University of Valley Forge Top Questions

I would tell myself to be prepared for struggles such as loneliness and depression during my first semester because of being 13 and half hours away. Also ,that it may not be bad once I'm at school for longer than just a couple months by myself. I would tell myself to start looking for side jobs such as an openning for a nanny or babysitter on or around campus to help get money towards my school bill.

The advise I would give myself is not take a break between high school and college. Go straight into college and get it done, so that you complete your education at a young age. I will also say, get the full experience of college and go away for college. Dorm away at college because its always best to find yourself at college. Being away at college makes you a responsible adult and it teaches you how to make boundaries for yourself. Also as a senior in high school, try and take college courses so that when you get into college you don't have to take as many remedial courses. Doing this will help you take your major classes quicker and it allows you to finish college sooner.

Dear Shelby, As a senior I know you may be a little overwhelmed deciding what college to attend, what major to pursue, and financially how you will survive. I would just like to inform you that there is help along the way. There are many resources out there to help you to make this transition in your life that much easier. Be sure to take advantage of these resources and please if you are confused about anything, ask questions! There is no such thing as a silly question. You also need to remember you are not the only one going through this transition. Get in touch with other senior students who are planning to attend a college you are interested in. See what steps they're taking before the college semester starts. If you're still unsure take a tour of the college you think you would like to attend. It's a great way to get familar with the campus and meet new people. Don't be nervous because whatever you decide is exactly what you were meant to do. Plus if you change your mind you can always make changes towards your major. Remember, you can do it!

Don't be nervous. College is an easy place to make friends and is a learning experience. Try to take the Clep Test and get out of taking as many General classes that you can. It will save you a lot of money. Don't stress that you haven't chosen a major, just work hard in each of your classes and you will be fine. Don't play games or chat with people during class, you won't remember anything. Remember you are paying for each class you take, don't waste your money.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell him that he needs to make a plan for his future instead of waiting to see what happens. I would say that he needs to talk to his parents about applying to colleges and have at least some preliminary idea of where he is going in life. And even though music is a very important part of his life and will lead him to many great and rewarding opportunities, he also needs to focus on his schoolwork, maintain good grades and a better work ethic. They may not have seemed like they had any significance then, but later on, they would have made life a whole lot easier. And if he did not do that in high school, he would have to work much, much harder when adjusting to college.

If I could go back in time knowing what I know now about college and making the transition I'd tell myself to not fret. To many people go into college afraid and very conserved, they are scared of making the adjustment and meeting new people. There is no need to be afraid. Yes you have to make new friends and adjust to new study habits, eating habits, and sleeping habits; but it is all going to be okay! The college transition isn't anything to be worried about, just take it step by step and you'll do fine.

I would've advised myself to do much better as a student. To stop being so antisocial and to join various clubs and societies. I slacked off all through high school and was lucky enough to be accepted into college. I would have made it clear that I needed to grow up and try harder. Although, being accepted into a college helped me with becoming more responsible and mature, I wish I had realized that in my senior year or sooner. I would advise myself to visit and become more educated about various colleges rather than settle for one. I love the college I went to and am trying to return to, but I just wish I had explored more.

Attending college has been a great experience. I have learned and am learning how to live independantly, pay bills, manage time, and make friends. My friends are great, and I'm sure that they will last a lifetime. I love my classes because the professors are intriguing and desire you to get the most out of their classes. I am a Digital Media and Communications Major. The digital media classes here are very hands on; that is great because I learn best that way. I not only have taken the core English, Math and Science prerequisits, but I am learning how to run a professional level camera, the basics of Final Cut Pro 7, how to stream video and audio content via the internet, how to podcast and edit rss feeds, various lighting techniques for video production, dvd authoring, sound reinforcement, and much more. The education I am receiving at Valley Forge Christian College is so valuable because I am learning to be a very well-rounded person in the field of digital arts. From graphic design, to video/audio production and photography, I am gaining experiance in all of these aspects.

