Concordia University-Texas Top Questions

College isn't as hard or scary as you think it is now. If you have good study habits- you will do well.

Experiencing college firsthand is a very new and different experience for each new student that enrolls. No matter what everybody tells you or what you have heard about it, not many people (if any) come in completely prepared for college. If I knew what I know now, I would tell myself to work on managing all of my time because that is probably the hardest thing to do in college. It is extremely hard to learn how to balance classes, homework, baseball, sleep, and a social life and I would've wanted to be much more prepared for it than I was. Also I would tell my high school self to apply for many more scholarships early on. The cost of attendance at Concordia is about 40,000 dollars per year which is far more expensive than the amount of money given by even the highest scholarship. I would apply for any and every scholarship that I could if I was a senior and knew what I know now that way I would be able to finish college completely debt-free and with no student loans.

Jake, I know you aren't thinking about college right now. You're probably goofing around with your friends and giving your parents grief but I want you to seriously consider going to school. A college education can offer you so much more in life than just working at Hat World. I know you don't have the financial side of things figured out but don't worry. Once you start trying and put your mind to it you'll find that there's a lot of people along the way that will help you out. So don't be scared. And especially don't think that you have to be left behind because you don't. You'll find something that you can do for your life as well as the life of others that will bring joy to yourself and those around you. Once you do all you got to do is find a school that has the tools necessary to make that happen. Hang in there buddy you'll turn out just fine I promise. Sincerely, Jake Hill (You)

The advice that I would tell myself as a senior is although you do not see it yet high school is preparing yourself for college. The first is waking up really early for high school gives you a routine for college of how to wake up and go to every class because missing one day of class in college is like missing 2 weeks of high school material. Another thing is keep raising your GPA because in doing that it gives you an opporunity to apply for scholarships and ultimately gaining one. As of now you are a senior in high school but you will become a freshman next year that means do not slack off in the first semester because the first semester of college is the most important semster in your college career. Keep working hard and "say yes to opporuntities" as it will guide you to beome a christian leader.

1) STAY AWAY FROM GIRLS. They tend to get you in trouble and really conflict with your faith standing. By giving up chasing every chance you get you see things through a clearer lense. You notice how trivial one good night can be compared to getting ahead in more important parts of life. 2) Try not to impress people so much, you have had a hard life growing up but telling your story really doesnt change anything. If anything it makes people look down on you for what you had to do to get by 3) VERY IMPORTANT!!! Enjoy the down time, the peace gives good time to sit, think, pray, and just recooperate from the struggles of life. You dont need to go out all the time and if you dont get invited then just sit back and let it go 4) The past is the past, this place is a clean slate where you can start fresh and make a new life for yourself. All of the bad stuff is no longer part of your life so complete the redemption and just relax. The people will be good so you have nothing to fear.

You should apply for all of the scholarships. Not just a few, but every single one you can find. you'll end up needing them. Take your time and figure out what you want to do with your life, because you don't need to know it right at age 18. Know that some people will act nice, but actually want to stab you in the back. Also know that some people who look like they'd be the kind to stab you in the back can actually be very loyal and good friends, given the chance. Never accept a friend's offer to drink if that friend is from a small town of less than 100 people, and he or she will be buying all of your drinks. Because they'll think that wine should follow beer. And that's just wrong. Also, bet someone that we'll have an African American president before the end of the decade. Bet a lot of money and hope that by giving you this advice I hasn't changed the future. Now that I think about it, you probably shouldn't even gamble. It's illegal.

I'd say to myself...Geoff you need to go to college now! Don't wait. College isn't as hard as you may think. If you do all the required work, and you put an effort into it, it's not that hard. It's totally worth your time!!

The advice I would give to myself would be to stay focused, make better grades, and challege myself. Challenging myself to take AP classes is definitely something that every student should do. These classes will better prepare me for college and allow me to be more successful to do college level work. If I don't take these classes, college will be a lot harder and more challenging. Staying focused and making good grades in high school needs to be a top priority. If one is not focused, it can cause a student to have poor grades. Making good grades are very important because it determines the college you will attend. Always remember that freshman year in high school is the most important year because it sets the standard of how your overall gpa will look like in the future. If you start off poor, it will be harder to bring your gpa up. Don't ever let anyone get in the way of your success and always remember that education is the key to happiness.

Save more money and apply for more scholarships! It is very expensive and you do not realize how much it cost to live in a city like Austin. It is a lot easier being able to go through college when you are not haing to worry about money

I am an Education major and I was able to complete student teacher observation already. i think it is a good idea, no matter what your major, to be able to take classes in that area and to get as much knowledge as you can so you can be sure that is what you really want to do. It isn't unusual for college students to change majors. The sooner you can find out if you need/want to change majors, the better. Some of my friends have gone to other schools and their schools start them out completeing the required basic classes, English, History, Government, etc. and they do not start taking classes in their major until their junior year. Not only that, they are so bored and frustrated.

