Christopher Newport University Top Questions

When looking for a college you should always think about what feilds of study would make you happy and make sure there is more than one available at the school, incase you end up changing you major. The campus should be a place where you think your time will be spent happily and in an area you feel comfortable. Once you enter the school find out if there are any groups you are interested in joining or work to start one yourself. Remember that your education is a serious responsibility to yourself but that the work must be tempered with good times to make the whole experiance worth it. In the real world being a great student is not as important as your ability to function within society. College is the place where you can develop your social skills and begin the journey into the "real" world.

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I would advise stdents and parents to figure out what kind of environment the student is going to feel the most comfortable in. Visiting campuses is a good idea and the student needs to have a clear idea of their interests and make sure that those interests at the schools that they are looking at.

Find the place that makes you feel comfortable. Visit during the school year and actually talk to the professors. they can give you a feel for the college. Know that if the place feels right then you should go for it because there is funding out there if you can not afford it. Learn more about the student community because knowing what they do for you can help your social life. Also talk to students, they will give you the real truth about the school. Just find what feels right and the rest will come along for you.

I am a CNU ambassador! I chose to be an ambassador because I wanted to help spread the word about this great school. When I first stepped foot on this campus for my first campus tour I immediately fell in love with it. I applied that night and got in two weeks later. The day I got my acceptance letter I sent back the form to say I planned on attending. I then withdrew all my applications from all the other "big" schools in Virginia. My college decision was easy. I feel like if you have this same feeling when you first step on a college campus without even talking with anyone then that is the school for you. As soon as I got out of my car I just knew. I hope everyone experiences this same feeling, the feeling that you belong! College should have that impact on you. You should be at the school that wants what you want and believes in what you believe.

Advice to parents about choosing a college would be to let the children decide. Do not force the student to go to the college that you think is academically more proficient or athletically has more potential. The student must decide for him/her self because he or she is the one who has to live there for 4-5 months at a time. Students must look at the teacher and professor ratings as well as class sizes. Families should also look at the price of books and tuition because future financial problems can create a lot of stress for family members. Students should also look at the resources available, such as the library, ask yourself if, with the research tools available in the library, could you possibly write a 20 page paper on a narrow topic, ie a book report on the 1960's film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." It is really important that you as a student feel comfortable in their studies because the first semester can be very stressful.

Make sure you visit the campus together and the potential student does an overnight away from the parents. Make sure the distance away from home will not be a problem for either parents or the student. The school needs to have your major and at least one activity that interests you.

Go somewhere where you can see yourself happy and succesful, and then make it happen.

I would tell parents and students to choose a school wisely, not just because your parents went there or because it's a good party school. Go somewhere that will challenge you, and help form you into the person you were meant to be.

Make sure you pick the right school that fits you. If you know automatically that you wouldn't feel comfortable there, try somewhere else.