Augustana College Top Questions

My advice would be simply this: be yourself. In college I learned a lot more about myself than I knew in high school, and that is because I chose to be myself and find others that were similar, not to try to fit into a preconcieved mold. By doing this I found great friends that I still consider my best even to this day, and I learned more about what drives me to be who I am, and what my interests are. By being myself I learned of my passion in mathematics, and was able to fan the embers of my interest into a career, doing something that I find interesting and rewarding. Without being myself, I would have simply done what others had wanted me to do and not been happy with my life, unlike I am now.

Never give up; accept failure and use it to fuel an undying passion to push forward. Life will toss you huge curveballs and you can't let it take you out of the game. Stand up and walk it off. Make sure the next go is better than the last.

As a first generation college student, figuring out college was a task for me. The most important piece of advice is to utilize resources in high school like academic counselors or teachers. It's important to think proactively about the future by looking at proseptive univeristies junior year and visit those locations. Before entering college, the summer before begin financial preparations and make a check-list of necessary items to buy or take with. Once on campus, be proactive about getting involved! It's a great way to meet new friends with similar interests and helps you grow as an individual. Try new things! College is all about self-exploration so join new clubs, volunteer and don't just stay in the campus bubble. The first two years, begin to plan your major and keep those grades up! Once you reach junior or senior standing, apply for jobs and internships. to gain hands-on experience and attract employers before you even graduate. Lastly, enjoy it! College truly does go by fast-- so make it memorable!

The advice that I would give to myself would be to develop a system of time management.Things move so fast at the college level and if you don't prioritize your time, you will definately fall behind in your couse work. In addition to time management, seek out help from your professors and tutors when you need it. This is so critical in your success.

Hey 17 year old Amy, Here is the low down for college: be outgoing. Yes, it is hard starting a new school where you don't know many people but you will know them and in order for them to like you, you have to get out of your shell. Get involved in what you want even if your friends aren't interested. You will make friends within the groups, too. Don't be afraid to branch out. There are so many awesome people here and awesome groups that you will make lasting connections with. Let people see the real you the first time they meet you not three months in to sitting next to you in class. One other thing, try to get a decent amount of sleep. Staying up until 3am most nights when you have an 8:30 class is not smart. Naps will not always make you feel better and you complain less when you are well rested. Enjoy your first year. It will be filled with many ups and downs but just stay positive and strong and it will be one of your best years yet. Love, 18 year old Amy

Make sure that you stay true to yourself. There will be times when you might lose hope about the future, but trust me, it turns out just fine. Life will not turn out how you wanted it and when you wanted it to happen; it will be better.

I come from a town where there is a lot of arguing and people not getting along. Here, at Augie, everyone welcomes eachother. The staff are friendly and personal and they don't treat us like we're just another set of students rolling by. There is also the manner of diversity in the students. I have yet to come across a single moment of hatred on this campus. Everyone seems to get along and its refreshing. I have to admit that my outlook on humanity has been dreery in my past years in high school, but Agugie has changed that. I now feel that theres hope for us and our future generations. I couldn't imagine being anything but a Viking.

I have learned to prioritize my life in a new way that I wouldn't have gotten if I did not attend. I also have met new people and made so many connections that will make it easier to enter the work force. Going to Augustana changed my life.

My college experience has opened my eyes to other people's views of things. I've gotten to meet new people that have been or are going through the same things that I have been through. College has made me think in a different way than before and I think that is the sole reason that college is so valuable. It should make people feel as if the world doesn't revolve them and make them more sensitive to other's situations.

In all the time I've attended Augustana College I've gained more friends and memories than I thought I'd ever have. I became involved in the Phi Rho sorority as well as the dance company on campus. Becoming a part of these two organizations were the best decisions I made in my time at Augustana. The Phi Rho sorority has taught me how to be patient and how to work well in very large groups efficiently. It has taught me that sometimes I need to depend on others and not just take on a task alone. Another valuable lesson I've gained is the ability to bounce ideas back and forth from one another and come up with an idea that involves everyone. The dance company taught me to stand back and let others lead and to be respectful of others ideas and creations. Putting on two productions a year in a student run organization is not an easy task but we do it every year. I've gained so much from my experience at Augustana College and I would recommend that anyone go there to gain not only knowledge about life but about yourself as well.

