Ohio University-Main Campus Top Questions

Make sure you visit the campuses for each school that you are seriously considering, and talk to the students on campus about what type of activities they do in their free time; ask for honest answers. If you do not mesh with the social life of a school then your experience will be bland and off-putting.

Finding the right college can be tedious; filling out applications, finding time in everyone's busy schedule to visit each college, the list goes on. One of the best ways to pick a college is visiting, photographs can only show so much, but do not show that "feeling." That feeling of knowing you belong. I visited each of the colleges I applied to, my top two colleges were a bust, each campus had something I didn't like, but my third pick was perfect. I feel at home when I'm walking through campus and the friends I make turn into family. No one should be able to tell you where go to college other than yourself, but if your parents are paying and they have a specific request -- it's okay, you will survive! All colleges have buildings, dorms, and that mystery meat at the dining halls we all eat but shouldn't. Make the most out of your college experience by joining clubs, going to sporting events, and having an open mind on ideas you are not familiar with. Everyone always says college will be the best years of your life, and so far, it's very true.

Definitely look at more than one or two schools. Visit the campus, talk to students, not just freshman, but juniors and seniors.

I would advise them to visist and explore as many colleges/options as possible. Picking the right college is about experiencing the campus just as much as it's about finances and academics. To get the most out of one's college experience I would suggest joining or trying out every club or organization that sounds fun of interesting to you. Greek life or intermural sports are great ways to meet new people and there is no such thing as too many friends. Also, keep up with your academics and use the resources offered, such as tudors and professor's office hours. You might as well get your money's worth out of your university and those reources will help you excel in academically which is the reason we are all at school.

When picking a college you need to find a not only a location you feel comfortable with, but also a university, that immediately when you walk onto the campus you feel like you are at home. When you walk around you will just know that things feel right there, and its the place you will feel comfortale spending four years. Most importantly this place needs to have the program you have a strong passion pursuing, because if it doesn't, you will be easily distracted, and your studies will be taken off of their course.

The best advice I have is to not only go on college visits sponsored by the university but to actually go spend a day or so on campus talking to students and finding things out yourself. Most of the stuff that goes on at college visits is scripted and really has nothing to do with what your life there will be like. Talking to the students will be much more informative and valuable. As far as making the most of your college experience, everything is pretty self explainatory. You get out what you put into it. Work hard and get your work done, go the extra mile, and play hard too. Balance is very important. Sleep when you are dead, college goes by fast and the relationships you build are just as important as the education itself. Also make yourself an easy person to talk to. It isn't high school where there are cliques and cool kids and what not. Everyone can get along as long as you put yourself out there and make an effort to meet people. Lastly, take advantage of extra opportunities presented to you. Talk to alumni, go on retreats, join a club, etc.

When it comes to selecting the right college, it is important to not only focus on what the academics offered, but also activities and elective classes. Especually if you work, make sure you have options for relaxing and having fun. Also when selecting a college, make sure you really do like the place! The surrounding area and how the campus looks/feels does have an impact on how much you enjoy being there. In order to make the most of your college experience try anything that sounds interesting to you. You aren't obligated to stick with everything you try, and along the way you will meet a lot of people. My final advice for making the most is take your academics seriously! Freshman year a lot of students go a little crazy and start out there undergraduate career with a terrible GPA, not realizing that it will take them the rest of the next three years to get it up. If you (or your parents) are spending the money then go to class, listen, and take the tests. If you simply care, show up, and try, you are bound to make it through ok.

I would say the most important thing, speaking of a college athlete, is to pick the school on things besides your sport. Yes, you might be craving that D1 scholarship, or you might be really wanting to go to that winning program, but if you get hurt, where are you left? Make sure the school has your major, has qualities you can enjoy without sports and fits your personality. Education is an investment, so you must maximize your potential. With the way the stock market currently is, you want to buck the trend and put your money towards being the best you can be. As always, you must be focused on your schoolwork, as well as learning about living on your own outside the classroom. College is not just about book education, but learning life lessons as well. It's a big time in your life on paper, but once you arrive on campus, all the pieces seem to fall into place.

Do not choose (or let your child choose) a college based on its looks, and the people that attend it. Make sure that the program that you wish go to into (or your child wishes to go into) is a good progam and something that will help you excel in your career.

While the college itself is very important, the surrounding city and/or town is also very important. When a student is selecting a college, they should know whether they want to live in an urban or rural environment, and just how big of a school they want. This is very vital to enjoying your experience at your school. Also, as you take college visits, pay attention to the students already there. A major point in my decision of Ohio University was the fact that I looked like the students I saw attending the university. By paying attention to that, I figured I would fit in.