Nazareth College Top Questions

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

Olivia

Olivia: Always do your homework, even if your teachers aren't going to grade it, it will help you and your obtaining of knowledge. Your career isn't over when you fail one test. And your career still won't be over after you fail 3 tests so don't beat yourself up over a bad grade. Boys don't know what they want at the age of 16 and you don't either. So keep focusing on yourself and your future and allow relationships to form when you have your life in order. Don't assume that you have to have your life together by the age of 20. You're probably going to live until your 90's (hopefully) so you have a whole 70 something other years to figure yourself out. Oh, and your life and social career isn't going to end if you don't own a pair of Ugg's. They're an ugly dead fad regardless of how many girls in your grade have them and love them. Save yours and your parents money for college, trust me, your going to need it and it'll be much better spent there.

Caleb

I know that if my former self saw me as of now, he would see a man with confidence in his eyes. I would sit the former Caleb down and advise him to stay diligent and aware of all responsibility, such as grades, financial endeavors and balancing friends, family, work and school. Staring into the face of Caleb, I would give him hope by saying "Trust yourself and keep on pushing towards your future...don't let your anxiety get the best of you.” Reaching for the hands of my past self, I would hold them tight ensuring comfort and give my last words of advice “ Exploring everything and opening yourself up to the world will get you to where I am now.” Former Caleb would smile at me and know that he will have a future, as long as he continues to fuel his ambitions, takes on all responsibility and keeps on exploring.

Kristina

If I could go back and talk to my high school senior self, I would make sure that I would've made more friends before getting to school. Social media allows kids to connect a lot easier then it use to. I would've told myself that it is okay to make new friends and to not be scared about leaving your high school friends behind. That I need to be open to starting new relationships, and not be so concerned about leaving old friendships behind. College is the time where you can create friendships and relationships with people that you will take with you for the rest of your life. I would've told myself to not be so scared to start over. You will always have home, but change is a great thing.

david

Transitioning has always been a struggle with me. Rather than go out and meet new people, I tended to wait for people to come to me. If I were to go back in time and tell my high school self anything, the first thing I would say would be to take opportunities. Whether it is the opportunity to make a new friend, to do an activity, or even something non-social like extra credit, I would tell myself to take advantage of the opportunities on campus. The next thing I would tell myself would be to work harder on my academics. I was never a big studier in high school; I found that I could pass my classes and tests well enough without studying. In college, however, well enough doesn't cut it. I would tell myself to not only do the work that was assigned, but review it too. I would tell myself to do the work to actually learn, not to just get it over with. The final thing I would tell my high school self would be to have fun. This is college, a new experience. Immerse yourself in the culture of college, and have a blast.

Richardson

Apply to different colleges down south, or take the chance to go to the University of Arkansas and have a better college experience.

Alyson

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the main thing I would tell my self is to not slack off. Once I became a senior, I saw it as a ticket out and maybe did not apply my self as well as I should or could have. I do believe that I finished strong from The Harley School, however I know now that I could have done better, socially and academically. Another main thing that I would tell my self was to not limit myself to schools with in my home town. Then I was afraid to travel too far, but looking back I wish that I had the strength to push my self out of my comfort zone and go a little farther away. It is possible that I would still choose Nazareth College because it was my first choice and it is a good fir, but I never gave myself the option for a farther school. Now, I know that I am a much stronger person than I gave my self credit for. Because of this, I know that I could have been successful at an out of town school.

Nathaniel

I would tell my high school self to not worry about the transition and to look at is as a brand new step in his life's journey. I was worried and did not want to go to college but now that i have gone to college I realize that the transition is not that bad and is actually fairly easy. I would also tell him to get into contact with his teammates well in advance of pre-season tryouts so that he does not feel like a stranger during the first few days of tryouts which will make his transition into college even easier. My final piece of advice to my high school senior self would be to meet and get to know as many people as he can during the first few weeks of college. I would tell him to make as many new friends as possible so that he has an amazing college experience. My advice to him will help him make an easy transition into college and allow him to enjoy college from the very first day of college to the last day of his college career.

Kathleen

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself not to get overwhelmed by all of the schoolwork and to make sure that I took some time to have fun. It took me quite a while to realize that college was more than just getting good grades and working to pay of the debt. The most important things about college are the memories you have and the people that you make those memories with. I should have taken some time to go out and do things with my friends. You're going to have debt regardless of how hard you work, but you're never going to have those same chances again and I hope that I didn't miss out on too much. Once I realized this I became so much happier, and now I can look back on all of the memories that I have and keep those with me for the rest of my life. I love everything about Nazareth and I want to have the best experience that I can while I am there.

