Southern Nazarene University Top Questions

"Tabitha have faith in yourself, to not see only the negatives in your life but the possitives. Smile at people and say hi, to not be shy and believe that you am better off alone. Go eat in the Commons instead of warming a can of spagettie Os in the microw wave." "But then i would have to eat alone, and I am only a freshman, I have no idea what is going on." "Yes, i know it is way out of your comfort zone, but you have learned from experiance that when you take a chance you can see how it changed you and made you a better person. And besides you are a brilliant girl, you will figure it out. Oh and you need to go to the games and outings more, those are where you can make friends and then you won't have to do this whole college thing on your own."

To open up. It might seem like shallow advice, but my biggest problem this last semester has been dealing with a boyfriend i went into college with. We told each other we were committed, that we were serious. College is the time where people are trying to discover who they really are. It's tough to see people change sometimes. It's tough to see yourself change. But you have to keep this truth in mind. Give people a chance; give newness a chance. My biggest struggle was holding on to what I knew and was comfortable with for too long instead of enjoying and exploring the opportunity that was right infront of me. So it's what I'd tell to everyone about to make the transition. Calm down and let life happen. Don't settle too quickly, because you have your life to live ahead of you. College is a new world, a place to discover and to learn. Seize the opportunity. Open up to possibilities. I know it sounds cliche, but take the time to find yourself and find people.

The number one thing I would tell myself is that high school is easy. College is hard. Just becasue I didn't have to try in when I was a senior doesn't mean I can act the same in college. I would also tell myself to have fun. After my first semester in college I realized that I have not had much of a social life. I stay in my room watching T.V. all night. I need to get out and have some fun with my friends or at least spend my T.V. watching time studying. College is an adventure, don't spend all your time in your room becasue you're scared!

I recommend paying close attention to how helpful the staff is during the application process. If this process is difficult and unclear, that is a good indicator of your future years at the university. If they have to transfer you to a million different departments to answer your questions, get ready because you're going to be doing the run-around routine for the next four (or five haha) years. Also, don't be afraid to consider one college over another based on climate. If you hate the rain, do not go to a school in Seattle. You will be in a bad mood all the time. Who wants to be in a bad mood in college? One of the most helpful things I did in my search for my first university was look through a course catalog. This is a good indicator of what you will be learning. Lastly, check out their career statistics and feed-in's to graduate programs. If it is not a highly respected school among professionals, there is probably a reason for that and you should stay away (no matter how much fun you had at the frat party on your college visit).

When you are searching for a college, seek one that emphasizes building relationships with instructors and hands-on expirience at least as much as studying from the textbooks. A good working relationship with the professors of your college will help imensly in searching for a position after graduation and also for research and expirience as an undergraduate. Building relationships will do no good, however, if time is not taken to learn the necessary skills to make a carreer out of your degree. Be sure to keep up in your coursework and activly think and participate in learning, don't just soak up knowledge to be spit out on a test and forgotten. To do both of these well, you have to manage your time very carefully. Make yourself a study schedule for each semester and stick to it! I can't emphasize enough how hard it can be to say no to whatever it is that you'd rather do than study at times; if you don't have a schedule you can get buried in a pile of homework in a hurry. And have fun! Keep up a hobby or two if you can.

Parents, let your child decide. Don't make your child go to your alma mater becuase it worked for you. Students, look at a few different colleges, make a smart, well-informed decision. Apply to more than one school. Talk to students on campus (not just the admissions counselors and student guides) and see what they think about the school. Your tour guide is specially picked because he/she loves the school. But it's the students around campus that you want to ask because they have pros and cons for you.

Make sure that your child has fully considered all his/her choices; but, also make sure that you are allowing him/her to find the college and path in life that is best for him or her. When he/she makes their decision, support them and encourage them, but don't be overbearing. Girls may like to talk with their parents, but a boy often wants to become more independent. In the end, just make sure you love them, and things will work for the best.

Families need to consider the amount of money that is going to be required and the best place for the student to thrive. There has to be confidance and comfort within the student to be successful. Make sure and visit the campus of your choice before finishing all the paper work.

Pick the school that is best for the individual not the pocket book.

Definitely start looking early. Sophmore year of high school open up discussions with Admissions counselors. Try to begin campus visits by your Junior year. Some schools offer more scholarship money if you apply as a Junior, since it implies a commitment.