Point Loma Nazarene University Top Questions

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

Kimberly

Choose your instinct. If you find that you don't fit into a college, your not stuck there. Most colleges will have a place for you that transfering should be the last resort, but it is always an option. Try to be involved with activities and meet as many people as possible. Stay social and don't stress out over having to do too much school work. College is college. Relax about choosing the right one-- most likely the one that you choose is that college for you, and if not, just try again.

Chris

When you've narrowed down the colleges you want to look at, visit them and see if the culture is one that you'll fit into. Read the school newspaper, this will help you to figure out the ideals of the campus population.

Taylor

-visit the college before you give your final answer! and if there is a preview day, go and stay with the students that attend the university! -pray about it and don't be scared to try something new! -know the type of person you are! (i.e. if you are the type of person that loves being around a ton of people and a busy environment, then attend a large school....and if that freaks you out, then don't go to a huge state school! :)

Stacey

The sutdent should go to the college she wants to go to, not the one her parents want her to go to or the one her best friend is going to. Find a school that seems to be the best fit for you, go and visit the campus. What is the atmosphere like? Are students happy? Can you picture yourself here? Decide how far away you want to be from home, if you want a public or private school, if you want to be on a small or large campus. Look for a school that has an excellent program with what you want to major in. Go to a school with small class sizes so you can get the attention you need to suceed. Live on-campus your first year. Then you will automatically meet people and get involved at your school. Find an extracirricular activity to get involved in, and don't work your first year. You are adjusting to collge life and discovering new things, give yourself time for that. Start right away with good study habits, read before class and always arrive early and prepared. Make friends, study hard, and take time for yourself each week.

Curt

Pick a school that has good quality people

Seth

Stay the night in a dorm!

Adrienne

To parents, I would give them advice about letting the student decide for themselves of where they would like to attend the school. Support them in whatever disicion they make. Help with the decision, but do not decide for them. To student, get involved, and live on campus or in a dorm. Take advantage of the opportunities that are offered. Study abroad to get a greater picture of other places in the world. Become well rounded in other things! Enjoy it! Take one day at a time. Enjoy it for you, and you will make friends for life!

Abe

This is a good place to become an intelligent and good human being

Kevin

Coillege is extremely important in today's society. Considering the current economy and job market, having a degree is a must. Parents should listen to what their child's needs are in terms of the college he/she wants to attend. Asupport group present at the school is also very important becuase the sense of belonging makes the college experience one to remember. I also suggest to prospective students to take advantage of all the school programs and events because you learn so much just from interacting and networking with others.

Michael

Leave home.

Dieter

relax

Evelyn

The student has the ultimate power in determining how good their college experience will be. It does not matter where one goes to college if they do not care about their education and their future. All that parents can do is to help place a student in a school with the best possible resources and opportunities. The best education originates from a school that has small class sizes with professors that truly care about and have time for their students. My school may have some frustrating points of contention but I have had an amazing educational experience. My teachers actually cared about my progress and my future. They did their best to grow and ready me for the real world. I think it is extremely rare to find a school where students interact with professors in this way. They are not just a voice behind a lecturn. They are a resource to guide, a friend, a mentor, and ultimately your ticket to success. Ultimately I would recommend a school that has a respected academic reputation but that also has a small enough student body to allow for true participation in the educational journey.

Melanie

To find the right college the most important thing is to really dig deep and figure out what you want from your college experience. If you want high academics, choose a school that is well known and proven in its academics. If you want to play sports, choose a school that offers a variety of sports with fantastic coaches. In order to make the most out of your college experience, make sure you try everything at least once. If you don't like it, you never have to do it again. No one will force you. You're on your own here! And if you do like it, you have probably found a great way to make friends and experience life in a different way. But if you don't try.. If you let something hold you back, you will probably regret it for a long time because you missed out on something that could have been once-in-a-lifetime and completely wonderful.

