Gonzaga University Top Questions

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

Carolyn

I would say to work hard. To keep pushing myself harder academically to get more finincial aid. Once college roles around, you will realize the intense expenses and the more financial aid, grants, and scholarships will help out your parents pay for their fourth child to go to Gonzaga. Work as hard as you can to get to Gonzaga, because here is where your life really begins. Be ready to work just as hard in college and even harder so you can enjoy the social opportunities college presents and still thrive academically. Work hard to play hard. Be willing to be more brave, to be outgoing. This will help in getting jobs, financial aid and making a new circle of friends. So be brave and when the time is right throw caution to the wind and put yourself out there. College is about reconciling the teenage version of yourself and the adult person you will become. Be prepared to have disappointments with grades and social life, but the important thing is to grow and learn from all these new experiences. So, in that time of preparing for a huge change, be excited, and be ready to work hard.

Brianna

I would tell myself to pay attention and that school is not a joke, or something to pass your time. I would tell my self to study and do all my work. I would tell myself to take classes that will make a difference in my life and not just some easy blow off class. I would also tell myself to be nice to everyone and not be so judgemental, they are fighting a harder battle than me.

Annie

College is an adventure and high school seniors need to remember this. No matter what score a student received on college placement tests, no matter how hard he prepares to excel to carry those skills over the demands of college rigor, those high school skills lay the groundwork. At college, everything is new: environment, time management, your social development, and the rise of everyday challenges. Your graduating class and the new one at university are mirrored; they are both one, together, though two worlds apart. It is essential to investigate if a certain college is the right place, for learning, social growth, and opportunitive to give back before deciding on a school. One of the reasons I transitioned positively into college was because I embraced the adventure to do so. There are always those moments that would have benefited from looking at the big picture. College shows new perspectives, challenges old perspectives, develops insight, placing students in the big picture. Insight can be gained inside the classroom but often is from the people you meet. It is important to work hard and remember to balance prepartion with inspiration. Every task can be purposeful, by not simply doing, but learning.

Zachary

College is not as hard as the teachers in high school say. The professors are much easier going and so much more forgiving that you had origianlly thought. A piece of advice though: Do not slack on finding scholarships, if you had gotten any it would have helped tremendously, and if possible, try to take less classes in the first year, 18 credits is too hard for you to take. Also, do not go to your room during those one hour breaks inbetween classes, it just makes it too easy to not go to class...

Mary

College is one of the greatest experiences you are ever going to have. I want you to take advantage of every opportunity you can, and break down any personal barriers you may have. This is the time in your life when you are really going to discover who you are and what you want to do with your life. Be safe and always surround yourself with good people; they will be the ones you can rely on when you find yourself in a pickle. Go to college, study hard, be safe, but most of all, have fun. Step out of your comfort zone and try things you never have before. There is no one holding you back except yourself.

Kaitlynne

Looking back on senior year from where I am now, I realize how much I have grown up in the past 2 years. Currently, with one semester of college under my belt and more life experience than I can explain, I wish I could go back and warn myself what was waiting down the road. I would stress that choosing to go to college would not be as easy as many traditional families make it look. Unlike many of my peers who were left with trust funds or strong financial support from parents, I was on my own and would have to work hard every day to ensure my future stayed on track. Despite the fact that I was maintaining a 3.9 gpa and getting involved in extracurriculars, I never thought to consider that something as small as a deadline for a form could easily end my college career before it really even started. Now, paying rent in a new house after narrowly escaping debt from a previous landlord along with struggling to find enough work, I understand the full weight of every decision I make and how close I am to failure if I'm not careful.

Katharine

In high school, it seemed that everyone was so caught up in appearances: who wore name brand clothes, who drove the fastest, most awesome cars, or who was dating whom. A lot of times throughout high school, my peers and I felt pressured to "fit in" or else the rest of the school would not accept us and people would be too quick to judge. However, now that I am in college, I do not feel the pressure to mask myself under clothes of a certain brand. I do not have access to a car, and neither do a vast majority of other college students. Dating is not important to me; concentrating on my studies and succeeding is what really matters, in my opinion. The bottom line is, now that I am attending college at the best University for me, I can feel awesome just being myself. I do not feel as if I am constantly being judged, nor do I judge others. When making the transition to college life, do not get caught up in appearances; just have a lot of fun and be yourself!

