MidAmerica Nazarene University Top Questions

Dear Molly, You will be attending college in the fall, so here are some words of wisdom from your future self. 1. Be prepared for no privacy. You will be sharing a room, and there are a lot of other girls on the hall. They will want to hang out. 2. Be prepared for a lot more freedom. Mom will not be there to breath down your neck and tell you to do your homework. You must be responsible and prepare yourself for class, and not leave essays to the last minute. You will be happier if you write them in advance and not five hours before they are due. You can also hang out with anyone at anytime of day. Be responsible about this. 3. Be prepared to compromise. You have to pay attention to the wants and needs of others, so be considerate. You will also have to give up a few things so other things can be accomplished, like giving up theatre so you can go to work. Molly, you can do this whole college thing. It is not as scary as you think it is. Good luck! Love, Future Molly

Ok Pamela, this is your one chance to make a good start at a promissing future for yourself. Don't get sidetracked with the temptations of outside life, the parties, the relationships. Make good choices and be a model citizen. Finish what you start, and don't postphone your degree as you will regret it. Do the best you can, and apply yourself. Your education will mold your life and form your path to the doorways of opportunity. Keep up with technology. Take notice of the world around you. Be a good citizen and treat others as you would want to be treated. Learn something new everyday. Help others learn when they are struggling.

Fortunately, I was a student with a parent who strongly emphasized the importance of education far before my senior year. If not for this integral component of my childhood, my conversation with my "senior self" would go a whole lot differently. I believe that senior year, especially without good mentoring, is quite early for a young adult to decide what they will do with the rest of their life and invest a great deal of time, money, and hope. I would explain to myself that faith is the one single thing that will lead you to and through the college experience. It is critical that a student have faith and understanding of who they are at their essence. In my situation, I am an artist who enjoys science, a quiet environment composed of community members who enjoy sharing ideas and information. I am also independent. I would advise myself to choose as school that shares the same core values as myself. I would communicate that excellence should always be the goal and that nothing is outside the realm of possibility. Last, but not least, I would say that everything must be done within it's right time. Remain patient.

Shawn, I know you are a senior now and are eager get into the real world and begin working, but there are some things I want to tell you before you decide. By not going to college right out of school you will miss so many opportunities and experiences for yourself, as well as, with your friends. You will learn so much about life and grow as a person on your own at school. If you think you can take time off and will always be able to return, think again! Returning to school as a working adult is very difficult. You have bills and a career, not to mention a wedding to plan with the love of your life. Getting your degree will mean so much more to you down the road, something to be proud of, a great accomplishment. Going to school now will allow you to have a greater jump on your future. Go to college and enjoy your time as a student without the heavy stresses of adulthood, those days will come soon enough. Think of how many of your dreams you can rich if you start now!

Do not be afraid step out and be the person that YOU want to be instead of what anyone around you is pressing you to do. If you go away to school, when you come home for the holidays, do not expect everything to be just the way you left it. Your friends will change and dynamics will be differnt. Do not be scared. You will make it just fine. But know that the world did not stop while you were away. The world seems to move a lot faster when you are away.

i would tell myself to apply to more scholarships becuase your parents are not rich and cannot help you and you are going to end up owing the school that you love being at money. so enjoy life just apply to scholarships

Stay on top of your work, and whatever you do NEVER get dicouraged! You can do it!

When choosing a college, there are many important things to consider. I will say that students and parents should look at the way people interact with each other on campus. People who are friendly, outgoing, accepting, etc. are people you want to be around. You will make friends that will last a lifetime. Also, look at the morals and values that the majority of the school holds. You need to consider what the best environment for you is to be in and around. You want to be around people who make good choices and decisions and who also learn and grow with one another. To make the most of your college experience, I would say get involved as much as you can. You need to find out what you like to do and how you can help benefit your school. You will have so much fun trying new things and experiencing things that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

I feel parents and students should visit the campus together. If there are any concerns, feel free to ask. That is the only way you will know if the particular campus is right for you. Make it a point to check out the features of the college that pertain to the major chosen. I feel the students and parents should meet with the professors/ chairperson of the field you have chosen to study. This will give you a feel about how the professors relate to the students. Caring professors and staff make a great difference in how much the student can rely on them for help whether in the classroom setting or just be able to take personal problems to them, knowing they are available to help. A college experience should be very positive and rewarding. If it is not, the student will not be prepared for the work field or even life itself.

Do your research!