University of Montevallo Top Questions

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

Alexandra

I've learned plenty of new aspects of the business world. The classes are very small, which means each student has a voice in the class. Also, it allows teachers to focus more on each individual student. I love that each of my teachers are willing to help me out. They take interest in everyone's lives. They even know every students' name. Also, the level of expertise of the teachers is amazing. They are extremeley intelligent and have even had past experience in the areas they teach. I also love that each teacher challenges the students. I've learned things that I will apply to my future business career.

Liliya

My college experience has allowed me to see what kind of a person I really am. It had allowed me show my true innerself around other people. College for some people is about the parties, but for me it is about getting to know people and gaining a career that will help me succeed in life. It has been valuable to attend a college because it has made me a more rounded person.

Kimbrell

I have gotten so many things out of my college experience. I joined a sorority, play intramurals, joined a few clubs, and volunteer. Being at Montevallo has taugh me to study and work harder than I ever did in highschool. It has also enriched my time management, people, work, and study skills. I am truly happy here.

Dane

My college experience has been valuable because it has given me the opportunity to first be responsible for the outcome of my future. I have learned to stay focused on academics and my future despite the responsibilites as a leader on campus. I have had the oppprtunity to hopefully be encouraging to fellow classmates to continue their dream as well. I have experienced not compromising my values but sticking to them amongst the pressure to conform. I have gained true friendships that will surely last a lifetime. For all of this I am very thankful.

Jennifer

Attending the University of Montevallo has enriched my life in more ways than I can count. Being a liberal arts university, they have offered and required me to take classes that I might not otherwise have taken. Even though extra classes might sound like a drag, they were phenomenal, and often thought-provoking. I took courses such as Ethics, Philosophy of Music, a methods class on internet tools for research, Astronomy, a communications class with an emphasis on public speaking., and an interdisciplinary seminar. The professors here are so knowledgeable and so enthusiastic, that it's contagious. I have come away from these courses with a better understanding of who I am as a person, how I function as that person, and how to be a strong member of society, and I can thank the University for that. The atmosphere fosters happy students. Everyone here cares about each other and about the life of the University. I've grown so much as a person through my attendance here, and I just can't imagine it would have been possible anywhere else. It's impossible not to love the University of Montevallo.

Kelli

I would say that you just need to relax and enjoy life, live it to the fullest. To not worry about what others think of you, that will get you in trouble more then it will help you. Be who you truely are and not who others want you to be. Your friends will love you no matter what, might as well be honest with them. Losen up! Don't sweat the small stuff! It's not worth losing a relationship over or a good night's rest.

Kendra

Come into college with your priorities straight. No boyfriends and no distractions. Try to enjoy being away from home. It is scary at first but it gets better when you make yourself well rounded. Join more activities outside of the classroom so that you can meet new people and have a little fun. Doing your school work early is more beneficial than doing your school work a few days before it is due. Never put off something that you know can be done easily if you just get up and do it. Try to be healthy both mind, body and spirit so that you won't get stressed and worried about classes. Be very focused on your education and eventually everything else that you want to develop in your future will fall into place in due time.

Richard

It is important to take things slowly at first. Be careful not to over burden yourself. Test your limits before throwing caution to the wind. It is easy to get caught up in all the things happening around campus, and forget about studying. The difficult thing about having free time, is figuring out how to use it. You have to find a nice balance between fun and work. All fun leads to bad grades and possibly dropping out. All work leads to depression and apathy towards grades and life in general. Finding a place in the middle where you enjoy college and get your work done makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.

Kimbrell

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to take more time to study for the ACT so I could get a few points higher because that would have opened the door to a higher variety of scholarships at the colleges I was choosing from. A higher score would also have helped my parents on the cost of my college education. I would also tell myself to try out for a few college basketball teams because I miss it so much sometimes. There are many things I would tell myself about not stressing out and how God is going to take care of me, always!

Stephen

Make up my mind first hand what school I want to go to. Find out what really interests me and/or something I love and stick to it

Jessica

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life, I would have a lot to say. I would probably start off with the fact that it is a major culture shock. Not necessarily in a bad way, but college life is so much different than what I was used to. The classes are harder, but not nearly as hard as what the high school teachers want you to believe, although you definitely need to study a lot more. Have fun and become a part of the university you choose. Don't keep yourself locked in your room all the time because friends on campus are important for success. You need those people to vent to and help you through tough times, because you won't have instant access to those people from home anymore. Most of all, ease into college life, but take it with both hands and enjoy yourself along the way.

Cameron

In the college seeking process, one should choose a school that will prepare him/her for a thriving carreer and life in general, and he/she should cherish every moment with his/her friends to truly gain the best college experience. For in life many people often forget details of the journey, but almost never forget who they spent it with.

Destiny

Don't limit your options. Make sure you take time and research several colleges and universities to ensure that you find the right one. And also make sure you know what you want out of your college experience. Every little detail, down to the number of students who attend that college, can matter alot. It took me a long while before I decided that the University of Montevallo was for me, and I'm happy I took my time in deciding.

Brandi

To parents and students looking to find the college that is right for you, I would just like to say look for a college that has a strong program for the subject you wish to study. Don't go to a school because all of your friends are going. You have to choose a school that is for you. When you do get to the school that is best qualified for your needs do not procrastinate. Stay focussed on things that you know you need to get done. But do not forget to have fun. College is a place to expand you knowledge, but it is also a place to meet poeple you may have in your life for a lifetime. Make goals and strive to achieve them, and also have fun in the process. Enjoy your college career because it only happens once. Sure you can go back but there is nothing like your first years so enjoy it.