Karlie

I had a unique senior year experience by deciding to get involved in the Running Start program at my local community college. I continued with one class at my high school and three at Everett Community College. If I could talk to myself now as a high school senior I would encourage myself to be more aware of the world around me. I have always been about hitting the books, getting good grades, and getting ahead whenever I get the chance. This is a great trait to have, except I missed out on a lot of my social learning. Schoolwork and classrooms are only part of the learning process that people go through. My experience here at Gonzaga University has taught me a lot about myself that I didn?t know. I never noticed how many events I missed out on over the years. These events were as small as having dinner with people I had never met, and as big as missing out on experiences with people I can?t anymore. I wish I had taken time to look around and learn not only from a notebook, but from the opportunities I could have taken my senior year.

Tori

If I could go back in time to my senior year of high school and tell myself something, now having experienced college life, I would tell myself to make more good friends and spend more time developing the precious friendships that I already have. My biggest regret now that I am in college is that I did not try hard enough to stay in touch with friends and mature our relationships as we left home to attend college in different states across the country. My early college experience would have been greatly enhanced if I could have shared difficulties and successes about the transition to college as well as academic experiences with someone I was familiar with and could trust to get the emotional support that really could have helped us both in the transition. I would further stress to myself that there is no harm in being overly friendly to people I pass in the halls and really try to renew friendships that could last through these stressful college experiences.

Erin

If I could go back in time to give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself two things. Read your textbooks, and college isn't as scary as it seems. Reading your textbooks is a key factor in doing well in college classes. It's not as easy as high school is and most of the information on tests comes directly from the reading. College is fun. Making friends and all of those things you think are really scary really aren't. College is a lot of work, but it is also a lot of fun. Don't be scared and work hard. Give it your best and you will do fine.

Alyssa

A really good way to save money in college is to see what classes your friends, particularly housemates, are taking and share textbooks. I?ve spent over $200 a semester on books and that?s including not buying them for one class when I got to borrow those books from a housemate. I would also suggest that any books you don?t want to keep for future reference you resell on half.com or something similar. But don?t use bananabooks.com cause they?re a scam. I really wanted to just get rid of my books last year and didn?t care how much I got for them and I supposedly sold my last two books to this company for 25 cents a piece, but the check bounced and my bank tried to charge me $7 because of the bad check. So always make sure you use a reputable site when dealing with stuff like this.

Ben

What an opportunity. First of all I would tell myself to buy a lot of stock during the recession because there is a great deal of money to be made there. I would then tell myself that it all works out and not to worry about school; just give it all you've got. I would tell myself to enjoy life and enjoy college. Give it your all but remember what comes first in life, God, family and friends. It is hard to replace any of those but you can always go and get a degree. Second I would tell myself to work as hard as you can because you're going to do great things and change the world. I would tell myself to never let people talk down to you or tell you that you are not able to do something. I would tell myself I am able to do anything I want and all it takes is persistance and hard work. 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of acheiving is dreaming the dream and the other 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} is working hard to acheive it. Don't ever give up on something you believe.

Hyun

Dear Hyun, There was a time when I was completely satisfied with being smarter than the student sitting next to me. However, this does not necessarily make you a top student. Never judge your standards by the person next to you. Reach your potential pillar by personally measuring your abilities. Understand who you are and how much you can push yourself. Discover your inner discipline and resources and not just what it takes to beat your classmates. Pace, strengthen, and push yourself. Run your own race and focus on only your lane. Reach that finish line invigorated and proud instead of gasping to beat the runner next to you.

Stephen

Prepare yourself for the greatest time of your life. You will be pushed academically, but it will only make you a harder worker and more determined to excel/succeed in your career field. The people you will meet are amazing. They come from all over the place, helping you to grow, discover new ideas, and find different ways of thinking. Stay focused and work as hard as you can everyday, being sure to always give back to those who surround your community. Your hard work ethic and support for the individuals around you will pay off and make you the person you strive to be. You will love Gonzaga University so much, that you will return for another two more years, in pursuit of your Master's degree. The relationships you will develop and stive for excellence will make you a Zag for life.

Jane

The advice I would give to myself would be don't have a boyfriend when you move away to college. It's important that during your freshman year you meet tons of new people. I suggest going to parties, making friends, and having fun. The transition can be very difficult, but having friends and a good support system can make all the difference. I also suggest not coming in as a science major. If you think you want to be a science major, decide once you've taken a college level science class. Try taking that science class with few other difficult classes as well. Oh! And make sure to take a Sociology class your freshman year, you'll love it!

Travis

Learn as much as you can! I was one of the smarter people at my public highschool (top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}). Hardly ever studdied, got good grades. Then I went to a private college where I was not the smartest kid in class and had to study 10 hours per day to catch up. It was a huge change for me!

