Lindenwood University Top Questions

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

Saga

Look, I know it's been hard, having to deal with "friends" who turn out to be deliberately rude for most of your life. But once you find classmates who aren't really jerks at college, don't spend every monent of free time with them. It may sound harsh, but you're going to have a tendency to latch onto friends, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Always remember why you're going to college: education, not friends. If you neglect your studies and homework to go out on a midnight run with your roommates every night, you're going to have a hard time getting A's in class. That's not to say you won't get straight A's, but being too intense about your social life is going to be something you'll struggle with unless you know how to combat it in advance. Of course you can still hang out with friends, just make sure you prioritize your studies. So don't worry about it; just keep in mind that you can have as much fun with your friends as you like once you're done with your scholarly commitments.

Jacqueline

Don't focus on the money. If your schoool has good acedemic advising and a challenging, on-hands program, you will find a job and be able to start paying back your loans. Choosing a school because it's affordable should not be the number one reason to attend.

Nadja

I would choose my college carefully. I more than likely would not let my coaches choose my classes. I know that I would definately let my mother be more involved, she tried and thought I could do everything on my own. I soon learned how much I really need her; shse wasn't far and caught me when I fell, dusted me off and gave me the push to continue.

melissa

I would first of all tell myself to start saving a lot of money for college. Furthermore, I would tell myself that I should consider double major or other opportunities. I remember when I was convinced in high school that a degree in Education was the best for me. As much as I love teaching, I wish I had someone in high school tellling me to consider other options on the side too such as speech pathologist, which I am working on now. I would also tell myself to organize my college plan and in how many years I would like to graduate, just to be more prepared.

Katherine

I would tell myself to buckle down and not waste the hard earned money that my parents spent on the first part of my education. I would kick myself in the pants and make sure that I understood that college is a gift and not to throw it away.

Danielle

Do your best and study hard. Apply for any school you want to regardless of how much it costs. You never know how much scholarships and grants you will get. Go for the school of your dreams.

Chelsy

If given the chance I'd go and tell myself that there are some things in life you cannot prepare yourself for, and college is one of those things. There is no way to prepare yourself for a complete lifestyle change, but you should always try to be adaptable to any given situation. I'd tell myself to stay openminded about other's beliefs, and work on time-management skills because unlike in high school, nobody is there to guide the way for you. I wish I could have told myself to do more community service in high school, because the rewarding feeling that it provides. The transition is rough, but knowing how to be flexible and dedicated is something that makes a successful college student.

Krista

Your convictions will be threatened. You may think it easiest just to throw them out, but hold on tightly to those principles that a loving family has established in you. You will grow exponentially during these next several years, experiencing things you've never dreamed would happen. Stay focused on seeking out your purpose through the excitements and through the mundane. There will be personal tragedies, but they will appear only as fading bruises in comparison to the moments of joy that await you. None of the disappointments you will see can overshadow the assurance of being right where you were meant to be. You will be part of an inspired, faithful community that carries each other's burdens and calls you to give all of yourself to true life. Entrust yourself to their love and use your gifts to encourage others. Be present. Engage. Oh, and forget about studying in New Zealand... but you may want to start learning Afrikaans. ;)

Zachary

My college experience has helped shaped me as a person in many ways. Interaction with a variety of cultures and backgrounds has exposed me to intersting and new people. Not only have a gained a greater social understanding of the world around me, but I have benefited academically as well. I have learend much more in college than possible in high school and my studies are focused on areas that interest me and will be of use to me in the future. College has been a vital step to help secure a stable and successful future and has also added greatly to my overall knowledge. My college experience has truly helped shape me in many ways to become what I am confident is a better person. There is no other place in the world where learning can be done on so many levels. I am truly grateful to have been granted the opportunity to attend college and believe everyone should also be afforded such an experience. Learning can be done anywhere, but at a university the blend of cultures, ideas, and backgrounds make it much more rewarding and offers more ways to better oneself than inside the classroom.

Tommy

Besides getting to play football for a great team, I have had the opportunity to meet so many interesting people that have given me an insight into their culture and foods. Things I would never even have know about had I not gotten to go to college. I want to become an Athletic Trainer and already I have learner so much both in the classroom and practical experience working with various sports teams.

jaime

Being the first to graduate (May 11), I have been blessed with a great opportunity. college has sharpened my communication skills and taught me a lot of things I would not have learned had i not attened college.

