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.