Minnesota State University-Mankato Top Questions

The advice I give students about finding the right college for them is making sure it is what YOU really want. College is your time to be independent and search for what you want out of life. When choosing a college, don't focus on the schools that your parents went to or that most of your friends are going to. Go where you can picture yourself most and where your interests are shared with your peers. Size doesn't matter when it comes to secondary school, pick whatever setting you're going to feel most comfortable in, yet also thrive in. Making the most out of your college experience is a lot simpler than one would think. First get involved. In anything! Sororities and Fraternities are exciting, but they cost a lot of money. Try a special event planning club, an intramural sports team, or even volunteering with other college students. Everyone says to get involved, but what they don't tell you is to try doing it on your own. It's great to have friends who attend the same school, but you'll never meet new people if you always hang out with the same group!

Get involved right away. Get really, overally involved, then as you figure out what you like better slim it down to a few areas. Don't wait to get involved.

The advice that I have found most useful in my college career, is to be out-going and to take risks. When I first came to MSU i was terrified, there were so many activities i could have participated in but i didn't, i sat on the sidelines and watched everyone else have fun. After one whole sememster of not taking my life into my own hands, I realized I had nothing to lose! and i put myself out there. I can now say I am a confident, friendly, happy sopohmore here at MSU and im having the time of my life.

find something that fits you and your personal needs, but will also make you grow as a person, that will push you beyond what is normal. Try to find a happy medium.

To choose the right school you have to listen to your heart and how you feel about the campus and it's surroundings. College isn't just a place where you have eight o' clock classes, eat ramen and pizza, or pull all-nighters; it's a place where you could find true happiness and acceptance. And once you find that place, that place where you feel wanted, needed and part of a family it is up to you to keep that going. It is also very important to get your priorities in order; I am an RA and I have seen first hand what it's like to have a student who has lost their way, and it can be hard to get back on track. So start out of track and know what is most important in your life at this certain point. Remeber to always do what YOU think is best for you and not what others believe; this isn't a bandwagon. It's life!

Use the resources available to you, visit schools and ask questions.

College selection follows whatever thought process the student puts into his/her desired career path. With that said, not every student right out of high school is ready to make that decision. Once an area of study is selected, be sure to tour what ever colleges fit your criteria to make sure it suits your needs. The college experiane is whatever the student makes of it. It is best when the student is surrounded with positive influences, but ultimately is up to the students best judgement.

The best advice I can give to students preparing to go to any college is get active from the start. In high school I was in sports year round, involved with other student extracurricular activities, and worked at the same time. When I started college last fall I decided to not play sports or take part in any of the student organizations on campus and I just focused on schoolwork, and as a result I became a bit complacent. Fortunately I realized early on that I needed to be more active in order to maximize my experience and ever since I've been having a great time. Last spring I studied abroad in Spain, this year I started playing rugby for the varsity team at Mankato, and I participated in some of the campaign events during the presidential elections this fall. Everything I've just said pertains to my advice about being as active as possible with events and organizations on campus and around the community because it really does make college life more interesting as you are able to meet a wider variety and greater number of people sharing common interests with yourself.

It is scary to think of where you could possibly be going to school for the next 4-5 years so i would start at some state universities and looking at their campuses and asking lots and lots of questions to people that can have to right answers because usually people are pretty excited to answer as much as they can or direct you to exactly where you can find the correct answser. You dont have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you get to college there are usually many general education courses that are great to be in and can help you to figure out exactly what you want to do.

Make certain that the school you will be attending is a good fit with the career goals that you have in mind. Find a college that has a strong emphasis on the field of study which you are interested in.

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When looking for a college you must look at what your interests and focuses are in life. From there explore as many options as possible so you have the chance to choose where you want to go in life, not be forced to one institution. Choosing a college can be scary, but do not hide from it. College is a great experience. You meet many friendly people and learn life lessons along the way through the school and the surronding community. Make sure the college best fits your needs and wants. The location of the school as well as what they can offer are huge factors in picking a school. Therefor you need to sit down and find out what it is you are seeking in life and match that with the college of your choice. One last thing, start looking early! This gives you more time to learn about many schools and debate the postives and negatives of each school. No one likes to be rushed. Time is precious, so do not waste the time you have.

Visit as many colleges as you can while you are choosing a school to go to and try to spend a night in the dorms that you think you want to live in. Go to as many events as you can to have fun and meet all kinds of people, but don't forget about you course work either.

Go to MSU Mankato!

Don't go to a school just because you're friends are going there. College is the time for you to really grow up, and you'll learn who you really are. The friends I made here I will always know, and I can't imagine my life without them. Choosing your major early is really important, and will make your life so much easier! Also planning out the classes you will take each semester would help a lot.

My advise to any parent who's student is trying to find the correct school for them would be to trust their child?s instincts. In the end, it is the student who has to live at the school and if they aren't comfortable there, they are not going to be successful. The parent also needs to be supportive of their student's decisions and supportive of them while they are attending school. That is very important. My advice to any student is to be realistic about what they want and what they are really looking for out of college. Don't say what you think you are supposed to, what do you really want? Really think about it. Figure out what you want out of college and your experience and look for places that fit those criteria. Then visit the school and talk with the staff, but more importantly, try to find someone currently attending the school and talk to them and find out what the school is really like. Then, once you've made your decision, follow through with those goals. Have fun, make friends, and study hard. College is a great time in your life!

I would advise students when choosing the right college to take in the advice of others, but to follow their hearts and choose the right school for themselves. The first year of college is the most important and leaves an impression on you, so it is very important the student is making the decision for themselves and not someone else making the decision for them. The most important consequence to consider is the outcome of your future. You have been blessed with the privilege to attend college which many people cannot say, so take advantage of the opportunity of making your dreams come true. Live life with no regrets. I have found that the first year of college is the most valuable part in a student's college experience. I recommend that students have fun, meet new people, and get involved with school activites/groups because these are the things that will remain memorable throughout life. During the first year though, it is important to stay focus academically and not get too comfortable with the fun part of college because that may lead you down the wrong path.

I would definately pick a school that you will have fun at and get involved in activities outside of the classroom. Try to pick a school that will support the activities you do. For example if you like to ski or snowboard, try to go to a school out west or near a good resort. Look at all of your options before you make a decision and it is much easier if you know what you want to major in. I believe that I made my decision too fast and did not look to all my options.

state college if likes people and socializing, religious college if really religious and not too into the "socializing" aspects of life

Be open minded and spend time visiting campuses. Remember that these visits are an investment in your future and not just trips for fun or a waist of time. Research your degree and check what your school choice has to offer you. Once you have chosen a school, make the most of it by becoming involved in areas of interest to you. Volunteer, participate in on campus and off campus activities and most of all remember that school is your full time job so devote time to it first!