Corban University Top Questions

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

McKenzie

Everyone says that high school and college are the best times of your life, no one really tells you have hard this chapter of your life really is going to be. I would go back and really appreciate the amazing friendships and bonds a small high school allows you to make with both fellow students and teachers. If I had a chance to do it again from freshman year I would make sure that form day one there was so slaking off, your future for college does really start and rely on how you progress the four years you are there. No one mentions how much you will grow and change, I would embrace that change and use that growth to better myself and my school. Most of all I would go back and be saving and applying for scholarships left and right, if there is one secret that students need to truly be aware of is how expensive and difficult it is to afford a higher education. I would go back and use those resources to my advantage and benefit.

Cassandra

IT's really not as scary as it seems right now. I know leaving everything familiar is going to be tugh but it is so worth it. You are going to grow in ways you never thought imaginable and it'll be great. If you don't get along with your roommate at anytime don't be afraid to tell her. Roommates are usually pretty understanding. Most problems can even be worked out simply by communicating. If something looks good while you're grocery shopping at walmart, ask yourself how hungry you are. Odds are you don't need half that stuff if you'd just eat before you went shopping. And finally, rememeber that, after you've been gone for a while, your family will miss you. Don't get irritated or snippy when they ask you questions about your adventures. They simply miss hearing your stories. Give them some slack, and ask about thier adventures while you've been gone. Every thing is fine as long as you entrust it to God.

Corinne

Thinking back on all that occurred during my first year of college, there is one thing I would go back and tell myself; invest in my classes in high school and not slack off, because what you do in high school really does effect what you do in college. Many of my friends in college are a semester ahead because of AP classes they took or because of college courses they took while in high school still. Don’t waste your senior year because you want to take it easy or have fun. Of course you want to have a memorable year, but why not have both; a year that prepares you for college and one you will never forget. I never realized that I could have both until I saw all the people who did that when I got to college and are not ahead of me in school. I would tell myself to never drop my AP Calculus class, because I ended up having to take it in college anyways. I would say, “Don’t waste your time; make the most of high school, in both academic and social life.”

Ariana

There are so many things I would like to tell you. First live your dream. You do not have to pursue a career because that will make your dad happy. Your dad is not living your life. You are the person that will have to live with your decision to pursue whatever career, so make sure you are not choosing a path simply to please dad. Next, remember what is important to you. It is important that a college is affordable, but it is also important that a college holds the same values as you. Also, do not hastily make a college decision. Deadlines maybe approaching, but you have time to think. Talk to people you know and respect for advice. Talk to mom and make sure that the campus you will be attending has a safe environment. Know that mom has your best interest in mind and she is always patient. Be continually in prayer. God has big changes for you. All the plans you made for your life will be turned upside-down, but do not worry or be upset because God has everything under control. Have fun and don’t worry about college. Everything will work out.

Shelley

Dear Shelley, Dear Shelley, I know you are nervous about the life changing transition from high school to college. I want to reassure you that you will be just fine, because the first year of college is SO much fun. Luckily, you are attending a university which cares deeply for you as a student. In this next year all fears and anxities about your college experience will be washed away. The class load you will have is indeed challenging, but you will be able to manage it, despite your fear of failure. Living in a dorm is not the same as having your own room, but you are about to embark on the time of your life. There is always a friend to connect with whether it is doing homework, working out together, or going out on a late night adventure. Take time to truly enjoy every minute, capture mental snap shots and tuck them away in your memory. College is the one time in your life where you may be completely independent, and grow into the person you want to become. Take this time to grow, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy life!

Heather

In high school, a lot of students let the little things slide, and personally, I know that I did this all the time. There were times where I would not strive to do my very best; as long as if was a passing grade, I didn't really care. That "B" that I got one time could of been an "A" if I tried my hardest. So, if I were to look back and give myself advice, then I would tell myself to push myself a little more everytime. It was easy for me to get a good grade, but an excellent grade is what I should have gone for each and every assignment, project, quiz, or test. Where would I be if I raised my own standards? If I had fought to not just be good - but to be excellent, then not only would my academic career be greater, but also my self-character aand the choices in everyday life.

