Wheaton College-Norton Top Questions

Ive gotten a lot out of my college experience. It hasn't always been easy considering my background but I know a good education is key to success. I dont know where I'd be right now if I wouldn't have stayed in school. I love learning new things. I learned early in life through living with a very abusive family that things can be taken away from you, boundaries can be violated but no one can ever take your knowledge. School and music have always been my constants in life. Id like to go for a M. S or PhD. in Math or Physics. Ive learned that you can't be afraid to try new things and get involved on campus. I will soon be completing Associates and then on to get my B.S degree. In college I've participated in a variey of activities including OSU band, Math Club, Society of Wemon in Physics, Real Life and many more. I've learned that you have to just get out there, try new things, and find what makes you happy. For me it is learning and no one can ever take away my determination to learn.

The best that my college experience has given me is inspiration to create art. I have come up with amazing ideas for storylines for movies and graphic designs to begin my business. This experience is valuable to me because my career is based on creative ideas and networking. I have met amazing people at the school and the future looks very bright for me. It is liberating for me to be able to find a school which is based around art and everyone who attends share the same mind set.

My college experience has been a real journey, I have actually learned to appreciate having an education more and more. I started off at a two year college and transferred to a four year college after only two semesters. Once I transferred to that four year college I became really overwhelmed with being in classes that had one hundred students or more. Also, being a single parent at the time and working two jobs didnt not help out much. I stayed at the college for over a year and then the amount of classes I took became less and less. At the time I think that I wasn't ready for the "Big" campus life, I also realized that I moved to fast and I should have just statyed at the two year college until I was finished and then transferred. After sitting out more than two semesters I finally am back at the two year college prepared to finish with an Associate and then move on to a Bachelors degree not only for myself but for my son also. Teaching him the importance of education is most important to me more than anything.

What I got out of a college experience is far more than just excellent academic offerings. Being at Wheaton gave me life skills that I have held to this day--basic things such as budgeting money and knowing how to have a checking account, to being faced with some difficult social situations and knowing how to deal with them. It gave me the tools to know how to prioritize, set good limits and boudnaries, and to have a strong inner confidence and direction in life.

Listen to your heart and focus on what you want. Don't let others' beliefs about what your career and social goals should be influence what you are truly passionate about. Pick a school that feels "right" when you step on campus, but make sure it has all of the tools you need to succeed as well. When you arrive on campus, stay positive and take setbacks as learning opportunities. Conquer at least one of your fears. Branch out and interact with people from different backgrounds, different areas of the country and world, and with different interests - that's what diversity really is about. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone even if it means retreating back into it over and over again. Above all, take risks and always be true to yourself.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would say that the extra work helps in the future even if it doesn?t seem like it will. Homework shouldn?t be done quickly just to show some effort was put in, it should be done correctly to get in good habits and make it easier each time after. Learn the most effective ways to getting things accomplished as well as managing time so that everything gets done with enough efficiency. Keep in mind that everything is important, so spread out time and know that most things are not as important as they are perceived, so stressing will not help the situation. Be open to new things that come up and be willing to go out and get involved. Enjoy everything and don?t be so stressed about admissions and the next year, live in the present and have some fun. Stay on top of work, but find time to relax and unwind. Take a real good look at yourself and decide how to improve to become the type of person you really want to be, and then do it.

If I was to go back in time and give advice to myself before entering college I think the most important piece of advice would be to take advantage of every opportunity. I would tell myself to get involved in as many activities as possible and go outside of my comfort zone. I would also say that it is important to take care of yourself and that you need to make sure that you're doing what makes you happy and not just your family and friends. Do not be afraid to defy societal norms and take this time in your life to explore what the world has to offer. I would also say that it is crucial to study abroad in order to get an even greater view of this world we live in. I was able to spend a semester in South Africa living in four culturally different homestay families which gave me the ability to learn about their cultures, this experience gave me the ability to begin to understand the world in an even deeper way which is crucial to a college education. Overall it is important to enjoy your time in college.

The best advice that I could give myself is "do not procrastinate". At the beginning of each semester most professors give out syllabi with assignment due dates. Use the syllabi to your advantage! Make up a calendar when things are due so you can see when you might have many assignments due at once. Then make a work schedule for yourself; how much to do in one day; how many hours to work in one day, etc. If you stick to your schedule you will not feel overwhelmed in your work. It is also very important that you give yourself little breaks throughout the day so you don't overwork yourself.

