Olivet Nazarene University Top Questions

I would tell myself that Brown County High School did not provide me with the critical information that should have prepared me for college. Although there is little that could be done concerning my education in high school I would tell myself to reach out into my community for an education. I would learn how to sew, garden, take a computer class at the library, or shadow one of the managers of a shop to learn about the economy, anything to help furthur my learning outside of the classroom.

I would tell myself to take better care of myself so that I could perform better in my sport (to avoid the injuries). I would tell myself to focus more on the grades, because they do make a difference. Okay isn't good enough! Treat your education like a job, if it isn't your best, it isn't satisfactory. Study hard and make the extra effort to understand all of the coursework. Don't worry about looking foolish, ask for help when you don't understand. I would tell myself to start looking for internships my first year, so I wouldn't miss any opportunity for experience. Finally, I would tell myself to relax, take a deep breath, because you will do fine! Make sure to spend time with your friends, because they will keep you sane. Remember, one day, you WILL change the world. College just makes you one step closer. Prepare likewise.

I would say to get involved in as many activities as possible. Making the right friends makes the rest of your college career so much better. I have met friends that are friends for the rest of my life because I got involved in school activities and clubs. Also, do not lose focus on the academic side. The world is getting more competitive each day, and you need to make decisions based on how it will make your resume look come graduation time.

Be open to different things, get to know people as soon as you get to school and be a nice and kind hearted person.

I would tell myself to not spend countless hours filling out online scholarships, because everyone and their mother applies for them and they're almost impossible to get. Save your time and concentrate on school GPA, because that's the easiest way to get money for college.

Don't take time off to relax. I learned from taking a year off from school to relax that the transition was more difficult for me than most of my peers. Also, make sure that you are active in clubs and activities, not only to meet people , but to balance your workload with time for yourself to relax and enjoy doing something that is fun and interests you. Don't be scared about not knowing anyone at the school because many other people are in the same situation as you. If you keep your dorm room door open, you are sure to meet many new people. This is especially good because most of the people are living around you and you will be seeing them a lot! The most important thing to remember, is DON'T PROCRASTINATE!!! Putting things off can frustrate you, or even cause you to fail. Lastly, be optimistic. If you go in thinking your going to fail, then you will. Stay positive, and believe in yourself, and what God has planned for you and your life!

Apply to more than one school.

Nothing will be handed to you in this life. If you want something go out and get it with all the enthusiasm you can muster! Do things as if you were doing them on purpose and never let anybody deter you from your original goal. The choices you make on your feet are to be trusted and God will take care of the rest. Time in life is fragile so use it wisely. Your brain will guide you but your heart will steer you....let it.

To find the best college or the right one a person needs to know what they first want in a college. They should look for a college that has extracurricular activities that interest the perspective student. The student must also visit the campus and see if the campus is too big or too small. They should also check out the facilities and buildings and see if they are up to par. Financial Aid should also be top priority if you are on a budget, they help as much as they can and do anything they can to get you to come. Parents, once your child finds their perfect school you should trust their judgement and do anything possible to make it happen. Parents should also check out the campus and ask many questions to make sure that this is where your child absolutely wants to go.

Make sure that you look at a lot of different schools and find the best that suits you. Fill out all of the scholarship papers you can and don't be discouraged if you dont' get one.

Make sure you pick a college that works with every aspect of your life. In my experience, that meant looking for a college that not only filled my varsity sport aspect but also my scholastic, spiritual, and social aspects. So many students pick a college that they are not happy with because they choose it to fill only one part of their life. Most athletes look for the best scholarship in the most prestigious athletic program instead of looking beyond that and searching for the university that fits their life outside of their sport. Some of my happiest moments at Olivet are not on the volleyball court but in my dining hall, chapel, quad, or library. In conclusion, my advice is to find the school that fully fits your lifestyle and not settle for a university that only satisfies one part of your life.

When choosing a College, or University, I would highly advise staying true to your values. Don't go to a school because it's close to home and convent, or because they 'have a exceptionaly good program' of whatever there. Be your own person, do your own research, contact students from prospective schools via social networks such as facebook. Ask them what they think of the school, professors, surroundings and ect. This is the only TRUE way to get an honest opinion. Not from some school represenative who tours you around the college, but on your own. That's how you get honest facts. Good luck in your search, and FIND WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR!

Choose where you think you will be happiest. As much as its about finding the best education, school also prepares you for life in a lot of other ways. Choose with a combination of social life, academics, and financial support in mind. Don't be afraid to do something that you hear about. If there's an opportunity to meet new people, you should try it out! Be friendly and open to new things.