Morgan

This will now be my second attempt at earning my college degree; when I graduated high school I went directly to community college where I attended for about a year and a half. I was paying out of pocket for all of my classes and materials but eventually I ran out of money and had to take a break while I worked to provide for myself. If I could go back in time, I would have told myself to do more research about the resources offered to college bound students. I let the pricetag scare me out of attending the school that I really wanted to go to and therfore did not enjoy my first college experience. Now I realize that I could have done a lot more financial reseach to get to where I wanted to be. I also would have advised myself to obtain a part time job. I spent a lot of time focusing on the social aspect of my senior year and did not do much to prepare myself financially. I should have asked more questions, applied for more scholarships and worked in my free time. This time around I am doing all of those things.

Spencer

High school flies by so don't take your time for granted because it is there and gone and when it's gone there is no reset button, it's all over. High school is piece of cake compared to college, so don't think it gets easier when your finally done with high school. I know high school seems like a drag now, but you will appreciate the things you learned in your time there. So take time to enjoy your time in high school because it comes and goes extremely quick and it's all over and you get to move onto bigger and better things, so keep trying hard and getting good grades, your future is bright if you try hard now. Good work habits carry over and college will be way easier if you teach yourself to try your best in all things. And remember Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

Karen

An advice I would give myself is to “help my mom” because helping my mom means helping myself to have a bright future as a student and as a person who lives life with leadership, integrity, faith, and excellence. Knowing about the college life and making the transition, yearly tuition is expensive and it increases every year. As a high school senior, I need to help my mom by studying harder, I've learned that the more I'm involved in extracurricular activities, while maintaining an excellent GPA, the more chances of earning higher amounts of scholarships and grants. It's definitely a great feeling when I work harder because of how incredible the rewards are when all is accomplished by me. All I want for my mother is to be worry-free about finances because I'm a burden to her, and made her weary about earning money by working two jobs. As the eldest daughter of three and the first generation to attend college, I want my mother to be happy and be proud of me. I need to, have to, and want to help my mom in everything I can and in every ounce of my being!

Brandon

I would tell myself to become a more social person, it is a lot easier to make friends in college when you are living on campus, and if you are a lot more social then your new friends will like you that much more. Also, I would tell myself about syllabus' and how they work just so taht I could get a little bit more of a head start on my schoolwork.

Bryanna

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say a lot of things to change how I acted and managed my time. Now that I know a lot more about college life, I would tell myself to manage my time better and to work harder. I would tell myself that I have to focus on my studies more than I can focus on what is going on around me. I would tell myself that in order to well in college, I would have to get better at how I managed my time and during my freetime focus on the more important things. Since being in college, I would tell myself that assignments have to be done on time because the professors don't take the time to listen to excuses especially because they have a lot more things to grade. I would tell myself not to get too involved with extracurricular activities so I can focus on my academic part of school. I would be involved a little bit but not like I was before. I would also say, it's alright to leave your friends behind to make more.

Bryanna

The advice that I would give myself is to set up a way to manage your time whether or not you use your planner. Time management is a big thing in college. You have so many assignments due in one week and it is often hard to get everything done. When you write everything down and have a planned schedule of what needs to be done then you find yourself getting more done than when you don't use your planner. At night, make a 'to-do' list for the next day so that you can cross it off once it is done. If you go to bed early, write a 'to-do' list for the day the minute you get up. Once those things are crossed off, it is a sense of accomplishment and you know that you have one less thing to do. When you plan out what needs to be done, you find that you have more free-time and are able to hang out with friends for longer without stressing of what you have left to do. Managing time isn't just needed for college, it is also a life skill for future jobs and things.

Kayla

Knowing what I know now, I would not have attended a community college first. Instead, I would have gone straight to The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute of Los Angeles where I currently attend school. I would have told myself that all the hard work you have put into your education will all be worth it once you have accomplished your future aspirations. The dream of becoming a bakery/restaurant owner will be even closer once you go through college. Even though you may be nervous now, you will soon find out that college is a once in a lifetime experience that has many rewards and opportunities that go with it. Your future depends on the choices you make today and the impact that you make in college. Stay sraight on the road ahead and never give up on your dreams.

