Guilford College Top Questions

The first thing that I would tell myself would be to take college courses while still in high school. Most of the time, students try to make senior year as easy as possible. They take easy classes and they don't try very hard because they just want to have fun. My senior year, I did not push myself and I had what many students have when they are seniors in high school, and that was "senioritis". I wanted to do as little as possible so that I could have more free time to do what I wanted. That brings me to my next piece of advice. I would tell myself to put more effort into my schoolwork, because in high school, I thought success was being able to study as little as possible to get passing grades. I did not see the point in trying to work so hard for 'A's in high school. But now I struggle in my college classes because I did not develop good study habits in high school. I have to work extra hard it seems then other students, and I tend to fall back into my old ways of hardly studying.

If I could go back in time, to when I was a senior, I would tell myself not to get down on opportunities that are missed. I really didn't prepare myself for the amount of competition at the collegiate level. However, I don't regret any of the decisions I made and high school me just needs to know that I am happy and capable of anything I set my mind to.

Do not hesitate to plan ahead! One of the most difficult aspects of college is balancing your schedule and managing to get all homework completed in time. Some professors will remind you about upcoming assignments, and some will simply expect you to keep up with the syllabus on your own; you never know. So better safe than sorry - keep close track of upcoming assignments, as far ahead as possible. Make sure to use your planner and stick to it. Procrastination is very difficult to avoid as a young college student, so don't beat yourself up if you do it sometimes and maybe have to pull a few all-nighters. But try to avoid procrastination as much as you can; planning when and what to do every day can actually be really helpful, and not repetitive as it may seem. In college, there are many fun events to attend and clubs to join - do not hold back! If you think you would enjoy something, go ahead and join in. It will give you a sense of community and you'll meet new friends. You can then add the fun activities to your planner and have things to look forward to.

Finding a college that meets your needs should be your top priority. Whether the school is world renowned, or barely known if it can provide an environment in which you will reach your full academic potential, it is worth fighting to get into. College is not only about academics, it is also a means for personal growth. The college expierence is about realizing how you will eventually change the world, not how you will fit into it.

When I came to Guilford College, I expected that I would fall in love with college life immediately and not have any adjustment issues. This was definitely not my reality! However, I believe that the imperfections of my college experience have helped me grow the most. Homesickness was (and still is!) the biggest issue for me in college. Living hours away from my parents for several months in an unfamiliar place has been extremely challenging. It was both liberating and terrifying to realize that I could no longer turn to my parents for my basic needs; I am now responsible for taking care of myself academically, physically, and emotionally. Due to having a more flexible schedule than I did in high school, I no longer procrastinate in college. I now complete assignments and prepare for class activities in advance. I am also learning how to balance my academics and social life. I am striving to make my life in college better-rounded by spending time with friends, trying new activities, and exploring Greensboro rather than doing homework constantly. Granted, my college experience has not been what I expected, but I believe I have become stronger because of its many challenges.

The best two things about attending TCC have been the small class sizes, and the teachers being paid to teach. In large universities core classes can have 100+ students in them, but at TCC the largest class I have had so far was 38 students. The teachers have time to answer everyones questions, and they actually learn your name and get to know you as a person. Another wonderfull thing about TCC is that the teachers are paid to TEACH as opposed to being hired to do research. So you never have to deal with teachers aids, you can always go to the teachers office and see them about any and all problems you have. These two great aspects combined lead to a very caring, nurturing enviornemt that fosters personal growth and development . It almost feels more like a family enviornment than a school.

The college advisors have been extremley helpful in assisting me to figure out what I want to study. I have now decided that I want to major in the health sciences, specifically in Biology, then attend gradutae school and take an accelerated nursing course. Everyone on campus is looking out for my best interest. Students have been very kind and generous. There is some bureaucracy, but not too much.

