Concordia University-Nebraska Top Questions

Beth....you are leaving for college soon. I know you have heard all about it from your friends, parents, teachers...I'd also like to give you a few words of advice. The biggest difference you will notice is your new found freedom. There is no one waiting up for you at night. There is no one looking over your shoulder every night making sure you are getting your schoolwork done. Your parents aren't nagging you about getting enough sleep or eating correctly. Well, they will do that on the phone, but you can give them the old "Yes, Mom I am sleeping enough and I am eating right." My recommendation for you would be to learn how to manage your time. Attend all your classes , keep up with your schoolwork and be successful. It is a great idea to join clubs and go to athletic events. You need to go out and socialize and make new friends. If you get involved you will be happier and you will want to do well in school so you can keep your scholarship. Bottom line is, if you don't stay on track and keep up will will run out of ......

Prepare for some long nights of studying but allow yourself some fun. Remember to make sure all of your things are secured in your room or car. Be prepared to have tons of fun and make new friends. You're a long way from home and you can't bring that along. Get a hold of your finances and start saving more. You'll need that later. Think first before you do or promise something. Always be ready to lend a helping hand. Remember the people and relationships that you form because, they can and will affect you for the rest of your life. Be open but stand firm in your beliefs. Be respectful, honest, trustworthy, and on time.

College is much harder than high school. You need to develope good study habits, finding a quiet place outside of the dorm room is a great place to study so that things like video games and roommates are not a distraction. It is good to think of school as a full time job. During the day you are gonna have breaks in between classes, so if you go to class and do homework from 8 to 4 just like a full time job then you will have the nights to do what you like. College is all about planning and time mannagement. Unlike high school you can't just breeze through college. You need to be focused and stay on top of your studies so that when you have to travel for sports you won't get behind. Good Luck.

Hannah, the next few years will change your life. You're going to make great friends - friends who will stick by you no matter what. You're going to have great teachers and learning experiences. You're going to change your mind about some things and you're going to recognize the truth in others. You're going to go places you never would have dreamed of. It is going to be hard sometimes, and you might want to give up - but don't! You can do it! College is pretty amazing - and it is life changing. Sure, some of your friends might already be making money or doing great things, and you might think that school is getting really long and tedious, but you can't stop. You need to go - keep on going, learning, reaching, helping, pressing on to what lies ahead. You're going to realize that you don't have all of the answers. You're going to learn that sometimes doing what's right is a lot harder than you thought it would be. But you can do it. And in the end... You'll be more you than you ever were before.

You are a people person that does not like conflict. Don't worry about what kind of roommate you'll get because you get along with almost anyone. But knowing you you'll probably meet someone on facebook and decide to be roommates with them and you'll get along just fine. You also like to be involved in a lot of things. Don't worry about getting involved in too much. You can handle it. However, you also like to please people. Don't participate in something just because other people want you to. You can't be afraid to say no. If you want to do something go for it. Don't let anybody hold you back. Lots of people will try to get you to do things that are against what you believe. Stay true to yourself and to God and you'll be fine. It will be harder for your mom to let you go than it will be for you to leave home. Make sure you talk to your family on a regular basis and maintain a good relationship with them. College will be fun, but remember you're there to study. Good luck!

Trust God's timing and planning for your life. College is hard work, but it is nothing that you can't handle. Stay in touch with friends and family regularly. Jesus loves you.

The right college makes the difference between an education that will last a lifetime and an education that will be forgotten. College is not just about getting a good education, but also about finding a place where one fits and can create relationships that will carry through life's challenges after graduation. Finding the right fit is hard, and sometimes being close to home is the place that a student least wants to be, but wherever one is, remember three things. 1) Students like mail, including but not limited to, gift boxes full of food and family memories, cards, letters, and junk mail (Yes, anything that fills that mailbox!). 2) Students need to be supported by their "home base" of family, as well as friends, professors, and university staff if they have any hope of surviving Finals (and becoming independent and successful adults). 3) Sometimes it takes more than one school to "try on" to find the right fit (VISIT CAMPUS while students are there!!!), but the right one will be worth it. Lots of growing up occurs, but as long as families stick together, they can't grow apart. They remain bonded and are only strengthened in their ties.

When your looking for the "right college for you", you really need to ask yourself the most basic question... what do I want to be when I grow up. Yes, it sounds kind of childish, but it is truly what starts you in the right direction. Most colleges and universities are known for a specific major/program. When you know what you want to do with you life, the next thing to ask yourself is what kind of setting you are comfortable in. Such as a small school in a rural community or a large school in the middle of a city. These two questions together will help you find the right school for you. Also, don't forget about visiting a prospective school. It helps to go and see the campus and get a feel for what it is like at that particular school. As for making the most of your college experience, I would say, don't hold back. Put all you've got into everything you do. It's the only way to do it. Just think about looking back and knowing that you did your VERY best.

Advice that I would give incoming students and parents about finding the right college is definetly make sure you visit the campus. Its very important to see the campus and get a feel for it. Also when visiting the campus make sure you sit in on some classes and meet with professors. Money is an important manner while picking a college, but dont let it be your only decision maker. To make the most of your college experience, make lots of friends and get involved. Studying in important in college, but you learn so much and grow so much more as a person by getting involved and learning to new life experiences during your time at college that takes place outside the classroom.

Ultimately the college needs to contain your program of interest, but there is no substitute for physically visiting a college and taking an entire tour of the campus, having a meal in one of the dining halls, and if its possible, to chat with one of the professors and/or sit in on a class lecture for your program of interest, and also visit with students that attend that college. Take a look at the couse catalog and look at what courses they have to offer and see how they compare with graduate school and/or your career someday. Check out the off campus activities, such as performances in the arts , museums, movie theatres, places to eat, etc. Check out the surrounding towns and see what they are like as well. There is also no substitute for a quality place to go sweat a little after a long day of classes. Also, take a close look at computer labs, libraries, and any other study place there is and make sure they have the proper technology and adequate space needed to where you feel that you will grow academically. That is why they call college "higher education."