I have learned alot in the short amount of time ive spent at St.Charles Community College ...I see the struggle that people go through to give themselves a better life....It has definetly taught me that working is nothing without a degree...Yes you can make money all day long but...In the end when everyone is moving up and out in your line of work your stuck in a rut. WELL THATS NOT ME! I REFUSE TO BE STUCK ! I cant say i regret the fact that i never really took college serious after high school because i learned alot and all the events leading up to now has made me who i am today... I am trying everyway i know how to complete my journey to become a nurse to help people..The main reasons i want to finish school is i want my parents to see that they did raise me right and i especially want to make my dad proud ....

My college experience has taught me that it is important to expose myself to many different academic disciplines in order to reach my potential as a world citizen and as an active participant in my community. Before college, I had always assumed that as an undergraduate student. I would mainly pursue the sciences as my chosen career path. At Augustana College, I quickly came to understand that such a narrow focus would rob me of a true enjoyment of life, restrict my ability to understand and work with other people, and generally prevent me from fulfilling my potential as a valuable human being. College has also taught me how to be more sociable and how to work better with other people. I have met many wonderful people in my time at college, for whom I am very grateful. College taught me to appreciate my interactions with these people. In short, college has been valuable for me because it has defined my place in the world and taught me how to function more effectively with other people.

I have gotten a higher education and a better understanding of how children learn and function. College has been valuable for me to attend becuase it has giving me a better undertanding into the ways children think and devlope. Aslo college has taught me that I need to buckle down and put my education first before play. I have learned that college is like having a job that you love if you do not give 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} then you will not enjoy college or your job and you will not make it through college if you do not try your best at every thing you do.

In college, I was involved with Augustana's Dance Marathon for the University of Iowa Children's hospital. I am also a volunteer with the Child Abuse Council of the Quad Cities, Colleges Against Cancer, and ROCKASTANA mentoring of Rock Island High School students. I will also be taking a medical missionary trip to Nicaragua in the Summer of 2010 to provide my medical experience to those who do not have access to medical care. I am a member of the Phi Rho Sorority and have served as multiple chairs. I am the current Vice President of the Augustana Sports Medicine Club and most recently was awarded Athletic Trainer of the Year. I am also on the Augustana Greek Council Executive board and oversee all of the community activity and service done by all of the fraternity and sorority members on campus. My dream is to become a Physical therapist and help those who have become injured regain their strength and ability. It is my goal to become a physical therapist so that I can aid in the rehabilitation process of individuals and help them to to attain health through mind, body and spirit.

I have learned so much about myself that I know would not have learned if I had attended a different school. I have became a very strong leader and student while at Augie. I have made great relationships with all of my proffesors and my clinical experience while attending this school has been incredible. I know that the friends I have met while at this school will remain with me forever. I could not imagine going to any other school.

I have gotten strength, confindence and the knowledge to know that at I desurve more. College is a valueble time in your life, it teaches you who you are, and hints toward what you can be. I believe my college had taught me that I can make my world, my community better. It is my responsiblity to do whatever I can to contribute. I came into college as a student, and I left college still hungry for knowledge. It is not an end, but a beginning to a life that I chose to lead. The skills that you gain in collge can alter your ideals of what life can be. I hope to take the lesson I have learned throughout college, and expand on them into a life that I can be proud of. The value of college is how you uses those experiences to change your life.

I understand that you've been stressing out for the past years or so over where you will go after graduation, but just relax. The best advice I can give you is to visit three schools that interest you the most. However, don't just visit in the traditional sense. Imagine yourself to be a "weekend transfer student". Try to arrange a visit with the school administration for arriving on a Thursday afternoon and staying with someone who is majoring in what you plan to major in as well as is involved in the same activities you enjoy/plan to participate in. For example, if you play high school football and want to continue in college, but are planning on majoring in business, ask if the school can locate a football player who is majoring in business. Also, try to get a sophmore or freshman. This way, you can meet the student you'll be staying with and become familiar with the campus in the afternoon. The next day, shadow him/her around campus, go to all of their classes, take notes, etc. Then Friday and Saturday nights you can see the social side of the school.

