Longwood University Top Questions

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

Lauren

Visit as many colleges as you can before deciding to commit. It might even help to visit a school more than once. Don't just take the tour but ask current students what they think about that school and get the inside scoop. Also, one may find that the school they wanted to go to and enrolled in is not right for them, if this is the case, transfer to a new school where you can be happy and productive!

Megan

Find a college that is far enough away from home that you feel independent, but not so far that you can't go home when you want to or need to. Also, find a school that has a good program for the major that you wish to pursue. Become familiar with the extracurricular activities to make sure that there will be something for you to do. The most important thing is to have fun.

Kaley

research the college you are looking into and figure out the main reasons for each one, because it is the place you will be spending the next four years. also do not fall in love with the first college you visit, visiting colleges can be an overwhelming experience so make sure to take the time to tour each college and find out specifics such as class size, extra-curricular activities that are offered and housing and meal plans. most of all just have fun with it and dont be scared to ask questions your future may rely heavily on where you go to school and what you do there also a large sum of money will be going into it.

Kaylin

I believe that parents and the prospecting students have to take in consideration of what type of majors the students wants to achieve at and what kind of environment is best suited for students such as learning or phyisical disablities and city or rural environments. The students should have an idea of a major, it will aid them on deciding on a college for their major instead of having to transfer later. Personally, I had choose more large campus than smaller campus because I wanted to live in the city life and just have a fun time during college. But the larger campuses had over a hundred students per classroom and I wasn't used to the idea of so many students in classroom and the professor not knowning who I was if I needed help. So I applied to those smaller colleges and was accepted to both schools, I decided to attend the college that had more security measures and social life than the other school. Though my college has a social life on week days and some weekends, I feel that I chose the right college for academic acheivements and my college experience has be amazing.

ShaVaughn

Parents, this school is one of the less expensive ones in the state, but you get what you pay for. Prospective students, if you are hell bent on coming to Longwood I don't want to discourage you. but you're only going to get as much out of it as you put in. Be prepared to put up with a lot of crap.

Angela

When it really comes down to it, choose the college that just FEELS right. You'll recognize that feeling immediately. Look around at the students and imagine yourself there - you'll know it and just say "This is where I want to be". Make the most out of the college experience by holding strong to academic priorities first. It's okay to have a social life, but if you're missing 8am classes because you were out all night only means that well, eventually you might just have to give up both college and its parties if you flunk out. You dig? Other than that, don't be a afraid to try new things and meet new people. College is place to really find out who you are and what you truly want out of life.

Sean

First thing I would do is take a tour of the college or university's campus that I would want to attend. You cannot really get a good idea of how you feel about being at the college if you have never been there before. Your college experience will determine a great part of the rest of your life. You want to make the right decision about something of that importance. You wouldn't want to drop out of college because you made the wrong decision. Also, I would talk to falculty and students in your desired major about what the program is like and what it takes to succeed. If you do those two things then you should definitely not regret your decision about where to go to college.

Tara

From my own college experience, I would tell prospective students and their parents three things. First, I would tell them to look into what clubs and organizations are offered on a particular campus. Getting plugged into a strong club or organization from the beginning is very beneficial and important. So many students think the only way to have fun is to drink and party with their friends. I, however, have never partied or drank with any of my friends, and I have numerous unforgettable memories. My second piece of advice would be to look into getting a good advisor. When it comes to academic success, it is important to have a strong advisor that can help you get things done and keep you on track. I am currently with a second advisor, and this one is still not up to par for me. In other words, having a poor advisor can prove to be extremely stressful and chaotic. And thirdly, I would tell them to pay a small bit of attention to the student population size. Some enjoy smaller colleges, while others would rather have large student bodies. This can also make a big difference.

Jessica

Look at all your options!

Andrew

First, make a list - write down anything and everything that you have ever wanted out of your once-in-a-lifetime shot at college, as well as your life after college. Perhaps you want to take up sailing, you?d like to tailgate before an NCAA football game, or you could want to smash atoms in a particle accelerator. You could aim to be a corporate executive on Wall Street, or maybe just a kindergarten teacher. This is one point in your life where you have immense control of your own future, so put some time into it and be honest with yourself. Next, get some early practice for university-level study and research colleges like crazy. Chisel away universities until you have about a handful left, and visit as many of those as you can. Sure, go on the university-sponsored campus tours, but go out of your way to talk to students. Ask them what they really think of the dining hall, what classes are like, and what they?re doing for fun on weekends. Finally, compare your top choices and seal the deal. Once you?re at college, it?s all about making your dreams come true.