Marissa

Senior year is full of excitement and anticipation to finally gain independence and delve into a learning environment that is entirely your own. College is a unique experience for each person, and everyone needs to sift through their own problems as freshmen to mold who they will later become. However, if I could go back and highlight the important things, they would include study habits and getting involved sooner. The science classes in college were substantially different because they required large amounts of reading before labs and extensive work after to meet the requirements. I learned this the hard way, and it wasn?t until I received several low grades before I truly understood that I needed to put a little more time and effort into my studies. Another aspect of college that I didn?t fully grasp right away was the importance of getting involved. There are many community service organizations at Gonzaga, all of which really give back to the needy community of Spokane. As a freshman it?s easy to feel small, but really getting in touch with those surrounding you not only enlightens you to realistic situations, but helps to form true and lasting friendships.

Gabriella

Don't be afraid to take risks, and be real to the new people you meet, don't make up a fake personality, because it will come back to haunt you when you are tired of being fake and want to go back to being yourself.

Bryce

Manage your time wisely. Even though college is a new thing and there are all sorts of crazy events going on, the one thing to remember is that you are there to study, learn, and get a degree in order to get a job. It is important to know when the right time to party is, but also when it is time to study. You should study more than party, because if you are not prepared for class in college it takes you three times as long to catch up because they cover three times as much material at three times the pace.

Madeline

Imagine coming from a small school and being in a big classroom with 50 desks in it, "foreign" objects on the walls and cabinets. It is your first day in this room, and you know that you will be spending many more here. The professor begins the lecture and already by the second and third class, you begin to fall behind and feel overwhelmed. What is wrong- it is only the second week of class? So many people told me that when I made it to college, the transition would be easy. It was in a few ways, homework load, new faces, but what I was not prepared for were the study habits necessary for the teaching style. What I didn't realize was that in college, you have to read and study the chapters prior to coming to class, so the teacher can just touch on the main points. In my high-school, the teachers taught everything and we went back afterwards and studied. Here, it would have been nice to know before-hand, that it is necessary to go beyond what was normal and be self-motivated rather than having to figure it out the hard way.

Angela

To just take it easy. Stop stressing about trying to make every person like you. Instead focus on being myself, and all of a sudden people will like you more for not trying so hard. Also, its ok if they dont like you, becasue the friends that you do make will be the better than you can even imagine! Also, its ok to have some fun, caring about school is important, but the most important lesson you are about to learn is to balance your life. All aspects of your life need to be balanced, but only you can decide what that perfect balance is. So just relax, live, learn, and take the ups with the downs!

Ashley

I would tell myself not to ever feel like I have to be anyone but me. When you pretend to be someone else you will make friends that either wont last or that after a couple months you wont even like them anymore. Don't be fake, it's not who you are. You are a genuine person and don't feel like that has to change. Be proud of who you are and where you come from; you may of grown up a little different then everyone else have 6 siblings and being from a tiny town, but that is nothing to be ashamed of. You meet the best people in life when you aren't even trying, so just live life and let it happen.

Callie

Do not worry so much! Do not worry about roommate issues, do not worry about academic pressure, and do not worry about money. It will all work out for the best. Trust yourself and trust God. You have a firm foundation, so do not be afraid to grow!

Mark

Do alot of research, get good grades in high school to get the school you want. It will all pay off

Joshua

Before you choose a school, visit it. Speak with students who are going there and alumni who have left. If you have an idea for a major, meet a professor in that field to understand what you will be doing. Once you find that school, get involved. Meet new people, and don't be afraid to step outside of your boundaries and try new things. Push yourself to be the best, and surround yourself with friends whom you love and cherish, and will hopefully know for the rest of your life. Don't waste a day, because you can never get it back. It will be the best four years of your life if you make it that.

Jordan

To parents and students in the process of choosing a college, I would definitely suggest visiting all the schools you are seriously considering. When visiting, talk to as many people as possible, students and faculty included, and ask them direct questions you may have about the programs and the experience at the school. This is a great way to get a feel for the student body and determine whether a college would be a good fit for you. Once you get to college, I would really encourage you to take risks and get out of your comfort zone. This might mean joining a club that focuses on something you have always been scared to try, or befriending a hall mate who is the complete opposite of the friends you had in high school. Whatever you do, college is a time to take risks and learn about yourself. Whether you don't know what to do with so much free time, or you sign up for so many activities that you are overwhelmed, seize opportunities that interest you, but also be careful to maintain some balance in your life. Get involved, but also give yourself time to study and relax.

