Trinity University Top Questions

Studying. Higher education requires studying, no matter how easy high school was for you. Take the opportunity to learn how YOU study best: do you learn best making flash cards? Having a roommate quiz you? In a group? Alone? The faster that you figure out what suits you best, the easier the transition. Class. Go to it. Get to know your professors outside the classroom. Most of the time, they will love that you take time to show you really care about learning their subject. Plus, you will establish bonds that will be crucial when applying to medical school. It's so much more than just "getting through it." Knowledge is one of the most amazing blessings. Friends. Meet new people and step out of your comfort zone. Although the soccer team brings 26 immediate best friends, it's okay to branch out and express some individuality. Faith. Trinity is a hard place to crack. Even though you don't drink, it's okay to go out with your friends and meet new people. You not drinking may influence them to ask you about your beliefs. Overall, enjoy it while you have it because it goes by fast.

As a high school student, I knew college would be much more different than high school. As a college student, I realized how much things were actually different from high school. And as a first generation student, I knew the transition would be even harder. My college self would want to tell my high school self that proper time management and studying are KEY to understanding the material in every single course. My college self is still trying to figure this out, so if my high school self knew this, then I could have transitioned a lot more quickly. It is important to set time aside to do homework, to study for classes, and to even do relaxing or fun activities. Otherwise, you will procrastinate, which is a habit I am trying to break, to the point where it's hard to catch up with work. With proper time management and studying, I know the transition into college would have been much easier and less stressful.

Food is one of the best ways to make friends. Whether you’re eating in the dining hall or having snacks in your room, everyone is always hungry and will go anywhere for food. However, that does not mean you should share your food with everyone you meet at college. If your gut tells you something about a person, you should listen to your gut and not ignore it. Once you have figured out what your gut is telling you about a person, you can decide whether or not you want to share your food with them. By sharing your food with people, you will make a variety of different kinds of friends, which is great, but there is one very important thing to remember about people you choose to be your friend. If someone you consider to be your friend does not respect you or your choices, they are not really your friend. True friends are people who will respect your choices and not judge you for who you are. Your true friends might not be the people you first people you shared your food with, but they are the people will share their food with you, too.

I would tell myself to not worry about the future. Things get tough in life, and all you can do is trust that things will work out in the end. I would also say to just enjoy myself and the opportunities I've been given, because things are going to be great! Along with that, try new things, you'll be amazed to find out the things you enjoy and are good at. Also, remember to stay in touch with the people who care about you, because they will carry you through whatever hardship you might be facing.

College is an exciting adventure rather than a daunting challenge. Being away from home will be difficult and you will miss Mom and Dad but there will be very little time to reflect on being homesick with all of the new people and experiences you will encounter! College is a gift to help become a more authentic “you”. People will appreciate what individuality and unique ideas you bring to the table. No longer will you be looked down upon for your beliefs and opinions, in college you will be celebrated. You will unexpectedly begin to love learning since you can take classes that suit your interests and skills. These classes are difficult but high school prepared you well and you will gain confidence overcoming academic obstacles. You will be exposed to radical people and ideas in which you can choose to appreciate and learn from, as others will from you. Most importantly you will make friends, every college freshman will be in the same boat as you are. Be friendly and open to new people and opportunities that present themselves along the way since you never know where they will lead.

I would tell myself to work a lot harder in high school and really apply myself to my studies. I would ask myself to be a little more social and out-going and warm up to new people more often as well as becoming closer with my friends at the time. I would ask myself to start taking care of my body more than I did and work out and start making healthy choices. I would ask that I be more responsible with my money and start looking towards the future. Most of all, however, I believe I would tell myself to treasure those around me and say "Thank you" to my mother everyday; her guidance became so important to me in college and I failed to see that in high school. So I'd ask myself to refrain from a snarky comment and simply smile and enjoy the time we had together then, because pretty soon I would be missing it very much.

