Radford University Top Questions

Visit schools during the academic school year, not the summer.

It is important to drink in moderation while here at college, but it does not mean that you should not drink at all while you are attending a university. As long as you have your priorities straight and allow for yourself to keep up with studying and attending classes on a regular basis then casually partying with friends is perfectly acceptable for a college student. These are the best four years of your life and you should enjoy every minuite of it.

Here are a few words of advice for parents or students who are trying to find the right college. I would suggest taking time to look at the academic side including all the majors, minors, and classes you should begin with. Many fellow colleagues have completed several classes they found out later they didn't need. If at all possible it is good to know your major when you start. If you do so you will be sure not to take unnecessary classes. Also, know the area around the campus. Make sure there are things that interest you so you have something to do in your free time. Good Luck!!

Let the student decide for themselves where they want to go, but make sure to check out all the universities' reputations that they are applying to. Sometimes universities put on a facade of being academically focused, when all they want is your credit card number. The student will be accepted, then probably fail out because of the massive party scene. Just be careful and involved in which university your student goes to.

It's never easy to know what you want to do with your life. The only advice I can give is go to the school that is right for YOU. There are plenty of schools, i am sure, that are good for mom, or dad, but what's good for you? Don't let any opportunity pass you by, don't doubt yourself. If you have enough confidence to know you are great and you act on it, you're a natural born leader. If you doubt yourself and let these opportunities pass you by, you're selling yourself short. Once you find the right college, you'll know it I can't explain the feeling, you'll just know. Be pro-active in college, this is when you start building your future. You're not a child anymore there are amazing chances out there just waiting for you to grasp them. So go out in the world and make yourself proud of the things you've accomplished, the first step is getting into the right school.

Do not base anything on what you see on pictures. Visit the prospective colleges and talk to students to get the real perspective. Ask your child if they want to learn in a classroom of 500 or a classroom of 25. If your child knows what he or she wants to study base part of the decision on the school's academic program of choice. Get involved! This will enable you to meet people and find our your true niche in the school. Look at the surrounding area of the school to see what else a student can do to entertain themselves. Is the school located in an area where juniors and seniors can obtain internships for work experience. Every student will be different but how you make that first year will make or break your college career.

VISIT VISIT VISIT! Orientations are great for finding reliable information straight from the source but if you visit during a non-orientation time you'll truly get a feel of what the school is like. Just walk around, grab lunch, as a student where to go or what is fun to do. Parents, allow your student to feel free yet protected. College is a place to find out who you truly are and what your dreams for a better tomorrow entail.

I would tell them to pick a college that is the right size for them. I looked at many big colleges and many small colleges and ended up at Radford, which was in between the two. I enjoy the size of my classes and do not feel overwhelmed by the number of students. I also like that it is bigger than my highschool classes. Some of the small schools I looked at only had about 15-20 students. My average class has about 35-50. Also I would tell them to pick a school with the right majors programs for you.

When it is time for you to start college, I suggest visiting every college you would like to attend. Take tours, visit and meet professors, and check out all of the student activities. If you already know what career you want, make sure the school offers a good program. If you have a friend attending college, spend a weekend with them, or even a few days during the week. See what it's like to be a college student. Eat at the dining halls, attend parties, and other social events, or go to class with your friend to see what it's like. All college campuses are different; if you spend a few days at each one, you can figure out what is right for you. When you have chosen a school, and of course, been accepted, you will begin a new step in your life. Keep focused on your studies because it can be easy to get distracted. I suggest studying at the school library; it's easier to stay focused. The most important advice I can give is to have fun. Get involved and make friends because it will make your college experience that much better.

Figure out why you're going to college first, then find colleges that excel in those areas.