College is arriving quickly for me, within just a few months really. I know where I'm going and why I'm going there, but I've been intrigued by the reasons that some of my peers have chosen the college they will be attending. I was telling some classmates that I was going to be attending Baptist Bible College and the first comment they make is "Isn't that the school with the strict dress code"? I think to myself, "Why does dress code matter? I want a sound education here." So this has led me to look at other people's reasons for going to college and I've found this to be true of most people: many people go to the same college as all of their friends so they can/will party all day and/or night, many will choose a college because they know it will be easy to get through, and many will go to college just to get away from their parents and other authority figures. If those are the only reasons one has to go to college, DO NOT GO! Those are absolutely horrible reasons to go to college. College, by my definition, is an institution for higher learning, not higher partying skills or an escape from parents. Choose a college by the quality of the education you will receive and, if you're like me, choose the college that God wants you to attend, not where you want to go. Oh no! He said God! Let's all panic! Yes, I believe in God and nothing you can say to me will change my mind because I am 1000% sure that God exists and that anything contrary to that is false. That will more than likely be the topic of future blogs, but not for today. If you have any questions concerning God or Christianity, just go ahead and let the questions fly.
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Okay well what if you end up hating the college God wants you to attend? Shouldn't He want you to attend the one that will make you happiest?
I don't know your background or anything, but my thought for that is this: I do not do what I want to do, I do what God wants me to do. To live for Christ is to live a life of self-denial. That's the principle behind purity before marriage and many other views. We don't do what we want, we do what God wants. You can go through life being happy and doing what you want, but what will it matter when you die? You'll just be a happy dead person, congratulations.
So even if you are miserable, God is okay with that? Even if you are unhealthy or depressed, God is okay with that because that is the college He wanted you to go to?
If you are in God's will, you won't be miserable; you will be glad that you are doing His will and fulfilling his goals in your life. Health isn't necessarily related to this at all, everyone gets sick. Unless you're speaking about deathly ill, then sickness isn't really related to God's will for college choice. Also, God's grace is sufficient for depression; He will help you through any situation you are going through.
Okay well that really actually did clear that up for me. I am not trying to be rude or anything, I just don't always understand because I am not religious. I didn't mean like a cold, I meant like mentally more so. But thank you for explaining.
I didn't think you were being cold. Some people just want answers. If you ever have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them for you.
I'm attending a private college next year...initially I wanted to go to Bradley University b/c my debate coach went there and one of my really good friends is going there...but I've found many more great reasons to go there as I went along...like my grandpa went there...it's 3 hours from home (far...but not too far)...they have a really high rate for entrance into law school...great internships...and what really seals the deal...an amazing speech team...
so even though I did choose it for a rather silly reason to start with I really feel like I made the right choice
Those are some good reasons. I like to see people actually thinking about what they'll be doing after college (you mentioned law school). I wish you the best.
thanks...I've known I wanted to be a lawyer since like 7th grade...so yes it is well thought out...I read your comment on doing what God wants you to...bold move...I've learned to do the same...it's hard...but do-able...good luck to you too
Wow, a 7th grader wanting to be a lawyer, that's not something I see everyday. I'm guessing you meant bold move by saying I want to be in God's will. I know what I'm getting into on here by mentioning God, you get used to it being a Christian. I'm sure you know what I mean.
haha all too well do I know...and yes most people don't believe me that I've wanted to be a lawyer for so long...a prosecutor in fact...and eventually get into congress...I've kinda laid the path out with doing debate and speech for the last three years and getting onto one of the nation's best teams next year...plus I just don't want people to go through the rough life I did...so essentially I just want to make the world a better place for all people
Sounds like you've got a nice plan going on there. Just remember to keep God's will first :)
ALWAYS! although most people don't understand how I can be a religious person and be a politician...I don't either but it works.
Well, being religious isn't that big of a deal; staying faithful to Christ is however. I advocate being part of a local church, but I know that people get wrapped up too much within their religious views that they take their eyes off of the main focus: Christ. You can be a Christian politician, it's not hard, it's just not the norm. :P
Later on this year I'll be attending college...And now I think back to why I chose this particular one. The college I will be going to is about 5 minutes from my house, which is very important to me because I want to stay close to my family. The other reason I chose to go there is because I am very involved in my church and don't want to have to leave just because I have to go to college.
For me, I feel that God has called me to stay where I am at. Though it isn't like this for all future college students. Values have a lot to do with where a person wants to attend college.
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
Wow, 5 minutes away, you're quite lucky. My college will be about 3 1/2 to 4 hours away. There's a college close to my house, roughly 30 minutes away, that I thought about attending, but finances weren't readily available and I didn't feel God calling me there.
