Wingate University Top Questions

Although I was a highly motivated, academically excellent, and community involved high school student, I was also naive regarding college credit courses offered by my school district. Beginning with my freshman year, I could have enrolled in PSO, Post Secondary Option, classes through The University of Akron and accumulated electives toward my desired degree. Instead, I chose to pursue all mathematics and science Advanced Placement offerings, which enhanced my GPA but did nothing to lessen my college costs or work load. Since I have been admitted to Wingate University's School of Pharmacy, a six year program, both would have been helpful. Therefore, if I could return to high school with my newly acquired knowledge, I would proceed with PSO classes to complete my English and humanities degree requirements.

Transiting into college can be the worst or best time of your life, depending on how you feel about it. Upperclassman college students plant horrible images of freshman year into young minds but really, freshman year is the most important and unforgettable time in becoming acquainted with your school. First off, stop worrying about making new friends; everyone is in the same position as you, do not forget that! When you finally make your first friends, those friendships are for life. Some friendships and that old flame from high school will end, but it?s OK., those new friends will be right there with you. Second, get involved! Rather it is clubs, campus jobs, or greek life, getting involved is a great way to meet people and become associated in the community. However, do not forget about your schoolwork; it comes first! College isn?t high school; you actually have to study and you can?t procrastinate! Do anything to get organized; buy a planner and set goals such as the President?s list. The most important advice though is not to get overwhelmed. Everything will happen so fast at first but it calms down, trust me.

When I found out my senior year that i had gotten into college, I started to slack off on my school work. I passed all of my classes that i had but i did not pass my Advanced Placement tests. If I could go back I would tell myself to keep up with my studies. High school is not over until you walk across that stage and receive you diploma. Do not give up and the work will pay off in college.

That i should have moved away from home sooner. My senior year i didnt know what i wanted to do for a career and i didn't even know where i wanted to go to college yet. I wish i could go back in time and tell myself to move down to NC sooner. The opportunities down here are endless for work in the field that i want to get into. I could have also prepared myself for the life of being alone and not being able to see my family but twice a year, a week for christmas and a week in the summer. That gets tough with a 7 year old sister and i wish i could have transitioned better with that.

As a senior in high school, I would tell myself to find what you want to do in life. Instead of working hard for something your parents and family may have wanted for you to do all through college, decide on your own what your hobbies are. Working hard when you frist arrive at college to further your future will provide you with a sense of confidence in that you can do anything you want. As a senior, I felt that I could just get by with my classes until graduation in May. In college though, it is difficult to just "get by." You have to work hard, especially going to a small private school. With a one-on-one professor-student relationship, take advantage of it. It is their job to provide you an education and further your future so don't rely on making average in college. Stive for excellence.

Don't get to caught up in the party scene. Know what you want out of your life before you go to college. If you make a mistake dont be afraid to admit you did and need help. Tutoring is offered so that you can succeed and you need to take advantage of it. know that the party life is not all that it seems to be, school should always come first no matter what the situation may be. Also know that mom and dad arent around to help clean up after all of your mistakes, life and your first year in college will be hard and you need to start preparing for it.

Be open to starting something new. All the imagining and role playing in the world is not going to prepare you for the changes both externally and internally you're going to go through once you start college. Don't be afraid to ask for help, everyone around you is dealing with it too even though they all act tough. Find an outlet that isn't alchohal. It's not a solution, it simply is adding another step to the problem once you do decide to solve it. Remember to love yourself and the woman you will become over the next four years.

I would suggest that they look at school size as being more than a social life factor. Size of the school tells a lot about the type of one on one help the student can get, the type of relationships with professors, and the amount the administration will care about the needs of the student. The trend might be to go to a big school so you have lots of chances to fit in but I believe the small school where student are not overwhelmed and see each other around campus helps students find their niche. Also, I would put more wieght on the proximity of the school to home. I did not think I wanted to be close and it turned out that I loved it. Dropping in and spending time with my family is more important to me than ever before. As for the college experience I think students have to make a true effort to step out of their comfort zones, especailly when arriving at school. Everyone is nervous and reaching out to make friends only strengthens the school community.

The little things matter too....dont overlook anything because choosing the right college is important :-)

Look at the campus life and make sure the college of your choice has all of the classes for your major.