A college experience is always one thing- what you make it to be. Valley Forge is not the most prestigious college, but I decided to make it the most eventful, action-packed, totally involved, busy, crazy years of my life. I was involved in sports, leadership, took advantage of studying abroad, attending leadership and ethics conferences in Washington D.C. and West Point. I worked for the college over a summer, traveled with a drama ministry team serving camps and churches, did numerous hours of community service, and chose a degree that was still in the works of being made official. My college experience was exactly what I made it to be- the chance of a lifetime. No, not every day was perfect; yes, I am still paying off my debt; but was it a worthwhile investment? Yes, because I made myself a worthy cause to invest in. I made the money I am paying back now out of my own pocket have value. The opportunities that were available to me were priceless in a lot of ways because I can only look back and say, "Wow!" This experience has made me one thing- what I made myself to be.

I have always worked diligently in order to get into a great university to receive valuable education. With my grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, leadership experiences and awards, I always assumed that I was going to attend a prestigious institution where I would be surrounded by intelligent and passionate teachers and students. However, smart budge planning required me to go to Oakland Community College. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was the most wonderful opportunity I could obtain. The value of an education is supposed to more than a name. OCC gave me more than I expected out of my education. I received a great education, whose true definition I also learned here. A great education comes from learning and discovering new things out of life, while have a continued curiosity and desire to learn more. I was granted the opportunity to be surrounded by passionate individuals, all who have a different reason for being there- whether to support their family, a change of heart in what they want out of life, or just because of their thirst for knowledge. I am going to transfer soon, however the humility in education will always be important to me.

My college experience has been one that I am very grateful for. At first I was a little nervous because of the unfamiliar surroundings and the educational requirements that I would have to meet. Although after a couple weeks I got so comfortable that it was easy for me to talk to anyone in the college. Everyone there is so friendly and the close friends I made took my college experience to a new level. The classes were enjoyable because of the content, the professors, and the interaction within the class. My advisor made my college life easier. When I transfered so many of my classses that I was advised to take, benefited me later and I am grateful for that. My community college education was one of the best because it did not only prepare me for my bachelor's degree but gave me the opportunity to have a fall back which was my associate's degree. If I could I would do it all over again.

My college experience has been a very rewarding one, and because of it, I have been able to discover what I want to do with my life. When I began, I was undecided on what I wanted to major in, and actually changed majors twice before I settled on the right one: music. I am very passionate about the performing arts, music, piano, theatre, choral conducting, etc. and I didn't know how to streamline all those interests into one field. Because of my excellent college experience so far, I have learned to know myself so much better and have been able to discover exactly what I want to do the rest of my life. Not surprisingly, I want to become a choral director, and teach at a highschool or community college. I want to help students like my wonderful teachers have helped me. I have been able to keep up a 4.0 GPA for my entire time at college (around 2 years), and I can only say that it is because I am so enthusiatic about my education. I love being a college student, and I am very blessed and grateful that I have this opportunity to learn.

I have gotten so much out of my first semester at college. Experimenting with people, classes, professors, and even the time different from home. Managing my time has been something I have learned much more, and it has been preparing me for the next semester. Some classes are more difficult than others, but it doesn't keep me from striving for an A in each one. I value my education, because I want to be successful in life later on. I don't want to be living on the edge, and would rather be safe and content knowing I have a good substantial job to pay the bills. I love being at college, and being my own person. Independance is something I value almost as much as my education. I want to be able to be good at what I want to do. College is the place for me.

I was fortunate enough to attend college in my junior and senior year of high school, and that experience definitely helped me grow in maturity and as an individual; being in a setting where teachers treat you as an adult and with respect I think made all the difference in making me the mature and confident individual I am. I think that the way high schools treat students is completely degradating and confuses students on how to aproach college as an adult, as until they reach an adult age they're treated just like small children and constantly constrained and told what to do. Now, my peers in college treat classes and teachers with the same level of concern and importance as they did in high school; or, none. As long as high schools don't give students choices in they're education, or allow them to be responsible for themselves, they'll enter college and adulthood the exact same way, and I believe are set-up to fail themselves. For students to respect themselves, others, and they're futures, they need to be respected themselves. After all, children are simply small adults.

