Cedarville University

Hello everyone I am Dan Bidlack from Van Wert Ohio and I will be an incoming freshman this year. I would like to know if anyone would have any bits of advice for me as I prepare to begin a four year journey in college. Thanks in advance

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DantheMan

hey Dan,
names Chris
just thought that i would share what i wish i did (well more like didnt do) when i was a freshman last year and thats really get to know a lot of people during the getting started week. it can be odd at first since you wont know any one but i regret not introducing myself to other freshman. and well other then that it really depends on who you are and how social you are how much fun you have and how many friends you make. but i will say for me i love making friends and it makes college so much more fun. also when you pack your car if you have lots of stuff its so much easier if you can just like tape a piece of paper on your stuff saying what dorm and number...so for mine i just wrote "Chris Kuhta ST. CL 130" on some papers and taped it to every thing so i didnt loose anything.
hope that helps some look forward to meeting you next year

God bless
Chris

Well thank you chris that is all good advice i will definitely take it thank you. the school year is almost up. I cant believe 13 years of school has come down to this. Its like exactly one month from today that seniors have their last day

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DantheMan

Yeah, it's kinda depressing graduating and realizing that you'll likely only stay in contact with a few members of your high school class for any extended period of time. Yesterday was depressing out here because we had to have everything off the walls by this morning, so I was taking down a string of lights and a bunch of other decorations, along with various hooks and papers... my room looks so empty now, I don't even want to think about how it'll be once I move out at the end of the week!

I agree with Chris. You definitely want to meet a ton of people right away. Don't slack in your classes, but they're normally easy for the first several weeks and you can go to tons of social events. They have an Involvement Fair in the beginning of the year where you can find out about different groups and ministries; I wound up joining the OneVoice gospel choir (which just released a CD!!!), the choir at Grace Baptist here in town, and the Health and Fitness Association. Then there's Getting Started small groups (mine met for lunch and dinner several times for months after that, and I'm still close friends with a couple of people from it), unit/hall dinners, bro/sis dinners, people in classes... If you're anything like me, you'll be overwhelmed at first trying to remember everyone's names!

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Class of 2013 and a member of the facebook group.

A little about me to anyone who's interested: My name is Elizabeth, I like music (singing and piano), running, bowling, reading, writing, and a number of other hobbies.

I'm majoring in Math Ed with minors in Computer Science and Bible.

Not to sound like a broken record, but yes, DEFINITELY try to meet new people as soon as you get here. (though obviously, most people will be new) Go to Getting Started (and I'm not just plugging it 'cause I'm a leader this year, 'cause I'm working with transfers, haha), go to the freshmen events, just walk up to other people who look lost and introduce yourself. Most of the other kids coming in will be in the same boat as you and happy to introduce themselves back and the rest of us were in your shoes just a while ago too.

I'm sure they'll tell you this when you get to GS (and over. and over. and over again after that), but college isn't like high school. And it's so true. It'll take a lot more dedication to schoolwork, unless you're really lucky and just have a gift for schoolwork, but there are a lot of great resources here. Don't hesitate to use the Cove, either! Personally, I found that the Semester at a Glance has been helpful (you can find it on the CU website) - I just print it out at the beginning of each semester, write in due dates, color-code/highlight tests and homework sets, etc. You'll develop your own system too.

Overall, just make the most of it! I have to work 20+ hours a week in order to be at school here, which has slightly limited how involved I can get, but I have made some really amazing friends here, some of whom are pretty literally like my family, and it's totally worth it to make the time. The professors are (for the most part) absolutely AMAZING people, and they're usually more than happy to work with you in any way they can and help you grow, so make sure to try to connect with them too, not just other students!

Good luck and I'm sure you'll have a blast joining us here at CU.

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Jenn, Class of 2011
Major: Information Systems (one of only two girls in IS! Someone please join us - it's a blast, I promise!)

Hey, Dan,

I agree with everything everyone else said, and I just wanted to throw in one more thing. Don't be afraid to make a four year plan for your classes! I came to college pretty relaxed, because Cedarville does schedule your first two semesters for you. However, my roommate had me make a plan, and I realized that Cedarville didn't schedule enough classes for me for those semesters. I now have a tentative plan for what classes I want to take what semesters, so I feel on top of things and I'm not just trying to squeeze stuff in last minute.

My other suggestion is to use the Classifieds on cedarville.com when it comes to buying books. I bought all my books new my first semester, from the bookstore, when some sophomores came and helped me to use Classifieds. I was able to return my new books and get some used books on Classifieds from other students - and saved over 400 dollars!

You'll do awesome here, so enjoy these four years while you have them!

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Majors: Accounting and Marketing
Minors: Bible and Christian Ministries Management
Class of 2013

Psalm 42:8 Through each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night, I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

To all the respondents to me:
I want to thank all of you for taking the time to respond to my post and for all of your AWESOME advice i greatly appreciate it I also would like to get to know you all so maybe add me on facebook? or something to that effect cuz itd be pretty cool to have some upperclassmen friends going into this new world.

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DantheMan