I went to college right out of high school. Since I had been in Japan for most of my life, when we moved to the US it was very difficult for me to fit in. I was at 3 different high schools. I went to college and finally felt like could fit in and I stayed there for 4 years and enjoyed the whole experience. It became not only where I made friends but also a family. I later went back to school for my masters and was able to use my international experiene and look at Globalization in education and study at the University of Pretoria. I feel all students need to be able to study abroad and get experience outside of their norm. I plan to continue with my doctorate and look at how we can international college campuses in the US so that students can be ready to global citizens.

While in college I have learned responsibilty that I do not believe I could have recieved anywhere else. They always say that experience is the best teacher and it has proven to be very true. I have also learned about independence. I no longer have my parents here to help me when things get tough. College not only teaches you book smarts, but it also teaches you valuable life lessons that may not always be offered elsewhere. When I began college, I did not think that I would have learned all these other things along with the school work. Because of my experiences in college I feel that I will be more prepared for when I graduate college. Not only will I have a degree that I worked extrememly hard for, but I will also have the experience that I need to be successful in life.

There will be times when you feel burnt out and want to surrender. You are going to wonder whether or not investing so much money is at times even worth it. And, at times the pressure will bring you to tears. Before you begin packing clothes, a desk lamp, febreze, and a loud alarm clock for your first year of college, pack a yearbook and write a letter of encouragement to yourself. I did this before I began my sophomore year and it has made a significant difference in my sophmore year in comparison to freshman year. Transitioning to this new way of living is often very hard and a great challenge for many freshman. But, if a positive mindset is reinforced with memories of people you love and times you enjoyed, along with a note to yourself that tells you to keep moving forward and stay focused, then huge progress is developed. Overall, my advice to you is to never give up. Remember that its ok to sit on your bed to relax with a warm up of Ramon noodles. Stay strong, and know it can only get better if you fight the surrender away and keep moving forward.

If I could go back to last spring and talk to my high school self about the transition to college life, I?d have lots of advice to give myself. First, I?d tell myself to be more outgoing. Don?t be afraid to show my true self and just get out there and become friends with as many people as possible. With that, I?d also tell myself be careful about trusting people too quickly, you?ve only known them a few weeks, let them prove that they deserve your trust. I?d also tell myself to try and find someone that I can turn to no matter what is happening and trust this person to be there for me. I?d tell myself that if someone seems manipulative or like they are only going to bring me down and distract me from what is important, school and God, then they are not worth another minute of my time and get away from them before they bring me down. Most importantly, I?d tell myself that no matter what happens or what trouble I get in that God loves me and to turn to him whenever things get tough.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I actually wouldn't tell myself anything because nothing I could say would make a difference.. I already knew that school would be a challage when it comes to the social aspects of it and the presentations because of my social phobia. The cost of college was an issue then and it is still an issue now. The only thing that i would on needed is the passion to make my dreams comes true and lucky I had already had that. So as I stated before there is no advice I would of given myself.

I would tell myself not to be worried about anything after college. Let college happen and then worry about post-grad stuff after you finish.

?I'm going to Concordia University no matter what it takes? I argued as my parents listed all of the negatives of me attending college far from home. They placed the most concern on the eminent bill that I would be receiving from the private institution. What they did not understand was that my life goals and dreams were going to be made or broken on my attendance of that school. I spent many nights teary eyed at the fact that I knew what I was meant to do in life, but my family would not support me. In the end my parents gave in , but it was hard to convince them. My advice for future college students would be to work hard and set goals early in high school that will make your dreams come true. One of the major things that will determine this will be the college you attend, so be sure that you are satisfied in the quality of the education that you will be receiving there. Don't hesitate to question the status quo; in the end you are the one that has to live with your career choice for the rest of your life.

Don't take a year off to find yourself, just barrel into your classes and buckle down because education and research is your calling -- this is where you belong. You do not need a car, put that money towards your education. Avoid the mundane tasks of everyday life and jobs that consume your self-concept. Read more, read everything and write down everything that inspires you. Take your art classes, make sure you have that expressive outlet. If you have no other disposable income, afford a gym membership to keep your body healthy and in turn your mind focused. Look into Region 20 and know what you have to do to have a beginning career to support your mind's thirst for knowledge. Don't talk to school counselors, figure out for yourself what you need to do because you know yourself and what you want more than an administrator.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the spare time I had back then and use it for hanging out with my friends and family more, instead of wasting it away on facebook or tv. Even when I am home over breaks now, I am still kept bus with homework nd do not get to spend as much quality time with them as I would like to. As for the transition, I would tell myself to ask more questions. I rushed and chose my school very quickly without ever even touring any colleges. Also, I should have asked current college kids how they felt about the college they attended, instead of trusting the college websites.