During my college expirience, I discover more and mroe of who I truly am on a daily basis.

Thus far I have not yet enrolled in college. I am currently searching for college funding. To me a good education is key. It will allow me to better my skills and obtain a good job to help both myself and my family.

My college experiencehas been fantastic. I have had the privilege to work with people that know my field of study. They have provided me with the tools I am going to need to suceed. The teachers work side by side with you to make sure you understand wich is really nice since I get easily lost. Since they are helping me learnso much it has also improved my confidence levels about working in what I want. For that matter they have tought me beyond what I wanted to do wich is be a chef to running every part of a restaurant. The curriculum also has financial planning and other classes to help if I disiered to have my own buisness. The students there are great because they have the same passion I do so it releaves a lot of tension since we are all on the same page. Honestly going to Le Cordon Bleu was the best thing I ever did.

I have gotten so much information that has been applicable to my career and also to my personal life. I have grown so much stronger through my studies at Valley Forge, and have really begun to develope who I am and where I fit into the world. It has been valuable to attend here because it has given me strength and direction for my life after college, and has helped me know who I am and how I can help strengthen others as well in my life.

It was valuable for me to attend college because I learned a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life... Be prepared! When I started the first semester of my freshmen year in college, I was extremely unprepared. I did't have the money to pay for room and board, nor the funds to even buy books for my courses! Without much help from Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), finacial services at the unveristity, or my parents, I had to drop out of school my second semester in order to pay for the first semester. While my first semester was a great college experience (learning new things, meeting new people, and going to places I had never been) I wish I had been financially prepared so I could continue my education.

In my little time being here I have already grown spiritually and have learned so much. I look forward to the following years and dread the day I have to leave. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and have made some lifelong friends and mentors. This was most certantly the best choice I could have made when deciding which school to attend. I have enjoyed being here and am excited to see what else I am going to learn, who I'm going to meet and what other plans God ahs for my future. Being here I have not only grown spiritually and academically but also as an individual I have been able to explore my own independance and I have learned how to deal with and make right decisions.

I have learned to discipline myself to study and get my work done on time, as well as time management with work, classes, school work and church activities. I have learned to branch out and love everyone because VFCC is like a great big family.

I would tell myself to buckle down. You need a lot of self-control to make it through college. It is very easy to get caught up in friends and campus events but you cannot sacrifice your grades. Your parents are paying big money to futher you in life and although friends are important, you are buying an education, not friends. First work, then play! Also, i would tell myself to not be shy. There are so many people on a college campus that you can't be afraid to meet new people. You are bound to like someone! All in all, don't sweat the small stuff, if He brings you to it, He'll bring you through it.

I am a 32 year old college freshman so I am living the experience of going back in time "knowing then what I know now". I would tell myself that strenuous exercise and intense study breed confidence, and that confidence would make me realize that I deserve more than an average life. I would advise myself to wait for the right girl, not the first girl, because I do deserve the best and not to be daunted by the length of time it takes to accomplish a goal. The time will pass anyway and the journey is so much fun!

One piece of advise I would tell high school students now is to save as much money as they can while they are in high school and apply for as many scholarships as your can. And try your best to limit the amount of money you borrow in loans. College gets really expensive and it really doesnt hit until your last year or so in college. If you have to work your way through college, then do it, I would recomend that. It will make you more thankful for your school.

I would tell myself, do get more involved. Learn organazation, save money. And focus on what really matters.

