Kenneth
Make sure your child has the right focus in life and in academics. Do not let them wander through college aimlessly wasting their time and money by partying all the time. Penn State can chew up and spit out kids like it is nothing, I have seen it happen all to often. Future student need to take their careers seriously and graduate in as little time as possible. Come to PSU because it is the best school in the country. LET'S GO STATE
Katherine
When you first get to college you will have a lot more freedom and social opportunities than you did at home. Have fun, but don't get carried away. If you have a test, study for the test and party a different night. You have your entire college experience ahead of you, so make the most of it.
Marek
Pick a school based in personal fit, not price or status.
Danielle
Go and visit the university and talk to people about what field you would like to major in. Make sure you'll be happy at the campus because you will be there for 4 years. Look up schools on the internet and compair your favorite ones. Use sites such as petersons.com as a search engine for schools.
Justine
Remember that there is a lot more to college than just classes. Ask someone questions about the school that is not an administrator or a tourguide. Keep in mind that you may like the snow or rain at home, but in college you have to walk everywhere, so it's not as much fun. Try something new, but don't go so far outside your comfort zone that your mom has to pick you up the second week of school. Go to a school that is strong in your academic interests, but remember that it is 99.999999999{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} likely that you will switch majors to a completely different field... pick a well rounded school. Go to a school with a lot of spirit. Go to a forward thinking school, so you can get in on that action. Big schools end up seeming small, and remember that big schools often equal big names, like alumni, speakers and performers. Lastly, keep in mind that you will want to visit home and your friends outside of breaks. And when you get to school, keep all the doors open, literally and figuratively!
Taren
Do not rely on your friends. they are not going to be there for you when you go to your first class, first test or when you graduate. You have to worry about yourself first. College is a learning experience. You grow to figure out who you are and what you are capable of doing. ONLY YOU CAN JUDGE YOURSELF.
Chris
Let your kid/kids make most of the decisions. Do not forget, this is their life not yours. Make sure they look at good academic schools that also are willing and able to help them with anything they need. I would also go with a school with a big alumni. The more alumni, the better chance your kid will have finding a job. Many graduates like to stick together, in terms of hiring other workers from the same college. Also look at Penn State it is a great school with amazing staff, faculty and students.
James
Look into your college choices very carefully. Make sure you decide that the college you would like to attend has everything you are looking for such as majors and activities that you will be interested in joinging and participating in. Visiting the college of choice is a must and talk with students and faculty while you are there at your visit.
Andrew
You get what you give when it comes to your college experience. If you go to college with the intention of having fun and learning, then you will. Do not be afraid, there is something for everyone.
rebekah
I would tell students to really make an effor to visit each campus, and to get in touch with actual students on the campus to get a small sample of what campus life is really like. Also, make use of the campus websites to get student testimonials, and the numbers of school counselors that can answer any questions you may have about the campus. It is also very important to make a list of the things you need in a college experience to make it successful in your mind. Take this list to each information session and make sure you address all of the things you have decided are important to you as an individual. It is very important to get a feel for the true atmosphere of the college to see if it fits the lifestyle you are accustomed to living, and campus life will be condusive to your learning style.