Vanessa
Parents: allow your children to pick where he or she wants to go. Dont force a school on your child, bu simply suggest visiting schools to find where he or she will fit in most. Money should be an issue in helping your student find a school. Now-a-days, they have great scholarships and loans that can fit your lifestyle best. Students: its not impossible for you to find a college that suits you. Going to a college where you fit in is the best choice you could make. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and make new friends. Dont worry about it being to expensive, ther are many opportunities to pay for school, just ask. GOOD LUCK!
Jennifer
Finding a college is like finding a pair of shoes; they may look great but sometimes they just dont fit you the right way. Look for the school that feels great, fits you, and has what you want it to have. First impressions are often correct, so trust your instincts and pick what best fits you.
Wesley
The key word in making the most of your college experience is commitment. You must be committed to learning all you can and not giving up when times get hard. Work hard and leave the partying to those who don't care. Always respect your professors and they will help you. But most of all, you must abide by these three words: "and then some". Do what is required of you and then some. You can't go wrong as long as you put forth your best and don't hold back.
Angela
Parents and students should visit various colleges and pick a college based on the way they feel while they are on campus. The student should be able to see themselves there and shouldn't worry about what other people want them to do. Students and parents should also talk to someone on campus about the major that they will fall in so that they are not surprised about what classes will or will not be offered.
Daniel
It is important where you go, however, it is what you make it. It doesn't matter where you go you will find what you want to. Have fun and choose a place where you feel you will be comfortable, and don't go somewhere just because everyone else is!
Tabitha
Don't be afraid of finding "the perfect school." Decide what your priorities in a school are, and don't compromise them - make school be what you want it to be. Put forth your best effort, and then have fun; trust me, there will be time for it, and you won't have to feel guilty.
Derek
I would recommend that students be real with themselves and what they want to do. If they enjoy being in an atmosphere that more closly resembles a crowded party scene, then a smaller more private university is not a good fit for them. If they want to be able to pick from a rather large variety of majors and class options, then they need to look for a school that offers such. And parents, putting added pressures on a student to figure out right now what they want from life and who they will be in ten years is a bad idea. These next few years are a time when people really begin to uncover who they are and what they stand for. There is no way of knowing who a person will turn out as when you ask them right before they undergo such a process and time.
Justin
There are several things that I would tell anyone who is about to embark on the endeavor of choosing a college and a major. My advice would simply be to follow what your heart tells you. This may sound cheesy and unrealistic but, in reality, it's not. If you want to attend a large university, go for it! If you want to major in something that you've always dreamed of doing, do it! Never listen to doubt. Do not deter from your dream because or hard circumstances. It is your dream, your future, and your life. Put your faith in what you most believe in and let God handle the rest. This is the chance of a lifetime, and it is your chance.
Randen
Find A place you can get involved in.
kim
Choose Howard Payne!!
Lesley
I would tell parents and students alike to really take the time to figure out what characteristics that they really love in a college and what works best for them. I would definitley encourage them to spend time visiting different kinds of colleges to find what really is going to give them the best experience while helping them meet their educational goals. Once they find the college that fits them, I'd tell them to dig in. Again, getting the best experience really depends on how much the student puts into it. By digging in and getting involved and seeing what's out there, students are going to find the place that they love to fit the most and that's going to make their college experience so much more memorable. The academics will fall into place if they've chosen the place that they believed was the best fit. It's the balance between the academic and social that makes for a great college experience. Not only will this give them great memories, but it will prepare them for the future beyond college. It will give them their footing for the rest of their life.
Denise
Although some may focus on environment and chances to have fun, the most important thing is your education. Which school has an academic plan to suit your own needs? Go to one that has the major you need, and tools to help you grow. Before going to this school, I never had the opportunity to participate in music with such dedication. My other university didn't have a cohesion between the theater and music departments, and very few ensembles. Go where you can recieve the best knowledge and experience. However, also take into account location. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss the big city. Choose and environment thats familiar, or at least has access to what you know. When you are surrounded by the familiar, college seems like less of a transition, and more of a continuation to your education. Also, check out the school's policy on AP credits. If they accept anything lower than a 3, run far in the other direction. Low standards do not prepare you for success. If you plan on graduate work, pick a school that is know for students continuing. Always increase your chance for success.
Tabitha
Don't be afraid to be who you are. Colleges are made up of many different people coming from many backgrounds, and each person is trying to discover who they are and what they truly believe during their collegiate experience. During this time, it is easy to conform to what is going on around you, but be sure to stand for what makes you different and focus on what you can do with that discovery. As far as finding the right place, be sure to visit at many campuses as possible, and ask questions about each one. Go where you can see yourself fulfilling these ideas the best. Then do what you can do make a difference on your campus; who knows the impact you can have by being yourself!
Kara
Find a college that you can afford and a college in a area where there are things to do off campus. Make the best of your experience and try to not focus on how far away from home it is. Enjoy the process!
Shirley
One of the main things is to be involved and don't go home to often. College is your time to find out who you are. I am not saying that you need to experiment and do crazy stuff. Stay legal. You can find out way more stuff sober. But really be involved in university life. When you are looking at schools, look at the school spirit and look at all the opportunities they give for you to do stuff on campus. Being involved is the greatest way to make life long connections with fellow students.