Grand Valley State University Top Questions

Look at what you want to major in, costs, requirements, and location... Do you want to live far away or close to home? I think that's a big one that a lot of people overlook.l In addition, make sure that this is where you want to go- don't go there juust because your boyfriend/girlfriend is going there, because I hate to say it, I've seen that turn bad for a lot of people and believe me, transfering out is a pain. Don't give up, and don't settle- you'll know it when you find the right school for you!

Visit all the schools that the students are interested in and not just that one's that the parents want the student to go to. The students opinion is the most important and I believe that they know what is best for them. They will know what feels right when they see the school and see what it's all about.

Find the college that you feel like is home. And when you get there, dive in. Find something to get involved in.

just to stay on top of your game and go out for what you want

I would tell parents that they should trust that their kids know what they want, and parents should support their kids decisions about where to go to college. Students should aim for schools that best fit them. I highly recommend taking a campus tour of several colleges before applying to them. Taking tours will give parents and students a better feel for the college and its atmosphere. When a student has found the right college, they will know. And to make the most of the college experience I would say definately get involved with activities, groups, and clubs because it allows a student to make new friends. I would also say to learn to balance school and the social life. If it becomes unbalanced grades or relationships will suffer. But the one piece of advice that I have is that you are only in college once, so make the best of it!

My advice to parents would be to believe in your child, and support them. Whether or not it is the decision you would make is irrelevant. They will have to live, eat, and breath this school, and they deserve to be happy while they are striving towards their futures. Be supportive and encouraging and listen to what your student has to say! My advice for students is to believe in yourself. You have everything you need to be sucessful, so take it seriously! That 8 am lab will be killer, but in the end you'll be happy you put in the extra effort because you will begin to see yourself growing into an adult of the future. Also listen to your heart, if you want to pursue a specific career path, go for it! If you want to try out for a musical, go and sing your heart out! Join a sport, then go and play with passion and fire. Whatever you do, get invovled and try your hardest at everything you do because these have the potential to be some of the best years of your life!

I think that parents and students alike need to keep an open mind when choosing a college. First, decide what type of an environment you need in order to be successful. For example, do you succeed in large groups of people or do you need a smaller, more personal setting to optimize learning? Then, think about what you are interested in and determine what schools offer programs that line up with those interests. Of course, a main concern that many students and parents have is how to finance a college education. Money also has to be factored in to a college decision however, I do not think this should be the main concern. If you find a school that fits you well and can find a way to finance it, then go for it! Don't hold back just because going to community college is cheaper if you want to attend university. It's all about the experience. Believe me, your surroundings can make all the difference in your education and to make the most of it, take a risk and go where you really feel welcome, even if it might cost more.

While studying is important, don't pass up opportunities to meet people. You learn a lot from the people around you. They provide a new perspective and outlook on life. Learn to laugh often. Study for necessary amounts of time. Take time to pause and enjoy the moments of college and the stage of life you are in - it passed by so quickly. For me, I grew up going to a non-denominational church. Once I started college, I knew it was time to decide if I wanted to make this faith my own. I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and have loved every minute of it! God has taught me a lot about who He is and how much He loves me. I credit every amazing memory and moment of my college experience to Him.

I would tell them that they need to consider their needs and weigh them against their wants. A need in finding a college is that it provides adequate education in the fields you are interested in. Many go for the "college experience," but the skills you may learn from that will not be nearly as important as the ones you do academically. I would say also take into consideration what kind of learner you are and if the teachers at the college are equipped to handle those needs. Be smart about it and don't get your heart set on anything too quickly.

I think that it's important to let your KID choose the college they want to go to. Visit all the colleges in person, and let your kid decide which one fits them best.

When searching for the right college, it's important to remember where you're from and whether or not you like it. Many students think they want to go to school somewhere very different from home, and that's fine. If a student is from a small town, and living there makes him feel claustrophobic, going to college in a bigger city might be a good idea. On the other hand, if a student is from a small town and loves it, going to college in the middle of New York City probably isn't the best idea. Yes, it's good to go outside your comfort zone sometimes, but you also have to remember that you're deciding where you will live for the better part of the next four years or more. If you want familiarity, go for a smaller school, or a school in a smaller town, and join some new clubs in order to expand your horizons. Challenge yourself, but do it within your comfortable limits.

