Georgetown College Top Questions

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

Jessica

Fall in love with yourself. Seriously. Fall head over heels in love with every quality and characteristic that you possess. I know that you're fearful that certain parts of you aren't so "cool" but trust that people will love those quirky pieces. I've made a list of all the things that you should take pride in so that you'll not forget as you tend to do. 1. Own that you're different. Your Japanese heritage brings a smile to all who hear you talk about your immigrant grandmother and will cause people to be more accepting of others. 2. Keep your passion for Christ. Your fire will spark many more. 3. Volunteer and be an activist. 4. Accept your inner feminist. 5. NEVER be ashamed of your ADHD. Be open with your friends and professors about it and they will continually uplift your soul and come to your aid when needed. 6. You're awkward and weird. It sounds crazy but your oddness will warms the hearts of everyone around you. May the force be with you. 7. Lastly, remember that you are beautiful.

Katie

Keep working hard and do not get lazy, it will help in the long run

Kenneth

Don't worry about having to meet new people and fitting in. Every other freshman is just as nervous about it as you are, so they're going to be just as friendly and eager to make friends as you are. It's easy to be anxious about all the change that is going to happen, but that's why you face it one day at a time. Also, the college or university will do its best to make the transition as smooth as possible, so that you don't drown in all the change you're going to face. It's suprising how fast you will make friends if you just be yourself and talk to people. However, keep in mind that college is still school and it takes a lot of work. Make sure you manage your time well and get your work done, because there is no redemtion for late work in college and no one is going to hold your hand along the way. If you ever feel overwhelmed, sit down, take a deep breath, and sort through everything that needs to be done and it won't seem half as bad. Good luck!

Aimee

Throughout high school, teachers seemed to instill this fear in us that college is scary. While the thought of college seemed scary, especially to my sheltered high school brain, I would now go back and tell myself that as long as I am motivated and determined to succeed, I can walk myself through the course load in college. I would remind myself everyday that college really isn’t that scary. I have now learned, after being in college for two years, that your classes will be difficult. But, is that different than excelling another year in high school, where classes continually get difficult? If you had the motivation to get through your course work in high school, then you can have the motivation to get through your course work in college. I would also tell myself that it’s ok to have fun and to still live life. Teachers in my school made college out to be one of the hardest endeavors of your life that you most likely won’t enjoy. I have no idea why they ever instilled this fear in us, for college has been the biggest eye opener and life changer I have yet to experience.

Kara

Relax. Enjoy the moment instead of stressing about having the perfect grades and the perfect GPA. Study a little more for the AP tests so you do better than 3's and get more credit for what you know. Most of all-- have fun. You think people are crazy for having fun when they should be worrying about college, but once you get to college you'll realize you could've been easier on yourself and you still would've got the same financial aid. Don't worry about taking the ACT another time, you've already taken it 6. A 29 is a great score, and 30 is not that important in the long run. Be proud of what you do, and not so critical. However, just because I say to relax, does not mean to give up your work ethic. That's what allowed the transition to be so easy and you to do extremely well your freshman year. All those people who didn't take challenging classes their senior year will complain about how hard college is, and you will be greatful that you didn't take the year off like you could've easily done.

Katelyn

I would stress to myselft that friends and popularity are not everything. I would push myself to work harder to better prepare myself for the college work load. I would most definetly tell myself to keep my chin up and to always keep trying. I would want my high school self to be aware of the big changes college would bring socially and financially. Lastly, I would tell myself to hang in there, life can only get better.

Amanda

I became a much stronger person with more belief in myself. I developed confidence that I did't have before entering college. It was valuable to me because it opened many doors to possible careers that I would be interested in and allowed me to find out what I would be best in.

Elizabeth

The main thing I have learned in my time at Georgetown so far is networking. One has to be able to get his or her name out there to let others know they're there, and thus have more connections who would be willing to write a reference for a job, or to notify that person of opportunities they may or may not have otherwise had. In addition to networking, sometimes one has to take baby steps- they may not get the position they wanted at first, but at least his or her foot is in the door, and that is a crucial first step to getting to where one wants to be.

