Hardin-Simmons University Top Questions

My senior year, I was given the privelege to attend a technical college. The advice I would of given myself was first of all set up some priorities and goals that could be used as a guideline to accomplish something beneficial to me in the future. The courses that I was going to take at this technical college could be used as a practice tool for when I was ready to fully jump right into a university setting. There were many opportunities for scholarships at my high school and the advice would be take advantage of any little help I could get. Also don't just settle for your dream school. Things dont always work out as planned and knowing the different options would help me get back on my feet should a plan fail to come out as planned.

I would definitely tell myself that it does not matter how well you do in high school (to a certain degree) because college is a whole different ball game. I also tell myself to never get discouraged.

Dear Taylor, I know you are finally 18 and cannot wait to get out of the house, but slow down! You are about to embark on the biggest adventure of your life so far, and you do not want to blink, because you may just miss everything leading up to it. I know how anxious and jittery you are about this step, but just remember that God is on your side. Best of all, He will be there to catch you when you fall, pick you up, dust you off, and help you to be better off than you were from before. I know this because next year you are about to face some storms. First will come some homesickness. Next will be a rough semester with a phyically and emotionally hurtful boy. (Daddy will have to come up there twice...) I know you don't believe me, but it will happen. My advice is to get out there and meet as many people as you can., and always be faithful to God and remember that He's your #1 fan. You will be in good hands here at HSU, so get excited! Love, Me, 2 years in the future.

Minus class ranking, ACT/SAT scores, or concurrent classes; high school grades don't matter. All the college looks for is how full your resume is, how well rounded of a person you are. Community service and awards collected are a definite plus and catch the colleges' eye. After you begin classes at your new college, study like crazy. Sure, older boys are cute, but they aren't the content on your next exam. Be careful and guard your heart around this new environment, so many people change over the course of a few months and become unrecognizable to the people they first met. Also, save your money and don't eat out. The cafeteria doesn't have the greatest food, but it's doable and you can use the money saved to buy coffe for your next study session. Make friends that won't stab you in the back and will genuinely be there, no matter what the situation. Not only become friends with the students; be sweet and make sure your professors know who you are. Class is more enjoyable because they understand you care about your future and education. Lastly, don't stress, you'll never survive.

Just because you are a straight A student in Highschool does not mean you will be in college. High school does not prepare you for college. You have to be able to work extremely hard and have a high level of dedication and determination. If you don't have a goal your reaching for, it will all seem not worth it. It can be very overwhelming but it is all worth while.

I advise those parents and students to really pray and seek where the Lord would have you to go. Make campus visits and talk to current students. They know all about being there!!! I also would say to look into financial aid. The Lord will provide if it is His will but it never hurts to look into it. I encourage the student to get plugged in and maybe even find new freshmen on facebook or myspace or something to already have started forming friendships. Apply for houseing early to make sure you get the room you want. Most of all...HAVE FUN!!!

Before picking a college, consider what career field you may want to enter. Think about whether or not you would prefer to be in a large student population setting or one where you would know most people and in return they would know you (students and staff alike). Take time to tour several campuses that you are interested in attending. Find out what financial aid is offered at different colleges and how this can benefit you. These will make your decision process go a lot smoother. After you have found the right college for you, introduce yourself to staff members and other students, learn about different activities, programs, fraternities/sororities, volunteer opportunities, etc..., that your college offers. In college you will make memories and friendships that last a lifetime so do your best, have fun, and try something new. College is an amazing time in your life.

Dont look for a college that just offers a good time, or one that has amazing things for your field of study. Look for a good balance of both. College is a huge step in life that makes you who you are, so dont miss out on making friends while hiding behind school work, but dont waste your time with friends when you should be making a foundation for your future. Find a way to connect to both sides.

Make sure your children do the extra work to find financial aid for school.

Just make sure your child really does want to be in college. And if they don't, then just let them go get a job and experience life instead of coming to school and making it miserable to everyone else. Truth is, there's no point coming to college if you don't want to be here.