Middle Tennessee State University Top Questions

Choose a school that not only fits your academic needs, but that fits your personality. If your social life is important to you (and it more than likely will become even more important in college), go somewhere that offers an active student body with lots of chances to get involved. Go visit the college beforehand and take a tour. Find current students on Facebook that have your intended major at the certain school and ask for their honest opinion. Find organizations to join even before school begins, great way to make friends and get ahead in your career. If you're going out of state, try to attend a school that is close to an airport if you plan on making trips home. Go to a school that is also in line with your political and religious beliefs (if you can). My school is very liberal and I'm very conservative, so I have to be careful to guard my heart and values. College is a great time to "start over", so come with an open mind and be prepared to meet new people, try new things, and have the time of your life!

Do not let you kids go to a college in your home town. They don't have to go out of state, but seriously if you are THAT close they will not grow up properly and make stupid mistakes as adults rather than as young adults.

Make sure you're not going to get stuck somewhere. Go somewhere with plenty of activities/groups, not just somewhere known for its Greek life. You don't want to go somewhere and join some club before you really know what you're getting into and then be trapped because it's nothing like your first impressions. Socially visit each college you're considering. Call a friend that goes to that school and ask to come up for a weekend. Go out with them, have fun. Then choose the school that most felt like home. You don't want to go somewhere that makes you change. Make sure it's affordable and not too close to home, but certainly not too far. You really realize how special home is once it's not there everyday.

College is a big step into the real world, and it is difficult to know what a school is really like until you have lived there. Ask some random students on campus how they like it, to get a better idea of the life there. However, the staff should still be able to tell you what the campus is like, as well. There are also websites that review professors and other aspects of the college, and these sites would be well worth looking into. Friends that go to the college or university are also a very valuable asset. They know what life is like, and how good the professors are at teaching. In the end, lots of reasearch will go a long way in finding your perfect college.

Ensure that you know exactly what you intend to do with your career and your life. Find the school that best fits your personal, spiritual and individual needs.

Visit the college campus if you can. This will give you an idea of how you will fit. Research the types of degrees the schools offer and what they specialize in. Match your wants and needs to the needs and wants of the school. Make a list of things that you want from a college experience, then rate the importance of each on a scale of 1-10. This will give you an idea of what to look for while researching schools that you will possibly attend. Location, size of school, school spirit, reputation, number of students, etc. Everything that is important to you will be become the milestones of your college choice.

Be sure to visit the campus not only in the day, but at night. It is party central around campus at night, especially around the apartments. It is also a high crime area at night. Many crimes have taken place within the past 2 months at MTSU. If you are serious about your college career, I would say this isn't the place for you. The teachers don't teach you things you remember. I wish I could learn something like I did in high school! Keep looking!

I would advise them to research the school in great detail. Make sure it offers every resource that they feel they need including great libraries, teachers, tutoring, advisors, etc.

NEVER TAKE ANYTHING AT FACE VALUE!! Just because a college says something, doesn't mean it's true. And just because people say things about a college, does not mean it's true! Visit every college you might be considering, and go on the campus tours. Try to find out as much as you can before you go, and when you're there, stick around after the guided tour and go on your own tour. Talk to students and see how they feel about their choice for college. Don't talk to just a few, talk to many. Not only will this help you on your search, but it will acquaint you with college life and make you more prepared for it, no matter what school you go to. Going to college means new friends and a new atmosphere, and jumping right in is the best way to get used to it. ALWAYS BE PREPARED for what is coming. Never run from or ignore an impending decision or deadline. You are in control of your life and your future, and if you are ready for it and you are persistant, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals.

Finding the right college is very important in a childs success. In hight school parents need to take their child on several college tours to find a campus that will make the child feel most at home. When attending college I advise students to get involoved; whether, it be a fraternity/sorority, academic acitivities, or religious activities. Incoming Freshman need to be aware that most people meet each other in the classroom. Therefore, I advise you to talk and greet yourself in each class. Remember everyone is new and trying to establish friendships and in the classroom is a great way to begin that journey. Making the most of your college experience is really what you put in to it. Having the mindset of academics first not a social life, then life could get pretty lonely and frustrating. If you go into college thinking life is just one big party, then your dream college could quickly throw you out because your grades are not meeting academic standard. Making the most of college is trying to find the balance that will ensure good grades and meeting friendships that could last a lifetime, this will making your college experience unforgettable.