Afiya

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to continue to focus and to study hard. Also to apply for every and any scholarships that I could possibly find and then ask for a follow up on my submissions. I would tell my self to get a second job to help support the student loans because they will quickly add up, but not to get scared because I know I am strong and I will be able to handle it. Also that I need to save up for a car. If I had a car now, I won't be in the possition I am in now; struggling to find a close internship that doesn't require transportation. I would tell myself that everyone in high school doesn't matter unless they are very good friends that will guide me through life and help me when I'm in trouble. I would emphaize that making connections are keep in all the programs that I have attended in my senior year of high school. Lastly I would tell myself that what ever happens from graduation on, keep strong, believe in yourself.

Andrew

If I was able to go back in time, and speak with my high school senior self, the only thing that I would be able to stress about to myself is the imporance of higher education. Being an older transfer student (27 years old), and having gone through a troubling divorce of my own, I fell in to a rut in life early, and was content with doing enough with the education I had to get by. After working almost 10 years in and out of kitchens in some of Rochester's most luxurious restaurants, I made the decision to come back to school and better my life, and my future. At this point, with my first semester under my belt, I know that the decision I have made to come back to work towards my B.S. degree in Visual Communications and Design was the most successful decision I have made in my life. I assure you that with the help of this scholarship, I can work towards affording my education and making the senior high schooler inside of myself be happy and content with the decision that I have made to come back to school. Thank you.

Amelia

Amelia, the library is your best friend. The most wonderful work place is one of solitude. College is a transition period of ulitmate theoretical and relative freedom. Cherish your childlike mindset, but trust your instincts when you feel that it is time to get serious. The price of your education can crush you, it's something you should employ everyday and not play frivously with. Everything happens for a reason.

Jacob

If I were able to go back in time and give my high school self some advice, I would make it short and sweet. First, I would tell him not to wait until the last minute for anything in college and that includes the application process. Secondly, I would warn against sacrificing your time to study to play sports, I played college football and did well but it took so much time away from my studies; However, my time spent playing football was enjoyable but I would spend more of my time studying and less time watching film or exercising. Finally I would tell myself not to major in Business and pursue a major I am more passionate about such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Amber

I was a person who had her mind set on a career path by the time I reached middle school. The one thing I was not sure about was what I wanted my concentration area (2nd major) to be. I was in the air between Spanish and Psychology. If I could go back to filling out apps I would have chosen undecided and took a year to figure out which one I felt stronger about after taking a couple class. I would tell myself to make sure I had at least two safety schools. I would also tell myself to think about and make sure Nazareth is the right college for me and think financially into my future, so I could make the best choice for me. I would choose the college I fell in love with when I first set foot on campus and found myself fitting in easily with the surrounding areas. I would also tell myself not to let personal problems interfere as bad as they did so I could concentrate on my academics and succeed without feeling overwhelmed and stressed about struggling so I could successful get help and not battle issues alone.

Erin

If I could tell my high school self advice about college, I would tell myself to not make such a rash decision on picking a major. It is okay to not know exactly what you want to do as a career when you first enter college. It makes more sense to explore and to take a variety of classes with different professors to find out what you really enjoy most. I would also tell myself that it is good to be challenged and to not get discouraged right away if a class has a heavy work load or requires you to seek extra help. A challenging course usually teaches you more about the subject and about yourself in terms of learning style and interests in the end.

Meghan

The first few days of college will be the hardest; you will be completly alone in a completly new place completly without anything famililar. However, as hard as this is, the friends that you make will be the best friends you will ever make. After only a few weeks you'll feel like you've known them for years. Stay strong and have faith in the future; things will always be harder before they can get better.

Bridget

Be open to making friends! Keep old friends, but focus on making new ones as well. It will make college life a lot more enjoyable. Also, don't be afraid to ask how to get to the tunnels from any building. They sometimes can be tricky to locate, but once you find them, they will be your life in the winter.

Curt

College life and its challenges was not quite what I expected. It is way more work and time consuming if I want to succeed. The professors are either really great to work with or ask questions, or they can be really unhelpful and even confusing. I have also realized that I am the one responsible for my actions and successes or failures. I'm more independent, which is nice, but it is still annoying to have to rely on my family for most financial things. I am glad I chose this school, though have considered transferring which made me focus on the positive reasons of why I chose this school to beging with. I know it takes time to get used to being on my own, handling stressful things and making connections that will prove valuable in my job in the future. Don't give up and give it your all.