Elias

Currently I am enrolled at a community college. I chose to stay local because I was having a difficult time trying to decide what career path to pursue. While at the college I have the ability of rooming with a few of my classmates from high school. This has made the transition from high school to college very comfortable for me. While I have more work than in high school I find it very helpful that there is more time out of class to work on it. Because the work is more challenging I believe that it has made me work harder than I ever had to in high school. Even though I have my friends around me most of the time I am very grateful that we all respect each other's own schoolwork and the time that we have to work on it. It is also very nice to have the extra time out of class to have fun and go out to the movies or play in the gym. Surprisingly, I think that I have learned more outside of class than in the actual classroom. I have realized the importance of being a responsible and hardworking individual.

Amanda

I have, personally, obtained life experience through attending college. I am able to listen to and appreciate differing viewpoints, and while I may not agree with a classmate or professor, I am able to put myself in his or her shoes to more accurately understand where he or she is coming from. I appreciate the fact that this has assisted me in my degree of business and my focus of marketing. It allows me to better interact with people on a daily basis in and out of the workplace. I feel I am, not only, further educated but I am also more advanced in my life experience outside of my academic time. College has assisted in shaping me as an active member of society, and I am truly grateful.

Ivona

I am very happy about my college experience. I have gained managerial knowledge which I would have never learned on my own. I had teachers that were actually in the Hospitality field and were speaking from experience. I have grown to appreciate the Hospitality field much more, because in the beginning I was not sure what I wanted to major in. I work at the front desk of a hotel now and I can say my college experience has helped me very much. I have met some wonderful people along the way and have made good friends. I believe my college experience has made me more outspoken as a person. It has made me a better writer and a better listener. I know that I still have a long way to go but personally I love school. It has made me a better person and I will continue until I reach my goal. I am not a quitter. I have taken good notes in college which I know will help me later on when I own my own business. I am very thankful for my college experience, because so far it has been nothing but good memories.

Hannah

My college experience, so far, has been stressfull yet exciting. I love college.

Jacquelyn

As a high school senior I thought I had everything figured out and did not listen to the advice my advisors and teachers offered. If I could go back and actually hear what they were telling me I could have saved myself a great deal of time and money. They discussed taking the ACT, I was absolutely sure I would not need it , so I ignored their advice--that was a mistake. While my SAT scores were high enough to gain me admission to all of my first choice schools, had I taken the ACT I would have been able to test out of certain lower level gen ed classes, such as college algebra and English 1 and 2. They also tried to tell me about scholarships and grants but I was too lazy and stubborn to write a simple essay or to fill out a scholarship form--now having thousands of dollars in school loans and having to work full time AND attend school full time, I know now that I didn't "know it all." While I would warn and advise myself of the many mistakes I made, it would have all been avoided had I just listened.

Sarah

Back when I was a senior in high school I knew I wanted to go away for college. Knowing that I come from Hawaii, being born and raised there to the transition of the Mainland I did not know what to really expect. I knew that I was excited and open minded about living in Missouri, I wasn't nervous or worried about much. I did know that I was sad to leave my family, but this was not going to be a permanent thing and the experience of being away from home would be worth it. I know now that this decision to come to this college was worth it because I can see the progress of me improving myself in swimming and academically. So with that said, the only advice I have for myself would be what I told myself before I left for the first time, to enjoy the ride and life experience and take control because this is where I will guide myself to creating a triumphant path to my future.

Ariel

If I could go back I would tell myself to not have any reservations. Do not worry about anyone else when deciding on a college. Do not think about your relationship with your boyfriend or friends. There are so many ways of long distance communication and your relationships will last. They will, i promise. I would tell myself, do look into as many schools as possible. Do apply or audition for as many schools as you can. Do try for the schools that you think you could never get in to; because you know what, maybe you will have that spark they are looking for. And most importantly love yourself no matter what, because if you don't love yourself, no one else will.