Ashley

When it comes to scenic campuses, such as Point Loma Nazarene University, do all of the paper work before visiting. Check out the fields of study, how much it costs, financial aid, everything that you can, because it is almost garunteed that when you visit, you will be hooked. If you have younger siblings, check out the paper work for them, too, because they will aslo be hooked. When in college, remember that just because mom and dad aren't here it doesn't mean that you can do all of the crazy stuff that you wanted to do without any consequences. You're an adult, which means that you are responsible for your actions. Do have fun and don't get too bogged down with studies, but don't forget them either. For more advice, check out the book "1001 Things Every College Student Needs to Know," by Harry H. Harrison Jr. It's a good, quick read with lots of information in it. Don't forget to have fun!

John

First, go away to school. If you can, go somewhere you won't be tempted to spend significant time at home. This is essential to growing up. Second, understand the living situation you are getting involved in. Some places have co-ed dorms, some regularly hold events where drinking/sex are very normal, and some discourage that. Know what situation you want to be in. Finally, if you don't know what you want to major in, be sure the school you choose has some options you like. I know someone who went to engineering-geared schools and then decided he wanted to be a Literature major and had to switch schools.

Michael

Find a school that most closely matches your personality and has the program/major you are looking for. It is important to go to a school you know will enjoy and like then one you are not so sure about. It is a big decision and a place you will spend 4 years at so choose wisely. DO NOT let money be a deciding factor in choosing your school, there are student loans and you have an entire life to pay them off.

Nicole

There are four factors that play a role both in choosing a college and making the most of your experience. First, Be Honest. Never just settle and be real about who you are so you can grow. Second, think about your past experiences, your expectations and your comfort levels. These influence your opinion of any new environment. Third, prioritize what you want. Trust me, I wish everyone could have it all. Rather than wishing, it?s best to start checking things off. Finally, see college as an experience, as your life, as well as an education. It?s four years, after all! While in college I lived as much as possible in the moment. Students are in a unique state of being. They are responsible for very little and answerable to very few. This legitimate self-absorbed opportunity is great because it?s a chance to really flesh out who you are, your individuality. In hindsight, I can say I wish I worked more, and borrowed less. But that would have produced an entirely different person than the one I am today. College is best when you realize your best in everything you do. That alone prepares you for anything.

Michael

In order to choose the right college, a students must first evaluate the goals and interest he or she might hold. Once a student discovers an interest in a particular field, it is recommeded to search for schools that might satisfy that interest. Visiting different school websites on the Internet is a great way to find out what the school can offer students. After choosing schools that accomidate a students particular needs and interest, it is very important for the student to physically visit the schools campus. Visiting the school will give students a first hand experience of campus life. It is recommeded to take a on campus tour guide in order to fully understand the schools community. Once you find the right college, it is important to get the best possible college experience. It is important to enter in college with a postive mindset. Overall, a postive and friendly mind will find more favor in the eyes of people. Having a postive outlook on life in college will bring comfort to students and allow them to see the postive side in life.

Jacob

You don't have all the answers. Let college be a learning experience, both socially and academically. Make sure to balance your work and play. By the time you graduate, you should have a much better idea of what you are and what you want to do with your life, so don't rush to make decisions in the first couple years that may limit your flexibility later in your academic experience.

Benjamin

find a school that offers the major that reflects what future career the student wants, and make sure there are several other good programs in case the student has a change of heart concerning their major. Live on campus in the dorms if possible for at least a year or two in order to make more friends and enjoy the college life. Go to a school with an environment that you are comfortable with. For instance, don't go to a school in Iowa if you live for the beach, or if you're a big city person don't go to a rural place.

Christina

Choosing a college is one of the toughest decisions that you can make. I would suggest making a list of pros and cons of each school. When looking at colleges, automatically look to see if they offer the major that you are looking for. In your application, be true to who you are, don't be fake. Read and reread the essays, and spell check. The number one thing that I can say that helped me pick my college is praying. Pray that God will reveal what He wants you to do, and where He can use you the most. Good luck!

Hilary

I would tell parents and/or students to take their time when choosing, and do their research. I highly recommend visiting the campuses you are interested in and attending classes or staying overnight in a dorm(preferably on a weekday if possible). If you are interested in a certain activity, research it and ask questions. Also, I would tell people to not only talk to the admissions counselor but to talk to the students on campus, they will give you the realest description of life on that campus. Most importantly I'd say to speak up and ask questions so you dont have any doubts, and trust your gut. Take your time to decide so you don't choose on a whim, and only go somewhere that you feel could be your home for the next few years of your life. You are the company you keep, so who you meet in college will shape you for the rest of your life. Trust your gut and follow your heart when you are there. As long as you make healthy choices and do what makes you happy, you cant go wrong. Enjoy the best days of your life!

