Andrews University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

jeniffer

Take time to apply for scholarships as early as they could because college is not cheap. Get mentally ready because its not easy to go to a new state or city and not knowing anyone. Being alone is not easy as well because you have to get use to trying to meet new people and making friends. Prepare their mind to be independence because it's hard to be away from the ones you love and be prepare to get therepy for not feel so lonely. In college you choose your friend and make your own decision, high school life is very easy but when we are in it we think is dificult not knowing what is college life. Those who are in their high school senior year let me tell you something be prepare to be on your own where you will learn to apreciate your parents, those people who allways buging you to prepare be somebody because that's when you need mental and emotional support. You may think high school is hard but it is not compared to college life. Staying long hours finishing work and studying. Working to buy books and supplys for your self.

Lawrence

One of the first things I would tell my high school self is to try to stop stressing about school. Worry is good to have to some extent but when it interfers with sleep and relationships with friends something is wrong. Another tip I would give my high school self is to make time to apply for scholarships. There are thousands of scholarships available to help with the cost of higher education. They may take time to find, which is why many give up after applying for 2 or 3 of them. However if one does create time to only sit down and search for scholarships, they can find some that they believe they may have a chance at receiving. Lastly, I would tell my high school self to get more sleep. Many high school and college students get maybe 5 hours of sleep but they really need about 7-8 hours. Sleep helps repair ones body, physically and mentally, it also help with retaining memory of material studied and is a great way to destress. If my high school self took all of my advice, who knows how he would be.

Bailey

If I were able to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to not stress about the little stuff and take the time to enjoy college, it only comes around once so make the best of it. Take the time to make as many friends as you can and talk to everyone you can to gain life experiences and memories because you aren't going to remember those nights you stayed awake stressing over a test that you aced the next day, you're going to remember the times you laughed with friends or met someone who changed your life forever. Take chances, do something spontaneous, and have no regrets.

Amy

Don't worry about not making friends right away. The good ones take time to come and the first friends you make won't necessarily be the best ones. Keep a balance of school and social life. Don't forget to take time for people; school is priority, but don't let that take over your whole life and interfere with making friends and caring for others. Take time to talk to your roomate; don't neglect that relationship. Learn to be honest and open with your friends, always communicating to them how you feel. It's not just important to have a healthy academic life, but healthy friendships as well. College is not just a place for learning information, but life skills as well.

Leslie

If I could go back to my high school self, I would tell myself to look more at state schools and consider community college. I had to take this semester off becasue my father died and my mother and step-father are getting divorced, and my mom couldn't afford my tuition. I realize now that if i had looked at a state school the tuition would have been lower, and a community college is a great deal. Also I would tell myself that Instead of trying to take as many AP classes as possible, to instead perhaps stay in regular classes and do well in them, instead of being mediocre in AP classes. I think the most important thing that I would tell myself, is to just relax and not stress out over college. Not to feel like I have to get into a certain school, or that I have to be in every AP class and club or else I won't get into college. I would tell myself to truly believe in myself and trust in my own abilities and not doubt myself.

Elizabeth

To be better prepared for college and to manage my time more wisely. To not procrastinate when it comes to finishing homework or meeting deadlines. To make each day the best I can for learning and paying better attention. Work as hard as I can to receive the best grade that I can. To not look at my senior year as my last high school year, but the beginning of a new start moving on to college.

Esther

Play hard, but work even harder.

Belinda

Appreciate the classes now and take them seriously. You do not need a boyfriend to be fulfilled, focus on your work. Strive higher and apply for scholarships. Don't forget you friends and teachers, be thankful for them. You are not alone and all things are possible with God.

Briana

Don't follow your friends to Andrews. Go to Art School. Move to the city. Be your own person and stay away from that black hole. Living off-campus is going to make you isolated. Making new friends after your HS friends bail is going to be close to impossible. They don't take volleyball seriously there. The art department isn't the one you're looking for and it is going to rob you of your soul. But if you must go there, pick a club and participate. Become friends with the kids in your major. Be open to new experiences and new people and don't let the weather or critiques get you down. Don't skip class and do whatever ridiculous busiwork is given to you. Go on every trip you can, even if you cant afford it. Also, get some really nice snow boots.