My college experience has given me self-confidence, direction, and a passion for learning. Thirty three years ago I started college as a teenager, earned an associate's degree, and went on to have a family and a respectable career. Then my job was out-sourced and I found myself ineligible for any job matching my skill set because I didn’t have a bachelor's degree. I found a long-term, contract position and went back to school. Balancing a full-time academic workload with a full-time job and two full-time, busy teenagers was challenging but I loved every minute of it. Two years in, with a 3.87 GPA and my degree so close I could almost touch it, my body betrayed me. Serious complications following open heart surgery knocked me down so completely that I was unable to work for six months or to return to school for two years. But I did return. I will be a Teaching Assistant for Psychology Research Methods next semester and then I expect to graduate with honors in May. After that I'm going for a Masters in Psychology - then maybe a doctorate!

I have worked hard and studied countless hours and yet wouldn't trade that time back for anything. I now have a much higher knowledge base and can hold my head up high. I am proud of myself, I didn't think I was smart enough to do this, but I am so much closer to a better life for my children. I have self-confidence and now I KNOW that I can graduate; I am smart enough! I have learned how to do so much and how to articulate my thoughts and ideas in a precise logical way so that others know what I am getting at. My horizons have brodened and in a few years will have surpassed what I never thought possible; I will be a college graduate. I will be an asset to any company all because I made the first step and went back to college and started the learning process.

My college experience has allowed me to see the world in an entirely new way. Through the relationships I have gained thus far in my college career, I have met people of different and innovative idea's, beliefs, and values that I would not have seen if I had not attended college. The personal classtime with challenging courses has also allowed me to articulate my own ideas and knowledge to my classmates and professors. This is imperative because of the writing assignments are extremely unique and difficult and, therefore, I have become a more intellectual citizen that can look at other individuals beliefs and knowledge while also supporting my own. Of course this will begin to be more important when I step into my own career field and are faced with personal challenges to my ideas, intellect, and moral compus. Without my college experience, I would not have grown as a person mentally and emotionally which, therefore, shows that my college experience has molded me into a smarter, more prepared, and more articulate citizen, which has allowed me to view my surroundings in an open way.

I've realized that pursuing my major has not been the focus of my time at Guilford, but rather, my focus, or what I have learned the most from, has been my interactions with people from totally different backgrounds, who have totally different views, but at the same time realizing that I am connected to them, as different as they may be, by being at this college, by pursuing further education at such a place that places such emphasis on development and diversity, rather then just achievment and competition. I have come to learn that there are many different types of people, and that I am but one single individual, my way of things is not always the best, and while I am just an individual, we are all connected. There is more to higher education then just education. There's interconnection, helping me become a more aware person. That is what I have been studying, not in a class room, its not tested or set down in front of me, but it is taught by living here, by existing in this diverse culture, and by realizing that while everyone is unique, everyone is different, everyone is also the same.

I have learned that the world is a much bigger place and that there are millions of possibilities. This is valuable to me because it has helped me mature more and learn that I can do so mouch more than I thought I could.

As a sophmore here at Guilford College, I have found my home and where I belong. I also play softball and have formed a close-knit family with my teammates. I balance out my school work and softball with many supportive friends outside of the classroom and my sport. I know how to manage my time due to softball and my classes. The beautiful campus always stimulates me and I often find myself stopping to take in the views and atmosphere. Although most of Guilford's classes are challenging, I find myself wanting to learn more. I enjoy the challenge and I truly benefit from the difficulty and gain much more knowledge. College has brought me out of my shell and has made me more independent. I have become a free-spirit trying to find my way and Guilford is lending it's helping hands to make me achieve my dreams and reach my potential.

My college experience has given me the ability to appreciate many different types of people and the abilities they have to offer to the community.

I've gotten more than I expected from Guilford. I'm from Greensboro and I only came to Guilford because of personal reasons, not because I am a liberal hippie. But I've changed a lot personally and grown a lot academically. Guilford is a really easy place to get involved. Students, faculty and staff are always looking for a new and innovatie activity that reflects Guilford's core values which do play a large role in comparison to what I think core values play at other schools. I feel comfortable being different here. I've become an adult here.