Lynn

I have learned a lot from my college experience so far. I learned that you really have no idea how many and what types of people are out there until you meet people that you have not grown up with. I have learned better study habits because everything in high school came very easily to me. I now know that everything may not come so easily and will take more work, but once I put hard work into something I am more proud of it. I have learned to enjoy listening to the teachers, and trying hard on my papers, and to learn. I also have severe asthma so college has helped me learn how to cope with it while I am at school. It is hard for me to walk around and during high school I could leave if my asthma began to bother me, but now I know that I can deal with it if I just put forth an effort like I do with my school work!

Tracey

During the Fall of 2009 I wasn't at Georgetown, I did an internship with the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida. While I was in Orlando, I realized how much I missed the atmosphere that only GC can offer. The since of being at home but at the same time being away from your parents. I now truely value what I have learned at Georgetown both in and out of the classroom. The people I have met along the way are outstanding and unique. Everyone is willing and able to you in anyway that you need it! Also the education you get at Georgetown is unlike any other around. The professors what to hear your opinion, and what to have conversations. They want students to make their own opinions on what they know and not just on what they have been told by their parents. It is valueable for me to attend GC because I feel that I have much more to learn from the institution, as well others on the campus have something to learn from me as well.

Clare

I have just started my second semester as a freshman in college. Time has completely flown by and I have been amazed at how much life has changed and how much I have changed! When I was in high school, I assumed that college was just like summer camp, but with homework. I was completely and utterly wrong. College so far has been a massive process of adapting to real life. There is so much responsibility and so many struggles that I never saw coming. Everything about myself has been tested including my self-confidence, my time-management skills, and my social skills. College has its troubles, but it is also the best experience of my life so far! I have met so many new people and gotten to see different ways of thinking. I am free to make my own decisions. I am free to be who I want to be. But be prepared, incoming freshman-it's more of a responsibility than you would think! Have fun! :)

Heather

As a high school senior, I was a narcissist. I struggled with the notion that I was the center of the lives of the people around me. I grew up in a very small, rural town where I was given a lot of attention for my accomplishments in sports and extracurricular activities. I wish that I would have known before I came to college that the world was much larger than the small town that I had experienced. Yes, I had been on vacations but I don?t mean physically in the world. I mean mentally and spiritually. There are so many questions out there unanswered that can be dove into and explored. I had no idea what deep thinking was and college was a rude awakening for me. Especially coming to a liberal arts institution that strongly urged students to learn who they really were and to ask challenging questions. I want all high school seniors to realize that there is more to them selves than the place where they grew up and the answers they have always been told. Think for yourself and ask challenging questions. Ask questions that you may be scared to hear the answer too.

Tyler

As a high school senior, I wish I would have taken the time to do an overnight visit at the college of my choice so I could get a real grasp on what the college life was about. I came into college prepared for the courseload and I have learned alot while at Georgetown College, but there is more to college than class. I want to have the full college experiance. I want to be involved on weekends and just have a good time but this cannot happen when a majority of the school either goes home, or to other colleges on weekends. I enjoy living on my own and having the responcibility to find balace between acedemics and social life but there really just isn't a social life and I am not enjoying myself. College should be a fun and interesting part of life so I wish I could go back and do over night visits and maybe I would be at a place that truly fits my personality and wants as a new college student.

Paul

Keep the study habits you have now. Don't let whats whats going around you distract you from why you are really there.

Devon

As a college student, you will be responsible for yourself. The time for your mom and dad, or whoever, to help you with all of your day-to-day issues has come to a close. You will need to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of gaining as much as you can from your studies, using the lessons learned to apply to your daily and future life. Be prepared for much reading, research, loss of sleep, and stress. This is all okay, though. It will only prepare you for your future career and life. This will make you stronger. Be involved in all aspects of campus life--volunteering, academics, art, sports, et al. This will broaden your education and make you a more rounded student and job prospect. Take the bull by the horns and step out of your comfort zone. Explore study abroad options--especially if you have little travel experience. All new experiences will enhance the person you will become. Most of all, just have fun. College years give you a chance to become all you can be. Take advantage of this!

