Blackburn College Top Questions

Never make assumptions on what is to come. In college, plans are never definite so the words "flexibility", "priority", and "open-mindedness" become the three most important words. Also, your friends and your classmates can become your greatest allies. No great city can ever be built alone and neither can any great future. It takes support and care and getting by with a little help from your friends to succeed. College is an exciting place. There is so much to do and so much scheduling and personal prioritizing to do which makes it a very intimidating place. The fear of debt should also be put to the wayside. You will not get every scholarship you apply for and student loans can be a savior. Without them, you will not get the education you need. Of course it is debt to pay off later but, without this debt, you will never get the opportunity and, with some determination, you will be living the American dream. Mainly, do not worry and do not fret the small things. Do not setbacks and losses as major. Because when you lose, do not lose the lesson.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to do as many scholarships as possible, even if I didn't think I would get it. I would also tell myself to talk with the guidance counselor as much as possible to figure out what is the best ways to pay for college. Then I would also tell myself to use all of the college days allowed so as to check out the colleges before hand. Finally, I would tell myself to take classes that will count towards college credits.

If I was able to go back in time and advise myself, as a high school senior, I would first demand myself to be prepared. Blackburn College is a relatively small college (with a current enrollment of approximately 630 full-time students) and, when I first started here as a freshman, it felt like my high school "on steroids." It was with this mentality that I quickly slipped into a muddle of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, on-campus jobs, and personal relationships; so, I would tell myself to beware of the consequences of taking on too much right out of the starting gate. Also, the teachings in high school are much different than those in college. High school is generally just a presentation of materials that need picked up and crammed away for later reference. In college however, a person must actually learn the material and be able to build off of it, develop separate ideas and conclusions, and contradict their traditions in light of new knowledge. So what advice would I give myself back in high school? ?Learn, mature, and prepare before you get to college because from that point on you are an adult and must act accordingly.?

I would say that you have to look at what the student is comfortable with and what they are looking for. Sometimes making choices based on the finaces is needed, but if the student is looking for new experiences then that must be taken into consideration when finding a school. If they are from a small town then going to a small school will help they grow and they will end up getting into trouble. On the otherhand if they only know small communities and are comfortable there then sending them to a big school will result in dissonance and depression. Parents needs to find a school that both meets their finacial needs while at the same time meet the social/lifestyle needs of their student. Only once both are met will their students really succeed!

Keep your options open, and go on many campus visits before making your decesion.

Make sure that they stay on campus at least for the first year. That way they get to experence the college life and make new friends. Always give them money when you can, college students are broke all of the time and a dollar is alot of money to us so help us out!

You can go to the best school in the country and have a horrible time or you can go to the worst school in the country and have a great time. Your experience is what you make of it and what you put in to it.

Be very picky. There is no reason to rush into anything. Set goals that you expect from your college, and search based on them. Once you are there, have an open door policy. Let other students walk by and look into your room. It is important to find friends, good ones, that will support you and keep you on the right track.

Make sure you know what you want in a school. Large campus, small campus, class sizes. This is very important in deciding on a campus. Some students enjoy a large campus, while others like some of my friends enjoy small class sizes. Schools may have one proffessor to upwards to 100 students. Some may have a 1:20 ratio. Smaller class sizes can allow for a more one on one learning experience. Also tuition, room and board are also important. Some people can't afford the expensive institutions. Some schools have affordable prices with a great learning experience. Always remember to keep an eye on the price, but remember to balance that with the education. Look and see what kind of programs the school offers. What kinds of internships are available and the learning experiences. Some schools are good at helping students find a job or preparing for graduate school. So these are important to keep in mind. The campus life is important for students and parents should help their children find teh school that best suites their needs within the restrictions of the family and of the student.

choose this school if you are looking for the small town/ small school atmosphere