Lacie

My first piece of advice wouldn't be advice at all, but hope. I would tell myself that I will make it to a great college and will have many wonderful experiences there. Then, I would stare myself in the eye and say, "It starts now. Put some money away, let's not give that sweet tooth everything it wants, that bedding set will have a reduced price if you wait for 2 weeks, double your scholarship efforts, and don't worry: you won't trip during graduation." I would smile at myself because I remembered how stressed I was. I would then tell myself to strike a balance between working hard and savoring my last year because, when I first step on that campus road, I will hit that uphill pavement running and I won't have the time to stop and see how far I've come until Christmas Break. I wouldn't tell myself what scholarships I won because it's only through the bitter struggle that the victory tastes so sweet. "Be yourself, stop putting off creating stories, use your humor, and..." The senior me would call out "What?!" I'd shout at her "try ramen!"

Rachel

My college experience has given me the skills I need to become a lifelong learner when it comes to book knowledge, and it has taught me how to build and maintain lasting relatioinships. As a teen attending college for the first time, I thought I knew everything I needed to know to succeed and be an "adult." It didn't take long for me to realize just how much I didn't know and still need to learn. I'm not an expert on living as an adult as a result of my college experience, but I do know that I don't have all the answers and it takes humility and the wisdom of others to make good decisions and contribute to the world around me in a postitive way. I have also learned my relationship with God is the only relationship I can count on to never disappoint me. God is always there waiting for me to seek Him for my next step and encouraging me along the way whether I know it or not.

Nguea-Njoh

My college experience at Corban has been exhilarating and rejuvenating. The fact I am student in a Christian school has altered my perception on how to conduct my life, to truly worship My God. I used to think that life as a college student revolves around parties, fame, notoriety and all that come with this type of lifestyle. I came to realize that the fondest memories of my college experience were all ephemeral. That is, by the time I am done with college I would have detested my college experience if I had continued on that path. Fortunately, Corban where the whole students experience revolve around dedicating heart and mind to God, has conferred me an education base on the learning and teaching of the Bible. For instance, I have become aware of the fact I should stop being self-centered, for the life is bigger than myself. I am actively involved in the life in the campus. My purpose in live now is to serve people and care for them by mentoring younger students about the importance of spiritual growth. I believe that is how I have experienced true worship. The value of my experience is beyond any measure.

Kelsey

My college experience has given me things that I will never forget, or at least won't quickly forget. The only tangible thing that college has given me is a gigantic amount of debt. I am currently a sophomore with $22,000 in student loans. This, however, is a small fee to pay for the more important things that college has given me. The other things I've gained from college are invaluable-- their worth cannot be summed up in a mere dollar amount. The opportunity for living in a dorm with 80+ other girls is a once in a lifetime experience. Whether it's through the crazy dorm meetings, slopping through the muddy corn maze with your hall, or through late night chats with your roommate, priceless friendships are continually cultivated. Another indespensible item that I've gained from college is growth in my faith. I've been stretched in ways I could have never imagined, and as a result I'm a much stronger Christian and a better person. A final valuable item that I've gotten out of college is an education. I've gained knowledge and I've been challenged to grow in my thinking.

Amelia

I would advise myself to not stress out as much. Yes, it is a big decision, but I could've been successful anywhere I went. The most important thing about a college is the people there. Making good connections and solid friends early on is what has gotten me through. Academics are important, but there is a lot of learning that takes place outside the classroom. Also, the more you get involved, the more you get out of your college experience.

Jeanette

I would tell myself, to try harder for scholarships and finding a fultime job during the summer, it will make the fall and spring semesters alot less stressful when it comes time to pay the bills. Be appreciative of your parents, because they are more helpful than you might think (and not just to help you pay for school either). Relax alittle about the homework, spend more time to get involved with the other students on campus, and it is ok to get a B every once in awhile. Enjoy the time you have now, because before you know it, the time will have gone, and you can never get it back. Think before you speak, and if you think you might regret doing something, then don't do it, even if you can't see the risks and complications involved with it at the time. All ideas have consequences, some are good and some aren't. Remember when you say yes to something, you will always be saying no to something else, choose wisely how you spend your time. Choose your friends wisely, because they can make or break your college experience , and those friendships can last a lifetime.

