Harding University Top Questions

The first thing that I would tell myself is to not be so cocky. Before I came to college I had a problem with believing that I was better than everyone else. It took me a while to come down to earth and realize that with that kind of attitude it makes me less likely to find friends. The other thing that I would have told myself was to get to know my teachers on a more personal level. Doing this might have put me on better standings with all the teachers instead of being another face in the crowd.

College will be the best four years of your life. Pick the school that will help you be exactly who you are and will help you become exactly who you want to be. College is not one big party and do not let any one tell you otherwise. Working hard is important but balancing that with fun times with friends is just as important. You will never forget these years and you will make life long friends, do not be scared to get involved! Your college experience is what YOU make it. Focus but have fun, you will never get these years back.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are several things I would like to say. First of all, I would tell myself to focus on the people in my life that mean the most to me and make sure they know why they are so important to me because once you leave for college the dynamics of all your relationships change in some way. I would also tell myself to enjoy my mom's cooking and eat as much of it as possible because cafeteria food will make you realize how wonderful homecooking is! I would also encourage myself as I entered college to be confident in the person I am and not care about how I appear to others because when you find the people who love you for who you really are, including your quirks, you will have found lifelong friends and that's more important than popularity. Plus what makes people popular in high school is different from college. Finally, I would remind myself to have a blast because college is so very fun but not to take the work too lightly because it is a challenge.

When making your college decision, do not base it off of what the college itself presents you with. Dig deeper on your own and research the institution thoroughly from academics to social activities. Visit the school but dont just look at what admissions shows you. Take a self-guided tour and look around for yourself to see if it is a place that you could picture yourself living for the next four to five years. Once you are on campus as a student do not solely devote your time to academics or sports or your social life. Diversify yourself so you can build your person as a whole. Be open to new ideas and learn as much as you can not only in the classroom, but everywhere you go. This is a time when there are some major choices to be made, but just take a deep breath and don't get stressed. These are the best years of your life!

I would tell parents and students to find a college that they are comfortable attending. They should visit the university and become familiar with the policies and the staff. They should make sure that the college has the major that they are planning to go into and try to pick a major as soon as possible as to not waste time or money. It is also very important once you get to college to branch out and meet new people. The more friends you have and people you know the more comfortable you will be. Also, take your classes very seriously and never put them at the end of your to do list. Hanging out and socializing should come second to your school work, because school is your job while you are there. My final advice is to relax and try not to get too stressed out, do not study all the time or you will go crazy.

College is a time to explore interests and make or break your dreams. I grew up hearing "you can be whatever you want to be," but starting college was the first time that I was asked to decide. After 18 years of dreaming, you are given 4 years to realize your limitations and work hard to overcome them. When it comes to picking a college, choose somewhere that you feel comfortable. Visit campus during the school year, and sit in a few classes to see how professors and students interact, and what class dynamics are like. It's a good way to test the water and see if you can picture yourself attending. You will have extreme ups and downs during your college career, but lonliness can really ruin the experience for you or make you decide to transfer. Look at the students around you and how they interact. Strong friendships are the foundation of a good college experience, and you will want people to share the joys and pains of college life with. Once you pick a school, get involved in the beginning of the year. Everyone is looking to make friends, so take advantage and enjoy!

The deepest joy in life is discovering your personal gifts and finding ways to use them to better the world around you. Your college experience should be an effective union of those two goals, sending you forth with excited anticipation to make your contribution to this beautiful life. Being in an environment that teaches you how to learn and encourages you to push yourself further, prepares you for a lifetime of purposeful thought and action. I would suggest that my college, Harding University, is worthy of your inspection as you try to find the best place to prepare for your career. It is here that I have found a "home" where I can feel free to choose how I want to live, without negative pressures surrounding me. I feel safe and protected, cared for and valued. I hope to be able to continue attending this university for all four years. A scholarship would be very helpful!

Go for it.

Look at all your options and do not only look at one type of school (i.e.: private, religious, public, small, large...Look at everything). Also, I recomend that the student walk around alone for a while to really get an idea of how they feel away from mom and dad's opinions. Pick a school that has a wide variety of people, because you will not leave college the same way you went in. I have changed in many ways in just the first year and I am now finding it harder to make different kinds of friends because I attended a small religious university. Also, go to a school you know you won't like, it will give you an idea of what you REALLY don't like, but also an idea of what you can tollerate. I suggest that you visit at least 6 schools and do it early!!! Don't wait till you are a senior, start as a junior, so you have plenty of time to reflect on what you have seen.

Find a college that employs people that are helpful and accessible. If you have to force your way into the college and can hardly bear sitting through a class, it is probably not the best place to spend the next few years of your life. College will be a challenge, but it should be academically challenging and not just a pain to endure. The point is to learn, not suffer through class periods and financial aid battles. While you are in college take advantage of the resources you have, the teachers and classes that you have, but do not forget to enjoy your surroundings. Don?t talk on your cellphone as you walk to class-- meet a fellow student. Look at the landscape. Don?t rush through the experience.