Friday, November 15, 2013

College Visits


Some college thoughts…..sorry….little longer than usual….

 

My wife and I did something summer before last that we had not done in 11 years….we sold and bought a house.  We loved our previous house but with a 3rd child on the way; it was time to move on.  Our first house will always be home, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts.  We had some great memories of that place and shared it with some wonderful family and friends.  We actually ride by it often and reflect on the blessings God gave us in that house.  In thinking about my seniors, our old house reminds me of FPD.  For many of you, it is home.  For some, it has been home for as long as you have been in school and for others of you, it has been home for just a little while.  Hopefully, no matter how long you have been here we will always hold a special place in your hearts.  We hope you have had some great memories and will have more to come.  But like our old house, it is getting closer to time to move on.  We wish we could keep you longer, but we know God has bigger plans for you.  Where do you go to next?  Just like buying a house, you need to seek out lots of advice when thinking of college.  You will need to seek out the wise counsel of others such as your parents and teachers, you will also want to take the advice of your friends, you will need to look at the financial situation of paying for college, you will need to be patient and wait yet also know when to be aggressive, and you will need to pray and seek God’s direction.

 

While house shopping, I often thought about my seniors and what it is like for you to visit colleges.  There were some houses that looked great online but were not for us when we set our foot in the door.  There were some that didn’t look so good online but were even better in person.  There were some our kids liked that we did not like.  There were some Katherine liked that I did not like and there were some I liked that she did not like.  We had to trust each other’s opinions and be patient on the “right” house.  We also had to weigh the financial costs and needs for our family.  There were some houses outside our range that would not come down into our range so we had to be wise in our decision.  We had to be realistic about what we needed and wanted.  The day our house came online we saw the pictures, and we were interested.  The next day when we visited it felt “right”, and we were sold although we still had a long process to go through.  It is now home.  It is reaffirming that God led us to the right house, at the right time and for the right price.  Our kids even agree!  The college visit process can be similar.   They can all look great online, but that does not mean they are for you.  Others may like them, but that does not mean it is for you.  There can be something special about visiting the college and knowing it is the right fit.  Some will say that it will just feel right.  True.  However, I credit that more to the prompting of the spirit than to just a feeling. I will have kids come back on the Monday after a college visit and tell me that they did not like their visit, and they are often surprised when I tell them that is a good thing.   Wouldn’t you rather know that now rather than later?  I also have some who are not real excited about a certain college but love that college upon a visit.  The key is the visit.

 

Please go visit and please trust the overall process.  Seek wise counsel and pray! God will be in as much control as you allow as you find your next home!

 

This Tuesday/Wednesday I blocked my calendar and went and visited 5 colleges….Agnes Scott, U. of North Georgia, Truett-McConnell, Piedmont College and UGA.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time at each place and love thinking of all the similarities and differences of even just those 5 colleges. 

 

Go visit!  Have fun and enjoy the process! 

 

Coach Thompson

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