Messiah College Top Questions

One of the most important things to consider while trying to find the right college is finding the college that best fits your character. Different college's provide different atmospheres and each one has their own unique social and academic lifestyle. Try to find a school thats social and academic life best fits what you are looking for. Research what each college magnifies and try to get a grasp on the character and lifestyle of the college itself. If you appreciate the development and maturing of your faith along with your academics, then it would be a good idea to look at a religious affiliated college that can best help you integrate your beliefs with your academic growth. If your interests are in athletics or music then focus on researching what those departments or organizations are like at each college. Once an individual makes a college choice it is important to make the most of ones college experience. Students often enjoy their college experience the most when they go out of their comfort zones and make new friends and experiences. College is a time for students to expand their knowledge along with the growth and development of their character.

When selecting a college, look for what suits you the best. Make sure it has the major you want and it will prepare you properly for the "real world". Consider the size and location of it - is it somewhere that you would fit in and enjoy? Do you feel like you are at home when you are on campus? To make the most of your college experience once you're there, do what you love. Find the activities that interest you. Seek out people that enjoy the same things. Take classes that teach you want you actually want to learn. Build relationships with friends, roommates, professors, and outside community members. Get plugged in at a local church or volunteer in a local organization. People say that college is the best time of your life. Don't let it slip by and not make it a memorable few years. It goes by quickly, so enjoy it while it lasts. Be safe , but don't forget to have fun and be a little spontaneous sometimes. You only have one life to live. Carpe diem.

I knew right away what college was right for me because I felt at home on my first visit. Don't settle for mediocre

Get involved in something on campus!!

The best part about college is attaining life experiences. Get involved, be active, volunteer, study abroad. Don't go home every weekend and don't waste away your college years watching movies in your dorm. You'll regret it. Do everything you can, even if you don't especially like the school you end up in so that you can look back and say "wow, I really made the most of my college experience." College is a once in a lifetime experience when you enter as a young freshman and leave an (almost) adult, don't waste it away, and don't let yourself look back saying you wish you had done it differently. When you're choosing a college, make sure it has all kinds of options- academic and extra curricular- because you never know when you'll change your mind and desire a whole new path in life, make sure your college can accomodate that. My last words of advice; make sure you're ready. Don't go to college because it's "what your supposed to do." Explore other options and THEN go to college so you can take your studies seriously AND enjoy your life.

Go to a school where you feel comfortable, where you've met friendly people, and that offers you cool opportunities. Even though you may not do all the things you initially plan to do, if you are attracted to a lot of things right away, it's a good sign that you will continue to find good things at that school. What's most important to you? Your major? Your volunteerism? Studying abroad? The dining hall? Dorm life? Getting into grad school? Getting good internships? Do you want to be in a city or the country? Know what you want out of college and find the one that fits YOU, just you. You will not only be happy with your opportunities, you will find like-minded people and make the best friends you'll ever have. Talk to professors and students, spend a night or two in the dorms. Go to a game or a play or a concert. College can be very hard and stressful, but if you're at the right one, you'll be okay. (Friendly student-centered faculty and outgoing students are always a good sign!) Good luck!

don't just pick a college for comfort, go with the one your gut tells you is right

If I had to impart any wisdom to a student or the parents of a student who was looking for the right college I could tell them many things, but here I will only mention a few. First I would tell them to look at schools! You cannot look enough when you are deciding on college and the more you look at the more you know what you want. Dont visit one and then call it quits. See what is out there, then you will not be disappointed later. Parents, do not force your child to go to a certain school, let them choose on there own. The only thing worse than a bitter student is a bitter student who does not like where they are. The second thing would be to study abroad! It is the best thing you can do while in college. This experience will impact you more than you can even know, and it will contribute to your learning experience, and your resume. Finally, take advantage of all the programs and and assistance offered to you at your campus. Tutoring, career center and other programs are helpful and their to help you succeed!

Pray about it and go with your gut. Any school can look good on paper and a tour. The only way to know it is for you is to feel it.

Make the choice based on the best place to learn, not on money. If money is an issue, try a community college for a year or two. It's worth the extra debt if you are willing to try hard and learn. If you're not truly going to learn as much as you can, don't bother going to an expensive school (perhaps don't bother going at all). Make the most out of your college experience. Choose the college that you know you will love and be proud of. Choose an institution where you will be challenged to grow into the person you want to be. You might end up growing into someone you never thought you could be, someone more spectacular than you imagined. Reach for your goals, and don't make decisions based on everyone else. Do what you think is best for you. If a college doesn't feel right, don't try to force it. Challenge yourself and set reasonable goals. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Finally, have confidence in yourself.

I'm not an old man, and I have no decades-long tome of worldly wisdom. So I hesitate to share my wise old thoughts with incoming freshmen, because my words are neither wise nor old. I also hesitate because no matter how wise or old the counsel, it's always better to just figure things out on your own. But if I can say one thing and have it stick, let it be this: never lose your curiosity. Class is important, and you can learn some things there, but it won't make you into an adult. Be curious, investigate, experience new things. Spend hours on wikipedia for your own enjoyment, even if your professors say it's not a credible source. Don't worry about "fostering intentional community"; just do what you enjoy with people you enjoy, and eventually you'll find that you've had community all along. Fall leaves and falling in love don't last-so experience both of them while you still can. If you want to choose the right college: pray. Pray that you can find best environment for your curiosity. Most importantly: forget everything I say. Figure it out on your own.