Lindsay

I would tell myself to stop procrastinating and learn from the teachers trying to tell me how to do things. Instead of blowing them off when they tried to explain college professor's expectations, I probably would have heeded their words. Above all, though, I would tell myself to really enjoy life, that there is a great balance to fun and hard work. Here is how the lecture would have gone: "Lindsay, you have worked so hard to get where you are and I am really proud of you. You have great effort in school, but you could improve on when you apply that effort. Don't wait so long before starting papers and projects; don't do your homework the morning that it's due. Also, remember that the people around you are important. Take time to build relationships with them, because someday you are going to want someone to be able to talk to from home, and if you don't get to know them better now, then they migh not be willing to talk with you later. Stay strong, Love, you are doing an amazing job!"

Ashley

If I could go back in time to my senior year, I would tell myself three things in regard to preparation for college. First, I would say to spend much more time and energy on collecting scholarship money for college tuition. Second, I would encourage myself to not be so shy around new people during the first few weeks of classes. Talk to people, introduce yourself, and don?t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a total stranger. You may surprise yourself and meet your new best friend. Finally, I would ask myself to pay more attention in class and really study. It?s easy to get distracted with all the new and cool activities of being a college student. You do need to get involved and have fun but also it?s essential to establish a balance. As a freshman, it?s a better idea to get off to a positive start with higher grades and a prudent work ethic. If you start out this way, it?s easier to keep going with it rather than starting off procrastinating all the time and then later having to force yourself to become a better student.

Jordan

Hello Jordan, I am you in the future, and I want to speak with you about making a transition from high school to college. I know high school seems easy and you?re keeping your grades up, but college is a lot harder than high school and will keep you much busier. You should take this time to prepare yourself by following some advice. Reading something different everyday will help you get used to reading for college assignments. It might seem daunting, but read at least fifty pages every day. I assure you the transition to college will be much smoother if you do this. Along with reading more, I strongly recommend you start exercise now and stick to it consistently because it is going to be very easy not to exercise in college. Among the homework load you will have, there are virtually unlimited ways to expend your valuable time, so spend it wisely. Exercising will not only help you look good and feel good, it will also help keep you healthy and maintain high energy levels. It?s better to spend time exercising and not get sick than to be doing homework with a cold.

Jordan

I would tell myself to continue working hard and that it is going to pay off. I would also really emphasize doing as many scholarships as possible and taking the time to do a really good job on them. It is also important to look for a job in early spring for the summer. I would also tell myself to spend time with friends and family building lasting memories and take lots of pictures.

Alexandria

First I would tell myself to work harder in High School so I will be more prepared in College. Also to have take advantage of all the college and AP classes avalible and not to have slacked in the ones I did take. Also to spend more time being organized, and making friends with people I didn't know. I would tell myself that I should have been more involved in high school activities and less on myself.

Ivy

Having to go from high school to college is a big step for many students. High school students need to have in mind that making the transition from high school to college also means they have to be more responsible and mature. Having said that, my advice to myself would be to have a mind set to accomplish certain goals that I propose myself, whether it would be registering for classes on time, having certain hours to study and do homework, applying for universities and scholarships, and most important, graduating. When in college, your porfessor is not on your case about doing homework or paying attention in class. I remember my first week in math class was stressful. The professor would just walk in, write a couple of notes, assign homework and leave. I was so use to my high school teacher taking the time to explain each problem and answer questions in class, that when going into college and finding out that it is not like that it made it very hard. It is up to you to do everything you have to get done. This is why I advise something very simple but that will help through college.

Melissa

I would remind my senior self that it is always best to be myself. I don't need to change who I am to impress those around me. It is always best to have friends who know and love me for who I am, not for someone I am pretending to be. There is no other me in the world, and if I am not myself, who will be me? I would also remind myself that I don't need to worry about my future as far as marriage and relationships are concerned. There is plenty of time to meet someone. I shouldn't expect to meet and fall in love with someone my first year of school. God knows the best timing for my life, there is no need to interfere with His good work. I just need to practice faith and patience, and of course, just be myself!

Karen

My advice too students and parents would be to explore your options and look at out of state schools. For most of my life, I had planned on going to the state school in my town, and one day, I decided to explore my options. I used several resources and found a school that was the right fit, and it was three states away. My other advice would be to visit as many schools as possible. You can only learn so much from websites and pamphlets. By visiting the campus, and talking with the community of students and faculty, you can tell if it is the right fit for you and if you want to financially invest in this school. My advice for making the most out of the college experience, is to remember that your education must come first, but that you need to have fun as well. Try everything once! Get involved in as many activities on campus and in the community as possible. Meet new people, because you may meet the friends you will have for the rest of your life.

