Graceland University-Lamoni Top Questions

Take a good look at it all and know your options. Even though the college isn't the greatest you ultimately have the power to change your environment and do great things. You can make the most of it by opening up and stepping out of your comfort zone. Reaching out especially to others because we are social animals and when we make someone happy it makes your life meaningful. Parents let your child go, let him/her be free to do new things. You know your child best and if you did what was best then they will never forget that.

Spend some time on the campus outside of their "regularly scheduled prospective students" visits. You will get a much better feel for the actual movement of campus life, the rigor of classes and the true attitude of the school and students if you come at a random time. Remember to get involved early in student groups, extra-curricular activities, and things that challenge you to be a global citizen dedicated to shaping a better world. If you wait until you are an upper-classman, you will find that your schedule may be too full to do the things that ACTUALLY make a difference. Stay in touch with your family, but parents, let your child have some space -- without it, the jump into full adult life is so much more difficult. Most importantly, take the chance to meet people you wouldn't normally be friends with -- you will learn more about life, the workplace and success than any class could ever teach you.

Have an academic goal in mind. You can always party, so study hard and party later! You only get one chance to make a great impression with your GPA. After that you will play "catch-up and make-up" with your grades for the rest of your life. Colleges do notice and hold it against you forever when you make bad grades!

Participate in everything.

For the student they should live on campus for at least two years. join lots of activities, the more you get involved the more fun you will have. Don't get in a serious relationship. Don't get married untill you graduate. Date people but don't have a girlfreind/boyfriend. Parents, be supportive. Be their for your child but let them make their owen disisions. If you can help pay for their college but don't give them spending money, they should get a job for that. Both. Pick a school that specializes in the major the student wants. Look at several schools before choosing.

Go where your heart tells you. Not where your head tells you.

Don't smother your children when you send them to school. They want to have their freedom as much as you don't want them to have it (or want them to). When you drop them off for school help them, but also give them their space to show others the person that they are from the very beginning. When they call you and say "mom, I need money." Help them out, but within limits. Make them learn some form of responsibility. Don't harp on them about their social habits, it's a fact of college life that just about everyone goes through; let them learn their lessons and move on from them.

First ask yourself what it is that you absolutly love to do, because if you love it then you can do it forever. In choosing a college appy this question in your decision making, dont go to school for a girl or guy, don't go to a school because they offered you the most money (just because they offered you more money doesn't mean you can't qaulify for more money elsewhere). Don't go to school because of sports alone (unless you plan on making a career professionally from it). Instead choose the school that specifically offers the best education and field activity for your desired career. I went to school because of money, and they offered me scholarship to play football. I love football, but i've had my last season this past fall. Looking back I could have engaged in so many more activities, like traveling to businesses, interning, acting in plays and would have been able to take more classes. I won't trade the memories i made during football at Graceland, but it has opened my eyes to the sacrafices i have to make if i want to truly pursue my career.

I would tell them that the first choice is not always the right choice. Take trips to different schools and let the student stay a night or two to get a feel for the college. Just because the school is in a small town does not mean it does not have a great program and things to do on your free time. Often these schools can offer more than the large state school can.

Think about what you want to study then find the best school in that area.