Florida State University Top Questions

Find a school that has lots of academic options. It is highly probable that your child will change thier mind about what they want to do when they "grow up". I school shouldn't be limited to a few career fields that will force them to transfer schools because they have a different idea about what they want to do for a living.

I would advise parents and potential students to visit the college during preview days and to write down their findings so they can compare them with other colleges. I would ask other students on campus what they thought about their school experience. I would visit the Alumni website for the school and see how active it is. I would research through local news organizations and newspapers any articles about the school. I would research the safety procedures and past occurrences of any criminal activities. I would research job opportunities. I would investigate if there were opportunities to complete a Masters or PhD degree after receiving my undergraduate degree. I would check out the school?s website. Definitely take advantage of orientation and tour the school. Finally, vist the off campus housing so you can get an idea on what is available and the cost.

In order to find the "perfect fit" for a student entering higher education, the student must be aware of the type of education that they are looking for. First, be aware of the potential career direction. This way the student can be assured that the college or university will offer courses that may assist him or her in getting a successful career in their area of interest. Second, the student must know their needs in the classroom. If a student knows that they may not be successful in a larger classroom setting, they may want to look at colleges rather than large state universities. Lastly, the student should know what they want to get out of their experience. Every college and university offers a different social setting that the student should look into. Religion may be a factor in choosing a school as much as a football team or involvement in Greek life. Not every school is a perfect fit for everyone, but when the choice has been made one thing is very important: make the most of the experience with the choice that was made!

Research the colleges you are interested in and visit them. Talk to people you know who have attended the college. You should pick a college because it will prepare you for your chosen career, not because your friends chose that college. Once at college, stay true to yourself and don't just go along with the crowd. Find something you are interested in and get involved in that activity.

Finding the right college is an important first step towards planning your future. It is important that you make the right choice. You really need to look at many different aspects of a college in order to fully understand how you will fit in. Research into the types of programs offered and the professors available is a must. Most schools are more focused on certain programs than others. Florida State University, for instance, is a heavily research oriented facility and also has a strong performing arts program. However, they do not offer journalism. It is also a good idea to look into the kinds of financial aid available. A school that offers a better scholarship may or may not be the right one for you. If you are more focused on attending a prominent school, you will be more concerned with school rankings. Once you have your list narrowed down it is important to visit the schools, perhaps a few times, in order to see how you like the surrounding town/city. Is the distance from home good for you? Do you like the kinds of people that you have met. These are all important along with many others aspects.

Visiting the colleges before applying is essential, it helps to get a "feel" for the place you may or may not want to attend. For making the most out of your experience, I'd recommend being open minded and friendly to everyone, and try to increase your social circle whenever possible.

seek out opportunities for hands on learning. I was a psychology student; there were many research opportunities available to me as well as volunteer counseling. do not believe everything your advisor tells you...do your own research. The people in the office see many people and can over look things. You can take economics for a language requirement!

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a student will make, and it is not an easy one. There will be pressure to choose the more prestigious institution, or follow friends out of fear. The best thing to do is visit the campus once or twice, preferrably finding someone you know that already attends the school and who can give a more personalized tour. Walking around, checking out the student body atmosphere, and the size of the campus can give some indication as to how comfortable you will be in that setting...a far better indication than any brochure or website can create. Looking into the degree programs, clubs, and venues around the school is also important in figuring out how involved you will be. If there are programs or activities that match your interest, the chance to meet others increases drastically. College is a time of academic learning, but it is also a time to forge new friendships, learn how to do laundry, and explore interests. The best advice is to just try, having no regrets come graduation day of things you wish you had done.

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Let the students decide where they want to attend. Let the students decide what they want to major in. Be there to be a resource, especially for that first year. Your student will not call you. Please make sure you call them and speak with them regularly. Don't nag every time you call. College is stressful enough without you worrying them. Increase calling around the second month as usually that's when homesickness kicks in. Keep in mind, these are some of the most wonderful years for parents but mostly students. Let them live and all will be well.