When you start college don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Make new friends, join clubs and activities you never thought you would, take classes that sound interesting. It is a good thing not to go home right away and having a car on campus is not always a good thing. Make sure that you make your classes a priority, learn how to study and ask for help if needed. Have fun - but make sure it is in moderation. You can have fun and be a good student all at the same time. Enjoy yourself and remember to keep your self surrounded by good people.

Next year as a college freshman you need to know that it is nothing like the movies, not even close. Every aspect of what you are looking forward to in college is not going to be there waiting for you. When you get there you need to take advantage of the programs, help, and activities that are available to you; but if you don't, it's not the end of your life. Every college freshman has second thoughts, gets a little homesick, and doesn't always ace every exam. You need to go into it not worrying about cramming to get an A, but slowly taking it all in and getting the most of your time there. An A only goes as far as a piece of paper, but actually learning the material and getting involved is what will last you a lifetime. With this in mind, classes will be worth going to, and your grades won't seem as important, even though they're even better.

The first piece of advice that I would share with myself is that the more you put into school, the more you will get out of it. This idea expands from social aspects to effort in class. In regard to academics, the effort that a student puts into a class can significantly influences the success a student has in that class. This seems like an easy concept, but it really expands past doing your class work. The average student does a minimum amount of work for classes. They show up when they have to and work only as hard as required. In order to get the best out of your education you need to move past that basic level of effort. This will allow you to have an entirely different experience. In my first year of college it took me a long time to get comfortable with being social with students. Eventually, once I was able to open up and meet people I found a lot more enjoyment in school. I was able to make the best friends I have ever had and created a support system that follows me to this day. Extra effort makes all the difference.

I would advise students and their parents to consider a lot of different schools and visit many. I would also advise them to pick the school that feels most like home to make the transition to college easier.

Make sure to take time off of work and off of school to go and see your top five colleges to get a feel for the campus and the people on it. If you only visit one and go with your gut instinct it could end up back firing. Once you have decided on a college get everything in early so you get into classes you want and into the dorm you like. During your first semester there take a class you think you will enjoy and have fun in. This will help you adjust to the class load if you enjoy the homework and reading from at least one of your classes. Sign up for a handful of different clubs and go to their first informational meetings. This way you can see which club fits best with you by getting to know the people in it and what they stand for. Most importantly, it is your first year of freedom so have fun, but be responsible. Remember what your parents have taught you and make them proud of who you are and the path you have chosen for you life.

Visit the campus. Stay overnight on campus if possible. I play football for Augustana and stayed with another football player. It really made a difference for me. I was able to ask current students questions about the things that mattered to me. I got to see campus from a social perspective also. I continued to talk to students I had met on campus afterwards. This really helped me make a decision.

I strongly advise you to visit all of the schools in which you are interested. I probably would not have chosen Augustana if I had not visited and seen what a close-knit and enriching campus community it is. I also encourage you to talk with a professor who teaches in the department that you may be interested in. You should also get involved, especially in activities that take you off-campus so that you can network with people in the community. These contacts will help you when you get out of school and are looking for a job. Don't stress about your GPA (though it is important) because people are more interested in the simple fact that you have a degree--not how well you did in terms of grades. Have fun!

The key to making a college decision, and really any decision, is to go in with an open mind. You never know what you will find when you really get to know a school. For example, when I finally got around to visiting the colleges on my list, what I thought was going to be my first choice wound up being my last choice and my initial last choice wound up being my first choice.

The single most important piece of advice I give to all perspective students is to maintain an open mind at all times. Experience everything you can. Four years go by very fast. You'll hear this *alot* but it's absolutely true. You've got to figure out who you are in those years, and you will, but only if you put yourself out there. Good luck!

The quotation by Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" best exemplifies my parents' advice to me while choosing a college. I am a very ambitous student with big dreams. My parents wanted me to choose a college that would be most accomidating to by intended future. Another key component of their advice was that it was important that I could picture myself at that school and truly feel at home in that enviroment. Thus, I truly felt that my parents' guidence did not lead me astray in my selection process and I would offer the same advice to prospective college students as well. I would also truly encourage students to get involved in the community and truly give back to their surroundings, because that is truly how students can maximize their college experience. I believe that Zig Ziglar truly embodies my intended advice when he stated, "If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want. "

I honestly believe that picking the right college is less about the college you choose and more about the attitude you have going in. I think that I probably would have been happy wherever I went because I am outgoing and optimistic. With that combination, students can pick a college based on money and career/educational opportunities rather than basing their decision on where they think they will "fit in." The fact is that most people, will fit in anywhere if they just give it a chance! College is like pizza - because even bad pizza is still good.

