Matthew
First, decide if you want to go away to a university or stay local at a community college. If you plan to go to a university then try to find one that fits your lifestyle and atmosphere preference. There are many websites to help make the selection process easier. Another major component in this procedure is to find a school that has majors you're interested in. Once you've gotten through the application process and are moved in, it's very important to meet a lot of new people and network. Even if you tend to be shy, put yourself out there. Even I was surprised to find out how friendly other students are. It is a big change from high school and no one cares who you were those prior four years. I must stress to utilize all the school's resources: library, recreation center, tutors, and especially your professor's office hours. College is truly what you make of it. These four years are the years that shape the rest of your life. Just remember that your sole focus is to succeed but it's more than okay to have some clean fun along the way.
Sara
Make sure you choose a school that isn't too close or too far from home. Join a service organization, whether it's a fraternity/sorority or a club. If you're musical and the school is lucky enough to have a marching band, join band or choir. Supporting the footall team and being in marching band is an extremely rewarding experience. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Make as many friends as you can, the more the merrier, but make sure you all have common interests such as not partying. Partying isn't worth the potential consequences. If you're not sure what you want to do, begin as undeclared but don't mess around because it's hard to pull up your GPA after a rough start.
Alyssa
Go with your gut feeling. If you have any hesitations, ask a student, they will be more honest with you.
A.
To parents and to-be college students:
My first word of advice is to know what you want in a school. Do you want a big, sports-oriented, well-known university? Or would you be happier lying low in a small, academic college town? Are you going to school for the parties, or are you planning on coming home every weekend? Please take these aspects of college life into consideration. Apply to a variety of colleges so that when the time comes to choose, you have a wide range of choices. Visualize what kind of setting you would like around you, and visit that school. Make it happen! And most of all, be proud of yourself.
Joshua
It's hard to know what you want to do right out of high school, and a large portion of students switch majors before they graduate. be true to yourself. If medicine doesn't feel like the right feild after the first year, it probably isn't. Get out. If education has you down, switch your major. Parents, be supportive. I am very lucky that my parents supported my decision to take a less practical major (English and philosophy instead of English and 2ndary education), and now I am attending Rutgers University for my masters with a 10,000 dollar assistantship--which isn't anything to scoff at. Just because your childrend aren't living your dream for them does not mean that they will fail.
Be ready to adjust, though, if things don't go your way. Choosing the right college and the right major is finding the balance between compromise and putting your foot down. Just don't compromise too much. Shoot for the best you can get, talk to friends, talk to advisors, talk to counselors, they know what they are doing, get ideas, and good luck.
Christina
My advice to students who are trying to find the right college is to take the following into consideration: distance from home, financially affordable, and intended major. One should tour each college they are applying to and engage in conversation with professors in their intended major. This way one can get a feel for and an impression about the professors before making a decision. There are two words that can ifluence a student to make the most of their college experience, and the is "GET INVOLVED." By getting involved in the college of one's choice, they will attend numerous events and obtain various experiences. Attend sporting events and join clubs on campus. Most of the activities on campus involved many people, therefore they are a great oppurtunity to meet new people. Also, search for work study jobs, they usually accompany campus activities. Students should relax and have fun and remember to always go to a professor for help. Don't be affraid to ask questions or use the library.
Christina
As a recent college graduate and current continuing education student, I would advise prospective students and their parents to visit the top three colleges of their choice more than once, make an appointment and meet with faculty members or department chairs of your course of study, and research how many graduates from those colleges found jobs (in their field) following graduation. I can't stress enough how important it is to choose the right college for you because your happiness at school reflects in your grades. When you visit, you can get a feel of the atmosphere and if you get a great vibe then choose that school; don't let yourself and your grades go down because you are unhappy at school and regret the choice you made. Meet with faculty members of your declared major, it will help you make the choice and you will feel more secure about your program of study. It is also important to find out from the school's career advisement center how many alumni are employed in their major, and how long it took after they graduated to find a job. Make the most of college by being enthusiastic about your major!
Heather
You should choose your college based on your major. You should also look at job placement for that major at that school.
Brianne
Be somewhere that you know will make you happy, not a place that just looks fancy or high tech. The smallest schools can be the best, even if they may not look big and flashy on the outside. Meet some of the teachers or take a tour and get a feel for the campus. Make sure the campus fits your lifestyle, not somewhere where you feel as if you need to comform to fit the campus. Go to a school where you feel like you can be yourself and do things that you want to do. As for making the most out of your college experience, dont hold back. Take a chance and try new things, new clubs, or activities. You may end up finding something that you never thought you would enjoy. Overall, the most important thing to remember is to go somewhere that you know you will be happy. If you are not happy with your surroundings, you cant be happy yourself. Go to Bloomsburg! =]
Danielle
When looking for the right college for you, take into mind what is right for you. Don't let other peoples' opinions outweigh your own, let them influence you, but remember that ultimately you must choose what you want. Attend classes regularly because it is very important, and study outside of class. Get all of your work done before you go out and "party."