You are spending tons of money on the career you will be enduring the rest of your life. Make sure you find a school that is focused on the things that keep you on your goals. Also make sure that the environment is one that you feel at home in.

I would advise students and parents to visit the colleges that the student is considering. The best way to know if a college is right for you is to go and experience a day in the ife of a student on that campus. If the student can visualize himself or herself living, working, learning and socializing on that campus then he or she has probably found the right college. I would also encourage students and parents to talk to a couple of professors. Speaking with professors one-on-one can help give you an idea of what types of relationships students can build with their professors. And after you've visited and talked with professors, I would suggest going with your gut feeling.

In order to find the right college you need to visit as many as you can. The place where you feel most at home is where you should go. Don't necessarily go with the stereotypical school for your chosen major, that could change in a week, month, or semester. Go with the school that you're most comfortable with. As for making the most of the college experience, make sure you socialize as well as study. Go away to school, live in a dorm so that you're around your peers. Commuting is cost effective, but I think it robs you of the college experience. Go away to school, and study as well as socialize. Those are the best things you can do.

I would say to definitely visit the school you plan on attending. First impressions are big. If you meet someone and they are very helpful its most likely there are a lot more people like that. If it doesn't feel right, keep looking, there is some school perfect for you. There are a lot of smaller schools out there that can give you a smaller class, one on one time with teachers and some of the best friends you will ever meet. Don't settle, find what fits you!

Instead of focusing on which schools have the specific major or area of interest that you are looking for, instead look where you feel the most "at home" at. Feeling comfortable on the campus and recognizing that it is someplace you could see yourself at is very important because it will make a difference in the college experience. Making the most of the college experience will start with putting yourself out there! Making friends with anyone possible will help because it is great to have a social network at your school!! Plus when you put out an effort to make new friends and be social, then it builds your own self-confidence also!

I would give students the advice of letting them choose a school for them. Do not let anyone else have an influence on your choice. Too often students let their friends choose for them. The best place to go to school is where you do not have any of your friends from high school. They will always be your friends, but you also need to make new ones. Also be involved in programs you would never be involved in during high school, this is one chance you will have to be involved in clubs and events before you are older. But do not stretch yourself too thin. If you feel like you are not doing well in a class, get help right away. Most upper classman have learned the hard way. You will not be any less of a student by going and asking a professor a few questions. Sometimes if you stop into their office they will tell you specifically what is on the next test or an upcoming paper topic so you can start ahead. But do not be too involved in simply studies, go out with your friends and have fun!

When looking for a college, you really need to do research. A campus visit is very necessary as well as asking as many questions as possible not only to the faculty and staff, but to the students as well. I think it is also important to ensure that there's diversity on the campus. It is a welcoming feeling to know that there are people that look like you. Find out about the amenities that are offered on campus as well. Make sure there are things that interest you. College is about learning but there's also a need for fun and recreation. Look for a plce that has things that interest you. Check out the surroundings, what's off campus and if you do not have a car, make sure that there's transportation available. This is your home away from home, so do your homework and make sure that the campus is a place that you feel you can call home for the next four years of your life.

Make sure that you arn't choosing a college because all your friends are going there from high school. Going away to school is a great experience, and don't worry about finding your major as soon as you get there. There are plenty of opportunities to figure out what you want to do with your life. Just enjoy your college experience, and make the most out of it.

The biggest piece of advice I can give to parents and students when trying to find the right college is this: visit the schools you apply to. My parents never gave me the opportunity to visit the schools I applied to, so I had to make my decision based on campus brochures and a few phone calls. Campus brochures do not show the real essence of a college campus. It is so important to visit, take a tour, and most importantly, talk with a student and get the pros AND the cons. A big decision like this needs to take into account both the good and the bad aspects of the school (and comparing two schools on collegeboard.com just doesn't cut it). In order to make the most of the college experience it's important to be open. Be open to new food, new people, and different views. Not everyone is going to agree with you or think like you. It's also important to take an active role in forming lasting relationships. Having connections with professors and knowing a lot of people is wonderful, but a few close friends enhances the independent college life.

Go to the school you really want to go to; the one that will be the best for you, no matter where your parents, friends, church, etc want you to go. And major in something you really love or your experience will be severely diminished. Take advantage of every opportunity - social, academic, career - everything. Get super involved.