I would definately pursue attenting college right after graduation.

The Advice that I would give myself is BE YOU and DO YOU!!! Never settle for less!! Always press through opposition keeping your eyes on the prize! Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure and defeat!!! Use what you got and work it!! Its inside of you!!! You decide where you will be!!!

Parents and/or students should visit the campus, if possible together. It is important to get a feel for the school before you decide. Secondly, listen to your heart. If something is telling you to go to a school you may not have considered before, test it out and go for a visit. While on your visit talk to admission counselors, teachers in your degree program, and most importantly the students who go there. They will not lie to you about their experiences because they realize how much money it cost to go to college. If you have the opportunity, many schools offer events to stay over night at the school to get a feel for what it would be like to go there. Stay in touch with the school while you make your decision. Yes they want you there, but if they truly care they will think of you as a person, not just a number. Finally, don't be afriad to make the choice. This is your school, your new life, and your choice. Don't let anyone push you into a school you don't feel confident at!

I would advise students to take a list of the attributes of your high school that you liked and disliked, then make a list of the attributes you do and do not want in your college. From these lists assess the schools you are thinking about applying to. Go and visit each school. Stay the night with a student and attend classes to get a feel for the campus and the student body. After you have visited and learned more about the school, be sure to make a list of the pros and cons of each school and compare them. Unfortunately things like financial aid many times play a large role in the college choice, but don't let that be the reason that you choose a school. As far as making the most out of the college experience- work hard on your schoolwork, but definitely make time for fun. I would reccomend living on campus for at least the first two years of college, if not more. Get involved on campus, take classes that you will enjoy learning about, choose a major you are actually interested in and if there is something you are interested in, join a club!

For sure visit the university and make sure you register for classes yourself. Do not let advisors do it for you especially at concordia because they will screw you over. And make sure to take all of your core at a community college it will all transfer. Basically be careful and take care or yourself because no one else will especially at concordia.

Finding the right university for me was more about finding me. I went through a process of picturing myself in different environments, situations, majors, and future life paths. Part of that process was trying things out and finding things that did and did not "fit". The best advice I can give to students looking for the right college is really spend some time looking inside yourself before looking outside for the answers. I once read that its best to pursue whatever makes you pound your fists, in other words, whatever makes you feel most empassioned. If you look at college's website and your heart leaps, if you look at pictures from space and you find yourself holding your breath, if consoling a sad friend makes you feel whole - trust yourself, go for it. It is far better to be happy and poor, than miserable and the richest person in the world. For parents, I suggest what my parents did for me - give your child resources. Time, money, advice, transportation, security - baby birds need the perfect support of the momma bird to make that leap of faith from the nest. Give your child the faith to fly.

Find a college that suits your personality and not just the field you want to study. So many students change their major while attending college, so choose a good quality school that has different options that fit your interests. I know I personally changed my major my junior year but I loved my school so I decided to stay, and I don't regret my decision one bit. For the parents, let your children pick their future, do not push your alma mater on them; allow them to feel your support in their decision. Students, once you get to college, branch out and join different activities, meet as many people as you can! Focus on your homework but don't let it rule your life. College is an amazing experience and you probably won't remember every homework assignment but you will remember the good times with you new life long friends. Also, don't be afraid of your professors, they really do want you to succeed although sometimes it might not seem that way! Have fun but never be afraid to try new things!

Visit the college with your son or daughter. But most importantly, while your child is at that university, make sure that he/she is getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep will indicate the success or failure chances of your child.

make sure that you are looking for a school that you can see your self being happy at, and when you are picking a major make sure its one that you can see your self doing for the rest of your life... make sure you plan that out

Don't make your child come home every weekend, don't make them call you every night, and encourage them to get connected into their school through committed positions. This will help them make friends and lessen the homesickness.

follow ur heart not ur parents desires

Finding the right college is about finding a community of people that your feel comfortable in. If you don't feel like you are a part of the community, then you will not thrive in college. Don't try to be someone you are't, be yourself and be comfortable! There is a place for everyone in this world! Parents, please let go of your student. It's really hard to be a part of the college community, both socially and academically, with constant parental pressure. It is time for us to break free and find who we are--by ourselves. We WILL make mistakes, but we will also learn from them and all we need is your support and encouragement. We also need a few dollars and free food every now-and-then! Students, don't keep your parent's out of your life,. As an upperclassman, I now see that my parents know a lot more than I give them credit and life would have been a lot easier if I had listened to a little bit more of their advice. Also, don't over-extend yourself. Play it cool and split you time between books and play!

Look at all options

Make sure you love it. If you don't feel at home don't go because it'll be your home for four years.

