Baylor University Top Questions

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell myself not to stress and to take it easy because college life is only as hard as I make it. If I worry too much then I would be too busy to have fun, make new friends, learn new things and overall miss out on a great life experience. College won't define me; rather I will define myself after completing college.

College is tough so it's important to establish good study habits as early as possible. The cost of remedial classes is significant if you are not well prepared. Probably the most difficult thing for me is that I came to the university with over 30 credit hours so I am encountering increasing pressure to declare a major. This is hard - I don't think most 17 and 18 year olds know what they want to do with the rest of their lives and they are under pressure to make decisions because the cost of college is significant. Some testing to determine strengths and weaknesses are important as are tests that give you some idea of what you might want to do as a career. Finally taking a broad base of courses exposes you to things you didn't think you would like. Generally a great teacher is able to inspire you to about anything! A good roommate is important as all of us like to have someone to hang out with. Luck of the draw doesn't always insure that a student has a good roommate and sleep deprivation can ruin grades and scholarships.

My college experience has challenged me to carve out a life of my own. The professors do not expect me to take notes and regurgitate the opinions that have been presented to me; but I am expected to think for myself, to explore and create. I have learned to cherish the knowledge that I have acquired and discover how life unexpectedly links together. Academia weaves and interlocks and fuses into one. My classes overlap and transfer over, similar to life. I can no longer compartmentalize my life, but I embrace how time and history has so cleverly crafted the world. Outside of my academic studies, my college experience has been valuable because my own beliefs and expectations have been tested. For the first time in my life, I have been met with opposition and skepticism. I no longer follow tradition but I create my own tradition. My life, my mind, my hope is my own.

My time spent at Baylor University has not only allowed me to grow in knowledge, but in my spiritual walk as well. It is rare to find an institution where both education and spirituality are intertwined successfully; neither dominating the other. When I leave Baylor, I know that I will be beneficial to any community I serve because I will have the skills needed, due to my educational background, as well as the heart needed to reach people emotionally. I value my Baylor experience, because it was through my university that I developed a holistic character; one that incorporates intelligence, conscious thought, and compassion. It is a great accomplishment to become a doctor, but to become a doctor who understands her patients and truly cares for them is an even greater one. I believe that Baylor has equipped me to meet such goals. By providing students with highly qualified educators and different spiritual opportunities such as chapel services or mission trips, Baylor facilitates an environment that supports growth and development.

My college experience has been a learning experience. One reason college is valuable to attend is because it gives you the tools that are needed to be successful in life by establishing a good work ethic. Here at Baylor, working hard for your grade is stressed greatly. It makes you realize that nothing is handed to you in life. Some people have to find this out the hard way, such as myself. Next time I will know not to attend a basketball game against our rival instead of studying for an organic chemistry test that is the next morning. There is also value in building relationships. It has enabled me to get to know many people from different walks of life. Being away at college forces you to make relationships with the people around you. I feel like this is critical to do if you want to avoid times of feeling alone because in your darkest hour there is someone down the hall, in your dorm, that is going through similar situations. College thus far has been a wonderful experience and I feel everyone should have the opportunity to attend even if they do not get a degree.

It's been several years since I have actually been in college and attended classes. I decided last month to go back to school for my degree in psychology to either be a probation officer or a drug and alcohol counselor. I went into Western Nebraska Community College and received more help from the advisor and enrollment staff there in 3 days then I did orginally when I went to school. They believe and reaffirm that going back to school is a very positive idea and anyone at any time can go back to school and achieve any goal that a person has. They are very helpful and supportive in what the student needs.

My life is made up of blessings. The opportunity to educate myself at Baylor University is yet another that I must use to perpetuate the good in the lives of others. However, I often reflect on the purpose of my gifts and how they are being used to fulfill my calling. My experience at Baylor University has been invaluable because it has allowed me to explore and discover the answers to these very questions. I have learned to use the passion implanted within me by fellow students and faculty, as well as my personal convictions, to encourage individuals to follow their hearts concerning their vocational calling. In additon, I now understand that my knowledge is not to be selfishly hoarded. I now understand that I was not put on this earth to perpetuate selfish deeds, nor am I meant to deny the testimony of my blessings. Rather, I am meant to share the gift of my Baylor education with others, and participating in Teach for America will be one of the first steps I take to accomplish this purpose. Coming to these enlightened conclusions about life, and its purpose, have been the epitome of my college experience thus far.

Many people when picking a school only see the academic rankings or the social life to decide on a good school, but in reality the point of college is to prepare you for the real world. It is there to help you get ready for the jump from a world of grades to a professional career. This is one of the aspects that I find most valuable to the schoool I attend. The professors are there to teach, they are not there to just further their careers. Success at this school is not measured by how well we do in the rankings, but how to best prepare the students for life beyond A's, B's, and C's. I am glad I have had the privelege to get an education from a school of professors that care for you, teach the material, and give you the tools to succeed, if you choose to. Like in the real world, they give you the option to really get out of a class what you want to put into it. In the end, the hardwork, failures and successes, and help that the professors provide is the most valuable thing about Baylor University.

As a student of Bucks County Community College, I not only have gained so much knowledge and insight into my future career as a registered dietitian, but I also learned a lot about myself as a person. I learned that only I myself can be the reason of my successes and/or failures in life. College gave me the determination to show and prove to myself and others what I can make of myself in this world. I've learned to never give up on what seems at the moment to be challenging. I learned with a good future comes hard work, focus, and dedication. I am currently a member of Phi Theta Kappa, which is an honors society that recognized me for all the energy and effort I put into my studies. I will become what I want in life thanks to the positive reinforcement surrounding me in a college environment. What became valuable to me is picturing myself receiving my college diploma, and realizing hard work does pay off. Once graduated, I increase the value of not only myself, but to others who I can then share my knowledge with, and be looked upon as role model.

At Baylor, I am developing my mind as well as my spirit. My faith in God grows every day because of the community that Baylor offers. We are a family that celebrates our successes and failures together and enourage each other every day. We help eachother develop spiritually and intellecutally. The professors care about the students' themselves, not just their grades. They make themselves available for anything a student may need, whether it is school or faith related. There are so many ways to get involved at Baylor that it is very difficult to choose just a few activities. There are clubs ranging from intramural sports to square dancing and medical groups to our local prank fraternity, the Noze Brothers. There is always a service opportunity available so that I never have to look far to be able to help in the Waco community. At Baylor I can challenge myself in my education, grow in my faith, teach a child to read, relax with friends, and let loose playing soccer all in one day, in one place. No where else could I have that experience. No where else could I be a part of the tradition of the Baylor Line.