Mary

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, my mantra would be go to school, don't wait, know what financial aid is, register at first chance and dorm life is what you make it. College is not one big party, you work for your grades and waiting a year does not help. You forget things quickly when your not in school. If you can go to school, go as soon as ou can. Don't just let your parents do your financial aid, if your 1000 miles from home and your money for your books hasn't been released from FAFSA and you need your financial aid pin, know what that means. You at least need a brief overviewing of what your financial aid covers and entails. Register for courses as soon as possible, especially freshman courses they are the fastest courses to fill. If you wait to long you may be in classes that don't pertain to your major. D

Melissa

The mirror was my enemy. I sat and cried wondering why my life was not normal anymore. I immediately was overwhelmed with fear,disgust, anger, panic, and tears. My heartbeat got louder as I stared into the mirror wondering where my desired life went. Elbows braced me on the counter as tears came strolling down my face and I began to shake. How does one person go from being so content and enjoying life, to practically dumping their life upside down? Being diagnosed with a type of cancer, Hodgkin?s lymphoma stage 3, a couple months into my 2nd year in college has thrown my life upside down. Looking back as a senior, one pictures their college experience to be the "cliche normal" life. Go to class whenever, go out and party, stay up, and sleep in late. I was terrifed then to get out of my box and "live it up". I was too scared to be whoever I wanted and just enjoy life. Now being at home, going through chemotherapy, I tell myself and my friends every chance I get,"Live it up, live the life you want, because one day, it might all change."

Holly

I would tell myself to literally try anything. Hang out with every social clique in order to help you find out who you are. Also, follow your passion. Don't focus on what others thing of you. Do what you want. Travel. Explore. Never stay idle. Always be on the move. Approach everyone.

Hayden

I graduated with over 30 credit hours already completed from advanced placement courses in high school. I was in the top ten of my class. I was familiar with success and achieving a high degree of perfection. But college is a completely different environment. For the first time in my life I was surrounded by people who wanted to learn, who were smarter than I was. On top of that, grades were no longer effortless. I received a ?C? for the first time in my life. I was incredibly hard on myself, almost to the point of giving up. I wish I could tell myself that while grades are important, the college experience is about much more. It is an opportunity to be truly independent and to learn to thrive on your own. It is an opportunity to meet an incredibly diverse group of people and make lifelong friends. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. I wish I could have told myself this, but at the same time I would not want to deprive myself of learning this lesson on my own. The road was rough, but it?s all part of the journey.

Jessica

Relax! Even though you are working hard to get into the college of your dreams and to recieve scholarships, have fun and enjoy your senior year as much as you can. Although it may be hard to imagine it now, you are going to have even less time in college than you do now. You are going to sleep even less and not go to bed before midnight because you have online homework due by midnight, so be prepared to have a strange sleep schedule. Be outgoing and introduce yourself to classmates. Not only will you make new friends, but also you will be able to study with friends you have known since the beginning of the school year rather than right before your first midterm. Finally, find a routine as soon as possible. A daily routine will help ensure that you get your homework finished early so you can find time to relax after your long days.

Jackie

I would tell the young me never to forget what?s important. My family, my education, and my goals are important. First, I would tell my young self, "Once you reach college, call your parents." My first semester, I was so excited to be free from their household, I neglected to call them for weeks. I knew my mom was lonely in her empty nest, but I cared not. In retrospect, this seems undeniably selfish. My parents help fund my education and they have made me the person I am today. The least I can do is call them. Next, I would advise my young self, "Once you reach college, go to class." There were days, when I just wanted to lay in bed and sleep in. Those days, I reminded myself that I am here for an education and class missed is knowledge lost. Finally, I would instruct my young-self to make smart choices. I have seen friends lose sight of their priorities and fail out of school. Now, I know how important it is to make decisions with the future in mind. In order to achieve my future goals, I must first begin with a solid education.

Kelsey

I would give myself advice about finding more financial aid and filling out more scholarship applications. I got a year behind in school because of finances so I would also give advice about fulfilling my gen ed courses at a community college and taking advantage of the A+ program.

Destinie

I would like to tell myself that is not to early to start the financial aid process, even if I am not sure where I will go to school. I would tell myself to spend at least an hour each day researching and filling out scholarship information. It is very stessful if the financial aid process is put off until the last minute.

Richard

Focuse on what you like to do and the type of person you want to be in the future. Apply yourself when it comes to your shchool work and enjoy the experince of making chages for your future life.

