Whitworth University Top Questions

47-year old Laura talking to 18-year old Laura "Do whatever the counselors tell you to do about going to school. It is easier to go to college out of high school than to wait till you are 47 years old, unemployable. Set your goals, and be who and what you want to be while you are young. I know you don't know what you want to be when you grow up, but open yourself up to the possibilities of life. Because if you don't you'll end up like me, at 47, just realizing what life could have been like. College life is easy and fun when you are young, unattached and without the responibilities of a family. To make the most of college life, get involved. Don't let past thoughts and feelings get in the way of what you really want. Don't listen to people that tell you that college isn't for you. Do your best and work hard to follow your dreams. Dreams only come true when you set your vision high and work to achieve excellence. Don't wait till you are 47, and unemployable. Do It Now!"

I would give myself the advice that there is nothing to worry about. Even if you know no one going into it you will make friends that you will probably keep for a lifetime. I would also say that living in a college dorm room really isn't all that bad. You get used to the cramped space and just learn to deal with it. I would also say that you do totally have time to have social time and still get all your homework done.

Dear High School Senior Kayla, You are such a strong person! You can make it through senior year! Just keep going. College is so much fun and there are infinite possibilities! You are going to double major in Elementary Education and Special Education. You love it, as you always have loved kids. The most difficult part about this transition was being far away from home. It is still a struggle because you are so close with your family, but you are doing great. Be encouraged! It has been really hard not having your support system close, but you have perservered and made it through with flying colors. Just remember to always smile, make tight bonds and friendships, take time away from studying, don't be anxious, keep with your healthy lifestyle. Make sure you always stick up for yourself and stay strong in your values. Never stop being the person you are, you are so able to learn from others, and teach too! Make sure you keep close with your friends at home, especially your best friend. She is so important in making the transition easier. Ultimately, just let go, and let God. :) LOVE, College Freshman Kayla

A couple of things stick out to me right away. First, be honest when you talk to your parents about where you want to go to college. Chances are, they will fund most of your expenses for at least a couple years, so they need to be on board with your decision. Additionally, they can give you some important things to consider when looking at schools, so listen to what they have to say. But ultimately, the choice is yours to make. You are going to be an adult out in the real world, so you need to step up and make the deicision yourself. Make sure you factor in more than just where your high school friends are going. Look into potential majors, the climate, the city, and the sports teams if you are an athlete. I know it's cliche, but most of all, go with your heart. You are going to be at this school for 4 years of your life, away from the shelter of your parents and the familiarity of your friends. Make it worthwhile, enjoy every one of the years you have in college, and just have the time of your life!

You don't need to worry about the 'right' school so much. You can make almost any school good for yourself. Give yourself a few options of schools that fit you, apply to those and then just let the choice come naturally.

Do not worry, do not stress. College life is great and easy to make new, long lasting friends. The classes we take are not only meant to educate and prepare us for the outside world, but to allow us to grow more as a person, which is what really matters. Working hard in college is important, but stressing about it ahead of time is not good. Have fun, work hard, and the ending outcome will be whatever we want it to be.

Make sure to visit the campus of as many colleges that you can, that you are interested in. while you visit make sure you talk to those who go there and ask aboutthe college, because that really helps. Even if you do not get to go to your first choice college it is important to make the best out of the college that you do go to. I like it here at Whitworth but I don't love it here, and I miss home a lot. I've discovered I could never live in Washington, and I am way too attached to California. I have also met my best friend here, and never would have met her if I hadn't chosen Whitworth. I know that college is not a life or death decision. it is a big decision but there are bigger ones out there. Choosing the right college is hard, but remember college is just another step to aid the beginning of your adult life.

I would tell parents and students that they need to visit the campus and walk around it, asking themselves, "Could I live here for four years?" Is the atmosphere on campus right for me? Finally, "What would financial aid be able to give me?" To make the most of the college experience doesn't mean doing every stupid thing possible while you are at school. It means that you make the most out of every opportunity to make yourself a better person so you can leave those years behind with out any regrets and have something to show for it.

Visit the colleges you are interested in. As a student spend a weekend there without parents (a Friday-Monday night type of thing) that way you can see what the campus and student life is like on the weekends and also attend some classes Friday and Monday. It is so important to talk to current students and get their perspective on the school. For parents, trust your children with their opinion, but make sure you are encouraging and looking at the school yourself too. If money is the main reason stopping your child from attending the school they want talk to the financial aid counselors at the school; they really are helpful.

I would say the most important this is to start early in finding colleges so that you find a good fit. To make the most of your college experience do what you enjoy and get a good group of friends. I would say that in my experience I changed a lot in those years so it is always good to remember that you will not remain the same person you were as a freshman.