It is very important to find a school where you feel that you belong and can succeed. There should be a strong academic and social fit. It would be unwise to go to a school based on reputation alone. Visit every school possible and really immerse yourself in the campus. To fully understand the enviroment you must vist during the academic year. Making the most of the college experience is simple when you find the perfect balance of academia and a social life. It is very important to go to a school that feels right to you. After you figure out what that is everything else falls into place. That being said, it is very important to be involved on campus. To find a club, sport, sorority/fraternity, etc, that you can be passionate about. This will help to make college the best experience it can be. Work hard and play hard.

I would tell prospective college students and their parents to go visit many schools. Students should visit schools of different sizes to determine if they want a big lecture hall style school or a smaller more personal school. In addition, I think that visiting the campus and just seeing what the students and environment is like is one of the easiest ways to determine if a college is right for you. I know that I came to Augustana because when I was talking to students and walking around the campus I could picture myself being a student here. Something just clicked and I knew that this was the place for me. I would suggest that a student doesn't go to a school just because they have family history there or because their parents want them to go there or because their best friend is going there. Rather, students should think about where they will be able to learn, develop as a person, and enjoy four great years of their life. They need to find the school that "clicks" for them.

Start saving your money now...

Many students look for colleges according to the accreditations of study, and also the social life. Being in college for almost three years and transferring once from a big university, I found that choosing a college should be a slow, very serious proccess. The important choices a nearly first-year has to decide on are classroom sizes, diversity, environment, and much more. Yes the social component seems appealing to many students, but one has to realize that college is a major move on what the outcome occupation of the student will be - take it seriously. Do not take it totally seriously though - one should have fun once in awhile and make sure that a time to relax is fitted in the student's busy schedule. One should feel comfortable and happy with the environment around them. If a student has one bit of distress, the rest of their college career may be a disappointment.

I think that the most important thing when deciding on a college is to think of several things that are important and stick to those. For example, if a student really wants to go to a small school where the class sizes are smaller then that is what he or she should look for. Don't let outside opinions or friend's choices influence the decision. Most students know what they want and what will work best for them so the decision should ultimately be theirs. Also, don't be afraid to go on a gut feeling. I liked several campuses I visited and I probably would be have been happy at those schools, but when I visited the school that I currently attend, I knew that was exactly where I belonged. Finally, don't be afraid to try new things and get involved on campus. A student should try multiple things and then stick with the most enjoyable activities. Work hard, but don't forget to have fun every once in a while too!

There isn't always a "feeling" of the correct school. I never had a "feeling" of which college was right for me - instead I had to rely on course offerings, financial aide, and my general feelings to make my descision. I made sure to choose a school that offered a wide variety of majors that I was interested in. I know, from personal experience, that majors CHANGE! It's good to go to a school that offers choices and a chance to explore instead of being stuck in a major you don't enjoy! Also, the final decision for the school should be the student's choice. It is very important that parents are involved in their child's college descision, but it's up to the student to decide where they want to study for THEIR future. And lastly, RELAX! Choosing a college can be a very scary and stressful decision! Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in the college of your choice. Can you see yourself living there? Having fun? Studying? Learning? Have fun with the process - it's a big decison, but I'm sure you'll make the right choice!

The best piece of advice I could give to parents and to students is, visit as many places as you need to till you find somewhere where you feel like your home. As soon as I got out of the car at Augie and looked around I immediately new this is where I was supposed to go to school. Once you find that place the application process and everything that involves going to college becomes 10 times easier. Also, just enjoy visiting schools and do not stress, you'll find where you need to be!

Find out the amount of financial aid they tend to give. Also, find out the class sizes and student to teacher ratio if that is important to you.

Let your child pick where he\she wants to go. DO NOT MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE AT ALL!