Sharleen
The advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college is to really ask current students about the campus and the surroundings. Parents, talk to current students parents about their childs lifestyles and the changes that they had to go through in order to attend the college. Students, ask around about the social life and how likely people are to help and support you and your education when you need help. It is not just about the credentials of the school but the people who will be surrounding you and helping you keep track of your education. You will be spending a lot of your time at your school and you want to be as happy as possible and enjoy the time you have, make the best of it and find out what its like before you make your choice.
Brandon
There are many things to think over before deciding what you really want to do in life. It is important to keep in mind what you really want out of life, how to reach for that with all you have got, and how to stay happy. Sometimes people can be distracted from what they really want by all the commotion in life. It is easy to fall off the track, yet it is also easy to stay on track just by trying your hardest, remembering what you want to achieve, and receiving the loving help and foundation from your family, friends, and administrative members and faculty at the college. Reaching with all your might will get you where you want to go. It is important to try your hardest, and with a little help, you can reach these ambitions. Remaining happy and striving to be happy will make everything you do easier, more fun, and more rewarding. So reach for your ambitions, try your hardest, and remain happy and success will be brought to you!
Michael
Make sure you love the size of the campus, I think that is the most important part. Everyone likes differnt size campuses, make sure you can picture yourself going to that college. If you like sports, make sure the school does too. The college you pick and yourself should have a lot in common.
Chasmine
Go with your first instinct. Follow your dreams and do what you want to do! Don't don't let anyone tell you, you can't do something!
Ashley
When looking for the right college have your parents perspective be the most important.
Devon
To find the institution best suited for you, actually make the time to visit it. There are those who can find a good college sight unseen, but most will need to actually stand on the pavement of a potential new school, breathe the air, and get the sense that they can find a niche. To make the most of the experience, you should remember you are there to learn and should make a true effort to do so. Not only that, but you should further set realistic expectations of yourself and those around you. If they are too high, you will become disappointed with your experience; too low, and you have no real challenge.
Danielle
When I was looking for the college that was right for me, I wish that someone told me to not stress so much. Obviously, you want to choose the right school, but any school is what you make of it. People who are not involved in anything at my school hate it, while people who are involved love it. Also, it is important that students base their decision on things that really matter. For example, you don?t want to go to a school just to follow a friend. That school could work for your friend and not for you. Consider the schools size, geographical location, available activities, and majors. I would advise incoming students to think hard about that. When I chose my school, I thought that I wanted certain qualities in a school, and then when I actually got to the school, I realized that those qualities were not what I wanted. It is very important to visit the school, talk to current students, and sit in on classes if possible. Most importantly, remember that the purpose of college is to prepare you for a career, so choose the school that you think can best prepare you.
ciera
when looking for the perfect school you need to first look at what type of atmosphere you enjoy. the best fit for a school will allow you to feel comfortable as well as allow you to grow as an intellectual, spiritually, emotionally, and morally.
Jessica
Make a list of things you want in your college experience, especially the town in which your school is located because you will be living here for four years. Check out the local grocery store and auto repair shop. Will you be able to entertain yourself at this school? See if the extra-curriculars fit your desires. Look at potential activities for each season, like skiing. Leisure time is very important to keep your mind and body healthy for studying. Things like this help maintain your focus to get good grades and avoid unhealthy situations. I think most binge drinking comes from bordem.
Ask professors about the competitiveness of the students. A wrong fit here could be very discouraging. Check out the course options for your potential major. Each school does things differently and you should pick a school that offers courses that reflect your passion. Consider the general education courses, as well. Look for a well-rounded course of study.
Brooke
Students have to visit different colleges to observe the variety of atmospheres and see what fits them best. Everyone is different and we all like different things, so you have to do some research on what each college has to offer. You have to find one that will make you happy, because I believe that is the most important thing in life. To be happy. Set up a college visit, an over-night stay if that's possible to get part of the experience. To make the most out of the college experience, you can't be afraid to try new things. There's tons of extra-curricular actiivites like clubs, sports, movie nights, concerts, comedy shows, etc. to try. Not only will you have fun partaking in them, but you will meet great people along the way.