Anna

As college approaches work as hard as you can! Don't feel like you can relax becuase it is your last year, fight to the finish. With only one year left, learn all you can while you still can under an education system that is free. Education is expensive, it is invaluable. Treasure it, and learn as much as you can while you can becuase next year you will have to pay for your education. Focus on your school work, work hard, and you will be able to achieve the impossible.

Yvonne

Younger Yvonne, I hope you are getting this in good health. I know you're stressing out right now because of college acceptance, but I'm here to let you know that things will work out and you'll love where you end up. However, there are a few things I must tell you. When you get to college, things are going to be exciting and new and you'll love it right off the bat. But then you'll get overwhelmed with work and activities, along with personal issues. When you get to this point, try to relax. Take things one at a time. I know you feel like you need to get everything done now, but you don't. Pace yourself. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to people. Don't let the possible thoughts of others discourage you, because they won't matter in the long run and it'll save you a lot of stress. Lastly, value the people around you and be a shoulder for them, but don't try to carry their burdens. Your own mental and emotional state is important too. You're amazing; remember that. Knock 'em dead.

Sarah

If I could go back to high school, I would read more books and write more essays. Nothing has been more valuable to me than the books I have read and papers I have written, even in high school. I wish I had read Kierkegaard and Kant and spent time learning more about European history and the Englightenment. In my field (Anthropology and Religion) knowing about 18th-20th century Europe is extremely important and I didn't learn a lot about that in high school.

Timothy

The number one thing that a freshman should understand is that they are there for school. Even though school can be filled with many things that make it a fun place to be (friends, extracurricular, teams, ministries, etc) they should remember not to let their grades slip away from them. This is especially difficult to remember in the first year, when almost everything seems to be more fun than studying. It would be useful for a freshman to not make mistakes that affect them and their GPAs negatively in the future.

Shelby

Choose a less expensive school. Apply for scholarships, the government will not give you any help because even though you pay for everything and are basically independant (except for health insurance), they base your aid need off of your parents income, and your parents arent paying for anything. Two jobs for the summer and one during school isn't enough to break even, even with all of the private loans. Everything else just gets more and more expensive. And most importantly, NEVER attend a religious college unless it coincides with your beliefs, they will try and try to squash your beliefs out of you and make you conform to what they believe. Apparently, you have no rights by the constitution once you enter their world.

stefany

I am very fortunate to be able to attend college. I have learned many valuable life lessons. I have learned to manage my money. I have learned to cooperate and work with different cultures and backgrounds. I have learned that time is a precious jewel that cannot be wasted. I have learned that even when you try your hardest, it might not always be enough, but you can find comfort in knowing that you did your best. I have learned that being far away from home will bring many sleepless nights and sad days, but that every thing will be worth it in the end. I have learned to think on my feet and find my own solutions to my own problems, because at the end of the day i'm on my own here. I have learned to surrender all to God; He is the only One who knows what is best for me. I have discovered the value of attending college through the littlest things and I hope to be able to continue studying with the help of scholarships and loans. :)

Wen-Ting

"Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!" is the onomatopoeia I'll use to describe my near-finishing undergraduate years and I'm looking forward to graduate school too! It's been an emotional and academic rollercoaster for me. Prior to my college years, I've always felt confident academically and it never fazed me. However, in college, you realize that there is no more time-out or recesses to slow things down because the next level is the real outside world that you've been preparing for. I had enrolled with two majors (my passions)- as an Music Performance major and a Pre-med student with the initial thought of being in the medical field. However, these two areas are intense in the studying, the labwork, the practicing, and the performing. Juggling these two was a big mountain for me and I had to also work to help pay off college. Through praying, disappointments, revelations, and decision-making- I finally realized what I really wanted to do. With these experiences, I realized that life is not a test just to get a hundred percent. Experiencing the disappointments, the joys, and the waiting helps us know what we can do to change our world, and others.

