Loras College Top Questions

I honestly feel that picking the right school is a hard decsion. I thought I had my mind made up when I visited Loras but I was wrong. Everything I thought I wanted in school changed in a matter of one day. I just got this "at home" kind of feeling from the minute I walked on campus to the time I left. Really going with your gut feeling, and choosing the school you want to go to; not the parents choice. Your parents are not the ones attending the school for the next four years. I would make sure they offer your field of what you may be interested in and talk to those intrested in it as well. If you go to school undecided that is ok as well. College is a time of growing and learning more about yourself. What better way to do it then at a school you feel safe and complete at. That is what I found at Loras. GO DUHAWKS :)

Choose a college where you will be able to receive support from students, faculty, staff, and your family or home community. This is hard to gauge on a campus tour, so be sure to ask about things like student-faculty interaction, alumni involvement, and pick up a copy of the school paper, which is a great way to find out what is happening and important on the campus. Once you choose a school, get involved. Not only in clubs and organizations, but in your daily life, meet people, and not just students, get to know the faculty, staff and administration as much as you can. Take part in the campus life, meaning attend sporting events, cultural activities, entertainment nights. Branch out and do things you wouldn't normally do, all while staying on top of your school work.

First and foremost, you are there to get an education. Whether you go to a school because of a sports scholarship, academic scholarship, no scholarship, grandparent's generous donation, or any other way it's important that you remember that you are there to learn. Make a routine with your days. Study often even if its only 30 minutes at a time. By keeping up with my studies I found that I was able to have more time on the weekends with my friends exploring all the parts of the town from the old wine cellars, to the lead mines that are left from the 1800's. Explore the area, god only knows what you'll discover. And finally, make friends with everyone. If you are religious, be sure to meet someone who isn't. Talk with them. Learn from them. Explore every boundary that will be laid before you when you go to school. And parents let your kids go. Don't call them every day. Keep in touch with them, but don't make your kids feel like they are being checked up on at every moment. They need that freedom to explore life on their own.

My best advice would be not to discount small "no name" schools, or private institutions just because the ticket price looks high. Education is an investment. We'll pay $50 for a pair of tennis shoes that last one year, think about the possibilities that a college education will provide and the lifetime of benefits you will see. I'm willing to pay for that. If you already know what you want to go to school for, great, but if you don't, there's no need to force it. Many people develop during their college years and their interests change. There is a lot of pressure to know what you want at 18 years old, and it's not very realistic. Try to release yourself from the pressure of socieity, and just go with what works for you financially and what "feels right". DO your assignments! READ the chapters you are assigned! DON'T spend all of your time studying! DO give yourself breaks! Take part in nintramural activities. Go outside!

My advice to students and parents looking for the right college would be to make sure that the college fits the student. I would start out by making a list of majors that you are looking at, activities that you are interested in, and the size of school and city that you are comfortable with. There are a lot of schools out there, so you should be able to find a few colleges that meet all of your requirements. Make sure that you take college visits to each of the colleges that meet your needs and talk with the faculty in the area or areas that you wish to study. Also, make sure that you are comparing the final cost of each college after receiving the financial aid award letters. Some colleges are much more generous than others with scholarships so that can play a big role in the final decision. If you choose one of the schools from the list, you will most likely find other students with similar interests and you will have a great college experience!

The ideal college for anyone is one that after four years will have made the student into the best version of themselves. A college should challenge a student to stretch to their fullest capacity in multiple areas; intellectually, socially, and morally. The end goal after your time at college should be a confident and aware adult who is ready to contribute to the world. When looking at colleges/universities and deciding which would be the best fit, the emphasise should not be so much on the question, "What feels right for me right now?" but rather, "What will help me become who I want to be?" Be observant, and be prepared to do plenty of research into everything the college you are looking at offers. If something sticks out to you about a certain institution, try some introspection and discover why that particular aspect is important to you. Will it be something you can appreciate after you've graduated? If an institution seems to strick a personal chord when looking at it through a future-oriented lens, you know you have found a good pick.

College is not just an institution you will attend in order to attain a degree. It is a place you will call home for likely four years of your life. It will not just shape your technical skills, but who you become as a person. Don't choose a college based on your major. Statistics may not seem to apply to you, but the fact is almost everyone changes their major. When choosing a college look at which institute fits you and will challenge you intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Find a place that you can call home, but at the same time challenge you to open up to new ideas. College can be the greatest time of your life if you are willing to let go of your fears and try new things and work hard. Take the time to look at more than one college and then do what feels right to you. You know yourself best.

Go visit many and weigh the pro's and cons. Its OK to trsf if one doesn't work out.

In making your choice about schools, be sure to take into account what is in your comfort zone. If you are very religious, but are not a particular faith, you should think strongly before choosing to go to that school. You should also take into account the amount of money you are willing to spend. You should also consider if you want a liberal arts education, or if you just want to get your degree, and not have to mess around with any other classes. All of these factors are important in choosing a school for yourself/son/daughter. One of the most important factors, however, is whether you feel comfortable when you step onto the campus. I would strongly recommend a campus visit. This is the only way to determine whether you will be comfortable there or not.

Make sure the college has the major you want and also that it looks fun!!