Your goal should be to find the college that will challenge you and prepare you for a changed mindset, will encourage and allow you to weigh different philosophies, and will also provide the emotional support and relationships that are needed when major changes happen in your identity as your mind grows and develops in college. Some Christian colleges provide a lot of interpersonal support for their students, but never really push them to think in a different way from how they were raised. Others effectively "rip the rug" out from under their students by debunking all of their traditional beliefs and values, but then do not support students as they cope with trying to discover what they truly believe. Your aim when looking for colleges should be to find a place that values both their students' intellectual development, and their emotional/spiritual health. When you leave college, you will suddenly discover that You are the sole decider of how you will orient your life and what your guiding philosophies are; it's essential to have the space and support in your undergraduate time to prepare for that freedom.

Visiting a college is very important. Also, if possible speek to students who are currently enrolled in the college you are considering.

Visit the school and try to stay over night. Maybe sit in a class. You need to get a feel for the college because you will not be able to do that just looking online. Talk to people when you visit because you will usually be able to tell what their real feelings about the school is. You can usually get a feel from the campus if it is the type of place you would like to live most of the year at for around four years of your life. When you are at school, join clubs and teams. Get involved. Get a job on campus because there will be plenty of things that you will want to do with your friends and you are going to want some money saved for when you graduate.

Make sure you have an idea of what you want to get out of college before you go. Maybe taking a year off or going to community college is a better idea to find yourself and figure out what you want to do with your future.

When searching for the right college it is very important to visit the campus and ask many questions while visiting. Know what kinds of things you want in a school and don't settle for less. Once you have picked a school, to make the best of your experience, get involved on campus. Join clubs, sports teams, musical groups, etc and participate in what you feel comfortable doing. Make lots of friends and enjoy your social time. However, be sure to focus on your studies as well. If it's all play and no work you won't be at the school for very long. As a freshman, try not to go home every weekend. Stay on campus and hang out with friends. Going home often will only make your adjustment to college life harder. Enjoy this time in your life where you have freedom but don't have all the responsibilities of being an adult yet.

Be sure to spend more than a day on the campus, trying out classes and getting an idea of the actual atmosphere. Visit on a day that's NOT a campus visit day. It's not that people are fake on these days, but they tend to heighten the intensity of activity and even friendliness. Come on a day you're not expected to :), and stay for a few days, maybe even a week. Also, if you decide to go to a college, pressure the school for financial aid. Don't let them get away with saying funds are insufficient; there's always extra aid laying around, and you have a right to it. Fight for your money, and don't live beyond your means; if you can't afford a school, don't try to force yourself to be able to afford it. Just because it costs more doesn't make it better!

College itself is a learning experience. Don't only focus on the class work and forget the world around you. This is the only time in your life that you will get this kind of life experience.

It's really difficult to know what you want in a college until you're already there...Good luck. One you get there, make the most of it... get involved, be intentional about making relationships.

You will often hear that college is the place to "reinvent" yourself but that is not true at all. Just let college be a time to figure out who you really are and let that person shine. Don't try and make yourself into someone you wish you were, but rather let who God has created you to be the strongest thing about what others see. As far as finding the right college, you really need to evaluate your needs and figure out what is most important to you in a college choice. Chances are you won't find a college that has every single criteria on your list (and if you do then GO FOR IT cause it IS rare) so make sure you know what your top priorities are. The most important thing though is to visit the campus and make sure it "fits". Just like you need to make sure you "click" with a person to date, you need to "click" with the school you're committing to. Four years (+/-) is a long time and you want to make sure its right for you!

I suggest that you find a college where you feel comfortable. Also, in your first year, make connections with other students, freshmen and upperclassmen alike. Meet the faculty of the school during your decision process. There is a fit for you somewhere, you just have to be the one to find it (not your mother or father or other family member or friend).

I would definitely suggest doing an overnight stay at the college and definitely visiting a couple of times. It's hard to see what a college is like after just one visit, and without talking to a current student. If you're not in love with your college, transfering isn't a huge deal. I have quite a few friends who transfered and it turned out to be a good decision for them. DON'T chose a college just because your best friend or boyfriend are going!

Don't just go by what the college is offering you b/c they will ususally change their mind. Find out what the college is all about and take a tour. While on the tour talk to random students at the school not just your tour guide. The guide is getting paid to sell the school and make you want to go there. Find out what there is to do on campus, make sure there are fun things to do if not DON'T GO THERE! Find out if there are ways to get off campus for food, etc. without needing a car. Once you're there you're usually stuck unless you know someone with a car or if they have shuttles into town. Check if the school has mandatory lectures, mine did and i had to get up at 8:00 every tuesday and thursday! IT SUCKED!! You want these 4 years of college to be awesome if you're not going to have a blast pick a different college that is more suitable for you! You are the one paying the tuition you should choose a school you like!!