Stephanie

I would tell my self to get involved. Friendships and community is one of the most important things about learning how to live outside of college. Do the work and try hard but learn that community is essential to happy healthy lifestyle on campus, reach out to international studetns and the people in you drom, the people how you live daily life with. When hard time come, which they will, having a community is what helps get you throught it.

Sasha

I would have told myself to hold on and stick it out just a little bit longer because things would get so much better after graduating high school. Making the transition into college has exposed me to the real world and becoming an independent person has been a challenge and I wouldn't have changed it for the world! If I could talk to myself face to face I would have told myself to try a little harder academically. My GPA was alright but it couldn't have hurt to raise it a little bit. I would also have told myself to forget all the high school drama, and look forward to all the great relationships I would be making in college. Coming to Lindenwood has opened many new opportunities for me and has allowed me to fully enjoy every aspect of my life.

Jasmine

Get rid of anything in your life that could lead to a possible set-back on the path youre taking, and over look everything before settling with just one thing.

Jessica

I would say visit the campus and talk to the students to find out what campus life is like. Check into the majors and programs offered and financial aid opportunities. Once you are there work hard, keep up, and have fun. college is a once in a lifetime thing enjoy it while you can. Be active in your campus community.

Jenny

I'd suggest reviewing a wide variety of schools; checking out their websites, and making sure the college has everything you want. Once you've narrowed your search down to about 10, send out applications. The top 5 that offer you the most money are the ones you should go visit. Make sure to set up a college visit day so your child can see the campus, dorms, classrooms, etc. Your child will know which school is right for them once they walk around. Tell your child to soak in everything and get involved in as much as they possibly can. College goes by incredibly fast so it's best to take classes that seem intersting to you, play the sports you love to play, work hard on earning your degree, and enjoy spending time with your friends. The right college is the one that will feel the most at home to your child. Your child needs to be comfortable and like the atmosphere that the college provides. The college also has to have the best interest in your child so that you feel like your child will be guided properly and taken care of if there's any problems.

Sheila

One thing I would start with would be to figure out what the student might want to major in and then how far from home the student wants to go. Another thing that is important to take into account is the difficulty of the classes, particularly in the major the student wants to follow. Some schools might have a very strong buisness program but then only a mediocre teachers program or something along the lines. Extracuricular activities are another thing that are really important to look into, having a good social experience during college can make or break the entire experience for you. Sometimes even if the program is very challenging and fun yet there aren't many things to do outside or class or ways to meet people outside of your major it can be really frustrating.

Sarah

Visit as many schools as you can and keep an open mind. I had certain criteria for colleges that I wanted to apply to and only applied to those schools. I ended up at one of them and it turned out to be all wrong for me. I transfered to Lindenwood, which I never considered applying to originally and it has ended up being the perfect school for me.

Abigail

I advise parents and students to thoroughly research the colleges they are interested in by not only touring the campuses and checking statistics, but also by talking to students that currently attend the college. The best way to get a feel for a college is to ask the students. Also, keep in mind personal priorities for prospective colleges. For example, is price more important or professors that are experts in their field? How much do extra curricular activities and sports matter? What about classroom size? Finding the right college can be overwhelming, but I now realize that the key is to look at what the school offers while you attend, and what it can offer after you graduate. Remember, college is more than a four year decision, its a lifelong decision that will determine your future career. I wish the best of luck to all seeking a college education and know that it is the best decision one could ever make.

Tahreemah

Student the school which gives you the most money is not always the best school for you. You should visits lots of different schools and talk to current students who will be honest with you. The choice you will make is a big one so choose wisely.

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Callie

The best advice that I can give to anyone trying to find the right college is to visit in person any college you are considering. No amount of pamphlets, brochures, or brightly colored web pages can give you a fraction of the information you glean from an actual visit, when you get to see the campus and get a feel for the school in person. I ended up attending the very first college I toured. I wasn't interested in Lindenwood at all; I just wanted to have a sort of "practice visit" to a school nearby so that I would know what to expect on later visits. When I got there, though, I could feel the history, drive, and sophistication of the school and felt so excited (for the first time) about going to college. I fell in love with it on my visit, and if I hadn't gone there in person I surely wouldn't be there now. As for making the most of the experience, I would advise people to try new things and open themselves up to new experiences by taking fun classes, joining a new club, and interacting with new, different people.