Michelle
I think that finding the right college is very intimidating at first for both parents and students. I would say to visit as many as possible and keep your options open. Just because you do not like the first school you see does not mean you should give up. Also try to narrow down your likes and dislikes. When i went to visit colleges i kept a journal and wrote down the things i liked and disliked about each university. Once you choose a school, it is good to get involved to feel like you belong and are part of something. It is good to make sure you can handle your work load first but after that join clubs or greek life. My second semester i joined a sorority and it was the best decision because not only do i have a family away from home but i also participate in community service. When picking a college you just need to imagine your self living there for the next few years. Ask your self if that is the place that will help you get to your next step in life, in the real world.
Kerume
Make sure its what you need not what you want
melanie
In order to find the right college you must do a lot of reasearch on the internet and tour the school. It is important for both the student and the parents to sit down together and make a list of the most important things they are looking for in the school. Also, try to get in contact with students that go to the school and see how they feel about the school. The students that go to school have first hand experience and will be able to tell you the honesty pros and cons about the school. Also, it is imporant to take your time and look at more than just one school. Compare the schools to each other and make a list and see which school has the specific things you are looking for in a school. So just remember do a lot of reasearch, start early, and take your time!
Kelly
When you first look at your college search decide first which type of college you would want to go to either away or commute. I would strongly recommend going away. I say this first because when i was young i would always get homesick. I chose a college that was commpletly different from my envirerment and also two and a half hours away. Comming from a large city and going to a school that was basically in the middle of no where was a big transition but i wouldn't ever change that descision. Step up and do something different, maybe you will enjoy it and it will be the best expeirence for you , like it was for me.
As for making you college experence GET INVOLVED! Put yourself out there and join clubs it will be the best choice. It will get you to meet people outside your friend circle and you will devolope unique friendships. I never regret joining my sorority and trying out for the rugby team, they were the best decisons of my life. I met my best friends through these clubs. I couldn't do college without these people!
Gerard
College is rough experience for anyone looking to attend. When looking for the right college it's all about what type of setting you want to be in. I feel like there are two types of areas, the city and the country area. This is strictly a preference but it can narrow down a huge selection of schools that you may be thinking about. The next step is to just go and start visiting schools and starting to see what ones appeal to you more the others. To make the most out of your college experience it really isn't that hard. A lot of kids feel that drinking is the key to meeting new people but I beg to differ. To meet new kids it?s all about social networking. You have to meet new people; they won?t just fall into your hands. Take advantage of all of the events that the university offers. Another good social networking tool is to spend some time in the student recreation center and find some kids that take part in the same activities you do. If you follow these tips college will seem like a lot less of a burden.
Bryan
Visit. Stay overnight and really look around. Talk to other students. Be sure you want to be far away from home or near so you can get home if you need to. Freshman hink they are ready to be away from home but really think about that. It seems to be an issue. They really need to know themselves. Its not easy.
Patrick
The answer to these questions are very simple and can be answered in just a few words. The trick with finding the right college for you is to start looking early and stick to looking at colleges that are in the right geographical area that you are looking for. For instince I wanted to find a school that was not to close but also not to far from my house, and that offered a good safe area to be around. I also wanted to school that had a lot of things to do off campus, but not to be in a city like area. You also need to look at a school that offeres a really great program for your major.
To make the most of yoru college experience you just have to get out and meet people. Also try not and go home every weekend, and budget your time. And never be afraid to say no.
Michael
Actually vist the college and if possible, spend a weekend there to see the atmosphere. Many schools seem harmless until the weekend.
Padraig
Listen to your children / parents. In both cases, understand that you both know whats best for you. In the end remember that your child is the one that will be living and learning at this establishment. Students, get out and do something, dont sit in your room and do nothing, it will eventually drive you insane. GO TO CLASS, many people i know thought they could just skate by, by only going to class for the tests, they were so wrong. Going to class helps you build a professional relationship with your proffessor, which not only helps during the semester but can also help when looking for jobs once you graduate. All in all my biggest piece of advise would be to find somewhere that is condusive to your learning. Dont go to a schoold for the parties or the people, your education is the biggest priority at this stage of life.
Renee
Don't make a decision based on where your friends are going. It's important to visit different campuses to get a better idea of what appeals to you so you will feel comfortable and at home while you attend school there.