Taylor University Top Questions

If I could tell my high school self anything, it would be to savor high school, but be ready to make changes in college. I remember how eager I was to graduate as I neared the end of my senior year, but after that actually happened, I was terrified. I was so scared of the unknown that college would bring me. Looking back, I realize how foolish all those feelings were. I can honestly say that Taylor University is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have made friendships that I know will last a life time and I have grown in my faith and academics. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me and high school self, you should be beyond excited.

Don't be afraid to be yourself. You'll end up spending too much time trying to maintain a false image and miss out on some really great friendships. Get involved in the things you're interested in and don't wait until you feel like you've established yourself. There are a lot of really good experiences to be had in campus clubs and they aren't as lame as the ones in high school. Don't let anyone make you feel stupid for taking a while to pick a major. You will graduate on time, so don't just pick something to please everyone, you'll figure it out. Studying abroad is really hard, but entirely worth it.

If I were given this opportunity, I would have to tell myself many things. First of all, I would tell myself to make sure I have good relationships with the teachers that I am leaving in high school and the professors that I will be meeting when I come into Taylor University. Along with getting to know my professors, I would tell myself to make sure my efforts are at their highest when I start out in some of the classes that are required for the first semester of my freshman year. These classes can be used to start with a higher GPA which will make college a lot less stressful. Lastly, I would tell myself to get to know the upperclassmen that I live around, and that have the same major as me. This will allow me to ask questions when it comes to scheduling and the best ways to study for certain classes. If I knew these three tips going into college, I would have had an even greater time than I have had already.

My advice for myself as a senior in highschool would be to remember that there is more to life than school. Throughout highschool studying was my life because I really enjoy it. Through college I have begun to see the importance of developing friendships with classmates. There is so much one can learn from those around one if you reach out and start the conversation. Being shy isn't an excuse. Chances are some of the people surrounding you are shy as well. Being willing to step out of your confort zone is really important to developing the ability to take advantage of the many oppurtunities that present themselves at college.

My senior year was spent working hard to obtain the money I needed to attend Taylor. Though I received enough, I would tell myself to work harder and save more for the following years. In other regards, I would tell myself to think outside the box and make my own discoveries instead of just being a parrot, listening to information in class and simply repeating it on a test. College is much more than that. Genuine learning is analizing information presented to you and investigating that information yourself. I would also encourage myself to further develop the arts of self-discipline and responsibility. Doing projects the night before they're due may work in high school, but not in college. Time managment, self-discipline, and being responsible for oneself and one's actions are principals that may have faded in popularity long ago, but their importance will never fade. Success in college is dependent upon these skills. I would tell myself to have fun, but also warn me about the social issues that can so easily lead to procrastination and distraction from acheiving my goals. Hard work, discipline, learning, and focus are the things I'd advice myself to develop.

I would tell myself to work harder to save money for college. Taylor University, especially, is not cheap, and having some money set aside would make a huge difference. In conjunction with that, educate yourself as much as you can about the financial aid process, ask a lot of questions, and act upon opportunities quickly. Also, as you get to know those you are living with, be open with them, they will be your friends for life. They are caring and supportive, nothing worth worrying about. Living on campus definitely plays a huge role in getting adjusted, as well as getting involved in various activities. These are a couple of the best ways to get acclimated to college life.

Don't freak out. All throughout your senior year, and especially around graduation everybody will make a huge deal about how you are leaving home, forever, and will now make a new life for yourself. Though all this is true I feel adults make too big of a deal of leaving home and beginning college. As a high-school graduate I felt that my life would never be the same, that the whole big world was in front of me and I had to fight my way though it. The truth of the matter was, I went off to college, had more responsibility, more work, less sleep and more adventures. But I was still the same person, I still enjoyed the same things, home was still the same and I did not become lost in the big huge world. College is a huge step in life but not nearly as big as I feel most high-school students think. My advice would be to, be prepared for the extra responsibility but know that you will be fine and, most importantly, enjoy the adventure that awaits you.

In high school, I was a slacker. I failed my freshman year and had to retake it. At the end of my sophomore year and 3 years of high school I knew I was ready to move on. I crammed in junior and senior classes into my 4th year to get enough credits to move onto collage. Collage was the push I needed to go in the right direction. It gave me a goal, and now I know what I want to do with my life. I want to be a Math teacher and go on from community college to study at Rutgers. Not only did the teachers motivate me, but the social environment has been encouraging as well. There are people here that understand my hardships and that are finding themselves too. I’m very fortunate to have this experience to learn and be successful.

I have learned a lot since I set foot on Taylor's campus. I arrived, excited and in awe of the fact that I was here. I was thrilled, but I was also scared. For the first time, I was away from my family for a long time: a twelve-hour drive away. All I had was a Tracfone and the Internet to communicate with them. For the first time in my life, I was on my own; for the first time in my life, I was not sure of myself. I knew I was here because Professor Hensley liked my writing, but I lost a lot of confidence in my ability to write -- among others. It was scary. Living twelve hours away from home prevented me from running away. I had to face my fears, face the challenge of college, independence, and writing for someone other than myself. Facing these fears was the only way I could overcome them. Coming to Taylor forced me to face them. Since that first day, stepping on campus and feeling my confidence sink to my feet, I've become a better writer, I've learned a lot, and I've grown much stronger.

When I started college, I met so many people. I learned everyone's name and memorized all the faces, but I had a very difficult time getting past the surface. I didn't know how. About half way through the school year, I figured out why. I didn't know myself. Because of this past year of college, I improved myself in a few different ways. I not only made myself a better person by gaining more knowlege, but I was able to learn about myself. Because of this, I've been able to dig past the surface. I have those special friends that will help me through the next three years to help me push to do my best at everything I try and to make it through my goals for a brighter future.