I obtained my Associate's degree in Paralegal Technology from Guilford Technical Community College several years ago and I believe that learning experience has helped me in my job in the Guilford County Attorney's Office where I'm employed as the Contract Administrator. Also, imy degree made it possible for me to sit for the NC State Bar Exam for Paralegals. As a result, I passed the exam and became a Certified Paralegal. The college experience is enlightening and has helped me to grow as a person. I've learned, not only about the legal field of study, but also about how to feel more comfortable interacting with others around the school , at my work, in the community and just everywhere in general. After a few years' reprieve, I'm now back at school again as an adult transfer student at Guilford College, which is a 4-year school, to pursue and obtain my degree in Criminal Justice. I've found that I'm a curious person who never stops learning and that there's always something else just around the corner to discover.

College has been a great experience. I have learned about cultures from all over the world and met students from all over the United States. I have become pretty good at geography since meeting all of these people. I have also learned tolerance for others. I have learned to listen to other people ideas and beliefs and not to judge others because their beliefs differ from my own. I think that has been the most valuable lesson I have learned at Guilford, but I have also learned to become a responsible adult. I have learned how to study and organize my time. I have learned to balance my life between academics, sport, and recreation. I have also learned a sense of community. Guilford has taught me that it is important to become part of a community and to give back to that community. I have learned many lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Work on coming up with a study technic. Being able to do homework in a way that is productive and easy is vital in college. It saves so much cramming time and useless worrying. You should also question everything you read. While most of the professors know about what they are talking, you are in college to become an individual, not a puppet. It is important that you make decisions based on what you think, and not what you heard in your classroom. Thankfully, most professors do stress critical thinking. School before play. While it may seem like college is nothing but work and study, it is not. There are plenty of fun things to do on and off campus and you will find the time to do it, but make sure you have done some school before you zoom off into the world. You will feel better when you have fun if the school has been done.

Find a college where you feel like you fit in and can make a significant contribution to campus life. You want to be able to be a leader in some areas and also have the freedom to explore interests that you have little experience in. Look for a college that encourages individuality, creativity and volunteerism. These character traits will serve you well in life.

I know I should tell you all of the secrets of the future events, but that's not how life is supposed to work, right? So consider this a gift. I'm not going to give you the specifics. College is like life: there are ups and there are downs. You'll make friends and lose them. You'll try new things and wish you hadn't. You'll need money. All this is going to happen no matter where you go, no matter what you do. You'll be both satisfied and dissatisfied with things. So here is the only thing I'm going to tell you: stop worrying so much. Just stop. I know that as a kid you counted up the bills whenever you went to stores in order not to make Mum spend too much, I know you're scared to ride horses, I know you don't like leaving the house too long because you worry about the dogs, I know you think your Honda Myrtle Misty will break down soon. But worrying--it's bad for your organs. Just live your life. It's yours; and it's time to stop being scared.

DO NOT GO TO A SMALL LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL!

Choose another school to go to, Kerri. You want to be surrounded by more diversity and a school that lives up to it's core values. Always study when you need to but still have fun. You will encounter some hardships along the way but with the help of your family and the friends that you will make, they will help you get through it. Just remember not to give up and try your best at everything that you do. Keep your GPA as high as you can keep it because a higher GPA will help you out very much in the long run, believe me, I know what I am talking about. Do not wait to until the last minute to plan your future because your senior year will creep on you so fast that you will wonder where the time went. Don't be afraid to take chances and when you feel like you are struggling, ask for help. ALWAYS use the resources that are available to you.

Time management is very important. I would tell myself to figure out how to work at night better, napping during the day and working well with others. Also, being open to meeting new people and doing new things. Also really try and figure out what you want to do early. I knew exactly what I wanted to do right from the beginning and because of that I'm now ahead of the game.

Giving advice to a college freshman is like trying to explain a hot stove to a toddler. I do it, knowing that much of the stuff I say will only make sense after you've made your own mistakes. The best piece of advice I got as a college freshman was to make the most of the time that I have. At no other point in your life will you have so much free time. College students are only in class for three or four hours a day, as tempting as it might be to take a job, unless you need one, wait. Use all of those hours to make friends, to volunteer, to get to know the people that you might not otherwise meet at school. Become friends with the people who work at the school. Create your own well rounded college experience. Do as many of the on campus activities as you can, get involved with the campus radio station, student government, and vounteer off campus. The value of your classes is in learning a work ethic and working towards your degree, but the experiences that shape you are the ones that you seek outside of the classroom.

work first, take a year off.