Make sure that the college you choose is close enough to home so that it's not impossible to come home for a weekend just incase of a dr's apt or something but still far enought away that it isn't a temptation to come home every weekend. Immursion in the college atmosphere/life is essential for success in college. Also be sure to get involved in something. It doesnt matter what, just be caught sitting at home sitting and doing nothing. Involvement makes it so much easier to get to know people and college life is more fun if you know people b/c the more people you know, the more people you have to do stuff with.

For incoming students, I would recommend that they decide if they would get more out of their education living at home without distractions from the social life at the school they attend or on campus with accessibility to more of the scools resources and closer to classes. Students need to ask themselves how involved they want to be and find a school that will fit their personality in that sense: do they want to work while taking classes or focus solely on schoolwork. Good advice for parents is to stay involed-- just because a student is no longer a High School student does not mean that s/he does not need encouragement. School can get overwhelming for students, and parents can be a good source of motivation for them to stay on track. Students and parents together should always make sure to stay ahead of the game on filling out paperwork before the semester's start, this way the student will be sure to get the most financial assistance available, making the school year a little less stressful so the student can focus more on their studies.

In order to make the most of your college experience, I believe students should really be open-minded when exploring universities and colleges. I would encourage students to go on many campus tours to get a feel for the different environments. I think open-mindedness comes in to play when students are making their final decisions on which campus to attend. I say this because the transition from high school to college is a big one. I think that students really find out who they are during this time. Something that you had a certain outlook on in high school may be something you look at in a completely different light in college. Choose a place you are comfortable with. Don't let anyone else's ideas interfere with your own. In order to get the full college experience you must be where you want to be! Once you are in college, get involved. Colleges offer so many things for students to be a part of. I would recommend going to activities the campus puts on. You meet so many people and learn so many new things outside of class.

Look for a college that not only suits your academic needs, but your social and cultural needs as well. Success is not only contingent on hard work and dedication to school work, but to an environment that caters to learning as well. Being honest with what your needs are as a person may play a difference maker between universities. Keep positive, challenge yourself, take advantage of opportunities, and get involved in your college as much as possible. In the end, cognitive development is just as important as book smarts. Do what it takes to develop not only as a student in your discipline, but to develop as a generally ethical person in your society as well.

I would start off by telling students that they have to visit TONS of schools and get lots of information about all of them. Take a campus tour of the school during the academic year to see how active students really are on campus. Secondly, perspective students should sit in on a class of their interest to see if they like the way the class is to be taught by that University. Students should also look into the clubs and sports offered on that campus, so if they choose to attend that University, they will have plenty of options on what clubs/sports they want to join. For the parents, cost is definitely a factor in finding that right school for your child, but there are so many scholarships and opportunities for financial aid through Universities that money really shouldn't be a factor in choosing the right school for your child. The most important thing a parent can do is to be involved in their childs decision about choosing the right school for them and to make sure that their child is happy with their choice. Become an active member in their college career.

Make sure to tour the campus! Talk to alumni, students... make sure to find out what they really think. Remember: just because the campus is smaller, doesn't mean you'll always get a one-on-one education. My campus is small, but we have way too many students on it!

Look for a college that has alot of diversity. In it's students, classes, activities, surroundings, everything. The more it has to offer, the more you'll experience. Find a college that doesn't don a label (party school, religous school, etc.) unless you're okay with said label, but don't box yourself in. College is four years (sometimes more) of finding who you are and embracing it, so try something new as much as possible. Go rock climbing, take philosophy, talk to your professors, and learn about who you want to be. Then go for it. Plans may change, but don't worry about it . If you change you major six times, who cares! You're not supposed to know everything, that's why you're in college. You find new passions and rediscover old ones, the only thing you need to be is present, the past doesn't matter and future will come before you know it. So don't plan, just be.

Go visit the campus if at all possible. Make sure that they have a good program for what you are interested in or a variety of choices if you aren't quite sure. Going to visit the campus can tell you a lot. Make sure you find the right size college for you. Also look at the financial aid they have available.

I would tell anyone who's worried about what institiution to attend, to only follow their heart. We as humans can adapt and conform to a variety of things, and when we are actively trying to educate ourselves, the location is only part of the puzzle. You can learn anywhere, but what counts is the time that you have. The time to explore is now! No matter your age, or location - there is always something else to be improved upon. So go out, make friends, skip class a few times, but hold steady to what you want in life. When you do that, and decide to live life head-on, is when you'll learn that life is what you make it. Everything happens for a reason, and ultimately we are the controllers in our own destiny's.