There are a few simple steps that you can take in order to select a great school and enjoy your experiences at that school. First of all you should take your time and shop around. Visit the campus. Try to ask current students about their experiences. Go with your gut instinct. You will know when you have found a college that is right for you. However there is no perfect school, so do not worry yourself about finding it. You will eventually need to chose a college, which brings us to the second point of this question. How can you get the most out of your college experience? College life is all about balance. Sometimes you need to work hard, but you also need to take time for yourself. Spending time with close friends, engaging in activities, and meeting new people are all important. Your college years will be amazing, as long as you follow this advice. Get your work done, and then go out and have fun.

Students: Visiting your potential schools is important - it'll give you a good feel for what the student body is like. Don't worry too much about what you think you'll be doing after you graduate -- you've got two or four years ahead of you and LOTS will change in regards to who you are and the direction you want to go in life by the time you're looking for jobs. Also, keep in mind that you will have to pay back those loans! If you're thinking about grad. school, remember that it's better to go to a big-name school for graduate studies than for your undergrad. work. Above all else, trust your instincts and do what feels right for you, regardless of what other people are doing or saying. Parents: Trust your children! They know their gifts and talents -- let them decide what school is best for them! Your role as a supportive parent is crucial at this time in life. Just keep being there for them, lending support and advice when they need it. Good luck! And have fun these next years. :)

You really need to find a good mix of academics and social life. If you are challenged in your academics but lack in social interaction, you will feel stressed out, but if you focus too much on social life than academics, then you will not excel in your career. School is an opportunity to try new things, to test your boundaries and realize new interests... Diversity is the key, because it helps you discover who you are as a person, and what you need to pursue your dreams. Find a college that feels right when you visit, that you know you will feel comfortable hanging out on campus but also that you know will not distract you from studying.

For parents and students searching for the right school to attend, a very important thing to keep in mind is how close or far away from home you want to be. This limits or does not put a limit on where you will attend college. I would encourage students to attend a college not too close to home, maybe adventure to another state close by, or ones farther away. College is a very growing and stretching experience and you can grow and stretch yourself a lot more if you go outside of your comfort zone, possibly attending a college further away from home. This is something that I wish I looked into a little more before choosing a college. I think that experiencing different places, wether it be a different state, city, country, is very imporant for anyone to do. Don't let money be an issue, there are always loans and scholarships avaliable...go where you think you will gain the most from your experience. Talk to the students from the college campus before picking a school, they can give you the inside scoop on what the school is really about.

Look for the college that just feels right to the student. It seems like a hard decision, but once you find the right one you will know. Also doing overnight stays with students at the school will give you a good feel for what there is to do on campus and how the classes are run. As far as making the most of your college experience, you need to be willing to step out and meet people your first year. Everyone there is in the same position of not knowing anyone else. Everyone is uncomfortable and you should use that to your advantage to meet people. Get involved in clubs and activities. You can meet people with similar interests and have fun at the same time.

I advise students and parents to first visit several different colleges that they might be interested in. It is best to visit both small and large campuses in both urban and rural areas to get a feel of what they want in a school. Once the student has narrowed his or her choices down to 2-3 schools, he or she should schedule an overnight visit at the school if possible to see what the school is really like. Also, if a student chooses a college, and discovers he or she does not like it as much as they thought, they should not be afraid to consider transferring to a different school. I spent my first year at the wrong college, and the decision to transfer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It may seem like a daunting process, but it is so worth it to end up in a place that is right for you.

Parents - don't force your child to go somewhere that they do not want to go. Give them advice and listen to them and walk along side them through the process, but remember that this is their experience. They are becoming grown-ups that can think and act on their own. It's tough, but they have to feel comfortable and excited about their home for the next four years. And when they come home, remember, they've been surviving on their own since they've been away. They aren't five anymore. Students - take advantage of this incredible, unique opportunity. After college is over, it's over, and there are soooo many resources at your finger tips that won't be there soon. Be adventurous and try something new. Be attentive and spontaneous and really make the most of your time, because four years goes terribly fast. Study abroad. Join a club. Go to dances. Stay up later than you should (sometimes). Pull pranks. Talk to your professors. College is a time like no other and it's important to realize how valuable your time there is before it's too late. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Don't take anything for granted. Don't take time, your friends, clubs, classes and resources for granted.

Just remember to look for a college that's right for you. Just because it's right for your best friend, boy friend, or girl friend, doesn't mean that you will like it as well.

Don't go to a school just because you have friends going there. What's best for them may not be best for you. Instead, choose a school based on your own preferences and interests. Even though your choice of college plays a big role in your future, don't forget to have fun in the process. Go somewhere that you will feel comfortable. When you visit a campus you'll feel a sense of belonging & you'll know that's where you belong.

Make sure you look into everything not just the sports or the living facilities or food. But EVERYTHING! Stay on campus and meet the people.