Cedarville University Top Questions

Look for a place that challenges you academically and also challenges your growth as a person. You want a place where you can learn and be stretched and changed more into the person that you want to be. In college you should work hard and not procrastinate on homework. Do homework before recreation and you will go a long way!

First of all, it is important to consider what kind of person you are, what you're looking for in a college, and what you want your experience to be like. Do some research on what colleges and universities fit this description. Get started early! What college you attend is a very important decision, so you do not want to put it off. When in doubt, apply to more colleges than you think necessary. Decide what colleges are on the top of your list and go visit them. If you can, stay on campus during your visit to get a better idea of what life is like on that campus. Also, consider how much each college costs, and decide whether or not spending more will be worth it. As far as making the most of your college experience, I think it is vital that you find friends that balance their studies with their social life well. You want friends that know how to have fun but at the same time, know how much work they need to do to stay on top of all their classes. Be social, because we were made for community.

Visit the college in person and ask students to tell you the inside story. You will learn a lot.

Take your studies seriously and remember that you are in college to get an education first and foremost. Get as much practical experience in your field as you can.

As far as finding the right college, I would say to give a lot of consideration to who you are. Consider your personality, likes and dislikes, passions, etc. and go from there. Find a school that fits who you are because that is where you will end up being the most comfortable and most likely perform the best. For example, I operate better in a smaller setting so if I had attended a large state school I would've felt very out of place. To make the most out of the college experience, get involved. On any given college campus there are opportunities to get involved with music groups, athletics, clubs, community service, etc. Find something and have fun doing it. Also, make time for social interaction. Work to keep a balance between your academic schedule as well as spending time with friends. I can almost guarantee you will make the best friends of your life in college - make the most of the time you have with them.

Be responsible to know about your college choices, asking questions about the faculty, classes, environment, spiritual atmosphere, extracurricular activities & athletics. Ask them to describe their typical graduate, both in personality & beliefs, but career placement & goals. If you cannot justify becoming that person, that college is not right for you. The right college will shape you into a person you like seeing in the mirror. Take ownership of this choice. At the right college, making the most of the experience is dependant upon your willingness to try new things. You will be drawn into participating in activities that interest you, that cause you learn & grow. Whether it is athletics, the arts, community service, or campus life, allow yourself to enjoy the new experiences. Be tolerant of activities that may not necessarily be 'your thing', and be open to changing your own mindset. Find student and faculty mentors who resemble who and what you wish to become, and meet with them. Learn from them, & experience life with them. Continue those friendships past graduation. Search yourself, explore your desires and dreams. Take time to enjoy this time, as well as learning as much as possible to succeed professionally and personally.

When trying to find the right college or university, a common mistake prospective students make is to equate opportunity with success. It is important to understand that the primary determining factor in whether you are happy with your college experience is what you put into it; the time you apply to homework and classes, the effort you put into reaching beyond yourself to make friends with diverse backgrounds, and the perseverance with which you pursue your dreams are what will determine whether you accomplish your goals. If you are planning to pursue an academic career, the prestige and reputation of your undergraduate school are less important than where you do your graduate work; if you are pursuing a business-related career, your grades do not matter as much as your experience and your ability to convince an interviewer that you are a hard-working, trustworthy individual. College is the gateway to the rest of your life; it's where you practice to become the person you will be for life. So the most important question to ask yourself about a college is: is this a place where I will be comfortable for the next four years of my life?

Firstly, consider not what the dreams of the parent are, but what the dreams of the student are, and what skills they have. Everyone tends to do better and be happier throughout the college experience if they are doing and studying something they truly love. Secondly, consider what the college is offering to both of you, the parents, and the students. What is available on campus and in the surrounding area for the student? If you love the outdoors, are there parks and preserves? If shopping, are there malls or quiant downtown shopping districts? If ministry and outreaches, are there missions, shelters, etcetera, in the area you can be involved with? What support structure does the school provide for the parents? Is it easy to trust that your child will be safe and cared for? If something serious happens, will they contact you? Do they maybe have a service provided so you can send your child gift certificates for a local eatery when they've had a bad week, when you're 600 miles away? Quality of education and distance from home are considerations we all keep in mind, what I've suggested are things we might not think of.

The first thing to realize about college is that it is not just gaining an academic base for which to enter the job market. College is a learning experience in all areas of life. It is the place where people are transformed from youth into adults. When seeking what college to attend, this must be taken into consideration. Look for good academics, but ultimately look for where you think you will grow and mature most as a human being.

Visiting a campus, especially when classes are in session can say a lot about the college and the students that attend there. Spending the night can give a good feel for dorm life as well. When visiting a campus connecting with a professor and learning about that particular deparment can really say a lot on where the focus is those classes. And connecting with students is a good way to keep in touch with what is going on even before attending the college if that choice is made. Prayer iskey too if one is a Christian and can really bring a peace about what decision is right. Once at the school, getting involved is a great opportunity to serve and make friends. And being yourself is always the best way to make lifelong friends. Studying hard will ensure good grades, and don't be afraid to get help when you need it, because success in the classroom will lead to lifelong success. Try picking a college that has similar beliefs as you and one the seems to be a good fit socially and academically. Remember, college is for the average person, and success is possible if you strive for it.