College of the Ozarks Top Questions

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

Haylee

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself as a senior that I need to not be scared about the change. I would tell myself that even though it may be difficult to move away from the comfort of home to a whole new place, not knowing a single person, I would not be the only person doing it. There would be many, many others doing the exact same thing I would be doing. I would also tell myself that I need to get involved with organizations and clubs as soon as I possibly could. I regret the decision I made to not join any clubs my first semester. I would tell myself that I needed to at least try a few of them. If they did not work out, so be it. I could at least say that I tried them. And I would say that I need be more open about talking to people. I would tell myself to try and make as many friends as possible, while also remembering that my school work must come first. If any friends are having a study session, I would tell myself to attend it.

Kayleigh

I would tell myself that I don't end up marrying him, but choosing that school because of him was the best decision I ever made. I would choose it again. I would also tell myself to not be so quick to choose a major, and you're allowed to change it. Go ahead and do the nursing/ medical stuff that you originally wanted because it would have been free the first time. Don't be intimidated by it. Now it costs money. You'll change your mind a million times where you want to go in life. Make the decisions YOU feel are where God is leading you. Don't follow the crowd. Most importantly, you should enjoy life in the present. Don't worry about tomorrow because it passes by way too quickly. Make friends and keep up with them because College is one of the best times of your life.

Emily

To make the transition from high school to college life I would advise you to work on time management more. In college there is so much going on it is hard to get everything done in the amount of time you have. There are constantly events going on on campus or friends are planning things to do and sometimes you will have to pick between fun, homework, and sleep. If you manage your time wisely you will not have to do this; you will be able to make time to sleep, do your homework, and spend time with your friends.

Jessica

Relax. Focus on schoolwork more than reading. Save as much money as you can to travel afterwards. And most importantly, always look to the future in your decisions. Every little experience will build your future.

JohnMark

The advice i would give is apply early! don't wait! and look for scholarships everywhere, take advice and ask your parents about anything you can

cheryl

I would have attended every club and been involved more in scholastic opportunities. Though I was a very active student, I did not keep a record of all the things that I participated in.

Rick

If I could go back in time and give my younger and naive self adive, I would advise myself not to rush into situations and to become disciplined in self-control. If I had known these qualities at the beginning of my college career, I would have saved myself from much pain and many mistakes. In addition, I would also advise myself to not just see the current picture of life, but to also look ahead and use these years to prepare for what is to come. If I had started looking forward earlier in my college career, I would have been more prepared for what is to come in the near future after graduation. In finality, before I would travel back to the present I would leave myself with this sobering quote: "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail." It is critical to have a plan and set goals in life to achieve the marathon of life.

Laurabeth

If I were able to go back in time to talk to my senior self I would tell my self to make sure to save all the money you can because your books for your classes will cost a arma and a leg.

Eli

I have gotten a sense of responsibility and hard work. This school has many characteristics that i do not like about it , but it has been very difficult to attend and stay focused and through that challenge i have come out of it a better man. I know i can do what it takes to support my family and give them the life i always dreamed about. I know when i get out nothing will stand in my way to succeed.

Amber

My college experience has been very valuable to me because it has taught me the value of work and the determination needed for success. My college experience has helped me to organize better and to be more responsible. This is important in todays society. At College of the Ozarks we are required to go to Convocations, some of which, I have learned a great deal from. Some convocations have been David Barton, Sarah Palin and Victor Marx. All of these people have helped to shape my wonderful experience here. They have taught of their experiences in life and how they have over come them and how they have become to be where they are. If it wasn't for college of the Ozarks I wouldn't be as successful as I am now and I wouldn't be the person I am today. Deciding to attend college was the best and most rewarding idea I have ever had.

Austin

The environment at College of the Ozarks is wonderful. The teachers actually help you and the overall people that come here are very nice. It's really hard not to make friends with everybody. Five words that I would describe the college are as follows: Academicly, Spiritual, Vocational, Patriotic, and Cultural. This is the college to go to, but with my expensises, it's hard to stay enrolled.

