Northern Illinois University Top Questions

Absolutely none. What I have learned through experience is not comparable to words. Only taking on these challenges of college first hand could somebody even begin to understand what a big responsibility it is and how hard it is to maintain a balance within one's life. Saying work hard and keep your head high doesn't explain how tough college can be, nor does it explain how rewarding college can be. Giving a predisposition can actually hurt someone more than help them. But if I had to say something, it would be cliche, "work hard and be good".

I would have told myself to not take being a senior for granted. It was a lot of fun being a senior, and a lot of my teachers are now my friends, but college was nothing like senior year. I went in thinking it was going to be fun and easy just like high school, and I would have told myself to be prepared and start off strong. That was the biggest mistake I made, and if I did have the resources to go back and tell myself this, I definately would

Don't waste time! There is so much to do and accomplish in school, sitting around and watching TV is the worst thing you can do. Make friends, experience life, and do your best.

You must have a dream, and no dream is too big! Doing something just because other people do it, because it is close, easy or convenient doesn't mean its the thing that you would best be doing!! There is a whole world out there of colleges and university beyond the boundaries of your state lines. If you work hard to meet their admissions requirements and show real people there how much you are interested, you will be suprised at the caliber of schools you will be admitted to that you didn't think you would. Now is your chance, to travel, explore the world, your own mind, and the cultures of other people. Your life will be infinitely enriched, as will the lives of others when you reach for the stars and pursue a dream that you never thought was possible. Each day is a gift. The time to live is now. You have a calling and gifts that you are meant to use. The world is your oyster when you are a high school senior. Carpe Diem!

I would tell myself that it would be a good idea to go to a comunity college and save some money before attending a larger school like northern. That way I would be able to finish my general education classes for cheap and have money to make it through my major.

Make sure that you kid has every possible thing that you can think of. first aid kit, carpe, bateries, printer, food, a way to get food, There are alot o people that forget the basics and really have a hard time adjusting.

I would have to tell them to make sure they are ready to go mentally. And picking the right college does invole a lot of different factors, but visiting schools and taking the proper time to research a little, you will find the school for you. Just don't get too hasty and keep your focus on what you are really going there for while you are choosing. Don't go to a school just becasue it's a "cool" school, or a party school, one should always go to a school for the right reasons. If you attend a school for the wrong reasons you could end up messing up all your plans.

When selecting a college, you must visit the college. You can not choose the next four years of your life from a pamphlet. while visiting, imagine yourself attending this school. Is the campus right for you? Do you feel like you will fit in? Also, you must talk to current students of this college and others. Ask them why they choose to attend where they do. Ask what they like to do on campus. Remember that the schooling is only part of your college experince. Ensure that you will be confortable where ever you choose. Do not worry about costs or prestige. If you like the school that you attend, you will succede in all that you do there.

make sure its at a friendly, yet affordable campus that ensures that you are surrounded with a positve group of people that will encourage you to make the right decisions and get all of your work done.

For parents I think that the college choice should be left up to the student because its not like you're going to have to live there. Also you should make a plan for how you are going to sponsor the student's college career, and execute it effieciently. This is why I am filling this out now, I need money to go back to school. For the student: I think that you should make the most out of your college life because while your in college you don't know who you're going to meet, as well as become friends with in the future. Everyone there has dreams that they are all trying to achieve all at that one place. Im just saying that your best friend in college could be a doctor and thats just something that I think you should live for and cherish. Also i think that if a certain college isn't for you, you should just transfer till you feel comfortble. There are plenty of colleges to go to these days, you just have to apply. Stay motivated and focused and hopefully instead of your BFF being the doctor, you could become one.

To the students and parents of the students who want to attend college: Students: Picka college that you know you can make a lasting impression on and that college can make a lasting impression on you. This is very important because you do not want to go through your college career regretting the fact that you chose a college that you hate. Parents: Alow your child to chose a college that they want to attend. If you try to choose a college for them, they will end up regretting your decision and revengeful towards you.

When picking a college most students know that it is right for them by a certain feeling that they get from being on campus.

When choosing a university, ask students who already attend there what they think of it. You should walk through the book store and find out what percentage they pay for selling back books. Look at the hours cafiterias are open in residence halls. Try looking up how many arrests are made on campus per semester and what they are for. You should look for any policies or rules that may be changing during the summer between your high school graduation and your freshman year of college. You can usually find controversial changes in policy in the school paper. If you need to work during college, make arrangements to transfer to a store closer to your college town, if you work for a chain. It is very hard to find a job in a college town. Most inportantly, if you must have a roommate, make sure you do not know them ahead of time. Many best friends have parted ways after finding that they cannot stand to see one another after living together in a twelve by eight foot dorm room for three months.

Go after your dreams and keep your education first no matter what.

Make sure you visit a variety of schools to get a general idea of what you are exactly looking for or else you will be disappointed.

What I would say to students and their parents who are looking for a college is that the student should really look at colleges and pick the college that is right for them. Too many students right out of high school pick schools by where there friends are going or the popular school to go to. If you know what you want to do, make sure that the school has that major and also a couple other majors you think you may be interested in just in case you change your mind. Basically, choose the school that fits you and will make you happy because you will be there for at least another 4 years of your life.

Finding the perfect college is not easy, but it can be done. The most important advice I can give as a senior in college is that no matter where you choose to go to college, make it the best choice and never regret your decision. Life is what you make it, and college is an amazing time to find yourself and learn about life. Truly get involved in your college and in the surrounding community; you will never know the difference that you can make until you try! I honestly picked to go to Northern Illinois University because that's where my boyfriend was going. I had no idea that going into my fourth year of school I would still be with my boyfriend, become the president of my sorority, and love my life as much as I do. Make the most out of your life, and do NOT be afraid to take some risks, they may just land you happier than you ever could have imagined. You only have a short time to be a college student, so live the dream the way you want to. Own your decisions and make the best out of your life!

Weigh the importance of different aspects of school before making decisions. Consider programs available, social activites during the week and weekend, housing, the actual campus, support for students, etc. Make sure that you can find what you need at each school. If you don't like to party, the school should have quieter social events available. If you need psychological help, that should be available. The school should have resources that will make you happy.

I would just advise that they visit all campuses they are interested in prior to even applying for college. Once accepted, I would advise that they narrow down the schools to their top 3 and re-visit all of those schools to refresh their memories of what the school was like. Also, on the second visit, they should try to meet with a counselor and a student from the department in which they are interested in studying under so that they can get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each department. They should also ask the student about the social life, clubs, drinking, and other areas of concern the student might have.

I would tell anyone, that when you are deciding what school you should attend, you should ALWAYS pick a school where you feel comfortable and safe. Make sure you vist the school to see how it is ran, because every school is not good for everybody!