Curtis

I would find a college that allows a student to explore the wide variety of careers available through the departments and schools found at the campus. It is always helpful to know that the school also cares for the well-being and development of the students to become healthy adults that will be an asset to society and spark a joy within the student to continue learning for the rest of their lives. College is mostly about being taught how to learn for yourself, rather than learning all the facts about your field. The rest comes from your life and work experiences. The most helpful thing for me is knowing that I can use the knowledge I gained from college courses and combine them with learning and critiquing new information that is and will be produced into the future. But above all, the care and love from fellow students, faculty, administration and staff is what will keep the student at school when they know that they are in a community focused on learning, but guided by love and care.

Jessica

Visit the school so you can get a real visual of the school, this helps you know how to picture your college experience. Follow your heart and go for what fits you best, don't worry about how well-known a school is. Prestige will not add to your overall experience and its worth it to be somewhere that cares about you and that will help you grow by meeting your individual needs. Know what you want frmo yuor university. Get an on-campus job, because this helps you get acquainted not only with so many more people, but you get to know way more about your school, which makes you feel a part of it. Participate in some events, but don't stress out about them. Keep up with homework and studying, becuase it will catch up to you eventually. Keep in communication with your parents/kids; that way there is no confusion about what is going on.

Anthony

I would advise anyone to chose a place that they enjoy as a location, and then an environment socially that they find pleasing. The college experience is about change, so someone looking into college should pick a place that they feel they can/would like to grow into and around.

Sean

I myself applied to several colleges. Tour them and try to get a feel for what the students attending think of the campus. It's important to know how you will spend weekends, so tour the surrounding area as well. Make sure everything there is to your liking. If you can, try to talk with one of the professors and see if you can sit in on a class so you understand what you are getting yourself into. The fact that they would let you is a good sign in and of itself. While attending college, get out there and participate. There is no excuse for not finding others who share your interest on most campuses, especially the larger ones. Connect with the professors if you can to try to understand where they come from. Ask questions. For students, find others in your department or find a few friends who are easy to talk to. Heck, sit down at a table in the cafeteria if you don't spot anyone. Strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. They might end up as one of your best friends.

Eisun

don't go for named schools. Write down what kind of school you want to go to. Not all named schools are right for everyone.

Carisa

Visit the schools you want to attend. Make sure you see every aspect of the school. Prepare a list of questions to ask specific schools or every school you go too.

Jared

Most parents want their child to continue their education as long as it's affordable. Parents, nor students should worry. The school situation will work itself out, letting go of eachother will be the hard thing....most of the time. Making the most of college depends on how much time the student is willing to make. Socializing is huge in college, but as long as the student will keep their priorities straight and not let their grades slip, everything will work out. Being a senior in college I realize how important home cooked meals are, family, true* friends; so no matter what, don't forget how and why you're (student) there. Continuing your education is the next step in not only your future, but America's as well. Thank you

Danielle

I would say that campus visits are essential, and it's probably a good idea to spend a night in the dorms. Attending classes that the university offers is also a good experience, as it gives you a feel of the lecture-style. Important things to consider are location, size and your specific major.

Courtney

Make sure that you are sure of what YOU want and expect out of your college experience. Don't focus on what you think your parents want or society wants, because then you may not necessarily be happy. Do a lot of research on schools you are interested in, in order to see what the social and academic life is like on campus.

Michael

If your child is stupid, do not waste a position at a university. It is unfortunate that only people who can afford it or who are willing to be in major debt are going to college. No longer is attendence based on acedemics.

Jacqueline

Be selective. Analyze yourself and know what place will best fit you. Don't choose a religious school with many rules if you are just going to make fun of it and waste your experience. Know yourself and be honest.

Garrett

No matter what be yourself. Don't create lofty ideals as your ideals are bound to change. Find a college with commitied professors, good people and an undestanding community. Most of all have fun.