Westmont College Top Questions

From the examples set by the faculty and staff, and through some hard mistakes of my own, I've learned to put away childish behavior and begin to focus on the kind of "man" I want to become. I feel pretty proud of the character I have been developing this year at Westmont--a character of discipline, honesty, integrity and determination. An injury in December benched me from the school's baseball team for quite a while, and the hours of sitting have allowed me to build patience and refocus priorities. Additionally, through classes such as economics, pyschology and international politics, I am developming a larger world view the reaches far beyond my own, little community. In fact, I now plan to pursue a career in political economics, possibly securing an internship next year in Washington D. C. It has been a frenzied six months of growth.

As a high school student, I had many priorities, but preparing for college was not one of them. As a senior one of the main focuses of the year is graduation, the end of your high school career. By emphasizing graduation however, it makes one?s year as a senior seem less significant to college and more like a year to ?get by.? Focusing on senior year as one to get by leaves little room for preparation for a future of continual studies. If I could go back in time I would make my focus less on graduation and more on preperation for my future studies. In high school another main concern is homework, and turning it in on time. In college however, the main focus is not on completing mundain tasks, but the assesment of information learned through exams. One is not taught how to study in high school, but rather how to complete assignments. Preparation for the future however, comes with the neccessary cognition of many aspects of a subject. If I knew how to study more effectively in high school I would be better prepared for the examinations and hours of studing ahead of me in college.

Kimberly, it is time to focus. You will be entering into college and if you realize now that you were ment to be a Veterinarian, life will be so much easier. If you don't heed my advice or if you lose confidence, you will end up where I am now; attending college full time to finish the prerequisits that I need to enter into vet school, despite my B.S. in Biology, my A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology, and my Certification in Veterinary technology. Just start college as a pre-vet student. You love biology and chemistry and will do well. Learn to be extremely focused so that procrastination won't hinder you from reaching your true potential. And when you reach a challenging course, which you will, ask for help sooner rather than latter. Study the day's lessons that night, not waiting to relearn it before an exam. Your highschool education will not have prepared you for the proper study habbits, consider taking a class in this area. When tough times come and you think you can't make it, pray, and take a nap or dance and then resume with focus. You will succede

The most important thing I could tell past-self is this: "Don't Panic!" As the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy promptly indicates. The biggest mistake that young students make is being stressed over the college-picking decision. Yes, it is a difficult time, but it doesn't have to be any worse than it has to be! I found myself worrying to death over my senior year, about the expense, considering I came from a family that could not support me in the slightest. As well as academic standing, community, majors... There are so many questions to pose, but by far I think the most important part of the decision making process is learning to relax, take a breath, and listen to yourself think about the different colleges you have available to you. Make a list of pro's and con's, go to the schools if you can, or read reviews about them. You want to make an informed decision. In addition, one last thing: Whichever school you choose will be exactly what you make of it. Give the choice your best, then give the school the best you've got.

Stepping out and going away to college means so much more than moving to a different location and getting a degree. Going to college means you lose your comfort zone; it?s gone. You do not have a kitchen stocked full of food that you can go to whenever you are hungry. You have to do your own laundry, and pay for it. You have to clean your room. You have to keep up with your homework and readings. You have to start new friendships. You have to deal with the fact that most of your friendships from high school will slowly fade away. College matures you in ways that you could not ever imagine unless someone warned you. Your relationship with your parents changes in college. Instead of having short blurbs of conversations everyday , you get to communicate with them via telephone or email. And you can?t just walk away from an email or phone call if you have nothing left to say. You soon begin to talk to them as adults, and if you prove to be an adult, you will get respect from them. College is the last step before really facing life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself senior year I would first tell myself to save money. I went into college with only the money got from graduation and was nearly broke after buying books for all my classes. Next I would tell myself to work harder on getting scholarships, academic and athletic. Sports are what helped me get into college, with a little more research and self recruiting I might have been able to play at a NCAA school. I would also tell my past self to study harder fot the SAT and to take it more than two times. Highger Sat means better college opportunities. For the transition into college I would would suggest packing somewhat light because more than likely you will buy more stuff while you are at college. another point I would like to add is practice planning out each day. What some students don know is that waking up and going to sleep at near the same time consistently will help you function better during the day. Lastly, unless you want to gain some extra weight I suggest you develop good eating habbits and learn to stick to those habbits.

My advice would be that no one can define, you can only define yourself. That the community living covenant is based on the idea that people of faith can live and work in a productive educational community while facing the chaallenges of the modern culture. Challenges of faith occure in experiences every day and the application of personal spirituality to these challenges is imperative to develop as a person of faith. In a community of spiritual learners, i believe that i can contribute a moral message and the strength of a person with personal ethics and conviction.

Just wait until college it's going to be the time of your life.

Dear Myself, You need to allow yourself to relax. Don't worry about making friends- if you be yourself, you will attract people who are just as crazy as you are. You will get homesick, but focus on the relationships you are building now, because you will find people to love and who will love you here as well. Failing a test and getting less than an "A" in a course will not kill you, so use that dissapointment to help you learn. Oh, and having teachers that care about more than your grades is rather terrifying, but you will get used to the novelty. There are also times to sleep, and times to stay up all night with good friends just because you can. This transition will be difficult at times, but there is a wonderful time ahead of you that includes deep relationships beyond your wildest hopes as well as a better understanding of youself as you pursue your passions through exciting classes. Sincerely Yours, I

Enjoy where you are--wherever you are. Whether that's being a senior in high school and getting involved (but not too involved) or packing up and getting ready to leave home, enjoy the time that you have to live right now, rather than being consumed by either worrying or being really excited about the future. College is tons of fun (and tons of work), but be present where you are with the people and places and things around you and enjoy. :]