Cedarville University Top Questions

College is a time of transition on many fronts. Not only is the student thrown into a time of changes and challenges, but the family behind is left to an uncomfortable, unknown relationship with a once-close member of the family. I would encourage each transitioning to embrace this change, though, rather than to fear it! Growth is an inevitable change, yet beautiful as well. Incremental release from the previous life allows for changes to take place, bringing forth a mature member of the family able to produce and influence in greater ways than before. This member now lives as a convoy of the family, entirely independent yet completely associated with the name. With this in mind, the student ought to seek every moment with the fullest of his being, striving for excellence in all aspects of lifestyle. The remaining family members ought now also endorse their newfound role and relationship with the student, seeking to support and encourage them through this time. This mindset allows for the ultimate success of both the family and student. It bridges the gap created by a new lifestyle, keeping the now morphed relationships intact while bringing about succes in the most essential ways.

No matter which college is chosen, it is up to the student to make the best of the experience. Students can have fun and learn well anywhere if they try. Neither comes automatically in any school environment.

I would tell them to start early and take their time. There are so many wonderful colleges and universities to attend. Take the time to go and visit these schools, to learn about the programs they offer. No one school is perfect, nor is any one school the same as another; each one offers something a little different than another one. So, take the time to get to know and understand what it is you like and dislike about each school. If you move to fast, you may wind up choosing a school that does not suit your needs or wants in an education and may very well regret your decision (plus losing all of the money that went into finalizing that decision). College is a great experience. Take the time to choose the one that suits you best.

You need to make sure the pros outweight the cons. I go to a kinda lame school because I still believe the academic atomosphere is the best for preparring me for real life(college isn't anywhere). I also would say the there is no replacement for self-iniative and that should be a freshman's focus.

One thing that I would stress in deciding on the right college for you is to make sure that you know what you're getting into financially, and relating to the distance from your home. My college is 7 hours away from my home and is more expensive than I realized when trying to choose where I would spend four years studying. I wish that someone had told me, or made me more aware of the overall cost of college prior to my enrollment. I would also possibly recommend attending a community college for a year or two before going to a four-year school if money is an issue for you like it is for me. In addition to the idea of community college there are also so many options for CLEP tests that I never realized until it was too late. Take advantage of those options if you can in any way. In addition to the financial stress of paying for college, being 7 hours away from my family and friends made things even more intensely stressed. So, just be sure you know what you are getting into!

Know what you're looking for when you are looking at college. It's very important to have that in the forefront of your mind as you inspect different schools and different possibilities. Also, realize that no school is perfect, and decide what things you want balanced. Some schools will specialize in different things, so finding one that balances a few things that you value is really ideal. Also, consider, if you do know what you're going to major in as a student, what the school's reputation is in that department, because in the future, that may become important. As for making the most of the college experience, have fun and try your hardest; never give up, but don't kill yourself with work. The key is everything in moderation!

Be open-minded and honest with yourself about what you want. The school I am currently attending was not my first choice and was not even the first school I went to. Mid-way through my sophmore year, I transferred into my current school and I love it. If I had been more open-minded and honest with myself, I believe that I would have started at this school and avoided the stress of transferring.

In selecting a college or university, there are many practical considerations one may make. A few of these may include fields of study available, cost, and location. While these are important factors in choosing a college, one may find a college that meets all the above requirements, but is not desirable. Some colleges are just a better "fit" for certain people. A person may feel more or less comfortable at a school depending on its size, the personality of the student body as a whole, and the worldview that the college leadership promote. I believe a person should take these feelings of compatibility into consideration. If one is not comfortable at a school, no matter what other requirements are met or not met, one is likely to be miserable and regret the choice. On the other hand, if a person is able to attend a school in with which he/she is satisfied, that person will be likely to derive greater benefit from his/her college experience.

Visit the colleges you are considering. If you don't think you could feel comfortable in that atmosphere, don't completely discount it, but tread carefully. When you visit, make sure you sit in on a few classes. Look for a school that matches you academically. Finally, college costs a lot, but it is worth it. You may not know how you will be able to pay for it, but go for it, and take longer than four years, if you have to. It will be worth it in the end.

Find a college that fits your personality and has the kind of atmosphere you think would benefit you the most. As a Christian I chose Cedarville partially because it is a Christian University and that was one of the things I was looking for. You also need to find a place that will challenge you academically...party schools typically don't. Choose a school that is well known for it's academic excellence.