By Bethany Schultz
When I finished high school, I had two clear goals: attend college and avoid Christian schools. I joined my best friend at a big state university, expecting a fun time. It turned out to be a tough year.
My first year was overwhelming. Surrounded by thousands of freshmen, I felt lost and confused about my purpose in college. It wasn’t one big problem that caused me to leave; rather, it was a series of small setbacks that made me feel invisible and unsupported.
I struggled right from orientation. I didn’t grasp my financial aid details, leading me to take on unnecessary debt. I was clueless about academic advisors and how they could assist me. After having my spring registration meeting canceled three times, I finally signed up for classes too late and ended up with courses that didn’t align with my degree. I felt embarrassed, frustrated, and defeated.
The academic environment was no better. While I found the subjects interesting, I felt detached. Most classes had more than 200 students, with my largest class—college algebra—holding 500. Classes were often taught by graduate students who lacked the experience and enthusiasm needed for teaching. Finding help was tough; their office hours were hidden away in a maze of cubicles across campus. By year’s end, I had failed half my classes, convincing myself that college just wasn’t for me.
After taking two years off, I decided to give college another try as my parents moved to Idaho. This time, I wanted a different experience. I searched for Christian colleges in the area and discovered Northwest Nazarene University (NNU). I visited the campus, and despite the dreary January weather, I felt welcomed. Unlike my previous experience, I felt like someone, not just a number.
At NNU, everything changed. I received personalized help with financial aid and my account, which really eased my concerns. They recognized my situation and proactively reached out to ensure I managed my tuition stress-free.
During my campus tour, I met my advisor, who even came in over Christmas break just to greet me. He stayed my advisor throughout my time at NNU, helping me create a plan to graduate in three years. Thanks to his support, I tackled my failed credits and stayed on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Classes were a different world. Full-time professors, who loved teaching, led my courses. They recognized me by name, and even as a transfer student, I felt valued. Many of them are now my colleagues, and they still remember details from my time in their classes more than a decade ago.
NNU created an environment where I could truly succeed academically. Now, as someone working in education, people assume I was always a strong student, but few know that I struggled in high school and flunked out of college my first year. NNU gave me that second chance, and my professors believed in my potential. Their support drove me to excel.
My experiences at the state school weren’t extraordinary, but NNU was special. At my first university, I felt unseen and neglected. At NNU, I was recognized and encouraged. That experience changed my life and inspired me to continue at my alma mater, where I now dedicate myself to helping others find their path.
Check out this related article: Univ. of Northern Iowa Basketball Star Celebrates Milestone with Special White Coat Ceremony
Source link