Christopher Newport University Top Questions

Follow your heart. Some schools may be better for certain career paths, this is true. However; if you're not happy with the school you are attending, it is nearly impossible to succeed there. You have to possess a love and desire to learn and be where you are. And often enough, freshmen switch their majors once they get further into their studies. Make sure you decide where you feel best- don't just go to a school because of its status or even because of finance. While this might play a part, this should certainly not make or break a decision. Pick somewhere you feel happy with when you visit- not just the top school. This college will become your home, so choose wisely. Don't worry about disappointing a family member or friend; at the end of it all, if you didn't pick the right school, you'll only be left with disappointment in yourself. But also be sure to understand that not only one school may be a perfect fit. It's possible that more than one school will be perfect. In any case, congratulations and good luck!

Visit the schools. Visit during the semester when students are taking classes. Visit on a rainy day and visit on a sunny day. If you would not walk to classes from where your dorm would be in the rain/dark or during harsh weather then it?s not the school for you. You will be living at the school, could you see yourself living on the campus you are visiting?

To students: Spend time on the campus without a tour guide or your parents. Remember, tour guides are paid and your parents will not be holding your hand throughout your college career. Approach students, ask them about their social life/living situations/ quality of education/ positives and negatives of the university/ resources available on campus/ and anything else you are specifically interested in. These students are not paid to respond to you, and will give you their honest opinion. Find somewhere you are comfortable because this is where you will spend the next four years of your life. In order to make the most of your college experience manage/balance your time. Your education is the key to the rest of your life, but your overall happiness is as well. Set aside specific times to study/socialize/ and smell the roses. To parents: It is very important to realize this is your childs decision to make, because they are the ones who will be directly affected. Always be supportive, remember it is the small things you do for them that will help them through this transitional period. Sending them letters and care packages during finals week will make their day :)

Be open-minded throughout the whole process. If you don't get your first choice, don't be heart broken. Try to keep a positive attitude. College is what you make it so don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.

Get involved, don't sit on the sidelines!

The best way to find a school that is right for you is to visit all of the school=s you might be interested in. Ask plenty of questions and think about the most important qualities

Make sure you look into all aspects of the college and ask people who are and ARE NOT required or paid to give you positive answers.

Make sure to visit the schools while they are in session, because students make campuses come alive. Pick a school that makes you feel at home and gives you a comfortable feeling. The feeling is indescribable but if you listen to it you will find the school for you.

How many times have you heard someone say, "College was the best four years of my life!" It is cliche, but can be very true. However, you must make it true for yourself. The first step is to choose a campus where you feel at home and believe you can succeed in your goals. Assuming you live on campus, it really will be your home. So, it is imperative that you be comfortable physically, mentally, and emotionally. If not, the extra, unnecessary stress can be disastrous. Get involved with the campus community! Clubs, sports, and activities are the best ways to meet people and make friends. It is definitely important to study, but life is about more than books and papers. Also, when your workload piles up, and exams are looming, you will need those friends and other events to keep you sane.. Still, never forget that you are there to learn. GO TO CLASS!!! If you do, and pay attention, the assignments are so much easier. Get to know your professors. If you have a question, go to their office and ask. Plan ahead. If you know what courses you need and the prerequisites, you can finish in four!

The point is not to find the college with the best "name;" the point is to find a school that best fits you and your needs. In fact, I would often argue that the "name-brand" college is not the best place for the undergraduate student. A smaller school focused on undergraduate studies will provide more opportunities, support and personalized instruction than a big-name school whose primary focus is research and graduate studies. In those cases, graduate students reap the benefits, whereas the opposite is true of the smaller, predominately undergraduate university. The right school for you should be one where you can attain opportunities such as internships, research and networking in the field of your choice, receive assistance and personal attention from faculty, and feel confident to be yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, then you are probably not at the right school for you. Selecting a college is a personal choice and should not be made to appease or impress someone else, but rather one that can heighten your educational experience based on your individual needs. Should you base your decision on that, you, provided that you work hard and network, will have a highly successful college experience.