Admissions

Get your application in early so that you have time to review all your options, not to mention you get early enrollment which looks good on your part! Come up and take a campus tour, ask lots of questions, and even stop students walking to and from classes and ask their opinions of the college. If you know what your major will be really take the time to tour and ask questions within that department.
Once you get to Carson-Newman I would really suggest to get involved in as many things possible. This college does a great job at having a week dedicated to mixers and fun activities for freshmen to get to know each other. They are all really fun, and you get to meet SO many people!!! Stay involved after that, find organizations that you like and get involved in them. It's a great way to meet people and it's fun to be a part of something. There is literally some type of organization for everyone! We have many different campus ministries and they all work at being involved in your life. Also, make sure that you learn how to stay organized! It's hard adjusting to college life and the freedom that comes from not living at home anymore. You still have to stay on top of your classes because your professors aren't going to remind you of every little thing. I would suggest a calendar/planner or get updates of your schedule to your phone; whatever it takes to remember due dates! Finally, have fun!

Be cool with everything. Things are going to change a lot, and for the better. Though I love my parents very dearly, I am a strong advocate for students staying on the weekends instead of going home, especially freshman year. That is when people begin to meet friends that they keep throughout their time at college. I'm not saying that if you go home on the weekends that you won't make friends, it just makes it harder.
One other thing, do not underestimate studying for your classes. Your profs might teach you in a way that makes the material easy to understand, but the key to learning is to apply the concepts you learn to the rest of the subject later on in the semester.

One tip for you prospective students would be to get involved. Join a group, intramural, or whatever appeals to you. Don't be afraid to get involved and meet lots of people. Just don't overwhelm yourself.

My tips for prospective students are to GET INVOLVED right from day one! Do Eagle Strut, get involved in Howdy Hoot, and stay up late during orientation and one classes start and talk to people you don't know! If you are a brave one coming in alone (I was), then put yourself out of your comfort zone even more. Stretch yourself! It is so much easier than in high school, because everyone is trying to branch out and make new friends. Also, USE YOUR PLANNER! Planners are the only thing that will keep you up to date for academics and have a social life at the same time. My last tip is to get involved in a campus ministry. There are ministries for athletes, for more conservative people, for more liberal people, for people who want to do missions and go on trips, and just for people who want to get together and pray. GET INVOLVED!

Make sure you are ready to study and work all the time. Your mind and heart must be prepared to learn what the staff teaches you. They are there to help you any single way they can, so do not hesitate to ask for help.

Research all of your options. It really helps making a better decision.

Get all of your financial aid taken care of early as the financial aid department can become very overwhelmed and busy as deadlines approach.

Get involved in campus groups and clubs. You get out of Carson-Newman what you put into it.

Apply early.
Branch out from your normal group.
Try everything.

Make sure you choose a school based on more than just academics. Try to get an idea about the culture of the school and opportunities outside of the classroom.