Meghan
Do a lot of research and go on college visits first.
Gerrica
I would tell students and parents to find somewhere far enough away from home so that the child can find themselves, but close enough to home that they can drive home if they need a break. I would tell the students to make sure the school they choose has the class sizes and activities that they feel comfortable with and are most interested in. To make the most of the college experience I would say study hard so that you can have the GPA you're looking for, but be sure to have friends and a social life so that you can have that down time that you need. Also be sure to get pleanty of sleep because all nighters are only necessary if you don't plan far enough ahead!
Bahiyyah
Definately go to a college you can afford! You don't want to be in the situation where you have to work and sacrifice so much that your years past you buy and you can't enjoy them because you have to work every weekend for 4-5 years. Maybe this means going to an instate school. Either way, you don't want to be in the middle of nowhere not knowing how you're going to pay next semesters tuition. Pick the best school in the price range you can afford.
Also understand that college is a lot different than highschool. If you're a nerd, a sword fighter, fashionista or (insert whatever here). There will be a club for people like you made by people like you. I've never known anyone not to have any friends at college unless they sat in their dorm room all day. Even then, people will knock on your door asking for things. Commuters have friends too!
Finally, don't be pressured into picking a major fresh out of highschool. How are you suppose to know what you want to do at 17 or 18 for the rest of your life?
Nicole
Do not take your classes or professors for granted, always talk to your professors and be open about your true career dreams.
Mina
collegeboard.com is a very good source. go visit the colleges that you are considering and keep your grades up so that you can get the chance to pick between several schools.
Lyndsey
Go away from home, if you think your ready. leaving my family and going out on my own was the best decision and when you get in school get involved in something asap. Greek life, on campus anything just get involved
Alexis
I would encourage parents to involve their future student in the decision making process of deciding on the right college and not try to force their preference on to the child. Ultimately if the student picks the college, the benefits to them will be significant. Deciding on a college is often a childs first real step into adulthood. So parents should discuss their financial or enviromental concerns of a particular college with their child; but not completely rule out a college if possible.
For the student, I would say come to the campus ready to learn about more than just your major. Pick a college that is going to allow you to expand your horizons and interact with people you may not normally meet. Because the world is now a global community and it's important to think beyond just what's in front of you. Also, pick a school that allows you to discover what's best about you as an individual because you're the one that will ultimately be taking what you learn into the job market. It's important that you know what makes you special so that you can tell others what makes you special.
Laura
make sure you visit the schools you are interested in, what you see and read in text or on the web, may not be the same as what you experience while at the school.
Lucy
Make sure you and your parent go see the college. You also should know, that if you choose a college and do not like it, you are not completely stuck. First try to make your situation better, PARTICIPATE, and if that still does not satisfy your needs then move on to something else. You have time. I think it is crazy that the world we live in believes that at 18 years old, we should know what we want to do with our lives. Take your time, look at your options, listen to your parents opinions, they may know more then you think and take a deep breath. College is fun, It is what you make of it. Enjoy your next four years.
Jeffrey
College is more than just the degree that you are seeking. It is the experience of working under a deadline, of starting from scratch at making friends, and of living away from your parents for the first time. College isn't where you go, its who you go with and what you do with it. You go to College to grow as a person, and to grow your knowledge about the world. Some people come to College to party - they don't last long.
Finding the right College is as much about the students as it is about the professors, which in totality is way more important than location, price, or name. This is what differentiates College from high-school: these are the people that will determine the rest of your life, your professors that will give you that special leg up in your industry, or your friends who get the impossible job (and subsequently get you an offer to work alongside them). Most of all, it's important to choose a place where you can feel comfortable and succeed. Anything else is a waste of time and money.