Florida International University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Florida International University know before they start?

Rachel

i would advise everyone to explore their options. make sure that you figure out what's really important to you and see how at least five schools compare on those aspects. keeping an open mind while first looking at schools will give you more variety while deciding which schools to apply to and which one to enroll at. it's very important that you pick a school with a good fit in order to have a great college experience. if you feel comfortable in your surroundings it will be much easier to form strong bonds with your peers and get involved on-campus. everyone envisions an ideal college experience and, in all honesty, it probably won't hppen that way. that doesn't mean you can't have a great experience by getting involved on-campus and making friends. this will raise your self-esteem and overal attitude to make the four years you spend in school a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Beatriz

Find a college that equally balances college social life and academic life. You need to be able to relax to be able to effective in your studies in school.

Danielle

Choosing the right college is probably one of the biggest decisions someone will ever make. Luckily, with all of the resources available to students now, finding the right one for you is simpler than ever. The best advice I can give you is research! Research! Research! Research! Use all of the resources you can find, the Internet, your counselors, alumni, friends already attending. Everyone is there to help, because they have all been in your shoes. If you're planning on going away to college you MUST visit the campus. It may not be what you imagined and that can change everything for you. Take everything into account, even the little things, like weather, the library, the extra curricular activities. And most importantly, to all the future college students out there, do not let anyone choose for you. This is your decision, one hundred percent yours. Many students are pressured by their parents, or older siblings who are alumni from a certain university. But at the end of the day, if you don't choose it for yourself, your selling yourself short of the best college experience possible. You've made it this far, you deserve only the best.

Amy

When you visit different colleges to decide which is best for you, the feeling comes to you once you walk through the campuses. You willl feel comfort and at home and when it comes to the experience, enter with an open mind and don't be scared. with that, fun is guaranteed.

Andrea

Parents and, more importantly, students should decide on the right college by considering if that college has subjects they are interested in, the credibility it has, its cost, security, and the social life. A student and their parents should make sure they are not going to over pay for a class or pay for one that has over crowded students. Also, a student shouldn't pay for a college that is extremely expensive and out of their budget when attending another college that might not be their first choice but exactly the same schooling and experience. A college should also have a great faculty that is involved with the students. To make the most of a college experience, a student should be actively involved with school clubs, sports, or honor societies. There should be a good balance between socializing, making friends and studying. Getting an intership is also a good experience to obtain. If it is possible, a student should study abroad for at least a semester to broaden their knowledge and become more open to other cultures. Learn another language is highly recommened.

Alexandria

Advices I have for students who are searching for the right college. First go on a college tour, its fun and interesting you learn a lot about different school you never seem to consider. Also do research on the school of interest and make sure they have a great program for your major. As well see if the financial aid department is helpful and how fast will you get you funding for school. NEVER wait last minute. If you?re stuck on more than one school, do a comparison and see which one fits you criteria especially your budget. Make most of your college experience like go out and volunteer on your free time, join a club or an organization, or support your school athletics. Just be active and show school spirit. One more important thing when you get the opportunity or the money live on campus for at least one semester; get the campus life experience before you graduate. Don?t have any regrets live life you only get this experience once in a lifetime.

Nicole

In order to find the right college, you, as a student, need to decide what you want to do. Do you want to go away for college? Do you want to stay home? Do you want to go to a big school, or a small town college? Do not make your decisions based on what everyone else wants. Make your own decisions. Look for a school that reflects what you like. If you want to play a certain sport, look into a university that offers that. Choosing a university is such an amazing experience that we can all go through. No matter where you end up, make sure to make the most of what you are paying. Do not just go to class because you need a degree to get through life. I know plenty of people who do this, and it is not fulfilling. Go to class to learn. To make yourself a well rounded person, and to understand yourself, and everything that goes on around you. Going to college is a privilege that many young adults do not have. Embrace this and enjoy every second of it.

Jenniffer

Enjoy it and become active in it but never put your studies in second place because you should have fun but school comes first.

MICHELLE

I am a single parent who got pregnant my first semester at college. Since then I have attempted returning several times, but with no luck. Since then I have been homeless twice, robbed and risked loosing my daughter. Today [12 years later] I am about to graudate with my BA, and have already applied and received conditional acceptance into the Master's program. Now paying for this debt is another story. My advice: grab every opportunity to maximize your learning experience. Set a rigid pace, and push your limits, but don't overdo it. Even with a full-course load you can still have fun. Balancing school and a family is hard, but school and part-time work is doable. I have made great friends, learnt a lot, and participated in study aborad programs which were the highlight of my experience at FIU. Be flexible with your schedule and make sure to include extra-cirricular activities. I didn't and now I am truly regretful. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience that transition into adulthood without direct parental supervision. So it is an excellent time to exhibit responsibility, trust, growth, personal achievement and fun.

Lise

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college is first to consider about your major and if the school of your choice has a program for it. You would like to compare the program with other colleges, and see which college you will feel more comfortabl activites, and at the same time balance out their schoolwork. It allows you to be yourself and have an open mind.