New Mexico State University-Main Campus Top Questions

go and spend a weekend at the schools you are looking to attend with someone who is currently attending that college

The second you walk on the campus you should feel that it has the perfect learning atmosphere. You should feel confident and excited about the University you will be attending.

Be sure to look at the specific undergraduate major you are interested in and its' reputation. See if you can contact any alumni so get their opinion of the time they spent there. Also look at the location, your college experience won't be all it can be if you don't like where it is. I stayed in state for financial reasons as well as being closer to friends and family. While it may seem scary to go to school in a place where you don't know anyone, as long as you have the right attitude and outlook, you will have a fantastic experience. Meeting new people is easiest and funnest to do if you live in the dorms, so what if you have to share a bathroom with one of two other people? The experience outweighs the pitfalls and the memories you will gain will stay with you forever. Most importantly, visit the campus before you decide on a school, you will most likely be able to "feel" if it is the right place for you.

I would advise parents and students to visit the campus. Ask currents students about the school and ask lots of questions about class sizes and activities that happen around campus. The main thing is to visit the campus!

More than likely you are paying for what you get. Encourage your student to get involved on-campus and living on-campus is very beneficial as well.

College is the time when children stop viewing their parents as authority figures and begin viewing them as mentors. While making collegiate decisions, my advice to parents is to respect and embrace this new role. Allow your child to make decisions, experience their consequences and rewards, and learn from them. Everything from choosing the university to picking which comforter to put on the bed in the new dorm room should be an opportunity for a child to experience his/her new independence, with the guidance and leadership of his/her parents. My advice to students is to take this independence seriously. With independence comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes consequences. College is full of making mistakes, both in the classroom and out. And although grades are very important, it is not grades that make a successful college student; it is the ability to learn from every mistake and make the most of this once in a lifetime experience.

Make your desicion based on career instead of money.

I feel when selecting a college as a student, you need to evaluate what exactly you want out of your college experience. Are you looking for a school in a big city, are you looking to become affiliated with the greek lifestyle, are you looking for small class sizes or a small campus where everything is within walking distance. Once you have your ideas in mind you should then begin your research . You should also keep in mind that your parents probably have some good ideas about where you should go to school as well. For parents, you should do research on what other parents say about the school your child chose. Are the business offices accomidating, do you receive your tuition bills on time and are the people at the university easy accesible to speak with. As a parent you should feel safe about the school your child chose, so doing research on the city they are moving too and what campous security is like are also useful suggestions Making the most of your college experience is most important. Stay involved, be active and don't be afraid to make new friends and step out of your comfort zone.

First and foremost, both parents and students need to open minded about finding the right college. They need to look at what the university offers, in regards to majors/minors, housing, dining, and financial help. Class sizes and professor/student ratio are also very important to take into consideration. I would recommend living in on-campus housing during the first year of college. This really helps students get acquainted with their peers and make new friends. I would strongly recommend looking into collegiate organizations, social clubs, and Greek Life (fraternities/sororities). All of these provide new opportunites for students to meet people, gain friends, and have a sense of belonging and purpose. Orgainizations can range from church groups to even clubs associated with your particular major. These are all opportunities to definitely take advantage of and will certainly enhance any student's college experience.

This is a great school. Contrary to what many think, i would definitely recommend it to anyone