BC Freshmen Share Advice with High School Seniors
High school seniors have a variety of options to pursue after graduation, making it difficult to choose one. And with that challenge comes a lot of unanswered questions about the future. We asked local high school seniors Katie Benson of Graham High School and Margaret Anne Ridlehuber of Tazewell High School what questions they might have, and we asked Bluefield College freshmen, not far removed from the same scenario, to answer these questions and to share additional advice.
What did you do in high school that put you off to a good start in college?
Isaiah Rife and Brooke Rowe, recent graduates from Tazewell High School, participated in a dual enrollment program to work toward their high school diplomas and college degrees simultaneously. Rife said, “I will only be in college for three years compared to four and able to start my post graduate education early.”
Rowe added that she engaged in bi-daily athletic training and developed a work ethic extremely helpful to her studies.
Which factors did you consider most important when choosing a college to attend?
Rowe said she “looked at the long-term cost.” The athletic scholarships she was offered by Bluefield College were a great incentive. She added, “I wish I would’ve started looking into the college and major routes earlier and more into depth.”
Kaleb Hurd joined several of his Tazewell High classmates in attending Bluefield College. He believes “the most important thing is to make sure you have met the people that you will be with for this journey.”
Were there times as you prepared to go to college that you could not see something working out and God surprised you?
“I was worried about not having enough money,” Hurd said, “but I was able to get two scholarships for sports that helped me out so much. This was a big blessing from God!”
Rowe said, “I was definitely frazzled when choosing where to go to college. I was stressed and panicked.” Eventually, she added, it was “like everything was put into place.”
Why is it important to make good grades in college?
Bingham Academy alumna Hannah Hill described “three main reasons to maintain great grades in college: mental, academic, and financial.” Doing well in her classes, she said, provides peace of mind.
“You can have nice relationships with your professors,” she added, and avoid retaking classes, accumulating more debt, and paying for college longer.
How much time do you spend on your college work compared to high school, and what are your best tips for studying and managing the workload?
The amount of time Rowe spends on schoolwork tripled in college.Rife said he spends “about 3-4 more hours studying” per week.
“Time management is huge at the college level,” Rowe said. “You have to give yourself a break every now and then though.” Rife recommends, “read your syllabus and write when things are due in a planner beforehand.”
What are the advantages of general education courses?
According to Hill, “this information can make you prepared for anything on the job.” These classes “are very helpful to get an idea of what you would like to do in the future,” she added, if you have not yet declared a major.
What are some school supplies or dorm items you did not anticipate needing?
Hill “wasn’t really shocked by anything on the list” of items to bring to campus. She noted, “a hot glue gun and duct tape can fix almost anything.”