North Central University Top Questions

Get involved and stay on top of your school work.

I would tell them to 'shop around' and compare campuses, and to make the most out of your experience, i would tell them to get involved.

College costs a lot of money. Make sure that your money will be well spent. Don't go to a college that is going to provide an atmosphere that you don't want to be around for 4+ years, because many places can seem wonderful for the first year and then get tiresome shortly thereafter. Most schools are pretty open about the environment they try to provide for their students. Whether it be a very academically-focused or a very social life-focused school or any other, make sure you are going to where you want to be for 4+ years.

Don't focus soley on the majors that the school gives and the amount of money you'll be able to make after you graduate. Think about how you will feel on that campus and what you want kind of difference you want to make in the world around you.

My number one advice for parents and prospective college students is to take their time in finding the right school first off, and then figuring out how to pay for it. If this means taking a year or two off after high school graduation, then let it be. I say this from my own experience. I first started doing carpentry and working for two years after I graduated before I started college. I was able to experience a lot about life, as well as I had to learn to mature quicker than a lot of people. In a way this prepared me for college. Responsibility plays such a huge role in college when it comes to getting to class and making the grade. Even more so when there are aspirations to go to Grad school. Overall students and their parents must allow time to look at all applicable colleges and funding thoroughly before making a decision on where to go for college. It is a huge investment and the students must know what they want to do. Taking time after high school is a great way to figure this out.

The most important question to consider is what are you looking to get out of your college experience. A college's academics are important, but unless you are taking a large credit load the majority of your time will not be spent in the classroom. Think about your values, ways you might want to grow and be challenged, the kinds of people you want to build relationships with, what kind of activities/clubs you want to be involved in, etc. Not only is a good education important, but a good social life is also important. If you choose a school based solely on academics you might get there and not feel like you fit in because there are no activities or people who share your interests and values. Conversely, a school should not be chosen based solely on its extra-curricular programs with complete disregard for its academic standing. It is important to find a balance of good academic and social settings in a school.

Well, visiting the campus always helps. Aslo, do as much research as possible on the univeristies you may wish to attend.

Make sure you don't go in too much debt! Look for a college that fits your personality and be smart about it. Have fun shopping for college!

My advice to the parents of a college student would to be to let your child do what they want to do with their life. I have seen friends go to the college that their partents went to, even though they didn't want to. I have seen friends make career choices that they wouldn't have made if they would have had a choice. Parents, it is your childs future. It is their life and their chance to make it want they want it to be. You will have no greater joy in life then watching your child succeed at their dreams knowing that you supported them, even if it wasn't what you would have had them do. As for the students, my advice to you would to be careful not to take your parents for granted. It is easy to believe that you are all your own just because you are in college, but really your not. I know that i couldn't do college if it wasn't for my mom and I am thankful for her everyday. It is easy to forget how much we still need our parents, even as college students.

Look at the way the teachers respond because it would only help the grades your making