Thinking about spending my first 2 years there (2 yr. private college) and then looking into maybe going to my dream school for my last 2 years which will be a couple of hours away.
It's a really tough decision considering that I want to stay around home...
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
That sounds like a pretty good idea. I had originally planned (in like 10th grade or so) to attend a local community college and rack up some credits there for 2 years then transfer them to a university. The big problem with that is that the college doesn't offer a majority of my classes- I wouldn't have enough classes to take there for a whole semester probably. So, that ruined that thought right there. College is a very tough decision, it probably won't be the toughest, but it's considered to be your first major decision. Your parents don't have the final say in it and it's basically your choice.
Amen, I'm a Christian too and I know I have to pray fbefore I attend college because I don't want to attend college only of my choice, I want God to have a hand in it. I know some one you wanted to go to a college just because the graduation gown was purple. People have very weird reasons for going to college.
ugh why! our graduation gowns are purple and they are hideous!
Oh the person's favorite color was purple. Anything purple the person owned it was ridiculous; clothes, lotion, perfume, notebook, pen, pillow EVERYTHING
Well, at least it was a girl's favorite color.... it'd be a little weird if a guy would want to go to a college because he wanted a purple gown..
haha true true that would be a little odd...I still think it's weird...I love the color purple but I still don't want to wear a purple graduation gown
She was a purple fanatic...I never meet anyone who loved their favorite color that much.
I'm glad you're seeking out God's will in all of this. This is a very critical point in everyone's life. Why would you want to go to a college for a purple graduation gown..... that's just weird.
Throughout high school I have realized that the things that I didn't include God in my decision making didn't turn out too right. Ihave to most definiately include him in the college I attend. I might go away for college, but God just might want me to stay closer to home. So I'll stay closer to home
Being close to home sounds pretty good to me. I would personally like to attend somewhere a little closer, but there aren't any colleges closer that have my major and God opened all the doors at the college I'm accepted at now. So, that somewhat settled the decision right there.
I think most people want to go to college in general to pursue a higher education, but from there, they select their college based on other aspects.
It just seems to me that sometimes those "other aspects" become more highly prioritized than other more critical ones.
I chose mine because of the study abroad program and it is close to home, but not too close (it's in socal, I'm from norcal). I actually didn't get into that school, but I know I was meant to go there. So I moved down anyways and go to the community college while taking my French at the university. I knew my best friend would be here too, but that was just pure luck. :]
Honestly, I love that you love God and have convictions, even if I'm not so religious myself. What I don't particularly love is that you felt the need to get defensive about it and that you assume a holier-than-thou attitude (no pun intended) about how people apply for college.
Why wouldn't people consider dress code in considering colleges? College is a part of daily life, and the most important thing, besides God in your case, is making sure that you end up in a college community where you are comfortable and feel at home. If you're not going to feel at home in a strict dress code, then there are plenty of other colleges in America. I can't seem to figure out why you feel that you're the authority on choosing colleges. Christianity, apparently, makes you comfortable, and gives you a sense of belonging- so why shouldn't you go to a religiously affiliated school? I'm not going to tell you you shouldn't because you could benefit from cultural diversity.
And then again, what apalled me most is you utter lack of faith in your peers. I certainly don't wish to be grouped with the rest of the people you're describing with your limited scope. More than 8,000 students are going to apply to Princeton alone next year. Are you trying to tell me that those people are trying to get into a party school? Or are you just an idiot? Please don't insult me, or the intelligence of counless others.
Well here is the quote from his blog, "to be attending Baptist Bible College ".
What about that name of a college made you think he wasn't planning on attending a religious school? Read more carefully.
I never said that i didn't think he wasn't applying to a religious school. I used the fact that he WAS and IS applying to a school with baptist affiliation to point out that what people should look for in colleges is different, and that i wouldn't think myself knowledgeable enough about him and his aspirations to tell him that he shouldn't apply to that kind of school. I'm happy that he's found a school that he knows is right for him. I'm just not happy that he thinks that most people are simpleminded enough to only consider partying when choosing a college.
Okay fine. I still think that was a little harsh though. Many many people choose schools according to location, friends, and other silly things. He didn't say EVERYBODY did that.
