California State University-Chico Top Questions

Make sure you can picture an entire four years of your life in the area. Picture yourself growing as an individual and if you see happiness then it may be a possible chance of a great school for you.

When you start thinking about college the best advise that I can give to anyone is to check out the campus. You need to go there. When you walk onto the campus you will know if it's right or not. I am not sure how it works but you just get this feeling that you cannot wait to start at that school or you don't think you want to come back. A student should look at what schools they can afford and also look at what schools specialize in their major. If you find a school that you love and it specializes in your major but it's not within your budget, still apply, don't shut the door in your face, you may be able to recieve some sort of aid or grant. Shoot for the stars...

Find the college that is right for you. It is not necessary to go to a Ivy Legue to get a good education. Be open to new people, and experiences and you will make your college years the best years of your life!

I believe that it is very important to find a school that has a excellent reputation in the program that you are going to be studying. Your number one reason for attending college is to get a good education, so you should attend a college that can exceed your expectations. You should have as much fun as you can while you're there, but keep in mind that good grades attract employers. Another important aspect of the college community that I believe is very important is the social atmosphere. While education is the main focus, you want to maximize your college experience also. You can't do this by sitting in your dorm room playing on the computer, you must go out and meet new people and form new relationships. Half of the people I have met while in college that have graduated have offered me opportunities for summer jobs and internships, and it wouldn't have happened if I didn't step out and start networking with new people. This is your last chance before the "real world" comes at you, so choose a college that you can enjoy but remember to keep academics as your number one priority.

Start early in deciding what university you would like to attend.

Find a place where you feel like you fit in, but are ready for a challenge. Make the most of college because the years will fly by and you will wish you had done more. Take random classes like wine tasting and golf, and attend all different events like concerts and festivals, because you never know what will come of it.

Now having been in college for 4 years at 2 different universities, i have come to base the criteria for selecting a college that is right for the entering student on the following: 1) comfortable with the surroundings 2) best program for your area of study. When i say comfortable with your surroundings i mean do you prefer living in a city or a small town? Do you prefer smaller or larger sized classes? Do you enjoy the surrounding landscape/town and their typical weather? Can you see yourself living/attending that university up until you graduate? etc. Secondly (but just as important) look at the universities program that you are interested in: how does it compare to other universities/colleges? How are the facilities? meet the faculty. Is the school helpful in finding graduates jobs/careers? etc. College is only going to be as good of an experience as you make it out to be. My advice would be get involved, be sociable, attend campus events, talk with professors, join clubs/sports etc. Get as much as you can out of what your school offers you, after all you are paying for it!!!!

I definitely recommend that you visit the campus before choosing the right college for you. It is much easier to decide the college you want to attend when you can experience the environment first. Also, if you know what you want to major in, take a look at the program each school has to offer. Housing costs are also an important consideration. After you have decided on your school, there are several things to do to make the most out of your experience. Living in the dorms is a must. It is the best way to make connections and life lasting friendships. It is also a lot easier to adjust to college life while living on campus. School should always come first, but make sure that you do not compromise your social life. Friends are an important thing to have when you are away at college. Study for your courses throughout the semester, not just the night before a test. Take advantage of the cheap concerts and events that your school sponsors. Make the most out of your college experience. It may not seem like it, but it goes by so fast!

Realize that it may take some time to figure out what you are really looking for. College is a choice that today seems forced on young adults as part of society, it has become a rite of passage to move from highschool to college and may freshmen are faced with the reality of their choices within the first few months of moving away from home. Be open to everyone you meet, they are strugling just as much as anyone else, just as much as yourself. In time classes will stop being a waste of time, parties are no longer as much fun as they used to be, and your priorities will become clear. Dont doubt yourself, simply follow a path that looks and feels right. College is a time for everyone to figure out who they are and what they want out of life. Feel free to explore different options, different friends, different music, different activities. There is no other time like college to trial test life. And when you finaly come to understand what it is you are looking for, embrace it, fight for it, and dont let anyone tell you to change.

For the parents, I would have to say that they need to make sure they let their kids do what they want to do. Allow them to pursue the career of their choose even if they don't necessarily agree with it. As for the students, if you don't know what you want to do right away, its ok. Don't stress over it, just do something you love and find great interest in.