Jaclyn

I would tell myself not to stress out so much. I would say that college is going to be a great experience and not to worry about it like I did. Encouragement is basically what I would give myself. I really stressed about if I was making the right choice in what college I should go to. All of my friends knew 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, and I was about 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure. I would tell myself that I made a great decision, that I have irreplacable friends, a bright future, and a place I could feel at home. Yes, classes can get stressful at times, and no one likes finals, but I have learned that they are beneficial to me in succeeding at life. Georgetown College offers everything that I needed it too, even if I could not see it in high school. I would tell myself to go in and have fun, do not worry about what might happen. Take it all in, these are and will be the best years of my life.

mark

I would tell myself to focus on my goals ( which was med school), and pay less attention to socializing, i.e girls and parties. There is plenty of time to play later. In fact you would have the resources to do anything you wish, after you finished your degree and began working. I would have to get mad at myself explaining the mistakes I made, how to correct them, and better yet how to avoid them. Here I am 46 and going back to school, one of the oldest in my class, trying to get back on the course I started over 20 years ago. Knowing that the best i can do now won't acheive my original goal of being a doctor. I am top of my class, on track to graduate with honors in the medical field, but not a doctor. It would be hard to tell yourself you had to settle for less than the best , and it could have been a different outcome had I kept focus on school. So easy yet so hard to do with all the distractions life can throw at you.

Karoline

Find more scholarships and visit more schools.

Caty

I would advise that you make a list of pros and cons about what you would like to get out of a college or University. After that list is made, look at colleges based on those factors, weigh the pros and cons based on your list and make a list of your top three choices. After you have made your top three choices, visit those schools, talk with professors and current students and tour the campus and a dorm there. After you have visited those schools, make a decision based on how well you enjoyed the campus and what it had to offer and weigh that in with your original pros and cons list. Once you decide which school you will be going to, try to start making connections with other future and current students. Some schools, like Georgetown College, have weeks in the summer you can go to and meet other new students while camping, canoeing and having fun.

Tucker

In all things, be self-aware, conscious and intentional of your actions, inclinations, and most importantly, the motivation behind them. The best choices are those made with a clear mind, understanding and identifying personal biases, the effect of former experiences, and future perspective. This applies to both choosing a college and making the most of one's experience at college. Understand that every action taken and decision made redirects you - if even by only a little - along the path of who you are and who you are becoming, so make an effort to be aware and intentional - conscientious - in all things. In this way, the bad choices may be identified and learned from, and better choices may be made in the future. Remember that college is not simply a time to "live it up" in a selfish manner, but instead it is a time to "soak it up", growing and flourishing in an environment full of possibilities. Lastly, "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement"; in other words, mistakes are inevitable, but be humble enough to accept your own and big enough to learn from others' without hurting them.

Morgan

My advice to parents or students about finding the right college would be to take a tour of the school first and attend all open houses. Talk to some of the students on campus and get their thoughts about the school. Talk to some of the professors and ask lots of questions. I would encourage them to find a school where they think they would feel comfortable with themselves as well as with others and not feel intimidated. My advice for making the most of the college experience would be to keep an open mind. Everyone has different views and opinions. Once you get to college, you will meet people from many different backgrounds and it is the perfect opportunity to experience other cultures and learn new things from new people. I would also suggest trying to get involved in as many things as possible that interest you, if for no other reason but to meet new friends.

Kasse

Each individual person has a style, whether it be small-town person or city person; colleges also have a style, or personality. In order to pick the perfect college you, as the student should start planning as early as your freshmen or sophomore year of high school. This early start will give you the option of touring multiple schools, finding financial opportunities, and the research facilities which best fit your style. In order to make the most of your college experience you should not be afraid to make new friends and try new things. Along with these two things you need not be worried about whether or not you know what you want to major in and the college you choose should allow you multiple opportunities to explore and discover your future dreams.

Jessica

There are a lot of things that can influence your college choice. Money and location are two of the biggest ones. But what is more important is that you find a college that fits for you, no matter the cost or location. When I came to Georgetown, everything just clicked, and I knew I belonged here. It was exactly the kind of environment I wanted to be in. So get out there, explore your options, talk to the students at theses schools and find the one that is right for you. Remember, it's your choice, and your future.

