Fitchburg State University Top Questions

I have learned more about myself and who I want to become. I have opened the doors to a world of possibilities and for the first time am excited about pursuing my education through to a Ph.D. Going back to school to attain my Bachelors degree has been hard, but it's well worth it because it will enable me to progress in my chosen field and fulfill my dreams.

I'm just a freshman, so I haven't gotten a chance to fully experience college life yet. Choosing Fitchburg State, I had that "I belong here feeling". so when I go and experience college life, I know i will deeply and thoroughly enjoy it, which is good. I won't have that " I don't want to be here feeling" or the "I don't like this place feeling". It's a place that I will look back and I'll be happy and say going to Fitchburg state was the best choice I made, and I'm glad i chose to go to Fitchburg State, be cause I know I wouldn't be happier going any place different. I wouldn't have it anyother way. Like they say about the church, "it isn't about the building it's about the people" and I agree 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, if it wasn't for the people and the warm welcoming atmosphere, I wouldn't be going to Fitchburg State. They can build a breathtakingly beautiful buidling, but it won't help me be a better person nor teach me to live life as a better person.

The greatest advice I could give myself as a highschool senior would be to transfer schools and work harder. I had attended the same private school for my entire life. From kindergarten up to 12th grade I went to the school. As I reached highschool I soon noticed the level of education at the school was not up to the level I would have prefered. When I was a senior I did not care about school because it was so easy. I did not have to try and would get an A. This was noncondusive to my study habits and I have slipped into a state of full time senioritis. As I am in college now I have a harder time studying, so If i could go back I would force my parents to allow me the chance of altenate education. Which would have improved many things in my college education.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell my high school self to take more advanced placement classes. That way I would already have some credits for college, and I could take more classes pertaining to my major during my first year. Not to mention I could save money if I ended up graduating early. Another thing I would tell myself would be to participate in a sport or do countless hours of community service. This way I would have pretty much guarenteed myself money for school, considering those seem to be the majority of scholarships students are able to apply for. As far as the transition, I would have told myself that things wouldn't be smooth right off the bat when moving into school and starting a new chapter of life. However I would have assured myself that things would work themselves out, and that college is where you truly find yourself.

Looking back on my college life I think to myself, So far its been a wonderful experience. Its been a tough road, but everything in life takes time, persistance, determination, and hard work. If I could go back in time and give myself one good piece of Advice it would have to be tred lightly over the all of the over grown grass and weeds. In other words never jump into any situation, walk first. Take your time looking at things so that you have a better idea of what to make of it and what action to take. Study hard and give it your all because college is like the real world excuses count for nothing and you'll only have yourself to blame if you fail.

Throughout life, I will face untold pressures, most of which will stem from how critical I am of myself. I'm learning to limit outside influence on my personal decisions and to focus on what I truly want, but in the case of college, I don't think my skills were as effective. I was never terribly excited to attend Fitchburg State College and though I'm in the process of transferring, my decision to attend this college in the first place weighs heavily on me. Had I known how unhappy I was going to be by forcing myself onto a path beaten by others, not me, I would have taken more time to find a school that truly fit my personality and goals. The pressure to attend college in the same timeframe and structure as my peers was one pressure that I need not have exerted on myself. I would have implored my younger self to slow down and take time making this crucial decision, rather than jumping in halfheartedly simply because I felt the need to follow the herd. Everyone marches to the beat of a different drummer, and one year ago, I wish I'd heard mine.

Develop as many good study habits as you can and keep your grades up. The better grades you have in highschool the better your oppurtunities will be for college. College isn't all about the sports, getting a good education and focusing is important because it shapes the outcome of the rest of your life as an adult. And try and figure out what you would enjoy doing as a profesion, it's hard to try and decide that while you're attending your college don't worry about how much money you're going to make either do something you will enjoy and look forward to doing because thats what you'll be doing for most of the rest of your life.

When going back and talking to myself, I would tell myself not to be afraid to go to school and take the first step in your adventure into the world. You are going to meet people and have experiences with these people that you will remember for the rest of your life. It will be very easy to make friends to share experiences because everyone will be there for the same reason. The knowledge you gain from these experiences are just as important as the educational purpose. Whether you are involved in sports, intramurals, student government, dance, or other clubs, you will be able to keep busy and have a good time with people you may talk to for the rest of your life. With both the education and experiences you gain, you will allow yourself to grow and give yourself the ability to become a better, smarter person than when you will first walk into the school. So, don't be afraid of going to school. You are going to have experiences that last a lifetime and stories you will be able to share with all the people you know around you.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would probably tell myself to start saving money then. The problem I continue to face is that I never seem to have money. I feel like if I saved more in high school, that might be different. I would also tell myself to find more extra-curricular activities that I enjoy. Also, I would tell myself not to bring so much stuff to college with me. There is only so much room in the dorms and filling it with uneeded things only makes them smaller. The transition was more or less what I expected so that wasn't really a problem. The only other thing that I would tell myself is to focus less on my social life and more on my school work because that was a problem my first semester.