If I could go back and talk to myself, senior year of high school, I would tell myself: "I know it's hard, right now, making this choice. I know you wanted to go to Carleton, but you'll see. Trinity really is the best place for you. Grit your teeth and bear the disappointment now, because college is going to be great. Keep your left up, just like mom says, and roll with the punches. Try not to take it to heart when people betray you, and keep putting your heart on the line-- people are worth it. It's going to be harder than your used to-- be ready for that, and be willing to work until you get what you want. And get out of the dorm sometimes; I know it's scary, but it'll be okay. More than that, it'll be worth it, for the friends you make. "And have fun. Because I promise you will."

While in college, I didn't just get the ability to memorize a lot of information, I actually learned crucial skills like critical reasoning and analyzing, writing skills, and social skills that will be beneficial in law school. College taught me to not just go through classes memorizing information, but rather, to take the time to actually understand the information and think critically about the information in front of me. Although I plan to go to law school, Trinity also gave me a broad range of knowledge in other subjects which was beneficial because it affirmed my decision to go to law school. I also feel that college and my political science classes prepared me for the work load I will encounter in law school, as well as the difficulty of reading and writing that I will need to use in law school.

I am currently going to my local community college to obtain my CNA, and I am enrolled for the LPN program beginning the end of August. The CNA program has been valuable to attend because it has eased my fears about starting the nursing program. I'm not saying the LPN program will be easy, but at least I will now have some experience, as well as the CNA program counts as one of the beginning nursing classes so that will be one less class I have to take. I have previously gotten a degree from this college a few years back, and the teachers are very knowledgable in their subject areas, and they are very nice as well. I also think the small class sizes are instrumental in giving the students one-on-one attention when they need it.

College is an EXPERIENCE. It’s the first time you are on your own, you make your own choices without direct parental influence (hopefully). You chose more than just your classes, you chose the group of friends you hang out with, what you eat, what time you go to bed and wake up. It is a time to realize the real you and get a glimpse of what you future in the “real world” may bring of you. Within the 4 years of college, I know more awesome memories will be made for me than in all of my elementary and secondary school educations combined. I have made friends that will always remain close to me and made decisions that I regret, but learned from. I have learned to sculpt myself and my schedule in order to complete everything required and desired by myself. College is about setting goals that may be too high for your expectations, but striving hard to reach them anyways. College is about playing hard, but working harder.

The most important thing Trinity gave me was confidence. By this, I mean confidence in who I am as a person, a scholar, a professional, a friend, and a servant to the community. As a recent graduate, I believe that there is value in my ideas and I feel comfortable expressing who I am in a variety of settings--something which I lacked prior to college. I've learned to be a strong person and stick to my beliefs. Trinity enabled me to see challenges as an opportunity to grow rather than a hindrance. These challenges arise in the classroom, in the community, and within friendships, but they continually make me grow stronger. Within the classroom, other students are constantly challenging ideas and asking tough questions. This has taught me to not only fully prepare ahead of time, but also, to think on my feet and provide equally challenging responses. Trinity has encouraged me to be a well-rounded person. As a result I am a full time student, part-time employee, a member of the Epilepsy Youth Leadership Council, several honor societies, and a sorority. I know now that I am capable of handling all challenges with confidence.

It is amazing to me how many decisions I made early on in college that have had an effect on other people in a negative way. Once a student reaches college, his or her parents are not typically around to make the everyday decisions that high school students are so used to having made for them. At first I did not realize that I would be confronted with so many decisions, and I especially did not realize that they would affect others; other than myself. Like many high schoolers, I was completely consumed with my own desires, and only concerned with what is best for myself. After a series of bad and worse choices, I realized that my actions affect others, and that the decisions I make have a lasting impression on those around me and those who care about me. Given the opportunity to give advice to myself as a high school student, I would relay specific examples of the decisions I have made and things I have done that have hurt others, or even hurt myself. I would stress the fact that loving others well and developing solid, healthy relationships is perhaps the best way to live life.

Prioritizing is so important. You need to be able to get things done on time and don't be afraid to speak up or go to professors with questions.

