Clarkson University Top Questions

Keep your mind open to new ideas. Most importantly, make the most out of every opportunity that is passed your way. It is important to also keep trying and never give up, do not sweat the small stuff and stay persistant and true to yourself. You do not have to change yourself to attract friends, be who you are and the people that truely matter will be your friends and they are the ones that stick by you until the end. Another thing I might add is do not be afraid to speak up for yourself, and let others know your opinion too. Make lots a friends with a variety of backgrounds it opens your eyes to the world as a whole and expands your everyday experiences. Overall, just get out there and meet people but be yourself, you dont need to change for anyone and just keep an eye out for opportunities that pass your way and do not let them slip by.

No one is truly an island unto himself. There is an interconnectedness to life. Thus, the keys to success are to reach out--to connect--and not being afraid to admit we don't know when that is the case. The formation of relationships with others, whether in your field of study or not, lay the foundation for gaining knowledge and wisdom which beget self-confidence to develop in your personal life and in yourchosen career path. Inherent in this are two things: Not being afraid to say "I don't know" and integrity. In the former, as Walt Whitman said: "Everyone is my superior; that way I can learn from them." It takes courage to admit ignorance. What will others think? Will they laugh and think you stupid? What matters is to remain centered on the notion that your existence is valid no matter how much or little you know and to carry on in learning from any source be it a small child, a 3rd-grade educated person, an academic, a peer or through direct observation or research.

Don't take everything for granted. Your supposed to be doing what God intended for you to do. Don't stress out about the little things because none of that will matter in the end.

Do not be afraid to approach professors. They work for you. Be very diligent in getting your work done early because you will better understand the material for the test. Lastly, stay physically active. Being lazy is the last thing you want to do in your spare time. Staying active also allows you to focus on work better.

Don't be affraid to try new things. College is supposed to be the best years of your life. Don't be affraid to open up and get out of your comfort zone. Relax and ejoy the ride.

Making friends is tough at first, but at some point into the year you'll suddenly find yourself with a few close friends. These friends will change your college experience for the better and they'll make even a trip to walmart fun. Planning out the day and determining when to do homework and engage in social activities is going to be very helpful when trying to be the most productive. Try to make time to excersise, too. The transistion from home to school isn't that bad, and it's ok to go home for a weekend every once in a while, because even though you'll love the school, it's nice to be able to just get away. And you get used to the three-hour drive. ANd you'll come to find that you miss your family, especially your parents and sometimes your brother--and occasionally even your sister. Be prepared to do a LOT of work, especially dealing with two majors, a minor, and a concentration. But if you stay focused and apply yourself, you can do it and still maintain a high GPA.

Apply to more than 6 schools.

Finding the right college can be very difficult and can be time consuming. I suggest that a student think of three areas of interest and try to find schools that consist of those three interests. My own personal interests were mathematics, sciences, and business. My school options came from the list generated by my interests. You can also expand that to include athletics or other hobbies and interests. Once you have created a list of options, then you need to narrow it down to your first second and third choices. Some distinguishing features may be the surrounding neighborhood, distance to large towns, financial aid/support, campus community and diversity, climate, and many similar factors. Wherever you go for school, you want to be surrounded by other students who have some of the smae interests as you. Now that you are finally leaving your home for college, you will find yourself in a very self dependant position. Remain focused and dont get into too much trouble, but remember to have fun every now and then too! Make a few good friends while you are at college, they are hard to come by.

Start by looking at location, then go by type of school (liberal arts, engineering, visual arts, etc.). Once you've narrowed it down to about 5-10 try and visit all of them. On your visit really try and see what its like to live there and go to school there--this means more than just taking the tour and the info session. Ask students questions, see classrooms for the type of classes you plan on taking. In the end...go where you feel most comfortable. If you're not happy with the school you attend, you're probably not going to have much success.

Be yourself and keep your eyes on the future. While its important to have fun, balance is key and its necesary to work hard and keep your goal in clear veiw. College can be the best experience of your life, only if you let it and make the most of your education and the connections you make. Only you know what college is going to feel right for you. Once you walk onto the campus for a visit and get that feeling, don't write that off. That feeling can be your deciding factor and its important to be in a place that you are comfortable in order to let your knowledge expand to its fullest.

