Wayland Baptist University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Wayland Baptist University know before they start?

Katherine

Having just finished 12 years of school, you usually want to take a break before going on to college. Don't wait though. College is absolutely ESSENTIAL in today's job market. Higher level degrees are critical today in getting the job and earnings you want to build a good life. Plus college is fun! You get to learn about things that interest you!

Jose

If I could back and give myself advice about college and the life that comes with it, I would tell myself not to get over stressed with school work. Its obviously very important to watch your grades and priorities in order to keep your GPA high and classes running smoothly., but stressing about your next exam or class in general doesn't help the situation. Make room for friends and fun. Don't over do it to the point where your study time suffers but instead just keep the social/ personal life and the school/ study time at a nice equilibrium. Allow yourself room to breath, but not to the point of passing out. College is much more than just getting a degree, its about figuring out who you are. The degree just comes along with the experiences.

Tekeema

I would advice parents to remain supportive, and begin early researching scholarships. I would prepare students to always dream big no matter there economic situation. Most often students get discouraged when they think of cost. I would employ them to make good grades and keep there eyes open for grants and scholarships, and always keep there god first.

Taylor

Attend the school you wish to more than any other because even if you attend a cheaper school if it isn't the right one you will never be satisfied. Don't be content with your second choice and please do not attend a small conservative school unless it is where you know you want to attend. Find a place that will help and prepare you for a career not a place that simply gives one a degree.

Terra

Be sure to find a college that suits you best where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Without feeling comfortable and relaxed, you will be too focused on other things rather than making good grades, succeeding, or accomplishing your own goals. It is important to choose a college that works best with your personality. If you are a shy person, then a smaller college might be best for you to allow you to come out of your shell. If you are extremly outgoing then a bigger college might be the one for you.

Meredith

I believe the most important thing when choosing a college is examining the top two or three things you expect from college. For me it was friendly, small, and Christian, but this is different for each person which is why it's great that there are so many options out there. If you narrow down what you want to learn or what you hope to get from the college as a person, the down-sides (and there are down-sides to every college) become insignificant. When you base your choice on the most important criteria for YOU, any place you choose will become home, no matter the size, location, or quality of cafeteria food. Stay true to what really want; and be it academically, socially or future career related, you'll be glad you made the choice you did.

john

really depends on what your looking for in a school. i picked wayland because it was a smaller school and i wanted to run cross country and track. the people here are great and really friendly. the teachers are very understanding when athletes have to go on trips and miss class. it all depends what you want to get out of college.

Adam

I would say that parents and students need to find a school that is well known and respected, acredited, and acedemically nurturing. Sometimes, it should not be about the cost or the athletic programs or the amount of scholarship you can recieve, but rather a place where a prospective student will be introduced and properly equipped to deal with the challenges of life and business in the real world.

Danette

A wise man once encouraged his followers to gain the most from life by having "a little more patience, a little more charity for all, a little more devotion, a little more love." College is where students do the majority of their soul-searching. College academics are vital for success in careers; college friendships forever soften hearts to humanity through shared trials and joys, and newly acquired independence builds a foundation to enter the world responsibly. The most important task of a college experience, however, is the development of the spirit. An individual contemplates the meaning of all past values and traditions, compares religious belifes with peers, and ultimately decides what kind of person he or she aspires to become. Each student should know, upon entering college, that they are entering a fragile time in which they can make a difference in the world each second of their lives. To be patient with others, to give charitably and selflessly, to give of themselves when asked of others, and to unconditionally love others as well as themselves is the greatest experience to be had in college. The effect of such actions will have a lifelong effect.

Lucas

First, listen to what your heart is telling you. There is no need to make a decision about college based on where siblings went, or where a boyfriend or girlfriend went. The second thing would have to be to look into the opportunities that you could have in your major. Try and figure out what you would like to major in or do for the rest of your life, then look at schools according to how that program is. Going to a school just because of the school isn't what you need to do, you need to go to that school because of the programs and opportunities. Lastly, I would encourage you to look at the price of tuition. I know I said to base things off of the programs and opportunities, but at the same time I feel it is important to look at where you can be financially when you graduate. Everyone seems to be in debt now, and if there is a way you could avoid that, I would suggest taking that route. Just listen to your heart, not what everyone else is doing, or saying. Good luck!

MARIA

prepare yourself as you will be in for a ride that will take you through great times, stressful times and memorable time.