Craig

Visit the college and don't let the cost keep you from at least applying

Katie

I would tell students to make sure they find a college that represents who they are and what they are interested in becoming. It is important to visit a college before you decided to attend, because knowing the atmosphere of the campus is a huge factor of a well informed decision. Also, it is important to shadow some classes at the school you are considering. Find out if the class size is small enough for you to get enough one on one time with professors. Also you should tour the area around the campus to make sure you will like the city you'll be living in. These are all important factors to consider.

Ashley

Go with your first instinct, and definitely talk to current students who go there. Visit a few times and try to sit in on a class if you can.

Jean

I would tell students to visit the college before they make their decision to attend. Being on the campus and seeing the college community in action can allow the parents and the students to decided if the college is the right one for them. To make the most of the college experience it is important to get to know everyone, especially in the first month. The more outgoing you are, the more people you will meet and the more friendships you will establish. Find people in classes to study with. And most importantly, get involved in at least one club or on campus group. Most colleges have a large number of clubs so pick one that interests you and be sure to be an active member. This is a great way to meet people. Also, live on campus for your first year. It's the best way to make new friends.

Michelle

I would tell parents to let their child decide. Athough money is an issue do not cancel off a school just based on that factor. Money is something that can be fixed through financial aid, scholorships, grants, and work-study. If a child walks on to a campus, spends a day there, and really feels at home it is a good school choice for them. I would tell students to find schools with the degrees they want to study and then go and visit those places. Don't go to a school that doesn't feel like home to you. As for making the best of the college experience, enjoy every minute of it. Be free, independent, smart, and have fun. Parents don't try to be too protective or you will push your child father away. Let them go and be independent for once. Give them a chance to be responsible and successful on their own.

Lindsay

You should visit the schools that you are interseted in. Go on campus tours, and look around the grounds for yourself. Do research on the schools that is by professionals and also students.

Kristin

Being from Hawaii, the hardest part of my college search experience was being able to visit college campuses. I visited none on the mainland and visited only one in my home state. Upon arriving at my chosen university in late August, I wished I had visited behorehand. Having previously seen the campus and the area around it could have easily changed my decision. Being able to experience the university before deciding is an important part to making the "right decision." Knowing the environment of and around your campus is equivalent to knowing the house and the neighborhood you are going to live in for the next four or more years. (That's pretty important to know beforehand considering what a longterm investment college is!) As for experiencing college itself, I feel the most important aspect I can improve upon is simply putting myself out there. New experiences and lifelong friends do not suddenly exist as we sit waiting in our peaceful, secure dorm rooms. The greatest and most important risk in college is allowing ourselves to "lose ourselves" in a way and experience what is out there - letting both the good and the bad create what is unique about us.

Theresa

Make sure to visit a few colleges before settling on one. Just because a college has good stats and looks good on paper does not mean it will fit your (student's) particular personality/disposition. Also visiting a campus will allow you to hear, straight from current students the good and bad aspects of the school (make sure to talk to more than just school ambassadors/ tour leaders) . If possible, sit-in on a class or two in an area you/your student are interested in to see if it seems like you would do well in that kind of learning environment. When you do decide on a school and you arrive on campus, be friendly with your dorm-mates and be open to trying new experiences, but never be afraid to say no if something doesn't feel right. This is how you will make friends that believe the same or similar things as you do. Mainly, as you go through college- Be true to yourself in everything you do.

Sarah

During my college selection process, I found the most beneficial decision making tool to be visiting the university while school is in session. This allows for the college-freshman-to-be to attempt visualizing themselves on the campus, as well as getting an idea of what the other students are like. Prior to the fall of my senior year, I visited numerous universities and ruled out a large number of them just based on my experience with the campus and students. In order to make the most of the college experience, it is crucial to get involved. Take advantage of all the university has to offer- whether it be athletic events, open-mic nights, or late Sunday night church services. These four years are an incredibly unique time in the life cycle, and will never be replicated further down the road. Though it is important to study hard to earn that six-figure income, or whatever your professional goals may be, it is also important to occasionally stay up until 2am on a Tuesday night just to eat cookie dough and enjoy the company of the the other 300 18-year-olds that happen to live right down the hall.