Daniel

The most valuable thing that I have gotten out of my college experience is learning to listen to my advisor. By paying attention to deadlines for registration, scholarships, and class assignments, I have been rewarded. Class selection and developing a schedule were much easier. By paying attention to the deadlines for scholarships and grants, I was able to secure a small amount of free money. The hints that my advisor gave me helped me to produce a schedule that would increase the probability of my maintaining a better GPA. My advisor's advice on doing my best has also been considered. By keeping good grades and graduating, I will be able succeed in life and hopefully obtain gainful employment.

Alison

Though College of the Ozarks was not my first choice for a college, not by a long shot, it had one great advantage that the other colleges I was accepted to did not have. College of the Ozarks was free. I am a history major who is enrolled in a MA in history program and plan to continue through a doctoral program. Because I was able to leave College of the Ozarks with no debt, I was in a great place when applying to Graduate Programs. However, probably the most important lesson I learned through my college experience was the importance of respecting others opinions and personal choices. College of the Ozarks is a very conservative and traditional institution. After watching so many of my classmates hide who they really are for fear of retribution from the College of the Ozarks administration, I have learned just how important it is to respect others values, even if they are not the values you hold yourself. There can be nothing more hurtful than someone discrediting your humanity simply because you value different things.

Megan

I have been nothing short of abundantly blessed by God to have the opportunity to come to this school. I am only a first-semester freshman at present, but my experiences here are already enriching my life. I know that I am working hard and persevering to achieve my highest goals, and it gives me the upmost feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment to actually be carrying out my dreams. I mean, literally nothing else can compare with this. I know that even though things can get hard, I will be reaping the benefits of this for a long time. It is a truly amazing experience.

Dana

I would tell myself that although it is good to get away from home, in the end, going to a college close to home is much more efficient. As a senior, I should have applied myself more in terms of searching for financial aid. I went to college not having any scholarships or grant money which has put a lot of financial pressure on myself and my parents. I wish I could go back in time and explain to myself all the problems not having scholarships has caused my family. I wish I could change the past for the better.

Rachel

If I could speak to myself at this time about a year ago, the first thing I would say is, "Rachel! Stop worrying, you WILL get to College of the Ozarks!" I had a lot of worries about not getting accepted here, and I didn't, until the spring semester. I would remind myself that God is in control of my destiny and that where ever He takes me is where I need to be. I would also talk to myself about the rumors. College life is not all about parties and the rules are not as stressful as people say. Sure, tests and finals are hard, but once you make it to the place where you know you want to be, things become peaceful. You enjoy your stay in your dorm, no matter how small, you make friends with people, even if you try not to, you study together, and you get plenty of time to have fun at events and lunch and even at work. I would also say not to pack away all those flip flops just yet, and remember to take a break, because it all goes by so fast.

Nichole

If I could go back to my senior year of high school and tell myself one thing, I would tell myself to get into good study habits while I'm still in high school and the homework and tests are easier. I would tell myself that even if I don't need the strong study habits right now, that I will need them for the rest of my life and that it will make college much smoother for myself. Every student has trouble fitting in right away, but with the ability to study well and retain the knowledge that you absorb makes it much simpler to fit in and gives you a little more time to figure out where exactly you fit in the structure of the school.

Dani

If I was to go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, I think the conversation would start off with we the question "what are you doing ?" As a senior I was not preparing like I should, and I would make sure I knew that if I was to go back. I would also have the advice to think about an alternete career choice that could be your back up if something was to change .

