Nedra
To make sure that they visit the campus, because it is rather important to love the place that you will spend four years at. Find some way, even if it is a financial struggle, to vist. Most admissions offices get funding to help these things anyway, so it is not entirely impossible.
Ahkeem
Students should do a visit to the school in which they spend a few days attending classes and other social events away from parents. This will allow students to see what it feels like to actually be at that particular school.
Christian
In regards to choosing the right college, it has to be a gut reaction especially if you have no idea what you want to do with your life. Looking at versitile schools helps where you are safe and sucessful doing whatever major(s) you might be interested in somewhere down the road. The campus of your chosen college is also very important. It has to be a place where you would like to live for the next 4 years. It has to be comfortable and something that you wont get bored of too easily (something that looks nice is also a plus!).
To make the most of your college experience, you should just have fun (though not too much fun that you forget your studies). Choose the major that looks the most interesting to you (don't let someone else choose it for you), take classes that are fun and challenging, and explore the campus and town that your college is in. There are so many subcategories of activities and events to what I just mentioned, but these are the building blocks of fun and sucessful college career.
Samantha
Dickinson provided a great liberal arts education; however, I think that it is hard for students with a more general, liberal arts degree to compete with students with a specific degree (for example, hiring someone with an International Business & Management Degree from Dickinson compared to someone who has an Accounting degree). I would recommend that students strongly consider the practicality of their degree, in addition to just liking the subject.
Kathryn
To find the right school, it so 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} important to visit and research a wide variety of schools, even if it includes 20 or more. I found that I needed to find out what I didn't like while I was finding what I did like. It is also good to consider schools that might be different or out of your comfort zone. Maybe try something smaller than you'd first thought, because you can be pleasantly surprised. Never factor out any school, but at the same time, go with your gut instinct once you see it. Once you start at that school, make the most out of it and don't use past assumptions or fears to influence the school experience. Anything can happen and can turn out to be different than you first think.
Andrea
Try everything new. You never know what you might be intertested in.
Elizabeth
Don't settle--go to the school that is best for you academically and socially. Be sure you get an excellent education, but don't forget to research a school's social atmosphere and the general vibe you get from students. Go spend a weekend and experience it. When you are so immersed into an environment it is impossible to enjoy your schoolwork when you feel outcasted, isolated, or alone. And it's also hard to really get the most out of your education--study groups, collaboration, discussion outside the classroom, when you don't get along with your peers. Look for a place that satisfies more than just your dreams of overachieving. Find a place that really fits who you are, as well, and you'll get the best education possible.
Jennifer
Search all schools big and small in a variety of areas. Talk to the students and professors and do an overnight. Make sure that you are your true self so you can see if you will fit in. When you get to college be yourself. Make equal time for work and play, and don't worry about making friends - they will come. And if you are miserable, transfer! You only have one life!
Kyle
Like life, I believe college is what you make of it. You are responsible for your own successes and because of this, you have to remember that in order to achieve your goals you have to put the work in. Choosing the right college involves finding the right fit for each individual and a person needs to consider the total package. Academics need to be the top priority, but think about other things like location, sports, traveling abroad, and other activities that are going to make you happy. It is important to remember that you are choosing a place where you are going to spend the next four years of your life. Choose somewhere that will help you learn, grow, and be happy. You have to balance the studying with enjoying life (but that doesn't mean party all the time). To do well in college I think there are only three things a person needs to remember. Most important, go to class. I repeat, GO TO CLASS. Secondly, get involved and talk with your professors, they are there to help you. Finally, relax, if you work hard you will be fine, don't sweat the small stuff.
Matthew
Everyone talks about how important it is to get into the right college and do well there so you get a good job...yadda yadda. The idea that you will walk away from your undergraduate studies with a great job and a clearly defined purpose to your life is unfortunately as pervasive as it is ridiculous. No one in college knows what they want to do--you will take a variety of classes, find something that you enjoy and run with it. There is a frenetic quality to undergraduate studies, which is what makes it such an exciting time. As long as you are comfortable in your school's environment and have a good group of friends everything will work out fine. Pick a school that is realistic for you, where you feel comfortable, but not entirey within your comfort zone. There are opportunities at every school, not just at those elite ones. In four years the amout you learn will surprize you, but even if you "make the most" of your time you will not leave without regrets that, large or small, will probably be the most important lessons you will learn in college. Then comes graduate school.