Frostburg State University Top Questions

Do a lot of research and go on college visits first.

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!

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?

Do not take your classes or professors for granted, always talk to your professors and be open about your true career dreams.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.