U-Prep 101

Today’s post is by guest blogger, Scott Sevey.  Scott is the Guidance Counselor at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, IL.

Self Reflection

 

In a day and age when we are driven by consumerism, we have been conditioned to ask ourselves “what is the very best” of any product or service we are examining. This is evidenced by the way in which we rank everything from the best products to buy to the best businesses for which to work. We even rank the best colleges. But just because a college ranks highly, does it mean that it is the best place for you? Or, just because a college ranks lower than another, does it mean that it is not the best place for you? The answer to both questions is “maybe”.

 

The reality is that college ranking systems are objective and based on measurable data like graduation rates, student to faculty ratios, percent of freshmen who graduated high school in the top ten percent of their class, etc. While your experience in engaging a college is subjective, it is based on your own personal views and experiences. Looking at the percentage of students who complete their degree from a college or university does tell you some valuable information about the school as a whole, but it doesn’t tell you whether you will complete your degree to at that institution. It is simply a piece of data to take into consideration.

 

The reality of our existence is that God has created us to be in relationship, and this is true even in the college search process. While the data presented in the college ranking systems has value, it cannot be the only piece to consider. Students should be cautious to think through their own individual needs and the capability each potential school has to or meet those needs. The essence of the college experience is that it is going to play a major role in a student’s development into adulthood especially as it relates to beliefs and values. So the question is not, who is ranked the highest in the degree program I want (although this might be something to take into consideration), but rather what institution do I want building into my life for the next four years?

 

As students begin to think through this process of self-reflection it is highly encouraged that they engage their parents and other adults in their life who can help them analyze their areas of unique need. No two students are going to be exactly alike, just like no one school is going to fit perfectly. But the idea is to find the place that is the best fit for the individual student; with the goal being to begin a journey which allows the student success both in college and in life.

 

The following self-reflective questions are good to consider as you look towards college. Please know that this is not an exhaustive list; if additional questions arise, please feel free to pass them on to your guidance counselor so that they can be added to this list.

 

1. Why do you want to go to college?

2. What values are truly important to you (spiritually, politically, financially)?

3. How important is your faith to you? Do you want a school that values the same beliefs?

4. What kind of person would you like to become?

5. What do you want your relationships to look like in college (friends, roommates, professors, etc.)?

6. What kind of accountability do you want in your life?

7. In what ways are you gifted, and how would you like to continue to develop those gifts?

8. How academically competitive are you? Do you thrive under pressure? Do you choke? Are you even academically oriented? Are you self-motivated or do you need close accountability?

9. Do you like being known or is there more freedom in being anonymous?

10. Do you function best in a place where everyone is like you or do you prefer diversity in a student body? How much diversity have you experienced?

Now What Do I Do With My Answers:

 

Now that you have taken some time to reflect on your own values and what is important to you, you are probably asking yourself the question, “Now what?” The answer seems simple, but is much more complex. It is now time to start looking at individual schools and applying the answers to the self-reflection questions as your search criteria.

 

How? It starts by examining the mission statements, vision statements, statements of faith, and information on residence life programs of the institutions that appeal to you and evaluating the content of these. As you learn from these statements, ask yourself if they are consistent with your needs and desires. If they are, then this is a good school from which to request additional information. If not, then you might want to pass on that particular school. This information is usually available on the school’s web site under headings such as: “Prospective Students”, “About ______”, “Welcome”, “Student Life”, or “Mission”. This is consistent for both Christian and secular institutions.