Caleb

Help your Senior make a list of the qualities that he/she is looking for in a future university/college. Help them find qualities that they want from the colleges you have selected. Let them ultimately decide what college they go to. Make sure that you are constantly encouraging them in their decision-making process, giving them confidence to make their own decisions. Going to college offers many perplexing questions that students have to answer on their own. They need to be confident that you (parents) are behind them 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Have you son/daughter get involved in the campus activities AND in the community. Getting to know people in their future community will help them in the long run with making connections to internships, jobs, etc. Creating a social network at school is also really important. A large group of diverse friends can open up many opportunities to higher learning and what future the might persue. These are some important steps to helping your son or daughter find their place in the world. Good Luck!

Becky

When one decides upon a college or university the most important thing is to know what you are looking for and what environment you will succeed in. Compile a checklist of characteristics you look for in an institution, think about what will be important to you as you are learning and living there. As you visit colleges and universities use your checklist to evaluate which colleges will be right for you so that you are not blinded by the glamour many visitors are presented with. Make sure to stay overnight, ask questions even after your parents leave, and sit in on several classes to get a feel for the learning environment. Don?t base your decision simply on how much the college costs, because in many aspects of life ?you get what you pay for?. Talk to financial advisors of the colleges and let them know that you are being sought after by many schools, this may encourage them to offer you more scholarship or financial aid. Weigh your options and compare extracurricular activities that are available to you, ask if the college is lifeless on the weekends, look for things that interest you in surrounding towns, and have fun!

Stephanie

Find a place that fits you. Visit the colleges you are considering early in order to begin getting a feel for the campuses. Do not limit yourself and put some schools on your list that are kind of out there. You may be surprised.

William

There are many factors to consider when searching for the right college. The first thing to consider is how well a particular college fits the students needs. Do you want to go to a large school or a small school? Do you want to go to school close to home or far away? These are some questions to consider first and foremost. Some other factors to consider are what programs and activites a school offers. Students need to consider what they want to major in and make sure the colleges they are interested in offer those programs. After considering these factors you need to narrow your search for schools down to about three or four and visit them multiple times. The final decision should be based on which school you feel the most comfortable at and how well that school will prepare you for life after college, because ultimately that is why you attend a college. When you finally decide on a college make sure you are involved and get to know people as soon as possible. The people you meet first are likley to be your friends for the duration of your college experience.

Kyle

College can be a wonderfully joyous experience where one can make memories that last a lifetime. Ultimately, however, the decision of which college or university to attend should be made based on what your passions are, not how good the football team is, or even the cost in time and money. Your final decision of where to attend college will be perhaps the most influential of your life and will dictate not only who you will become as an employee and as a member of society, but even as an individual, a parent, a friend, and a mentor. College is not simply a place to attend in order to obtain a diploma by which you may have an increased chance of being elected to your dream career. College is a place which shapes your beliefs and understandings of the world around you, cements your morals and convictions, and determines what path you will take in the great journey of life. Thus, when you are evaluating a college based on its cafeteria, or dorm rooms, or proximity to the mall, please stop and realize that the college or university you select will shape the very essence of who you will become.

Valerie

Stay involved with students on your campus and other surrounding campuses, and even if you're close to home, do not go home often because you will seclude yourself from people on campus. To find the right college, visit many colleges and visit more than once and visit at random times if it's possible (such as not on visitors days). This will help you to get a feel of what a typical day on campus is like and will help you to make a better decision about if the school is for you or not. And don't let the expense deter you! If you're supposed to go somewhere, the money will not be a problem.

Bethany

Don't go into college expecting a certain experience because things change. Also, don't go to a college based on your friends, you will meet so many new people and keeping with your same friends from high school might hinder you from meeting people who will expand your horizons. Go with the college that fits you best, if a big college scares you, its probably a bad idea,but if you want out of high school, a small school is bad idea.

Jonathan

In finding the right college, the parents and students should visit the colleges of their choices and see how they are firsthand. When I was choosing between colleges, I knew that I wanted to go to small college that doesn't have a campus that spread all over the busiest part of town, like most universities. Also, I would look into the academic and social life the college has to offer to its students. One should decide if he/she wants to have some sort of teacher/student relationship with the professors. I knew that I wanted my professors to know who I am and care as to whether I am in his/her class or not. In the end, the parents/students should decide on the college that they feel comfortable in and know that they will receive the best care possible when learning.

Sarah

Go some place that feels like home. Make sure that you are happy there. Don't settle for anything other than what you want when it comes to a college. Go with your heart/gut instinict.