Make sure you're doing what you want, where you want.

To the parents, I would say to focus most of your attention on looking for schools which you are sure will provide a solid education for your children, one that you know will give them the skills they need to obtain a successful career in the future. You as adults in the workforce know what it takes to be successful in the workplace. To students, I would advise them not only to look into the academics of schools, but I would also encourage them to think about what kind of extra curricular activities they would like to participate in when they get to school, and look to see what schools have the types of activities that they would like to be involved in. I believe that if the student is not engaged in activities outside of the classroom, then they will not be as motivated at that particular school. There are many aspects to finding the right school for you, so make sure you know the "ins-and-outs" of a particular university before enrolling to ensure your success!

Really check out the college community as well as the academics and extracurriculars available.

I would definitely advise parents to not pressure their children about what school to choose. Your child is looking for a place where they are going to spend the next few years of their life, and, if they can pick the right one, those years can include some of the most incredible, life-changing moments they will ever experience. While you may not think you have enough influence over your child, he/she really does take your opinion to heart. Too much external influence, even from a parent, can be confusing and disctracting when making a decision. Trust your child to choose the school that feels right, and get ready to watch them transform.

The best advice I can give is to research what you want out of a college whether it is a big campus or a great department field in which you are interested in. Then go to that school and meet with the professors, students and try and sit in a class or two because without visting the school and people you may change your mind. Also vist more then just one school because there may be things you like about one campus that you could find in another. The other piece of advice I can give is to vist your number one choice school more than once because you may notice things you missed the first time that you pick up on the second or third time.

To: Students There are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, although your parents will help you, it is ultimately YOUR choice to pick the best suited college. If your heart is set on one, then most likely you?ll be happiest there. It is human instinct to gravitate to an environment that one identifies to; however try not to go to the same college as your high school friends. College is a place to make new friends, doing so will add dimension to your personality and will make reuniting with old friends more exciting. Another thing, unless you plan on cooking, or eating Roman noodles for the next four years of college, do yourself a favor and make sure the food there is edible! Lastly, don?t be scared to contact current students of the college questions . They will give you answers, but don?t always take their statements as the truth, just take them into consideration. To: Parents Two things; its okay to let your child go to school in another state, they will want to visit during the holidays. Also, together with your son/daughter compile a list of questions for them to ask the interviewer.

Make sure the people are the kind of people you want to spend four years with. Don't base the decision just on how pretty the campus is. Work hard in classes and have fun, but don't let fun get in too much way of schoolwork.

The best advice I can offer from my experience is to look around at colleges first based on the degree you/your child wants to pursue and choose colleges that offer that degree. Some students, like myself, wish to pursue degrees that are very specific and not offered at a lot of colleges. Next is to consider how far from home you/your child wants to go to college. College costs vary widely depending on if you/your child attends an in-state (home state) or out-of-state college. Also consider the type of environment, both academically and socially, you/your student wants to be in. This means looking at average class sizes, difficulty of course work load, the resources available through the school, the social activity outside the class, the type of extracurricular activities available, and the diversity of students, among other things. Costs should be considered, but last, because financial aid is usually very available. Find these items in different colleges and link with ones that best fit you/your child, then go visit (a few of) the campuses you chose. A visit is invaluable in helping with the final decision.

Always visit the campus several times and ask random students about their college experience.

let your kid choose the type of college they want to go to and the field of study they want to do. They will do best if they find their own way through college.

Talk to a large variety of students when you visit the campus and take their opinions into stronger account than that of professors, etc.

A school that when you step foot on, you feel at home, and like you have made the right choice.

The collegiate experience is all about balance. When applying for schools, take your time. Visit campuses, read books, and talk to students. In the end, base your decesion on a mixture of what fits with your conception of the future and what feels like a great place to be. Once you decide on the right school, immerse yourself in the community. Take a wide range of courses, meet as many people as you can, and try things that you have never experienced before. Don't be afraid to take risks, but always have a backup plan. When in doubt, say yes (but never compromise your health or safety). Enjoy yourself. Respect yourself and the people around you. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but learn from them. Remember that you're there to learn, but understand that learning also takes place outside of the classroom. Love the time you have, and be greatful for it, because college is at once the longest and the shortest four years of your life.