Ada

My college experience so far has been a bit challenging, but I have learned techniques to improve my learning ability. Starting classes with strange people was quite difficult for me because of my shyness when interacting with other students. In college I have seen that studying is taken very seriously and the students are dedicated to achieve their goal in the chosen career. One reason why it has been valuable to attend Andrews University is that it emphasizes the religion of an Adventist. Attending college has helped me organize my life in making time for homework, practicing violin, excercising, and participating in extracurricular activities. The people that I met in college motivated me in doing what I like and what I was good at. My first week of college I thought I wanted to become a Social Worker, but after only three weeks I realized that it was not the career for me. After meeting students in different careers I realized I wanted to become a business major. It has been valuable to attend because I know I have a bright future ahead of me and that motivates me to continue studying in college.

Leandro

As a religious, Seventh Day Adventist, student I have the priviledge to attend a University where God is the main focus of everything. I love how I don't have to "hide" my cristianity where ever i go on campus and i can actually share my happiness and grateness with the ones around me. Its a comfortable and relaxed feeling. There are things that may distract you in keep your faith strong but its very less to none unlike other non christian schools out there where you are bombarded with parties, drugs, sex, and evrything else. I am very grateful for what Andrews University has done for us students and am hoping to attend there my six years and leave with my Physical Therapy Doctorates Diploma.

Martha

My college experience is a life changing experience. Ten years of trying to get started in furthering my education I finally did it. I have never been a person into school or get good grades, but for some reason I love school. Attending college made me realize I am smarter than I ever gave myself credit for. I have a better self esteem. Attending college is valuable to me because I want to provide a better life for my three kids. Three years ago, I lost my house, car, and everything else I owned. I knew I had to do something with my life, nothing would stand in my way. The past ten years I had to stress over where the next meal would come from. The look on my kids faces when they would ask for a toy, I would have to say no, it broke my heart. I'm going to school to become a medical assistant. When I put my scrubs on every day I know I'm doing something right. My kids are so proud of me and they look up to me. Going to college is valuable to me because my kids depend on me.

Khadejia

I belive that I gained independance and a greater appreciation for the value of hard work. I understand now that although college is a time to discover who you want to be and have fun, its also a good time to establish good habits and become the person that will be able to survive in the world. I gained an understanding of the value of time management and why I have to be the one to drive myself on to succeed becasue inevitably it will be either my failure or success, and I will have no one to blame but myself if I fail to reach my goals. I belive that college truely made me understand that being an adult may not always be fun but there are just sometings in life that are have to be done even though I may not enjoy them.

Gabriel

College for me has been an eye opener. I have really come to terms that by me attending college I am investing for my future. You are not learning anymore because you have to, or you are being forced, you are there because you want to succeed in life and be successful. That is why you must take advantage of all the resources that the University offers. Take advantage of every class, learn as much as possible, and read as much as well. The world is pretty scary if you think about it. There is a lot of competitveness out there and that is why by me attending college, I am improving my chances of success. In my 3 years of college, I feel I have become smarter, wiser, and the need to learn more especially when it comes to my major. My major is my career so I must learn everything I can to become great at what I do. In conclusion, my college experience has been great and has been useful for my life, not only for educational purposes, but for growing up purposes as well. I feel more mature and ready to take on the real world.

Raquel

I have learned how to appreciate what I often took for granted. Waking up to the smell of frijoles in the morning, the radio tuned to its highest volume while the says of sunlight shower through the curtains was something close to me. Now that I am more than 2500 miles away from home, it becomes very easy to appreciate what I once had. This same experience, however, has shown me how imperative it is to actually get out of the home, and try to fly on my own. Attending college has taught me how to take responsibility for my actions, acknoledging that whatever I do, befalls on my own person, no longer my parents. This sense of responsibility has allowed me to grow as an individual into someone who desires to perservere. If I would have stayed home, I would not appreciate my family, I would not have become a more independent woman, and I would not push harder to ensure success.