College will be a great experience. At first it will scare you having to truly make your own decisions. Just hang in there though and you will do great. You will grow as a person and learn to be an individual and stand up for yourself. Work hard and get your papers done early! Be outgoing and willing to make new friends. You are not the only one who is starting from scratch. Keep your mind open and be willing to listen to others and work with them even if you disagree.

If I could go back in time and give myself any advice, it would be to choose my major more carefully. I majored in Biology as an undergraduate because I thought I would be going on to medical school. However, as fate would have it, not only did I not get in to medical school on the first two tries, but sometime during the third attempt I decided that wasn?t what I really wanted to do anyway. At that point, I was stuck with a Biology degree that basically only qualified me to do research, and I hate research in the same manner that Paula Deen hates health food. So I would tell myself to pick a major that would enable me to work in a career I would actually enjoy, regardless of my future educational plans, because sometimes those plans don?t work out. As it stands, I am now returning to school to pursue a Master?s in Social Work for work in the medical field. The things you enjoy doing don?t change much; just the way you get there. My younger self needed to know that.

If I could go back, I would tell myself not to worry so much and to just be very open to everything that college life has to offer. I would tell myself to be prepared for interactive classes and to be outspoken and opinionated in classes because participation is very important. I would definitely tell myself to try and meet people and be social because college is much easier with friends. Your social life really does matter. Even though some people see college as a time when you should be completely immersed in your studies, you cannot do that all day everyday. You need people to hang out with and to talk to, so make friends. I would also tell myself to take any and every course I think seems interesting because when they tell you that something you might not be interested in will end up being one of your favorite subjects, it is actually true. I would also tell myself to be prepared for tough times because, like life, college has its ups and downs, but you will get through them, and when you do, you will be so proud of yourself because it is all worth it.

I would tell myself to learn how to study. It would have helped me so much to have developed good study habits before I entered college. I would love to go back to senior year and tell myself to apply for scholarships as soon as possible and to visit as many campuses as possible. Deadlines always come faster than expected, so waiting until the last minute to apply for scholarships is a very dangerous game. Finally, I would advise myself to get in touch with students who are currently attending the colleges and/or universities in consideration, if only to get the inside scoop on the best dorms and which professors to watch out for.

Congratulations! You are going be the first one in the family to graduate high school and go to college. You are going to make it into a great school, but continue to fill out those scholarships, don?t get lazy and procrastinate like I know you want to do. Mom is trying really hard to make this work for you and you need to help her. You are an adult now and you need to start acting like it. When you get to college, make your study habits the exact opposite of what you did in high school or it will screw you over in the end. Although you go to a college prep school you are not completely prepared for college, no one ever is. But don?t study 24 hours a day 7 days a week, you will want to shoot yourself if you do that. Join some clubs, try new things, party it up (but not too hard), and make our family proud of the young lady we?ve become. Keep on keeping on.

I would tell myself not to be afraid to go somewhere thats farther away from home. I was accepted to Brown and I would tell myself to go there because of the value of the degree.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that college is the time of your life, but that it requires an incredible amount of hard work and dedication. I would tell myself to take time while choosing my friends, and not to latch onto the first person I have something in common with, for I will eventually find my group of friends and they will support me through every ordeal I will face. I would tell myself to be true to myself, and to focus on the important aspects of life, such as family, strengthening bonds with my friends, and to love with all my heart and never be ashamed of it. But most importantly, I would tell myself that difficult times are inevitable, but that I will get through them with the support of my friends and family, and that I should never give up because even if I think I have hit rock bottom and that the world is against me, there are people that will never give up on me, and God will always be on my side.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take it easy. There are so many new and exciting things to do in college, but you don't have to do all of them in your first semester. Really take time to get to know the people around you, take some classes that have nothing to do with your major and are just fun. Joining clubs, doing service projects, and taking advanced classes are fun too, but if there isn't any white space on your calendar to go out to dinner with your hall mates, or just watch hulu videos for a couple hours, life becomes more stressful than fun.