Kala

Your college years are the years that you are able to grow as a young adult by exploring yourself, your beliefs, and your interests. It is also the time to learn how to be self sufficient while still having your parents there to help you when you need them. This is the time that parents should help their children become self sufficient financially, emotionally, and physically by weaning them slowly over the four years. With this being said, I would advise choosing a college that best fits your personality and allows you to not only be comfortable in your own shoes, but also learn from others to better find yourself! It is also safe to choose a college that is not far from home, because as a young adult, there are still instances where parents are needed frequently and quickly. Choosing a college that is well-known in the field in which you are interested would ensure a brighter future for yourself as well! After you have chosen a college that fits this criteria, GET INVOLVED! Now is the time to make professional connections for your future that can be useful for the rest of your life. Have fun!

C

In finding the right choice so school make sure it is based upon your personality. The college experience is very different so when your first arrive socalize and make friends. The best help at any school are the students that are all ready inroled. There are different things that will happen so just stay focused and every thing will be fine.

Stephanie

to go outside of your comfort zone

Tabitha

Choose a place, like I did, where you feel at home. You should be able to step on the campus and know you belong. If you feel at home, that college will be a place you will be proud to promote and call home to friends, family, and prospective students. The more at home you feel and prouder you are of your college, the more motivated you will be to succeed and be involved. Be as involved as possible without over-working yourself. Never do anything that will compromise your major (your sole purpose for attending), but find other things that make you happy and make you a more well-rounded person. College is all about becoming a more fulfilled and educated person. This will happen by not only focusing on your studies, but also by getting a taste of everything else college can offer. These are supposed to be your shaping years, so find what shape you like best!

Jessica

For students looking to attend college, the most important thing to remember is to look at what you want. It can be hard to leave all of your high school friends, but sometimes you have to move on. You will make new friends at college! For parents, just remember to support your child in their decisions. It is hard deciding on a college and realizing you have to pick a major that has something to do with the career you want (if you even know what that is!). Once students are at the college of their choice they need to be pro-active in making friends and getting involved in activites. Don't sit around and wait on fun to find you! Make fun happen and friends and experiences will come along with it! Enjoy every moment and take lots of pictures! And don't forget to study!!

Emily

Do research about the schools, go on campus visits, and talk to faculty, admistrative staff and current and former students to find out their experiences with the schools your applying for. After you enroll and apply for financial aid, scholarships and housing, do followup, the administrative staff are there to help you and they would rather have you call them and ask questions than have serious problems once school starts. Other than that just have fun, make friends, and be sure to go to class!

heather

I wouls tell parents and students that i think its best for your first two years to maybe stay around your hometown and even go to a junior college first. I would also say that allow your children to pick their own college not one that you went to, or one that you would liek them to go to. Allow your children to pick a school they like and found. I also would say for at least a year or two live on calpus at the college of your choice and maybe get involed in SGA, or involved in greek life. Just make it a happy and memorable time and live life like you never had. Enjoy your youth because it leaves quickly.

Rebecca

The best advice I can give to one looking for the college that best fits him/her would be to visit. One cannot get a real feel for the school or the students there just by looking at a website online. Go to the school, take a tour, sit in on a class, and talk to the students there. The students already attending the school know the most about it and can help you decide whether or not it is the school you wish to put the next four years of your life into. The objective of attending college is to learn and prepare you to live in this world on your own. It is very important that you choose a school that will mold you into the adult you wish to be.

Stephanie

Go somewhere you feel at home becasue it will be your home away from home. Campus visits will tell you just about everything. There is no way you can decide on your school without a visit to it. To make the most of your college experience you have to get involved on campus. Take on as much as possible and be open minded about everything!

John

Dont just go around with the tour. You need to make friends at the prospective university and spend a day or two there to realy understand the way things run and be able figure things out. Once you get into college, be sure to remember that they are not grading your intellect as much as they are your work ethic. Always go to class and do what is asked of you and you will do just fine. Good luck.

Michella

To the students, do not pick a school just because everyone else is going there; you can use this opportunity to start afresh and make new friends. Seeking other colleges gives you the chance to interact with people of different cultures which will help you to become a better person. It is best to thoroughly research different colleges and make sure that your major is offered, but first, make sure that you are confident with the major you have decided on. If you are not sure on a major, attending a junior college maybe best. There is nothing wrong with having a social during college because it is how you are going to make friends, but do not make it your priority. Getting good grades should be first.

Cedrina

Make sure it's right for you in every way.

Shaniese

Students should visit every college they got accepted to before making a choice.

Kaishonta

Visit the campus more than once. Get a good tour and spend some time around the college while the students are there. Be active. Don't stay in your dorm all day everyday. Get OUT!!! Get involved. I promise that you will not regret it.

SHONTORIA

When looking for a college to attend, remember no matter you friends, family member, mother or father went, go where you are most comfortable. Your college is a representation of you and the foundation for who you are and will be in the future. College is the place where you find friends and companions for the rest of your life. There is nothing greater than find people who have the passion for the same things as you?re, having the same goals, and knowing that you are not alone with the feelings and views of life as you. Even though it is wonderful to be apart of a family legacy of your family, but there is no greater accomplishment than finding your own way and doing everything that you set out to do on your own. I know for me, there was no one before me to go to college; therefore I had to create my own legacy. Just keep in mind: when you think about college, think about this one thing ?No one can make a change in your status of life but you make your life worth wild through one small decision, which college that you will attend.?