Todd

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a college is the social environment. What to look for in each college's environment depends on what the student wants to get out of college as well as what fits the student best. There are many things that should be considered in searching for the right school: academics, size, athletics, resources, and location are just a few. Some colleges are very big and have almost unlimited student resources. Others are more limited in facilities and student resources but offer a much more personal connection academically and socially. Although college is largely about expanding horizons and stepping out of comfort zones, it is important that students choose a school where they feel comfortable. Students will be studying, working, and living on campus in, what is more than likely, a completely new lifestyle. Simply living away from home will be a large strain on many students; therefore, students should find a school that allows them to feel comfortable and accepted to make the transition easier. The sooner students feel at home, the sooner they will be able to focus on classes and be able to discover who they are.

Carla

.In order to find the right college for you, first invision your dream college. Think about the atmosphere that you can realistically see yourself at. To make it easier, start with the basics; small or large, location, class size, athletics, etc. If these agree with you, then your have made it to the second step. Look at your testing scores and grades, are they compatible with the school? If so, then go for it! You have nothing to lose by applying. After the application season, start comparing the financial aid of the colleges you applied to. This may or may not eliminate some schools, but it should indicate which schools offer the most aid. These are the keepers. When your acceptance letters come in, hopefully all your hard work paid off. Some schools give financial scholarships with the acceptance letter; if they have gone out of their way to make you want to attend, then go and visit the campus. But what if you are still unsure? Think about all the blood and tears shed for AP exams, SATs, doing sports, and other extracurriculars. If you feel the school was worth it, then you will have a great college experience.

Michael

If you never had that dream college, it can be frustrating to pick the one that fits you best. I suggest three important steps to choosing the right college. The first is to make a list of schools that offer areas of study that you are intersted in. The second step is to visit the potential school. You must feel comfortable on campus and make sure the facilities are in good condition. You should also like the city in which the school is located. The third step is to talk to current students and professors of the school and specifically ask what they do not like about the school. This will aid in making a pro/con list of attending the school. In order to make the most of the college experience, the first focus should be on your studies. This will help develop passions and interests. Taking a chance to do what you can with them will help you learn what matters to you and how to put it at the forefront of your life. Explore the city around the college. Volunteer around the community and you may just discover what you want to do after college!

Kaitlin

For parents and/or students searching to find the right college I would suggest to start applications very early, and to apply to as many schools as possible just so there are more options available. Plus i would say try to live on campus in a dorm freshman year/ it is definitely a part of the college experience. Don't live with your best friend. You will not be best friends with your first friends you meet so don't expect that and also don't expect to find your best friends in college/ or even right away. Try to get a job on campus and apply for scholarships. Overall enjoy applying, make sure there are several available choices for you and have fun!

Michael

Forget money...

Sarah

Find a school that fits your personality and lifestyle, not what you think you want your personality and lifestyle to be.

Erin

When giving advice to parents and students in reguards to finding the right college, I would say look at what is most important to you. A school close to home, finances, class sizes; these things should be the ulimate decision factors. Never make a decision based on anyone elses opinion, because you (the student) will be the one ulitmatley going to the school for the next four years. To make the most of your college experience, be open to new people. Get out and meet your community, because every person you meet has the potential to change your life. Don't let others make decisions for you, and create your own path in life.; and never take yourself too seriously.

Emily

no response

Alexis

Don't be afraid to go after the big dream, and don't close your mind to different possibilities!

Levi

Visit the campus, know the class size, pick based on experince not what filed of study because that changes rapidly freshmen year

Cole

Go Gonzaga G-O-N-Z-A-G-A

Jeb

Reflect. Before you begin looking at schools it is really important to answer some basic questions. It is important to realize what your needs and goals are. I would recommend that you look at the cost of school as a last resort for making your decision. Also, strongly consider the benefits of a smaller, residential campus as opposed to a larger, more commuter based school. At the end of the day you are going to school to get an education and to figure out what you as a student want out of life. Focus on the schools that seem best prepared to foster that growth because that is what you will remember. College should equate to much more than an expensive piece of paper, it should be the culmination of the best experience of your life. Visit at least 4 schools before you decide, go there by yourself if you can, spend a night in the dorm, find a school that feels alive when you step on campus. Parents, encourage your students to see college as a life experience and give them the freedom to find it.

Sophie

I would advise parents and students to carefully consider their options, and to not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Consider your personal and academic interests, and well as what type of learning environment you function best in. College is a great time to make new friends and have memorable experiences, and finding the right college in the first step in this new chapter.

Brittany

Look around! There are so many choices so dont lose time!

Kirsten

It will snow and be freezing cold durring the winter eventhough the summers can be extreemly hot!