The thing about college is that you're no longer on top. The people that you meet will challenge you. They will inspire you. Some people you meet may even change your way of thinking. No matter the case, be open to the new experiences that life has put before you and embrace the diversity of humanity. Just because someone looks like you doesn't mean that they are exactly like you. But by the same token, even the people that look most differently than you, can be so much more like you than you could ever imagine. Don't take anything that you have for granted because college is an opportunity that you are fortunate to experience. Take the time to learn, to grow, and to really enjoy the four years that lie ahead.

For the parent, you'll obviously want the biggest bang for your buck. But the bang depends on the preferred learning process for the student. If they want a piece of paper that says what they are, then send them to a nice big state school where they are just another small fish in a big sea. If they prefer a hands-on approach to learning, perhaps a smaller school is more suitable for them. It's difficult to put a price on knowledge these days, but wouldn't you want your kids to have all they resources they can accumulate before facing the real world? For the student, the essence of college is... it is what you make it. Students can only depend so much on their university to create their college experience. A proper orientation is a good stepping stone to an enjoyable undergraduate stay but you're given a clean slate your freshman year. Draw a pretty picture of who you want to be!

Start looking early! Really prioritize what you want out of your college experience, and try to envision your personality melding with the environment of each possible school.

Start the search early. Aply to a handful of schools both in state and out, large and small. Give yourself options. Stay with older friends who already attend college to get a feel for the college atmosphere and what to expect/look for. Go to a place where you feel at home both on campus and in whatever city the university is located. School prestige is not everything. Large classes aren't as scary as they sound. Follow gut instincts. Money is out there, you just have to find it.

I would advice students to get outside of their comfort zone and to go away from home for college. Students should definitely live in their dorms their first year with someone they don't know because it is a better way to meet new people. I would also tell students to get involved in activities because you can learn a lot from volunteering, participating in a sport (varsity or intramural), or joining a club, etc. You will get more out of college by getting involved than by just going to class. It is important to manage your time well, and it is a lot easier if you try to finish your homework in the day so you can hang out with friends in the evening. This will make you less stressed out and allow you to thoroughly enjoy your time at college.

Apply to alot of schools and keep your mind open. I was forced to apply to this school by my mom and ended up chooing it.

Be sure to check out the schools before making your final decision. Also make sure to evaluate each schools financial aid packages!!!

Invest time in your classes; you learn more than you would think.

Make sure to involve your parents in the process. Constantly discuss all of the options. My parents took a backseat and let me decide on my own. And while Trinity offered me some opportunities I wouldn't have gotten any where else, it was a much too expensive school for me. Had I really discussed the future and what I wanted to do, I probably would have gone to a state school where the tuition was much more affordable and would allow me to actually use my degree.

I think I must have been the most unsure and confused teen ever to endure the college search process. I was unsure what I wanted- big school, or small? Close to home, or as far away as possible? I applied to 14 colleges, all with different characteristics. The best advice I can give to parents and students is to visit the colleges that are being considered. Spend time on the campus- take a tour, sit in on a class, stay overnight in a dorm room. Only by doing this can you get an idea what the school is really like. The statistics in a college search book don't make a school what it is. It is the campus itself- its students and faculty. There will be a moment when you are standing in a campus and you will suddenly realize, "I can picture myself walking around this campus as a student." Once you are at college, get involved! Whether you end up at a big school or small school, you have to surround yourself with a smaller group of people to really feel connected. Find the organizations that connect you with people that share your interests.

Live the dream, let the parents know what is going on without directing your actions or study.

Go and visit the campus. Meet with the students and staff. You will know if it feels right. Once you are there, have fun and make new friends but make sure to study hard!

Current students offer advice on coming to TU.