Procrastion is the key to failure. In order to obtain to succeed in college time management is an essential skill one must obtain. With every school hard work and dedication is nessary and what ever decision your make stand by it. Even if it mean having to struggling in order to succeed. Things in life do not come easy and failure is nessary in order to obtain success. Only by learning from one mistakes can you excel in the future. Dont be afraid to try new things, and even if college brings failure dont get upset. Use that failure in order to not make mistake in the future. College is a time of new oppturnities and experience. Make the most of it and try to excel in your career field. Good Luck!

Make many good friends. Get to know them well and stick by them! Those friends will become your greatest resource over the next four years!

As you progress through your senior year, strive to do everything to the best of your ability. School can be tough at times, but if you look at it as an adventure, it often become exciting. The key to success is to not just learn in the walls of the school, but in everything you do find a way to learn something new and interesting. You never know when you will need a speech topic or essay topic!

I would tell myself, "Cherisse, you are here right now for a reason! You're going to change, learn, and grow! Make the most of the Biblical studies here, and don't be afraid to go out of your way to make friends. College will be hard for you, but be confident that God will give you the ability to accomplish what you need to do. Don't worry. Get some space from your family, and try lots of new things! Don't waste any of your time considering who you will date. Don't try to fit in! Discover who you are and rejoice in it regardless of how others respond to you. Dish out the money to get a reliable car and counseling, because you need it. Oh, and by the way, just get an Associates in Bible. Then go live with your grandparents while you save up for a Bachelors in Social Work.

If you've moved a lot, this is just like any other time you've moved. You may not have the same support network, but you'll make it through this one, too. College is not what your teachers in high school tell you it is. That's what their college was like. Whichever one you choose, it will be completely different and you'll have to start off from square one again. That's okay. That's what makes it your own experience. That's what makes it the best.

I would definitely have advised myself not to room with someone I was already very close to because that severely damaged our friendship. I would also tell myself to save up as much money as possible before transitioning into college because necessities you will buy can be very expensive at times. Also, I would probably mention that it is probably best to come to the realization early on that most people you call "friends" back at home, you will probably lose contact with. Get the most out of senioritis. Make sure you don't have any unexpected balances to worry about when you get to school.

I would definately tell myself to get serious! I would have applied for more than one school, worked harder to try to pass class. i would have applied for scholarships instead of doing everything at the last minute like i have done in the past. I would just completely change my whole high school career if I could. I would have got extra helped if I needed it, and instead of being isolated and not being involved in any school activities, i would have joined more activities, that could have brought more oppurtunites to get scholarships. My grades are what's stopping me from getting a scholarship. I have a 2.0 in school. Maybe less because I have SO much catching up to do. But I don't care how long I'm school, I won't quit until I get my degree!

First and foremost, the initial and most important part of finding the right college or university is your future goal. To make your favorite hobby or desire into a full-fillilling and rewarding career is the ultimate prize for anyone to receive. The second most important part of finding the right higher education is the same as any realtor will tell you: location, location, location. The majority of perspective students find that location is everything. There is something to be said about learning to be independent and therefore living far enough away from home. However, at the same time, there is a great importance to be put on family, and therefore living close enough to home to still have the opportunity to come home for help. How to make the most of the college experience? The answer is simple, and it's been instilled in everyone over and over. Simply make friends that will know you for a lifetime. While I know that I have used the word "simple" loosely, the quality of the friends/people you hang out with can and will make or break your college experience.

Look for what you want, and not for what other people suggest. There are plenty of great colleges, but if it isn't everything you want/need, you won't have a good experience

Be patient, but don't wait too long. Don't be wooed by the impressive architecture, or lack thereof. When the President or Dean rambles on and on, don't listen to most of what he/she says, because it's the best of what they have to say, and he/she has been re-hasing that speech for years. They may say things that aren't true without meaning it. Talk to the students, and not just the attractive or popular ones. Find the kid who you think might not have many friends, and ask them. This person will answer most objectively, plus will be happy you befriended them. Parents, listen to your kids, but don't let your years of wisdom, discernment and experience be displaced by your kid's googly eyes over an impressive/popular school. At the end of it all, it won't matter what kind of meal plans it offered or if it was air-conditioned. However, do try to get them to the best school possible, it will matter on the job application. To the student, work harder than you've ever worked and graduate, because that is making the most of college.