There is much more to a college experience than many students think graduating high school and beginning their search. What attracts students to a college should not be the distance from home, the number of friends attending, or how great the parties are, though there are special circumstances catering to each individual's needs. These attractions are temporary and can sometimes be very dangerous for the students. I believe college should be a family decision and students should first have a true understanding of thier financial situation, learning abilities, and needs. Then the students and parent(s) should visit and apply to multiple colleges to gain a sense of what they want, get a feel for the campus life, and have options to choose from. Also, I strongly encourage attending classes at a community college to save money and satisfy some general education classes. My dad and I explored this and I will be graduating 1.5 years early because of CLEP tests, AP tests, and community college and summer school. I am so blessed and would advize parents and students to invest time exploring different colleges and to not rush the process. College impacts much more than four years.

Visit the school and sit in on some classes and pray about it.

Take tours and explore your options. Often times I feel like high school students just don't have a clue about all of their options and the level of diversity there is amoung colleges and universities. Also, I think students shouls not be afraid to go out of state, It quit an expirience that most college freshman are afraid of.

Look for the right atmosphere for you: in the living areas, the class areas, the food areas, and the recreational areas.

Make sure that you start looking for colleges early, don't wait until their senior year to begin. Make sure you weigh in all the factors, including major, costs, environment, distance from home, etc., before you make your final decision. I didn't go to the school that I wanted to because my parents thought it wasn't the right one and they ended up being right, so sometimes parents can make the right decision. When you do get to the college, make sure you get involved in a lot of activities to help you meet new people. Of course, don't overwhelm yourself so you can't get your school work done but do get involved. There are many things you can do including clubs, intramurals, jobs, community projects, etc. Just get involved. Usually you meet most of your friends your first year in college because nobody knows anyone and your work load isn't too intense. So make the most of every opportunity to meet others because you never know who could become your friend for the rest of your life.

Find a college that fits you the best, not necessarily which has the best program you are intrested in. Many, many people change majors, so don't base your decision solely on your prospective major. Don't create drama where it is not needed. College is a place to transform yourself into who you will be when you're done with college, so you can either decide to grow up or you can keep being who you were in High School. Everyone says it, but get involved. Even if that means finding a good core of friends who you can depend on. You will find friends that you'll have for the rest of your life in college. I lived with the same roomate for 4 years, and we still talk every week, 6 months after graduating. Don't take those people for granted. Take advantage of the professors and their knowledge. Soak up all their wisdom and knowledge. There is nowhere else you will be in such a position. And above all, have fun!

For parents: Do not give up and get overwhelmed with the money situation. Use one school's offer to barder against another, my mother did it and we ended up with an extra scholarship, "The Alumni Scholarship" - even when I didn't know any alumni, nor had my family been alumni. It works, don't be afraid to haggle, colleges know how bad the economy is, they are the ones frantically trying to make more money - use your situation and don't be afraid. For Students: Follow your heart and your instincts. Hang out around campus. Visit without your parents - stay in a dorm, eat at the cafeteria, go to student events. Also - make an effort to talk to your professors. They are great people - they also control your grades, and your future recommendation letters. Don't burn those bridges, and make yourself memorable. Also, save some of your Gen Ed classes until your junior and senior year - take some of your Major classes early so you have time to decide to switch, and also you aren't completely weighed down by upper-division classes your senior year - save a gen ed class as your slack class :). Have Fun.

It is very imporatant for a parent to chose the right college that provides the best for their child. Allow the child to put in their opinions and listen, listen very well. This allows the child to know that their parent is truely listening and really wants the best for their child. Allow your child to make the first phone call home after dropping them off to college. This allows your child to know you trust them and respect their decision, but once this happens have communication with your child. Informing them of things involving family or family friends back home. As a college student over the past two and a half years my relationship with my mother, father, and even my brothers have improved greatly and I am very thankful for it. It is always wonderful to receive packages in the mail. I lets me know I am still being thought of at home.

The best advise that I could give you is to go to a college that fits you well academically. If you are a student that, not neccessarily needs more attention than average students but does better with more attention on your school work, then you should pick a school that you can see yourself achieving a four year degree or more. You should also pay a significant amount of time researching schools. You should generally research as many types of schools as possible, not only a particular type of school, whether it's a state school, private school, community college or liberal arts school.

When choosing a good college make sure that you hold your hopes high. Visit the schools see if you are comfortable there and if you can see yourself attending. Sit in some of your classes to know if they are what you are looking for. Do not make any hasty decisions. Take your time. This is your future.

Start early. If you want to apply to a hundred schools, go for it! You can't start the college-finding excursion too early. Finacial Aid, class placement, ensemble placement, and so many other things are based on a first-come, first-served mentality. Take your time and really look to see what every school has to offer, too. Talk to current students and just be frank, ask, "Do you really like it here?" and just talk to them.