Go to the campus and meet the people. I never would have chosen the college I chose had I not gone to the campus and discovered how wonderful the community was there. There are things you can't learn by reading about a school - you have to see for yourself.

Just go visit; you'll know when it feels right.

you have to take a tour of the campus and get a good feel of home and commmunity while visiting different schools.

Your college experience is wat you make of it, meaning that even if youdont get into the college of your coice, you can still have a good college experience, its all about what you put in and what you are willing to pull out.

College has so much to offer. Make sure you find a school that will give you a balance of academia, extra curricular activities, and a social life. Don't go to a school that is too easy or too difficult academically because then you miss out on some of the other important parts of the collegiate experience.

If you want the most for your money and you or your child does well in a small liberal arts school setting, then give Guilford College a try.

In selecting a school, happiness is key - how happy are the students is the question I would ask. Talk to the students - do they feel that they made the right choice? Do they like their friends? Do they want to go to their classes, or feel coerced? If you want a number to use, look at retention rate. My school has an incredibly low retention rate - and, by no coincidence, the students here are depressed, ambitionless, bored, and often drunk. Schools with unhappy students have low retention rates, and this is, in retrospect, the most important number that I overlooked in my college search. While at school, I remind myself that I am a full-time student - it is my job to learn. I am paying to learn. This helps motivate me to stay focused. While as a mantra this mindset might breed boredom and disillusionment, I feel that it helps remind me of my enthusiasm for learning - I love to learn, and here I am, devoting years of my life to knowledge as an abstract. Nothing could make me happier - through clear purpose one can escape the banality that study can become.

Finding the right college is tricky. Visiting the colleges you are interested in is the biggest advantage one has to identifying if the college is right for them. When you go to the campus and you feel that you belong there, you probibly do.

When it comes to finding the right college, apply to as many as possible, especially ones you can apply to for free! I applied to Guilford College because it was free, they accepted me and gave me great financial aid. After that I looked into it more and realized it was a hidden gem. Once you are at your dream school, connections are important. Make friends from all around with varying interests. Also, I found that strong relationships with my professors helped build my knowledge as well as my connections. Find at least one or two professors in your field who you can truly learn from and talk to. Alway be on time for class and go to class...this is what you pay for and where you learn! I could walk anywhere on campus in 10 minutes so I set my alarm clock 10 minutes fast so I could just leave when the alarm clock showed the time my class was to start. Sounds silly, but I was always on time which I think was an important sign of respect.

I think one of the most important factors in choosing a college is figuring out who you are now and who you would like to be in the future. Try to find out what the school is about, or at least claiming to be about, because that really will determine the kinds of people you will be surrounded by. Also, it is important to think about what kind of academic environment you want. Do you need small classrooms, lots of one-on-one time with professors and relatively relaxed academic competition or would you thrive under the pressure of that competition in a setting so large that the only way to stand out is to shine? Another critical factor in deciding where you want to go to school is the surrounding areas. Do you love the noise, excitement and opportunity of the city or do you want some place remote where you see more cows than cars? Maybe you need something in between. And don't forget about the climate. You don't want to go to Minnesota if you get severe seasonal depression, nor do you want to go to Florida if you can't stand the heat.

My experiences in college have awarded with a very unique perspective pertaining to the characteristics necessary for a wonderful college experience. I began a college Massachuetts. Due to financial difficulties, I was forced to transfer to Berkshire Community College, and live at home with my mother. I was new to the area and had a tough time adjusting and making friends. After a year I moved back to Boston. I attended Roxbury Community College, and was one of approximately five white students. I lived in Boston two years, I attended another community college, rented a room in a boarding house in a predominantly Hispanic community, and worked in a grocery store. In the summer of 2007, I had to choose either Guilford College or a promotion. I chose Guilford, because something told me that it was my chance to discover myself. The most important advise I can give to students is to not be afraid to strive for what you want but too scared to go for. If I had not, I probably would have spent my life listening to customers complain about the sale prices. Now, I want to go to graduate school, and become an equine-assisted psychotherapist.

Research.