Benedictine College Top Questions

After only one year at Benedictine College, I have grown more intellectually, emotionally and morally than I have from any other experience. I began my liberal arts education by being introduced to a variety of subjects and possible career paths. I was opened to a new perspective and gained a greater understanding of the world. Yet, as I learned new facts about the world, I was also educated about my role as an individual within it. Through this, I was also able to learn about myself, which greatly assisted me in choosing what would lead me to the most fulfilling lifestyle. I was challenged to take responsibility for my future and the impact that I can have on others, and through this, I learned that I truly can make a positive impact in the world. However, I never would have gained this great understanding if I had not also been challenged to take a step further in my spiritual life by my peers and educators. Benedictine College challenged me in many ways to intertwine my beliefs, knowledge, and individuality into my daily life, and without these challenges, I never would have made the considerable growth that I did this year.

After a year of college, I've learned that I really don't know who I am and that's okay. Going into college I had this vision of who I was, who I wanted to be, and what I was going to do. I seemed to forget that life happens along the way and hits you hard. I thought I was a very disciplined student, but I quickly learned that just when I think I've given enough effort in whatever I'm doing I need to do twice as that to be succesful. I 've also learned that you should never be too sure of who you are, that doesn't give you room to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and in every other way. I've learned to be open to new experiences and things, but at the same time stay true to myself, who I was and who I want to be. Also to be flexible because no matter how much you plan or want to determine the outcome of things, you simply can't. You just need to be open to things not going your way and learning to accept whatever God blesses you with instead.

I know you?re tired of hearing about college, but pay attention. I?ve come back to help you transition into college life. First, Verizon lied. There is no service in Atchison. Don?t buy a cell phone. Second, look for a job on campus ? it?s just too hard to find one close enough in town. Don?t worry: you?ll definitely be able to handle that and your schoolwork. Actually, that?s what I really came back to tell you: you can do more than you think. You will have so much more time in college, so don?t worry about spending lots of time with people. Go ahead and strike up conversations with strangers in the cafeteria, and chat for hours with your friends. You should go to the sports games; I regret missing the soccer and basketball and volleyball games. Don?t get stuck in your room. I know you've heard it a thousand times, but get involved! On a side note, when you create your Dungeons and Dragons character, be unaligned. Trust me. Oh, and nag Emma, or you?ll never get the books she borrowed back before you leave.

If I could go back to my senior year of High School I would tell myself a number of things. Most importantly I would tell myself that High School is not nearly as hard as college is, and that college is not a place where you party and have fun all the time. I would remind myself that college is like having to work and when you have a job you can't slack off. I would tell myself to take a full load during my senior year so that I would feel more prepared when coming to college. I would have challenged myself to take more advanced courses and increase my study habits so that it wouldn't be a big adjustment when I started college. I would have spent more time with my family because you seem to miss them, especially during your first semester. I would have spent more time working so that I wouldn't have to take out as many loans. Lastly, I would have tried to be friends with people that I had a hard time being friends with because it helps you to adjust to people with different attitudes and perspectives.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the first thing I would tell myself would be to focus on school as much as possible. I didn't realize that college work was going to be so labor-intensive, and I was used to being lazy and still managing to get by in high school. I would tell myself to take better notes, and to force myself to study even when I didn't feel like it. I would also tell myself to practice my self-efficiency skills, because college professors don't baby you like high school teachers do. The final thing I would tell myself as a high school senior would be this: apply for scholarships. I knew that college was expensive, but I guess I didn't realize how expensive it was until I had to take nearly every penny out of my bank account just to pay for one semester. Had I not been so un-motivated my senior year, I could have found a few more scholarships to help cover tuition. Unfortunately I learned this the hard way, which is why I'm applying for this scholarship.

If i could go back i would tell myself not to wait untill the last minute to start making the big decisions about college. It helps to know as much as you can about all of your options. I would also tell myself that i cant be the shy and quiet girl anymore i need to be confident and outgoing. Getting out and meeting people is very important in college.

If I could go back in time, and talk to myself as a high school senior, and I could give myself advice, then I would tell myself to search more for scholarships so that the payments would be easier. Scholarships are a very necessary part of paying for college unless you want to have a lot of debt when you graduate. Also, if you take a long trip the summer before going to college, it will help a lot with the home sickness. It is nice to be able to be far away from home first with people you know than to just be thrown into it. It is a little bit nicer to be eased into living on your own than just left to it by yourself.

If I could go back to my high school self, I would say that you should apply your head off for scholarships and not wait around. I would tell my high school senior self that you should have made the best of your high school years while you had the chance. I would go on to say that going to Benedictine will be the best thing that could have ever happened to you. The friends that you will make will be the kindest and funniest people you will ever have the pleasure of knowing. You will have the best time in college and do not take it for granted.

Carefully consider your needs, goals and personal traits. Make a list of these in order of importance. Then use them as a criteria for conducting your search for the right school. By doing this you will ensure yourself of finding a college where you will recieve the best possible education and experience. Do not sell yourself short by going to a school which does not meet the criteria on your list - you will not be able to make the most of your college experience. Once you find the college which is right for you, then create a plan for maximizing your college experience. This plan should include time for academic, physical, social, and spiritual activities. Your college experience should be the time to build the foundation for the rest of your life. Make the most of your college experience; work hard, build friendships, and enjoy this exciting time of your life!

When it comes to college, it is true what they say, you get out what you put in. Still, it is important to choose a college that not only suits your academic needs, but your personal needs as well. There are many colleges that offer a great education, especially if you are willing to put forth the effort to attain it. Therefore, make sure you choose a college that you will be comfortable at for the next two to four years while you finish your undergraduate studies. Also, make sure to spend a good deal of time researching the surrounding area, especially if there is going to be a drastic change in location or climate (i.e. big city to small town or year round sunshine to harsh winters and cloudy falls). Believe it or not, this could be a deciding factor as to whether you finish your degree at that institution. Moreover, get an honest opinion about that school's financial aid and general administration. This may not seem important during your first year, but eventually it will matter a great deal. In short, be sure to perform a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the colleges you are considering.