It's a good school overall and especially a great choice if you are looking for a Christian school.

Take time to look, I jumped at the opportunity to come to Olivet and it turned out to be one of the worst mistakes of my life.

My advice would be to not let the money issue make your desion because if you ment to be somewhere it will work out for you just have faith. Also look at a lot of different schools so that you see different onces and know what is your favorite. Also go and visit the colleges and stay over night becasue it will give you the opportunity to see how the school really is. College is a big decision so make the one that feels like the place that you belong at because it is where you will be for the next four years.

Don't worry about the money as much as the education. The better education you get now, the better the job in the future. The better program the college has, the more likey you are to get a job in the related field. Make sure to have a social life and balance it with your academic life. There is a balance. I promise. Get involved in activities that interest you. That's how you make friends and keep them throughout college and maybe even for life.

When looking for the university or college that you will be spending two years to five years of your life attending, I advise actually visiting the campus and staying on-campus at least one night. By doing this, you will get a more realistic look at what that school is all about. Some schools just take you on never-ending tours of their campuses and only show you one side of their school. However, by wandering around the campus and staying overnight, you can form your own opinions. Your own opinions of the school mean the most. Do not let the university hand feed you what they want you to see.

Don't worry about the money...no matter how much you might think it matters, it is secondary to a quality, personalized education.

Look at at least two schools before you make a decision. Visit the schools before you decide. Talk to current students that don't work in admissions, they aren't getting paid to talk up the school. Listen to yourself- if you really don't like the feel of a school, it probably won't go away. Once you find a school, congratulations! Make sure you actually go to class- you are paying for it! College is great.

My adivce to students looking for a school would be to find out what means the most to them. Look at schools that offer good acedemic programs. Also look at the population of the school, and the faculty to student ratio. The size of the school makes a big difference on the interation with other students and how well you might get to know fellow students and professors. The mission statement of the school will give you insight to what is important to the school as a whole and if you would feel comfortable being apart of that mission. Visit the colleges that you are interested in to determine if you fit with the college and if the people you talk to fit with you. Talk to professors in your interest of study and try to talk to students in the programs you are interested in. Also don't forget to look at scholarship and financial aid possibilities. For parents, let your children have a say in the school they are interested in. It is their education, but parents' opinions and support is extremely important even if your kid never says so.

DONT WORRY ABOUT GOING TO A WELL-KNOWN INSTITUTION. GO WHERE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE.

I advise both parents and students to make a campus visit to the school that they wish to attend. Getting involved with welcoming events and orientations are great ways to learn more about the university and get a glimpse of the college experience that the school would offer.

Live everyday and every year as if you won't return. Be involved as possible.

Parents should get there child interested as soon as they can. Children need to be groomed and pressed their desstiny and in order for that o happen, adult must be active. Children need to dream and become aware of the gloriouss opportunity that is out in the the world. Children usually have an idea what they like when they are three years old. Parents must be observant and sopportive of the childs' desires.

Research, make sure you really know where you are going. Listen to the people who are outside of admissions. Try to weed out the truth about where you are going. Remember its hard to change it once you are there.

What makes a great college? Is it a school that is the biggest and most known or is it a school that truly cares about you? When I was a senior in high school I realized I was deciding between those two schools. One was a big school with a big name, visiting there I felt like I would just be another number among the thousands. The second school was completely different from the previous one. It was a small university that when people asked you where you went to school and you told them they were still wondering where exactly that was. But going to school and a small private school has been one of the best choices of my life. The classroom sizes are small and all of my professors know me by name and are willing to take time out to help me. This small school has allowed me to grow in many areas of my life, and the fact that they know you by name makes them a great place to go to school.

Pick a college that will help you spiritually grow as an individual. Talk to others in your classes and try to make friends. Don't try and spend all your time in your dorm room, but get out and do something fun with others. I don't think college would had been this much fun if I wasn't social.

The best advice I can give to parents and students about finding the right college is to go and visit your college of interest. There is nothing better to see what campus life is like or how the student body acts then to go and visit; even stay the night or a weekend. Get invloved while you are there and sit in on some classes and don't be a afraid to ask a lot of quesions. One of the most influential things I took away from my college experience is to listen to people who have been where you'd like to go or be. Talk to professors and students in the departments that you wish to be involved in. Their advice is invaluable. Making the most of your college experience is totally up to YOU! Your university can do alot of things to make your time there a great one but your attitude makes your experience! Keep a positive attitude when things get tough and learn how to manage your time between studies and having fun. College is one of the best experiences that life can offer, never turn down a new opportunity while you are there!