Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Top Questions

make sure you can afford it

Don't try to go from one extreme from where you have lived to a whole new lifestyle at college; try to at least find a happy medium (i.e. if you lived in a small town all your life, don't move to NYC). Parents: let your kids have some freedom in high school, because if they are too sheltered and held back, when they get to college and are away from you they will act out very seriously. Have fun in school, relax, but don't forget to STUDY!

The best way to find the right college is to first way your options academically, financially, and keep location in mind. Once you find the college that best fits your situation, the best way get the most out of college is just to be yourself. Don't be pressured into joining organizations or volunteering or taking on more than you can handle, but just be who are around everyone and you will enjoy yourself. Best years of your life.

Look for a college that lets you become the person you want to be and not what they want you to be.

If I were to give future college students advice about choosing the right school for them, I would simply tell them to follow their heart. Too often young people let financial setbacks keep them from attending the school they really wish to attend and I think this is so sad. I feel that you have to go where you are led and you cannot let financial worries stop you. I attend a school out of state and am paying for all of my college on my own. It is very scary to think about the amount of money I will owe when I graduate, but I followed my heart and am right where I should be. If you follow your heart I can be sure that you will be happy with your decision.

Do plenty of research about what you want in a school, and what you want from your career. Also, don't let your financial situation control your decisions, finding a college that really fits your needs as a student, and allows you to follow your career path is very important.

Its very important to visite the schools you are interested in, and really good to sit in on some classes. Talk to students who attened the school and ask questions not just about academics. The academic side of a school is important but other considerations like the feel of the student body is equally important when you consider being at one place happily for four years. Find out about finicial aid, tutoring, english lab, study spaces before you go so you are more likely to utilize them. In the end scholorships brought me to my university. Finances are REALLY important but can't be the only consideration.

Visit several campuses and take advantage of overnight stays. It is important to talk to students who aren't paid to be the tour guides--find people who are leaving courses and ask them questions. Also, ask for appointments with professors in the academic disciplines you're interested in. They will be able to help you decide whether the academic standards are what you are looking for.

Visit the campus. Make sure you research the community-if there are a lot of outdoor activites, entertainment (mini golf, rec rooms, etc) or cultural activities within the town or city students are less likely to spend all of their free time drinking and partying. The environment you put yourself in maybe just as important for success as the university you attend. Although you may not be exactly sure what you want to do when you first go to college, you have an idea of what you are interested in and what you like-study abroad, clubs you might want to join, etc. Research those things when you go visit the campus. Find out if they have a career/job center-that's usually a good sign. If you need to work while you are in college, be sure to research the job market on campus and off-campus. If you are not a very good student, you might consider choosing a smaller campus for more one-on-one attention from professors. Large campuses have learning resource centers but they are usually packed and you are normally being tutored by students who have just taken the class!

The first piece of advice that I would give parents and/or students trying to find the right college to attend would be that they need to understand how important and big this decision is, but it can also be fun. College is suppose to be the time or your life and you only get out of it as much as you put into it. When searching for just the right college it's important to keep in mind the cost, location and opportunity. My advice would be to physically go and visit each college you are interested in, a brochure simply doesn't do the job. Besides you wouldn't pick out a new car without and least going to see it. As for making the best out of college, I would say get as involved as you can. Join committees, church groups, study sessions anything that gets you to meet new people. My advice would be don't be scared of putting yourself out there, keeping in mind not to get too involved to the point you don't concentrate on your schoolwork. College is such an eye opener, look around, you might learn something!

Don't let limits hamper your opportunity to better yourself.

The college experience is different for every person. Most Universities are different, that doesn't mean some are better that others, simply that some fit the needs of an individual better than another. A good college or university most always will provide a good education to help the student's future, but the kind of college; big, small, liberal, technical, etc., depends on the student's individual preferences. And once the choice has been made the student should take it all in and be open to new experiences in order to get the most of it. Because regardless of the school of choice that time of life will be full of growing experiences.

I would advise parents/students to not only do fact-finding on the college of interest but if possible, try to visit the school prior to making their final decision. Also, inquiring about the type of financial aid or scholarships that the student is qualified for also helps significantly. And if the college offers a program where the incoming freshmen can move into their dorms early in order to help them socialize and find where their classes are before school starts definitely helps the student feel more comfortable at at home thus the likelihood of their college experience being great from the beginning is very high.

I would tell future college students to look into several colleges. Which one has a better campus, academic program, or reputation. Do not go to a school just because that is where all of your friends are going. Also, cost is of course a major deciding factor. I would tell parents to let your child chose that school that is right for them (as long as your pocketbook can afford it!). They will adjust better and be happier in an environment they picked. After all, you do want them to stay in school don't you? Lastly, I would tell students to go to class! This is one mistake several first semester students make, and usually end up paying for it with their first semester grades.

When trying to determine the right college for you you should choose the place you feel most comfortable, the place that makes you feel the most at home. You should also choose the place where you believe you can get along with the most people and make friends. Most importantly you should choose the place where you believe you will get the best education, the place that has all the resources you are looking for in a school and the place that will help furture your career after graduation. School should be fun but should also be the best school as far as your major.

Make sure you find a school that matches your speed of learning.

The funny thing about advice is that it never works for everyone and that is precisely why I would reccomend for future college students and thier parents alike to first analyze thier individual "perspective" before choosing a University. Perspective is something I have come to understand in more depth over my last four years of college. I have learned that there is one world in which we all live together, but the options for the worlds we can each create are endless; these worlds are defined by our individual perspectives. My perspective of success may be one that explores the greatness of this world through travel and yours may be owning a multi-million dollar business. Neither path should be viewed as more "successful" than the other, for each is born from some perspective or passion. The ability to create your own success by understanding your perspective is influenced greatly through your choice of university. By understanding yourself and your passions before even attempting to make a decision, you will be more apt to find a university that heeds way to your perspective and thus your ultimate success and happiness; whatever it may be. The world is yours to perceive.

Keeping an open mind. Finding one that will not put you in the hole financial. Finding a college that fits what you want to get out of it and being honest about what you want out of college.

kNOW WHAT YOU ARE WANTING TO MAJOR IN BEFORE YOU GO TO COLLEGE

To find the right college for you, take a tour and/or spend the night. If you have any friends stay with them because getting to know the life outside the classroom is just as important as in the classroom. Real world experience is key to a successful college experience and also prepares you for the future. You can always read about what classes are offered for your major but you can not read about finding friends and a social life. However, it is not wise to find a college only about the social atmosphere, then you will be behind in your academic career.