Brianna

Since I am only a freshman here at Nazareth College I still have a long time to go, but I have entered a whole new world that really opened my eyes. Nazareth is very diverse causing me to step out of my comfort zone and experince new things with new people. These are vauable things to have because this shows how much the world is changing and it gives me a taste of what is yet to come.

Rachel

My college experience was fantastic. My professors were very hands-on and always made sure that they did whatever they could to help you suceed and woulld go out of their way to make sure you knew it too. From my experience of making new friends and developing those relationships at a more mature level than when in high school, it was beneficial to growing as someone who was learning how to make their own way in the world. You do discover more of yourself in college and I am a posterchild of that. My whole life, I've always known what I've wanted to do career wise and it took going to college to understand what it took to make this dream a reality and taking everything I learned from my teachers and fellow students and friends was that I CAN do ANYTHING I set my mind to and suceed in whatever profession I chose. College is a growing experience without the crazy ruch of high school. It's a place of discovery and where you can truly blossom as I did.

Jesenia

Well I haven't been in college long enough to know but so far the experience has been somewhat ok. I've had a hard time with the college that I am attending because of low enrollment for 2 classes that I had originally registered for. Not very good when the school calls you the day of class to tell you that the class was cancelled and that I will have to register for another class. That's been my only not so good experience. Valuable because it's my time. It's time that I am spending away from my family to better my life and have a better future for myself and for my daughter. Education is valuable especially the time and years put into getting your degree. And not to mention financially how that puts a strain on you. But at the end it will be well worth it.

Scotty

I realized that college is not as easy as most people think. At forty years old, returning to college was a scary but necessary thought. I had just received a double transplant and wanted to be able to do something with my life in honor of my organs donor. I decided to enter the medical field, radiation therapy, to be able to help others the way that I have been helped. I strive each day in my learning clinicals to make a difference to each patient that walks through the door. I hope they leave their treatment, maybe not physically feeling better, but hopefully mentally feeling better. The most valuable lesson that I have learned since returning to college is to not take each day for granted. Help those that need help and strive to be the best that I can for myself, my family and the lady who donated her organs to someone in need.

Caitlin

I have gotten a great deal out of my college experience, and it's only the first year. Naz has opened my life up to a world of new experiences and people. The campus is very diverse, and one of the most welcoming I've seen. I'm very able to live on my own, and learning the skills quickly to succeed after college. I've learned to take responsibility for myself and my work, and how to compete with others in a respectable way in and after college.

catherine

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give the following advice: 1. Do not think you are "ready" for college. No matter how "ready" you think you are, it is difficult to be truly prepared for college. 2. Stay focused and avoid Senioritis. College classes are more difficult and time consuming than you imagine. 3. Be open-minded (investigate other majors & schools, make new friends, etc.). 4. Take a variety of electives. Don't be afraid to study new topics - you just might find something you love. 5. Join existing clubs or create new ones. Participate. Socialize. Make changes. 6. Whatever amount of time you think you'll need to study, do homework, write a paper, or complete a project is usually not enough. 7. Don't stress. 8. Remember to have fun along the way!

Christine

I would suggest to myself, and I do to all my freshman in my orientation group, is to get involved on campus. I was shy as a new freshman and did not participate in as many activites and I would have liked to. Now as time passes I actively participate on campus, but I had a hard time making friends while I was sitting in my room. Some more advice would be to keep my door open. There are freshman dorms for a reason. Your classmates will walk around and say hi to people on the floor who have their door open! It's a great way to meet people. I would also suggest making a list of things I needed to bring and packing earlier than two days before I needed to go. It was a little stressful trying to think of everything I needed at the last minute. Thankfully, I live close to campus and was not without necessities for long. Also, get to know your RA. They are great people and you may need to use them for a recomendation someday.

Luis

If I went back in time and start talking to myself about college. I will first tell myself that college isn?t as easy as it looks. Starting college is hard work and getting though it is ever harder. By harder I mean there?s too much work. So much work that it is almost impossible to get any rest with all the homework. And that?s just one of the things to worry about. There?s also scholarships and financial aid. Both of them could help with the colleges. I will first talk to myself about doing scholarships. Then I will talk about financial aid. I will explain how it works in college. I will say something like financial aid is when the government helps people out when they have money issue in colleges. Then I will tell myself to start the (fin-aid, from fasfa.gov) to help with the classes. Also to be doing some scholarships to help with the rest of the stuff like books, pencils and etc. I will keep reminding myself that it?s hard work and someday this will pay of big time. That basically what I would say to myself.

justin

I would tell myself to take out a loan and live on campus. I did not want to take out a loan going into college because I was planning for my future, but I feel like I have really missed out on the true college experience by commuting to school everyday. I would like to live on campus one of the years of school at least, so hopefully I either win the lottery or this scholarship, which would entice me to either pay the rest of the money to live on campus out of pocket or take out a loan for next year. I have realized that I am only going to be an undergrad once, so I might as well take advantage of all of the experiences my school has to offer me.