Paul

College changes you, whether or not you want it too. Living away from home, you learn so much about yourself, and what you want out of life. It matures the way you think, allowing you to take a serious look at who you truly are what you want out of life. College has given me freedom for the first time in my life from parents, to think for myself and to take direct responsibility for my actions. All in all, it has given me everything I could ever ask for! It has taught me that cramming never works, it has given me life long friends, it has taught me that sleep and food are two of the greatest things in life, it has shown me how fortunate I am to be able to study what I want to study, where I want to study. There is nothing more I could ask for out of Andrews University. It will only continue to provide greater things for my life.

Derrick

I would tell myself to pay closer attention to my school work. Once you get to college it's a whole new life out there and when you are starting to make the life changes that happen at college you need to have a great sense of time managment and study habbits. It's easy to get lost in social aspect of college with making new friends and doing new things. If you really focus on your school work and aim to get good grades in High School then when it comes to college life it will be easier to balance, also with better grades and higer GPA you will qualify for more scholarships which will be very benefical. Also, be very open to learning about careers that you want to pursue in college. Make sure you take the time to learn about other college's/univeristy's and what they might have to offer. Last but not least don't lessen any standards and take your stand, create yourself and don't change yourself for anyone!

Danika

I would tell myself to not stress so much. College IS a huge change. I'd never lived away from home before,a nd I am really close to my family. There are things that are hard about college. School can be tough, friends can be tough, guys can be tough. But I would have told myself to not worry, to know that I would be fine! There are so many good people in the world, you just have to be open to others. I brought way to much stuff to college! I'd tell myself to only take the bare necessities, because things would accumulate over time. I would give myself a pat on the back for getting my schoolbooks used online - campus bookstores are VERY overpriced. I'd tell myself to bring a bike, it's a lot easier to get around with. And if possible talk mom and dad into a car. Most of all I'd tell myself to really enjoy the last few weeks of high school and to bring that same excitement and joy to college. It's a big, crazy, exciting world out there. Don't be afriad to jump in.

Megan

Ok from my personal experience: first of all you have to know yourself. There are two kinds of people generally Intellectuals and Practicals. Intelectuals have a hard time fitting in & have a passion: science, tecnoogy, computers, drama, literature. They do not always get the best grades! They are the geeks and nerds. For them I say don't worry if you failed a class. You aced the classes that are part of your passion. These abstract people don't think the same way and do not follow conventional 'how to 'methods of learning: taking notes ect. For the practicals I say pay attention in class. There are more practicals than intellectuals. Concered about concrete events around them they are easily distracted! They care more about social graces. They have to follow "how to get good grades" instruction. If they can learn to be disciplined enought to focuss on work for school & then socialize they will be ok in college. College work is not in my opinion harder than the high school. It is all the extra distractions and resposiblities that kill the freshmen. To be prepared for college I suggest highschoolers learn resposiblity by getting a job.

Tiffany

Do not hang on to the illusion of control; life is in constant upheaval. When everything seems to be falling apart, it is more likely that you are overreacting. Many people's lives are completely broken and there are those who will never attend college. Drama is frequently self-created. When you think your life is horrible, take a deep breath and start making lists of to-do items, to-buy items, and blessings. Do the best you can do while maintaining a healthy balance of work, play, and nutrition. Maintain good grades, but remember that success is not determined by a 4.0 GPA. Care about your friends' news, talk to them before they talk to you, visit them by surprise. Participate in school events - make yourself a people person. Get outside whenever the sun shines and get your Vitamin D. Finally, volunteer and be active in society. The things you do will not only look good on your resume and make scholarships more accessible, but also give you a purpose. Ultimately, a life lived merely for personal success is boring and meaningless. Find value in those around you and be patient and loving. Most of all: breath.