Do your research. Start early. I suggest going to the campus and asking questions, not only to the admissions staff and the students involved, but also to other people at the school. Students should do try and do a lot on their own. Parent's opinions are important,but they will not be the ones attending that school. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Every student has their heart set on a certain school, but you could have an unrealistic idea of that school. Stay open minded. It might not be for you. Once you get to school, do what makes you happy. Be yourself. It seems so cliche, but people go to college and become someone new. It doesn't always work out for the best. Be true to yourself and your college experience will be as great as you want it to be. You'll make amazing friends and you might lose a few, but regardless, you'll leave school knowing that you are proud of who you are and what you did.

Go to your school's counseling center to get information on financial aid and to help figure out what area of study you are good/interested in. Challenege yourself, academically, before college to prepare yourself and don't get overly anxious during the college admisssion process. Generally speaking, college isn't as bad as your anxiety says it is. While at college, make sure you stay on top of your studies. ...Getting behind on reading can be fatal. At the same time, get to know professors, make new friends and get involved with clubs. Socializing will help bring down the stress of studies and allow you some fun time.

Make sure you attend some sort of campus event before you decide which college to attend. It is so important to choose a place where you feel you can get along with students and become involved in activities you are passionate about. Not everything you learn in college is learned in a classroom. A lot of it is how to get along with others and to achieve your independence. College is about finding yourself and preparing yourself for the world, and you shouldn't have any regrets about your decision of where to attend school and accomplish your dreams.

Check into the teacher student ratio is it is hard for you to learn in a large group setting then it is best to make sure there is a small teacher student ratio

Follow where your heart tells you to go. Dont just pick a college because its famous. If it feels right to you then its right for you, because you never know you could be the next big thing at that college!

Don't panic. Enjoy looking for a college. To the student: enjoy it. Do your homework. You'll do just fine.

It's the education you receive, not the notariety of the college. Make sure your child focuses on education first, social life second. Look for a university that is Christian based and oriented.

Be prepared to study a couple hours a day for each class.

look, look, research, and look again. ha

I would advise the parents and students to pray a lot about their choices and visit the campuses. Make note of what you like and dislike about the universities. It is very important to attened a school that you really like because it will be where you live 9 months out of the year. If deciding to attend a college in a different city or state get some wisdom from friends who are living away from home and see what they like and dislike. Prayer can ease your anxiety about where to attend and God will guide you to the exact place you need to go. I chose to attend school in another city where I didn't know anyone. It was hard in the beginning but within a few months I met my best friend, an amazing church and encouraged others to go to my school through my experiences. I knew through prayer and seeking God's guidence He had helped me find my new home. I met my husband a few years later and now reside with him in an apartment about a mile away from my university. With prayer you will find your school.

To parents: Don't be afraid when your child questions everything they believe or everything you taught them...or both. That is what college is for, and they really need your support in that endeavor as well as all others. Besides, if you abandon them while they question, how will they be lead back to the truth without you there? They still need you in college. To students: It's okay to question. Remember that the older you get, the smarter your parents get. Make sure you do things in college that you're afraid to do, because that's how you grow. James Joyce said that mistakes are the portals of discovery, and he was very right. You will never learn if you never mess up. So let grace speak into your life and help you to make the right decisions once you'ver made the wrong ones. Learning from your mistakes is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Do not mess around during your freshman year because those grades will haunt your GPA for the rest of your college career.

Make sure to check cost prior to enrolling. Also ensure that the school is accredited and the professors have a vested interest in the students.

I think that it is good for entering students to first talk to people who have already been in college, particularly the college that they are looking at. It is a good idea to know about the school that you want to attend instead of getting there and realizing it is not what you expected. It is alright to get opinions based on previous experience from friends and loved ones and not go into college blindly hoping that things will turn out the way you plan, and I believe that a lot of students today think they have to make decisions solely based on what they think, and not consider the way things really are. It is good to have the facts.

Do your research, spend some days on campus. Find out who is going to be assisting your child in the next four years.

?I am going to Concorida University no matter what it takes? I argued as my parents listed all of the negatives of me attending a college far from home. What they did not understand was that my life goals and dreams were going to be made or broken on my attendance of that school. I wanted to become a missionary and it would not be possible without attending Concoridia. My parents could not understand why I would want to spend the rest of my life in a low paying job as a servant to others, when I could be anything I wanted. I spent many nights teary eyed and dismayed. In the end my parents gave in, but it was hard to convince them. My advice for students would be to work hard and set goals that will make your life dreams come true. One of the major factors that will determine this will be the college you attend, so be sure that you are satisfied in your choice. Parents, be supportive of your children, even if their dreams may seem unreachable or different. Tust in your upbringing. Nothing will make them love you make than having faith in them.