Cedarville University Top Questions

Start early! As deadlines approach, beginning the college search sooner, rather than later, will save you many a headache. By starting early you will have time to narrow your search down and plan college visits. The more schools you visit, the better feel you will have for what type of environment you would like to commit the next four years of your life to. In addition, once you have made your decision, you will have more time to nail the essay questions and apply for scholarships. As you search for the perfect school, ensure that you are looking for one that will meet your needs. My experience has taught me that people are what meet my needs. It is the professor who calls me by name as we pass that brightens my day. It is students who go out of there way to help their community and are caring and accepting of each other that instill pride in me. It is staff members who invite me into their home for a warm Thanksgiving meal that make me feel at home. Find a school with the right people, find it early, and you will have found a great college experience.

Visit the college you want to attend the most. Consider the reputation the school has. Consider your financial situation and avoid loans and debt as much as possible. Be willing to work hard, eat well, exercise often in a sport or at the gym, and try some community service. Start building a resume freshman year. Journal about everything. Eat meals with friends and always make time for fun!!

Take college seriously; it may be a fun place, but if you don't study and actually look for a career, than all you'll have is a huge debt for a party. Look for a college that's in your price range, where the campus appeals to you and students seem responsible. While it's not neccessary to have a career in mind before you enroll, it's good to think of some ideas of what you'd like to do when you look into schools. Don't go to a particular college just because your friends are doing it. Don't do stuff AT college just because your friends are doing it. Saying "No" may feel embarrasing or awkward, but it makes you a stronger person, and you'll never have regrets haunting you later. Don't be afraid to ask professors for help, or if there are possible extra-credit assignments. Higher grades mean more possibilites for grants and scholarships. Make friends who'll support you, and love you for who you are. Have fun and don't be afraid to be ridiculous; you're only this young once, and some memories can only be made here.

Students, Finding a school that has a good program in your field is just as important as finding that a school that can feel like a home for 4 years. Take the time to feel schools out. And parents, as much as you love your children and want the best for them, you need to remember that in the end, they will be the ones going to school. Nothing feels worse than a parent thinking your school or field of study are a mistake, or your parents making you feel horrible for choosing a school that is far from home. I know plenty of people who gave up the school of their dreams because their parents guilted them into staying closer to home. Be protective and reasonable, but BE SUPPORTIVE. Your support means more to us than anyone else's.

My number one piece of advise would be to get involved. You only experience college once. Get out into the community and invest in people's lives. I myself serve with Young Life and enjoy it greatly. As far as finding the right college, choose a place where you feel welcomed and where you can be yourself. Find a college with good community and friends that will last. Making the right friends is important and being who you are is as well. If you go into college feeling like you always have to impress people, then you won't be yourself. Also, do your best academically your first year. This year is critical in forming study habits and trends for following years and once your GPA is set high it is harder to miss your goals. As for parents, encourage your students to pick a college where you feel comfortable letting them become adults. Another words, don't let your kids go to the party school. You can still have a ton of fun without partying, guarantee that!

Spend a few days at the college, live in the dorms with the students and really pay attention to the students and their character.

Finding the right college isn't about how cheap or expensive it is. It isn't about going where your friends are going. College is the next step in your life. It has the potential to make or break your future. Having gone through the ?college search? procedure, there are a few hints that I feel can help those who have yet to choose a college. Three good steps to take in the process of finding a good school can be taken from the acronym ?PCR?. Prayerfully choose. As a born-again believer, I believe that searching out God?s opinion is extremely important. Check around, and check many out. Don?t go by pictures from brochures and handbooks. Get down to the college or university and see it for yourself! Don?t limit yourself to checking out only one school?visit a few! Read up! Read up on what programs the school offers. Also, many schools give statistics of success rates for graduating students, and other interesting facts. There are many more things that should go into finding the college for you, but by remembering ?PCR?, you will have a good start to finding the right fit for you!

The choice before you is an extremely critical one. The next four years are possibly the most important of your life, and were you spend them will make all the difference. As the president of my school says, "Think long- term, but live in the moment." It is important for you while choosing a school to look at your long term goals and plan accordingly, but also choose a school that fits you. My school (Cedarville University) is Christian, small, has a beautiful campus, and has a fun but Christ-centered student body. These are all things I was looking for, and I am extremely happy with my choice. My college also however, has a great business management program, which fits into my long term goals. So my advice to you, before you enter into the mayhem of schools attempting to gain your attendance, would be to figure out your goals and your wants in a college first, then to narrow down your choices to find one that meets those needs. Once you find those schools, visit them, and I'm sure you will fall in love with one of them. I did.

Try to find an equal balance between social, academic, and personal activities. You are who you are; make sure you are comfortable with your surroundings.

With graduation just a few weeks away, I am in the bittersweet process of reflecting back over the memories and opportunities and maybe a few regrets from the past four years. I am thankful that I chose a college that fit my values and personality, and pursued a course of study that I was passionate about, instead of looking for the cheapest school just to get a degree to get a job. I would strongly advise students to work hard to excel from the day they step on campus; to love learning; to get to know their professors and not be too proud to ask for help when they need it. I would suggest that they take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, but choose wisely and not get distracted by time-consuming activities that have no meaning. Most of all, I would encourage making time to establish deep friendships - the kind of relationships that will continue long after the college years are over!