Lindsey

The biggest advice that I would tell myself would be to maintain a balance between staying focused and enjoying the college experience. It is very easy as an underclassman to get caught up in partying and loosing sight of what the end goal is. Since Nazareth College is a liberal arts school, there was a lot of courses I was required to take that I found of no interest. As a result I had the mind set of doing the minimal amount of work possible just to get a passing grade. Looking back on it now as a Senior I wish I had tried my best in all of my courses because my GPA has suffered. Sometimes I also feel disappointed in myself because I know I could have done better. Although, I would still advise myself to make sure I allow time for fun. Without allowing that time for fun and adventure the life long relationships I have made with friends could quite possibly not be as strong as they are today.

Rebecca

Before I came to college, I was the typical high school senior. I had a terrible case of senoritis and treated my family with lack of care and understanding. I fought long and hard with my mother, father and siblings. I was a terror to be around because I felt lilke I knew everything. I have since reverted back to my old ways, what I was before the spell of senoritis took over. I am now more positive than ever and maintain spectacula relationships with all members of my family. I wish tha I could go back and treat my family better that one year. It made them miserable and I coudn't even see it I wsa blind to thedamage I was doing and I am so grateful that it was not permanent.

Amber

If I were talking to myself I would tell myself that College is no joke. That attending college is going to improve your future in way's you will never know. I would tell myself to get out there and make a name for yourself. Interview people in your future field of employment, make connections and always create art. College can and will make you a better well rounded individual. Keep your head on straight, don't get bogged down with what others think or say about you because it will not matter in years to come. Always be true to yourself, you have the power and knowledege to become anything you want.

Stephanie

Time management is crucial in college. Professors do not remind you about assignments like they do in high school, so responsibility is key when keeping up with the workload. Sometimes, you need to prioritize your work and spend the most time on the most important assignment. However, you also need to take time to have fun with friends. College is not only about the work, it is about creating a social life and becoming an adult as well.

Nelle

Do your research and visit the actual campus of the school before you go. When you do attend college give your self from 6 months to a year to decide whether you like it or not.

Laura

let your children live their lives!!!!!!! just be there for support :)

Elizabeth

It is important not only to look for a school with a reputable education, but it is also important to consider the individual who is looking to attend the school and their own personal needs. For example, the size of the school, the types of people who attend, class sizes, class choices, etc. Even if a college has a great academic reputation, it is still important to think of other factors considering the fact that a good education will be harder to achieve if the student is unhappy with their school.

Catherine

When looking for the "right college," look for one that has the field that you are looking for. If you're completely set in what you want to do, look for a college that is strong in that area. However, if you're not sure, try to find a place where there are plenty of options and choices. It's important to search for yourself to make sure you find a place that makes you feel accepted and supported. Also, try to seek somewhere that has lots and lots of other activities going on. College is hard, and you need to be able to have some time away from the schoolwork doing something fun. It's a lot easier to have that release when you already know there are things going on on campus. Most importantly, try out EVERYTHING, and have fun doing it!

Katie

The greates piece of advice I can give is when you get down to your top colleges, do and overnight stay. This made all the difference for me. You get a better feel of the campus than you do on a tour or experience day, even though those are really helpful. I thought that I had wanted to go to one college and then I did an overnight and what I thought was my first choice college actually became my 3rd. It might just be the best thing to do.

Marissa

Research financial aid.

Jared

I would recommend parents give as much guidance as possible to their kids. I would also recommend students look into as many potential schools as possible before making their final decisons on which college to attend. It is important to tour the campus facilities of potential college choices.

Stephanie

First, it's really important to know yourself and what you want. Take some time to think about if you want to be involved with a school's activities and community, how you feel about alcohol, where you want to live, how academically challenged you'd like to be, etc. Only you know the answers to these questions, and these answers will help you find the right school. Second, once you get to college, meet as many people as possible! You may feel like you have met your new BFF on the first day (and you may have!) but don't be afraid to introduce yourself to everyone - you never know who you'll become friends with! Also, try and get into a special housing program with other freshmen - they're great for helping you really get to know your floor. Don't forget academics - even studying, class, and homework can be a lot of fun in college since you're finally studying what you like with friends! Third, always ask for help when you need it - you'll be surprised at how many people are there to support you! Finally, live it up! Try new things and have fun!