In the search for the perfect college, three things need to be addressed. First the ideal size for the student. Ponder on high school experiences and conclude whether a larger or smaller is best for you. Second location: you'll be living there for year, you need to at least have the abvility to tolerate it. Third thing to think about is your social habits. Find a school that offers sports, clubs, small groups and events that are you are interested in. These groups will help emerse you into the University atmosphere and help form the foundation for the rest of your college experience.

College is not only about learning course material and ?getting the grade,? there is a lot to be said about the social aspects of a school as well. Above all else you want to pick a school where you are going get a good education and have a healthy social life. Too much emphasis on being a socialite will land you in academic trouble, while too much focus on your studies will make you miss out on friendships and experiences that are important both for you and for your future employers. When looking for a school you are trying to find a golden mean between quality academic s and strong social networks. The same balance is important for your life in college as well. Many students feel that getting good grades will land them in the job that they want. The fact of the matter is that employers do not want to hire grade grubbing automatons, but instead are looking for students who can produce quality work and get along with other people. Do not go to either extreme of work or play, but instead strive for the golden mean.

The best advice I can dispense to future college students is to disregard any pre-conceived notions of college life and moving away from home. As MTV used to say, "You think you know, but you have no idea." Allow yourself to be challenged--and it WILL be challenging, whether in academics, social interaction, the temptation of substances or something else. Have a sense of self, but allow yourself flexibility of mind and heart to grow. Experience life! Go out there and DO something! Life is short, and this is a valuable time to go places and do things you would not have the opportunity to otherwise. As far as finding the right college: Give it a chance. Stop waiting for things to work for you, and make a niche for yourself on your own accord. But, if it is not right, do not be ashamed in searching out other options. Be happy.

Learning shouldn't be a drag. After high school the pursuit of knowledge isn't a requirement anymore; it isn't some monotonous burden that you just want to be over. Learning isn't a means to an end; it is an end in itself. Being enriched and challenged by your college experience is an investment that is worth more than a degree you can hang on your wall or even potential job security. When embarking on the adventure of college learning, you should relish the privilege of having this opportunity, the audacity of expanding your world, and the disruptive and propelling hope that comes with putting yourself in a position to be changed by the ideas, thoughts, and people you encounter. I implore you not to waste your passions, limit your thoughts and convictions, or diminish your potential. Seek a university that will not narrow your vision to the world revolving immediately around you, but find a place of learning that will expand your vision to something more dangerous, more empowering, and that will shake you out of your comfort zone. Fear not to give yourself fully to learning, for it is a asset you can never lose.

I remember, from my senior year in high school, putting enormous emphasis on choosing the ?right? school. I thought that the college/university for me would be a prestigious one. A name to put on my resume that would help me get a good job, or better yet a good position in graduate school. I now realize choosing the right school is about finding a place that promotes an environment for the growth of mind and heart. Life is much more encompassing than attaining a good job. Such a school is enjoyable and provides an atmosphere that gets a person excited about life. Life is also made up of more than intellect. The right school is a place that fosters both matters of the mind and heart. Find such a place, and a person will find the right institute. However, this is only half the battle, once a person finds the right college it is up to them to make the experience worthwhile. It boils down to subjective truth: we are what we do.

Always visit the school that you are thinking about going to and always factor in cost when making a decision. You can still get a great education, even if it doesn't cost you 100 grand.

Just do it. Have fun adn let the stress slide off.

Pray about it, and have confidence in your decision.

There are many factors involved in choosing the right College. Some say it's the price tag of the education, and others claim it's the caliber of instruction. Though both are valid reasons to choose a College, what matters most differs for every person. The advice I give you is to take the time to reflect on who you are and what is most important to you and base your decision on those features. If you need to stay close to home because family is what's most important to you, then pick a school that is close. Don't feel pressure to choose a school because that's where your friends are going, or because others think it's right for you. Decide on which Colleges fit your desires and needs and apply for them. When you get there you'll find College is challenging academically, spiritually, morally, and emotionally. It is a time of growth and discovery both about yourself and the world. Take time to enjoy College in its good times and bad, and, if nothing else, learn from the experiences as well as the classes.

It has been my experience that college is a place where our nation's youth transform into the adults that enter into our society. Because of this observation I urge prospective students and their parents to look for a school whose goals aim to enrich the lives of their students. Professors who invest in students, Student Leadership who take time to get to know their fellow residents and classmates, and an administration that does its best to give the students every opportunity to exceed and excel are all integral parts to a successful institution. It is also important to find a school that allows you to become independent and make your own choices. It is good for students to become responsible decision makers before they are exposed to the whole of society. Finding a college that is a safe place to make some mistakes and yet respects your decision making ability as a young adult is a critical part of developing one's independence. Taking ownership of your own future is a part of this, and also plays into the role of academic success. A healthy balance between academic and social commitment plays an important role in the college experience.