Jamie

Each individual possesses different values and priorities, so in order to select the school that is right for you, you must first determine what college qualities are important to you and your parents. Some of the things to consider when choosing a school include the following: location, religion (faith based school or not), major, extra-curricular activities offered, available housing, available financial aid, gender/racial diversity and other services offered. To make the most of your college experience, I would recommend that you begin by exploring different study techniques and decide which works the best for your learning style. Through college, stress is inevitable so creating a support system is essential. My personal support system is my family. However a support system could also include friends, counselors, professors and trusted others. To create a group of good friends, surround yourself with others that share the same interests, values and beliefs that you do. I have gained the most out of my college experience with support from my family, good grades and even better friends.

Sarah

The most valuable tool for parents and students, when choosing the right college, is a campus visit. You can learn a lot about a school by their website or their brochures, but the only way to truly know whether a particular college is a good fit for you, you need to visit the campus. On a campus visit, you can meet the students, attend a class, take a tour, look at the dorms, and peruse the town. Upon my first visit to Wayland, the people truly made the difference. I felt like I was walking into a family. Everyone was nice and helpful. The campus visit swayed my decision towards Wayland, because I saw how nice it would be to live there for four years. I am very happy with my decision. Even when my family walked through a major crisis, the family at Wayland was there for us all the way. They even sent someone to be with my family in the hospital 500 miles away. That is truly rare.

Cecilia

My advice for those parents that want the best for their kids when choosing a college, would be for them to take their time doing research and finding the information from the college there kid wants? to go. Don?t forget to have patience when choosing a college.

rachel

Attending college is a major life change. Pursuing a college education means leaving your comfort zone of your family, your friends, and your social setting for the last four years, and entering into an entirely different world. For some the transition is easy, for others its more difficult, one thing that will make the decision easier for both the student and the parents is choosing the right institution. Tradtion gets a lot of focus when selecting a college. This may mean attending the same college your parents attended, or going to the school of your favorite football team. While all of those things can add to the college experience, what is important is the academics, and the atmosphere. The academics should be the first thing considered when selecting a college. What do you want to do? What do they offer in your chosen field? If you're undecided, do they have classes you're interested in taking? The final thing is atmosphere. Remember, college is about learning and getting a career, but its also about having fun and building life experience, so pick a university that will allow you to do that in an enviorment you feel comfortable in.

Allen

First, make sure your child is choosing the best college or university that is going to fit them or their personality and shares the same religious beliefs. The students make the university just like the people make the church. Tell your child to go somewhere where they feel accepted the most, and where they know they will have the experience of a lifetime.

William

Don't just seddle for what is convient, actually learn about the school and find out whether or not it is really right for you.

Tatom

Albert Einstein once stated, "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." I would advise parents to speak openly with their children bout their goal in life, and how they would like to achieve this - so, first step would be to pick your occupation, and find schools that are known for such areas. Also, it would be wise to remember that not all students are suited for a four year univserity straight out of the chute - many in American media: the Chairman of the Associated Press, Dean Singleton had only attended Clarendon Junior College. So - find a goal and keep it within reach. Strive for perfection, and don't cheat yourself on education. Do not base your choice of school simply on whether or not it is great for partying, because odds will be that you will struggle with you academics, and in result affect your future. Education is something you must be willing to better yourself at day to day - and not cease until you cease. Choose a college where you would be more likely to push yourself and strive, and even obtain happiness through your dreams. Remember, though, happiness is not defined by material wealth.

Nicholas

The college experience is a critical point in one's life, should one choose to go, where the student truly comes in touch with not only a larger world, but a larger self. It is a valuable opportunity to prepare oneself for a future in the workforce, family, and local and national community. More concisely, college is a time for transformation. Transforming oneself, however, is not a haphazard endeavor. Potential students and concerned parents must realize that college institutions have unique identities that accompany different worldviews. Thus, one's religious, philosophical, and ethical convictions are a necessary factor in choosing a particular college that will ultimately continue the molding process of the student's mind. Development of the self, however, does not automatically come from familiar surroundings. Allowing for some diversity in the college choice is an important consideration that can help the student understand other people, establish a stronger sense of already held principles, or lead to the cultivation of other convictions. In the end, college as a transformative experience ultimately demands individual student effort. No matter where a student goes, getting a college experience will result in nothing without the decision to apply one's self.

Nicholas

My advice to you parents and/or students about finding the right college is to research all the benefits and opportunities that different schools can offer you. Keep things in mind such as your individual financial situation and what scholarship opportunities are offered at different schools. Believe me, you do not want a degree at the expense of putting yourself in a negative financial situation for the many years to come. To make the most out of your college experience, realize that there is a fine balance to be found between a study life and a social life. You want to look back and know that the money you paid did not go to waste, but you also want to look back and see that you made friendships that will last for a lifetime. When developing these friendships, find the people who will provide an outlet to help you succeed academically while also providing impacting relationships. You should decide in advance what you need and want from your college experience and then go from there. A positive college experience should provide you with a sense of accomplishment and should leave you some of the best memories of your life.