I would simply suggest that you visit school that you think you are interested in and speak with a student at the school or preferrably stay with a student at the school. Over all there are a few aspects of a school that one should consider and that is the campus life the off campus life and the academics at the school. All of which are what one should look at, but these characteristics should be viewed differently by every prospective student and parent. Different schools fit different students and that is key to know when deciding on school, you have to decide for yourself, no one else. Lastly, I feel as though in the end the schools that the majority of kids choose end up being the right fit for them, so go with your gut instinct and enjoy yourself.

There is not only one right college for anyone- you can be happy in many places! Decide on big or small first and go from there

Visit the school before you decide to attend. As silly as it sounds, pick a place that "feels" right. You are going to spend the next four years of your life at this place. Make sure it is somewhere you feel comfortable and where you can be yourself. If at all possible, study abroad. It gives you the extremely rare oppertunity to quickly become incorporated into another culture for 6 months to a year. You will learn far more by living in a new "world" then in any classroom.

Choose a school that has a lot of connection to the outside community. You will one day be playing a large role in the community, and it is very practical to know how to take part. I went to a school that created a "bubble"--where students tend to stay primarily on campus during the semester and rarely get out into the community. It was very unfulfilling for me, so I started taking my own initiative to find activities outside of campus. That was one of the most meaningful experiences in college for me--getting out into the real world, meeting people from a variety of backgrounds, and doing things that had real social impact. Now, after those experiences, I feel like I know how to work as part of the larger community, and I feel very fulfilled by the work I am doing.

Choosing the right college isn't as hard as one thinks. Explore your options and immerse yourself in the community by attending the classes, spending the night with a student, and asking questions to student panelists and faculty members. The right school will offer you the opportunity to continue doing the activities you enjoy while challenging you to explore other paths. If your passion is playing in an orchestra, do not go somewhere that doesn't have an orchestra. The key to being successful in college is to stay healthy and happy. The only way to do that is to make sure you do things for yourself. Of course, academics are an important part of choosing the right college, but do not forget that college is a time to enjoy. If a school is academically challenging but offers nothing as a stress reliever for you, it is not the right choice. College is a balance. So, remember to play your cello, join the lacrosse team, be active in the chemistry club, and go swing dancing. Studying for tests and succeeding in classes will be managable if you make sure you have an outlet for stress. I promise.

Visit as many colleges as you can and start early. Chances are, when you find the right school, you'll know it. If you're having trouble narrowing things down, try doing an overnight stay with a student and go to class with them to get a feel for the campus. The student you stay with has a lot to do with your experience, but chances are you will still get a pretty good feel for the school. Lastly, be sure and take things like climate, political leanings of the student body, socio-economic diversity of the student body, class size, religious affiliations, distance from your parents / home town, drinking and drug use habbits of the students, the prevalence of fraternaties and sororities on campus, and the campus setting (rural or urban) into account before you make your decision. Basically, know what you are getting yourself into. If you're a laid back person who doesn't have a problem with people around you doing things you don't agree with, then it shouldn't be a problem. However, if you are on the other side of the spectrum you should be much more careful in your decision. Good luck!

When choosing a university, I placed so much focus on the academics, that I barely considered the social possibilities. I think this was due in most part to my parents emphasis on succeeding in school and my own drive to have the best career opportunities after college. Luckily, I found a school that balanced the two settings, something that I am very grateful for now. College is an experience and you need to be challenged academically and socially. You will be there, in most cases, for four years. Being able to adjust socially is equally important. In the end, after reading all the books and reviews, the most telling advice for me came in the form of a campus visit. Stay overnight with another student, sit-in on a class, and talk to the professors. This is the only way you can personally determine the best school for you.

College is a great way to explore a variety of subjects to decide on what career you wants Trinity University is a great school and has its fair share of variety of courses/majors to choose from, but if someone is looking for something more specific, then a larger school would be better. Students have to think about what exactly they are looking for in a college and pick the best one that fits that description. Look at what the school has to offer in terms of academics and extracurricular activities. Location is also important because once in awhile you just want to get off campus and see what the city has to offer. The college experience should be something that you remember forever. Be open-minded and join as many school activities that you can. Learn a new language and about other cultures/ religions. Academics is important but once in awhile take a break and hang out with friends. Your college friends are who you will keep in touch with years after you graduate. Take advantage of what the school has to offer like career help. Have as much fun as you can without letting your grades drop.