The only advice i can give about finding the right college is this. Visit every colege you're interested in, see the campus, sit in on a class, meet your potential staff and instructors. When you find the right school it'll just hit you, kind of like falling in love, you just know. Good Luck.

To Students and Parents, Finding the best school for a student is extremely important as it will be the place where you spend the majority of your time over the next two to four years. Make sure to choose schools that are known to have great programs related to your major, but also look at other factors such as size, location, safety, student/faculty ratios, social opportunities, and graduation rates. Also, make sure to tour each school of choice to see whether or not it fits your individuality as a student. Next, keep your priorities in line but also find time for social activities and forming friendships. Lastly, go into your first year of college with a positive attitude and be open to new ideas, experiences, and people. College really can be the best time of your life if you make sure that the school you attend is the best possible choice for you!

When looking for the right college, look for a college with lots of options and a solid liberal arts curriculm. The reason for this is that most students do not end up working in the field they major in. Having a background with various skills required at a Liberal Arts school allows for alot of flexibility. Also, students sometimes find a new calling, something they enjoy more than the origonally intended major. Having lots of options available is key. Keep as many doors open as possible. Look for professors that are excited about the subject matter and use interesting ways to teach it. Those are the most important aspects of selecting a college.

Parents and students should try to find a college that is affordable because being in debt and having a lot loans is stressful. Students should find a college that they feel safe at because they will spend most of their day at the college's campus and being comfortable makes learning easier. Picking the right loaction is very key. Students should also find a college that has something that will interest them and offers a greaty variety of classes in the field that they will be headed in. The reason is because students need an opportunity to gain a lot of information that corresponds to their major to be successful. To get the most out of the college experience students should get involved in a club, sport, or any extra-curricular activity that the college offers. The reason is because it's a great way to expand a person's socail life and to make friends. Another reason is because student will have a chance to bond with upper class students who will most likely give them vital information about the college and help them with problems, like registering for classes.

I make sure you are going to school for something that you love. Going to school for something you are not passionate will not be as rewarding in the long run.

I think that going to visit the college is the best first move. I had my heart set on attending a different university, but once I walked onto the campus I knew it wasn't where I wanted to spend four of the most important years of my life. When I first walked onto the Fitchburg State quad I had the "oompa loompa effect" it reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when they walk into the chocolate room. Everything seemed absolutly perfect to me. I could easily visualize myself sitting underneath a tree on the campus quad in a study group, or laying out on the lawn reading a book. Sometimes what you see on paper and on the internet is not what it seems to be. The atmopshere of an institution makes the biggest difference in your college experiance.

This past fall I transferred from Gordon College to Fitchburg State for financial reasons. In no way do I regret my decision to go to Gordon for my first two years of College, but I am extremely glad that I transferred to Fitchburg State this year. There is no experience like living in a college dorm and if it is possible, but it is really important to make sure the community is conducive for your personal interests and intents in living on campus. Definitely stay overnight on campus and visit at least one class so that you really experience what living there and going to school will be like. You have to be comfortable living there and you have to be able to study since that is why you are there. In terms of academics, I have experienced both private and public education and if anything, my education at a public college is at least as good if not better, so don't let a private education make your decision. Ultimately, you are going for an education to get a job, but you want to enjoy your time spent there. College is an important investment, take advantage of it!

When applying for schools, have a variety of choices for yourself - apply to a school you know you will have no trouble getting into, some that are more competitive, and "reach" schools - even if you think you probably won't get in, apply for it as a challenge to yourself. Be sure to visit all of the schools you apply to, and talk to alumni or current students about the schools if possible. Hearing it first-hand from real students rather than a brochure is always helpful and informative. Look closely at the programs they offer, especially if you already know what you want to major in. If you want to major in English and love the school itself, but their English program is mediocre at best, you probably won't be satisfied with your education. Take into account the extracurricular activities offered - you don't want to get to orientation and find out they don't have the activity you were looking forward to participating in. Once you start at your new school, make a sincere effort to make friends, whether in your dorm or your classes or both. Go to campus events - don't isolate yourself.

All colleges are not the same. Some have large graduate programs and devote much of their time and resources to research. Others enroll only undergraduates and focus their attention on teaching and learning. Some schools have a specialty in one specific area, like engineering or writing, while others are best known for giving their students a broad education. Other differences include whether schools are single sex or coed, if they have a religious affiliation, and whether they are public or private. The options really are almost limitless. Trust your instincts. If a place feels right, that's important. Similarly, if it just feels wrong, no matter who wants you to go there or how good it looks on paper, it probably is. College is a very personal choice, and after considering all the other objective factors, the fact of the matter is that it comes down to you. then use your gut feeling, becasue that is right 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time. Could you imagine yourself going to school there? Once you find a few places that you like, you'll be well on your way to finding the college that's right for you.

Be sure to visit a lot of colleges

Go with what you feel is right. Don't look at college by price and location. Go by how you feel about the institution. If you feel that you will get the most out your college experience, then go there.