This is nothing like high school and to come prepared for a heavier workload than that of high school.

Find a place where you feel you fit in, a place where you can call home, a place where you truly feel like you would achieve everything that you want.

It's always to have an open mind and never rule anything out, especially early on in the process. What you might want in a school may change significantly. This is normal as we're only human and as such, were very prone to indecisiveness. Appearances may be deceiving, especially as portrayed in those college books. You should not base your opinion on what someone else say's but how you feel and what you're impressions are, regardless of the school's perceived prestige such as with the Ivy League schools. Although this seems like a daunting process, it doesn't have to be. You can look for help with guidance counselors, friends, family or coaches. Also, beware of those websites that rate a school based on quality of dorm rooms, food etc. College is going to be what you make of it. During your freshman year you don't have to try and do everything. Try and find a few things that meet your interest, while balancing your academics of course! But college is supposed to be the best four years of your life so have fun!

Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions of everyone, the people on campus know about campus life the best. I strongly advise visiting the campus and doing an overnight if at all possible. While on campus keep in mind that not every day will be like it is when you visit. There may be seasonal changes, hard work days, school vacations, or celebrations. Campuses vary from moment to moment and you are only catching one glimpse of it. Also, stick to your gut, if a place feels right go there, don't put too much pressure on how prestigious the school is.

Students, and parents, should really, during the college search, consider schools that are not only a good academic fit, but a good fit physically. Try to determine the kind of place that as a student, and a person you will feel happy and a part of. If you really like knowing where your campus is, a big city school all spread out probably isn't for you. Or if a vibrant city scene is where you find yourself most weekends a little school cut-off from the city won't make you happy, no matter how good the acedemics and reputation is. College is definitely about preparing for your future, and learning the possibilites that exist, but you're not going to find those possibilities or oppourtunities if you're stuck in your dorm room feeling misirable, or driving back home every weekend. Find a place where you can be happy.

Talk to current students and look beyond the college rankings.

Who are you now? Who will you be several years from now? For a prospective student, the answers to either of these two questions may not be easy to answer, or even possible to answer. Despite the fact that determining academic or career paths isn't a task that can be accomplished in a quick meeting, it is important when looking at a school to remember that the place you choose to attend can have a great impact on the answers to both questions by the time you graduate. You of course will have great influence on what you choose to do while you are a student, but the environment of any college will in turn influence these very decisions.

Pay attention to the type of academics because that is the main purpose for going to college. You should know what will distract you or have you lost in a crowd, so find schools that fit what you need to succeed.

Go and visit.

College is both a social and academic process. If you are choosing to attend a 4 year college or university, your time spent there is going to be about making friends, growing up, and finding out what interests you. Though you may not know what you want to get out of college while on the big search, make sure that there are options available for possible future interests. Check out the curriculum and choose one that interests and makes sense to you--it is afterall the main reason you're going. Find out about campus clubs that are available and about options for socializing on campus. For me, the location was also key in my decision, and be sure to look past the boring town your ideal college might be in-- a boring town near a booming city can be an ideal situation. When in college, be proactive: meet people, join clubs, take a class you never thought you'd be interested in, and spend time with friends. You won't be able to do everything, but take advantage of the opportunies available to you while you're there and be sure to balance work and play.

I would say that Wheaton offers a lot if you look close enough.

The difficulty with today's current college application process is that there are far more students applying then there has ever been in the past. What does this mean? Now students need not only to worry about finding the appropriate college, but also successfully selling themselves to that college. Therefore, apply to a range of schools that are categorized as "reach," "likely," and "saftey" schools for you. This will not only help you get accepted, but also broaden your scope beyond the Ivy leaguers. Whether the school is considered to be one of the best in the nation, or not, it doesn't matter. What is important to remember, is that college is simply what you make of it. Get involved, especially your first year. Become an active member of at least one club or sport and form at least one personal relationship with a professor in your first year. To make this easier to accomplish, look for scools that have engaging professors and students, people who feel connected to their campus. Often times, commuter schools lack this element as well as extremely large universities. A big fish in a small pond is more noticable to employers than the reverse.