Baylor University Top Questions

Just like any experience, the college decision process becomes exponentially clearer once you choose a university and begin your first year. It's not until then that you realize what things really matter to you and what becomes more of an afterthought. After completing a semester of college, I would approach the college process in a completely difference manner if I was to do it again. One of the biggest points of reevaluation in choosing a college would be based upon what I call the "dirty secrets." Knowing things like: are you required to take chapel? What are the dorm visitation hours like? Is there wireless Internet in your dorm room? While little things such as these should not define a college experience, they can be difficult to adjust to if you are not expecting or preparing for them. Looking for these during your decision-making process will help you gage just how comfortable you will be in your new home after graduation. Maybe your perfect school makes you uncomfortable based on these "dirty secrets." That's okay! At the very least, you are prepared and know where to expect adjustments.

No one is completely prepared to start college life especially if it is quite a distance from home. So I warn you now don't take what you have around for granted. College will be tough but you and I know its worth it. You will get homesick but you also will grow to love Baylor more than you think you love it now. I know we aren't financially endowed as some that attend Baylor but don't let that stop you from your goal and always keep in mind the love of your parents and the hard work it took our whole family to get us where we are now. I know you doubt you will even make it to Baylor but just keep thanking God for every blessing you have and don't stop in striving to learn. We were never good in math and if only I would have prepared for math by taking extra classes or tutoring on the subject I would have done a lot better the first semester. Keep learning for it is only the beginning of a long journey ahead. Stay humble and thankful Anabel one day we will get there.

I don't think I would tell myself anything really. I mean the experiences I've been through (both good and bad) have helped me in numerous ways. Maybe, the only thing I would really want to tell myself is to just go and apply to Texas A&M, but even with that, I felt the Baylor experience was necessary to learn not to be as easily decieved in the future. The transition I had from high school to college was pretty smooth and I'm pretty happy with where I am now. I've become much more studious and I just know that I needed to go through those struggling times to be a stronger individual. Thus, I wouldn't tell myself a thing except enjoy what moments of happiness come, study hard, and always have faith God will make things work. I'm not going to spoil the future for myself no matter how good or bad it gets because it all happens for a reason.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would make sure I knew the following : "While I can run, I'll run; while I can walk, I'll walk; when I can only crawl, I'll crawl. But by the Grace of God, I'll always be moving forward." College is not easy, it comes with many challenges, not only academic but also personal; I would let myself know that it is ok to fall, to make mistakes, to stumble because what really counts is to have the strenght to get back up and keep trying. I'll let myself know that one bad grade is not the end of the world, but to learn from the mistakes, study more, try harder, and ace the next test. To go out there and meet new people, new cultures, different point of views, to not be scared to speak my mind, or have a different point of view. But most of all, to not forget where I came from, my family, friends, and most importantly to always trust God.

If I had the power and will to speak to my own ears about my transition as a college student, I believe there could have been effective changes I could have made or known in advanced. I would of began my scholarship search earlier than just my senior year and maybe would of started my freshman year of highschool. I struggle extensively with financing my education but I find myself keeping my faith up and taking advantages of blessed oportunities such as this one. I would also try to prepare my mind academically by doing extra daily work on more of the challenging subjects I face now. Things may not come to me at that moment but I'm constantly figuring out different study tips which knowing ahead would of made things easier. The advice which I have just expressed are great tips I would tell any student in highschool looking unto college to advancing their education.

Without doubt I would advise myself to keep my eye on the prize at all times. Now that I’ve made it to my senior year I would make sure to focus at lot of my time into knowing what school I want to attend and to have an idea of what career I want to pursue. I would make sure I know what my financial standing was at the time, seeing how I grew up with a single mother with four kids I would advise myself to look into as many scholarships as possible. I would make sure to not do anything to jeopardize my GPA and to not lose focus of the bigger picture. In high school I was use to the staff if not my own family chasing after me to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to do. I would make it clear that college isn’t like that. We make our own decisions and face our own consequences. Only self motivation can keep you on the right path and a constant clear view of your goal will keep the light on at the end of the tunnel to guide you.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to learn better study habbits. I would also make sure I knew the importance of staying ahead in my classes. It is much easier to mainain a high g.p.a than it is to obtain one. I would tell my self to do legs when ever I work out; a lot of walking is required at college. Finally, I would tell my past self to refrain from eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or ramen noodles. I would let myself know that I will be eating plenty of these in the future and after a while you get tired of them. My P.s would be to start looking for scholarships sooner. You don't realize how much debt you can rack up until you start receiving bills every semester for tuition, housing, books, etc.

Amy this is your most exciting year. I know you want to have fun and make lots of memories with your friends, but keep in mind that college is a big leap and costs a fortune. First and above all, don’t procrastinate when applying for scholarships. I know it takes time to find and complete scholarship applications but it will be worth what it can save at college. Books, room, and tuition are very expensive and stressful. So please, don’t be scared to apply for scholarships, I know failure is your biggest fear but I can tell you that it will hold you back and even if you don’t get the scholarship, at least you know you tried. Move on because if you do, you will relieve your parents from financial burden and yourself from stress. Moreover, keep up with your studies even though you already got accepted into Baylor University, this lack of self-discipline will carry over into your first semester at college. So, all will go well if you aren’t fearful to try and if you discipline yourself. So, good-luck, good things are ahead of you and never stop rising.

Take the hardest professors in high school so that you can be well prepared in college. Go to counselor and her for college resources and financial aid funding websites so thaht I can take advantage of all the opportunities of scholarships and grants offered. Become involved while in school and volunteer outside of school in my community.

Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one category your first year. Even though you think you know what you want out of life, allow yourself freedom to explore your options. You’re at a point in life where your decisions have a direct impact on your future. By taking your time and experiencing the opportunities available to you, you’ll be able to make better decisions for yourself. You may not know that you have a passion for classical history that will influence you to design beautiful gowns. You may not be aware of the fact that you really enjoy classical music. You may not even realize that you have an incredible drive to promote equal rights. If you’d taken the time to take a history class, a music appreciation class, a sociology, philosophy, or other humanities class, you might have found these things out a little earlier in life and been able to appreciate and build on them for a longer time. More than ten years later, you are pursuing a career that you didn’t know existed, but was tailor made just for you. Imagine how far along you’d be if you’d done a little exploring.