Heather

I am amused how much I expected, as a high school senior, to go to college simply for the academics. It was my goal to simply get my degree and move on with life. If I could have known more of what college was like, I would have told myself that there is so much more than school. While academics are important at this college, the community is strong as well. I have made so many friends here who are likely to be lifelong friends. Because I took a year off of school after graduating high school, I had an entire school year to prepare myself and try to earn money. Even then, a year of preparation did not prepare me entirely for the fun, late nights, occasional pranks, exploration, and self-discovery. All this within the first three semesters! Could I go back and prepare my high school self, I would tell myself to loosen up and be prepared to do much more, and much that is different from what I expected. Education, especially on a college campus, is an adventure beyond what I anticipated. Enjoy life, I would say. Let it be a real learning experience.

Matthew

Be sure of yourself and do not shortchange yourself for fear of accumulating debt; debts can be paid but time lost in dead end jobs and second rate schools cannot be regained. Take risks, choose the uncertain road that you wanted with its challenges and excitement, and listen to what you want for you alone have to live with yourself.

Randi

Sleep is really important to getting good grades. Making friends works best when you are yourself. Try new things and dont be afraid to fail, no one is good at everything, but you might surprise yourself with what you are capable of.

haley

I would tell myself that I need to apply mysef 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} and stuy to make good grades. I do not need to be messig around with friends and not doing my work.

Jaclyn

The most important piece of advice I would give to parents and students about finding the right college is to do extensive reasearch. First, figure out what colleges/universities the student may be interested in. Next, look up the university's public web site, visit the campus and take a tour to get a feel of it, and get testimonials from the alumni or current students . Make sure the college is fully accredited and has high standards, as well as a well-educated and personable staff. The last thing anyone longs for is a place that makes them unhappy or hinders their growth as an individual, academically and/or spiritually. As for making the most out of the college experience, I would say enter it with a "can-do" attitude. The more possitive a person is, the happier they will be and the more likely they are to succeed.

Katie

The most important advice I could give someone on selecting a college, is that the decision should be the person who will be attending college. Many times parents push their children into doing something that the children do not want. This may work for a short time, but will almost always end in failure. At some point your children need to take the reigns and make decisions for themselves. If you can't trust them to make this decision, how can you trust them once they move out? This is a decision that will affect your children far beyond the four years they will spend studying until 3 a.m. It will affect the values they hold, the friends they have, the job they get, and whether they will graduate or drop out after the first semester. If you let your kids make this decision and give them the chance to grow up, more than likely you will get results that are what you wanted, if not better.

Ashley

I would advise parents and students to consider how they can grow in the school they would like to attend. Are there many opportunities for learning & developing their mind and character? Could they see themselves in this environment, and if so, would they truly enjoy themselves there? Is that place (college) a place that they would love to be? Once the student has found the school that they would like to be a part of, all that is left is to immerse themself in that college's culture. They could try some new things in addition to the "normal" activities that they are used to. I would encourage them to make friends in all groups, but to have those few really close friends with whom they are really close. Most of all, I would advise them to enjoy every moment.

Craig

Visit the college more than once. Go to the college when there not specifically not trying to sell you on the college. Visit with random students who go to school there to get their in put and feelings about the school they attend.

Ryan

The second you become a freshman in High School, start keeping up your grades, and start searching for colleges you think you may like. Then throughout high school, think of career choices and keep narrowing a list of careers and colleges down until about junior/ senior year. Make sure you apply to any and all scholarships that you are eligible for no matter what the amount all through high school. Start preparing during the summer between your junior and senior year for applications for colleges and scholarships. The key is to stay on top of things. Keep up your grades and makes sure the FAFSA is done as soon as possible and dont put anything off.

Jennifer

Finding the right school is not an easy task. It is not like picking out what you are going to wear to school, but more like picking a boyfriend. You want something that is going to allow you to enrich your life, empower your spirit, challenge your mind and be a wise descision financially. You want to pick a school that you can commit to. Four years is a long time, and you don't want to be stuck at a dead end. Also, you want somewhere that allows you to be you and to have the freedoms to make your own choises, plus have the perks of enjoying things that you are interested in. Finally, you don't want to choose a place that is going to make you and your parents go into debt. Harvard may be the best place to go to college, but there are also local colleges that offer the same challenges for a lot less. So, be smart, don't go choosing a college on what the picture looks like, but look at the mission and character of the school. Make sure that it is a right fit for you!