Benjamin

What admissions counselors always tell you about finding the school that is the "right fit" is absolutely true. If you don't feel comfortable on the campus of a school, than you're in the wrong place. Once you find the right campus, get involved, but not too involved. Two organizations is safe number of things to get involved in early on and maintain a good bearing of your academics. Come to school with an open mind and a strong understanding of your beliefs and practices and be ready to encouter people who think in polar opposites of you. Don't get offendend when people disagree, but use the opportunity to learn. Volunteer whenever you can, before and after college. There's so many people that could use your help and gifts, so use them wisely and often. Use every moment to learn. Four years is gone in a second and every missed opporunity to learn is a missed opportunity to mature and grow as a person. Listen to people intently and think before you speak. Also, be ready for the greatest amount of stress you will have encountered up to this point in your life. Use a planner, always!

Katherine

This is for students. Picking the right college is a hard choice, but it is your choice to make. This is the only time in your life when you are allowed to do something a hundred percent for you, so make sure that whatever college you decide on it is where you want to be. These next four years shape you in ways you can't imagine, and it is incredible. Pick some place that will help you flourish and direct you to where you want to be in life. You can not go wrong with that idea in mind.

Jessica

To make the most out of your college experience, you must find a school that agrees with your personal goals, interests, and your personality. Although people like to say it's all about your education, in reality there is a lot more to it. If there is not much emphasis on campus and community involvement, but you as an individual are outgoing and enjoy participating in organizations, clubs and activities, no matter how good your education is, it will be extremely difficult to make the best out of your college experience. On the other hand, if you do not like extracurricular activites, but your college revolves around them, you may find yourself feeling like an outsider. Keep in mind that most of your self-discovery will be a result of your college experience, so make sure that the environment you choose to be a part of will create a positive impact on you.

Abigail

Students should visit the colleges of their choice and make sure their choice is what they really want. Students should go to a college because they want to nont because someone else is making them. They should also make sure they look into the college of their choice and all aspects of it.

Elizabeth

The advice that I would give prespective students is to find that place that you really feel at home. Go on campus tours of places that you are applying to attend and walk around,hear what they college representatives have to say, ask questions and just see if you feel comfortable. I will never forget the first time I came with my dad to visit Longwood. The campus was so beautiful, and I just felt like I had already been there for years. Once I got to Longwood I instantly got involved with Student Government and became the Vice President of my class. This really helped me to adjust to college life, and meet new people outside of my hall. That is the other piece of advice that I would give, to get involved and meet alot of different types of people. Since Longwood is a small campus it is important for students to become involved in something, whether it be a club, intermural sports team or greek organization it's a must. This way you can make your mark, and have longwood feel more like home than a college. That's what Longwood is to me, it's home.

Tyanna

In order for a student to find the right college, they should visit as many campuses as they possibly can. Each time they visit a camups, they should go on a scheduled tour with someone from the university. This will allow them to become more comfortable with their surroundings and it will show them all the available resources on campus. If it is possible, they should spend a night with a current student of that university so they can experience what it is like to sleep in a dorm. Also, the parents should try to keep their opinions of the schools to themselves. College is supposed to be experienced by the student, not the parents. To make the most of the college experience, a student should be involved in numerous activities (i.e. fraternities, sororities, clubs, etc.). They should also get involved with on campus activities that the university may sponsor, such as bingo, movie nights, or even athletic games. Most importantly, try to make friends. Life-long friends really complete the whole college experience.

Tina

My advice to parents and students is to research before applying for colleges. Be sure to look at cost, location, and requirements. Longwood University requires students to take an internship in order to graduate. It was a small campus with reasonable tuition and fee costs. The best part was the location was close to home. All of these things were important to me and made it clear that Longwood University was the right choice for me.

Erica

Don't go to a school were you are "supposed" to go. Do research and find what kind of environment would fit you best. Study hard in high school, because that will mean more chioces for colleges.

Kaitlin

In order to find the right college, you have to do some digging. The best way I know is to visit the campus while school is in session. That way, you'll really get the feel ofwhat it might be lik to attend school. And don't just go on the school-organized tour. The people there are paid to tell you what you want to hear. So even if that college is all about the drinking, they won't tell you that. Make sure to ask students who attend the school your big questions. They'll be able to give you the honest answers you really need. Once you've chosen a college, you can make the most out of the experience by not sitting in your dorm room and missing your old friends. Go do stuff! Get involved! Think sororities/frats are the sum of the earth and definitely not for you? Give it a try anyway by going to an open house. Join a club you might never have joined in high school. Make friends in your dorm and in your classes. College is definitely about education, but you have to make time for fun too!

Shelley

I think the first step is to decide the size of the college they want. I think this is the most important part. A large University can feel very overwhelming to someone that comes from a small town or school. If you struggle academically I would choose a smaller school where the class sizes are smaller and you can have more personal attention. The next decision is how far the student wants to go away from home. Deciding to go out of state or stay in state has a big role in the decision. The next step is to decide on a budget. You want to cross off the schools that are not within that budget. However you can keeps some schools on the list that are somewhat over this budget because many schools have wonderful financial aid and scholorships. The last step would be if the student has an idea of a major or career you want to research to see which ones have that focus. If you go through these steps most of the schools on the list would be a good choice.

Sabrina

Tour the campus and make sure you get the right vibe when your there and that you feel comfortable on the campus.