Sarah

I would say that the right college will find you. Its about the feeling you have of a home away from home on your campus. Its somewhere you can picture yourself before you are even enrolled there. When you know, you know.

Lauren

You should definitely take the time to visit the colleges you are interested in, and go on a day when the school has a designated day for tours or visiting to get a better feel for everything the campus has to offer. Go by what your first impression of the school is. Don't let cost get in the way if you really want to attend a school, because there is plenty of financial aid available out there. When you first attend the college of your choice, don't get overwhelmed with the heavy class load. Take everything in stride and don't be afraid to ask for help from peers or professors if you need it. Take the time to relax and make friends through extra-curricular activities or in your dorm. College is the place to learn and get a solid education but also a time to make life long friends, so don't waist a moment of this precious time in your life!

Deidra

When looking at colleges dont only look at what courses the college offers and what the campus looks like. When a student actually starts going to college the most important aspect is the student life. This includes how the students treat each other, what kinds of activities are available, the atmosphere in the dorms, and how the school reacts and handles student related problems. These problems inlude suicide situations, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and sexual attraction to the same sex. When applying to a school you often never think that these problems will ever occur, but they do. Whether the student starts to deal with them or they have a friend that struggles with one or more of these problems. Remember to look at every aspect of the schools you are considering and talk to students that go to that school to get their honest opinions.

Teesha

My advice would be to look for the school that is well known for producing graduates that are exceptional in the area they studied in. Also look for a school where students are diligent workers. Keep in mind that you are paying for an education, not a social life. It is important, however, to find a school that has extracurricular activities that fit your hobbies, interests, and activities.

Anna

Dear friend, Know what you are passionate about studying, not based on what other people say or think. If it is a vocation that you could see yourself still enjoying in ten years down the road, GO FOR IT!! Visiting some of your top college choices is a great idea, since it gives you a taste of campus life. Just remember, time spent learning is never wasted time. P.S. And don't let lack of finances keep you from college- seek out scholarships, grants, and loans (which should be the last option, not the first :-).

BreAnna

Study really hard, and highschool is really just busy work, but do it and you'll be really prepared for college.

Rick

First of all, take the location into consideration, for if one wants to get away from home, that will play a large factor into ones college experince. Next, is the major that one desires for the field in which direction they feel that their life is going towards. Finally, look into finacial aid, as the parent and what kind of support or scholarship that one can receive.

Joanna

When determining which college you should attend, visiting each is very important. Make a list of the schools you're interested in, then try to arrange a campus visit with the admissions counsellors at each one. When you visit a school, you can feel right away whether the atmosphere is positive or negative, by the way students and faculty look, act, and interact. Everyone may be smiling at each other and talking together, or they may seem morose and cliquish. First impressions at a school are often correct! Once you've chosen a school and been accepted, it's important to start thinking about housing. Having been a commuter for two years, I know it is difficult to get a complete campus life experience. I suggest living on campus, as I am doing now, and getting to know all the people on your hall! Even if you don't know someone very well, take the opportunity to hang out a make friends you would not have otherwise sought out. Who knows, they may turn out to be your best friend for life!

Mary

I would say find a place you know you can fall in love with. Get into some school activities while vistiting, and sit in some classes that you might want to take in the future to see if you like the professors. The key to loving college is to study hard and stay on top of your studies, but also know when is a good time to have fun with friends.

Michelle

Make sure you really look at the college and find out from students about how good or how bad the school is!!!

Aloura

There are so many things I could say to parents and or students about finding the right college and making the most out of it. I was the first person to go off to a college in my family. I used ALL of my resources from high school and the interent to find out what kind of college fit me. At first I only looked at State Universities because I wanted to be affiliated with that kind of college group. But then I realized that it wasn't the name of the college that was important to me. It was about my field of study and my learning type. I then looked into smaller schools that offered courses in what I was actually interested in. From there, I actually visited different types of schools to get a feeling of them. I went to classes, asked questions about the school and what they stood for, and tried to see myself actually going to that school. Some schools were better than others, but when you find the right atmosphere, you know. When I found my school, I just let life and God guide me. It's been the perfect match for me!

Blaine

Go with your gut--don't let money make your decision and dive in!