Make sure you look into both the social and academic setting, don't go for just one or another. The two are definitely intertwined together and create the whole experience. You will be around these people for four years of your life, like them or not, so choose well!

Go to the place with the biggest scholarship if you plan to go abroad. All financial aid will still apply to the abroad college and that place will cost much much less. I am going full ride to Germany for a semester because of this. Go to a college that offers scholarships with only GPA restraints, otherwise you won't be able to study some things and find what you are really made to do. This goes for you folks that think you are dead set on one particular subject. You will find your passion in the stangest of places.

Determine what is important to you (i.e. great education vs. high GPA). I feel like I earned an amazing education, but Trinity was much harder than most schools. So, my Trinity GPA was not as high as my GPA from summer school at A&M-CC. Therefore, it impacted my applications to grad school negatively. I took 24 hours of summer school class from A&M-CC and had a straight 4.0, while at Trinity I only had a 3.3. I learned more at Trinity than I did at A&M-CC. And by Trinity standards, my GPA was great. Unfortunately, no one other than those who attend and teach at Trinity are aware of the difficulty.

Finding the right college is a difficult choice. Many times, parents have a bias towards one college or another, and that can make the decision VERY hard for the student. It leaves the student wondering if he/she made the right choice, only because of doubt by the parents. I would say that wherever you choose, you will most likely be happy. And, in worst case scenario, you can always transfer; it is not as big of a deal as many people say. Look at the facts, and make a choice that seems to fit. That is all that you can do.

When choosing a college, first look at the social environment. This is what sets the mood for studying and tells you the level of contentment among the students there. If you already know what you want to major in, narrow down the schools based on their academic strengths. Make sure to sit through a variety of classes and talk with the professors afterwards. See if they are approachable. Communication is the key to finding the best learning environment for you. It also will help you understand the requirements of the professors more. Most of all, when in college, make sure to have a proper balance of work and play. Too much work will drive you crazy; too much play will flunk you out of school. If you follow these guidelines, I'm sure college will be some of the best years of your life.

I would advise the students (and parents) to not worry about choosing a college that fits the field or major the students wants to enter. In all honesty, a college student changes his or her major an average of 2 times (I changed mine 3). The college experience is what is most important. SO, find a college that best suits your tastes and your lifestyle - an environment in which you can see yourself absorbing more than just the textbook knowledge. About 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of what you learn in college is in the classroom - the rest, you do on your own through self-initiated research, or through life experience in general. In my opinion, there is no college that will be "just right." There is, however, a group of colleges that will interest you for a wide variety of reasons. Prioritize those reasons, and choose your college accordingly - and more than anything, follow your intuition. (and if you need a little extra help, surveys like this one are truly invaluable!) College is the best time of your life, so follow your heart and choose where you truly want to go - you won't choose wrong!

If you have any idea what you want to do in college (pre-law, pre-med, etc) make sure that the schools you are applying to have good programs. If you have no idea what you want to do, make sure that the schools you are applying to have a diverse selection of majors and minors. Apply for any/every financial aid opportunity available. Visit the schools to which you are applying. When you visit the schools, make sure to talk with a lot of current students to get a feel for the life on campus besides the academic life. If you have family (other than your parents) nearby some schools, think about those schools. It really helps with home-sickness. Consider the activities you like and make sure you can do those things where you go to school. For example, if you like to snowboard or ski, Texas might not be the best place.

It may seem cliche, but these really are the best years of your life. I know that the reason I'm at college is to get a good education but the social experiences are what make college fun and interesting. I learn more from social interactions than I do from classrooms and I'm surprisingly comfortable with that notion. College is like true love: when you find the right one, you just know and it clicks. Don't settle for anything less than true love.