in students' lives because so much of college changes and defines who they are and how they percieve themselves currently and in the future as part of society. Everyone changes in some way when they go off to college, and the type of college is what instigates those changes. When a high school student is looking for a college, they need to evalute what direction they will to go in life. This is ultimately what makes students decide on a college but another crucial factor that I would suggest examining is the community that the school has and how it shapes the character, not just the minds, of the students. Schools need to produce educated individuals, but those individuals can learn so much more than what is outlined in a text book. College needs to produce individuals of intellect and character, willing to be a participant in the American society. These two aspects should be asked of the student when deciding on the right college.

Tamara

I would say that they should visit the college and really get a feel for the place. The visitation is what sold me on Toccoa Falls. The school was amazing and campus was breath-taking. Spending time with the students and meeting everyone made me feel comfortable there.

Naomi

Take a walk on campus alone, after the tour is over. Do the student's smile back at you? Are there hammocks hung between the trees, or construction tape wrapped around their trunks marking off a new building complex? Does the cafe truly have WiFi in all its corners, or only when you hold your computer at just the right angle, cocked slightly to the left so that you have to hunch awkwardly like Quasimodo to check your e-mail? Do you truly prefer this small town setting, or do you secretly miss the fast-pace of the city you thought you would want to leave? Notice the details. Parents, give your student space to explore the campus alone. Give them the opportunity to voice their true concerns or feelings. Let them know that just because it's your Alma Mater, they can back out and choose somewhere else. Better now than $ 20,000 later. We need that freedom from you. And students, be honest with your parents. Let them know what you're excited or nervous about. Above all, don't be afraid to take a risk. This is a big step- so you might just want to jump!