Jennifer
Make the right decision based on your financial situation and your educational strengths and background.
Natalie
Visit the schools during fall quarter during the school week to get a feel for it. Explore beyond the tour the school provides. Once at college, be social! Make friends with everyone you meet. Be prepared for course work to be more demanding than high school.
Kate
When you step onto a campus for the first time at a college visit, take in exactly what you are feeling. Think to yourself "Is this the place I can see myself/my child eating, sleeping, studying, and living for the next 4 or so years?" Think about the cost, but don't sell yourself short. If the campus is of absolute perfection and you love the atmosphere, but the cost is out of your budget, consider financial aid options. Everyone in college is going to have financial obstacles to overcome, but you, as a student and/or parent want to be happy in a school setting that you truely love. When you step on campus, if you feel like you've found a second home or that perfect prom dress or just the perfect fit, don't hesitate to apply there. Go to the school you love.
Daynah
Do not let not having enough money prevent you from going to your dream school, because in the end it is worth all of the debt. Have the experience you want to have and don't let money keep you from being happy. If you work at something hard enough, things tend to work themselves out.
Michael
To students: live in the present. Do not worry about the future, because once your future has arrived, you will undoubtedly wish to have back your college days. I remember when I was in college that I would give anything to graduate. Now, I would give anything to be back in college.
To parents: let your child live. Lend advice and guidance when he/she asks for it and when you feel it is necessary. Let your child make mistakes and learn from them. It's the only people grow.
Craig
Attending college is a very important stage in life, so I would recammend taking the necessary time to visit some prospective college choices, and more importantly, you should talk with current students. This process should not be taken lightly because in college you will be receiving the education that will decide your occupation and career. If you have plans to further your education beyond a two or four year degree, then you will want to look at colleges that will give you the best chance of doing so. The process of searching for and choosing a college should begin at the end of your Junior year in high school. This sounds early, but the applications are due long before high school graduation, and this will ensure enough time to make the right decision. I would also like to add that a guided tour is nice, but the representatives from the respective college are going to show you what they want you to see. It is more important to space apart a few visits and make sure to see the college during the day and at night. Also, check out the surrounding area and not just the campus.
Jacob
Finding the right college is no one's choice but your own, as a student. It's up to you to go out, visit campuses, and find a school that fits your interests and feels comfortable.
Parents may want their children to stay close to home, or even to live at home while attending college. However, I would recommend the opposite. I believe it is extremely important to leave the home during college, in order to experience the separation from people you have always been dependant on. The simple knowledge that you no longer need to ask a parent for permission or tell them where you're going to be is very liberating. By no means do I think that all ties should be cut with the parent, but a simple step away from them is important.
Once in college, though, just stay involved. Find a student organization to join that fits your interests, whether it's a theatre group, varsity sport, or Marine Biology Club. I've found that the subject of the club doesn't matter as much as the people in it. In college, you will meet the friends that will last the rest of your life.
Matthew
I would tell them to make sure they are comfortable on campus. When I first walked on Ohio State's campus, I knew it was the right place for me. Just being on the campus should excite you for the next four years. When it comes to making the most of your college experience, you need to find the right balance between academics and partying/socializing. If you don't give academics enough time, your college experience will not last very long. So try to save the partying for the weekend, and always put academics first. Also, get out and meet as many people as you can the first weekend, everyone else is meeting each other too, so it is the easiest time to make friends. Try not to go home too much, but it is nice to go home for a home cooked meal every now and then. Most importantly have a good time, get involved with activities that interest you, and try to keep off that freshman fifteen.
Leah
Visit every school you are even remotely considering. Seeing a school in person is really what makes or breaks your decision.
Jordan
When researching colleges, the most important thing is to be open minded. The student needs to find the college where they plan on spending at least four years of their life. The student needs to feel comfortable and welcome. It is really important to get involved and meet new people during college. Another point of advice is about financial aid. Parents and students need to be informed about costs and ways to get help. It is hard to pay for education in the current economy. It is vital to apply for scholarships and talk to financial advisors. To make the most of the college experience, the student needs to be confident and excited. This is the time to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.