Jamie

Search for the cheapest school with great morals and values.

Ashley

I would recommen that you find a school that is small so people are willing to treat you like a human being. You should pick out a school that has the moral standards that you most admire. I would also pick a school that is willing to help you financially because it's not easy to keep money saved for 4-5 years without a job. Find somewhere that has employers who are willing to hire college students and work with their schdule.

Chad

I would say that when you are looking for a college for either yourself or you future student, take into account what you want them to take back from that college. If you want a name for yourself and to have employers look at you with wide-eyes, then pick a college that has that reputation. Pick a college that will support you or your future student. This will inevidably decide whether or not you or your future student will succeed. Lastly, pick a college that you know will motivate you or your future student. That motivation, sometimes, will be all you have to keep you going when all you want to do is quit.

Rachael

Searching for colleges can be so stressful and worrisome. However, once I found out about College of the Ozarks, my mind was made up. I knew my parents couldn't afford to send me to a big college or university, so I knew that chosing College of the Ozarks was in my whole family's best options. I would say to make sure you choose a school that fits what you want to study, that is not in a price range that is outrageous compared to your family's income, and to choose a school where you feel comfortable. To make the most of your college experience, get involved on campus! Yes, do your homework and go to class, but do get involved in campus clubs and organizations! They can really lead to great opportunities and are a good extension of what you learn in the classroom!

Evan

My advice would be to choose a college or university that will fit best with the educational track you would like to take. The worst thing would be for you to attend a school for 4 years and then realize that you have spent 4 years studying something that is not going to help you in life. Also, make sure to enjoy school while you are there. By enjoy I don't mean drinking, drugs, and partying, I am talking about being with friends and making life-long friends in order for you to carry on later in life. Finding yourself and re-creating who you are is a major part of life in college. You no longer have to be who your parents wanted you to be or who your siblings were, you are unique, you are who you want to be. Make sure and find out what your life's mission is and what you want to accomplish while you live life. Life is short and fragile, you need to make the best of it while you are there. You only have a number of breaths in this life, what are you going to do with yours?

Douglas

Give yourselves lots of options apply everywhere you can and when you get acceptance letters then decide. Remember that the exact degree you get isn't the most important thing in the world finishing is very important. There are plenty of people out there who have degrees and aren't working in those fields. If you are planning to further your education beyond a bachelors it isn't really important what degree you have it might just take a little longer to fullfill the requirements needed for the advanced degree. Enjoy yourself and go to class, you will learn something.

Lila

College is what you make it. Look at colleges that intrest you and go to the one that has a mission that looks like what you want or think would be most compatible with your personality, not all colleges are for everyone. It is very improtant to get involved because without doing so you will feel alone and not meet new fun people.

Rachael

To find the right college you must first decide how far away you want to be, cost, if they have the major you want, their policies, and anything else that matters to you. Don't pick a school just because your friends are going there, or because it's where your Dad went. Pick a school that fits YOUR needs. Other wise you are probably not going to be happy with the choice you make. Not everyone has to go to an Ivy Leauge school. Sometimes the small schools are the perfect fit.

Amber

Go with your heart. Go with what you want. Don't worry about how...just do. It'll come to you! Have fun, do new things, meet new people. DO study. Don't forget that is why you are there. DON'T over do it. One bad grade isn't going to be worth the stress.. DON'T forget about the people at home who love you dearly. Help others all you can, and you will be helped!

Jonathon

The first thing that must be considered is ones financial condition. Cofo is for those whose condition is less than ideal. I would also advise that one must study hard and work hard to succeed in college.

Brady

Its a great school; Everyone is very supportive, the professors are AWESOME and ALWAYS willing to help, I ma really impressed with how personal they are