Hey, chill woman. I apologized for my cyber tone. And I never said that he did say that EVERYBODY did that. He did say the words most and many, however. It was just that he seemed to be speaking with statistics in his hand, when i knew that it was something like he was annoyed with the people around him. generalizations tick me off sometimes, and i didn't mean for my post to come off that way.
anyway, though, both of the things you just mentioned are important. i want to go to a school far away from my parents because i tend to be dependent on them, and i want to grow up, and become my own person without them breathing down my backs if i want to take a certain class or do a certain study abroad program. i want a cultural shock, and staying where i am, in the South, isn't going to help me achieve that. and sure, since i'd be going to a completely new place, maybe i want to have an uncle or a friend, or someone i know nearby so that i know i have support if nobody wants to sit next to me in the cafeteria or if i'm inching towards a breakdown prior to midterm exams. i don't see what's wrong with that. as long as you're happy in an accredited college, i don't think it's the end of the world.
Woah. Sorry for the angry post. Hmmm... don't know what got into me. Hey, but if people want to go to college just to party, either they'll flunk out eventually, or realize the error of their ways and transfer. Or, imagine this, they could have fun, get a good education, and be happy with their decision!
Ok, I know where you're coming from on the last post, but you dont' really know the people in my class. I attend a Christian school with a dire lack of true Christians. They can say say say all they want, but their actions tell a lot more. I definitely do not believe that I'm better than any of them; in fact, I'm more than likely worse than them in many areas. However, one point that people seem to miss in many areas is that there is a right and wrong answer. You can make a definitve wrong decision in something, but as you just stated above, most people that go to college to party won't be graduating with flying colors. The only thing they'll have gained is a giant hole in their wallets. And in response to your last statment, I do plan to have fun, get a good education, and be happy with my decision as I'm sure many many other people will be doing the same.
One more thing I forgot, you mentioned that a large number of people will be attending Princeton this coming year (I dont remember the actual number). I'm not ignorant enough to believe that they are all attending to party the entire time, many want a great education there and will receive just that. The ones with good intentions will be set apart from the party kids and get what they deserve.
Hey, I'm new to this whole blog thing, and i kind of realize that my first post was a little more angry-sounding than i've ever gotten myself. But, hey, though you may be pretty cool, and you seem to be a little more compassionate and intelligent than the average joe, maybe you haven't considered that the majority of the people that fall under your description are just what you said- "kids" (second to last line in the post i'm replying to) . A lot of them are going to make crappy decisions. Some of them are going to get pregnant. Some of them are going to get into major debt. Some of them are going to flunk out of college, or end up at a college that they hate because they didn't choose properly. And everything happens for a reason. College is supposed to be about growing up, because we're not quite grown, yet, no matter what. And sure, going to a stupid college is going to suck like nothing else, but people will generally realize their mistakes down the road. it maybe too late, but at this point, when they're 18 and beginning their independent lives, not letting them make their own decisions to some point will probably only hurt them. If they plan on doing no work, then they won't do it if they're at some random party college or if they're attending Johns Hopkins.
and maybe they're bad decisions aren't all their fault. maybe, if their parents forced them to go to your high school (and it seems like it to me) chances are that they've been waiting four years to break free and live their lives the way they want to. I can't blame them.
Don't worry about sounding angry, trust me, there are much worse things you could have said. You are oh so true about the "kids" statement. I don't feel prepared for college in any way yet. I still feel that I'm just a kid and I'm just not ready to grow up. That's somewhat what college is for as you said. College is the transition from kid world to grown up world so to speak. You get more responsibility and freedom without being completely out in the world by yourself. I'm not sure if you were actually bringing this out in your post or not, but I think you had mentioned that people are forced to go to a certain school and then graduate and do what they want. I wouldn't say I'm forced to go to the school I do, but I willingly comply in some way. If I really wanted, I could have persuaded my parents to transfer me, but I like my school in most aspects. However, when you say that people want to break free after that, those are the people that don't apply the things they learn in school. The things that they learned or say that they learned, aren't real to them and they will lose that foundation because it's not personal. So, for me, what I've learned, I've applied as best as I can and it's real to me. I'm not going to get out of High School and go party and "break free" because it's something I want to do. I'm not saying I'm better than those that end up doing that, but that is my choice and I believe it to be the more logical one.
That's spot on! Exactly what i was trying to say. and the personal part, i really agree with. So many parents try to impress things on their kids about everything. about who to hang out with and those certain recreational activities (you know what i'm talking about), but they don't realize that unless their kids understand for themselves, none of that matters. i'm just glad that i wasn't one of those people who had to try drugs or something like that to realize that's not my thing. i understood that, and my mum helped me understand that by communicating with me. not everyone gets that understanding until much later.
anyway, i wish you luck in college and beyond that.
Yeah, I believe that parents should teach their children how they should grow up, but it comes to a point where you can't push things on them: they need to learn for themselves.
Thanks for the wishing of luck ^^ I wish you the best as well.