A lot of people are going to be giving you advice and persuading you to pick one school or another for whatever reason. It is important to find the right school for yourself, and to go there because you want to be there. And it's not the end of the world if you choose wrong; transferring is always an option. If you are unsure of your major, it might be a good idea to find a school that has a broader range of majors, rather than one that specializes in one field.

I hear people say, and adamantly believe, that humans?their minds/behaviors?are a direct product of their preliminary environment. As an individual who studies and is fascinated by the field of psychology, I exist on a different plane, in an entirely different frame of mind. If I learned anything in undergrad, it is that the developmental process of the mind/action is exceptionally more complex than that. If I were a direct product of my environment?daughter to a crack-cocaine addict and a serial domestic-abuse victim--I should be a fascinating patient in a behavioral health facility or asylum for the mentally depraved. My home padded walls or icy NYC boulevards/avenues, where I find comfort in street prescriptions like heroin. Fortunately, I am mentally intact; competent enough to be giving you?future students/parents?advice. Here it goes: consider past hardships; take risks despite them when choosing the right college! Travel fearlessly across the world or around the corner! This will help you make the most of college experiences. Allow places you go/people you encounter to shape who you will become. Though college will never define you, it will help you discover your true capabilities.

When choosing a college it is very important to make sure that the social atmousphere of the school matches you. If you dont and the schools social surroundings dont match you it will effect your grades. Take as many college credits you can in high school it helps allot to be ahead of the ball in college and the high school courses are generally much easier than the college ones.

When choosing a college look at the whole picture. Academic reputation is important, but for the most part there are many places that offer an outstanding education. If you know what you want to do, that is great. For many the choice isn?t so easy. It?s difficult to come to the realization that High School is over. There are many students that enter their freshman year at college and haven?t the faintest idea of what they want or where they want to go. This feeling is normal. It is nothing to be afraid of. Many people find themselves when they are exposed to the many choices and freedoms college has to offer. Another important factor when looking at schools is becoming familiar with the area. Research the town where the college is located. Go to the open houses offered by the individual schools. Learn about the culture, the weather, and the social life at each place. Research what the school has to offer. Everyplace has classes, so look beyond the classroom and into the types of programs that are available for the students. The most important thing is to be happy where you are.

I would start off by saying start early and do your research. It is never too early to start thinking about college. I attended my first college fair in 9th grade. I thought that I would never get through the heap of literature, pamphlets and brochures that I took home with me. Well, over the next 3 years I did manage to read through a ton of information about colleges. I went back to the college fair every year and each time was more prepared with better and more specific questions. Not only would the university have to accept me, but I would also have to accept the university. During my senior year of high school I had finally cut my list down from 120 to 8. I visited 6 of the 8 schools that I was accepted to and finally settled on Clarkson University for its great financial aid package, student friendly campus, and superb national rankings. Being a college student is great because there is always something to do. I am involved around campus in everyway that I can. I recommend anyone new to college to talk to everyone, because you never know where one conversation will lead.

Don't pick a college based on its cost or prestiege. Pick a college based on how well you feel it fits you. You're going to be living there for the next four years of your life. Make sure you pick somewhere you are going to be happy.

Make sure you take your child to visit the campus they are interested in. I believe it helps to sit in on some classes in the field they are interested in studying. This way you get to see how the professors and students interact, and you get a better feel for the personalities and lifestyles of those attending the school.

Researching everything about a college is extremely important. The enviornment, the location, the extra curricular activities and the majors they offer should be what makes a student and a parent choose that particular college.

Actually visit the school. Talk to students who go there. That way there will be less sugar coating. Start early in the college searching. It's important to take time and know exactly what your child wants out of colleges and life. Let your child decide where they want to go, not where you want them to go.

Visit as many colleges as possible and then make an ordered list of the ones that you would most like to go to based on whether you like the college itself. Then narrow down that list by taking off colleges that don't have what you're interested in academically and the one at the top of the list that is still there is probably going to be the college you would like the most.