Sabrina

To myself, I would say study harder and decide what you want. I have found in college that semesters will sometimes become extremely difficult without warning. I have finally found my groove, but if i could have warned myself about the difficulty, i would have.

Samuel

The advice i would give myself would be several things. The first being to save , save, save! If i had known how expensive college life would be i would have started saving from when i started kindergarten school. The second thing i would of adviced myself is to make sure my mathematical skills were high and that i wasnt lagging behind in anything, as in college there is a lot of math involved. My thrid piece of advice would be to esnure i knew what career path i wanted to take and have my mind set and made before enrolling. And my last piece of advice would be to ensure that i am well prepared for the course load and the tight scehdules i would have to follow.

Kendra

Stay focused , make good grades your first year and get involved on campus. Also make new friends.

Joon

I would tell myself to try harder and focus a bit more on the things I like to do such as music and tennis. Also, I would tell myself to study more responsibly.

Katherine

There are two main things that I regret from my college experience. First, I wish I had figured out what degree I wanted from school before I went there. Doing more research and being more active in my plans for college would have saved me a lot of headache and money. In retrospect, I realize that assuming I would figure things out as I went was not the best idea. Having a plan would have made the past few years a lot easier. Also, I would advise a new college student to get involved as much as possible. Meet people and do things the first few years of school. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I now realize that I missed out on a lot of opportunities and learning experiences because I didn't take enough chances. It doesn't have to be anything huge, just go to that party even though you don't really know anyone there. Try out for that club team or run for an office if that is what you want. In a few words, my advice is to take control of your life instead of just letting life happen.

hyejin

try everything!

Ashley

To find the right college make sure you visit the campus during the school year to get a feel for campus life. Meet with the chair in your field of interest to give you an overview of what they have to offer. Discovering what the college has to offer and comparing them with your wants and needs can be very helpful. Once you find the college that you believe is right for you, make sure you make the most of it. Get out and do as much as you can, approaching everything with an open mind. Staying active physically, mentally, and socially leads to a well-balanced college experience. Take in everything around you, meeting new people, and expanding your knowledge and skills. By remaining active and simply enjoying life you are bound to graduate as a changed person with a new outlook on life, and no regrets.

Sarah

If the people on campus are happy that's the most important thing. Make sure you are getting the type of education in the classroom you want. The best way to do this is to visit campus with your parent but stay on campus by yourself and hopefully get a student to take you along to class. Study and make friends, college is not a vacation. It is just a different type of challenging from high school. Most importantly, your high school GPA means nothing after you are in college whether it was good or bad.

Phillip

Andrews University isn't the right place for everyone. Some people like big classes and more freedom. Other people like smaller classes, more hands on experiences and one on one time with teachers. The later is what you will get here at Andrews. No matter where you go, you will find what you want, you just have to look and try hard enough to make it happen.

Arthur

Get all the information you can and vist the school before making a choice.

jordan

do whatever feels right to you. If you are a spiritual person, it would be a good idea to to pray about your decision. It is also a good idea to make sure that your family has an imput in your choice. Make your sure your choice is not a problem with any member of your family otherwise it will be difficult to keep your family happy.

Stephanie

Always talk to the students when you can get them alone. At my school the administration will say anything to get a student to start going there, but they don't care anything about the students attending there.

Karen

I would advise students and parents to select the school that best reflects their values and morals rather than just focusing on academic and social life. Most schools will offer very competitive academic programs and settings will vary throughout the United States, but ultimately the school one chooses will directly impact their choices and path for the rest of their lives. Regardless which school or program you end up choosing, you get what you put into it. Don't expect professors and administrators to offer you a degree and the best job placement on a silver platter. Work hard and earn it. My college experience is particularly memorable because I made it a point to be well-rounded academically (take classes that aren't part of your core requirements i.e. photography, macroeconomics, astronomy, anthropology), socially (don't just stick to one circle, get to know as many people as you can), and spiritually (get involved in community outreach). Also, if there are opportunities to see the world and travel for academic credit, take it! The world is your textbook--you'll gain and learn more from experiecing other cultures than just sitting in a classroom. Your choice is yours!