Ramona

Make sure you like the environment and the campus. Also make sure that the university you select have a strong academic department for your major.

Megan

Keep an open mind. As a senior in high school, I started the tedious process of finding "the right college." Every day, more and more college flyers arrived in the mail, further confusing me in my decision of where to go. As a good student, getting in wasn't the issue. The problem was what kind of scholarship I was going to get. As deadlines loomed, my parents decided we needed to have "the talk." No, I'm not talking about the birds-and-bees talk, but the we-know-where-you-need-to-go talk. They had decided that I was going to go to the same college as my brother, located only one hour away. So much for independence. Yes, it was a good school and they were offering me a full ride, but I wanted to make my own choice. However, freshman year I was really glad I had my brother around to guide me and my parents just an hour away. Once I stopped being stubborn, I realized that this college was full of great opportunities. Didn't matter where I was, it was what I made of it. I just needed an open mind.

Sean

the student will need to go visit the school that they take intrest in. while visiting look for some activities that the will spark intrest clubs exetera. then they will want to pick the dorms that they will be living in. make sure that it has a good location compared to the buildings that your classes are at. try to contact any roommates that you will have the next year. choose the college that best suits your intrests.

Emily

Finding the right college is work i will say, but it's a chance to see and to find out what wonderful and interesting things are out there for you to try. When visiting colleges ask as many questions as you want. Ask about the degrees they offer or if you know what you want to study ask them about what they have to offer for your field. Also ask about any activities you may be interested in doing, like sports or being apart of a club. An as a student make sure you like the schools you have choosen because if you don't like the schools you maynot have the college experience you wanted. As for the parents help your soon to be college student out. Make sure you and your child understand the financal part of this process but also enjoy the time you are spending with your son/daughter visiting schools. These schools hold your childs future and as a parent you want to be apart of that. No matter what school you choose just remember to make the most of it!!

Darrell

Definately throughly research the schools that you are interested in and research the schools that are interested in you a lot more. Talk to students on how they like the school mostly because staff and faculty may have a tendency to bend the truth.

Sasa

Please make sure that you feel comfortable and wanted at the school.

Amelia

take a tour of dorms and campus housing, read the handbook front to back, and talk to undergrad students about visitation and social life, and find out the policy on loans and vouchers. its necessary.

Samantha

Before deciding on your school do extensive resherch on the school you are considering ecspecially the transfer out rate. If the school youre considering has a high transfer out rate then it has alot of unhappy students. Also if you have the opportunity to speak to a student current or past take it, they can give you inside information on the school in question that an advisor wouldn't necissarly tell you such as how bad the food really is. In addition don't be afraid to switch schools if you are unhappy, you have the right to attend where you feel most comfortable and if that means four schools in four years, well then at least you learned alot. My high school was unacredited when I decieded to go back to school so I was left with no choice but to go where I am at but even if you dont like where you are at, while you are stuck there try to find the positive things in your situation. If I hadn't been forced to go to the school I am at I wouldnt have met my husband, some things are just ment to be.

Danny

I would recomend really looking into what you want to be. Just don't sit back, and think "yeah this is what I think I wanna do." Know what you want to do. Research, internship, and experince it. Parents, help your kids, its a tough world they are about to enter.

Michael

Just to get it done and don't dance around the fact that you are still in school.

Jessica

When looking into different colleges, remember that Lindenwood is a private University. That means that they can make students go to classes on national holidays, and basically do what they want. The rules are very strict and sometimes a bit rediculous. GenEd classes are sometimes really pointless and a huge waste of time. The food is usually awful, sometimes edible. The professors generally have your best interests at heart, it's the school that is more focused on getting you into trouble, and kicked off your sports team, or even the school all together.

Megan

My advice would be to major in something you love, something you are passionate about. If you love something and enjoy it, you are always more willing to work harder for it. Plus, you want to spend the rest of your life loving every minute, not being stuck in a career you hate just because it pays well. Then, after you've decided, do a lot of research and find the schools that have the best programs in the area that you picked. Don't settle. Strive for that dream school with that amazing program. After all is said and done, involve yourself in every new activity you can. College is a time to discover yourself and you cannot do that sitting alone in a dorm room.