Rosanne

As overwhelming as applying for college can be, parents and students need to realize that college will not define them. They will define the college. Although, college in all facets helps student find motivation to give back to the community and the world, this is a time for students to take their future in to their own hands. Yes, overwhelming. Yet, it doesn't have to be. College allows students to gather knowledge through experience and interaction with other student or peers or friends along with academics which provide a core of knowledge. Campus size, location, facilities, environment, safety, community, culture, and academics all need to be evaluated in relation to the student. Students need to be honest about their personality. If students are aware of their core identity, they will be able to find a desirable college. There is no 'right' college, and no experience is perfect, but at the end of a degree, if you can leave embracing respect for yourself after exchanging ideas, values, and viewpoints while respecting others, then that college experience is ideal. That is what I experienced, and I strongly believe that college is what you make of it.

Stephanie

There are numerous resources that can be referenced when considering a college to attend. For example, one can get online and search for a certain college, coming up with all sorts of statistics on the students, community, etc. of that particular college. Such information can be helpful, but it is not effective to base a college choice on it. One must look past the paper and visit the college. When visiting the college, a potential student is likely to be given a guided tour. Many parents and students alike will base their opinion of the college largely on the tour. As a current college student, I realize that the campus tour is simply a person walking around telling you what the college wants him or her to tell you. It does not show you what goes on ?behind the scenes,? which is most important but often left out. Therefore, to find the true inner beauty of the college, which is vital, one must talk to students, professors, and others who are often on the campus. This will give a more appropriate representation and allows you to see what is on the inside, instead of seeing just superficial statistics and facts.

Scott

When trying to find the right college it is important to look for a college with your desired degree program that is well developed and well respected. You should meet with the head of your desired department to ask them about the program and what the college will be able to offer you as a student in that program. When choosing colleges it is very important to actually visit the college. A college can look wonderful on paper and in pictures but until you actually step foot on campus it is impossible to know whether or not the college will be a right fit for you. You have to keep in mind that college will be your home for four years so you need to make the most informed decision that you can. Choosing the right college is not a decision that should be taken lightly. When the right college emerges from the throng the student is sure to know. Choosing the right college is a very important step toward setting yourself up for a successful future in the work force.

Caitlyn

College is the time when the most personal growth happens. You grow as a student, a friend, a person. You will make contacts that will last a lifetime, and can possibly help your future. Make the most of your time in college. You want to study a lot and do your work but also never forget to take time out for yourself and your social life too.

Shannon

The best advice tI can give is to make sure you are choosing a school that fits you and you are choosing it because you want to go there. I have known too many people who have gone to a particular college because their parents want them to or because their significant other will be close by. My suggestion would be to examine why you are making the decision you are and making sure it is best for you because in the end you are the one who has to live with the decision.

Stephanie

I would advise parents and/or students to observe the professors that are in their major. Although the school may really fit them, they may find that their professors they will be taking classes with do not suit their learning style. This is something that is very important to think about because in the end it could really hinder the learning process.

Johanna

The most important advice I would give to an incoming college student would be don't be afraid to be yourself. You do not have to always conform to what others around you are doing; figure out what is really important to you and stick to that. No one can change who you are without your permission. Be aware of your personal strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with those who will challenge you. If you are willing to be challenged in some areas but refuse to compromise your values in others, you'll emerge from your college experience as a more balanced, stronger person.

catherine

I would suggest to not just pick a school based on the scholarship they give you. The school that gave me the best scholarship I selected and I cannot stand it. I would also suggest to see a school not on breaks, weekends or at the end of the year because less students are there so you are not getting an idea of its true environment.

Ashley

Look at a large variety of schools ( varying in size, location) ! I would absolutely recommend going on a couple tours for schools that you are seriously considering. Also, I think going on an overnight would be beneficial to seeing how students interact, even though this gives you a vary narrow idea.

Heather

Parents let your child choose for themselves and students go with what feels right. IT is a great experience that helps you grow as a person.

Lyndsi

Make sure to visit the school and do an overnight if possible before attending that school. Try to participate in as much as possible once you get there and keep an open mind about activities and other people.

Tasha

Although I could put a lot here, I think the two very most important things are these: be a consumer about your education, and do what you love.