The greatest advice I could give is to encourage others to take their time in deciding their future school and weigh out the options. Remain financially stable; do not put yourself in a position where you will be paying off loans for a great portion of your life.

Spend the time you need to ask all of the important questions. As well as those questions you might not think too important. Take time to visit the campus, during one of it's college days as well as a more private visit. During Freshman year, do well in your studies. If your G.P.A. drops too far your first year, it's incredibly difficult to bring it back up. Don't stress out about making friends - it will happen. However, your group of friends will shift as you continue your years in college - so don't worry too much about it. Balance time spent on studies and in social activities. Try out different extra curricular activities. Find the one that fits you best, and really get involved your last year or so. Make your time count in college, both academically and in your extra curricular activities because you never know what will happen after you graduate. Don't feel guilty or ashamed if you end up spending more than four years in your undergraduate studies. Four years is short. Take the amount of credits per semester that you can handle well and graduate when you are finished.

Don't let any reasons hold you back. If you truly want to pursuse a college career in a profession that you really want, you can find a way. Things have a tendency of working out if you just make that bold step and apply yourself.

Do your best in high school in order to get the best scholarships you can. Then, apply to all the schools you're interested in,. Don't let the money drive your decisions; figure out what you want to do and take the school that has the best program for that field. Student loans are the best loans you'll ever get, so take advantage of that and get the most out of your education.

To take the time to find and decide which college is the right one for them. Don't jump the gun and be sure to explore all of your options. College is something serious and you should be in a place where you enjoy living,

Stay true to who you really are. Go with your gut instinct.

Pick a college that makes you feel like you belong there. College becomes your new home, so pick somewhere that you are comfortable spending the next four years of your life. Make sure you get involved and take every opportunity you can. Learn what you really believe. Don't be afraid to question your professors and other students. Go to class. Do your homework. Pursue any dreams that you have. Take chances and learn new things. College is a learning experience like no other. Take advantage of everything placed before you. Let it shape you.

Finding the right college can be a daunting task, but like the saying goes, they are the best years of your life. Take your time and don't stress about it too much. Once you adjust to college life you have a blast!

Education is more important than finances. After a degree is attained, financial stability will be brought to a balance.

The right college is where you will feel most comfortable. Pick a place that has somethings that seem familiar (like weather) and a place where you can see that you will grow. While attending, get involved. Ask questions. Don't sign anything unless you completely understand what it says. Live in a dorm for at least your freshman year. Try out for a team. Listen intently and purposely in class. Sign up, sit in, and participate with as many extracurricular activities as you can.

Pick a college where you can grow mentally, academically and socially. Look for financial aid. Pick a place where you will be streached. Build up a good support group from among your peers and the facutly. Enjoy the experience and don't be afraid to try new experiences.

Do research on the college websites. Visit the campuses and get into contact with current or past students/professors. Have an idea of what you are looking for in a school, what would bring you comfort and the environment you feel you would thrive best in. Don't settle, and do not waste the time you have. Take your education seriously and create schedules and attempt balance. All work and no play makes life miserable, but in all things keep your focus and move forward.

Fully research many many schools and talk to as many students, staff, faculty, alumni, and even people from the area as possible. Think long and hard about what you want to do with the rest of your life and how that school can help you get there and or figure out what that may be. if you have a dream (no matter how crazy) go for it with all of your heart.

Look around. Don't just pick one school and go with your first choice.

My advice is to go where you are called to and where you are the most effective, meaning where you can see yourself down the road. You definitely do not want to do something that you cannot picture yourself doing years from now. Also, another major important factor in the college life is spending time with the right people. By this, I mean people who you not only laugh and have a good time with, but people who challenge you to become a better person. Who you spend time with the most is who you will eventually become.