Jay

Your attitude is what really makes college a place where you want to be.

Lauren

I would encourage parents to let their children make their own decision about college choices, even if that means that there may be some limited stipulations involved that may limit school choices. But giving a child that choice really may have a great effect on their performance. In addition students need to be aware of scholarships ahead of time as well as an idea as to where they want to go and why. They should visit these schools with their parents in order to have the best idea of what the school will provide and if the school is a place they would be interested in going. Students need to make the best of their college experience by balancing school work and social life. Both are very important to their future. Get involved and take the opportunities available, but be aware of the main reasong for attendance, which is to receive a good education.

Deborah

Take your time but also, remember that every semester counts. Time flies by, so study hard to make the grade. Also Never forget to enjoy it, and TRAVEL !!

Daniel

When selecting a place of study for your future career, there should be lots of careful considerations made. What do you want to study, what are the teachers like, what classes are offered, or how long will it take me to do this? All those are good questions to find answers to before making a final selection. Some schools may offer specializations or certificates in things you may be interested and taking those could help you broaden your skillset or just beef up your resume. For me, I was attracted to a few different schools before I had to make a final choice. Since me being an Engineering and Computer Science major wannabe, I wanted to go to a good school known for their engineering or computer science programs. I wanted to become a professional in Computer Security. In the end, I chose Andrews University because they impressed me with program and also because they are a Seventh Day Adventist school, of which church I belong to. For some of us, faith also must be considered when selecting a school. Sure a public school would have been cheaper, but Andrews , for me was worth it in many ways.

Robin

I believe the best advice is to look for a college of diversity of good undergraduate programs. When you see diversity in a college, you see that many students came from all over the world, not just from the United States. Diversity also means that it is top-rated among the best colleges in the United States. When you see good undergraduate programs, you see that many students will be attracted to them. Whether it is pre-Med, Architecture, or Engineering, students look for the best college with the best undergraduate programs.

Brandon

The advice that i would give is to pick a school that you enjoy. College can be one of the best times of your life so make sure that you apply to colleges that are compatable with your personality and lifestyle. Secondly, choose a college that you can can afford. Compare tuition costs and scholarship opportunities. Finally, look at the school's reputation and how it is viewed by employers. The main reason to go to college is to get a good job afterwards, so make sure that your diploma means something at the end of your educational carreer.

Ettinas

In finding the right college, it should never be about money. Someone shouldn't just go to a school because they got a full-ride or because that's where the most financial aid is given. I've learned the hard way that college is not just about where your wallet is comfortable. It should be about the student and what is best for that student; a place that will help shape the morals of the student and help them to a bright and successful future. Because the student will be at this college for 4 years, it should be a comfortable place for the student; a home away from home. Of course the college should offer the student's major and other academic criteria; however, people and the environment influence people in more ways than one might think. It is important that the student is in an environment where people thirst for knowledge and success; a place where the people will be there for you at your lowest points. I would strongly advise students to pray that they find the right college because God knows best, and also have faith that God will direct you to the right college.

alyssia

chose the college that best suits you. and because your parents or friends going there. you chose that college because you like it and it best suits you. and also because you like it and programs they offer is it best for you

Bethani

Start looking for financial aid early. Especially in relation to the student's intended program of study. Students and parents are always told there are millions of fantastic scholarships out there, but that's rarely the case. Paying for college is HARD. But the student also needs to be in an environment conducive to their studies, and they need to enjoy it. I'm going to be in massive debt, but I LOVE my majors, and my professors are wonderful. They don't treat me like a student; they treat me with respect, and it's very easy to communicate. It's like talking to a friend; I'm not afraid to talk to them, and they are always willing to help, whether with an academic issue, or a personal one.

Brian

Make sure your chosen department is current and has industry or grad school connections